It’s just awesome and a true statement of how Jiu-Jitsu can be important to people.

Imagine turn the martial art you practice in the center piece of one of the most important days of your life.

That’s what Hazel Parker and her husband did.

The BTT Boston team. Photo: Personal archive

On June 14, 2014, head instructor of GMA Brazilian Top Team Boston Bruno Amaral and his fiancé Nathalia Azoff wed in Lexington, Massachusetts. The proposal happened just over one year ago in the middle of Bruno’s Jiu-Jitsu class and so it would only be appropriate for their Jiu-Jitsu family to share this special occasion. The wedding had Nathalia’s and Bruno’s family and friends present along with many of their teammates including Bruno’s uncle and owner of Brazilian Top Team Boston, Joao Amaral. This was a very special evening for the happy Jiu-Jitsu couple.

Just a couple of days after the wedding, rather than taking a honeymoon, Bruno and Nathalia were back on the mats for the BTT Boston belt ceremony.

On June 16, 2014, Joao Amaral, Daniel Gazoni, and Bruno Amaral awarded many stripes and belts to BTT students. Thayse Soares, the first BTT Boston female black belt was awarded her second degree on her black belt and Roger Woo, owner of BTT affiliate Woo Kickboxing Academy was awarded his first degree on his black belt.

To complete an already great evening, 5 black belts were awarded to very deserving students; Nathalia Amaral (our new bride), Aniss Al Hajjajy, Vincent Silvestre, Attila Javor, and Tatasuya Goto. This was the most successful belt ceremony to date. “I am proud of everyone and their accomplishments. Today was very special for all of us and I look forward to seeing all our students grow and evolve in this sport,” says Joao Amaral.

Needless to say, this has been quite an exciting few days for Bruno and Nathalia!

Learn more about the adventures of Bruno and Nathalia along with their GMA academy BTT Boston at www.bttboston.com

See pictures:

Samir and his wife Nathalia. Photo: Personal Archive

When he’s not consumed by the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle at his home in San Jose, CA, black belt Samir Chantre is participating in normal aspects of life. It’s crazy, I know.

How does he have time to work as a referee at many IBJJF tournaments throughout the year, compete in the same tournaments and more, work as director of the academy, teach at the academy, earn medals in the largest tournaments like No-Gi Worlds and still have time to woo a lady into marrying him?

We may never know.

Congratulations to Samir and his wife Nathalia on their wedding on Dec. 22 in Brazil!

GMA member Caio Terra was in attendance as well. Photo: Personal Archive

Princess Iman after training. Photo: Personal Files

Flattered by the news of his marriage to Jordan princess Iman bint Hussein on the homepage of GracieMag.com, the Jiu-Jitsu black belt Zaid Mirza sent us an exclusive shot of his wife after a Muay Thai training, a sport she has been practicing for two years.

According to Mirza, the princess has also been practicing Jiu-Jitsu for a year, which, according to our sources in Jordan, helped the couple become closer. The princess’ brothers, prince Hashim and prince Hamza are also supporters of the gentle art, and today are two tough blue belts.

Another discovery by GracieMag during the wedding ceremony held in March, in Jordan, is that one of the noble guests, sheikh Khaled Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of the king of Bahrain, also has private Jiu-Jitsu lessons in his own palace in the small emirate.

As it appears, more Arabian royal families are falling in love with Jiu-Jitsu.

The first class of 2013 as black belt parents. / Photo: Personal archives

For Tracey Goodell and Mike Fowler, their year of 2013 started off with huge changes– a new belt, a new bond and new name!

On New Year’s Eve, Tracey received her black belt from her then fiance Mike Fowler, after training for about six years. Mike achieved his own black belt in three and a half years and is a well-known American black belt competitor. The couple met through Jiu-Jitsu and flourished with accomplishments while training together as teammates. Today, they have accomplished much outside of the mat including the addition of another family member– their son, Thor.

If you read our article about Tracey’s break from Jiu-Jitsu in 2011, you will note her dedication to the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Her training regiments were adjusted but the drive to continue her goals maintained.

We asked Tracey about her new life as not only a fresh black belt, but also as a wife. The marriage of Mike and Tracey Fowler was made official in their island wedding on January 20, 2013. Congratulations to both of you!

Here is what Tracey had to say about the recent changes made in her life and what we can expect from the family in 2013:

How does it feel to be married, any difference?

No real difference being married, besides the fact that I have been practicing how to write Fowler everyday! lol It definitely was a very special and perfect day that we will both never forget! And I just think that we are growing as a couple/family more and more every day.

When will we see you competing next?

I plan on competing in the Hawaii Abu Dhabi Trials, and the Pan Ams, and the Worlds, not quite sure what else. I want to compete as much as possible!

What are your plans in terms of teaching?

As far as teaching I have really began to take up strength and conditioning workouts a lot more. I love it! I have a crew of girls who have gotten great results and some have transitioned into training Jiu-Jitsu now as well! It’s awesome because for a while I was the only female! I have also been doing a lot of private lessons lately here in Hawaii for some girls. They are looking really good.

What is next for the Fowler family?

Next for us will be the Trials, Feb. 2 and then Pan Kids in Cali.

The couple on their wedding day / Photo: MelanieGregor.com

The wedding / Photo: Personal archives

Tapped out: Justin married Deanna inside the Octagon at Rogers Centre, with the blessing of a judge – and Dana White. Photo: Marcelo Dunlop.

Will Jiu-Jitsu indeed define UFC 129? How many tapouts will fans get to see at today’s show in Toronto?

The recent UFC 118, with Randy Couture and boxer James Toney, hit the five-submission mark. At the even more recent UFC 128, headlined by Jones and Shogun, the tally came to zero. Not one piddling submission. What’s the menu like for Jiu-Jitsu fans tonight?

I am of the mind that only José Aldo is capable of coaxing a tapout on the main card. In the undercard, Nate Diaz and Daniel Roberts are a couple of solid candidates. We’ll see. And, of course, none of this means we won’t see some sensational groundwork, even if it doesn’t result in the perfect finishing hold.

Whatever’s to come, Jiu-Jitsu has already reared its head. And we’re not talking about on Thursday, when GSP had an open training session demonstrating self-defense moves more akin to karate.

On Friday we had the first four “tapped out” of the UFC 129 week. Let’s get to them:

Victim number 1: Justin Peacock

At nine on Friday morning the Rogers Centre Octagon received 16 guests, a justice of the peace and two nuts: Justin Peacock and Deanna Peacock harbored the dream of being joined in matrimony on the UFC’s main stage. Justin, an executive working for a company that does business with the event, personally put in a request to Dana White, who authorized the madness. That Friday morning the two said “I do,” and Justin was the first one tapped out at UFC 129, with a finger lock. Deanna, who got her hubby good, was the author of the achievement.

Victim number 2: Andrew McInnes

With a special appearance from Bruce Buffer, UFC star Diego Sanchez was decked in white as he made his entrance to the first match of a four-fighter tournament. His opponent was lanky Canadian Andrew McInnes, a fiesty Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who had a good showing the other day against Marcus Bochecha. Andrew didn’t want to hear about fighting accolades: he started out sweeping and sliding to the UFC fighter’s back. Diego was at wit’s end trying to rally back and tame the young local’s f0rmidable guard, but the points counter wouldn’t budge. With thirty seconds left to go, the star put an end to the rookie’s romp: he wrapped up Andre’s ankle and cranked out a lock that popped his knee in a bad way. Diego is through to the final of the Grapplers Quest at the UFC Fan Expo, set for 1:30 pm local time.

Victim number 3: Jorge Britto

Even while teaching class to nearly forty students a day in Toronto, our GMA Jorge Britto can’t resist a good fight. “I go out there to have fun, no pressure at all,” he often says. That’s what he did at Grapplers Quest at the UFC Fan Expo against Ryan Hall, an athlete from 50-50 academy who’s been on a tear in Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu competition. Jorge spent the whole time in top position, trying to decipher Ryan’s pesky guard. Halfway through the match, Hall got Jorge in the 50-50 guard and attacked with a showstopping heelhook, to the dismay of the cheering section that turned out at the fair en masse to egg Britto on – with even his master Royler Gracie watching from the sidelines. So now Ryan Hall and Diego Sanchez will soon take to the mat for the final.

Victim number 4: Chuck Liddell

It was around 5pm in Toronto. The retired UFC star was kicking back on the UFC Fan Expo stage when a little guy sporting a Mohawk hairdo asked to have a word with him: “Chuck, I’m your fan! Can I get up on stage to fight you?” The crowd was aghast and Liddell authorized it, “So long as you don’t hurt me, alright?” The brazen Jiu-Jitsu practitioner heeded the former light heavyweight’s request and took it easy. Or easy to a certain point: he lunged at Chuck Liddell’s neck and sunk a snug guillotine that obliged the American to tap in desistance. The retirer gloated: “And the winner is the little fan, by guillotine!” His face still red and chuckling, Liddell set about attending to the other, less-rambunctious fans. “Sure, of course I’d like to face Jon Jones, but folks, I’m retired, you know…” he sighed.

Who’s going to be the next to tap out, tonight?

UFC 129
Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields
José Aldo vs. Mark Hominick
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz
Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture
Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson

Preliminary card Spike TV broadcast

Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald
Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger

Undercard (an informal Canada vs. USA)

Yves Jabouin vs. Pablo Garza
Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts
Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia
Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen
John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson