Renzo Gracie
Kyle Maynard And How We All Just Ran Out Of Excuses
I guess we all have been guilty for coming up with excuses for not working out and pushing ourselves on way too many occasions.
And yes, I also struggle like some of you guys reading this post!!
By the way, thank you so much for spending some of your precious time with me here today.
And speaking of excuses, I came across a very exciting announcement of an even more exciting modern-day role model who reminded me of putting more energy in actually taking action than coming up with excuses.
Snag Films has announced that the independent movie A Fighting Chance will air on ESPN on 11/11.
It’s a documentary about Kyle Maynard, a motivational speaker, an ESPY winner, a best-selling author and champion wrestler.
A wrestler born with no arm or legs!
And yet, Kyle does not view himself as disabled. How else would he even consider venturing into the world of mixed martial arts?
If this isn’t motivation enough for us to getting off our “assets”, I don’t what is!
This was yet another push for me to “bring it”.
Check out the attached video to see what I mean and let me know what you think. Also, take note of Renzo Gracie at about 0:50 in the clip:
The Talented Mr. BJ Penn aka ‘The Prodigy’
If you look up the definition of the word ‘prodigy’ you will in most cases find:
“A person so extraordinary as to inspire wonder; specifically, a child of highly unusual talent or genius.”
BJ Penn, the current UFC-Lightweight Champion, from Hilo, Hawaii, has often been referred to as ‘The Prodigy’. And rightfully so, may I say.
In today’s post, I will refrain from listing all his impressive wins on the mat, in the ring and inside ‘The Octagon’. And they are many, even against a number of highly recognizable names on the MMA circuit such as Matt Hughes, Renzo Gracie, Jens Pulver, Kenny Florian.
I am more interested in sharing with you his predisposition in becoming a UFC Champion and one of the most well-known and respected figures in professional Mixed Martial Arts.
And how did that nickname ‘The Prodigy’ establish itself anyway?
When BJ was 17 years old, he started his BJJ training together with his brother after an introduction by his neighbor, Tom Callos, who must be mighty proud today.
It must have been around two years later in 1997 that BJ received instruction under the legendary Ralph Gracie, from whom he received purple belt.
By 2000, just 3 years later, he was awarded the coveted black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Andre Pederneiras.
This in itself is quite a feat, because reportedly it is not unusual for BJJ students to have to put in 10 years to reach that level of skill and dedication.
Shortly thereafter BJ Penn went on to become the first non-Brazilian to win the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which, as you might know, is considered the birthplace of BJJ.
While most people need a decade or more to become a black belt, BJ Penn had, with only three years of training, not only received a black belt but defeated people who had been training their entire lives on his way to winning the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Talent can certainly get you places, but it usually in addition takes consistent hard work and commitment to maintain and even propel you to higher elevations, in just about any profession.
Years ago UFC-President, Dana White, expressed his impression that BJ had coasted through his fighting career on natural talent alone.
That has definitely changed after BJ Penn has shown his willingness to take his professional MMA career more seriously in his training and he has obviously renewed his commitment to excel at the highest level to remain the UFC-Lightweight Champion.
His immense talent, combined with his experience and renewed commitment, make UFC-Lightweight Champion, BJ Penn ‘The Prodigy’ a force to reckon with. And most probably one of the best fighters of all time.
Check out this video in its entirety. You will not be disappointed!
Abu Dhabi Now Means UFC Mixed Martial Arts
In a recent post “Abu Dhabi And Martial Arts?” I introduced this vibrant Emirate on the Arabian peninsula as a true epicenter of top-level international submission wrestling.
The driving force behind all this is Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Center).
Dana White and the Sheik have worked out a deal to host UFC 112 on April 10, 2010 in Abu Dhabi.
One of the exciting fights of this event has been confirmed.
It will be between two true mixed martial arts legends: Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie.
Both are accomplished submission grapplers in their own right and that is an understatement, if there ever was one.
Will this be ‘Wrestling vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”?
I leave you today with two short videos that will give you an idea of these fighters’ personalities. Enjoy!
Matt Hughes
Renzo Gracie 
“The Best Of The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor”
And he isn’t even a Gracie or a Machado!
His name is Pedro Sauer, 7th dan BJJ.
In a worldwide poll in 2005 organized by the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Center) he received this coveted recognition.
But let’s first have a look at Professor Pedro Sauer’s climb to the top:
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at age five he started boxing and thereafter judo and taekwondo.
As a teenager and after training for about 10 years one of his buddies invited him over to check out a youngster training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. After this experience Professor Pedro started training in BJJ the very next day.
Get this: His buddy was Rickson Gracie and the younger brother was Royler Gracie, who at the time was only 9 years old and 6 years younger than Professor Pedro.
After majoring in economics and business Pedro worked as a stockbroker for about eleven years.
During this time Pedro earned his Black Belt from Helio and Rickson in 1985, after years of training at Gracie Humaita which can be considered something like the equivalent of BJJ’S Kodokan.
In 1986 he started teaching and training under Alvaro Barreto, who is a 9th degree (red belt) master under Helio Gracie.
Several years later he made the decision to emigrate and start teaching Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the U.S.
Understand that 1990 was when the original wave of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors moved to California and the martial arts world would never be the same.
Pedro Sauer immersed even deeper in BJJ in California while living and training daily with Helio, Rickson, Rorion, Relson, Renzo and Royce Gracie as well as the Machado Brothers, who are the famous cousins of the Gracies.
By the end of that same year Pedro set up camp in Utah where he lived to train and teach for sixteen years as one of only two non-Gracie instructors.
By 2006 Pedro Sauer and his family decided to relocate to Leesburg, Virginia.
It is here that Profesor Pedro instructs at One Spirit Martial Arts in Herndon, Virginia, and Jeff Gordon’s Mixed-Martial Arts Academy in Germantown, Maryland, as well as 80 affiliate schools worldwide.
His expertise has been highly sought after by a number of law enforcement, military and federal agencies such as FBI, CIA and Naval Special Warfare Group.
In 2005, Professor Pedro Sauer was named “Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor” in a worldwide internet poll conducted by the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC).
The following video clips feature Professor Pedro Sauer with an arm bar technique and his words of wisdom that can help any martial art of any style progress a lot quicker.
One Of The Best Weeks In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I hope you are enjoying your weekend as much as I am enjoying mine.
Time sure flies when you’re having fun.
Putting these posts, articles, stories together for you is fun for me.
So, please keep on visiting TheMartialArtsReporter.com and tell your friends and family about this blog.
It’s about informing, inspiring and entertaining martial artists and martial arts enthusiasts.
Are You Ready For Tonight’s UFC 107 BJ Penn Vs. Diego Sanchez?
BJ “The Prodigy” Penn Vs. Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez At UFC 107 Lightweight Title Fight in Memphis, TN.
Amir Perets, Martial Arts Champion, Fitness Guru, Israeli Self-Defense Expert
The Real Deal, Amir Perets Shows You Self-Defense That Works… For Real.
Legendary Renzo Gracie Gets Multi-Fight deal With The UFC
UFC Dana White Gets BJJ And MMA Legend Renzo Gracie Back Into The Octagon.
Fight Deal For Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather set For March 13, 2010
Already Heralded As The Fight Of The Century: Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. On March 13, 2010.
Before Steven Seagal Was “Lawman” And “Above The Law”
Action Movie Superstar And Martial Artist Steven Seagal Stars As “Lawman” In A&E Reality Cop Series.
TKD Gold Medalist Dana Hee And Change “I Can’t” To “I Can”
Taekwondo Gold Medalist, Actress, Stuntwoman And Motivational Speaker Dana Hee Knows A Thing Or Two About Changing “I Can’t” To “I Can”.
Hope you enjoy catching up on some of the posts you might have missed. Or maybe you liked them so much that you just have to read them again.
I can’t leave you without two really good quotes:
“Happiness depends on ourselves.”
Aristotle
“Every man dies; not every man truly lives.”
Mel Gibson (Braveheart)
Legendary Renzo Gracie Gets Multi-Fight Deal With The UFC
Things are getting really exciting again.
If you admire true martial artists in the ring and/or The Octagon like I do, we are in for a treat.
Just several minutes ago, I heard that the one and only Renzo Gracie has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.
Renzo Gracie, one of the most successful Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family members, will certainly contribute to get even more people excited about mixed martial arts in general and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in specific.
Now, this guy knows a thing or two about submission fighting.
Enjoy the visual appetizer!
The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saga Continues
If there were any martial arts royal families, I believe that the Gracies would certainly meet that description.
Most of us have probably heard of the countless accomplishments of Helio, Carlos, Carlos Jr., Carlson, Rickson, Renzo, Royce, Ryan, Charles, Royler, Robson, Reyson, Reylson, Rorion, Relson Gracie…. just to name a few.
Yet, there is another Gracie family member not mentioned in the long list, but who has already impressively leavng a mark.
And it’s not another guy. And her name doesn’t begin with a ‘C’ or a ‘R’.
Her name is Kyra Gracie.
She is the 24-year-old daughter of Flavia Gracie, who is the sister of Renzo, Ralph and Charles Gracie.
Kyra is the first female black belt of the Gracie family to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling.
After starting her studies at the age of 11, she has been leaving her own personal mark on fighting the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu way.
Two years later, at age 13, Kyra Gracie was already both Brazilian and New York State BJJ champion.
Just check out her impressive list of championship titles so far:
3x World BJJ Champion (2004,2006,2008)
5x Pan American BJJ Games Champion (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007)
5x Brazilian BJJ Champion (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004)
5x New York State BJJ Champion (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
2x ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Champion (2005, 2007)
1x Asiatic BJJ Champion (2006)
She spends much of her time training at her uncle Renzo’s academy in Manhattan advancing in her fighting and teaching skills.
There is no doubt that we will be hearing a lot more from Kyra Gracie in the future. Possibly Women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)?
Either way,The Gracie Saga Continues.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu – Behind The Scenes In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
If you’re not a martial artist, what probably comes to your mind when you think of Brazil is soccer football, Carnival in Rio, Copacabana beach, Gisele Buendchen, right?
On the other hand if you are a martial artist, you have without a doubt heard of or even trained in a martial art that has changed the art of fighting in so many ways.
It is simply known as BJJ or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
The Japanese brought Jiu-Jitsu to Brazil at the beginning of 20th century.
During this process Count Maeda tought this style of self-defense to Carlos Gracie, who then in turn instructed his younger brothers.
Carlos then together with his youngest brother, Helio, went on to refine the style and create a form of fighting and self-defense that has been nothing short of revolutionary.
Grandmaster Helio (1913-2009) promoted the Gracie way of fighting through teaching, competing and countless public challenges over a span of 40 years to demonstrate its effectiveness even against heavier and presumably stronger opponents, especially on the ground.
His legacy lives on through his sons and nephews such as Rickson, Royce, Rorion, Relson, Renzo, Reyson, Reylson, Rilion, Robson, Royler, Carlson, Carlos, Crolin.
There is certainly a lot more to be said about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu which I will do in the near future.
In the meantime, check out this really impressive video clip on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
I know it’s about 10 minutes long, but heck, there’s nothing on TV anyway. So, just sit back and take it in.
Abu Dhabi And Martial Arts?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of 7 states, termed emirates, which are located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf.
The three most well-known emirates are Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is the capital and second largest city. It is also the country’s center of political, industrial, and cultural activities.
One of the martial arts activities that has been gaining in international reputation is submission fighting.
Abu Dhabi and martial arts?
Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nayan who happens to be one the sons of the former President of the UAE, Sheik Zayed, has been the driving force in introducing martial arts to his home country.
While studying in the United States he started to learn more about grappling which led him to training in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu).
A man with an open mind and an eagerness to learn, Sheik Tanoon also took up Russian Sambo, freestyle wrestling and Muay Thai in which he became an expert in all. A true mixed martial artist!
He sounds like our kind of guy!
After getting back to Abu Dhabi he immediately went about in creating a combat center to provide his people with the opportunity to study and learn more about martial arts. It was named the Abu Dhabi Combat Center or short ADCC.
The man of vision and action that the Sheik is, he introduced a tournament in which the world’s best and most famous grapplers and submission fighters would compete again each other.
This tournament is simply known as the ADCC World Submission Wrestling Tournament. It has become THE submission grappling event in the world and is being copied across the globe.
To give you an idea of the caliber of competitors who have fought at this tournament are for example Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie, Mark Kerr, Tito Ortiz, Jean Jacques Machado, Rigan Machado, Rolles Gracie, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett, Vitor Belfort, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, Roger Gracie, Dean Lister, Jake Shields and many more. Impressed? I certainly am.
Abu Dhabi And Martial Arts!
2016 Olympics Awarded to Rio de Janeiro – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Anybody?
“Tonight I have the honour to announce that the Games of the 31st Olympiad
are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro,” IOC President Jacques Rogge said.
My heartfelt congratulations go out to the people of Brazil in general and the
citizens of Rio de Janeiro in specific.
When I think of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, what immediately comes to my mind:
Pele and artistic Brazilian soccer football, Copacabana, super-model Gisele Buendchen,
the famous song “The girl from Ipanema”, churrasco, Carnival in Rio, and …
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, of course.
The Gracie familiy members have done herculean work in laying the foundation
and together with their Machado cousins spreading the now immensely successful
and, just ask any of their opponents, very effective martial art.
BJJ founder Helio Gracie must have a really big smile on his face right now!
So, the Olympic Games 2016 have been awarded to the mesmerizing metropolis
of Rio de Janeiro and that leads me to the following question:
Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu become an Olympic discipline ?
And why not?
Just look back at the Olympics 1964 in Tokyo when Judo became an official
discipline and has stayed one ever since!
Or how about the Korean martial art of Taekwondo that first was a demo sport
during the 1988 Olympic Games of Seoul, Korea and then just 12 years later
officially became an Olympic discipline in 2000 during the Sydney, Australia games.
By the way, this recognition came less than 50 years after Taekwondo was first
officially introduced to the world.
Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu do the same?
Tell me what you think!
Check out some great books on BJJ, too:
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