Women’s Self Defense Seminar + BOOTCAMP!

Saturday – January 21st
12:00pm – 2:00pm
$20.00

-A Fun and Challenging New Workout!!

-Stand Up Self Defense

-Ground Self Defense

-Nutritional Tips

Interested in Stepping up your BJJ GAME?!? —->> CLICK HERE

Happy New Year!!

We are adding EIGHT new classes to our schedule starting the week of January 16th, 2012!!!

Gracie Tampa is now offering TWO extra Level One Conditioning Classes in the mornings from 8:30 – 9:30 am on Mondays and Wednesdays.

We are also adding a late night MMA Section Class that will run from 9:00pm – 10:00pm for those who are interested in later training times. This class is labeled at MMA Section 5.

We have also decided to give our MMA Section members access to ONE STRIKING CAP Class per week on Thursdays from 8-9. This will give our newer members a taste of what being in our CAP Program is like.

Lastly, we have added 2 more CAP GRAPPLING Classes in the morning as well as another CAP STRIKING Class!!

Please contact me if you have any questions!!

-Coach Cris (midget.)

Hey folks, if you’re trying to get a hold of over the phone, please note that we have a new telephone number. Our new number is 813-997-4622. Please update your contacts, thanks!!

Gracie Tampa Adult
Holiday Hours

CLOSED
Wednesday December 21st –
Sunday December 25th
&
Saturday December 31st

OPEN MATS
(Open to ALL Students)
Monday December 26th –
Friday December 30th

Morning Session:
11:00am – 12:30pm

Evening Session:
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Anderson Silva continued his unprecedented reign of dominance over the UFC’s middleweight division this past Saturday night, stopping formidable challenger Yushin Okami on second round strikes. The victory removed one of the few blemishes from Silva’s record; he lost to Okami via disqualification due to an illegal upkick in 2005. After a first round which saw the champion feeling out the Japanese challenger, Silva came out in the second determined to end things quickly. Dropping his hands and taunting Okami, the champ dropped him with a single punch then patiently fired away at his downed opponent as Okami retreated into a fetal position, forcing Herb Dean to intervene.
The victory capped a successful night for the card’s Brazilian talent, most of whom found victory at the UFC’s first event in MMA’s homeland in over 12 years.

Perhaps the most emotionally impactful win of the night came as Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira knocked out rising heavyweight star Brendan Schaub at 3:09 of the first round. Nogueira, one of
Brazil’s most beloved fighters, fought on his home soil for the first time in his professional career. Overcoming a rocky start, in which Schaub landed repeatedly, Nogueira was able to find his range, catching Schaub with a stiff right that hurt the younger fighter and following up with a left hook to the chin which left Schaub facedown of the canvas. Post fight, the Brazilian heavyweight, who had just returned from numerous surgeries, promised that he was now back in the vintage form which made
him one of the sports brightest stars.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua also returned to vintage form Saturday night, only one fight removed from the vicious beating he received at the hands of Jon Jones. Taking on the man who beat him in his UFC debut, Forrest Griffin, Shogun came out aggressively. Landing early and often, he finished Griffin at just 1:53 of the first round.

-Kris B.

Congratulations to my Mini Midget Army for competing
at Grapplers Quest South East Championships this past weekend.

All of my students medaled and I am extremely proud of
their hard work, dedication, and courage!!

Congrats to:
Yasmeen Gallardo
Ty “T-Rex” Elder
Cade Calta
Iban Rios
Alex “Macho” Mas
Brian “Bullet” Mas
Mikie “Sonic” Sanchez
Cliff “Spyder Monkey” Smith
Jose “Jacare” Marrero
Richie Finn
Robert “Papo” Gonzalez

Also, a huge thank you to Rob Elder for
having a few of the kids stay at his house
in Miami. Thank you for your kindness and
hospitality!!

This upcoming Saturday, August 20th Coral Springs will be hosting Grapplers Quest, Southeast Grappling Championships.

The event will take place at 2501 Coral Springs Drive, with the weigh-ins take place this Friday night at the same location. The doors for the event will open at 8:00 am, and the event starting at 10:30 am.
Spectator tickets for the event are ten dollars if ordered ahead, and twenty dollars at the door.

Winners in each weight class have the opportunity to take home ninja swords, championship belts, or custom medallions. Youth and Women’s division are separated into Beginner (less than 12 months experience) and Advanced (at least 12 months experience). Kid’s age groups are divided into five age groups, six years and under, 7-9 years old, 10-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16-17 years old.

The tournament offers Men’s no-gi division 30-39 years old, and 40 years old and up. The tournament also offers a BJJ gi division for men 30 years old and up. Lastly the men’s division are divided into four skill levels, novice (less than 9 months experience), beginner (9-18 months experience), intermediate (18-36 months) and Advanced (at least 36 months experience).

For a complete list of weight classes and additional information you should check out http://www.grapplersquest.com/events

Hello my name is Taylor and this is a blog entry to inform people on the benefits to taking private lessons here at Gracie Tampa.

First, as a student with a busy schedule it can be hard to commit to a concrete schedule. By taking private lessons with an instructor, it allows a student to learn and train on their own time.

Secondly, private lessons ensure that the student is utilizing proper technique in every grappling scenario, by having a 1 on 1 practice environment directly with that instructor. Private lessons are also a great way for students to review prior skills obtained directly with an experienced coach.

Thirdly, as a new student it can sometimes be uncomfortable to ask questions in a class environment. Our private lessons give the student the ability to ask as many questions as they desire, with the instructor thoroughly answering the question before moving forward with the class.

Lastly, instructors teaching private lessons tailor their lessons around an individual’s wants and needs, to ensure maximum growth in the discipline the student is interested in.

If you are interested in Private Lessons with our AWESOME Instructors here at Gracie Tampa, please shoot us an E-Mail!!

UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz Predictions

UFC 133 is an exciting fight card that airs live this Saturday at 9:00 pm, from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first fight of night is a matchup in the welterweight division between, Rory MacDonald and Mike Pyle. MacDonald is coming of an impressive win against Nate Diaz at UFC 129, while Pyle is ridding a three fight win streak by defeating Ricardo Almeida, John Hathaway, and Jesse Lennox. I predict MacDonald will utilize his wrestling to takedown and control Pyle. If MacDonald can avoid Pyle’s submission attempts, I believe MacDonald will be able to defeat Pyle by judge’s decision. The second fight is a matchup in the middleweight division between Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera and Constantinos “Costa” Philippou. Rivera is trying to bounce back after losing to Michael Bisping, while Philippou is attempting to earn his first win inside the octagon. Philipou, in his octagon debut, lost to Nick Catone via decision. I predict the octagon experience of Rivera will overwhelm Philippou, and his striking will earn him a third round TKO over Constantinos. The third fight on the card is close matchup between Dennis “Superman” Hallman and Brian “Bad Boy” Ebersole. Both these fighters have plenty of fight experience, with both fighters possessing over 40 wins. Also, the betting lines have this matchup split right down the middle, giving both fighters a -115 betting line. Hallman is ridding a two fight win streak by defeating Karo Parisyan and Ben Saunders, while Ebersole is a former division I wrestler that is undefeated inside the octagon. I expect Ebersole will utilize his wrestling to control Hallman, and will grind out a decision victory. The co-main event of the night is a thrilling middleweight matchup between Vitor Belfort and Yoshihiro Akiyama. Belfort is trying to bounce back after losing to Anderson Silva, while Akiyama has lost two fights in a row. Judo standout Akiyama has yet to taste victory inside the octagon since defeating Alan Belcher, in his octagon debut. I predict Belfort will utilize his superior boxing to out strike Akiyama, and will earn a second round knockout. The main event takes place in the light heavyweight division between Rashad Evens and Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz. These two fighters have met before, with the first fight ending in a draw. Evans is currently ridding a two fight win streak defeating Quinton Jackson and Thiago Silva. Ortiz recently just pulled off an upset win against Ryan Bader defeating him via submission. I expect this fight to be a close fight that takes place on the feet as well as on the ground. Ultimately, I think this fight lands in the hands of the judges, and they will score it a 29-28 unanimous decision to Rashad Evans.