MMA News:
Aug
Kenny number 1....
Coach Kenny Baker entered a Jitsu tournament this weekend for the fun and experience
- and came away having won the whole tournament! Awesome
July 12th 07
Bravo Karl Tanswells at SBG !!!
Recently I took some time off coaching to make a trip up to Manchester where
I hooked up with my coach Karl Tanswell to get some quality training in. This
is something I do every few months to keep up to speed with the SBG syllabus
and techniques. (You never stop learning even or especially when you’re
a coach yourself).
This time I also brought along my student and friend Jack Knight and I have to say it was a great trip for both of us. It was also a very surreal weekend after spending a few days in a hotel called the hotel International that I have to say my friend Jack booked. “Why is that surreal?” I hear you say, well if you knew anything about the hotel - which I didn’t may I add - you would soon come to understand It was no ordinary hotel. Yes you guessed it, it turned out to be a world renowned transsexual hotel which probably tells me more about Jack than anything else as he also found it amusing to book just the one double deluxe room. Ha ha ha. Pay back is already on the cards.
Going back to why we even went to Manchester which was to train, “no really”, the UFC was also in town which turned out great for myself and jack as Karl had a phone call while training with him on the Saturday asking if we would like to meet and roll (spar) with Eddie Bravo. If this name means nothing to you then obviously you do not know anything about BJJ, as he is world famous for being the first American to tap out a Gracie and for his invention of the rubber guard. Also in attendance was UFC world welterweight champ Matt Serra and UFC commentator and stand-up comedian Joe Rogan. So we all meet up and went back to Eddie’s posh hotel room where mats where already laid out ready to commence battle.
This was a great treat and pleasure as Eddie Bravo is one of my own BJJ idols.
We rolled for about an hour or so and then chattered a little longer. I have
to say they were very pleasant and polite and Matt Serra should be a comedian
himself, as he never seems to be serious.
So all in all it didn’t turn out to be a bad trip especially after finding
out about the hotel on arrival, ha this is what our trips away are like, there
is never a dull moment. Here are some photos that were taken at the hotel with
Eddie, Matt and Joe. Also in the shots are jack Knight and Karl Tanswell.
Me and Eddie Bravo (Matt Serra in the background)
Gunni and Eddie Bravo
Me and Eddie Bravo again
Gunni and Eddie Bravo
Jack Night (my strange friend) and Eddie Bravo - check out Joe Rogan looking
on
SBG Europe Rocks U.K. Grappling Competition
The above photo was taken at the Urban Gorillaz no-gi tourney in Birmingham,
England on 15th Apr 07.
This was probably the biggest turnout SBG has ever had at a competition in the UK, with the group comprising athletes from the SBGi Ireland HQ team, SBGi UK HQ team, SBGi Stockport team, and the Baker boys from Plymouth. We drew a fair few comments about how tight we were as a unit.
The group did really well; John Kavanagh got to the finals of his category
(u77 advanced) with a string of submissions, where he lost to Brazilian black
belt Pedro Bessa. There were also plenty of other achievements of note, including
Anna Maine from the SBG UK headquarters, who won gold both in her division and
in the absolute, and Kenny from Saints Gym - Plymouth, who choked out
the Brazilian dude in the absolute! He caught this guy with a sublime sweep
to backtake to RNC... that had the Brazilians speechless, which is no mean feat
considering the opponent had just won his weight category with ease and was
much bigger than Kenny.
Saints Ultimate Fighting is female, beginner, junior and student friendly. There is no intimidation and no bullying. We have a safe, friendly environment.
How to join in.....
Simply turn up to Saints Gym before the class starts. Bring a t-shirt and
shorts (or tracky bottoms). Ultimate Fighting is practiced barefoot - please keep your
toe nails short.
The hardest part is turning up - once you are here, you will love it!