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NEWS UPDATES
4-15-08
Here we go, Royler Gracie clinic June 12th, thursday nite at 7:30pm. See you there...
4-10-08
Congrats to Greg Joshua on his recent promotion to Purplebelt! We
appreciate your continued dedication to the art.
4-7-08
MBJJ results are in from this past weekends NAGA Worlds
1st place-Butch Bowen; Gi Purplebelt litewt champion
1st place-Khalil Gonsalves; Adult GI Bluebelt litewt champion
1st place-Joe Deas, Kids Expert middlewt NO GI champion
2nd place-Vinny Amarino-Masters GI Brown/Black LtHwt
2nd place-Hunter McKenzie Nozari-Kids NO-GI litewt
-Kids Gi litewt
2nd place Tom Huyhn Adult GI Bluebelt flywt
3rd place-Russell Moody GI White middlewt
3rd place-Brandon Mckenzie Teens NO GI litewt
Honorable mention goes out to Jiggy Leano, Rich Emory, Gavin
Savoy Dan Laruso, Kevin Trangolone, Greg Joshua & Darryle Steplight.
3-22-08
Special Open Mat Sunday at 11am......
3-20-08
New Open Mat session Friday nights at 7:30pm. Excellent time to get some quality grappling experience in.
3-10-08
Congrats to Robert Ivsinovic & Tom Holland for earning bluebelts in brazilian zhoo zhitzhu!
1-23-07
Congrats to MBJJ competitors Greg Joshua & Jiggy Leano for competing
at last weekends US Grappling Dominon Grappling Championships in Richmond, VA.
Greg Joshua wins!
1st place in the Men's Intermediate 140-149 lbs NO-GI.
1st place Men's Blue Belt 140-149 lbs. GI
Out from nowhere...Jiggy places 3rd in the Super Heavyweight Advanced Absolute NO-GI division. But the question still remains: Who is Jiggy?
11-23-07
We will have MMA classes every Saturday morning from 11am until 12:15pm.
See you all there.
Congrats to all students in this past weekends North American
Grappling Chapionships.
Mike Trasso-1st place Teens Expert NO-GI lightweight division. Beats 3
very tough opponents and pulling a groin muscle in the process on the
way to win it all. Please keep in mind Smoothie also won last weekends
Grapplers Quest in Maple Shade NJ.
Mike Trasso was awarded PURPLE belt last night at the academy from
Mike. We are all very proud of Mike and his accomplishments.
Brandon McKenzie Nozari takes the Gold to win his first grappling
tournament in the Teens Gi lightweight division.
Butch Bowen for taking the Gold home in the Masters division. And for
his Silver medal showing at the Grapplers Quest prior...woohoo!
Congrats to Butch for getting awarded his purple belt!!!
Greg Joshua is starting to gain steam in his quest for exellence by
taking 2nd place in the mens Bluebelt division. The prior weekend Greg
took the silver in the Gi and No-Gi at the Grapplers Quest. Way to go
Greg!
Joe Deas secures 2nd place teens lightweight No-Gi.
Honorable mention goes out to Hunter McKenzie, Andrew Rich, Zack Roth
and everyone else that competed and came down to support. Thank You
all.
11-12-07
Congrats to Mike "Smoothie" Trasso for winning GOLD at the "Liberty
Bell" Grapplers Quest tournament this past weekend. Making his debut
into the MENS bluebelt division.
Also congrats to Greg Joshua for securing the bronze medal in the
bluebelt middleweight.
Side note; this was no easy task, they have some top competitors on
the East coast in the VA/MD/PA/South NJ area.
11 - 05 -07
There were some students that talked the talk. These individuals below walked the walk. Congrats!!
Kids White Belt (50-75lbs)
1st Place: Nikolas Holandez
Kids Yellow Belt (84-90lbs)
3rd Place: Elijah Williams
Novice (139 & under)
2nd Place: Brandon Mckenzie
Men's Novice (160-169lbs)
2nd Place: Kevin Trangone
Men's Novice (180-189lbs)
3rd Place: Daniel LaRussso
Men's Novice (+226lbs)
2nd Place: Kareem Rooks
Men's Beginners (180-189lbs)
3rd Place: Javier Velez
Men's Blue Belt (210-225lbs)
3rd Place: Bruce Williams
We have some new promotions!!!
Don Calendar------Blue belt
Javier Velez--------Blue belt
Brandon Nozari---Green belt
Joe Deas------------Green belt
Niko Holandez-----Yellow belt
9-10-07
Mike Mrkulic as a white belt in a no-gi division.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMm2nrALIaA#GU5U2spHI_4
8 - 5 -07
Congratulations to Mike Trasso and Joe Deas for cleaning up the Teens
divisions last weekend at NAGAs Battle at the beach in Wildwood.
Smothie AND Joe had no points scored on them that day. Smoothie won 3
seperate divisions and had 7 fights.
Joe had 3 fights in the NO-GI to take the Gold. I am VERY proud of
these individuals.
Way to go guys!!!
Mike Trasso-1st place, Expert Teens lightweight NO-GI Champion.
-1st place Expert Teens lightweight GI Champion.
-1st place Expert Teens Middleweight Gi Champion.
Joe Deas-1st place Advanced Teens lightweight NO-GI Champion.
Honorable mention goes to Mason.
Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye!
7-31-07
Congratulations to Elijah Williams on getting promoted to the rank of
Yellow belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Also congrats to everyone else
getting their next stripe: Joe, Brandon, Hunter, Mathew, Eddie, Zaid
and last but not least-Niko.
Special thanks goes out to all the parents that have been supportive
of their childrens advancement in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program,
without you none of this is possible.
7-1-07
Zack started last October and imediately jumped into the competition
scene. 10 months of training, Zack was awarded his Blue belt tonight.
So far so good!.
I will be getting in touch with my Instructor Louis Vintaloro to have
him come down and conduct a 2 hour seminar August 14th at 7:30pm This
will be a very technical seminar that will 100% sell out. Let me
confirm it with Lou and I'll have a sign up sheet at the school.
NAGAs "Battle at the Beach" is coming up in Wildwood, for more info
goto Nagafighter.com
6-2-07
Congratulations to Andrew Lerner for receiving his blue belt from Mike
"Last Dragon" Mrkulic.
4-25-07
Congratulations to everyone that put it on the line at the NAGA World
Championships.
Even though some matches were still going well after
midnight that night, as a school we finished strong.
Results:
Butch Bowen--1st place; Masters Blue belt lightweight champ
Mike "Smoothie" Trasso-2nd place; Teens lightweight No-GI
-2nd place; Teens lightweight GI
Joe Deas--3rd place; Teens lightweight GI
Harry "Billy" San Martin-3rd place; Kids featherweight GI
Royler Gracie will be flying up from Rio to conduct a 2 hour seminar
June 14th, thursday night at 7:30pm. Cost is $75, reserve your spot,
this event will sell out.
4-2-07
After winning a very tough superfight against one of the school
gladiators, Daryl received his Blue Belt tonight at the academy. Way
to go Daryl!
Royler Gracie seminar May 24th 7:30pm. Cost is $75. This event will
sell out faster than you could say Farfegnugen ;D
2-25-07
Congratulations to everyone that fought their hearts out. Thanks to everyone for the support.
1st place Billy San Martin-kids Beginner Middle weight Division
2nd place Josh Gaffney-Adult Intermidiate Light Heavy Weight Division
3rd palce Michael Vitale-Adult Intermediate Middle Weight Division
Congrats to the RGDA association. Overall we took 5th in the nation as a team, and that's just competing on the east coast.
12-20-06
Congratulations to Christian Masot and Billy "Clarke" Ayala for
receiving their blue belts this week. Great guys, good technique and
well deserved!
Fellow student and part time International Playboy Rene Rydberg will
be hosting the next UFC party at his house. Address is:
68 Greenwood Ave, Montclair.
Phone # 201 683 1573
Mike "Smoothie" Trasso is wrestling (tomorrow) on Wed 12/20 (St. Mary
vs. Paramus) at St. Mary's in Rutherford NJ. Last year Paramus went
21-3 and St. Mary's 22-1... This is going to be a war. Both teams have
awesome wrestlers. Both teams will put on a clinic with takedowns. Its
going to be a full house so if anyone plans on going I suggest you get
there no later than 6:45. It's about 15 minutes from the school.
St Mary High School
School Address:
64 Chestnut Street
Rutherford, New Jersey 07070
Phone Number: 2019335220
We will be closed Christmas day and New Years day. Happy Holidays and
Happy New Year to ALL!!!
12-11-06
Congratulations to Alex Chanin and Carmen Spizzi for receiving their blue belts. Big shout out also goes to Russell Rodriguez for receiving his PURPLE belt last week. Also big congrats goes to Rick Joissaint for receiving his BROWN belt, our schools first brown!
In competition news team MBJJ had some standouts at the NJ Grappling Open last weekend. Josh Gaffney wins 1st place in the heavyweight white belt division, and placing 2nd in the No-Gi division. Big ups also to Daryl Bryant, Daryl secures 1st in the No-Gi middleweight and 2nd place in the Gi division. Last but not least Billy San Martin wins 1st place in the kids Gi division by submitting every opponent.
10-31-06
2 weeks ago the Copa Atlantica grappling championships were held at clifton high school. Once again MBJJ had some standouts:
Michael Trasso-1st place champion; Teens Advanced Gi lightweight champion.
-2nd place Teens Advanced No-Gi lightweight division.
As usual Mike had some of the Top teens on the east coast battle it out for 1st place, among them were Renzo Gracie competitors and other teams from around the country.
Greg Joshua-3rd place Mens beginners No-Gi lightweight division.
This was gregs 2nd competition and did great. In his 2nd match he was down by 5 points when he came back to triangle his opponent and finish him by "pulling his head down"
Chris Mason-2nd place teens No-Gi middleweight division
-3rd place teens Gi middleweight division.
Chris just started grappling and did awesome. This was his 1st competition, keep your eye on him, I don't think it'll be his last.
Honorable mention goes out to: Daryl Bryant, Vinny Amarino, Dan Constantinou, Moses Rivera, Joe Deas, Angel Rivera, Sayeed Hashimoshi, Matt Kahn, Ricardo Joissaint, Marc Tuazon, Christian Masot. Thanks to all those that came down and supported the team.
Congratualtions to Mike Eustic!
Mike was recently promoted to the rank of purple belt. He has been training with us for about 3 years, well deserved!
10-01-06
Congratulations to Rene Rydberg AND Marc Tauzon for receiving their
bluebelts at the academy. Both students have been training in Gracie
Jiu Jitsu for about a year.
Tournament updates:
October 14th--Copa Atlantica. Go to grapplers.com for more info.
October 28th--Abu Dhabi USA trials and Amateur grappling event. Grapplers.com
November 4th--North American Grappling Championships. go to Nagafighter.com
9-9-06
If you missed the Grappling magazine story on Mike Trasso, here is the
web version, enjoy.
http://www.ultimategrapplingmag.com/content/view/32/54/
9-5-06
Hellllooooooo fellow MBJJ practioners!
Hopefully everyone had a great summer. Welp, september is here and summer is coming to a close, it's time to roll up your Gi sleeves and get busy on the mat.
Mundial news:
Our school trip to the 2006 World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu championships in Rio de Janeiro was truly awesome. We have witnessed the best fighters from around the world grapple it out at the tijuca tennis club. Gracie Humaita black belt competitor Xande Ribeiro won both the heavy weight and ABSOLUTE divisions. He is now THE best BJJ competitor in the world. Beating Roger Gracie in a very close match. Heart, desire,dedication, total self confidence and never ever giving up are just some of the pre-requisites that are required to be the best in the world.
In case you didn't know, we are a Gracie Humaita school. We are all Gracie Humaita students, from grandmaster Helio to Royler, David Adivetc etc. Do yourself a favor, prepare NOW for the next trip to rio in July of 2007.
Labor day weekend schedule:
Looks like the weekend is a washout. What else is there to do? Get one step closer to black belt, thats what! We will be conducting classes on a regular schedule for labor day weekend. The MBJJ kids season officially starts back up tuesday at 6pm.
In tournament news:
Congratulations to Joe Deas at the NAGA wildwood "battle at the beach"
He won the kids lightweight NO-GI and took 2nd in the GI divisions. Opening up a can of whoop ass on most of his competitors. Joshua Gaffney takes 3rd in the NO-GI in his 1st tournament,way to go! Shout out to Daryl Bryant jumping right in there with the beginners and
everyone else that trained hard and put it on the line, we are truly proud of all.
Other news:
Michael Trasso is recovering nicely from a sickness that took him out of the tournament at the last minute. Watch for smoothies comeback this fall. There are a few tournaments coming up so train hard and do the cardio NOW!
5-15-06
The Grapplers Quest 2006 U.S. Nationals was held this past weekend.
Hip Hip Hooray for all competition team members that made us proud
this past weekend. Special thanks to all that came down to support the
team!
1st place-Mike "Smoothie" Trasso, Advanced teens lightweight champion.
2nd place-Angel Rivera, Masters Advanced lightweight division.
Clarke Ayala had over 30 competitors in his division,winning his first
2 matches and losing to the eventual winner, good job clarke!
Andre Lerner in his first grappling tournament debute winning his
first and being edged out by the tournamet champion.
Marc Tuazon having a 0-0 No-Gi decision go the other way but winning
his first absolute whitebelt match with 48 competitors in his
division.
And last but not least, honorable mention goes out to Joe Deas in the
kids division, heart of a champion and his determination and early
dedication to the competion scene, we salute you.
The MBJJ grappling picnic is next sunday the 21st. It will be held at
brookdale park in bloomfield from 4-6:30pm. Let's all hang outside of
the school for a change to socialize and perhaps grapple (if you
want) on some blue tarp. So bring the sandwiches and drinks and lets
"grapple" in the park. Bring anyone and everyone you can, this will be
a great day, hope to see you all there..
Directions-(take parkway south to exit 151 watchung ave, make left at
light, after 3rd light make right into park, for parkway north, take
exit 151 make right after toll, make right into park after 2nd light)
03-11-06
Congrats to the MBJJ competion team that fought this past weekend at the NAGA World championships at St. Peters college NJ.
Medalists are:
Angel Rivera-1st place Mens Advanced Directors lightweight champ;
2nd place Advanced Masters lightweight division.
Thomas Grosvenor-2nd place Advanced Masters lightweight.
Joe Deas-3rd place Kids No-Gi
Vinicius Malgahaes-3rd place Kids-Gi
Honorable mention goes out to Russ, Juan, Joe Salazar, Marc Tuazon and the Rachelski brothers, good job guys!!
Last but not least, Congrats to Rene Rydberg, his first tournament and I predict not the last.
Heads up to everyone else that came down to support the team.
Living legend ROYLER GRACIE will be at the club conducting a 2 hour BJJ seminar on April 12th wednesday at 7:30pm. The cost is $75 and there are only 15 spots left. Reserve your spot today by prepaying before its too late. This event will sell out.
12-25-05
MBJJ would like to wish everyone happy holidays and
congratulations to all for a truly fantastic 2005
finish. We would like to thank all competitors,
students, parents, spouses, boyfriends girlfriends etc
that have continued to support our school
wholeheartedley. Here comes 2006, see you at the TOP!-MM
10-25-05
Congratulations to the MBJJ competitors that battled it
out at the North American Grappling championships this
past weekend. Thanks to the support team.
21st century Mbjj grappling ninja warriors are as
follows:
1st place-Mike Trasso, kids lightweight advanced NO-GI
-Mike Trasso, kids lightweight advanced GI
1st place-Chris Cusumano, mens lightweight
intermediate NO-GI
3rd place-Thomas Grosvenor, mens middleweight
advanced
3rd place-Angel Rivera, Masters middleweight advanced
3rd place-Sayed Hashimani, mens novice middleweight
Honorable mention goes out to Angelo "The Italian
Stallion" Gagliastro. Shout out also to Luis "choo
choo" Giron.
05-17-05
In MBJJ tournament news, Michael Trasso wins the TEENS lightweight GI division at the Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals this past weekend...way to go smoothie, keep it up. Special thanks to the whole team.
5-15-05
Major congratulations to MBJJs first NHB competitor to step into the spotlight at the Kentucky fighting championships held in Lexington last week. Jose Tardio (1-0) KO'd his opponent within the first minute with a missle to the chin...nice.
4-05-05
Congrats to all that competed at the NAGA World
Championships. Champions include:
Mike Trasso: GI & NO-GI winner kids under 115lbs.
Tom Grosvenor: NO-GI Mens Intermediate lightweight
Mike Eustic: GI Masters bluebelt middleweight Honorable mention:
Angel Rivera:3rd place NO-GI mens
Directors Light Weight: Anthony Rodriquez; Thomas Rachelski: NO-GI mens Novice middleweight
and a special thanks to everyone that fought and came down to support the team.
3-09-05
Congrats to all that fought at the Grapplers Quest
tournament. Way to go Angel Rivera-2nd place Mens Advanced middleweight. Nicky Provenzano 3rd place kids NO-GI 90lb division.
3-02-05
Great seminar by Royler Gracie, thanks to everyone that helped make this a success.
2-10-05
Tournament updates: Go to grapplers.com & nagafighter.com for all up & coming tournaments. See you all there.
2-10-05
Tournament updates: Go to grapplers.com & nagafighter.com for all up & coming tournaments. See you all there.
2-9-05 We would like to wish all our chinese brothers and sisters a happy chinese new year and because it's the year of the rooster, GO ROOSTER!
2-7-05
BREAKING NEWS!!! MBJJ is proud to announce the launch of our newest WOMEN only brazilian jiu jitsu classes. This is the only program (that we know of) for women in the entire COUNTRY! Come down and watch a class, see for yourself what the buzz is about and have 1 month memebership absolutely FREE. Your under no obligation to take full advantage of this. Please keep in mind women are able to train with the regular adults class if they want. Lose fat, get in shape, learn self defense and rape prevention techniques, because "hey you never know"
2-1-05
Living legend Royler Gracie will be conducting a workshop at the academy March 1st tuesday 7:30pm. Price is $65 before the event, $75 day of. Limited space available, reserve your spot today.
1-10-05
Happy New Year to all students. Sit back relax and prepare to take off, this is THE year for the academy, stay tuned.
11-05-04
Wow! MBJJ competition team truly shined today at the RGDA championships held in West Orange.
1st place-Angel Rivera, purple belt middlewt
1st place-Tom Huyn, whitebelt flyweight
1st place-Nicky Provenzano-kids yellow belt division
2nd place-Brandon Mckenzie-kids yellow
2nd place-Hunter Mckenzie-kids white belt peewee div
2nd place-Tom Grosvenor-blue belt middlewt
2nd place-Bosko Subara-blue belt lightwt
2nd place-Velko Subara-blue belt flywt
2nd place-Maria Margate-womens lightwt
2nd place-Zack Skolnick-kids yellow belt div
Superfight winner-Mike "smoothie" Trasso. Mike is one of the best kid grapplers in the country. We had no one for him to fight so we set him up with the lightest grown man we could find and guess what? Smoothie WON! You had to be there to see it! Who says cartwheel passes don't work? Congrats!
Honorable mention goes out to: Nyan Welborn, Tak Yan, Joe Salazar, Luis Geron and a special thank you goes out to everyone who came down to support the team. Thanks to Dave Adiv, Rosendo, Lou, Brett and everyone else that helped put on a fantastic show. Tyronne congrats on the brown my man!
11-28-04
Hopefully everyone had a great Thanksgiving. The NAGA New England Championships in CT was held last weekend. MBJJ competition standouts include Mike Trasso: 1st place in teens Advanced GI and 1st in the NO-GI division; Jesse Reinle: 1st place middleweight teens NO-GI and 2nd place mens Intermediate GI. And last but not least Jesse's uncle, Uncle ED takes the bronze in the mens novice lightheavy NO-GI division! Way to go guys. Montclair Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy "Making new grapplers every day"
11-02-04
Almost every practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu strives to achieve a state of grace while sparring called "Flow." Words cannot really describe what flow is, except maybe this kitesurfing article!
FLOW:
Flow is a state of grace known by many as 'the zone', where excellence becomes effortless. It has been researched extensively by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a pyschologist at the University of Chicago, who has collected several such accounts of peak performance from athletes and adventurers over the past two decades.
In flow, the emotions are not just contained and channelled, but positive, energized and aligned with the task in hand. The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy, even rapture. It is a state in which you become utterly absorbed in what you are doing, your awareness merged with your actions. In this sense moments of flow are egoless. And although people perform at their peak while in flow, they are unconcerned with how they are doing, with thoughts of success or failure-the sheer pleasure of the act motivates you.
Watching someone in flow gives the impression that the difficult is easy. Peak performance appears natural and ordinary. This impression parallels what is going on within the brain, where a similar paradox is repeated: the most challenging tasks are done with a minimum expenditure of mental energy. In flow the brain is in a 'cool' state, its arousal and inhibition of neural circuitry attuned to the demand of the moment.
From 'Emotional Intelligence' by Daniel Goleman, 1995
10-27-04
Montclair Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy is pleased to announce our New Grand Opening in bigger space!!! The new location is more than 2x the size of the old space and is located in the same building up the stairs next to the vending machine.
Because of our expansion we are offering beginners a FREE 1 month memebership to the club under no obligation. Come train in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Not only will you lose fat and get in the best shape of your life but you will also learn effective self defense skills that will last you a lifetime. Here is your chance! If you have never done BJJ before, call or email today to schedule a class and see what everyone is talking about. Offer expires 12-31-04
10-22-04
MBJJ had RGDA black belt David Adiv put on a fantastic seminar at the academy, very very technical seminar that boosted everyone's technical level up a notch for sure. Congratulations to the clubs newest purple belts! Angel Rivera, Morgan Torres and Henry Mrkulic were all knighted purple belts after the seminar, congrats and way to go guys.
10-6-04
MBJJ competition team in full effect! The North American Grappling Championships were held this past weekend in New Jersey.
Fantastic showing for such a YOUNG competition team:
Mike Trasso:-1st place teen lightweight GI, 1st place teen lightweight NO-GI
Jesse Reinle-1st place teen lightheavy GI, 2nd place teen lightheavy NO-GI
Edward Reinle-1st place masters lightheavy NO-GI
Ari Hill-Bassen-1st place Intermediate lightweight NO-GI, 3rd place Advanced lightweight NO-GI
Anthony Rodriguez-1st place beginners NO-GI, 3rd place Advanced medium heavyweight
Luis Geron-3rd place novice lightheavy
Zack Skolnick-2nd place kids lightweight GI, 4th place NO-GI
What's that old saying? The more I train the luckier I get? See you on the mat.
~Mike
9-26-04
Congrats to Jesse Reinle for taking 1st in the teens light heavyweight and 2nd in the teens middle weight at the Grapplers Quest North American Grappling championships held at the legendary Marist high school in Bayonne NJ this past weekend.
Shout out also goes to Mike Trasso for taking 2nd and 3rd place in the teen lightweight divisions. Honorable mention goes to our newest competitor Zack Skolnick.
Special thanks to all students who came down to support the team.
9-25-04
Royler Gracie black belt Dave Adiv will be conducting a seminar at the academy October 21st thursday night at 7:30pm. Cost is $25 and this seminar will sell out, call or e-mail mike to reserve your spot.
7-14-04
Locked and loaded! The Montclair BJJ competition team will be making its way to the World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships (Mundials) in Rio de Janeiro next week. If anyone needs to get in touch with Mike, please e-mail him at info@mbjj.com while away.
Although some students enjoy competing, please know that you do not need to compete to train at the academy.
We are PLEASED to announce our SUMMER SPECIAL! If you haven't gotten around to trying the fastest growing martial art in the world, if you never played human chess, get ready ... here's your chance!!!
Come down and train for the months of July and August absolutely FREE!!! You are under no obligation to join our club during your FREE 2 month trial. If you feel in September that our academy is for you then you can decide to be a member. If not then we part as friends. It dosen't get any better than this!!! E-mail us today or even better come down 10 minutes before class for your beginners overview and get ready to have the most fun since you were a kid at the carnival.
Remember, the self defense you learn this summer will be over in a breeze but learning how to properly defend yourself will last a lifetime. Offer only valid for beginners with no experience. Montclair Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy ... follow your bliss.
Our awesome kids program is on a summer break until September 7th. We wish everyone a happy and safe summer!!!
5-27-04
This past weekend was the Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals and the NAGA chicago grappling championships. Win or lose, everyone that competed did excellent. Some standouts:
Michael Eustic: 1st place Mens novice middleweight.
Michael Trasso: 2nd place Kids lightweight (NO-GI); 2nd place Kids lightweight (GI)
Nicky Provenzano: 2nd place Kids flyweight
Nyann Welborn: 4th place Kids lightweight
Honorable mention go out to:
Lance Paige, Brandon McKenzie, Russell Rodriguez
We will be closed for Memorial Day Monday. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend y'all
5-12-04
We have a new date for Royler Gracie's seminar. Royler will be here June 17th Thursday night at 7:30pm. The cost will be $75, please note that due to limited space this event will sellout. Individuals that prepay will reserve a spot to learn from a living legend. See you all there.
Grapplers Quest is right around the corner, winners in each division will take home a championship belt. Students not competing are encouraged to come down and support the team, so bring those pom poms! "Gimme an M, gimme a B, gimme a J, gimme a J." "What's that spell?!" "MBJJ!!!"
5-09-04
Royler Gracie will be fighting in the next K1 fighting championships this month. The workshop that was scheduled for the 20th is cancelled. We will have Royler here around the middle of June, please stay tuned for more details ... now go train Jiu Jitsu.
4-15-04
7x World Grappling Champion Royler Gracie will be hosting a seminar May 20th (thursday) at the Montclair Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. Cost will be $75 for the first 20 people that prepay. Do YOURSELF a favor, don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from a living legend. Seminar starts at 7:30pm sharp, this event will sell out. See you there.
Head Instructor Mike Mrkulic is starting to go through withdrawls for more BJJ technique, he will be making his way to Rio de Janiero, Brazil April 21st till the 28th. The Academy will be open for training. Contact Mike thru e-mail if need be.
The Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals competition will be held May 22nd in New Jersey. Any students wanting to test their grappling skills against other schools is more than welcomed to go. For more info go to grapplers.com
3-29-04
Congrats to all students that fought at the annual Royler Gracie kimono championships held last Sunday at Basking Ridge N.J. Everyone looked good and was impressive to watch. Congrats to Nicky Provenzano for putting on a clinic and receiving his yellow belt.
Tom Grosvenor: 1st place Adult bluebelt Lightwt
Nicky Provenzano: 1st place kids 80lb; 3rd place kids 120lb
John Aidala: 2nd place Adult bluebelt 160lb
Scott McFadden: 2nd place Adult whitebelt 170lb
Lance Page: 2nd place Adult whitebelt 180lb
Brandon McKenzie: 2nd place kids 80lb
Dat Dizzy: 3rd place Adult whitebelt 140lb
Nyan Welborn: 3rd place kids 80lb
Hunter McKenzie: 3rd place kids 70lb kids
3-26-04
If you are a beginner and are new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or have grappling experience and recently moved to the area, LOOK NO FURTHER. Montclair Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy is your stop for all your self defense, fitness or competition needs.
We have a clean laidback friendly academy with World Class Instruction and muliple time national champion Michael Mrkulic teaching classes. You will be impressed with not only Mike but the students who are willing to help you acheive your goals in your grappling game. You will especially be relieved to know all training is done in a safe and relaxed atmosphere.
You are under no obligation to participate for a free group class or just watch a class and see for yourself why we are one of the fastest growing grappling schools in the country, call or e-mail now to schedule a group class and see what everyone is talking about! Montclair Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy ... "Second to none."
3-22-04
The NAGA World Championships held last weekend was a successful turnout for our competition team. Congrats to the folowing grappling commandos:
•Tom Grosvenor-1st place Adult Lightweight Masters Division.
•Michael "Smoothie" Trasso-1st place-Childrens 99.5lbs & under "GI" division. 2nd place-Childrens 99.5lbs & under "NO-GI" division. Smoothie fought 8 tough matches that day finishing strong like the warrior he is.
•Congrats to the club's newest competitor Nicky "Proving it" Provanzano for winning the childrens 79.5lb "GI" division, keep your eye on this one, it's a winner.
•Heads up to Shohim Ghaffari, training a little over a month to end up in the mens novice finals AGAIN!
•And last but not least, let's give a shout out to Tom Huyn. Tom made it to the finals in the mens novice "NO-GI" flyweight. Tom, lets tap that MM and become a World Champion. Honorable mention goes out to Jovan Mena.
Thanks to all that came down and supported the team.
3-12-04
Royler Gracie black belt Luigi Vintaloro will be conducting a 2 hour workshop April 1st at the club. Cost will be $20, first 20 people to sign up will attend.
3-8-04
Congratulations to Michael "Smoothie" Trasso for winning the Arnold Gracie Submission championships last weekend in Columbus Ohio. Mike took first place in the childrens GI 90-105lb division tapping both of his opponents out, way to go Smoothie.
3-3-04
Congrats to Tom Huyn for taking 1st place at the Grapplers Edge tournament held in North Hunterdon, NJ. Tom submitted all three opponents to take first place. Tom has been training at the academy for less than 3 months. We also cannot forget to congratulate Tom Grosvenor who took 2nd place after 3 matches. Watch out for both of these guys in the future, looks like they both like the taste of success on the competition scene.
The Pan American championships will be held in Carson, CA April 3rd & 4th, for more info go to cbjj.com.br. See you all there
—Mike
2-23-04
Congratulations to all MBJJ students competing at this weekend's Grapplers Quest "Beast of the East." Everyone fought their hearts out and had a lot of fun. Big congrats to the following:
1st place: Michael Trasso-Advanced kids
2nd place: Matt Carafiello-Novice Heavyweight; Shohin Ghaffari-Novice middleweight
4th place: John Aidala-beginner lightweight
Honorable mention goes out to Lance Armstrong, Mario Gutierrez, and special thanks to all that were there supporting the team.
Don't forget the Royler Gracie Intermural Kimono Championships in Basking Ridge, NJ. Go to www.roylergracie.com for more info.
1-26-04
Congratulations to all MBJJ students that received their blue belts last night from Dave Adiv. Dave put on an unbelievable workshop last night, everyone walked away excited and satisfied. New Academy blue belts as follows:
Doug Mack
Max Simone
Chris Cusumano
Mario Gutierrez