I train over at Global Jiu Jitsu and my Master, Professor Marcelo Carvalho is cousins with Master Julio Cesar Pereira, leader of the GFTeam.  The GFTeam are high level jiu jitsu players and different black belts visit us on a regular basis.

They always share the most cutting edge techniques and drills, but aren’t afraid to stick with traditional methods that work.  Here are a few guard passing drills along with a few other goodies!

http://youtu.be/uaQ5xWK9diU

I will be making a few videos of some of my favorite drills so be sure to subscribe!

Guess What?  Contrary to what the Gracie family would have you believe, they didn’t invent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!  And, if you take the time to research it, the Gracie’s were snobs and stingy with sharing jiu jitsu. History shows that they only taught to the rich or upper class.  Some things never change.

Luis Franca was taught jiu jitsu by non other than Mitsuyo Maeda.  Mitsuyo Maeda was an expert judoka with direct lineage to the founder of judo, Kanō Jigorō. Maeda, settled in Belem in 1917 and taught a small group of students, including Luis Franca and Carlos Gracie.

Oswaldo Fadda received his black belt under Luis Franca.  Fadda taught jiu jitsu to the poor in Rio because, as usual, the Gracie tuition as too high.  He taught in unorthodox locations free of charge to share the gentle art of jiu jitsu with the less privileged. The Gracies, in typical snobbish fashion, considered him an outcast.

Oswaldo Fadda Jiu Jitsu legend!

Fadda finally opened a school in 1950.  He then challenged the Helio Gracie school with some of his students.  The Gracies excepted the challenge and invited Fadda and his students to the Gracie Academy.  Fadda’s students tapped out the Gracies and even put one of them to sleep.  Much of Fadda’s students used foot locks to tap the Gracies who in sore loser spirit called the foot locks a ‘suburban technique.’  However, later Helio would say that it only takes on Fadda to prove that jiu jitsu is for everyone.  Fadda is the only one known to have beaten Helio in a tournament.

Master Julio Cesar Pereira, leader of the Ground Fight Team has direct lineage to Oswaldo Fadda.  Rodolfo Vieira is Master Pereira’s student.  I always like to cheer for the underdog, don’t you?

Please take the time to read more about Oswaldo Fadda and learn more about how the Gracies didn’t invent brazilian jiu jitsu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswaldo_Fadda

Happy training!

When the Pan Ams come to Southern California once a year, everyone at Global Jiu Jitsu Academy get s really excited.  About a week before the tournament begins, GFTeam world champions start rolling in to train with us.

Our master, Professor Marcelo Carvalho is cousins with the Master of the GFTeam, Julio Cesar Pereira.  How lucky is that?  When the team visits, the dojo is packed wall to wall with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts with Master Pereira teaching.   We get to roll with Rodolfo Vieira, Theodoro Canal, Igor Santos, Wancler Oliveira, Vanessa Oliveira, Ricardo Evangelista and Denilson Pimenta just to name a few.

I came in one morning on an off day and ended up getting to roll with about a dozen black belts all to myself!

Rich Zaydel of RocknRoll BJJ & Fitness and some of the GFTeam world champions at Global Jiu JItsu Academy

Here I am, Rich Zaydel, with Wancler Oliveira, Igor Santos and Ricardo Evangelista just to name a few.  Sorry I couldn’t remember everyone’s name!

The GFTeam have the most amazing jiu jitsu and are the nicest guys in the world!

If you are in the Orange County area, come by and try out some classes for free at Global Jiu Jitsu Academy (GJJA)!  http://www.globaljiujitsuacademy.com

IF you are looking for brazilian jiu jitsu private lessons or personal training, I can be reached at RocknRoll Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

http://www.rocknrollbjj.com

Be sure to check out some of my favorite techniques on the RocknRollBJJ Youtube Channel:

Happy training!

http://www.youtube.com/rocknrollbjj

Like I said in the earlier post, the 2012 Pan Ams was awesome!  I had a great time hanging out with old friends and supporting my Global Jiu Jitsu / GFTeam teammates.

It was especially exciting because my friends and morning roll partners did amazing.  Andrew Goodman took bronze in his division and murdered his opponent 13-0 in his first fight.  Andy is a seven foot tall advanced purple belt and has a very technical guard game.

Deja Vu set in as Dana Riddle did it again.  He won gold in his white belt division last year.  This year as blue belt was no different.  Dana submitted three out of four of his opponents with only one of his fights going the distance.

Congratulations Dana RIddle and Global Jiu Jitsu / GFTeam

All the Global Jiu Jitsu competitors fought hard and are extremely tough!

Come on by and try out a class for free if you are in the Orange County, California area!

http://www.globaljiujitsuacademy.com

Happy training!

The Pan Ams 2012 was bigger than ever at the Bren Center in Irvine California.  Over 3,500 competitors and 1,000’s of spectators over the course of four days.  I love the Pan Ams because I get to see all my jiu jitsu friends Ive made through the years and rub elbows with legends and talented up and comers.e

Here is a pic with Dana Riddle, Andrew Goodman, Rich Zaydel(me) and Pistol Pete Loncarevich.

Dana Riddle, Andrew Goodman, Rich Zaydel and Pistol Pete Loncarevich at Pan Ams 2012

Dana Riddle won gold in his division and Andrew Goodman won bronze.  We all train at Global Jiu Jitsu Academy in Fountain Valley, California, under Professor Marcelo Carvalho,  except or Pete who has his own school in Medford, Oregon.  I am an assistant instructor under Professor Carvalho, but I also am head instructor at RocknRoll Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Fitness and am also a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer in Orange County California.

http://www.rocknrollbjj.com

Please come by and like the RocknRoll Brazilian Jiu Jitsu page on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/rocknrollbjj

Happy training!