Tonight we got a very special treat, as we welcomed Draculino to the Gracie-Barra Andalucia Marbella academy. It was a sort of homecoming as he joined us in class, reuniting with his two students (and our instructors) Edson Jorge and Marcelo Azevedo. In a very special class, Edson showed us a favorite shin-on-bicep guard sweep, that was super sweet. We’re all looking forward to the seminar this weekend with Draculino.
Remember folks, Draculino is the instructor of recent world-champion Romulo Barral! Serious stuff — you don’t want to miss this opportunity!
Tonight we also bid farewell to the Guitar Player extraordinaire of MMA, UK fighter Mr. Lee “I’ve still got half my teeth” Doski. Lee had a bit of a swollen knee (due probably to his 23 training session of the day) and so couldn’t train with us, but he was there in person and spirit. We are going to miss the heck out of Lee as he heads back to the UK for his upcoming Cage Rage fight. It was an emotional send-off, and we’re so looking forward to having him back in town.
So where are you likely to find four (FOUR!!!) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts in a single training class (not to mention three purple belts and a professional UK MMA fighter!)? Gracie-Barra Andalucia Marbella academy.
Tonight, on a typical Monday evening training session, I walked into the gym to find four BJJ black belts — Edson, Marcelo, Thelmo, and Jude! It was, let’s just say, … “Special”.
(I submitted them all, of course. Hehehe)
Seriously, folks, this is one freakin’ impressive BJJ school!
Hi everybody, our newest student, Carole, and recent graduate in Interior Architecture, happens to be a professional photographer. She shot the Open Grappling event, and has graciously provided us with the images from the event. Thanks Carole! Enjoy!
Nuestra alumna Carole, y recien graduado en Arquitectura de Interiores, es tambien fotografo profesional, y nos ha dehado sus 230 fotos el evento Open Grappling. Gracias Carole!
As August starts to wind down, we reflect a little on the great summer season we’ve had at Gracie-Barra Andalucia.
The academy has been growing like crazy, with new people showing up to train just about every week. Almost every training session we have to take down the partition, and take over the other training area, due to the large number of students. We’ve also now got three girls in the academy!
Just less than two years ago Edson arrived in Spain, and started in the determined work to build a world class academy. Since then, the academy students have won competitions at both the national and European levels, and Edson himself has won the KO Arena welterweight championship belt, and the recent superfight against Spanish top grappler, Tito Beltran. We’ve seen guys such as Pablo, Agusto, Leo and Mike progress from recreational training to near professional levels, becoming in the process top-class athletes winning BJJ, grappling and MMA events.
Last week, to help support the growth, our old friend Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo returned to Spain, to take up the role of head instructor at the new Gracie-Barra Andalucia academy in Malaga.
A few weeks ago, we put on the successful first annual Open Grappling tournament here in Marbella, hosted on by the seaside at Soul Beach. Based on the feedback we’re getting from people, the event was a big success. It was great to see all our friends from other academies around Spain, and have the chance to spend a day in competition and socializing.
We’ve also had several visitors down, with whom we’ve had the opportunity to train, just a few of whom include Roberto Atalla (black belt instructor), Jude Samuels (black-belt from Roger Gracie), Leandro (Gracie-Barra black belt from Brazil), Lee Doski (UK-based MMA fighter), Nicolas (purple belt from California), and most recently Valencia-based MMA fighter “Titin”.
All in all, we’ve had a great summer, and look forward to continued growth and fun at the academy!
We have had the enormous pleasure this August to have UK-based MMA fighter Lee “The Guitar Player” Doski down here training with us in Marbella. Lee’s one of nicest and funniest guys we’ve had in the dojo, and we’ve had a month of laughs and tough rolls together.
Lee’s got a fight at the upcoming Cage Rage 22, and so he’ll be heading back home next week. Were all hoping he’ll have a chance to apply the north-south choke we showed him; although it might be tricky in his upcoming K1 rules fight. (But if anybody can figure out how to pull it off, we’re sure Lee can!) Given how hard he’s been training here (oh, about 14 or 15 times per day?!?), we feel pretty sorry for his upcoming opponent.
We’ve got some big news to announce folks. Edson announced Wednesday night that his long-time friend Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo has returned from Brazil to help with the growth of the Gracie-Barra Marbella academy, and will be taking up the post of head instructor of the new academy in Malaga.
Marcelo is also a black-belt under Draculino, and is an accomplished BJJ competitor, and MMA fighter, having fought in the UK’s leading MMA event, Cage Rage, and most recently in the United States in the IFL as part of Renzo Gracie’s Pitbulls team.
This is huge step for the academy, making it one of the highest-profiles Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organizations in Europe.
As part of this expansion, the academy is changing its name, appropriately to Gracie-Barra Andalucia.
In September, 2007, Gracie-Barra black belt and Cage Rage veteran Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo returns to Spain to assist Edson “Sururu” Jorge with the growth of his academy, Gracie-Barra Marbella. Azevedo will assume the position of head instructor of BJJ, grappling and MMA in the new affiliate academy in Málaga.
To inaugurate this event, Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães will give a one-day seminar in the new academy, on 1 September 2007. It will be the second seminar from Draculino; the first taking place last year in Marbella, and was a big success. The seminar will also include the presence and instruction of Edson Jorge and Marcelo Azevedo; in total three BJJ black belts together for a day of intense instruction. Don’t miss it!
The focus of the seminar will include an indepth study of arm-drag techniques and variations with gi, and new guard passes and back-mount attacks from the guard.
Although you are free to register on the day of the event, it would help us a lot if those interested in coming could leave a comment on this article, so that we have can have a rough idea in advance of the number of participants. Thanks!
En Septiembre, 2007, Gracie-Barra cinturon negro y Cage Rage veterano Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo vuelve a España para juntarse con Edson “Sururu” Jorge para ayudar con el crecimiento de la academia Gracie-Barra Marbella. Azevedo tomará la posición de instructor de BJJ, grappling y MMA en la nueva academia en Málaga.
Para inaugurar este evento, vendrá el maestro Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães para dar un seminario en la academia de Málaga. Será el segundo seminario de Draculino aqui; el primero el año pasado que fue un exito. El seminario cuenta tambien con la presencia y ayuda de Edson Jorge y Marcelo Azevedo — en total tres cinturones negros de los mejores del mundo juntos para un dia de instruccion intenso.
Evento: Seminario de Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães
Formato: BJJ (con kimono) y grappling (sin kimono)
El seminario enfocará en el arm-drag (y variaciones) con kimono, y nuevas technicas para pasar la guardia y ataques de la espada sin kimono.
Aunque se puede hacer la inscripcion el mismo dia del evento, nos ayudaria mucho si los interesados pueden dejar su nombre en un comentario a este articulo (para mas or menos tener un idea cuantos personas van a asistir.) Gracias!
On Saturday, August 11, 2007, the first annual Marbella Open Grappling tournament was held at the beautiful Soul Beach, in Puerto Banús (Marbella), Spain. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and the turnout was fantastic. In total, more than 70 competitors from all over Spain came to put their grappling skills to the test in this competition.
During the first half of the day, the event worked its way through the weight categories (divided into beginner and advanced division). As the competition evolved down to the finals, it was clear that a lot of hard training had taken place prior to the event, as an incredible level of technical ability and physical conditioning was demonstrated by every team that participated.
Particularly impressive on the day were Fran Alcalde (Sur Union) and Oriol Gaset (Alianza-MMA). Oriol won both his weight category (Advanced 77kg) and the Advanced Absolute division, especially impressive taking into account that by luck of the draw, he did not get a by in the 77 kg first round (meaning he fought an additional fight with respect to the additional competitors.) Fran Alcalde won both his weight category (Advanced 66 kg) and the Elite Absolute division, especially impressive taking into account that he was competing against a black belt!
The first superfight between Aida (GBM) and Christina (ASES) showed the crowd that grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are not just mens sports, as these talented women demonstrated an equal fighting spirit and technical expertise. At the beginning of the fight Aida locked in a tight triangle, but Christina calmly worked the escape and later scored the side control. The two battled to the end, and Christina took the superfight with a points advantage. Congratulations to both!
In the main event, Gracie-Barra Marbella’s Edson “Sururu” Jorge took on ASES Valencia’s Tito Beltran. This fight was anticipated and talked about for weeks leading up the event, as one of Brazil’s most talented fighters (Edson Jorge) faced off with Spain’s most celebrated grappler (Tito Beltran). There was almost an electric tension in the air as the two fighters stared each other down in front of the dead-silent crowd prior to the bout.
When the clock started the fighter circled in the stand-up, each looking for a takedown. Tito’s first shot was answered with a quick sprawl from Edson, but Tito responded by securing what appeared to be a guillotine attempt. Edson backed out, and the fighter again stood up. Edson dropped to butterfly guard and secured a back grip, and transitioned to secure Tito’s leg. Tito rolled to counter attack Edson’s leg, but Edson rolled back to secure a heel-hook, leaving Tito no option but to tap out.
Congratulations Sururu, and congratulations to Tito for a great fight! For sure, you can expect to see a rematch between the competitors in the future!
Our academy, Gracie-Barra Marbella, had a great turn-out of competitors, and although finishing second, demonstrated a great performance. Leo and Agusto especially showed that they have progressed tremendously over the past year. Those guys were unbelievable. Juan from La Linea was also incredible, making it to the finals! Jacobo did great in his first competition, making it all the way to the semi-finals. And Aida showed great composure and fighting spirit, competing in a superfight in her very first competition. Pablo had two very tough fights. Jose Antonio won his division. Recently arrived Leandro had a great fight. Martin Pitbull demonstrated his amazing strength! Dani had fight against Oriol in the first round of his division. New arrival Alessandro had a tough fight with the eventual winner of his division. Hans had a tough fight in his first event. And, then of course was Guara, who became animated the crowd with his amazing win over a guy twice his size in the absolute category. Leandro fought a very technical fight in the elite division. There were several other GBM fighters as well, e.g. Paulon, Tomaz, Roberto, Jose Manuel, etc. all of whom competed very well. And, of course, Edson prevailed as we all knew he would in the event everybody came for, the superfight with Tito!
Individual Results
The following are the results of the individual competition finals (Gold and Silver medalist):
Beginner 66 kg Magnus Johnson (Team Choco) def. Ignacio Barrachina (ASES)
Beginner 77 kg David Allen (Team Choco) def. Juan Felgueroso (GBM)
Beginner 88 kg Saul Burillo (ASES) def. Pipo (Sur Union)
Beginner 99 kg David Jacare (Sur Union) def. Kevin Mohr (Team Choco)
Beginner 99+ kg Gran Eu (Sur Union) def. Miguel Kama (Zarate Team)
Advanced 66 kg Fran Alcalde (Sur Union) def. Luis Quiñones (Sur Union)
Advanced 88 kg Fredson (ASES) def. Leandro Galati (Gracie-Barra Marbella)
Advanced 99 kg Jose Antonio Merida (Gracie-Barra Marbella) def. Pedro Carvalho (Werdum Zaragoza)
Absolute Beginner Guara (Gracie-Barra Marbella) def. Nicolae Bogdan (Werdum Zaragoza)
Absolute Advanced Oriol Gaset (Alianza-MMA) def. Pedro Carvalho (Werdum Zaragoza)
Absolute Elite Fran Alcalde (Sur Union) def. Leandro (Gracie-Barra Marbella)
Team Results
The winner of the team competition was Sur Union, who clearly trained hard for this event, and brought a team of focused and prepared competitors. In second place was the home team of Gracie-Barra Marbella, and tied for third place were ASES and Team Choco. The full team results follow:
First, we want to thank all the teams, competitors and fans that came from all over Spain to participate in and watch the event. Through your support and participation, it’s clear that our sports of BJJ and grappling are alive and growing in Spain! We hope you all enjoyed the event, and look forward to next year.
And, last but not least, a big big thanks to Roger Gracie black-belt Jude Samuel for coming to the event, and graciously volunteering to help with the refereeing. Thanks Jude!
Este documento contiene algunas notas finales, plan de actividades, reglas y lista de participantes relacionado con el Torneo Open Grappling, este fin de semana, 11 de Agosto. Es muy importante leer esta información! (This document contains final notes, rules, schedule and participant list for the Open Grapping Tournament this coming weekend, 11 August. It is very important to read this information!)
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This is the website of Draculino Team — a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in Marbella, Spain.
We train at the Dynamic Training Center, in the "Le Village" commercial center, next to Small World Cafe. Here is a link to our location in Google Maps.
Our training times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 7:30PM until 9:00PM. Enquire about costs at the gym, as several packages are available (including the gym facilities).
We have a contact form available in case you would like to get in touch with us. We'd love to have you come train!
