Draculino Team MarbellaBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Marbella, Spain

On September 11, 2009, the first edition of the Don Principe MMA event took place in La Linea, Spain. Organized by Jose Antonio Merida, of Gracie-Barra La Linea (a.k.a. Cai Club), the event was a great success, and included exciting fights in the disciplines of MMA, grappling and kick boxing.

Local fighter and long-time Gracie-Barra Marbella member, Mike Rios faced off in a grappling match against Crazy Sevilla fighter Alberto Gonzalez. The fight was a rematch of an earlier BJJ match in which Alberto had won. In this fight, however, it was Mike’s night. Months of hard training and preparation paid off, as he won big on points, 14-0.

Congratulations to Mike on the fantastic win for himself and for the club, and to Alberto for a competitive fight!

Gracie-Barra Marbella fighters Thelmo Calmon and Mike “Tiborao” Rios have been training hard the past months in preparation for their fights this Friday night at the “Sangre y Casta” MMA event in La Linea, organized by our good friend Jose Antonio Merida, of Gracie-Barra La Linea.

The event starts at 21:30 in the evening, at the Pabellon Don Principe, in La Linea (just next to Gibraltar). Tickets go on sale at 18:00. Doors open at 21:00. Don’t miss it!

More information at:

http://www.cai-club.com/

We are excited to announce the following two upcoming seminars:

YAN CABRAL (Saturday, March 28)

This coming Saturday, March 28, at the Demolition Fight Center, in Malaga, Spain, world champion Yan Cabral will hold a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar. Details below:

Who: Yan Cabral

Cost: 30 euros

More information at the Demolition Fight Center website.

PABLO CABO (PALETA) (Wednesday, April 1)

Next Wednesday, Gracie-Barra Marbella veteran Pablo Cabo (Bronze medal finisher at the BJJ world championships) will hold a seminar at Platinum Gym, during which he’ll present a number of the things that he’s learned from the past year living in London, England and training at world champion Roger Gracie’s gym.

Who: Pablo Cabo (Paleta)

Cost: 10 euros

If you will be attending the Pablo Cabo seminar, please confirm with an email to info@gbmarbella.com . Thanks!

This past weekend, the Gracie-Barra Andalucia team traveled to Granada to compete in the Copa Granada BJJ tournament, hosted by Luis Zarate. Several of our usual competitors couldn’t make the event, and Edson couldn’t compete due to his recovering elbow injury, but even with a relatively small team, Edson coached the team to take home third place overall in the team competition.

• Marcelo – First Place. Marcelo Uirapuru Azevedo won the black-belt superfight at the end of the day with a triangle submission 40 seconds into the fight. What a great way to announce his arrival in Spain!

• Jose Antonio. Jose Antonio had a very tough fight in the purple belt division, losing to the 110 kg competitor (and eventual champion) on points.

• Pablo Paleta – Third Place. Paleta finished third in the purple belt division. Even though he lost to the eventual champion of the division, his fight was considered one of the best and most technical of the whole event, as he moved from technique to technique against the competitor almost twice his size.

• Matt – Second Place. Matt finished second place in the purple belt division, winning his first fight, and then losing in the finals.

• Leo – First Place. Leo won the blue belt absolute division, and was also considered among the most technical fighters on the day. He just keeps getting better and better.

• Juan – First Place Juan continued to demonstrate a great progression as he won the white belt division with control and technique.

• Aida. Aida lost her first fight, but put in a very good performance, nearly securing a triangle. She keeps getting better and better.

• Hans. Hans also had a tough first fight, overcoming some initial breathing difficulties, to nearly win. Hans also demonstrates better and better performance in each event.

• Roberto Roberto was having a good first fight, but lost by disqualification on an unfortunate technicality (something legal in grappling, but not in BJJ).

• Tanya Tanya gained experience in her BJJ tournament, losing to the eventual champion of the division.

• Javi Javi demonstrated a great take-down, but lost a close one in his first fight.

Team results:

1. Furia Kioto
2. Zarate Team
3. Gracie-Barra Andalucia

Photo Album:

Thanks to our new photographer extrodinaire Carole, we’ve got another GREAT set of photos for you. Carole is a new student with us. She runs a new interior design and architecture business in Marbella, so if you need some talent in that area, well, look no further!

• Click here to see the Copa Granada Photo Album

Other links:

• Official Results
• Event discussion in FightSol Forums

Big thanks to Luis Zarate for putting on a great event. We look forward to next year!

This morning, as I was driving to the Muteki Dojo in Málaga for our four-hour seminar with Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães, I have to say I was thinking about the questionable value of such events in an age where you can find half a million techniques instantly available on YouTube.

Well, today I was reminded that, when offered by a true “maestro”, the concept of the seminar still has its very important place in the training of the serious martial arts practitioner! The seminar was, in a word, excellent.

Draculino, who runs his famous academy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, is known around the world as one of the best BJJ/grappling instructors on the planet. He’s the instructor of our own teachers, Edson “Sururu” Jorge and Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo. And he’s been the trainer of famous athletes such as Vitor Belfort, Babalu , and Romulo Barral — recently crowned world champion in the Brazilian Mundiales.

Draculino came to town to inaugurate the opening of the Gracie-Barra Andalucia academy in Muteki Dojo, in Málaga, Spain. (The Muteki Dojo, by the way, is one of the nicest martial arts gyms I’ve seen here in Spain!) The seminar was split into two sessions — morning focusing on Gi (kimono) techniques, and the afternoon focussed on grappling (no-gi). It was a full house, as we had nearly 20 participants, coming from Marbella, Malaga, and as far away as Sevilla.

In both sessions, Draculino carefully examined some of the classical positions — arm drag with kimono, and no-gi attacks from the back. As any BJJ/grappling practitioner will recognize immediately, these are very common positions in the fight. What Draculino offered in the seminar, was an indepth study of the evolution of these positions, analyzing many of the defenses and counter attacks. In each session, we were shown improvements on classical techniques and shown some techniques that are completely new, never before seen. They were some simple techniques, and some complex techniques — but I was particularly impressed that all the techniques are directly applicable in a fight. Overall, it was a great seminar!

On behalf of all the participants in the seminar, we want so offer a big “Thank You” to Draculino for an amazing seminar, and we are looking forward to his return next year, to continue helping to guide the evolution of the sport.

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.

Para una versión en Español de este articulo, pica aqui.

Summary of the Event

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 77 kg Oriol Gaset (Alianza-MMA) def. Agusto Aloisio (Gracie-Barra Marbella)
• 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:

• Sur Union (38 points)
• Gracie-Barra Marbella (22 points)
• ASES Valencia (19 points)
• Team Choco (19 points)
• Alianza-MMA (18 points)
• Werdum Zaragoza (3 points)
• Zarate Team (1 point)

Superfight Results

• Edson Jorge (GBM) def. Tito Beltran (ASES)
• Cristina (ASES) def. Aida (GBM)

Videos

Edson Jorge (GBM) vs Tito Beltran (ASES)

Fran Alcalde (Sur Union) vs Leandro (GBM)

Thanks!

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.

We also want to thank our sponsors:

• MakaluMedia
• Ronin Wear
• Platinum Gym (Puerto Banus)
• Soul Beach
• Pink (Puerto Banus)
• Tango Restaurante (Puerto Banus)
• Lyndon

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!

Links

Discussion about the event in FightSol forums

We’ve now got some better quality fight videos from X Fight Granada. Below you will find YouTube videos, and downloadable high quality videos. (Unfortunately, Pablo’s BJJ fight wasn’t on the DVD from which these videos were created…)

Guara

Leo Galati

Mike Rios (Round 1)

Mike Rios (Round 2)

High Quality Downloads

All videos are .mp4 format, ZIP archived, and approximately 80 MB in size:

• X Fight Granada: Guara
• X Fight Granada: Leo
• X Fight Granada: Mike (Round 1)
• X Fight Granada: Mike (Round 2)

This past weekend, the Gracie-Barra BH Marbella academy had the pleasure of hosting a BJJ and grappling seminar with Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães. And I honestly have to say, it was the best seminar I’ve ever attended.

Draculino is the head of the Gracie-Barra Belo Horizonte (BH) jiu-jitsu academy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and is considered to be one of the world’s leading instructors of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling. To consistently produce world and pan-american champions, as Draculino has done, it’s essential that an instructor continually studies and evolves the art.

The theme of the seminar was change and the unexpected. Draculino began the seminar by discussing the modern day situation in competition jiu-jitsu. He explained that knowledge of the art has dispersed to a point that nearly all the traditional strategies and tactics are now commonly known, and that to have an edge in today’s competition, one must be prepared to react to situations in unexpected ways; ways in which your opponent will not expect. He said that much effort is given in his academy to in-depth study of positions and strategies, and that much of what we will see in the seminar are fruits of that effort.

During the next four hours, we were taught some amazing strategies, tactics and techniques applicable to the some of the most common competition situations — counter attacks to the single leg takedown, guard, half-guard and side control.

I’ve attended many jiu-jitsu seminars, and several things really caught my attention during the Draculino seminar. First, the man is very friendly, and down to earth. During the seminar, he really seemed like “one of the guys,” which created an environment in which the students didn’t hesitate to ask questions. Secondly, his attention to detail was impressive. He wasn’t satisfied until each student really understood the huge importance of subtle details in each of the various techniques. Finally, the techniques that we learned are techniques that we learned are very applicable. Sometimes I’ve seen techniques taught in seminars that, while often spectacular to what, have a relative small probability to be executed properly in live fighting. The techniques that Draculino taught us, however, seem immensely applicable, and will be very difficult to defend against.

If you ever have a chance to attend a Draculino seminar, we can highly recommend it! And we look forward to having him back during his next European tour.

Esta semana pasada, la academia Gracie-Barra BH Marbella tuvo el placer the impartir un seminario de BJJ y Submission con Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães. Y honestamente tengo que decir que fue el mejor seminario al que he acudido.

Draculino es la cabeza de la academia Gracie-Barra en Belo Horizonte, Brasil, y es considerado uno de los instructores lideres del Jiu-Jitsu Brasileño y submission wrestling moderno. Para producir constantemente campeones a nivel mundial y pan-americano, como ha hecho, es esencial que el instructor esté continuamente estudiando este arte.

La linea del día fue cambiada de manera no esperada. Draculino comenzó el seminario discutiendo la situación actual de la competición en Jiu-Jitsu. El explicó que el conocimiento del arte se ha expandido hasta un punto en el que todas las estrategias y tácticas tradicionales son comunmente conocidas, y que para tener oportunidades en las competiciones actuales, uno debe estar preparado para reaccionar ante situaciones no esperadas; caminos que tu oponente no va a esperar. Nos explicó que en su academia se esfuerzan en estudiar de manera profunda posiciones y estrategias, y mucho de lo que ibamos a ver en el seminario era fruto de este esfuerzo.

Durante las próximas cuatro horas, se nos enseñó algunas estrategias increibles, tácticas y técnicas aplicables a algunas de las situaciones mas comunes en competición — contraataques contra proyecciones a una sola pierna, guardia, media guardia y control lateral.

He presenciado muchos seminarios de Jiu-Jitsu, y varias cosas realmente captaron mi atención durante el seminario de Draculino. Primero, es muy amistoso, y con los pies en el suelo. Durante el seminario, el realmente parecía uno mas , lo que creó un ambiente en el que los estudiantes nunca desistieron de realizar preguntas. Segundo, su atención a los detalles fue sorprendente. No estaba satisfecho hasta que cada estudiante realmente entendía la gran importancia de los sub-detalles en cada una de las técnicas. Finalmente, las técnicas que aprendimos son muy prácticas a la hora de aplicarlas. Algunas veces he visto técnicas dadas en otros seminarios que realmente tiene una muy baja probabilidad de ser ejecutadas correctamente en luchas reales. Las técnicas que nos dió Draculino parecen inmensamente prácticas y son muy dificiles de defender.

Si algunas vez tienes una oportunidad de acudir a un seminario de Draculino, te lo recomendamos! Y esperamos tenerlo de regreso en su próximo tour europeo.