Codella Academy Repping At 2011 Pan No Gi Championships!

This weekend two of our warriors, Chesley "Chez" Budgell and Joe "Thiago" Peteroy will be traveling to City College, NYC, and putting it all on the line for the chance to medal at the 2011 Pan No Gi Championships! At this amateur level ( no cash prizes) this prestigious event ranks just below the No Gi Worlds which is usually held in California (Nov 5, 2011). Needless to say this a big deal on the east coast and draws  the toughest competitors from all over; all the major BJJ squads will certainly be flying their flags on Saturday!

I had the opportunity to interview Chez and Joe yesterday at our academy with the hopes of gaining some insight into their preparation and mindset not only for this event but for competitions in general. For those of us who have competed in the past or are considering to compete in the future, we will all  come away from these interviews more enlightened about what it  truly takes to participate in tournaments. You will also, without a doubt, be fired up about being a part of the Codella Family and be reminded that everything that you need to compete at the highest levels is right here: awesome training partners, quality instruction, inspiring leadership, excellent conditioning facility, and as Chez mentions in the video, "a support system that understands and cares..". Enough said!!

Here is the link 2011 Pan No Gi Brackets to view the brackets Chez and Joe will be competing in. Point of interest, Joe's first match is against a Marcelo Garcia purple belt who he mentions in his video having lost to at another tournament. Time for redemption indeed!! Joe's division: Purple Adult Medium Heavy and Chez' division: Brown Master Light. There are also some big names competing at the black belt level: Caio Terra, Davi Ramos, Kayron Gracie (Master Carlos Gracie Jr's son), Clark Gracie, Lucas Lepri, and Warren Jefferson (Gracie Barra).

***I want to apologize in advance for some video quality flaws, such as the camera instabilty. My objective was to share these videos, unrehearsed and unedited, before Saturday. I am confident that the content quality and the insight gained from these videos will make up for it. Stay tuned for Part II- Post Comp videos!

Thank you again, Chez and Joe, for sacrificing time from your training to sit down with Cagside at Codella's.We wish you both the best of luck, God Bless; and we look forward to hearing about your results and experiences!

War Codella BJJ/Team Renzo Gracie!!

ADCC 2011 This Weekend, No Gi Pans Next!!

This weekend in the United Kingdom the high royalty of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling will hold court at the mecca of No Gi competition, ADCC 2011. All the participants, 16 competitors each in five different weight categories, have either won regional trials to qualify or have been invited for past performances, name recognition, or both. There will also be 16 women competing; eight each in two weight divisions. The Gracie Princess, Kyra Gracie, has a great chance to make it to the Under 60 kg final, most likely against Michele Nicolini or Luanna Alzuguir, the reigning ADCC U60 champion. The women's 60+ final may come down to the Alliance heavy hitter Gabi Garcia and 2009 champion Hannette Staack from Team Brazil 021.

The super fights this year will be Jacare Souza versus Gracie Barra's Braulio Estima and the Masters version: our very own Master Renzo Gracie versus Mario Ze Sperry from the famed bjj documentary, "Day of the Zen".

No question, definitely rooting for Master Renzo to pull out the win this weekend and while Jacare will be itching to get rid of the sour taste from his recent MMA loss, I believe Braulio has put in the work, training with Roger Gracie and Georges St.Pierre, and formulated the recipe to serve Jacare yet another loss.

The brackets  for the five weight divisions were posted today and can be viewed here. (Click on each bracket to see expanded version.)

By the way, Renzo Gracie Family is being represented by phenom Gunnar Nelson (-89.5 kg) who opened many eyes at the 2009 ADCC Absolutes and Gerardi Rinaldi (+99 kg) of Silver Fox BJJ.

Now, I watch my fair share of competition matches, Pans, Worlds, Abu Dhabi Pro, but I still have no idea what direction to go in with regards to making predictions so I'll just list my favorites in each category.

Under 65.9(145 lbs): Rafael Mendes, Cobrinha Charles, Robson Moura

U 76.9(169.2 lbs): Marcelo Garcia, Vagner Rocha, Murilo Santana

U 87.9(193.4 lbs): Andre Galvao, Romulo Barral, Gunnar Nelson

U 98.9(217.6 lbs): Rudolfo Viera, Xande Ribieiro, Antonio Peinado

+99(217.8 lbs): Cyborg Abreu, Vinny Magalhaes, Jose Junior

Absolutes: ??? Rudolfo Viera vs. Xande Ribieiro???

The live stream for this event is available only via PPV at Budo Videos. Updates and news of the event can be found at Gracie Mag ADCC Blog.

If you're interested in the results of past ADCC competions, you can check them out here.

I'm certain all the action this weekend will have you pumped up to want to get on the mats asap and maybe even get your competitive juices flowing. Well you can put your no gi skills to the test at the No-Gi Pans next Saturday at City College but you have to act fast because the deadline to register ends this Saturday 7/24/11. Fee to register is $117 which is pricey but this competition is considered to be a prestigious event to medal at. Here's the link to register: No Gi Pans

***The form requires that you select your academy from a drop down list. Prof. Codella has been trying to get our school added to the list but given the short amount of time you can select Renzo Gracie Academy.

Also, you have to have approved ranked rashguard and black shorts to compete. Click here for details: No Gi Uniform Requirements

Fajardo-Conroy BJJ: Brothers in Armbars, Comrades in Collar Chokes!

In a quiet residential neighborhood of Secaucus, NJ you'll find the local recreational center, where on this early Saturday morning it's being populated by seniors power walking along the track above the gym, housewives escaping their daily routines with a yoga session and the Fajardo-Conroy BJJ Team. Not far from here is the Whatchamacallit Stadium, not sure of their new name (Met Life??) but it is the home where Jets soar and Giants roar. Like these teams who make the most of co-existing under one roof, FCBJJ manages to blend in just fine with the yoga wives and senior walkers. This task is made so much easier when one believes wholeheartedly in the old adage, "home is where the heart is" and heart, perseverance and dedication to their beloved art are qualities that both Prof. Fajardo and Prof. Conroy embody.

The professors, black belts under world renowned BJJ legend, Master Renzo Gracie, also have backgrounds in the traditional martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kun Do, Kali and wrestling for Prof. Fajardo and various forms of Karate and Filipino Arts for Prof. Conroy. Their individual paths converged at Master Renzo's Academy where they trained with the likes of John Danaher, Matt Serra, Shawn Williams and many others including our very own, Prof. Mike Codella.

   

Patience is not only a virtue but a skill one must strive to master, especially in Jiu Jitsu. The FCBJJ team practices this skill regularly as they wait for the yoga class to end so that they can set up. In comes the dolly cart with an assortment of folding mats and puzzle mats and the transformation from mirrored dance room to BJJ dojo begins. The lesson in patience continues as the team collaborates on how to situate the mats to cover the room properly. The joking and teasing that ensues is good-natured and more importantly, it's a vital part of developing camaraderie and team spirit.

The gi class begins with a light throw/take down session to warm up. (The Saturday classes alternate week to week gi and no gi.)  Then Prof.Conroy demonstrated two excellent judo throws. [I am a huge fan of Judo throws and sweeps and Prof. Conroy has a sick repertoire of throws in his arsenal..and he just became my new best friend!!] After practicing these throws, there was a throw drill, whereby each student had to perform ten judo throws. If you have never trained break falls before  this drill will convince you to incorporate them into your warm ups asap!

Ground techniques consisted of a omoplata counter when your opponent goes for a single leg:

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Prof. Fajardo also demonstrated a wicked arm bar re-counter when you're unable to complete the omoplata. (A video of the armbar re-counter will  definitely be posted on the blog soon- stay tuned!)

Once the technique drills were completed the students started to roll live with each other and then with their instructors. This is an excellent opportunity that provides a priceless experience for the student and an invaluable tool for the instructor to evaluate the student's techniques and assess their progress. One can't help but to be impressed by the good fortune of these team to have not one but two legit black blacks present in every class to provide quality instruction. Two sets of experienced eyes to make on the spot corrections. Two keen minds to help troubleshoot and formulate the student's developing game.

With sparring completed, the team stack the mats back on the cart, wave goodbye to their neighbors in the gym and roll out of the rec center feeling great from the hard training, looking forward to the next class to practice this hallowed rite all over again!

Check out the academy website for more information and schedule: FCBJJ

Many thanks to Prof. Fajardo, Prof. Conroy, Mike, Bryant, and my training partner for the day, Ray.  Osssss!

To The Opponents Of Ramy & Mike 2K, "C'mon Son!!"

I just wanted to check in with a quick motivational chuckle for our boys fighting tonight in Rahway, NJ for the Evolution Fighting Championships 7- Summer Bash!! Although this site has been quiet due to I.T. issues (laptop was out for service!!..C'mon Son!) are boys have been everything but! We all know Ramy has been working hard and is looking to put a hurting on his opponent and get back to savoring the sweet taste of victory.

Mike 2k on the other hand..I don't know..this kid has been starving for two months, itching to fight. I bet he can walk on to set of the next Twilight movie and kill it, he's so damn bloodthirsty!!

For those of you looking to see the fights live, it all goes down at the Rahway Rec Center, where Ramy last fought, at 6:00PM. Be sure to get there early because Mike is scheduled to throw down first. Tickets are $45.

If you can't make it, like myself, you can watch the fights on PPV via 

Go Fight Live for $9.99. I will also try to post results via twitter, @jaystorm15 and facebook, Jay Storm.

Mike 2K is planning to have his after party at Lee's Tavern in Grant City, Staten Island..I think it's on Hitchcock St.

Count on them running out of pizza with Mike's starving ass!!

Here's a couple of Ed Lover videos promoting some UFC fights..I think he's hilarious! Although I'm a Rampage fan this is pretty funny!  Stay tuned for more articles coming real soon, especially one on my visit to Fajardo-Conroy BJJ!! 
Codella BJJ/Team Renzo Gracie.."IT'S TIME!!" TO KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES!!