In Santa Ana again for the Subfighter Summer No Gi Jiu Jitsu Challenge. Didn’t get as many pictures as I hoped since we had 19 guys competing and Tracy and I were running all over coaching. I think half our guys medaled and either our team or 10th Planet Costa Mesa took the team award (results still had to be tabulated when we left). Missed Dillashaw vs Barao for this tournament!

Chris Leben came in to Subfighter MMA on Wednesday night to teach a grappling seminar. It was open to the public and it was pretty full. It’s not often that I don’t recognize over half the people on the mat. Lots of footlock and leglock technique and transitions. Afterwards, most of the regulars stuck around for a good hour of rolling. For everyone that ever goes to a seminar, stick around and roll! The more practice you get rolling with people you don’t know, the better.

Another day at Subfighter MMA Laguna Hills for their Men’s Gi Jiu Jitsu Classic. As usual, I somehow end up reffing xP. The tournament ran smoothly, but that was just the pre-event for some of us. Afterwards, we headed to The Soboba Casino for Justin and Logan’s fights in KOTC.

Stopped by 10th Planet Costa Mesa this morning for their Sunday open mat. It is always packed with people at every level and everyone has a good attitude. That is one of the biggest reasons that I enjoy going there. You can actually train and practice bad position thanks to the guys there all putting their egos aside. Some gyms you visit and you don’t get to really practice because every guy is out for your head due to you being an outsider and it becomes competition.

And one more just for me! ;)

Took me 12 years to get my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt ;P I turned it down 4 years ago because I wanted my black belt to be from the team I consider family. Getting today from Tracy Hess made waiting completely worth it.

For anyone reading this, there are a bunch of people I want to thank for getting me here:

Rob Spencer, Jeremy Williams (RIP), Rick Estrada, Russ Miura, Adam Lynn, Tracy Hess, Rani Yahya, Bao Quach, Juliano Prado, JJ Ambrose, Rick Catindig, Ryan Gregg & William Kessler.