Saturday 7th May was a fantastic night of MMA at Island Rumble Heavy Metal Thunder held at fort regent.
Gracie Barra Channel Islands had 4 fighters in this event and for our fighters and Jersey, it was the first time it would see a cage.

The first of our fighters was Dave Pearson, who was making his debut as an amateur and took to the cage first, was keen to get at his opponent and as soon as the horn went, both were straight to it with jabs and leg kicks. Dave traded punches but he was forced back to the cage where he tried to spin away to get his opponents back to the cage wall but was stopped and was taken down where Dave done his best to escape but was submitted by the more experienced fighter.

Dave put up a good fight and said he looks forward to entering the cage again in future Island Rumbles.

Next up was Marty Blandin who was making his MMA debut in this semi pro rules fight and Was fighting Jamie Bedstead who fought at the last Island Rumble. As Marty started to strike, Jamie was straight in with a double leg take-down which was the way the fight went for the three rounds. As soon as Marty would escape, get back to his feet and start striking, Jamie would take Marty down. On the floor it was 50/50 both fighters taking their turn on top striking as the other tried to switch position but after a hard fought three rounds, it was up to the judges to decide the outcome which went to Marty. Job well done! and with that came Marty Blandin’s retirement, so he says…

The Romanian Bogdan Zarcu was the next of the Gracie Barra Channel islands MMA Fighters to take to the cage and another semi pro rules fight. Bogdan had been looking forward to this for a long time and he didn’t disappoint the crowd.  With the sound of the horn he was straight to the centre of the cage where he throws a few punches and gets caught with a high kick from Adam Drescher to the side of his head, although this was blocked by the gloves. This seemed to bring the best out of Bogdan with a few punches he sets up and completes a great take-down, ends up in Adams guard which was then passed and got to full mount. Bogdan then unleashed a barrage of punches leading to the ref stopping the fight. Bogdan wins the fight by ground and pound in  round one .

Liam the Spider McGeary was the  final of the Gracie Barra Channel Islands fighters.  Liam was up against Mike Thompson who had won against our own Ben speed on the last Island rumble so this was going to be one Liam wants to avenge for Ben.
Liam was first to make contact with a hand and feet combination which saw Mike try for the take-down which he struggled with at first but after some perseverance Mike got the take-down  and in doing so Liam managed to secure Mike’s arm and after a little adjustment Liam had locked in the armbar for the finish,  Liam was ecstatic and like a mad man shaking the cage walls, the crowed were as jubilant as he was. The fight ends 2 min into round one.

A great night, great fights and a great atmosphere, roll on October 22nd for the next Island Rumble.

I’d just like to say a big thank you to all the GBCI team for all their support and hard work  and making it a successful and enjoyable night.

UPDATE : RUMBLE ON THE ROCK WILL NOT BE TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY 30TH APRIL.  NEW DATE TO BE ARRANGED.  WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.

Some big news for MMA fight fans who will be in Jersey, Channel Islands on Saturday 30th April 2011. Rumble Events, the guys behind Rumble On The Rock will be holding another MMA night at Fort Regent.

As with the success of the last event, this promises to be a night not to be missed with a mixture of amateur and professional fighters battling it out in a steel cage, the first time that a steel cage will have been used in Jersey.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a rapidly growing sport where fighters from all areas of martial arts and boxing pit themselves against each other in a full contact fight with rounds ranging from 2 – 5mins each.

This isn’t an arena for those of faint heart, but rather a place where fighters test their training out in a real life event, hoping to defeat their opponent by either knock out or submission. Few fights go the distance.

Rumbe On The Rock is the pinacle for Jersey fighters as far as events go at the moment with the last event attracting professional fighters, none of whom dissapointed the crowd.

More information about Rumble On The Rock can be found at www.island-rumble.co.uk and they also have a Facebook Fan Page for those people who wish to be kept updated.

A DVD of the last event is now available and details of this can be found at http://www.island-rumble.co.uk/Multimedia

Finally, here is some footage from the last event – Enjoy it and hopefully we will see you at the next Rumble On The Rock.

These are the results for the black belts who fought in the European Championships held in Lisbon last weekend.

The results are courtesy of http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-news/european-bjj-2011-results

Pluma: Ary Farias (Atos) vs Bruno Malfacine (Alliance) – Winner Farias
From prospect to certainty, Aryzinho has proven he is worthy of being on the mats with the best in the world, winning against the best of the Plumas in recent history. The fight had alot of movement and back and forth action. In the end Ary Farias achieved his first big win as a black belt by points (6-4)

Pena: Rafael Mendes, Bruno Frazatto, Eduardo Ramos and Guilherme Mendes (all Atos)
The athletes closed the brackets for the Atos team, completely dominating the featherweight division.

Leve: Michael Langhi e Lucas Lepri (both Alliance)
Another excelent display from the Alliance wizards, reaching another important final of a major event.

Médio: Bruno Alves (Gracie Barra) x Cláudio Calasans (Atos JJ) – Winner Calasans
The English based Gracie Barra black belt (former European World Champion) faced one of the most dangerous fighters in his division, and succumbed to the Atos standout. Calasans choked Alves in the only submission of the black belt finals.

Meio Pesado: Sérgio Moraes (Alliance) x Bráulio Estima (Gracie Barra) – Winner Estima
Another classic match between Alliance and Barra Gracie, Estima managed to pull through with a win by advantages and dedicate the win to his student (recently deceased)

Pesado: Bernardo Faria e Leonardo Nogueira (both Alliance)
Alliance showing it’s dominance once again with two of their best fighters reaching the final.

Super pesado: Lúcio Rodrigues “Lagarto” (Gracie Barra) x Rafael Lovato (Ribeiro JJ) – Winner Lagarto
Another upset in the European Open finals. Lagarto, who had recently been battling with cancer, successfully beat the favourite Lovato by 6-2.

Pesadíssimo: Rodrigo Comprido (Brasa) x Igor Silva (Brasa)
Brasa closes the brackets on the pesadissimo. Igor often competes fro GFTeam but entered the tournament under Brasa once again this time.

Absolute: Cláudio Calasans (Atos) x Sérgio Moraes (Alliance) – Winner Moraes
Sergio Moraes pulled the win by an advantage after a tie in the scoreboard at 4-4.

FEMALE:

Pluma: Elizangela Meirel x Oceané Talvard – Winner Talvard

Pena: Kyra Gracie x Marina Soares – Winner Soares
Another upset in the Europeans, the World champion Kyra loses to Mariana Soares.

Leve: Luanna Alzuguir x Michelle Nicolini – Winner Alzuguir
Luana Alzuguir came out the winner from this epic battle.

Absolute: Luanna Alzuguir e Gabi Garcia (both Alliance)

TEAM RESULTS:
Adult Male
1- Alliance
2- Lloyd Irvin
3- Checkmat BJJ

Adult Female
1- Checkmat BJJ
2- Alliance
3- Brasa

Master and Seniors
1- Checkmat BJJ
2- BJJ Revolution Team
3- Gracie Barra

Novice:
1- Icon JJ Team
2- Checkmat BJJ
3- Nova União

Juvenile
1- Ilan Turjeman Academy
2- Rio Grappling Club
3- Brasa

The IBJJF European Championships for 2011 being held in the beautiful Portuguese city of Lisbon gets started today.

From our own club competing at blue belt is Carl Williamson. Carl has been training very hard and everyone at Gracie Barra Channel Islands wishes him the best of luck.

We will keep everyone updated with the results from the BJJ European CHampionships as and when we get them and will probably do this via www.twitter.com/graciebarraci

Below is a schedule for the 2011 European Championships.

ADULT OPEN CLASS REGISTRATION

The athletes who placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each adult blue male, adult purple male and adult brown male weight division are eligible to compete in the Open Class division.The athletes who are eligible and wish to compete in this division should report to the admin table after your division is finished and the medals are awarded so that you may register.

Thursday – 27/Jan/2011
9:00 AM Blue Adult Male – Rooster to Feather
Blue Juvenile Male – Rooster to Feather
10:20 AM Blue Adult Male – Light
11:40 AM Blue Adult Male – Middle and Medium Heavy
Blue Juvenile Male – Light and Middle
1:10 PM Blue Adult Male – Heavy to Ultra Heavy
Blue Juvenile Male – Medium Heavy to Ultra Heavy
2:00 PM White Adult Male – Rooster to Feather
White Female – Light Feather and Feather
3:15 PM White Adult Male – Light and Middle
4:35 PM White Adult Male – Medium Heavy and Heavy
White Female – Light to Heavy
5:35 PM White Adult Male – Super Heavy and Ultra Heavy
Blue Juvenile Male – Open Class
White Master – Rooster to Light
6:30 PM White Master – Middle to Ultra Heavy
White Senior – Rooster to Light
Blue Adult Male – End of Open Class Registration
7:20 PM White Senior – Middle to Ultra Heavy
Blue Adult Male – Open Class

All Blue belt adult athletes who are eligible to compete in Open Class must to register before the deadline.

Friday – 28/Jan/2011
9:00 AM Purple Adult Male – Rooster to Light
Purple Female – Light Feather and Feather
10:15 AM Purple Adult Male – Middle and Medium Heavy
Purple Female – Light to Heavy
11:35 AM Purple Adult Male – Heavy to Ultra Heavy
Blue Female Adult and Juvenile
1:00 PM Blue Master – Rooster to Light
Blue Senior 1 – Rooster to Light
2:00 PM Blue Master – Middle to Heavy
Blue Senior 1 – Middle to Heavy
3:10 PM Blue Master – Super Heavy and Ultra Heavy
Blue Senior 1 – Super Heavy and Ultra Heavy
Blue Senior 2
4:00 PM Blue Senior 3
Purple Female – Open Class
Purple Adult Male – END of Open Class Registration
4:40 PM Blue Master Open Class
5:40 PM Blue Senior 1 – Open Class
Blue Female Adult and Juvenile – Open Class
6:40 PM Blue Senior 2 – Open Class
Blue Senior 3 – Open Class
Purple Adult Male – Open Class

All Purple belt adult athletes who are eligible to compete in Open Class must to register before the deadline.
All National Teams representatives must register their Blue Belt teams on Friday before 5:40PM.
The first round of fights will be in the order of registration.

Saturday – 29/Jan/2011
9:00 AM Brown Adult Male
10:50 AM Purple Master
12:10 PM Purple Senior
Black Adult Male – Open Class Registration
1:10 PM Brown Master
Brown Senior
Brown Adult Male – END of Open Class Registration
Black Adult Male – END of Open Class Registration
2:30 PM Black Adult Male – Open Class
Brown/Black Female – Open Class
Brown Adult Male – Open Class
Purple Master – Open Class
5:00 PM Purple Senior – Open Class
Brown Senior – Open Class
6:20 PM Brown Master – Open Class
Blue Belt – National Teams Match

All Brown belt adult athletes who are eligible to compete in Open Class must to before the deadline.
All National Teams representatives must register their Purple Belt and Brown/Black Belt teams on Saturday before 5:00PM.
The first round of fights will be in the order of registration.

Sunday – 30/Jan/2011
9:00 AM Black Adult Male – Rooster to Middle
Black Master – Rooster to Middle
10:00 AM Black Master – Medium Heavy to Ultra Heavy
10:45 AM Black Senior 1
11:20 AM Black Adult Male – Medium Heavy to Ultra Heavy
Brown/Black Female
Black Senior 2
Black Senior 3
12:40 PM Black Master – Open Class
1:00 PM Black Senior 1 – Open Class
Purple Belt – National Teams Match
1:40 PM Black Senior 2 and 3 – Open Class
2:30 PM Black Adult Male – Finals
Brown/Black Female – Finals
4:00 PM Brown/Black – National Teams Match

Good luck to everyone who is down there taking part in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu European Championships 2011. I’m sure it is going to be an amazing competition with some tough battles.

Congratulations go out to Matt Norris who has managed to come back with a Bronze Medal at the European BJJ Championships taking place in Lisbon, Portugal.

He was fighting in the heavyweight division of the purple belts.

A quick summary based on messages received from Russ Allchin and Matt explain how and what happened but I will write a more detailed report once the guys return back to Jersey.

Mat weighed in at 94.2KG so he jsut about made the weight category.

I don’t know the name of his opponent at this time, but the guy jumped guard. They battled for position and Matts opponent swept and made full mount.

Matt managed to bridge him off and in the scramble that ensued, managed to finish the fight with an arm bar.

Good result Matt.

The second fight goes as follows and was texted to me from Matt.

Fight started with him jumping guard and trying to sweep my leg.

Went to floor and I tried to pass his guard. As I did he swept me and then tried to mount. I managed to keep it at half guard for a bit then made a mistake and he mounted.

Managed to bridge him off and I tried to break his guard.

Time was running out so I tried a sneaky choke that Stuey showed me whne standing in his guard but unfortunately it was to little to late.

Lost on points.

Well done to both Matt & Russ.

Hi all, a quick update courtesy of Matt Norris via www.twitter.com/chuckjsy regarding Russell Allchin’s fights at the European Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships currently taking place in Lisbon, Portugal.

Russell has had a tough competition proving that there are some good guys out there and nothing should be taken for granted.

I am going to put the exact Tweets (Twitter Posts) that Matt sent to me word for word and I will follow up with a more detailed report on their return to Jersey along with Video of the fights which Matt says he has taken.

Anyway, this is the posts for Russell’s first fight.

Matt Norris (MN) – Russ is fighting today. He has his weight division this morning then the open class in the afternoon.

MN – Russ has been called to the warm up area.

MN – Russ is weighing in, fingers crossed he makes the weight.

MN – Looks like he is fine and he is on the mat right in front of me.

MN – Here we go.

MN – He passed Russ’s guard for 2 points. Now in lockdown. (opponents name is still unknown to me)

MN – Trying for the sweep, he is attacking Russ’s arm.

MN – Still trying for the sweep and we are running out of time.

MN – His opponent is on his feet trying to pass Russ’s legs and it’s time. 2 points and an advantage for the win. Unlucky Russ.

That was the end of the fight in his weight class for Russ.

Matt Norris then texted me a few hours later to say he had updated Twitter with Russell’s Open Weight division fight.

Again, these are word for word Tweets that can be found at www.twitter.com/chuckjsy and further details will be posted along with video footage on their return.

Matt Norris (MN) – Just waiting for the blue open class to begin. Russ is in the warm up area but not much is going on at the mats at the moment.

MN – OK, his name has been called and Russ is moving to mat 2.

MN – Hot F**king damn, Russ has got a dump truck to fight. The guy is massive; here we go.

MN – Russ gone for half guard and the dump truck lays on him. He’s trying to to squash Russ through the mat.

MN – Russ is trying to sweep but he is struggling to move at the mo; shit the guy is big.

MN – Russ is trying to break away but the dude is on him.

MN – And it’s time. Dump truck got the advantage. Unlucky Russ. Just found out the guy is 118kg

—————————————————-

That is all I have for now.

Matt Norris is fighting tomorrow and he says he will keep me updated so I can in turn, keep you updated.

Just like to say unlucky Russell but nice one for getting down there to fight mate.

See you on the mat

Here’s Matt Norris fighting Ed Brown at the Kent Open this year.  

Matt is off to fight in the European Championships at the end of the month and if this video is anything to go by, I’m sure he is going to have a very good competition.
 

Event Date: Sunday 29th June
Venue: Sugden Sports Centre, 114 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1
Cost: £15 online registration, £20 on the day

Description:
Ground Control offers a safe and competitive environment for competitors to test out their no gi skills. There are advanced, beginner and kids divisions, with prizes on offer for the overall winner.

For a full list of rules and divisions, check out http://www.groundcontrolgrappling.co.uk

Hi all

Just a reminder that The British Open starts on 21st June which is coming around very quickly indeed.

All those who want to compete in the British Open on will need to register on-line.

This is an even not to be missed if at all possible as it is likely to be the biggest UK event this year.

If you have any questions regarding the British Open please see Rob staples up at the club.

The BJJ British Open event will be held at Cocks Moor
Leisure Centre kings Heath Birmingham 21st June 09.

Cheers

The Brighton BJJ Open is on this weekend April 4th and two members of Gracie Barra Channel Islands Jersey will be competing in this event.

Matt Norris will be fighting at purple belt and Matt Delauney fighting at white belt.

Both fighters have had a very good tournaments of late, the last of which being the Bristol open.

All of us here at Gracie Barra Channel Islands wish both Matt Norris, Matt Delauney all the best for this weekends competition.

As always we will keep you posted with the results as soon as we get them.