Gorilla Press #4 - Spring 2001

Be There or BE square!

Gym Party!! ICC 2000 Graduation, Matt's B-day, SBG Gym Awards. Everyone invited, and encouraged to attend. Come show your support for the graduating members of the ICC2000 crew who will go on to become the SBG's newest Instructors. Date: Saturday March 24th Time: 7pm  Location: Hung Far Low, 112 NW 4th Portland, OR (Chinatown/Oldtown)

Matt: winner heavyweight gi, winner superfight, no gi Saturday I competed GI and won heavyweight. Sunday I was put into the absolute "superfight" division, and matched with a guy named "Ahmed", who us probably best known for beating Ricco Rodriguez a few Months ago via footlock. He is very good with footlocks. I tapped him out with a triangle at about 6 minutes after escaping a very good attempt at a heel hook by him. Props to Ahmed, he is a tough guy.

Robert Follis: winner advanced division super middleweight no gi Robert won the division in a tough finals match that had him escaping an armlock attempt, and tapping his opponent with a rear naked from 1/4 position. Great match.

Nathen Quarry: winner advanced division light heavyweight no gi Nate has now won the intermediate no gi division, and the advanced no gi division.

Ben Radach: 1 win 1 loss no gi advanced.

Ben did great in the advanced division, considering he has been at the Gym for less then a year.

Thanks also to Team Captain Tom Oberhue. Tom did a great job coaching everyone, myself included. It always feels better to be in a match and know you have someone like Tom screaming great instruction from the sidelines, its very reassuring." - Matt Thorntonps:  1) apparently, the FAA looks un kindly on pouring your own vodka on the airlines, and 2) the casinos do not like you undressing the female mannequins and taking lewd photos with them at the wax museum?? Who knew? pics to follow.

Here is a picture Rickson signed to my first born son about four years ago. My prayers go out to Rickson and Kim for their loss. - Matt

Gorilla Press is sad to announce that Rockson Gracie (Ricksons eldest son) has passed away in a motorcycle accident. Although I didn't know Rockson well, I am still very sad for his loss. I am often asked 'who has influenced you the most' etc. One of the people who influenced me in a positive way is Rickson Gracie. I have always admired, respected, and liked him allot. As a father myself I cannot imagine how he must feel. I don't often read Martial Arts magazines, but in a recent article found in 'Martial Art combat sports' I found this column written about an experience with Rickson. Many of people (myself included) have had similar experiences with Rickson. I thought it would be a fitting tribute to Rickson and his family to re-print it here. Hopefully it will make you smile a little. - Matt Thornton

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Be Careful who you pick on.
By Todd Hester

If there is one thing you can learn from Martial Arts, it is that you can never tell what a person knows simply by their size, demeanor, or physical appearance. Martial Arts is the ultimate "you can't judge a book by it's cover" lesson that only someone who has been thrashed and mashed by someone 6 inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter can appreciate. You only have to learn this lesson once, in order to carry it around with you forever.

My lesson came when I first met Rickson Gracie in 1988. At that time, I had been weight training very heavily, weighed a solid 220, and could bench press over 300lbs with ease. I had been training Kung Fu, Kickboxing, and FMA for several years and felt pretty good about myself. One day, a friend of mine told me about some "mexican guys named the Garcia brothers" who had a school in Torrance where they taught Jiu-Jitsu. He also said they were unbeatable. Curious, I decided to check them out.

When I walked into the tidy school I was greeted by one of the brothers named Rorian, and soon found that they weren't mexican but Brazilian, and there name was Gracie, not "Garcia". With a friendly nod, Rorian sized me up and said "You're a pretty big guy. I have a brother who just came from Brazil. You can train with him-as long as you promise not to hurt him." With a very grave nod, I agreed, secretly wondering how good these Gracie brothers could be if they were so worried about getting hurt. Rorian took me to a practice room and introduced me to a 5'9" 180lb guy with the funny name of "Rickson".

Very patiently and methodically, Rickson took me through a series of moves mainly consisting of self defense escapes from standing grabs and holds. At the end of the lesson, after throwing Rickson to the mat numerous times (to cocky to realize he was letting me) I asked "do you guys ever go all out?" Because if you do, I'd kinda like to try you out". Rickson, with a poker face, nodded. "I tell you what. You're a big guy. Very Strong. We'll go hard for a few minutes. If you get me in a hold that hurts, and its probably going to happen because you are very strong, then I'll just tap on my gi and you can let me go. If I do the same thing to you, and I doubt I have any chance of that my friend, then you tap." I nodded, thinking to myself that I would be careful not to hurt him to much. So I crouched down, put my hands on his gi collar, and suddenly found myself flying through the air upside down, landing hard, and then having my arm twisted painfully! I tapped quickly and got to my feet hurriedly.

"I cant believe it!" Rickson said incredulously. "That never happen to me before!" I never get that move on anyone. Try again". So we faced off and I set my jaw sternly. This time no more Mr nice guy. I faked high, lunged at his legs-and then flew through the air, landed hard, and had my arm twisted again until I tapped. "Twice in a row!" Rickson said in awe. "I have never been so lucky! I't can't happen three times. One more." So I got to my feet (a little slower this time) faced off, and then bull rushed in, looking to crush him with a mighty bear hug. Instead (you guessed it!) I ended up on the ground 10 seconds later, once again trapped in an armbar.

Rickson let my arm go and opened the door of the room. "Rorian!" he yelled. "Call our father in Brazil! I think this is some kinda record. He tapped three times- this never happen anywhere!" Rorian, checking in a new student at the front desk, looked up, rolled his eyes, sighed, and went back to writing. "He just jealous", Rickson confided to me. quietly, "That he never got so lucky. One more?" By now, however, I was onto him-you can't fool me more then 20 or 30 times with the same trick-and quickly I shook my head. "Uh, can I sighn up for weekly classes with you?" Rickson paused and then nodded. "Of course, as long as you never really tell anyone what happened behind the doors and how lucky I was to beat you-it would ruin my reputation and make my father very angry."

As I left the academy that day, I reflected on how lucky I was that Rickson wasn't someone I cut off in traffic, screamed at, and then got out of my car to teach a lesson to. I mean, there was just no way to know what he could do from looking at him. From that day on, I looked at everyone a little differently, and found myself much less likely to confront someone over a minor slight. I mean I might be a wimp.

1. Two thirds of ODMA members will compete in all weight classes and divisions including kids at the FFC Submission Grappling Open  on May 5th. Federico Pereira will fight Abu Dhabi Qualifier, Mike Cardoso, in one of the two scheduled superfights of the day.
2. Frederico Pereira will also fight in the USA Extreme Challenge to be televised live on June 9th. This is a MMA marathon with 2 round of full contact Karate, 2 rounds of Thai Boxing, and 2 round of NHB. At least 8 men in each division and weight class fight for the $4000 prize money.
3. Team ODMA will compete in the Free Style Fighting Championships July 14th. This will be a single elimination MMA tourney with at least 8 men in each division.

Matt works throws with Nathen

Winter Camp 2001 Review!! Note from Matt: Thanks to everyone who helped make the Camp this Year another success. Special thanks goes out to Steve Boyd for all his hard work in putting this event together. Also thanks to Adam, and Luis for teaching great sections. Also thanks to all the Instructors and athletes that came from different parts of the Country to attend. The participation of all of you is what makes these event so much fun! - Matt Thornton

Matt with Paul Sharp

A note from Matt:
It's always great to travel somewhere and meet other athletes who are of like mind. When this happens I wind up enjoying the entire trip because I am usually surrounded by good people who remind me of the friends and students I have in Portland. Such was the case with my recent Chicago trip. Paul Sharp is the newest member of the SBG family (or tribe as Luis might say). The SBG community keeps growing slowly, but with only the highest quality Instructors. Paul is no exception. Welcome aboard Paul, you will be a huge asset to all of us in the Straight Blast Gym. - Matt Thornton

Greetings,

I am going to try and post a few things about the Thornton Seminar held recently at  Champion Jiu-Jitsu in Carpentersville, Illinois. Matt was highly recommended to me by my good friend Luis, (www.onedragon.com). Knowing Luis and having numerous conversations, where Luis basically coached me through the transition from what I was formerly doing into my current training curriculum, I trusted him when he told me to have Matt out for a seminar.

First off, Matt is a great guy. Totally down to earth and approachable. He is honest, which some misinterpret as rude when they read his articles, but everyone found him to be just the opposite. When asked questions Matt answered honestly and bluntly but also made sure that the person asking the question fully understood Matt's response, going into great detail as to why Matt had formed this opinion.

Apparently it's friggin COLD in Chicago

Matt teaching some clinch pointers

I won't go into technical detail, that would take up a lot of space and time. Instead I will give an overview. Day one began with Ground game. Matt really focused on improving our game from the guard. We worked several techs from here but Matt's real focus was on key principles and concepts that make your guard game hard to beat. We began to work Clinch with Matt introducing some of the attendees to the Pummel and Hand Fighting. Guy's were really starting to sweat now. Again, Matt focused on principles and concepts that will make your Clinch game better. We finished the morning session with some sparring.

After lunch Matt reviewed the morning session and then we moved into some more Clinch work. Matt continued to stress Aliveness. Several times during the training Matt would call everyone in to sit down and discuss "Aliveness". Each time Matt did this you could see an immediate improvement when the guy's would tie up again. We also continued to work our Ground game, but now it was being put together as part of the Clinch. Start in the Clinch work your game, if you go to Ground continue until sub or time.

Matt called everyone in for a Q and A. After answering numerous questions we broke for the day. Even after we broke, guy's continued to ask Matt questions in an attempt to really grasp the concepts and principles outlined earlier. As a testament to what Matt is doing you have to understand these were advanced martial artist having trained in JKD for a considerable amount of time. The concepts and principles Matt shared really challenged these guy's to examine the whats and whys of their JKD.

Day two continued with more Ground game. Now we focused on Top game and escapes from the bottom. Matt's principle of teaching what works from the beginning was really appreciated by all in attendance. As Matt said, why wait until you are a purple belt to learn something. Why train one way for four years only to have your instructor say, okay forget that, now do it this way Everyone improved their Ground game as a result of this approach. We also continued to focus on Clinch as well. Really reinforcing the principles learned the previous day.

One undeniable testament to Matt's methods, during the training sessions the guy's were using, in sparring, the stuff they had learned the day before. Simple, direct and easily applied.

After lunch Matt reviewed everything from the previous sessions and we began to work Standup. We focused Boxing, Takedowns and Sprawling. We moved into the ring to do a little Vale Tudo. The guy's really seemed to enjoy this. We started in Standup and went until sub, knockout or time. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed getting smacked around. :~)

We stayed in the ring to correct some of the fundamental flaws Matt saw in our Standup games. We also worked the Boot kicks. Which one of the guy's has already used in a real situation to defuse a would-be fighters plans.

We than moved back out to the mat to work the Boxing Blast, which I find much more effective than the normal straight blast. Matt showed us a way to work it which is much more effective than using mitts, thai pads or other variations. After several blast drills Matt called us in for some more Q and A.

During the Q and A many questions were raised concerning Matt's training methods and opinions of other training methods. Matt was very forthright in his responses and never derogatory when addressing the differences in approach. Everyone came away with the understanding that this is the approach that Matt and several others of like mind have chosen. Its not for everyone nor are we trying to win everyone over. Those that get it..., well they get it, those that don't...., they don't. No hard feelings and no criticisms toward them. Matt also explained his position on certifications and affiliations. His open and honest opinions were appreciated by those in attendance.

Newest SBG Instructor Paul Sharp wrestling with his son

It was an all around excellent training experience. Matt has the benefit of having world class athletes in his gym on a daily basis. Matt willingly gives of his experience with these athletes.

I am looking forward to having Matt out here again and continuing to train with him and the athletes of SBG.

To sum it up, one guy turned to me at the end of the second day and said "I don't think I have ever been this sore in my life, just from training. But I have never laughed as much and had such  a good time while training".

Peace, Paul Sharp

Here is what Michael Van Beek, another JKD Instructor whom attended that seminar, had to say:

Hey guys,

I wanted to thank Mr. Paul Sharp for being such a cordial host and a great training partner. I look forward to continuing to train with him, he is a super guy. I had a fantastic time at the Sem. Every thing that has been pumped up about Matt is true. He holds the desire to bring the fighter back into the Martial Artist. I applaud that. Unfortunately, due to some lagging illness and fatigue, I was unable to participate in many of the drills. However, that gave me the opportunity to take some really good notes, as well as, capture some good video footage. That is what I liked most about the sem. Matt gave everyone a new module for training, not just techs. that were to be memorized.

All of his drill were alive in one way or the other, even if they just involved one tool. I have Matts first video series and I can tell you this, here is a man that practices what he preaches. From the time he did the video until the Chicago Sem. He must of lost 50 lbs. That is no easy feat. I would engourage anyone who hasn't yet to check out the articles on his site intitled,  Performance 101.

One final note. Every one talks a lot about energy or chi or whatever. If you want to feel some real inner strength, roll with Matt.

Thanks again, Paul!

                    Michael VanBeek
                    Living Warrior Training Center
                    The Ultimate in Human Performance
                    (708)756-7077

A note from Matt:
As the Gym keeps growing I have begun receiving more and more inquiry's regarding exactly what our criteria is for Instructors. Honestly, I never have had one set on paper, or formalized in any kind of organized way. Basically, I know an SBG Instructor when I meet one. Usually within the first few minutes. But, just to give some basic idea of what I expect/ look for in people who are affiliated with the SBG I wrote down these nine basic points. I think you will find that every single Instructor/Coach listed on the SBG family tree already follows all of these ideas intuitively. - Matt

Straight Blast Gym Instructors/ Coaches guidelines:

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