July Newsletter

Early Registration for SBG Fall Camp at SBG NorCal Opens

It’s that time again, folks! Early registration for the 2016 SBG Fall Camp is now open! Be sure to sign up early to save big on registration costs. This year’s fall camp will take place in Berkeley, CA – home of SBG NorCal. SBG NorCal is an amazing facility in a wonderful part of the country, owned and operated by the ever-hospitable Lily & Alan Pagle. These amazing hosts are just the start, as, like always, the SBG Fall Camp will undoubtedly include a long list of SBG royalty. SBG Camps invariably involve BJJ, MMA, yoga and self-defense coaching from those at the highest levels of their discipline. Don’t miss out!

The SBG NorCal owners, Lily and Alan Pagle, are both judo black belts, and in 2010, Lily became SBG’s first ever female BJJ black belt. Lily did not begin training in Judo until she was 40, and earned her BJJ black belt at age 60, in the meantime earning a Master’s degree and opening the East Bay area’s first ever MMA gym. She has trained BJJ world champions in the role of Competition Team captain at SBG NorCal. The work of Lily and Alan is truly an incredible inspiration to all at SBG.

This year’s SBG Fall Camp will take place on October 7th – 9th, 2016. As the name and reputation of SBG grows, and new facilities open up in new countries and continents, SBG camps are becoming increasingly important. Camps provide a valuable chance to meet and learn from SBG’s finest coaches and most dedicated students, and allow the tribe to come together in one place. Don’t miss out on this amazing learning opportunity in a beautiful part of the country. Early registration runs until September 9th, and up until then members can attend camp for just $299! Visit sbgcamps.com, or contact Zach Thornton, for more information.

 

 

SBG Portland Wins In IBJJF, Amateur MMA & Submission Underground

In just a couple of weekends in July, SBG has once again shown itself to be producing athletes of the highest caliber, across all variations of BJJ and MMA. In the space of a few weeks, athletes from the SBG HQ in Portland were victorious in IBJJF tournaments, local, amateur MMA competition, and the flourishing submission grappling realm.

On the weekend of July 8, SBG Portland’s John & Amanda Diggins both competed at the IBJJF American Nationals in Las Vegas.

In No Gi competition, Amanda Diggins won gold in her weight class, submitting each of her opponents on the way to standing atop the podium in first place. She then took silver in the No Gi open class, narrowly missing out on gold having won every match by submission before dominating the final. John Diggins won gold in his No Gi weight class, and silver in No Gi open weight class, losing out narrowly in the final. In the Gi, Amanda took silver in the Open class and silver in her weight class, while John Diggins took bronze in his weight class.

The following weekend, Amanda went on to compete at the newly formed Submission Underground; an event in Portland showcasing some elite names in submission grappling. Streamed live on Flograppling.com, Amanda caused her opponent to tap comfortably, winning via toe hold within 5 minutes. Having been placed on the undercard, her continued impressive form will surely merit a place on the main card next time out.

In the world of MMA, Eduardo Torres and Mario Shonkwiler both competed at FCFF’s Rumble @ The Roseland 88. In keeping with the current theme of early submissions, both SBG Portland athletes secured their wins by way of submission in the first round. Mario was making his MMA debut, having had his previous two attempts to compete thwarted by his opponents’ last-minute withdrawals. He made short work of his match, forcing his opponent to tap by way of a mounted guillotine. Eduardo Torres, returning for his second bout after a victorious debut earlier in the year, won by rear-naked choke. Eduardo forced his opponent to tap with only one second remaining in the first round.

Congratulations to all the athletes who competed! Every performance was incredible and we look forward to seeing you all in action again soon!

 

SBG Ireland Black Belt Tom King Talks About Owning A Gym

SBG Ireland and John Kavanagh’s first ever BJJ white-to-black belt, Tom King, has written a fascinating article about his experience opening up the new SBG Swords gym. Tom King opened up the facility alongside long-time team mate Chris Fields earlier this year, and after an opening week that saw hundreds of perspective students tour the facility, and expert seminars for SBG’s biggest names, things have only gotten busier.

Despite the physical strain of daily training and coaching, paired with the less glamorous chores and paperwork, Tom King says that owning a gym is unequivocally living the dream. Alongside winning multiple IBJJF medals, and coaching alongside SBG Ireland’s head coach John Kavanagh, Tom King has added new memorable moments to his career in the few months SBG Swords has been open. They include helping brand new students embrace martial arts, healthy living and losing weight, and the excitement of seeing the family mentality building at SBG Swords.

It is great to read about more success, and more lives being changed for the better, thanks to the work of SBG’s dedicated athletes and coaches. Be sure to read Tom’s article for a full picture of his experience with SBG Swords so far, and check them out at sbgswords.com.

 

Jesse Brock Gets Exclusive Contract & Other SBG Idaho Athletes Given New Opportunity to Showcase Talents

During the biggest night in Idaho’s MMA history, SBG Idaho found great success. Bellator 155 in Boise saw three of SBG’s biggest names victorious on a global stage. Jesse Brock, competing in his thirtieth professional fight, won via submission, with a third round rear naked choke on opponent Olly Bradstreet. Scott Thometz ground out a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Josh Tyler. While Veta Arteaga took her young pro record to 2-0 with a decision win with over Jackie Vandenburgh.

Since that night, each fighter’s career has taken an exciting step forward. In July, Jesse Brock’s six fight win streak has seen him sign an exclusive, multi-fight deal with promotion, World Series of Fighting. SBG black belt Scott Thometz has been invited to participate in Proving Grounds, an invitation only BJJ tournament with a cash prize, featuring some of the top BJJ practitioners in the country. The tournament will be submission only using EBI rules. Not only that, but Thometz’s recent success has also seen him given a title shot with local fight promotion, Front Street Fights. He will take on David Castillo (19-8) for the first-ever Front Street Fights lightweight title. Finally, after her successful Bellator debut on the undercard of Bellator 155, Veta Arteaga has earned a spot on the main card of Bellator 161. She will take on Anastasia Yankova (3-0) in Texas on September 16th, and a win will put her name right in line for a potential shot at a Bellator title.

Congratulations to these three athletes. Slowly but surely their years of hard work are paying off with ever increasing recognition. The tribe can’t wait to watch each of their fights, and see them progress ever further. For more news from SBG Idaho, visit www.combatfitness.com

 

Aisling Daly Prepares for Hamburg

Aisling Daly became John Kavanagh’s first female BJJ brown belt all the way back in the summer of 2014. But just last month a video was posted online that showed highlights of her incredible ironman promotion. It provides a great insight into both the impressive and fun SBG style of belt promotion, and well as showcases the amazing ability and character of Aisling Daly. Not only John Kavanagh’s first female brown belt, Daly has been a constant pioneer in women’s MMA, and is a true SBG martial artist.

 

 

 

Ais the First from Ciarán Maher on Vimeo.

Aisling competes again at UFC Hamburg next month! She has been traveling around the US visiting numerous SBG’s in preparation, stopping off in Montana before heading out to the SBG HQ in Portland for the annual SBG Ladies Camp. Of her time in Montana, she said:

“I am really enjoying my time in Montana, had a fantastic weekend at the Matt Thornton seminar picking up some minute but game changing details on escaping mount. Been getting some great rolls in with my good friend and black belt Leah Taylor. I had the pleasure to finally meet the legend John Frankl. Amazingly grateful to coach Travis Davison for giving me access to his gym and some great training.

 

Connor Visits SBG’s Jiu Jitsu Grandfather Chris Heauter

Annual SBG Ladies Camp Was A Huge Success

This year’s annual SBG Ladies Camp was an enormous success. Held at the SBG Headquarters in Portland, OR over three days, it hosted a record number of attendants. It is an amazing testament to the quality of coaching and strong team spirit that is present throughout SBG, that ever increasing numbers of women make it to these camps from across the globe.

One of SBG Portland’s coaches, Amanda Diggins, had this to say of the event:

“Most of the women in my life, actually all of them with the exception of my mom and sister, are friends and teammates because of jiu-jitsu. Most of these women also know that it can be tough for me to be around so many people for long periods. However, this was one of the best experiences I’ve had, not to mention the rad women I got to meet, and share the mats with. I appreciate your time spent with me. I absolutely loved sharing information and rolling with all of you. 43 women on the mats, for three days is incredible. I believe this was the best camp to date, and know that the next will be even better. Thank you.”

If you weren’t fortunate enough to make it to this year’s ladies camp, as mentioned, the event will now be held annually! Don’t make the same mistake next year and be sure to sign up early when the time comes!

 Matt Thornton Visits the UK

SBG’s Head Coach Matt Thornton spent time traveling last month, going on a brief seminar tour in the UK before visiting other gyms across the US. In a weekend in the UK that became a who’s who of SBG talent, Matt was joined in coaching by SBG Manchester Head Coach Karl Tanswell, Casey Jones, and MMA veterans Martin Stapleton and Matt Inman. SBG BJJ black belt, Glyn Powditch had this to say about the experience:

“Thanks to Karl Tanswell Ella Tanswell and Simon Kenny for organising a fantastic weekend on so many levels. The degree of coaching talent and professionalism was simply astounding. The way people work with each other in an honest and authentic way was exceptional. Casey Jones fundamentals and ability to diagnose opportunities for improvement is staggering. Coach, Athlete, Competitor and Sage. He fixed a key aspect of my game immediately. Observing Stapes Stapleton organise the second hour on Friday – he has presence and professionalism in abundance. He is on a mission. I missed Matt Inman due to scheduling – words are not needed. UFC Vet, Cage Warriors Vet, Jason Tan literally redefined the kimura. And then Matt Thornton on coaching, mount and guard! He always gets better and he fixed another area I was struggling with immediately IE seconds. It was just all so staggeringly good.

Socially it was wonderful too. Ross McTavish epitomizes what SBG is about helping me out yet again and supporting his team as always. Getting to know people better, appreciating them on new levels and watching them evolve who they are are and what they are doing next. I greatly enjoyed the feedback in sessions from training partners and the quality of questions – authentic and honest across the board. I’ve been with SBG for a long time now and whilst it’s innovation has always been unquestionable, there is an incredible vibe beyond anything before. Dublin next.”

Yet another testament to the quality of SBG, not just in the level of coaching, but in the tightness of the bond formed as part of such an amazing global tribe. August saw the SBG European Camp take place in Dublin, and SBG Fall Camp comes back around this September. Don’t miss out! Sign up for what will be an outstanding camp at SBG NorCal in Berkeley!