May Newsletter

Six SBG Fighters At Bellator

jessebrock

On May 20th, six fighters from SBG Idaho and SBG North in Montana will compete at Bellator 155. Jesse Brock, Scott Thometz, Ricky Steele, Brendon Raftery, Veta Arteaga and Hamilton Ash will all take part in the biggest MMA event in Idaho’s history. The event, nationally televised on Spike and at SpikeTV.com, is a huge chance to showcase SBG’s top up-and-coming fighters, and display their increasing dominance of the Pacific North West. SBG Idaho’s Jesse Brock will compete in his 30th professional fight, seeking his 22nd pro win! Be sure to tune in a support the tribe however you can! The best of luck to all the SBG athletes in their preparation this month! Continued…

hamilton_ashHamilton Ash Profiled

SBG North’s head coach, and pro MMA athlete, Hamilton Ash, was profiled in the regional Montana newspaper, The Daily Interlake, this week. The article gives a fascinating, in-depth look at one of SBG’s favorite coaches, from his early days training with SBG Portland, to his time in Iceland, and his newest role training and coaching in Montana with SBG Vice President, Travis Davison. Hamilton talks candidly about the highs and lows of his career to date; the shock of injury, the mix of fear and motivation around his return to the sport he loves, and his rekindled desire to one day become a champion. Bellator 155 is a huge moment in Hamilton Ash’s career, show your support ahead of the event by visiting and liking his Facebook Fan page!

IMG_6555SBG Wins Top Team Title At Northwest Submission Challenge

Last month SBG dominated the largest grappling event in the North West for the second year running. Like last year, SBG was awarded the Top Team title at the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise, ID. Once again, SBG ran rampant, winning gold medals from the kids categories all the way through to black belt. All in all, SBG brought home 30 medals, 16 of them gold. The overwhelming presence and superb performances led to SBG tallying up close to double the points of any other team involved, confirming once again SBG’s place as the leader in PNW BJJ.

IMG_6548Scott Thometz wins 1st Black Belt Medal

At the SBG Spring Camp in Athens, GA last month, SBG Head Coach Matt Thornton awarded three new black belts. Those students were SBG Montana’s Gus Nolte, SBG East Coast’s John Murphy and SBG Idaho’s Scott Thometz. Just weeks after being awarded his black belt, Scott Thometz competed at the NW Submission Challenge in Boise, ID, and blew away his black belt competition. Scott won double gold, competing in the Heavyweight (some 40lbs outside his usual weight class) and Absolute divisions. Scott will hope to build on this run of form when he returns to MMA competition at the Bellator 155 event this month. Good luck in your preparation, Scott!

 

IMG_6558SBG Legend Paddy Holohan Retires from MMA

There was sad news for SBG, and indeed, all MMA fans worldwide, last month, as SBG Ireland’s fan favorite Paddy Holohan reluctantly announced his retirement. At just 27 years old, Holohan’s announcement is premature to say the least, but it comes as a result of a rare blood disorder that leaves Holohan no longer able to pass medical exams. Paddy made the announcement on Facebook, in which he explained the reason for his retirement, explained his mixed emotions, and thanked his whole team and the entire Irish people for being behind him for the past nine years. Paddy will be sorely missed, and leaves MMA with a professional record of 12-2, a UFC record of 3-2, and a reputation as one of the best-loved athletes to grace the Octagon in recent years! Thank you, Paddy, for everything, and good luck for the future!

IMG_6540Francois Groenewald Wins In 1st Round

April saw SBG South Africa’s Francois Groenewald extend his professional MMA record to 10-6. Groenewald, who competes under South Africa’s Extreme Fighting Championships, picked up an impressive first round victory against opponent Boney Bukaka at EFC 48, winning by armbar. Of his 10 professional victories, Francois has now won nine of those by submission, and eight of his wins have come in the first round! Keep up the amazing work, Francois and SBG South Africa!

FB_IMG_1462398861822Paul Sharp’s MDOC Comes to PDX

Next month SBG’s law enforcement and self-defense specialist, Paul Sharp, will be gracing the SBG Portland HQ with his two-day Multi-Disciplinary Optimization Course. Sharp has nearly twenty years of real-world law enforcement experience, a BJJ black belt, firearms and weapons training, and a professional MMA background. He deftly combines his knowledge across the entire spectrum of self-defense to deliver a program of accessible, practical skills for all experience levels. Don’t miss this great opportunity. Sign up today. Contact Zach Thornton at the SBG Portland HQ today!