New Black Belt! New purple, and a great camp!

On March 27th at the SBGi Spring Camp Matt Thornton awarded his fourth BJJ black belt to longtime student, and SBG Portland Coach Rick Davison. Rick has been with SBG for almost twelve years, and has one of the tightest technical Jits games in the organization.

A note from Matt: "I was very proud to award Rick his well deserved black belt. Rick's game is top notch, and his technical understanding of the game is equally refined. I know he will continue to represent the highest standards of excellence that SBGi is known for."


Big congratulations to Auður Olga Skúladóttir, from SBGi Iceland. Auður received her BJJ purple belt from Matt Thornton, while visiting the Portland Gym, for training, and Camp.

A note from Matt: "Auður has one of the most technical BJJ games I have seen in sometime. Great base, posture, and technical movement. There is no doubt she will go far in this sport."

Spring Camp was a great success, check the latest issue of our newsletter for a review, or our members forum. Here are some upcoming events:

April 10-11, 2010: Matt Thornton seminar in St. Catherines, ON
Contact: Rich Beaupit
Tel: 905.329.KICK(5425)
Email: rbeaupit@cogeco.ca
Web: www.bmma.ca

May 1-2, 2010: Matt Thornton seminar in Wareham, Mass 
Nexus Martial Arts & Fitness
Wareham, MA 02571
Contact: Stephen Whittier
508-295-5427
Web: www.nexusma.com

Spring Camp 2010 is almost here!

Fri, Sat, Sun March 26th – 28th
At SBGi NV Team Reno!
Contact: Ray Price
Tel: (775) 530-8518Reno, NV
Email: rxjits@sbcglobal.net
Web: www.teamrenobjj.com

The Instructors roster is still growing, but so far we have John Kavanagh, yes the Irish legend himself will be back, this time teaching the Vulcan vs Gumby curriculum! John will not be teaching in Portland on this trip, so you will want to make sure to make this camp. . .there are also some special surprises in store!

In addition to John will be BJJ black belts & head coaches Matt Thornton, Steve “the mangler” Whittier, Travis Davison, and many other SBG Instructors from around the globe. We will also be covering different themes at this camp, including some MMA, and self defense material…see you there

Portland’s first homegrown BJJ black belt! And, a new brown belt!

Portland's first homegrown BJJ black belt


Big congratulations due to long time Portland student, and Instructor, Travis Davison. After eleven Years, Travis became the first student from the Portland Gym to recieve a BJJ black belt from head coach Matt Thornton.


Portland's newest brown belt

Also, big congratlutions due to Portland’s own James Davis. A week after winter camp James recieved his well desreved BJJ brown belt from Matt, prior to heading to SBG Iceland to coach for a year.

SBGi winter camp! coming soon!

Fri, Sat, Sun December 4th-6th
At ModCom Berkeley SBGi
1713 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703
Tel: 510-540-828

We have the following instructors scheduled:

John Kavanagh, SBGi Ireland’s best and brightest BJJ giant on defeating the BSG (big strong guys)
Karl Tanswell – SBGi UK’s Coach genius on (Jits for MMA)
Brian Walsh - teaching a (standup for MMA)
Chris Haueter – Gi BJJ
Matt Thornton - (release of the brand new simplified SBGi BJJ curriculum!)
Travis Davison - BJJ gi and no-gi (competition preparation and Gi Jits)
James Davis –(Cage surfing), new drill designed to prevent the takedown stall against the cage.

Also included will be some guest Instructors from around the globe!

Cost: The cost for this year's camp will remain the same as in 2008.
All three days: Pre-registered by Oct 20, 2009: SBGI Members: $212.00 non members: 275.00
This will be a very special camp, with some important surprises. Matt has requested that everyone within SBGi try to attend this event.

Pre-Register now: www.straightblastgym.com



one of SBGi’s top BJJ black belts

John Kavanagh

Is coming to Portland for a seminar!

John will be covering BJJ for a smaller athlete against a larger athlete, the BSG (big strong guy) curriculum. This will be a weekend long seminar specially set up for our Portland Gym members.

The times will be noon to 3pm Sat & Sun Dec 12th & 13th. And the cost will be 80. for SBGi members. For non members 110. And only 25. For all weekend for those who attend the SBGi winter Camp the weekend previously. (For the one day rate subtract 25%)


Check out The Portland Gym's Facebook page, daily updates, videos + more!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SBGi-Straight-Blast-Gym-Portland-Oregon/101362492303

Oh, also Portland won the Gorilla Cup back, by a large margin ; )

Congrats Pan Am winners!

Congrats to Gunnar Nelson (AKA: Gunni) for his gold medal win at the Pan Am championships. Five wins in a row, with multiple submissions, Gunni represents the talent of the second generation SBG athletes.


It's always been a bit humorous when some critics mention that although SBGi has had some high level MMA athletes, we have yet to produce any BJJ world champions. Its easy to forget that the Brazilians and their BJJ team have been doing this for multiple generations. SBGi is less the 15 Years old, and athletes like Gunni represent the first generation of brown belts who have trained using the SBGi methods. Their talent speaks for itself, and you aint seen nothing yet!


Also big congrats to SBG's original BJJ coach Chris Haueter on winning gold in his division. Way to go Chris!

Look for SBGi to be fielding a large team at the upcoming World Championships this summer. And look for Gunni to take home another gold, along with many other SBGr's.

Ireland seminar & congrats to SBGi Sweden!

Matt Thornton recently completed his annual seminar tour in Ireland and Sweden. Here is a short write up:


The moving walkway from concourse C in Chicago International, I have been here way too much.

As always the Ireland trip was a great deal of fun. Much thanks to John Kavanagh for his hospitality, and also thanks to Karl Tanswell who flew in to assist. Karl taught an excellent MMA section on the Sunday of the seminar.




Look for the European Summer Camp in Slovakia, it's gonna be amazing.


The Sweden seminar was also a huge success. Much thanks to Markus and Daniel for organizing another superb event. The weekend seminar sold out very quickly and booking early is advised for next year.


Of all the countries around the world I visit where english is not the first language, none feels more like home to me then Sweden, People of good humor, taste and culture.


As those of you involved with SBGi know, we have extremely high standards as it relates to our coaches and instructors. You cannot just send an e-mail, or sign up online and become an SBGi ATG. It is about the training with us, and requires a serious commitment by all involved. And for our full gyms, the locations who have full use of the SBGi name, that level of game, teaching ability, high ethics, and overall vibe is even stricter. Very few locations ever become SBG international Gyms, as its a name which reflects on all of us. And Karl, Kavanagh, myself and many others have worked very hard to create a standard with our athletes and our teaching that is something we are all very proud of.


That stated, I am happy to announce that Daniel and Markus have met that standard, and over the last several years they have shown to myself, Karl and John that they understand just what makes SBGi the organization it is. As such its my honor to announce that we have decided to move Sweden from an ATG to a full SBGi Gym, with full use of the organizations name and methods. A well deserved addition that reflects the quality of people SBGi attracts.
- Matt Thornton

Lots of updates!

Spring Camp Time is here!


Matt is shown above is his new tie dyed gi from dogfightgear.com order yours today, they come complete with the SBGi logo!

Spring Camp 2009!
Fri March 20th, and all day March 21st & 22nd, at the new Portland Gym!
Space is filling fast so make sure you pre-register today:

http://www.straightblastgym.com/camps.htm


There are a couple of other events happening in Portland the Saturday night of camp, March 21st. First off we will have three of our fighters fighting cage matches in the local FCFF fight card. Two of those fights will be title fights. If your coming to camp you will want to come watch the SBG fighters in action. Tickets sell out almost every show, so you will need to book yours in advance. Go to: www.fcff.com fro show info, and then scroll down to ticketswest to purchase your tickets in advance. We will have no tickets at camp to sell, so you need to get those today.


Matt shows his second tie dyed gi, courtesy of our friends at http://www.happykimonos.com/ this is an HCK standard single gi, and it came out amazing! Send your gi in today for a custom dye job. While the rest of the BJJ & MMA world is busy sporting a scowl and $60 t-shirts named after diseases, show your SBG spirit with tye dye and a smile. SBGi, Were relaxed because were good.




Also that night there will be a birthday party for Matt's 40th! The entire SBGi family is invited, celebration to be held at the Rebuplic Cafe located in Chinatown, info at the Portland NEWS blog http://www.straightblastgym.com/wordpress/ and available at camp.



Speaking of the SBGi vibe, check out the new website for Travis Davison's Montana Gym. Travis just opened a few months ago but it is no surprise to find out the gym is already thriving. Travis (shown above in the new Century Martial Arts BJJ DVDs with Matt Thornton) has become known as one of the best instructors in the organization. Look for one of SBG Montana's fighters to take the title home as well on the upcoming March 21st FCFF card.

Check out the website for more info on training with Travis: www.sbgmontana.com


Close up of the great work for happykimono.com

Brian's new Boxing for MMA dvd set has shipped, and the first reviews are coming in:

"This set is exactly what I have been looking for in my stand up game." -Jim Stanton

"As a coach, this is the perfect material for my fighters. These drills are awesome!"
-Alex A



Order your set today: http://www.straightblastgym.com/store.htm



Have a great Spring!

Matt’s 40th B day Party!


When: Saturday March 21st
Spring Camp Weekend (post roseland fight 9ish)

Where: Republic Café 222 NW 4th ave (downtown/chinatown)

Who: All SBGr’s and their family