The Gorilla Press, Issue 104

McGregor Returns This Weekend

After two years away from the Octagon, the UFC’s biggest ever star makes his long awaited return to take on the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. SBG’s own two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor, steps back into the cage at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the first time since defeating Eddie Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight championship back in 2016, to fight arguably the most exciting prospect on the UFC roster.

Since his last UFC outing, of course, McGregor was part of the biggest fight in boxing history, where he lost valiantly to boxing’s greatest, Floyd Mayweather. But Saturday night represents one of the biggest moments in UFC history as the elusive Irishman returns to the stage that turned him into a global superstar.

With every contest, McGregor has his detractors, but that is because McGregor always seeks to push and test himself in new ways. In the same way that many didn’t believe he could defeat Jose Aldo, or hold two UFC titles at once, or conquer the heavier Nate Diaz, so too, many don’t believe McGregor will be able to cope against the relentless wrestling aggression of Khabib. As always, the SBG tribe around the world will be getting behind SBG Ireland’s McGregor, as he continues to set a standard for what it means to be a martial artist; testing himself against any and all of the toughest challenges. Wherever you are in the world, be sure to tune in On October 6th!

 

A Family Affair At SBG

One of the things that makes SBG so unique and special is its focus on the importance of tribe. It has been the development of a closely-knit team and welcoming family atmosphere that has allowed for SBG’s success across all corners of the globe. Unlike the traditional stereotype of a MMA gym filled with angry, young men, no matter where you head in the world, you will find a diverse mix of training partners at the local SBG. Husbands, wives, kids, parents and even grandparents can be found sharing the mats together, giving SBG it’s own unique vibe. SBG Idaho is one such gym, identifying the positive impression and legacy that a family in SBG can build.

Meanwhile, at SBG Big Fork, Head Coach Cody Bessette, who just recently welcomed his father into the gym to start training, took to Facebook to advise “Be who you needed when you were younger”. SBG; not just a gym, but a family.

SBG Montana is 10

Congratulations to SBG Montana, who celebrate 10 years of bringing BJJ, yoga and improved lives to small town Montana this year. The brain child of Travis and Kisa Davison, SBG Montana and The Yoga Room originally opened in Kalispell, after Travis, the SBG Vice President, and his family moved out east from Portland, OR. Matt Thornton’s first white-to-black belt student, Travis’ passion and drive led to creation of one of the most prominent martial arts and wellness businesses in the state! SBG now has four gym’s up and running around Montana, with Kalispell joined by Whitefish, Big Fork and Missoula in recent years. Congratulations to the Davison family, and all the SBG Montana coaches and students for being an integral part of the tribe’s success. SBG continues to play a prominent role in the community and improve the lives of entire families every day.

 

Cool Choke Counter by Ben Powers

SBG Australia’s Ben Powers has uploaded another short instructional video with really handy tips that can be implemented into your game immediately. Here he shows a counter to anyone who might dare to attempt an Ezekiel choke from half guard bottom. Ben will be making the journey out from Australia to attend this year’s SBG Fall Camp, now just a few short weeks away! Sign up today to train with Ben in person!

Wimp2Warrior at SBG Montana

SBG Montana is celebrating it’s 10^th birthday by getting involved in one of the most exciting events in amateur MMA. SBG Montana is hosting a Wimp2Warrior program this year! Wimp2Warrior is a 6 month program that takes completely untrained, inexperienced people from all walks of life, and puts them through an intensive 6-month training program in which they will learn the fundamentals of MMA and fitness, before giving them a shot at fighting in a cage against fellow Wimp2Warrior athletes, in front of a live crowd of fans!

Wimp2Warrior is not only an incredible spectacle and fascinating experiment in human transformation, it is also a life-changing event for those involved. The Wimp2Warrior program allows people to become a fitter, healthier, braver and more confident version of themselves. SBG Montana just held it’s Wimp2Warrior try outs. Look out for more news on the program soon!

Travis Davison & John Frankl on the Cleared Hot Podcast

SBG Vice President, Travis Davison, and the man who brought BJJ to South Korea, John Frankl, were invited onto the Cleared Hot podcast in September. In this fascinating podcast, Andy Stumpf, a retired Navy SEAL, inspirational speaker, podcaster, and brand-new BJJ student, chats to two of SBG’s finest individuals about BJJ; it’s origin, past, present and future.

Matt Thornton Heads to Georgia and Niagara

SBG President, Matt Thornton headed back out to Georgia and then Niagara in September to impart his advanced knowledge of closed guard and mount on the fortunate students in attendance. As Matt gets started on his Survive and Escape material for next year’s tour, the President got to spend a few weekends showing the end result of nearly an entire year focused on understanding the close guard position. Like the mount before it, the end result of Matt’s seminar tour is a group of BJJ students worldwide with a guard unrecognizably superior to what came before. If you get a chance to attend a seminar with Matt Thornton, take it, your game will be better for it!

 

Anders on SBG Alabama

SBG Alabama is home to one of the UFC’s most exciting athletes, Eryk Anders. After an impressive college football career, Anders has made waves in the MMA world with an amazing unbeaten run that took him to the heights of the UFC, where he’s made a name for himself with powerful stoppage and KO victories. In the video above, Anders gives credit to the work of SBG Alabama/Spartan Fitness for the transformation that has made him one of the most fascinating athletes of the SBG roster right now. SBG’s tribe mentality shines through with Anders, who now coaches at the gym, is joined by his family there, and in the way Anders uses his celebrity to raise money and awareness for good causes prior to his fights.

 

A Little Wisdom From SBG University

Three poorly thought out ideas you should let go of – or at least question:

1- What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

2- Always trust your feelings.

3- Life is a battle between good people and evil people.

 

 

 

SBG Success At Oregon Open

September was the month of the Oregon Open; the annual BJJ event in Portland, OR that sees SBG athletes from around the PNW make a special effort to compete and test their BJJ against the regions best. This year, the women of SBG made the biggest impression, bringing home medals of every color in the process. Gold medals were received across the white and blue belt divisions, with many competing in their first BJJ tournament! Congratulations to everyone who took part, whether you won a medal or not. They willingness to step on the mat and test yourself against your peers is worthy of praise in it’s own right.

 

Casey Jones Hosting Seminars in the UK

SBG Manchester’s Casey Jones headed out on the road in September to host BJJ workshops at nearby SBG gyms. Casey is Coach Karl Tanswell’s first black belt, the Vice President of SBG UK and the head coach at SBG Shropshire.

He is an experienced full time coach and competitor, having competed in over 170 submission grappling and BJJ matches, and winning medals in some of the UK’s and Europe’s biggest tournaments at every belt from white to black. He was one of the first British Players to compete at both the IBJJF and Abu Dhabi Pro World Championships as a Black Belt.

It is great to see such a prominent and successful member of the tribe imparting his vast knowledge on the rest of SBG. Look out for Casey Jones seminars near you in the future.

 

Two Amateur Titles At SBG Portland

SBG PDX had a huge night of success at the Roseland theatre in Portland last month. Two of the gym’s hardest working individuals received the recognition they deserved as they both picked up their first amateur titles at Rumble @ the Roseland 99. Max Garrison and Peter Lysenko took on two of the PNW toughest amateur MMA competitors and showed their MMA prowess in the process.

Max Garrison took on Eduardo Torres, and picked up an emphatic TKO win by dropping Torres on the counter midway through the second round. Meanwhile, later in the card, Peter Lysenko secured a solid, unanimous decision win over Chance Marsteiner, displaying his superiority in all rounds of the card’s main event.

Congratulations to Max and Peter, as well as the whole team at SBG Portland, for their amazing title wins!

John Frankl on BJJ and Life

Real jiu jitsu. Real life. Real dedication. Real friendship.

So grateful to have good teachers and mentors and friends, many of whom I plan my vacations around, and travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars to train with and learn from.

So confused and disappointed by those who are so near and yet “too busy” to share in this great journey and this great wealth of knowledge.

 

Roddy Owen Vlog!

Check out the vlog of SBG Ireland coach Roddy Owen as he heads out to Las Vegas ahead of the McGregor Nurmagomedov fight this Saturday. Episode 1 is above, and you’ll find five more videos from his time working with Conor and the team ahead of the biggest fight in UFC history. The vlog provides an exclusive look behind the scenes as SBG Ireland prepares for it’s biggest challenge to date!

Matt Thornton On Tribe & Family

“Practicing an art until you finally begin understanding it – decades.

Teaching the art long enough to award more than two dozen black belts of your own – 25 years.

Building a worldwide organization of amazing humans who lead the field – 25 plus years.

Being able to take your son with you on a seminar – Priceless.”

#ChokeOutCancer in October

It is hard to believe that an entire year has already passed since the SBG mats around the world were colored pink with the ChokeOutCancer belts of breast cancer awareness month. Yet indeed, it is that time of year again, and this October SBG will be striving to do even better than last year. As before, the pink belts will be on sale at all SBGs, but this time you can also decorate your pink belt with special, custom-made Choke Out Cancer stripes. SBG Coach Rory Singer kicked of breast cancer awareness month by competing and winning in the trademark pink belt in a Masters match last month. Be a winner like Rory and pick up your pink belt and stripes this month at SBG.

SBG University: Matt On Belt Rank

“Like most things, belt ranking can go wrong when it’s done wrong. Unscrupulous instructors can sell rank for money, or hand belts out like candy to their favorite students. And on the flip side, students can become obsessed by achieving the next rank. The symbol of a tangible skill becomes confused with the skill itself, and the symbol, not what it’s meant to symbolize, becomes a fetish. Chris Haueter pointed out to me years ago that you can always figure out who the belt fixated guys are because they’re always the first to tell you how they don’t care about belts.

I’ve carefully weighed the costs and benefits of belt rank in BJJ, and I’ve concluded that when done right they can be a beautiful thing; something that helps maintain quality, and honors a relationship. That relationship, between coach and student, can mean everything or nothing. When you stay with a coach for eight, ten, fifteen years, put in the time, follow their counsel, and eventually achieve a high level of skill, and that coach then honors that by putting a black belt on you – that belt means a lot. When you hop around from coach to coach, get a belt from one, then another belt from a different coach, and when your next coach doesn’t promote you as fast as you feel you should be promoted – skip to a different coach, who within a very short time casually hands you a black belt – that belt mean a lot less. And if you cannot defend that belt by rolling decently against other high-level belts, then that black belt means nothing at all.”

Stephen Whittier On Striking

SBG East Coast’s Stephen Whittier shares his thoughts on striking, his approach to it as a coach, and the importance of optimizing the human body effectively and functionally.

New 115lb Women’s Champ in Montana

Congratulations to Marnic Mann who celebrated her third amateur victory by winning the amateur 115lb women’s title at Fusion Fight League in Montana. Mann got the win with an emphatic second round TKO, and continues her unbeaten run of victories via stoppage. Marnic is just one of a number of amazing female competitors coming out of the SBG gyms in Montana. With one title under her belt, it’ll be exciting to see what comes next for SBG’s newest champion!