Professor Trevor Roberts!

Most people know I'm old.

Well my students constantly remind me of this fact, when I start to reminisce about my days as a BJJ white belt.  They think it's all black and white or sepia tinted back then; when ever I talk about my days in Traditional Jiu Jitsu, they just look at me with a vacant look in their eyes, unable to comprehend the distance in time I'm talking about.

Back in the mists of time, I graded up to 2nd Dan in Applied Jiu Jitsu in 1999 and my instructor was none other than the legendary Professor Trevor Roberts, 8th Dan; during my time training with Trevor, I was working the doors and wanted to know if what I was training actually worked in live situations.  Full on pressure testing.

Sitting here now at the ripe old age of 43 years old is testament that the training and techniques have worked on many hairy occasions all around the Northwest and beyond, a huge testament to Trevor's expert tutelage and no nonsense techniques.  If anyone is interested in self defence training, please contact my good self and I'll pass your details onto Trevor himself.

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In addition to the self defence training, Trevor introduced me into the world of grappling competitions, specifically Sambo and Shiai Jitsu (full contact sparring, think amateur MMA) and I met the likes of Matthew Clempner, Alan Carlisle, Steve Crutchley, Darren Morris, Jack Mountford, Shane Rigby, Dave Barry and many more legends on the Northern grappling circuit.

My life was to change immeasurably after training in the grappling arts and I have Trevor to thank for opening my eyes into the world of submissions and competition; I still consider Trevor my mentor and he has given me much help and advice both on and off the mats over the years and last week I dropped in on Trevor's class with a few of my students and both our lads had a 'bit of a pull round the mats.'

It's something we'd spoke about on a few occasions and I was glad for it to finally materialise and all the lads had a great time, learning lots from each other and getting in some competition style training, prior to up coming comps on both sides. It's all well and good doing comp style training between the lads that regularly train together, but having a mini style interclub session is just like the real thing, minus all the other competitors and spectators.  Both sets of lads had no idea what to expect off each other, which is just the same as doing a big BJJ or No Gi comp, so with the first session over last week, tonight is my turn to host Trevor's lads at my gym.

Looking forward to another good night of wrasslin'................

New Eddie Bravo T Shirt from Tatami Fightwear!

Special edition collaboration shirt with Tatami Fightwear and the legendary Eddie Bravo, in celebration of his bout against Royler Gracie in Metamoris.

Available from www.tatamifightwear.com

Keep training and stay in shape - BJJ is good for you!

The Labs BJJ Comp, Manchester!

Had a great day at the BJJ comp run by Martyn Cahill and crew over in Manchester on Saturday; was really nice to catch up with the likes of Lloyd Cooper, Darren Currie, Roberto Barbiero and all the rest of the Combat Base family who were competing on the day, all the way from white belt through to purple belt.

All the hard work and sacrifices at the gym were duly rewarded with a bronze and a silver for my lads and medals all round from the other Combat Base gyms; facing some very tough competitors at all belt levels, all the lads did themselves and the club proud, win or lose and I'm extremely proud of all the lads that competed.

The toughest fight you'll ever have is the one with yourself; the little voice in your head that keeps telling you that you shouldn't be out there fighting.  Fighting to overcome the pre fight nerves, the hanging around waiting to compete, which increases the nerves and that voice in the head keeps whittering away at you.  All these mini battles going on in your head and dealing with the physical response of the jitters and finally overcoming them and stepping out when your name's called and going into battle. 

Each time you compete, you have overcome so many internal battles, it doesn't matter if you win or lose, you've won the hardest battle with yourself, so to all who competed on Saturday, a massive pat on the back to you all.

Now let's get ready for April 26th!!

BJJ at Heywood!

BJJ classes still going strong at the KP Centre in Heywood, had a great class on Tuesday, concentrating on takedowns, mixing Judo, Sambo and CACC techniques, with all manners of submissions thrown in for good measure :)

Billy Robinson tribute

Had to share this awesome photo of Billy in action from way back in the day; it's on the US based Scientific Wrestling website, where you can see more tributes and DVD's of Billy's for sale - check out www.scientificwrestling.com

RIP Billy Robinson

Very sad news the other day, as another grappling legend passed away on Monday; I had the honour of attending one of Billy's seminars in Stockport a couple of years ago and sharing the mat with one of my heroes was an amazing feeling.

Billy has taught the best of the best in the MMA business, such as Erik Pauslon, Sakuraba, and Josh Barnett to name a few and was teaching in the US in Arkansas when he passed away.

He will be missed by all in the catch wrestling fraternity, as well as all the other grappling arts, the loss of a catch legend is very sad, these fine old school experts of the grappling arts are few and far between these days and their skills and knowledge need to be recorded for prosperity and for future generations of up and coming grapplers, so they can read about the history of catch wrestling and of the pioneers who taught this art to the world.

RIP Billy.