The 2008 Renzo Gracie BJJ Invitational was held on Saturday 4/12/08 in Bayonne, NJ. The event featured competitors from 32 academies - Renzo Gracie affiliated academies as well as some other invited schools.
The top five finishing teams in the event were awarded trophies, and the Bruno Tostes BJJ Team proudly brought home the 4th place trophy. Of the many teams that competed in the event, only the Renzo Gracie NYC Academy, Ricardo Almeida Academy, and Patt Cooligan's Renzo Gracie Ottawa Academy finished ahead of Bruno's team.
On Saturday, 6/28/08 Bruno fought in the Grapplers Quest eight-man lightweight pro no-gi tournament. He advanced through the first round with a win over Mike Wacker of Black Hole BJJ. However, in the second round BJJ World Champ Ruebens "Cobrinha" Charles caught Bruno with a quick heel hook. Bruno shook off the loss to fight in the gi divisions on Sunday 6/29; where he brought home the silver medal in his weight class, and the Brown Belt Open Weight Gold Medal!
On Saturday, Nick B. brought home silver in his no-gi division; while on Sun, Chad Ahr took the silver in his purple belt gi division. Congrats to our medalists, and the rest of our teammates who fought in GQ!
The IBJJF No-Gi Pan-Am's will be held on Saturday 10/4/08, at the Nat Holman Gymnasium / 138 th Street & Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031.
The event is open to Blue Belts and above. All Renzo Gracie Latham students holding those ranks are strongly encouraged to participate.
Only two competitors per weight/belt division can represent a team. Therefore, Team Renzo Gracie will be holding a "Wrestle Off" on Sun. 9/21/08 in Saddlebrook, NJ to determine who will comprise the Renzo Gracie "A-Team" in a focused effort to win this event. The remaining competitors will still represent Team Renzo Gracie through teams based on the association's schools. Please see Bruno ASAP if you would like to participate, and visit http://www.ibjjf.org/pannogi2008registration.htm for additional info.
Self-Defense/Defensive Tactics Demonstration
On Wed. 8/13/08, Bruno, Kevin, Gary and our friend Bob Dashnow of Spa City BJJ presented a well attended and very well received demonstration of BJJ self-defense/defensive tactics at the New York State Probation Officers Association's Annual Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany. Please visit http://www.graciemag.com/news/173/ARTICLE/11546/2008-08-18.html for Gracie Magazine's Coverage of the demonstration.
Matt Hamill set to fight at UFC 88
Our friend Matt Hamill is set to square off against former UFC Champ Rich Franklin on 9/6/08 at UFC 88 in Atlanta Georgia.
Matt continues to train BJJ with Bruno, showing his great desire to improve in all areas of the fight game.
Matt's training for UFC 88 is expected to be featured on the UFC Countdown show scheduled to be televised on 9/3/08. Maybe we'll get to see some footage of Bruno and Matt grappling????
For more information, please click on Matt's logo:
AngerManagement4MMA seeks legalization of MMA in New York State
ATTENTION MMA Fans:
Click on Anger Management's logo to check out their efforts to get MMA legalized here in New York.
