I met S7 founders Dayan Henderson and Paul Paterson at the Jiu Jitsu Expo in Long Beach a few months ago.  The on the spot presentation they gave me was very polished, very ambitious, but in 16 years it wasn’t necessarily promises that I haven’t heard before.   Dayan and Paul admittedly didn’t have too much of a background in the martial arts and they seemed very nice but I’d believe it when I saw it. 

Henry Akins Seminar in San Jose!
Friday, July 13, 6PM-8PM

HENRY AKINS is a black belt under the legendary RICKSON GRACIE.

Fight Life, the groundbreaking MMA documentary(starring Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Frank Shamrock) that has MMA community buzzing is making its South Bay California film premiere on:
Friday, April 6th (7pm & 9pm)
@BlueLight Cinemas (21275 Stevens Creek Blvd Cupertino, CA 95014).

Get your tickets now before they sell out like it did at the San Francisco premiere (order online & get a free drink):
http://www.retrievertickets.com/purchase.php?ostk=2552552&osdate=4%2F6%2...

HHCF Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary With Youth Tournament, Jiu Jitsu Exhibition and Live Performances

Rapper Asheru from Boondocks & MMA Fighter Ralek Gracie Team with Hip-Hop Chess Federation for Nonviolence

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is proud to announce it will be hosting its 5-year anniversary youth chess tournament February 11th, 2012 at the Alum Rock Youth Center in San Jose, CA.

Entitled V-DAY, the event is to honor their five year anniversary, as well focus on life strategy themes like, Victory.

I’ve known Rafael Lovato Jr for a long time now.   We’ve followed his career from his very early stages, sponsored him and became friends.  His career has been quite remarkable, with dozens of important titles but his two most important accomplishments thus far has been his BJJ World Championship title at Black Belt (only the second American behind BJ Penn to accomplish this feat), and his ability to produce a IBJJF world Champion from start to finish in Justin Rader (both teacher and student took the podium at the No Gi Worlds in the Black Belt Adult division).&n

Our good friend Shawn Williams is coming to Heroes Martial Arts to conduct a seminar on his tournament tested techniques, including his own famous development, the Williams Guard,

Saturday May 21st from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Just $75 for a day of instruction and fun.
 

We're sorry to report that Luis "Sucuri" Tongo has passed away on February 16, 2011 following a car accident in the Carolinas.

Sucuri was one of the early contributers to OntheMat, and often shared technique pictorials and tutorials.  I had the opportunity to meet him when travelling out to the Bud Cups and found him to be as personable as he was knowledgeable.

Sucuri will be be missed by his family and friends and his academy, but also by the whole Jiu Jitsu community.

More info can be found on his academy website:

I had never met Mark Schultz before, but when he ambled up to the outdoor café he suggested we meet he was easy to spot, thick arms and a lack of a neck, the kind of wide stance shuffle long time wrestlers have and as he got closer the cauliflower ears denoting a grappler.  He might a bit more anonymous in his hometown, to the people walking down the street, but along with his brother he was recently inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.