Anyone train in Monterey CA? I am moving there in December and am looking to start training at Bodyworx Academy. Anyone here train there or know if it is any good? It appears to focus more on karate but has one black belt jiu jitsu instructor.
daniel thomas is a claudio franca black belt.
I had that guy in a triangle and an armbar at a Gracie Open back in the day. I probably would have beaten him[he was nervous about going against me] BUT, Cesar thought he was helping and yelled to me to break his arm.........just pissed him off and somehow he got out and went crazy and reversed the situation and tapped me out.
Cameron Earl got him in a trianle later that day too and couldnt finish him either.
I have since gotten to know him because his Team Mate, Stan Kendrick was my nemisis comming up through the belts. They are both great guys from Claudio's and great competitors too.
Daniel's Black Belt comp record is second to none.
I have trained at Stan's academy in Oakland. If Daniel is teaching in Monterey, I would recommend giving his classes a try. And if you[kray] go in, tell him I said hi. Even after whoopin on me he still bought one of my books, LOL.
Ah this post brought back memories. I trained under Cameron a few years ago and right now I train under Stan.
I havnt seen Stan in a while, tell him hi too.
Wow, way to dig up an old thread!
So I found this guy Daniel in Monterey because he hosted a seminar of Rubens Charles. So I start looking around for his spot since it's near my dad's house, where I'll be visiting soon. So I find a little bit about Daniel here, Daniel Thomas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | About and it says he's a blackbelt through Claudio Franca here, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Well in looking on Claudio's website, I see he gave a blackbelt to another guy (Vince Vanderlipe) that runs a shop that's literally across the street from my dad's place. Vince's website is here, Kugtar Martial Arts Academy, LLC - The Premier Martial Arts Academy in Salinas, CA
So my question....it's been awhile since I've left Monterey and Salinas, but last I was out there, the BJJ scene wasn't big. Now that I read the two guys Daniel and Vince have BJJ spots nearby and they're both blackbelts under this guy Claudio who's website says he (Claudio) got his own from, "Francisco Mansor, who is a 9th degree red belt certified by the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro" I'm just wondering if these names and lineages are all legit?
That's a lot of blackbelts in a region (Salinas, Monterey, Santa Cruz), who had NO BJJ when I left a few years ago, with a lineage that I haven't heard of, with a red belt thrown in there (which raised a BIG red flag). I just wanted to check up on a place before I go out there, see what you all thought.
These folks are legit? Or at least this Daniel guy is? I imagine Rubens Charles wouldn't be there if he wasn't, but you never know these days!
Wow, way to dig up an old thread!
So I found this guy Daniel in Monterey because he hosted a seminar of Rubens Charles. So I start looking around for his spot since it's near my dad's house, where I'll be visiting soon. So I find a little bit about Daniel here, Daniel Thomas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | About and it says he's a blackbelt through Claudio Franca here, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Well in looking on Claudio's website, I see he gave a blackbelt to another guy (Vince Vanderlipe) that runs a shop that's literally across the street from my dad's place. Vince's website is here, Kugtar Martial Arts Academy, LLC - The Premier Martial Arts Academy in Salinas, CA
So my question....it's been awhile since I've left Monterey and Salinas, but last I was out there, the BJJ scene wasn't big. Now that I read the two guys Daniel and Vince have BJJ spots nearby and they're both blackbelts under this guy Claudio who's website says he (Claudio) got his own from, "Francisco Mansor, who is a 9th degree red belt certified by the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro" I'm just wondering if these names and lineages are all legit?
That's a lot of blackbelts in a region (Salinas, Monterey, Santa Cruz), who had NO BJJ when I left a few years ago, with a lineage that I haven't heard of, with a red belt thrown in there (which raised a BIG red flag). I just wanted to check up on a place before I go out there, see what you all thought.
These folks are legit? Or at least this Daniel guy is? I imagine Rubens Charles wouldn't be there if he wasn't, but you never know these days!