** this post could go in either Standup or Grappling sections **
As a total Novice: Which instructor/gym would you choose and why? Which would you avoid (if any)?
Gym 1 Gracie Barra, Derby: BJJ
Sensei Patrick has achieved the rank of 5th Dan in Jujitsu, as recognised by the British Jujitsu Council and has been awarded numerous accolades from sources such as the Black Belt hall of fame and the 'Federation of hand to hand fighting' based in the Ukraine.
He is also currently working his way through the Brazilian Jiu jitsu ranks under the guidance of Braulio Estima (3 times World Brazilian Jiu jitsu Champion).
Sensei Pat actively teaches most classes at the dojo helped by other instructors who have demonstrated the necessary skills and competence to continue to deliver the highest levels of coaching and instruction. Stephen Martin (Rank - purple belt) also actively instructs students at the dojo. Stephen was crowned 2007 Blue Belt Juvenile World Champion in his weight category. In 2009, Stephen also won a silver medal at the Pan American Championships in Los Angeles and a bronze at the World Championships.
Gym 2 Dragons Academy, Derby: Kickboxing and MMA
Stefan Rowland is the Head Instructor at Dragons Academy and has been involved in Training and Teaching Martial Arts since 1986 and has been extensively featured in National Martial Arts Publications such as "Fighters" and "Combat" as well as in the local paper and radio. Stefan is a full time, fully registered and qualified Instructor and holds Black belt in kickboxing, tae-kwon do and Brithai. He is also studying Ninjutsu and holds the position of "Competition Teams Executive" for the uk for the British National Martial Arts Associations and has been awarded the coverted "BNMA Hons" Award for the services to Martial Arts.
Gym 3 Studio2000, Derby: Muay Thai
SAI'S TOTAL FIGHT RECORD, (56F, 42W, 3D, 9L, 2N/C)
BOXING, 1980-83 at Merlin and St Kitts in Derby, then later with Pat Brogan in Stoke on Trent.
KUNG-FU/KICKBOXING, 1982-84 with Gary Stringer, achieved black belt at 15yrs.
THE MUAY THAI YEARS, 1984-88, MASTER TODDY, MASTERS WOODY AND KRIN, MASTER SKEN. (gyms in Newton St, Portland Rd, Rainy city, Universe gym in Manchester)
1988-96, I trained privately twice a week with William Hilditch, Master Sken's 1st ever student. (Gym the original Studio 2000 in Bridge St, Deans Gate Manchester)
I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THIS WAS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON I HAVE TRAINED UNDER AND WHY MY GYM IS CALLED STUDIO 2000.(now you all know where the name came from).
THAILAND, 1985, during this year I spent 6 months of it in Thailand.
The camps I trained in are in order; Sor Ploenjjit. Sor Voropin / Jitti gym, Galaxy gym, Chitlada gym, Sor Thanikul, Sitryodthong-payakaroon.
Gym 4 Bushido: BJJ, Muay Thai, Sub wrestling, MMA
Used by Dan Hardy, Paul Daley, Jim Wallhead
Ranked by many as one of the best Mixed Martial Arts gyms in England and Europe - this place is apparently amazing, but double the price of the other gyms and has 40+ minute journey time.
Main teacher, Lee Livingstone began his martial arts training in 1992. Starting with Shotokan Karate and studying Muay Thai for several years, like many was introduced to BJJ while in the early 90's watching the NHB fights (No Holds Barred Fights).
A close friend invited him to train at a submission grappling club, after this initial introduction Lee was hooked! Because of the lack of BJJ schools in the UK at that time, he travelled to the US, California to train BJJ.
He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown belt under Wallid Ismail. He holds Black belts in Judo under Chiaki Ishii, Chun Kuk Do under Chuck Norris, Taekwondo under Branko Cikatic and Karate under Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Lee currently trains under Romero "Jacare
As a total Novice: Which instructor/gym would you choose and why? Which would you avoid (if any)?
Gym 1 Gracie Barra, Derby: BJJ
Sensei Patrick has achieved the rank of 5th Dan in Jujitsu, as recognised by the British Jujitsu Council and has been awarded numerous accolades from sources such as the Black Belt hall of fame and the 'Federation of hand to hand fighting' based in the Ukraine.
He is also currently working his way through the Brazilian Jiu jitsu ranks under the guidance of Braulio Estima (3 times World Brazilian Jiu jitsu Champion).
Sensei Pat actively teaches most classes at the dojo helped by other instructors who have demonstrated the necessary skills and competence to continue to deliver the highest levels of coaching and instruction. Stephen Martin (Rank - purple belt) also actively instructs students at the dojo. Stephen was crowned 2007 Blue Belt Juvenile World Champion in his weight category. In 2009, Stephen also won a silver medal at the Pan American Championships in Los Angeles and a bronze at the World Championships.
Gym 2 Dragons Academy, Derby: Kickboxing and MMA
Stefan Rowland is the Head Instructor at Dragons Academy and has been involved in Training and Teaching Martial Arts since 1986 and has been extensively featured in National Martial Arts Publications such as "Fighters" and "Combat" as well as in the local paper and radio. Stefan is a full time, fully registered and qualified Instructor and holds Black belt in kickboxing, tae-kwon do and Brithai. He is also studying Ninjutsu and holds the position of "Competition Teams Executive" for the uk for the British National Martial Arts Associations and has been awarded the coverted "BNMA Hons" Award for the services to Martial Arts.
Gym 3 Studio2000, Derby: Muay Thai
SAI'S TOTAL FIGHT RECORD, (56F, 42W, 3D, 9L, 2N/C)
BOXING, 1980-83 at Merlin and St Kitts in Derby, then later with Pat Brogan in Stoke on Trent.
KUNG-FU/KICKBOXING, 1982-84 with Gary Stringer, achieved black belt at 15yrs.
THE MUAY THAI YEARS, 1984-88, MASTER TODDY, MASTERS WOODY AND KRIN, MASTER SKEN. (gyms in Newton St, Portland Rd, Rainy city, Universe gym in Manchester)
1988-96, I trained privately twice a week with William Hilditch, Master Sken's 1st ever student. (Gym the original Studio 2000 in Bridge St, Deans Gate Manchester)
I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THIS WAS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSON I HAVE TRAINED UNDER AND WHY MY GYM IS CALLED STUDIO 2000.(now you all know where the name came from).
THAILAND, 1985, during this year I spent 6 months of it in Thailand.
The camps I trained in are in order; Sor Ploenjjit. Sor Voropin / Jitti gym, Galaxy gym, Chitlada gym, Sor Thanikul, Sitryodthong-payakaroon.
Gym 4 Bushido: BJJ, Muay Thai, Sub wrestling, MMA
Used by Dan Hardy, Paul Daley, Jim Wallhead
Ranked by many as one of the best Mixed Martial Arts gyms in England and Europe - this place is apparently amazing, but double the price of the other gyms and has 40+ minute journey time.
Main teacher, Lee Livingstone began his martial arts training in 1992. Starting with Shotokan Karate and studying Muay Thai for several years, like many was introduced to BJJ while in the early 90's watching the NHB fights (No Holds Barred Fights).
A close friend invited him to train at a submission grappling club, after this initial introduction Lee was hooked! Because of the lack of BJJ schools in the UK at that time, he travelled to the US, California to train BJJ.
He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown belt under Wallid Ismail. He holds Black belts in Judo under Chiaki Ishii, Chun Kuk Do under Chuck Norris, Taekwondo under Branko Cikatic and Karate under Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Lee currently trains under Romero "Jacare
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