June 22, 2010 in News by Gumby

Cool Article about visiting Heroes

We love visitors at Heroes!  And we like it when they share their experiences at Heroes!  We have to share Monta Wiley’s blog about his trip to San Jose and visit to Heroes Martial Arts:

While I was there I visited Heroes Martial Arts Academy ran by Ralph Gracie black belt & co-founder of the famous OTM brand Alan “Gumby” Marques”. A lot of peeps have told me good things about this academy & his style of teaching fitted right into my game which is the main reason I choose to visit the academy plus it was right across the street from my hotel.Anyway upon arriving there Gumby and the crew made me feel right at home which is very rare at most gyms you go to nowadays.

Read more here!

June 6, 2010 in News by Gumby

A Very Good Week

A Good Week for Heroes Martial Arts

To start off this week, Rich came up and announced it was his 1 year anniversary of training at Heroes (time flies when you’re having fun).  He made mention of the nearly 40 pounds he’s lost in the year since he’s joined, and the fact he generally feels much better.  And I could tell he’s doing better without him actually saying anything; sometimes it’s hard top see because it happens gradually, but his progress over the year has been dramatic in many years.

Honestly, it’s days like this that remind me that I have the greatest job in the world. The majority of students at Heroes are not planning on competing, but they found something here that makes them feel better about themselves and improves their outlook on life.  It’s what I found in Jiu Jitsu over the years, and sharing that with people brings me my fulfillment.

That’s not to say that people aren’t competitive at Heroes, or that we don’t have some excellent competitors among our ranks.  Fortunately everyone works well together no matter what their ultimate goals. Although Jiu Jitsu is in many ways an individualistic sport, every student can count on every other member of the Heroes teams to ultimately help them fulfill those goals.

This week a few of the Heroes travelled down to Long Beach for arguably the largest and most prestigious tournaments in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the Mundials (BJJ World Championships).  The best of the best enter this tournament, and the black belt that wins the absolute title can claim to be the best Jiu Jitsu Competitor on the planet for the year, but matches are held for all levels of competitors.  This year Heroes Martial Arts took six competitors to the Mundials:  Zobair “Z” Farhir, Ed Solis and Mike “Colossus” O Conner in the white belt divisions, and “Ron”Rob Morales, “No Neck” Nick Greene, and Kyle “Doodlebug” Gudgeon in the blue belt divisions.

Z started off the day winning in fairly dominant fashion in his first match.  His second match went even better, in which he finished off his opponent with one of his favorite armbars (which he’s definitely used in the academy more than a few times).  In the finals, Z threw everything he had at his opponent and attempted multiple submissions, on a the final triangle attempt an exhausted Z had his guard passed and wound up losing the match on points, but took an impressive silver medal.

Colossus was up next and his first match was textbook display.  Opponent pulled guard, Colossus passed, got side control, took the mount and slapped on an americana for the submission.  His second match was the final, and rolling though a takedown his opponent landed hard cracking some ribs and unfortunately Colossus was forced to exit due to injury.

Ed Solis recently took over wrestling coach duties over at Heroes (Scott couldn’t because of his schedule but will soon be running the fitness program).  Ed had a tough draw, as both of his opponents were definitely going to test his wrestling abilities as well as his Jiu Jitsu abilities.  After some intensity in the first match (including a headbutt that jarred Ed’s teeth!), Ed got the takedown then quickly established the mount and got the submission.  Ed’s second match was even more intense, and the war of takedowns was at once explosive and technical.  Late in the match Ed pulled off a spectacular takedown lifting his opponent over his head in a move that had the entire tournament take notice!  Ed got the mount and ended the match that way as your gold medal champion!  

“RonRob” ended the day for the Heroes losing a very close match in the blue belt featherweight division.  His opponent played a deep half guard most of the match and although Rob was fairly aggressive and for the most part dominating the action, a mid match decision to attempt to jump to guard when his opponent stood up cost RonRob two points and the match.

After the day had ended in recognition of their accomplishments on the day, but more importantly the consistent hard work, dedication and improvements in the gym Z, Colossus and Ed were all awarded their well deserved blue belts!

Friday was Nick and Kyle’s turn on the mat.  Nick competes at virtually every tournament he can, he looked confident and relaxed in his first match and although the score was tied at 0-0, he won on five advantages.  In his second match Nick ran into a solid wrestler (BJ Penn’s wrestling coach as a matter of fact!) who’s pressure turned out to be too much for Nick and he dropped the match on points.  You learn more from a loss than a win, and Nick was back in class that very night working on his shortcomings.

Finally it was Kyle’s turn.  Kyle is getting into more of a competition mindset, and while his nerves may have cost him some matches in the past, Kyle showed a lot of composure in his match.  Kyle initiated all of the offense in the match, including the takedown attempt which his opponent sprawled, and when Kyle pulled guard to counter he lost two points in the process which would determine the match.

All in all, very proud of ALL of the Heroes, competitors and everyone!

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May 24, 2010 in News by Gumby

Two New Blue Belts!

Two more blue belts were awarded these past days at Heroes Martial Arts.

Jeremy Portilla came in at the urging of his cousin PJ (who Gumby sometimes taught while visiting our good friends at One World Academy in Union City).  Jiu Jitsu talent must run in the family, because Jeremy has quickly evolved into an extremely technical Jiu Jitsu player with a very (and unusually for this level) well rounded game.

Speaking of family, Adrian Fuentes is often seen on the mat with his father Vlad (yes, they are father and son and it blows our mind as well).  Adrian of the ever changing hair styles, facial hair (wolf-boy look as we like to call it) and extreme flexibility has quietly and steadily improved each day he’s come in until he’s evolved into quite the terror on the mat.

Congrats to Jeremy and Adrian!

May 13, 2010 in News by Gumby

Fundamentals Classes: New Master List

Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals Class:

Fundamentals is an hour long class open to all levels, but specifically targeting beginners or anyone wanting to brush up on the basics of Jiu Jitsu.  These classes will be gi only and really work specifically on core positions, philosophies and technique.  Although there will be drilling to reinforce the technique and positions, there will be no sparring in the Fundamentals class.

The Fundamentals class is a rotation of 22 classes (plus one introduction class for new students) run over 11 weeks.

Fundamentals Master List

1.  *Introduction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
*Always run as a private or semi-private class.

2.  Posture
3.  Attacking from the Guard
4.  Mount Defense
5.  Controlling the Mount
6.  Understanding Side Control
7.  Side Control Offense
8.  Introduction to the Back
9.  Taking the Back
10.  Armbar from the Mount
11.  Armbar Defense
12.  Armbar from the Guard
13.  The “A” Frame
14.  On Underhook Passes
15.  The “Simple” Sweep
16.  Sweep tools
17.  Standing Pass
18.  Counters to the Standing Pass
19.  Basic Open Guard
20.  Triangle Choke
21.  Guillotine Choke
22.  The Half Guard
23.  Passing the Half Guard

April 17, 2010 in News by Gumby

Adisa Banjoko gets his Purple Belt!

Friday evening long time friend and Jiu Jitsu student Adisa Banjoko was awarded his purple belt in Jiu Jitsu from Gumby.

When we say “long time”, we definitely mean “long time”.  We won’t say exactly how long Adisa has been training for, but he’s been a long time contributer to the BJJ and Martial Arts community at large through his organization of events and writing and numerous other projects (including Gumby’s website onthemat.com

It is solely for Adisa’s merits and skill he is being recognized; his dedication and abilities and attitude have made him both a formidable opponent and a leader on the mat.

Congratulations Adisa!  We’re all proud of you here at Heroes Martial Arts!

April 15, 2010 in News by Gumby

Do you Twitter?

Heroes Martial Arts now has a Twitter page.  If you want, you can check it out at

http://twitter.com/heroesma

Yeah, we’re not really sure what to do with it either.  It will be part of the upcoming new and improved HeroesMartialArts.com however…

April 15, 2010 in News by Gumby

New Friday Class!

This Friday Evening marks the first evening class taught by long time friend and fellow Ralph Gracie Black Belt “the Machine” Justin Holder. A really excellent opportunity for Heroes to gain his wisdom and perspective!

The Era of the Machine at Heroes will start at 6:00 PM (Class schedule from 6:00 -7:00 and then 7:00 to 9:00)

We’re really excited to have him aboard!

Open Mats will be moved to Sundays sometime in May. 7 days a week is coming!

April 1, 2010 in News by Gumby

Three new Blue Belts Awarded!

Congratulations to our new Blue Belts Andrew Jones, Steve Vizzusi and “Ron” Rob Morales!

Andrew was one of the first students to sign up at Heroes.  Although the quiet type, Andrews very much been a stalwart presence at the gym, steadily training, improving, rising to each challenge and becoming a pillar of the academy.

Steve Vizzusi may be one of the relative, but Gumby and him go way back.  Steve has actually been training on and off for at least five years, and participated in some of the very first classes Gumby ever taught.  He’s settled down at Heroes and made himself a valuable member of the team.

It’s really hard to believe, but “Ron” Rob Morales has only been training martial arts and grappling since May, and the first few month Gumby screwed up his name, calling him “Ron” instead of his name Rob!  Dedication and an uncanny natural talent has made for a meteoric rise, Rob already has a few titles to his credit and an unforgettable presence on the mat.

Congrats to Andrew, Steve and Rob!  Your successes are not only testaments to your hard work and accomplishments, but a testament to how far Heroes Martial Arts has come!