John Crouch Jiu-Jitsu

Congratulations to Michael De La Torre and Haydar Baquir on earning their blue belts this week at the MMA Lab.

Haydar has been training for a couple of years at the Lab, and has put in some serious effort into achieving his blue belt.

Michael just moved to AZ from California, and  is a professional fighter with a 10-3 record.  It was time for him to stop ambushing people with his white belt on!

So happy to have both of these young men as part of our team, looking forward to many more great things.  Good job guys!

Michael De La Torre

Haydar Baquir

Congratulations to Eric Hallier, the newest purple belt in the JCBJJ family!  Eric came to the MMA Lab about 6 months ago and has been a great addition to our team.  This purple belt was a little bit overdue, but now it’s here! We are very happy and proud to have Eric on our team and are looking forward to great things in the future. Congratulations Eric!

This weekend 10 members of the JCBJJ Competition Team traveled to Irvine, CA to compete in the Pan Jiu Jitsu Championships.  The guys did a great job, bringing home 2 golds, a silver and a bronze at this prestigious tournament. We are all so proud of our teammates and the great sportsmanship they always exhibit in victory or defeat. Congratulations and thank you!

Renato Freitas wins gold in his Brown Belt division

Mike Martin wins gold in his Purple Belt division.

Brian Weinbrandt wins the silver in his Blue Belt division.

Chris Zubrycki wins the bronze in his Purple Belt division.

Congratulations to Chris Zubrycki for winning the AZBJJF MVP for the 2012 competition season. Chris has been at the MMA Lab since it’s opening, and is an integral part of the team that we have created there.  Chris started by running our Kid’s BJJ program that, while under his charge, was the top rated youth program in Arizona for two years in a row. He now teaches adult classes and helps with the Elite Fight Team; both training with them and running the team’s video program.  Chris has been dedicated to improving our school since it’s inception, and it is great to see him get recognized for all his hard work and dedication.  Congratulations Chris, we are very proud to have you on our team!

Maria Magana went to Texas this weekend and came home with a gold medal!  Maria, who was promoted to purple belt just a few weeks ago, competed at the IBJJF  Houston Open and took home first place in her division.  Maria is planning on a busy competition season,  competing this year in Houston, Sacramento, Phoenix and finishing up with the Pan Ams in March.  We are so proud of her and her awesome efforts in the gym, and know that this is just the beginning for her. Congratulations Maria!

On Saturday, February 2, The MMA Lab had a student appreciation party.  There was free food from Mixteca and Rubios, music by our own Reynaldo Moreno, and some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt promotions.  It is with great pride that we announce our newest promotions in the JCBJJ family.

Three new purple belts were given their promotions on Saturday: David Brady, James Strang and Maria Magana. All three of these guys have been training hard and we are very excited for them to begin their purple belt journey. Congratulations!

Two brand new black belts were also given to Santino Defranco and Colin Morrison.

Colin has been training for over 13 years and was one of the first students at the original Mile High Gracie back in Denver. Colin has been a great training partner, teacher and friend for these many years, and it feels great to see him with a Black Belt around his waist.

Santino has been a mainstay in Arizona for many years and has been a huge supporter of

our team since we moved here  five and one half years ago.  Tino has been on the Ultimate Fighter reality show, as well as coached many fighters that have been in the UFC.  It is an honor to give him his Black Belt, and we look forward to many years of collaborating together in our passion for this sport.

To all these wonderful people: Thank you!  You have been great students and ambassadors for our sport, and, more importantly, you are wonderful people to work with.  Congratulations to all, well deserved!

The MMA LAB

(Purple, Brown and Black Belts)

Front Row (L to R): Chris Zubrycki, Renato Freitas, Colin Morrison, John Crouch, Santino Defranco, Benson Henderson, Jason Witkowski

Middle Row (L to R): Rachelle Crouch, Scott Boehler, Mike Martin, Luis Ordonez, Chris Gruetzemacher,  Joe Gemma, Robert Copeland, Maria Magana

Top Row (L to R): Jarret Aki, Chad Wilson, Sam Max, Jared Doctolero, Mike Benjamin, Randy Steinke, James Strang, Joe Riggs, Tim Welch, David Brady

Chris Zubrycki is back to show us how to use a common wrestling spiral ride to take the back.  This is a simple trick that can yield great results.

Big thanks to Chris and Tyler for putting this together for us, hope you guys enjoy!