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Academy Announcements & EventsStudent Profile – Jason Brauer
This is the first video in our student profile series. We would like to recognize some of our amazing students and showcase their journey into our art.
Jason started training with our academy just over a year ago. In that time he has made an amazing transformation in his lifestyle and health. Keep up the great work Jason, you are an inspiration to us all!
Raquel Paaluhi wins Abu Dhabi Trials!
For Raquel Paaluhi, the latest edition of a defining moment took form at the recent Abu Dhabi trials here on O’ahu. Through two divisions, Raquel found nothing but victory, as she worked her way towards punching her ticket to the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Dubai.
On the day of the trials, Raquel was merely looking to do her best and express her skills on the mat. She wanted to find the practical uses for what she has been sharpening at Gracie Technics, under the wing of Rylan Lizares. But as the trials progressed, Paaluhi found herself in the winners circle time and time again.
“It was amazing. I kind of didn’t believe it even as it was happening.”
Raquel made her way from opponent to opponent, challenging some of the toughest females in the sport. Some of her opponents were from here in Hawaii, and others from the mainland or brazil, but it was no matter to Paaluhi where they were from. It only mattered to her that they stood in her way. So one by one she dispatched of them, on her quest to make the cut for Abu Dhabi.
Though winning by points is not a bad way to win, the finish is what every player seeks. Raquel found that success four times during the trials, and likely none more sweet than her final match in which her opponent chose to have disrespectful words with Paaluhi’s sister, moments before the start of the match. If you know the Paaluhi family, you can see what that was a mistake. Raquel attacked the match with furious resolve, and took her opponents arm home as a trophy.
As a white belt competing against blue and purple belts, many questioned the legitimacy of her ranking. But to that Raquel responds by acknowledging her instructors reluctance to prematurely promote his students. She does not question her belt ranking, she merely follows the instruction of Lizares, and understands that he will know when the time is right to promote. But the Jiu-Jitsu politics aside, Paaluhi proved that no matter her rank, she is up for the challenge of competition.
Now that Paaluhi punches her ticket to Dubai, she will represent Hawaii in a competition that is recognized as one of the toughest and most prestigious in the world. And as we, here in Hawaii, look on in admiration, we can add another marker to the book of Raquel’s progression. Over the years she has blossomed right in front of our eyes, and has led the way for female martial artist here on the islands. Her iron will and unwavering determination are a beacon of example to those who wish to compete. No matter the challenge, adversity, or setback, Paaluhi powers through.
Congrats Raquel, We are so Proud of you!!
Dustin Kimura submits Chico Camus in UFC debut
Source: mmajunkie.com
LAS VEGAS – Sure, it wasn’t the type of finish we all secretly wanted, but if you’re going to go the mat with Dustin Kimura, prepare to fend off a smorgasbord of submissions.
The high-energy promotional newcomer fired off multiple submission attempts before finally tapping out fellow bantamweight Chico Camus with a third-round rear-naked choke.
The bout was part of the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 156 event at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. It streamed on Facebook ahead of additional prelims on FX and a main card on pay-per-view.
Kimura, who’s never actually tapped out a fighter with a kimura, instead attempted nearly everything else. After he was dropped with a straight right in the first minute of the fight, he regrouped and looked sharp. Camus scored multiple takedowns throughout the fight, but Kimura was active off his back, swept his opponent and often took a dominant top position once on the canvas.
The end of the second round cut short his triangle choke and armbar attempts, but Kimura got his opening in the third round. When the Duke Roufus-trained Camus shot for a single-leg takedown, Kimura reversed it on the way down, took back mount, and then quickly secured a rear-naked choke.
The tap-out came at the 1:50 mark of the round.
“I was looking for a lot of submission, but he has really good defense,” the 23-year-old Hawaiian said. “The whole game plan was to take down such a great striker from such a great striking school.”
Kimura (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who said he was in disbelief when broadcaster Joe Rogan interviewed him post fight, now has nine stoppages in 10 career wins, including seven via submission. Camus (12-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC), meanwhile, snaps a four-fight win streak, which included a UFC-debut win over Dustin Pague in August.
Dustin Kimura is UFC Bound!
Source: CagedInsider.com
Even with all of the talent coming over from Strikeforce as of late, the UFC has not stopped looking for new talent to fill the octagon with. The UFC announced the signing of undefeated bantamweight prospect Dustin Kimura who will debut at UFC 156. His opponent will be Chico “King” Camus who holds a record of 12-3, and picked up his first octagon win at UFC 151 by decision over Dustin Pague. Camus can have the knowledge that he has never been submitted which is something Kimura will look to test when they fight in February.
At 9-0, Kimura holds six of those wins by submission with another two in his amateur career. Also, before you ask, none of those wins have been by “kimura,” (which is named after a Masahiko Kimura) but his ground game is diverse, having wins by guillotine, rear-naked choke, triangle, armbar, and Achilles lock. Do not sleep on Kimura’s stand-up game either, since he has finished his last two opponents with strikes–including Guy Delumeau, who he knocked out cold in the third.
Camus will look to test the waters on the feet since he has to have confidence in his stand-up, because he trains at the famed Rufus Sport camp which is known for producing the kicks of Pat Barry and Anthony Pettis.
This is the perfect time for either Camus or Kimura to make a move in the bantamweight division. At 135, the division would seem to be put on hold with current champion Dominick Cruz out with a second ACL injury, but with the interim title floating around, anyone could hold it when Cruz gets back. An impressive win in this bout could give either fighter a chance to face the top of the division as they sit and wait for the return of Cruz.
Max Holloway wins at UFC 155
UFC 155 RESULTS: MAX HOLLOWAY EDGES LEONARD GARCIA VIA SPLIT DECISION
BY STEVEN MARROCCO ON DEC 29, 2012 AT 7:30 PM ET
Source : MMA Junkie
LAS VEGAS – Max Holloway’s technique prevailed over Leonard Garcia’s and won him a split decision.
But like anyone who’s faced off with the hard-swinging vet, Holloway knew he’d been in a fight.
The featherweight bout was part of the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 155 event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It streamed on Facebook ahead of additional prelims on FX and a main card on pay-per-view.
Hollaway opened the fight the busier man with all manner of kicks. Garcia waited patiently to respond, meanwhile, occasionally letting go a two-punch combination or kick.
Holloway landed with a spinning back kick, and Garcia scored with his own punch. But in the next significant exchange, it was Hollaway who dropped Garcia with a punch.
Smiling, Garcia got back in the game but, surprisingly, did not throw caution to the wind. Holloway, though, demonstrated his control of exchanges by keeping his opponent at the end of his strikes. Midway through the round, he held an edge in total strikes landed.
But Garcia would eventually find his way in with a big right hand that wobbled Holloway. The fight threatened to turn into a slugfest, but both fighters pulled back the reins.
Garcia, though, found success pressing the action, landing big shots in close with a collar-tie, and Holloway was forced on the defensive.
The second frame saw Holloway resume the attack that scored points early in the first. Garcia continued to press in with jabs, but it was Holloway who countered with a two-punch combo one minute into the round. The two continued to clash in center cage, but neither landed a big shot. Garcia broke the rhythm by catching a kick and fending off a choke attempt to briefly put the fight on the mat.
After escaping to his feet, Holloway continued to snipe and score. Just a little bit faster in exchanges, he continued to frustrate Garcia, whose coach, Greg Jackson, urged him to stay composed. As the round closed, however, Garcia’s technique degraded into slugging as Holloway attempted to fend him off. The younger fighter mostly did, but he took some big shots in the process and took a longing glance at the clock.
The two measured their standup in the third, with Garcia attempting to put together combinations and Holloway finding gaps to score. As per usual, Garcia continued to press no matter what shots he took, but Holloway landed the cleaner shots. Garcia, though, was turning it into a slugfest, and the crowd roared its approval.
Finally, Garcia shot for a takedown and secured half-guard with two minutes to work. Holloway got back to his feet, and the two stood and traded. Again, Holloway was the more accurate man, but with every combination, Garcia let him know he was in a fight.
With 30 seconds left, the two were running on fumes.
Garcia ended the fight with a near-slam of Holloway after catching a kick, and the two celebrated a hard-fought battle.
On a scoreboard of strikes compiled by official UFC stat provider FightMetric, Garcia beat Holloway in all categories with the exception of head strikes.
But when final tallies were added, Holloway prevailed with two scores of 29-28 to Garcia’s 29-28.
“I definitely believe I won the fight,” Holloway said. “I’m tired of wrestlers getting victories that way. They get takedowns and do nothing with it, and somehow they still get points for that, so I feel very vindicated with this win. Leonard is a tough guy, though – no doubt about that. He hits hard and he shot in on me quite a bit in this fight, but we had a good game plan and I was able to leave with the win.”
“I think I did enough to win and it was a good fight, but I can’t let it go to the judges,” Garcia said. “I’ve been fighting long enough to know that. Max is a skilled fighter, but I feel I was able to match him or be better than him in every part of the game. I feel I got the most takedowns, I had better octagon control and he doesn’t hit hard, so I was able to stand in there with him and I think that should have been enough to get the victory.”
Holloway (7-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who welcomed a rematch with Garcia, improves to three straight wins in the UFC. Garcia (15-10-1 MMA, 2-6 UFC) has now lost four straight, though his fighting style may save him yet another time from a UFC release.
Follow the team leading to the Fight:
Winter 2012 Belt Promotions
Congratulations to the Gracie Technics Academy members who were promoted on December 8, 2012.
Receiving their well earned blue belt promotions were:
Adrian De La Garza
Kahiapo Kauhaahaa
Jerome-Max Holloway
Julius Valenzuela
Huge congrats guys! We are very proud of you all, welcome to your journey on the path to the Black Belt!
View our Updated Academy Belt Ranks HERE
