Academy of Combat: Christchurch Martial Arts

The Academy will remain open as usual as it received no damage from the Earthquake over the weekend. We hope all of you are safe and well.

The legendary Rigan Machado will be conducting a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Seminar at The Academy of Combat on the 19th of September, 2010.  Rigan is one the most important figures in the grappling world today and his seminars are always filled with the latest cutting edge techniques, so you really don't want to miss out. Places are limited to 30 and it is open to people outside of The Academy, so be sure to secure your place at reception as soon as possible.

Time: 1pm to 4pm, Sunday, September 19th,  2010

Location: Academy of Combat

Congratulations to James Minson and Rafael Anderson Roque de Oliveira who both had excellent fights over the weekend at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson. Rafael put on an extremely dominant performance forcing his opponent to tap out due to strikes in the first round.

Check out the video here.

The Academy had a great showing at the Will/Machado BJJ Nationals last weekend in Auckland. Competing at the event were Hailey Morris, Cam Steer, Rafael Anderson Roque de Oliveira and John Erskine. The following results were achieved:

John Erskine: Purple Belt Open Weight 1st Place

Rafael Anderson Roque de Oliveira: Blue Belt 83kg-93kg 1st Place

Jason Branks: Brown/Black Belt Open Weight 3rd place

Congratulations guys, and to all who competed, for representing The Academy so well.

The Boys Days Out is returning to Christchurch on the 25th and 26th of September and The Academy will be there again, showing off all the martial arts we practice. The event promises to be even bigger this year, spanning two days and featuring even more cars, bikes, paintball and all the other things boys love. For more information check out The Boys Days Out website.

Assure your place now for the Academy Bus Trip on Saturday night, August 21st.

Register now at reception as seats are limited!

The 2010 Will-Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Nationals will be held on July 31st in Auckland. The following day a BJJ seminar will be held by Geoff Aitken, Geoff Grant and Shane Cox. All proceeds from the seminar will be given to the Haydn Clasby support fund.

Go here to register for the tournament and/or seminar.

Time: 9:30am- 5:00pm, Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Where: AUT, North Shore Campus, Northcote, Auckland

Congratulations to John Erskine who on the 16th of July defeated Ashley Clinch for the Versus Unlimited middle weight MMA title. Congratulations also to Scott Benson who won the 4 man grappling tournament held at the same event in Invercargill. Nice work guys!

Check out John's Fight here and Scott's here.

The Academy had a great night at UMAF 7 in Christchurch with both Scott Benson and Kieran Smith winning their MMA matches. Kieran made his MMA debut and has only recently turned 16 years old but showed skills and composure well beyond his years. Scott put on a fanatastic display of takedowns and control to win the main event against Johnnie Low from Chrichton Cobbers.

ohnniJohnnie LOW (Crichton Cobberse LOW (Crichton Cobbers

Congratulations to John Erskine who over the weekend won the 4 man grappling tournament at Fight Sports Night 2.5, defeating Gareth Ealey in the final. This event was held at The Bedford in Christchurch and the grappling tournament featured some very tough competitors representing Judo, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

World class coach and 3rd degree Brazillian Jiu Jitsu black belt John Will is returing to the Academy for another information packed seminar that is guaranteed to improve your grappling game and overall understanding of martial arts. John was trained by Jean Jaques and Rigan Machado and was the first Australasian to be awarded a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt. As usual John will be teaching the latest cutting edge techniques that you will not see anywhere else, so do not miss this fantastic opportunity.

SPECIAL OFFER !!*

Until the 31st of May, 2010 you can secure your place at the seminar for

only $65!!

From the 1st of June onwards it will cost you the regular price of $75.

So get in to the Academy and secure your place today!

Time: 6pm to 9pm, Friday, June 11th, 2010

Location: Academy of Combat

* Offer open only to Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students.

Congratulations to the following Academy students who received new Brazilian jiu jitsu ranks at the John Will Seminar on Friday the 12th of February:

Jason Branks Brown belt	Slava Matuska Purple belt	Trevor Johnstone Blue belt	Grant Youngman Blue belt

A Brazilian jiu jitsu rank represents many years of work and dedication so excellent work guys, keep it up!