Professor Draculino's long time student, Rafael Natal "Sapo", made an impressive US debut in MMA by sumitting the excelent John Kirk in the first round in the Supreme Fighting Championships 2, held in Frisco , Texas.

Considered the best 185'er of the State of Texas, John did not have a chance against Sapo, who closed the distance, took the oponent down, got the mount position, imposed a vicious ground and pound and submitted John via rear naked choke.

Professor Draculino and his Black Belt student ( now a Renzo Gracie academy full time instructor) Augusto Tio Chico were in the corner giving support and tips to Rafael Sapo.

We would like to thank our dear students Carlos Lopes, Justin Anderson, Brenton Anderson and Sean Fritzmaurice for the support in the event.

Bellow the link for the pictures.

With the growth of our school, some changes for the best are needed. We are happy to anounce some:

The fundamentals classes of MONDAYS AND WENDNESDAY of 5:30 PM will be substituted by the Wrestling and MMA classes. The new time of the FUNDAMENTALS WILL BE 7:30 PM. This will make possible to all of you that work 'till 6:00 pm to attend the class. The Wrestling and MMA students also cannot complain about the intensity of the class because they will be fresh to do it, since it will be the first adults classes in the evening. The new schedule begins in December, the first.

We are in the process of expanding the school space. There will be more mat space, more classes and some cool news coming up! Stay tunned!

This upcoming week of the thanks giving, the Thursday and Friday ( 11/27 and 11/28) classes are cancelled. All the other classes, including saturday, are up and good to go.

Make sure that you hit the mats this week to keep the body and mind in shape!

See you all on the Mat!

Our very own, Greg Bellomy, won his second MMA fight via submission in the last Lonestar Beatdown. The event was held in Huntsville, Texas, and showed that lots of new talents are coming to stay.

Greg fought a very game oponent from France with lots of experience in Mauy Thai.

Greg sitck to the game plan going for the takedown and working from a dominant position in the ground. After dominating the first round, Greg choked his oponent from the back position early in the second round.

Congrats to Greg, his trainers ( Professor Draculino, Kristin Sommers and Roger Allen) and all the GB Texas students for the help on his preparation.

Here is the link of part of Greg's last fight.

A school founded a couple of months ago did a great job at the biggest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament of south Texas in the year of 2008. That same school got the first place teams trophy among other 37 academies. The name of that school is Gracie Barra Texas.

Counting with lots of newcomers, our athletes showed a great display of heart and determination, allied with the technique that Gracie Barra is known for. The result was that amazing acomplishment. As Professor Draculino stated: " I was so impressed and surprised with the outcome of my students that sometimes I needed to check if I was dreaming....there was guys with a month of training fighting like old timers, sometimes with great technique, sometimes only with the heart but all doing a great show. I am really scared of what this guys can do in a near future. Gracie Barra Texas has all the potential to follow the steps of it's Brazilian sister Gracie Barra BH, that was for 3 consecutive years, the number one school in the national teams titles. We also have to give all the props to our brothers from Gracie Barra Nederland that put on a show and showed why Patrik Head is one of the best teachers and fighters in Texas. Patrik and his guys look fantastic and were essential to that outstanding outcome."

To all the students that competed and helped on the  training  for the ATAMA OPEN, our sincere thank you and congratulations. This is just the beggining.

 http://www.graciemag.com/news/144/ARTICLE/12419/2008-11-18.html

Our very own, Greg, Chad Cook, David " Babalu", James Santiago and Joe Lowe are the new proud fathers of Gracie Barra Texas. The new babies are well and strong! Thank God we will have several champions to take care of us in the future!

Joe Lowe's son name is Vinicius. Same as Professor Draculino. Knowing about the fact he stated: " It is an honor for me that Joe and his Wife named their baby with the same name that I have. GOD bless him, the Lowe's family and also all the the new babies of the school."

The new issue of Gracie Magazine arrived full of great material: BJJ,SuThe coverage of the Pan Ams NOGI , a lesson in life with Grand Master HELIO GRACIE, the nomination of the best of 2008 in submission, and MMA. Plus lots of great techniques taught by well known Black Belts. Run and get yours!