Second Pererira Seminar Sells Out

Saturday, October 4th marked the second Jorge Pereira seminar at GR.  It was another big success, with the main room mat filled to near capacity for both sessions.  In one important change from the first seminar, Jason elected to keep the gym open for regular classes during the seminar.  It worked out well.  The boxing class moved into the cage room, and the kid’s mma class occupied the small mat.  It did make for a very busy gym, and Jacob Sievers deserves kudos for keeping the circus running while Jason was on the mats with Professor Pereira.

Jorge  Pereira is a Coral Belt under Rickson Gracie (7th Degree Black Belts become Coral after 30 years).  He is Head Instructor at RioHero in Miami where Tony Reel trained while on vacation last Summer.   Tony was so taken with Professor Pereira's instruction that when he returned to GR, he convinced Jason to bring the professor North for a seminar.  Tony said, "It’s rare to have a chance to roll with someone as well rounded and experienced as Jorge Pereira.  When I found out it was possible to have him instruct at GR, I knew it had to make it happen.”

Was Joe Rogan there?

That was in June; it went so well that Jason resolved immediately to get  the professor back again as soon as possible.   Which brings us to last Saturday.

12.30 saw the start of the gi only seminar. Event sponsor Tony Reel had the honor of being Professor Pereira's go to demonstration partner.  It was two hours of detailed instruction on new technique and subtle changes to techniques we thought we understood to make them better.


The first session ended at 2:30, after 30 minute break, the session on no-gi technique started.  With only a few changes in participants, the no-gi group was slightly larger.  There was no sign that the two hours of gi work had diminished anyone’s enthusiasm for rolling.  No-gi went to 5 pm.

Jason had this to say after the seminar:  “It was a pleasure having Jorge back to GR as he is not only a Coral Belt under LEGENDARY Rickson Gracie but also a seasoned MMA Pro as well. I was really pleased with the turnout. Though is was disappointing  only four of our official Team Fighters took advantage of this opportunity to train with the very best.”

For more on Jorge Pereira click HERE    
For more on RioHero click HERE    

Thanks to Reel's Auto for again stepping up and sponsoring this event!

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Pereira Seminar a Success!

Successful seminars keep rolling out at GriffonRawl.  The latest was the Jorge Pereira BJJ seminar on Saturday, June 6.  It's rare to have someone the level of Jorge Pereira deliver a seminar, and we have Tony Reel to thank for it.  Tony trained under Master Pereira while on vacation in Miami.  Inspired by the training he spoke to Jason Dent about bringing him to GR. It was a 30 second decision.

The seminar had the good (bad?) luck of falling on one of the best days this summer.  You might expect a poor turnout with so few fine beach days available here, but in spite of the amazing weather 14 students showed for two hours of gi training and 11 for the following two hours of no gi.

The first session started at 11:30.  The size of the group allowed for plenty of personal attention and close observation of the techniques covered.  Because the group included 3 black belts, 3 brown and 2 purple, much of the training was on advanced technique.

The 2 pm session, for no gi, concentrated on the application of BJJ to

mixed martial arts fighting.  A few gi only students left, to be replaced by members of the GR fight team.  Each session ended with a round of applause for Master Pereira.

GR wants to thank Tony Reel for suggesting the seminar to Jason, and Reel's Auto Sales for sponsoring the event.  The turnout was great, and the reaction of the students so positive it’s certain we will have Master Pereira up again soon.

The seminar was also sponsored by Intimidation Clothing and Defense Soap




Written by: Bob Donaghy