Black belt doles out his knowledge

By CORINNE POPPEN
Valley Press Staff Writer
 

Around 30 individuals, including local karate instructors, participated in the Mixed Martial Arts Ground Fighting Seminar at Genesis Mat Sports to learn techniques and strategies from Gracie.

Gracie comes from a long line of Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters and owns his own fighting academy in the Bay Area. He has turned out champions like Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, David Terrell and Gilbert Melendez.

The three-hour seminar taught mostly grappling and sparring techniques, such as the arm bar and paint brush.

"I taught at an intermediate level, a lot of the guys had good basics," said Gracie.

Participants got one-on-one advice from Gracie and other trained fighters.

"A lot of our techniques are on our back," said Terry Hamm. "It's all about strategy and technique, not size. You could be smaller than your opponent and still win."

The class, however, was lacking the presence of females. Gracie explained Jiu-Jitsu is a male dominated sport.

"Women have the perception that it's a lot of fighting which tends to intimidate, but it's mostly defensive moves," said Gracie.

"Self defense is a vital thing to know, we do a lot of offensive things," said Jason Zimmerman, one of Gracie's students. "If you get knocked down to the ground, you want to be able to defend yourself, get that person off of you and get back up."

Gracie, who hasn't been to Lancaster in 14 years, decided to teach the seminar in order to promote and support Genesis Mat Sports, which was started by Bill Zimmerman.

Bill Zimmerman decided to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after his son Jason challenged him.

"My son said he could be on his back in a street fight and that he would still be able to defeat the other person," he said. "I laughed at him and then he kicked my butt."

Bill had been learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for eight years before he met Gracie. He said once he met Gracie, the Jiu-Jitsu became a whole new sport for him.

"I just see how big Jiu-Jitsu is getting and see where Lancaster is at is good," said Gracie. "It's good to have a school out here again."