Sakasem Seminar

Thanks gang for coming to the seminar. Good training and good sparring with a lot of guys from others gyms. Thanks Sem for an awesome seminar.

Absolute fighter Steve Sharp gets another title fight!

Hey Gang. Steven "Razor" Sharp is fighting in Las Vegas Oct 10th at the M resort against John Gunderson in a lightweight title bout. Details to follow. Check your schedules and get ready to make the trip to Vegas that weekend. Everyone wish Steve good luck and come down and help him get ready for the fight.

Visitors from Finland

JP and Jamba trained with us a few years back and out of the blue and much to our surprise they showed up for the weekend to visit and train. They had been in Vegas for the summer training with Marc Laimon and Cobra Kai. I got the chance to meet up with them in Vegas for the Tuff Nuff MMA show at the Orleans Hotel & Casino. Jamba fights Oct 17th in Finland.

Muay Thai Seminar with Sakasem

Muay Thai Seminar
with Sakasem

This Saturday Sept 12th
$50 if you're a paying member of Absolute MMA

Team Absolute 2-0 in Wendover

Congrats Gang. Another great night of fights. Thanks again for everyone coming out to support these two fighters.

Edward Rivera def. Eduardo Hernandez via tapout to GnP strikes @ 1:10 of rnd 2

Dave Komarov def. Bobby Trivitt via armbar tapout @ 3:51 of rnd 1

Absolute Fighters at Extreme Combat

Sorry for the delay folks. Absolute Fighters Riley Petersen and Kyle Cross both both fought Aug 15th in Cedar City, Utah. Camrann Pacheco was scheduled to fight but his fight was cancelled at the last minute. It was a great night of fights with lots of up coming talent.

Riley Petersen(145)lost to Joshua Torres TKO 1st round ref stoppage and Kyle Cross(185) won in his MMA debut over Rodrigo Contreras TKO 2nd round ref stoppage.

Congratulations fellas. Big thanks to everyone from the gym who showed up to support these guys.

Next Extreme Combat show is Sept 26th in Nephi, Utah

ABSOLUTE MMA SCHEDULE

stay hydrated

Hey Gang.
Remember to drink more water throughout the day on training days. Even better hydrate beginning the night before. Don't wait til the last minute, pound the water and wonder why you are getting sick during your workouts.
Get ahead of it. Drink more water.

-ROB

Far East Grappling Tournament

Congratulations Gang!!

Team Absolute grapplers competed Saturday at the Far East Grappling tournament. The team consisted of Ben Garner (1st) Chris Kennedy (1st & 2nd) and Vanessa Alexander (1st). This is Ben Garner's sixth straight gold medal in local grappling tournaments, Chris Kennedy continues to rack up wins in both intermediate and advanced divisions and Vanessa Alexander continues to put the squeeze on the ladies divisions with 2 tournaments and 2 gold medals. Ben and Chris grappled for 1 & 2 after beating thier opponents. To read more about the tournament and see more photos check out Vanessa's blog here

Thanks Gang!!!

ABSOLUTE-BEHRING TEAM

FLAVIO BEHRING JIU JITSU USA

Thanks again gang for all your support in making Grand Master Flavio's visit a great success. He truly enjoys sharing his life's work in Jiu-Jitsu with all of you. Thanks Professor Tom (CA) and Professor Paul (UT) for bringing your teams. Congratulations Chris Kennedy, Cameron Dansie and Riley Petersen on getting your Blue Belts. You guys earned them through... Hard work, Dedication and Time!!

Team Absolute Updates

Ben Garner wins the ABSOLUTE again at Champions Challenge, Chris Kennedy wins the intermediate division. Steve Sharp placed 4th in the Absolute, Brandon Ploehn placed 3rd in the Absolute and Chris Lewis placed 3rd in the beginner division. Congrats fellas.

the newest addition to the Absolute fight team, TJ Jones fought Sean Whalen in a welterweight bout and lost by ref stoppage due to strikes :44 seconds of Rd 1.

Grand Master Flavio Behring returns

Grand Master Flavio Behring returns to Utah. He will be teaching a 4 hr. seminar on Saturday June 13th from 10-2pm and a 3 hr. special class on Friday June 12th from 6-9 pm for everyone who pre-registers by May 31st.

Grand Master Flavio Behring began training Gracie Jiu Jitsu in 1947 at the hands of Helio Gracie and Joao Alberto Barreto. This year marks his 62nd anniversary of being on the Jiu Jitsu mat. His time in the Gracie Academy during the 1950's has been called "the golden era" of Jiu Jitsu. Many of today's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lineage can be traced back to these fine teachers and athletes of this time in Jiu Jitsu's modern history.

Part of Grand Master Flavio's new seminar series is the history of each technique in its relation to grappling while standing and its use in ground frighting. He is inspired to educate his students in the long and glorious history of Gracie Jiu Jitsu as he has seen its growth from infancy during the 1950's in the first Gracie Academy.

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS at EFN 8

Congratulations guys. BIG thanks to everyone coming out and supporting our fighters and EFN. John Sharp displayed his courage and heart fighting to his last breathe against a very game Dave Foley. Steve Sharp again showing his cage experience against Idaho's Matt May.

John Sharp vs. Dave Foley. John Sharp wins TKO 2nd rd

Steve Sharp vs. Matt May. Steve Sharp wins RNC 1st rd

Picture courtesy of Miyo Strong

Master Flavio visits US ARMY Soldiers

Grand Master Flavio Behring continues to teach and educate US soldiers over seas at US Army Headquarters (Patch Barracks) in Stuttgart Germany. Thank you Grand Master Flavio for your dedication to the future of US Military forces.

Absolute Fighters at EFN 8

Absolute Fighters Steven "RAZOR" Sharp and John "SHARK" Sharp return to the cage May 1st at Horns Elite Fight night in Layton, Utah at the Davis Conference Center. Tickets are available at the gym so stop by and pick them up from us. Remember not to wait until the last minute because a percentage of the fighters ticket sales goes back to the fighters, so help support our team and Horns EFN.

Grand Master Flavio Behring featured...

8 page article Full color + DVD

the Cover

Masters magazine Summer 09 issue features an 8 page article written by Allan Schein and photographed by our own Miyo Strong on Grand Master Flavio Behring and his life in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Flavio shares his thoughts about Jiu-jitsu grand past and its bright future.

Absolute team updates

Absolute Fighters at EFN

Congrats fellas. Great work. Both Fighters finishing thier fight in the 1st round. John Sharp recieved KO of the night for his upkick KO of Cody Uddy.

John Sharp vs. Cody Udy. John Sharp TKO 1 1:56 Knock Out

Vadim "Dave" Komarov vs. Eric Tilletson. Vadim "Dave" Komarov Rear Naked Choke 1 1:13

To see some great pictures of the fights check out Miyo's blog

Rob Handley and John Sharp after the KO.

The Gang! After Daves win.

Absolute team updates

TEAM ABSOLUTE


Ben Garner Vs. Noah Jenkins

Congrats Gang. Here are the results Top Adult team!!!

Champion Submission Challenge X

Overall Top Team

Throwdown ETC [18 Competitors Placed (12 Adults + 6 Kids), 11 First Places (5 Adults + 6 Kids)]
2nd: Absolute MMA [15 Competitors Placed (15 Adults), 5 First Places (5 Adults)]
3rd: Fusion Academy [11 Competitors Placed (4 Adults + 7 Kids), 3 First Places (1 Adult, 2 Kids)]
4th: UVU Jiu-Jitsu [10 Competitors Placed (10 Adults), 4 First Places (4 Adults)]
5th: BYU Jiu-Jitsu [8 Competitors Placed (6 Adults + 2 Teens), 3 First Places (1 Adult, 2 Teens)]

Top Adult Team

Absolute MMA (15 competitors placed)
2nd: Throwdown ETC (12 competitors placed)
3rd: UVU Jiu-Jitsu (10 competitors placed)
4th: BYU Jiu-Jitsu (6 competitors placed)
5th: Fusion Academy (4 competitors placed)

Advanced Men

Light Weight (146-174 lbs)
1st: Steven Siler (Throwdown)
2nd: Robert Densley (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Steve Sharp (Absolute MMA)

Heavy Weight (175-246 lbs)
1st: Ben Garner (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Marc Brewer (Throwdown)
3rd: Noah Jenkins (Fusion Academy)

Intermediate Men

Light Weight (147-157 lbs)
1st: Denver Merrifield-Nirva (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Josh Siyavong (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Riley Petersen (Absolute MMA)

Middle Weight (162-176 lbs)
1st: Steven Siler (Throwdown)
2nd: Jamie Anton (Throwdown)
3rd: Chris Kennedy (Absolute MMA)

Heavy Weight (188-196 lbs)
1st: Jordan Smith (Throwdown)
2nd: Arnold Anderton (Throwdown)
3rd: Brandon Ploehn (Absolute MMA)

Super Heavy Weight (244-346 lbs)
1st: Aaron Magro (Fusion Academy)
2nd: Arlund Lewis (Throwdown)
3rd: Ryan Williamson (Absolute MMA)


Beginner Men

Welter Weight (151-162 lbs)
1st: Bryan Anderson (Rage Fitness)
2nd: Curtis Hauser (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Matthew Cannon (Absolute MMA)

Heavy Weight (200-263 lbs)
1st: Josh Gustaveson (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Kinney Hicken (Paul Tom Academy)
3rd: Dugan Wightman (UCTC)


Novice Men

Super Heavy Weight (219-320 lbs)
1st: Nafetalai Po’uha (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Thomas Kane (UVU)
3rd: Jeff Harding (BYU)

Women

Light Weight (117-145 lbs)
1st: Tandi Schaeffer (Throwdown)
2nd: Miyo Strong (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Amanda Stockli (BYU)

Middle Weight (171-210 lbs)
1st: Vanessa Alexander (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Julie Chamberlain (Champion/Throwdown)
3rd: Anastasia Chase (UVU)

Middle Weight (126-135 lbs)
1st: Francisco Torrens (Paul Evens MA)
2nd: Brad Spencer (Unbreakable)
3rd: Braden Kilpack (Absolute MMA)

Kids Advanced

Feather Weight (62-72 lbs)
1st: Cooper Legas (Throwdown)
2nd: Nathan Malloy (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Jacob Garcia (Fusion Academy)

Middle Weight (103-107 lbs)
1st: Isaiah Gonzalez (Fusion Academy)
2nd: Brock Szczypkowski (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Dillon Yama (Fusion Academy)

Marcio Corleta Seminar

the Behring Team!!

Marcio Corleta demonstrating the finer points of the Triangle.

Old friends!! Rob Handley and Marcio Corleta

Thank you everyone for making it out to the Marcio Corleta seminar. We had a great time training and I hope everyone had fun and learned something new. Every teacher has their own style and methodology and I always welcome Marcio's friendship, knowledge and experience. Marcio is a 2X World Champion and Pan American champion as well as Mirko Cro Cop's jiu-jitsu coach. It was good to catch up with my old friend and share his passion for Behring Jiu Jitsu with everyone at Absolute MMA.

-Rob

Marcio Corleta returns to Utah

2009 Pan American Jiu Jitsu Champion

Names that stood out were Kron Gracie, Ruben Charles, and Marcio Corleta. These fighters have been on the sport BJJ scene for quite a while and they continued their dominance this year by submitting their respective opponents in the division finals. Corleta in particular put on a dominating performance transitioning from move to move against Rodrigo Cavaca almost as if he was shooting an instructional video! To read more click here

ULTRA HEAVY BLACK BELT
FIRST MARCIO CORLETA Winner
SECOND RODRIGO CAVACA Check Mat Bjj
THIRD ANDRE DE FREITAS Cesar Gracie
THIRD RICARDO FELICIANO Check Mat Bjj

Training with Marcio Corleta April 2-5

Rob Handley, Marcio Corleta, Master Ricardo Murgel

Porto Alegre, Brazil 02

Hey Gang,

I just recieved great news, my good friend World Champion Marcio Corleta of Winner Behring in Porto Alegre Brazil will be arriving April 2nd to train with us and teach a seminar. Its been a few years since he was here last so please coordinate your training schedules to be here during his visit. I have been friends, training partners and a student of Marcio's since I was a purple belt and been a guest in his home in Brazil. He is a very special person on my Jiu Jitsu influence and I hope you all can have the same opportunity. See you on the mat.

Rob

Absolute Fighters @ EFN

Absolute Fighter John Sharp 4-4 will be replacing teammate Donny "Sleevehead" Raines and fighting Cody Udy 5-5 in a welterweight fight. Newcomer Vidam "Dave" Komarov 0-1 will be fighting Eric "The Stormin Morman" Tilletson 1-0 in a light heavyweight fight. Tickets are available at the gym so please come out and support these fighters,our team and Utah MMA.

NEW Grillguards!!!

Check out the these new mouthpieces at GRILLGUARDS

Backstage and faces in the crowd at Throwdown Showdown III

Grapplers prepare for Utah Champions

Hey Gang,

As some of you know the Champion Challenge is coming up on March 28th, We would like to encourage everyone to participate. Competition is a great way to challenge yourself and test your skills. Absolute MMA and its staff would like to help make it possible for you (our team) by paying half your registration fee if you register before March 14th! Don't waste time and procrastinate! Register early, pay the full fee and we'll take care of the rest. Good luck!!

DATE: Saturday, March 28, 2009

LOCATION:
Throwdown ETC
1640 South State Street
Orem, Utah

FEES:
$40: Early Registration (ends Saturday, March 14, 2009)
$50: On-time Registration (ends Thursday, March 26, 2009)
$60 Late Registration (at weigh-ins or at the door)
Kids Division is Half Price; $20, $25, $30
$10 for spectators, kids 12 and under half price (children under 3 are free)

Fighter registration and Discount spectator tickets are available here

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS WIN AT THROWDOWN "BIG TIME"

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS WIN AT Throwdown "Showdown III: Big Time"

Veteran Steve Sharp met up-and-comer Dayne Aristizabal in a lightweight slugfest. The fighters started off with a hug in the center of the cage instead of the customary touch of gloves. The fight began with a lot of kicks before Sharp landed a solid right to the chin. Aristizabal, a jiu-jitsu specialist, tried to take the fight to the ground but ate six or seven solid elbows to the head in trying to do so. The fighters separated, when Aristizabal tapped on his chin, inviting Sharp to test it. A hard right from the veteran staggered Aristizabal. Sharp backed off for a second before unleashing another right that scored a knock out at 4:56 of the first round.

Featherweights Olly Bradstreet and Camrann Pacheco put on a show, both working feverishly to finish the fight throughout the three rounds. Bradstreet showed good patience early, taking Pacheco down and avoiding his submission attempts and using solid ground and pound. Pacheco escaped a potentially dangerous crucifix position and used an excellent rubber guard to avoid the worst of the damage late in round one. Round two had the crowd chanting for both fighters as Pacheco tried an arm bar and nearly ended the fight with a triangle toward the end of the round. Bradstreet threw damaging knees to the ribs while stuck in the triangle, giving him just enough space to hold on until the bell. Pacheco's submission attempts in the third round were thwarted by a now-slippery Bradstreet, and both fighters battled hard until the end. Pacheco won out in a split decision.

To read more about the fights check out Scott Sherman's article here

ABSOLUTE GRAPPLERS RANK AMONG UTAH"S BEST

Champion's List
Utah's Top Grapplers 2008

Top 20 Men

1. Court McGee+

2. Dayne Aristizabal

3. Derek Downey-

4. Harold Lucambio-ABSOLUTE MMA

5. Steven Sharp+ ABSOLUTE MMA

6. Marc Brewer-

7. Hank Wise+

8. Fritz Borchardt-

9. Damarques Johnson+

10. Eric Stevens+

11. Ben Anderson

12. Chris Rossiter+

13. Jeffrey Willingham+

14. Ben Garner- ABSOLUTE MMA

15. Nathan Tom-

16. Rand Gardner+

17. Sejin Seol-

18. Cody Udy-

19. Jared Colman-

20. Camrann Pacheco+ ABSOLUTE MMA

Top 10 Women

1. Rebecca Rodriguez ABSOLUTE MMA

2. Milda Shibonis+

3. Julie Chamberlain-

4. Chelsea Carl+

5. Karen Pratt+

6. Jamie Hoku Kubota+

7. Miyo Strong+ ABSOLUTE MMA

8. Erin Sais+

9. Kirtley Sorensen+

10. Mary White+

Top 5 Teens

1. Abram Allred+

2. Collin Teague+

3. Dimitri Litsas+

4. Drake Mattingley+

5. Piotr Sauerbaum+

Utah's Top Teams 2008

Overall Top Team

1. Throwdown ETC [various]

2. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley]

3. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease]

4. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease]

5. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom]

6. Fusion Academy [Eddie Edmunds]

7. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease]

8. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson]

9. Unified Jiu-Jitsu [Jon Carlquist]

10. Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu [Gustavo Rodriquez]

Most Medals

1. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease] = 50 medals [11 gold, 17 silver, 22 bronze]

2. Throwdown ETC [various] = 37 medals [16 gold, 13 silver, 8 bronze]

3. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley] = 30 medals [17 gold, 8 silver, 5 bronze]

4. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom] = 26 medals [7 gold, 9 silver, 10 bronze]

5. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease] = 25 medals [10 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze]

6. Fusion Acadmey [Eddie Edmunds] = 14 medals [8 gold, 1 silver, 5 bronze]

7. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease] = 13 medals [2 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze]

8. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson] = 10 medals [6 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze]

9. Unified Jiu-Jitsu [Jon Carlquist] = 9 medals [1 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze]

10. Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu [Gustavo Rodriquez] = 4 medals [3 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze]

Most Gold

1. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley] = 17 gold medals

2. Throwdown ETC [various] = 16 gold medals

3. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease] = 11 gold medals

4. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease] = 10 gold medals

5. Fusion Academy [Eddie Edmunds] = 8 gold medals

6. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom] = 7 gold medals

7. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson] = 6 gold medals

8. Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu [Gustovo Rodriguez] = 3 gold medals

9. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease] = 2 gold medals

10. There is an eight way tie for this place so it is not awarded.

Top Performance*

1. Throwdown ETC [various] = 499 points

2. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley] = 415 points

3. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease] = 295 points

4. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom] = 255 points

5. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease] = 210 points

6. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease] = 104 points

7. Unified Jiu-Jitsu [Jon Carlquist] = 90 points

8. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson] = 71 points

9. Fusion Academy [Eddie Edmunds] = 52 points

10. Elite Academy [???] = 31 points

*Top Performance is based on a point system that rewards points to all placers, with higher divisions being awarded greater points.

These lists are based on success in Champion Grappling Competition in 2008

For more information check out UTAH CHAMPION

Roll Call 4 Pan Ams

Hey Gang,

Dont forget that the Pan Ams are around the corner. We are starting to put together travel plans and fight training is already full steam. This is one of the biggest competitions in the country and some of the best jiu jitsu athletes in the world attend. It will be a lot of fun for everyone who wants to participate and for those who would like to support our team. For more info check out IBJJF.com and register here.

-Rob

HELIO GRACIE RIP

GM Helio Gracie (1913/2009)

Nosso último encontro.
Adeus, meu mestre.
Obrigado.

Our last meeting.
Farewell my master.
Thank you.

Notre dernier rencontre.
Adieu mon Maitre.
Merci.

Throwdown Showdown "Big Time"

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS

Camrann Pacheco and Steven "RAZOR" Sharp will be fighting Friday Feb 20 at the Energy Solutions Arena. If you would like to support either of these fighters please call Kevin Kassell at (801) 473-1220 and let him know which fighters section you would like to be seated in. Remember that a percentage of the proceeds of ticket sales goes back to the fighters, so support our team and your favorite fighter.