Michael Murrell (left) with Kurt Osiander

On July 14th, 2012 the Gracie World Championship was held in San Jose, California. The tournament was a submission only event, meaning that all matches were 15 minutes in length, with no points awarded. If there is no submission after 15 minutes, then neither competitor advances in the bracket; thus the champion is the person who submits everyone he fought that day. Instructor Michael Murrell, competed in the Purple Belt Light Heavyweight Division, winning his first match by Arm Bar around 14 minutes into the match. His second match ended about 3-4 minutes in with an O-Soto Gari that lead to a Kimura grip transition to Arm Bar. The Finals however, did not take place as Michael’s Teammate Jackson Grantham finished his opponents with a slick RNC and a Collar Choke, so that both of them closed out the division as Co-World Champions.

Michael Murrell (left) with
teammate Jackson Grantham

On July 6th and 7th three City BJJ competitors competed at the UFC/Grappler’s Quest Fan expo at Mandalay Bay Convention center in, Las Vegas, Nevada. The tournament included a four-man super fight bracket which was won by Paragon’s Bill “The Grill” Cooper.

Day One (No-GI)

Kareem Adam (left) with Michael Murrell

Day one started with Advanced No-GI. Instructor Michael Murrell took the bronze medal with an Arm-In Guillotine and a Straight Ankle Lock submission in the Cruiser Weight Division. In the Absolute Division Michael fought Sean Spangler, a Robert Drysdale Black Belt and multiple-time Grapplers Quest Advanced Division Champion, losing the match by points, but getting a wealth of experience from the fight. Aladdin Adam had an impressive performance in his division as well, finishing several Triangle Chokes and Arm Bars. The story of the day however, belonged to Kareem Adam, who, having never won a match in his short (5 month) BJJ career, took GOLD in the 195lbs Novice Division with three wins, two by D’arce Choke.

Day Two (The GI)

City BJJ team in Las Vegas

Day two kicked off with the Purple Belt Gi Division where Michael placed fourth overall, losing to some outstanding competitors from Kobra Kai, and Gracie Humaita. Michael also placed fourth in the Purple Belt Absolute Division, winning and losing to some great competitors out of Robert Drysdale’s academy. Aladdin Adam had a repeat of day 1, winning several matches by Triangle Choke and Arm Bar, and ultimately taking silver in the White Belt Absolute Division! The tournament went smoothly, with expo appearances by UFC fighters like Jon Jones and Roy Nelson. Now the team looks toward the future, as in just one week they will be competing at Gracie Worlds and Warriors Quest.

Instructor Michael Murrell (left)
with Master Ralph Gracie

On June 16th, 2012, the Ralph Gracie schools of northern California put on a tournament in Livermore. The tournament featured Black and Brown Belt super fights with Ralph Gracie standouts such as Marcel Fortuna, Newton Cassmeiro, and Sean Roberts. City BJJ instructor Michael Murrell competed in the Medium Heavy Blue Belt Division, winning three tough matches and taking gold in his division. This was a quality tournament; very exciting, well organized, and ON TIME!

On March 24th, 2012 The City BJJ team competed at Jiu-Jitsu by The Bay, hosted by Sergio Silva (TeamSilvaBJJ.com). The tournament was jam packed with excitement, with a few of our City BJJ competitors giving outstanding performances.

The first competitor of note, was Chanda Kim, who placed third in her division after an impressive 1st match submission by Rear Naked choke. Next, a new student, Christian Espinosa took Silver in his division, showing off his wrestling ability, along with his newly acquired Rear Naked Choke proficiency. Christian did not stop on the 24th however, he took Gold with 2 Rear Naked Chokes at the Urijah Faber Capital Open Grappling Championships a few weeks later.

The story of the day belongs to one Gregory Fuoco, who turned in three submissions (Triangle/Armbar, Straight Ankle Lock, and Kimura) when he was disqualified for accidentaly neck cranking his opponent with a Gogo-Plata.

On March 17th, 2012 at Warriors Quest, City BJJ competitors took the mat, and 4 gold medals.

The stand out preformances go to Tori Peaks, who won 4 straight matches by submission (RNC, D'arce, Arm-in Guillitine, and a Rolling Armbar), and Aladdin Adam who competed with Blue belts for the first time, winning the division with an explosive Hip-Bump sweep to Triangle Choke. Sharif Adam, also fighting blue belts for the first time, won his division with some dominant performances including a Rear Naked Choke, and an Armbar. Lastly, Instructor Michael Murrell won the Advanced Absolute Division by Triangle Choke.