"Building Champions On & Off the Mats!" Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Kickboxing at the Best BJJ & BANG Muay Thai Kickboxing Academy in Central Florida! All Classes taught by 1st Degree BJJ Black Belt and NAGA Pan-American Expert Champion, Professor Brian Ruscio.
“This is the Best System in the World.” – Joe Rogan
Bang Muay Thai for MMADuane “Bang” Ludwig and Coach Brian Ruscio
Bang Muay Thai was developed by the one and only Duane “Bang” Ludwig who currently holds the UFC record for the official fastest knockout, only 6 seconds. He is also well known for leading T.J. Dillashaw to his dominating TKO victory over Renan Barao. Duane “Bang” Ludwig won consecutive Coach of the Year awards in 2013 and 2014! He was considered the key element in helping Team Alpha Male win the Gym of the Year Award by the World MMA Awards. Previous to these coaching accomplishments, Duane “Bang” Ludwig won several championships with K1, ISKA, WKA, and IKF. He was the only K1 World MAX Champion to compete in UFC and 1 of only 5 K1 Champions to do the same.
Grappling Mastery is proud to have Coach Duane Ludwig at the head of our Bang Muay Thai program!
Muay Thai is known as the art of 8 limbs because it uses knee strikes and elbow strikes in addition to feet and hands. Originally known as Muay Boran, it was designed for war, to take out an opponent as quickly as possible. Like grappling, Muay Thai Boxing is up close and personal, perfect for the grappling styles.
Grappling Mastery offers Bang Muay Thai classes to compliment our superior grappling, giving our students the complete package for MMA. Great grappling and awesome striking! Perfect for MMA! Ready for any situation!
Grappling Mastery’s Little Ninjas!
We also have incorporated Bang Muay Thai into our Kids Bullyproof Program as well! The Little Ninjas will learn how to defend themselves should they ever need to. They will learn how to punch and kick in combinations just like the adults in a class that is focused on them. We teach Muay Thai as a martial art first, so respect and discipline is very important to us. Students will have the opportunity to be ranked in the Best Muay Thai System in the World!
We will be implementing the program immediately. Anyone who attends class in April will receive a Free Bang Muay Thai Ranked Shirt.
Information on Ranking and Requirements will be provided as it becomes available. If you are new to Muay Thai you can find gear at MMA Warehouse. You will need 14-16 ounce Boxing Gloves and Muay Thai Shin Pads.
Classes will be 6 days per week, morning and night!
I’m reminded of an old wrestling poster that said “Any Body can Wrestle!” featuring a large heavyweight and a very small wrestler, both Champions. This is especially the case in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where many times it’s focus is to use leverage and technique to overcome strength and size.
But what about people with disabilities?
In my BJJ journey I’ve learned that many of the “guards” and other positions/techniques were often developed to overcome a handicap or injury that an athlete had. From PTSD to a bum leg, amputees, partial hands, diabetes, suffering seizures, and being exceptionally weak are only a few real examples of disabilities BJJ and MMA fighters have overcome. These are some physical or mental disabilities that people may be concerned about. I have also experienced parents with concerns of their children having ADD, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and other behavioral disabilities or special needs that they think might hold their child back from learning. In many cases, I found it to be the complete opposite! Many times these are the children that excel and thrive in my kids classes! Many adults and kids experience huge benefits from Grappling specifically pertaining to their challenges. This is in addition to the long list of benefits of training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu every person who trains can tell you about.
In the following post I’ll be reviewing some of the most popular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, and MMA athletes that overcame their disabilities to improve themselves rather than letting it hold them back.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Jean Jacques Machado
The first that comes to mind is Jean Jacques Machado. Cousin to the Gracie’s, and a Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Jr., Machado suffered birth defects resulting from Amniotic Band Syndrome, which left him with only his thumb and pinky finger on his left hand. Despite this affecting his ability to grip in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he won many National and International titles, including Gold in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Nationals for 11 consecutive years. He also won a Gold in Abu Dhabi and earning the “Most Technical Fighter” award.
Kyle Maynard wrestling
Kyle Maynard, born with congenital amputation, is a quadruple amputee who wrote the book No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life. Maynard began training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in 2005. He had his amateur debut fight on April 25, 2009.
At 19 years old, Roberto “Gordo” Corriea suffered a knee injury in competition and damaged the cruciate ligaments in his knee. This injury lasted a very long time and prevented him from using one of his legs. He didn’t let this stop him from getting better. He overcame the injuring by working around it. Through his adjustments in his jiu jitsu game, he contributed to the development of the “Half Guard”, one of the most important positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu today!
Keith Miner, MMA fighter
In May 2000, then 19 year old, Keith Miner was feeding trees into a wood chipper when the driver of the truck it was on pulled forward without telling anyone. He tripped and his hand and forearm got caught in the wood chipper. Right handed, but now without without being able to move anything past his shoulder, he had to learn how to do everything left handed! He started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA, holding a record of 5-5 and becoming the first professional amputee fighter.
Tracy “Tra” Telligman, UFC Fighter
Tracy “Tra” Telligman was in a car accident crushing his ribs when he was only one and a half years old. Tra can be seen fighting with a deep recess in his chest because he is missing his right pectoral muscle and his right lung due to the accident! Telligman began training in karate when he was 8 years old, continuing until he was 13 years old, and then began boxing until he was 15. During high school he started training in jiu jitsu. Tra Telligman has a professional Boxing record of 4-2 and MMA record of 7-5-1 and has fought some legendary UFC fighters!
Garrett Holeve, MMA Fighter with Down Syndrome
Garrett Holeve, of Cooper City Florida struggles with Downs Syndrome and is also fighting to be allowed to compete in MMA. On November 8, 2014 he earned a victory in his first sanctioned MMA bout.
“You expect great things from your children, but you learn how to be realistic with a child that has sensory problems early on. You learn their limits fast and try not to push too far past those too fast. Most people know my awesome fun loving son, but haven’t seen what it took to get there. He amazes me all the time, but on this day he really went past his limit and way beyond. He showed strength, heart, control, and above all respect. He put it out there on the mat then with the exception of a few heartbroken minutes he left it there and told me what he was going to work on in the future. I am proud to call him my son and I have seen the struggles we went through break through the clouds to a beautiful moment. It’s almost too much and I never though Jiu Jitsu of all things would bring this out of him. So thank you Brian Ruscio and Rita Rojas, you have given me something way more precious than any medal he could bring home.”
It is well known in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community that wrestlers are among the most well conditioned and mentally tough athletes there are. Wrestling is a Grappling Martial Art that does not involve punches or kicks, as opposed to Striking Arts like Muay Thai Kickboxing. Other similar arts to Wrestling are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Sambo, and Judo.
According to Harvard Medical School, Martial Arts like Judo, Kickboxing, or Boxing Sparring can burn anywhere from 400 to 444 calories every 30 minutes for a 185 lb. person. That’s up to 888 calories/hour!
Not only will you get in shape and gain energy, you will also learn a skill that could help you protect yourself and your family in the future. You will lose weight and tone up without realizing the workout you are actually getting. Thinking about the techniques and what to do next keeps your mind on the moment instead of the workout. You will relieve stress and have a great time!
Grappling Mastery offers 30 Days Free so can get started on your Fitness Goals now and Get in Shape using Martial Arts. So come check us out today!
Grappling Mastery is proud to announce our New Muay Thai Kickboxing Class Schedule. Due to our continued growth we have decided to split our class into a Kids Muay Thai Kickboxing Class at 5pm until 6pm on Fridays and Adult Muay Thai Kickboxing Classes every Friday at 6pm until 7pm. We will hold Open Mats afterward to allow time for additional drilling, sparring, or even rolling. You can find the Grappling Mastery Class Schedule here.
Grappling Mastery Head Instructor Brian Ruscio and Muay Thai Coach Mike Sgroi
Muay Thai is known as the art of 8 limbs. Some of the greatest fighters in the UFC and other MMA events are Muay Thai fighters. Coach Sgroi and Coach Ruscio have trained many MMA Fighters, both Pro and Amateur. Muay Thai is an effective martial art for self defense and will prove to be a great workout as well. Many places offer “Cardio Kickboxing” which may give you a workout but wouldn’t serve you well to protect yourself or your family. Our Muay Thai Classes at Grappling Mastery will teach you proper techniques to help you learn how to defend yourself should you ever need to while giving you workout you are looking for.
Caitlin “Meathook” Kelley is an 11 yr old Mixed Martial Artist. She didn’t speak until she was 5 and has dyslexia but doesn’t let that stop her! She competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, MMA, and is a RMA ambassador against bullying. Caitlin has been training with Mike Sgroi in Muay Thai Kickboxing at Grappling Mastery and has found a unique training partner in Kai “The Hammer” Staton who has an impressive Boxing and Kickboxing record himself. Below are some videos of the training.
2013 IKF World Classic Jr. Novice Girls Welterweight International Rules Champion Tiger Schulmann First Degree Black Belt 2012 November Fightergirl of the month 2012 Nationally Ranked 1st State of Florida 2012 Nationally Ranked 4th South 2012 Nationally Ranked 47th Nation 2011 Nationally Ranked 1st State of Florida 2011 Nationally Ranked 2nd South 2011 Nationally Ranked 13th Nation 2011 1st place COPA Sport MMA 2011 2nd place COPA Sport MMA
Caitlin: “I have been a fighter since the day I was born. Like Ronda Rousey, one of the female fighters I want to be like one day, I was born with the cord around my neck. I did not speak until I was 5 or 6. I have dyslexia but will not allow any of it to keep me from reaching my goals!! I love to train and compete. My mom says if I’m not training I’m not happy. I work to be a great role model for other kids and other girls. I end each fight with a smile and a hug. I believe that anyone who gets out there should be proud.”
U.S. Army MMA Conditioning Workout with Grappling Mastery Team
Today at 6:30 a.m., the United States Army arrived in Tavares of Lake County, Florida to join BJJ Black Belt Brian Ruscio, MMA Fighter Aron “The Trendsetter” Bland before his fight this September 6th, and the Grappling Mastery Team in a special MMA Conditioning Class. This is a regular class at Grappling Mastery designed by Brian Ruscio and we were happy to have the United States Army join us for this workout. We met a lot of great people and look forward to them joining in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA classes. The MMA Conditioning Class is for everyone, whether they are a seasoned fighter, or just trying to lose weight. Rounds are timed, and participants go at their own pace. The harder you go, the harder the workout! Take a look at the videos and pictures for a look at what went down!
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Special Thanks to Rita Rojas and Samantha Cerna for all the footage!