The weekend of 19th May was a great one for RGDA-UK and Bloodline/KO Gym team. With the Gracie Invitational at Seni 07 and Ultimate Force Fighting Championships in Doncaster.

Starting with the RGDA-UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team, Saturday saw the White Belt Category take place.

First up was Mut Chalmers. Entering his first ever BJJ competition as a Heavy 94.3KG fighter, Mut pulled through the nerves to become RGDA-UK's (lone, at the time) representative. In a tough fight in round one, Mut showed how RGDA fighters are the most tecnical, almost pulling off a cheeky choke taught recently by David Adiv himself. Mut however had a very tough opponent and was eventually submitted via choke. RGDA-UK members are all very pleased with Mut's showing and are extremely pleased with the skill and confidence he showed in his BJJ competition debut. We are also pleased to announce that this experience has only gone to charge Mut's ambition to improve his jiu jitsu to the fullest. Note that Mut's opponent eventually won the 94.3KG category.

Of a greater surprise that day was RGDA-UK fighter Remus Ciobanu. Turning up only a few hours before the White Belt competition began Remus was allowed to sign up to compete in the tornament. But there was to be one condition to him being able to fight. He was not able to enter into his category, Heavy 94.3KG, because it had already been filled. He was offered the chance to fight in the next weight class, Super Heavy 100.5KG, and he would have to fight once more than the other competitors. Remus agreed immediately.

Remus fought four rounds of BJJ submitting his first two opponents and in the semi final and final matches winning by points. Also impressive is that this is Remus's first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tornament as well and he did not have a single point scored against him. His accomplishments did not finish with winning and being Champion at 100.5KG, he was also awarded with the "Fight of the Day" accolade.

Remus later wanted to enter the White Belt Absolute class but was too late to register for it and was a little disappointed by not knowing about it earlier.

So on the BJJ mat, RGDA-UK is proud of both our fighters and hope to see more competitors next year.

YouTube videos will be added shortly

Moving onto Doncaster, on the Ultimate Force Fighting Championships Card was two Bloodline/KO Gym fighters, Sami Berik and Rafal Dziubaude, fighting Ian Jones and Gary Savage respectively.

First to fight was Raf who fought a text book fight! Raf came out with some good stand up skills beating his opponent to the punch/kick 90% of the time. Then before the other guy knew what was happening, in shot Raf who executed a perfect double leg take down. From that point it was Jiu Jitsu 101, with Raf putting his opponent against the cage and transitioning form side control to Knee on belly. His oppponent turned over so in when the hooks and a ONE armed rear naked choke secured the victory in 3.30 of round 1. Well Done Raf. He was considered an underdog in this fight by all but RGDA-UK and had destoryed the local favourite without being touched, literally.

Then came Sami after alot of waiting around it was the Huns turn to play! In first fight since entering the 10K Clash, Sami was now up against Ian Jones at Midnight.

At the start of a fight nobody ever knows what Sami is going to unleash. That night he decided to Sprint at his opponent screaming as he went! His opponent clearly shocked wasn't sure what to do especially as when the screaming stopped, it was replaced by a jumping knee from Sami which landed! After this there was a scramble in which Sami was taken down. Both fighters then exchanged positions and strikes. Then while in his oppponents guard Sami caught him with a good strike which looked to break his nose. Sami then swept and ended up on top.Another scramble followed with Sami ending up in bottom position against the cage. His opponent then started to GnP Sami. Sami covered up well and took all but 1 strike on his forearms but none the less the ref decided to stop the fight (Too early in my opinion). So unfortunatly a loss in Rd 1 for Sami. WELL DONE SAMI.

So with a mostly successful weekend, RGDA would once again like to congratulate Sami, Raf, Mut and Remus on their perfomances and win, lose or draw every RGDA member will always be supported.

Contributions by Shane Burr

Mut Rd 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtxv2QbolM

Remus Rd 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mnoLEIolZ8

Remus Rd 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bg6PS1urn8

Remus Semi Final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H5GoSpwn5E

Remus Final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4j9CZYYnag