Chris Savarese – Best Matchmaker in Grappling History


Chris Savarese – Best Matchmaker in Grappling History

Chris Savarese is The Best Matchmaker in Grappling History according the Grapplers Quest promoter Brian Cimins. Savarese, a blackbelt under Royler Gracie (see pic above) was the Grapplers Quest super fight divisions matchmaker from 2001-2007. He helped Grapplers Quest assemble some of the best talent in the grappling world to compete through guidance and sponsorship.  Read the article here:

http://www.grapplersquest.com/blogs/briancimins/chris-savarese-best-matchmaker-grappling-history-proud-sponsor-supporter-and-frien

Grapplers Quest

The Grapplers Quest is the World’s Largest Submission Grappling & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Events and has been home of the World’s Best Submission Fighters Since 1998. The Grapplers Company, Inc. was founded by Brian Cimins for his Senior Marketing and Public Relations Thesis at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. The Company produces The World’s Grappling Competition Super shows for the Ground Fighting Sport of Mixed Martial Arts, DVD and VOD PPV Video Production and Distribution, Apparel Development, Design and Production, Tradeshow Sponsorships, Exhibitor Sales, and much more.  The GQ as it is also called, is the Ultimate Ground Fighting Tournament that includes martial arts of all styles including Grappling, Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, Judo and Wrestling Competitions for all ages and skill levels.

Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

The Savarese BJJ Academy is located at 40 park Ave in Lyndhurst and is home to over 300 students. The Academy has one of the top competition teams with the adults and kids team both winning over 10 team titles since it’s opening in 2006. The Academy has had World and Pan Am jiu-jitsu champions and students qualify for and compete in the ADCC World Submission Championship. Savarese is highly regarded within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Community. BJJ practitioners, grapplers of all styles, UFC fighters and just every day people travel to the school regularly to train there. If you are interested in trying out a free class at this Academy, call 201 933-5134 or email [email protected] to set one up

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open


Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

A couple of Lyndhurst martial arts students shined at the NY Open last weekend in NYC. Four students from the Savarese BJJ Academy traveled up to CCNY in Harlem to test themselves against the best the East Coast has to offer. As a result, having a great showing at one of the toughest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments on the East Coast made their instructor Professor Chris Savarese very happy.

NY Open

Jiu-Jitsu competitors from as far as Florida, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia joined the locals from the Tri-state area and Delaware to showcase their skills. Of the four competitors, the Savarese team earned 2 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Hence, that is quite a showing for a tournament like that.

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

They were led by bluebelt Mark Garcia, who won 3 of 4 matches by submission, 2 of them in under 1 minute. Mark also had a great come from behind victory in the semi finals, sweeping his opponent to take the the lead with about 1 minute to go in the match. He displayed great movement from the top and bottom, never stopping the hunt for submissions. As a result, Mark was quick to thank his Professor Chris Savarese on his Facebook page for his guidance and for being in his corner. He also thanked his teammates for pushing him, saying he couldn’t have done it without them.

Sean Yadimarco also had a big weekend, taking 2nd in his division on Saturday in the gi and winning his division on Sunday without the gi. The 16 yr old has had a great year in competition, regularly being on the podium in his division.

Finally, also competing were Mike Carrafiello, who took 3rd in his division and Brian Procel, who had a great showing in his brownbelt division but didn’t reach the medal round.

 

Anyone interested in joining this winning team, please call 201 933-5134 for a free intro lesson.

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

Lyndhurst martial arts students shine at NY Open

North Arlington Child Recieves Martial Arts Award


Congratulations to Brandon Adragna! The North Arlington child receives a Martial Arts Award this month, the Savarese Jiu-Jitsu student of the month. Brandon has been a student in the Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Children’s program since September of 2015. He started out very quiet and reserved, content to sit on the wall and just be a part of the room. Over the last few months, he has really stepped out of his shell and changed into quite the young Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Since earning his Junior Grey belt back in March, he has made a tremendous amount of progress on and off of the mats. Brandon has some of the best Defense in the program, showing patience, confidence in his technique and never panicking. Brandon alongside his brother T.J. can be found training almost every day of the week in all of our different youth programs. He is also a leader among the other students his age in the class. You are doing an awesome job Brandon, keep up the great work!

About Savarese BJJ’s Kids Program:

At the Lyndhurst Martial Arts School, the children learn practical self-defense techniques that are effective especially when defending against a larger attacker. During class they learn how to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. The focus is not on teaching the children how to fight, but more so how to avoid the fight entirely. Confidence is built in the program by using proven teaching methods for children. If you are looking to start your child in an award winning Children’s martial arts program in Bergen County. Call today and set up their FREE INTRO CLASS! 201-933-5134 or you can email [email protected].

Royler Gracie Lyndhurst jiu jitsu seminar


Royler Gracie Lyndhurst jiu jitsu seminar

Monday night, Royler Gracie held a jiu jitsu seminar at Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Lyndhurst. The 4x World Jiu-Jitsu Champion and member of jiu-jitsu’s first family taught for over 3 hours to over 50 people.

The Academy owner, Professor Chris Savarese, is a blackbelt under Gracie and a student of his for over 20 years. Savarese has this to say after the

Royler Gracie Lyndhurst jiu jitsu seminar

Royler Gracie Lyndhurst jiu jitsu seminar

seminar:

“Last night was great. It is always a great honor for me to have Royler Gracie teach at my Academy. His family changed the face of martial arts forever. When I started BJJ, I could have never dreamed I would earn a blackbelt and own a school.

He and  and David Adiv have taught me so much over the years and the learning never stops when they are here. I find myself like a white belt with 100 questions. I learned more about our art’s history (my favorite part of Royler seminars are when he speaks of this) and how to be a better teacher.

The energy and passion that Royler teaches with even after over 40 years of teaching is amazing to me

Angelica Oliveira, who is such an awesome martial artist also deserves a shout out, as she so eagerly worked with all of the young women in attendance last night. She provides such an awesome example for them.

Everyone who was there last night is a better jiu-Jitsu practitioner today. OSS.”

Royler talks family history

Gracie started the night by talking about his family’s history and how the art was founded. The Master also spoke of how hard it is to run a school and how we should respect it. He then went into some great self defense techniques, followed by throws and escapes. Royler ended the night with some incredible ground techniques including a triangle setup and escapes to the kesa gatami (scarfhold) and arm triangle chokes.

If you are interested in training under Savarese, please call 201 933-5134 to set up your free private lesson.

Royler Gracie Lyndhurst jiu jitsu seminar

Royler Gracie Lyndhurst jiu jitsu seminar

Martial Arts Students Earn Junior Grey Belts


Two martial arts students earned their Junior Grey Belts on Monday, June 20th at Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Professor Sean Bermudez, the head kids instructor, was overjoyed to promote the children to their new belts.

First to earn the new belt was Mateo Mendez of Garfield, NJ. Mateo started training at Savarese BJJ Academy when he was just 3 years old. At first, he would do the warm ups and exercises just to be part of the class. As he got older and was able to participate more, he showed up to more classes during the week and was eventually learning at the same pace as some of the older children in the program. Due to his young age he has had to wait on this promotion. To say it was hard earned is an understatement. Mateo can always be found with a smile on his face and an eagerness to learn.

Second to be promoted was Anthony Colon Jr. of Nutley, NJ. Anthony has made a ton of progress in the year he has been a student at Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When Anthony first walked in the doors of the academy he was a wild, out of control, and unfocused kid. However, he quickly has used the lessons of patience, focus, and discipline to change into a very calm, attentive young martial artist. He has competed and earned a gold medal at a local Jiu-Jitsu tournament. Anthony is one of 4 family members that are students at the academy. Keep up the hard work Anthony!

About the Junior Grey Belt

The Junior Grey Belt, for martial arts students, is the first colored belt that kids earn at Savarese BJJ. It is still a beginner belt, but it represents a lot of hard work and dedication to the program in the child’s first 8 to 12 months. Earning the Junior grey belt comes with more responsibility and the child is expected to aid the younger and newer white belts in class. Congratulations to the two on taking their first major step forward in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

If you are interested in having your child benefit the same way that Mateo and Anthony have, give Professor Sean a call at 201 933-5134 and they can start their journey at Savarese BJJ.

Drilling: the most useful tool of jiu jitsu


Drilling: the most useful tool of jiu jitsu

Some of the best BJJ competitors are big believers in drilling. At Savarese BJJ Academy, we use the phrase “Drillers are Killers” quite often.

We believe in the “Outliers” theory, based on the book by Malcolm Gladwell. A common theme that appears throughout Outliers is the “10,000-Hour Rule,” based on a study by Anders Ericsson. Gladwell claims that greatness requires enormous time. He uses the source of The Beatles’ musical talents and Bill Gates’ computer savvy as examples. 

The Beatles performed live in Hamburg, Germany over 1,200 times from 1960 to 1964, amassing more than 10,000 hours of playing time. Therefore meeting the 10,000-Hour Rule. Gladwell asserts that all of the time The Beatles spent performing shaped their talents. Gates, meanwhile, met the 10,000-Hour Rule when he gained access to a high school computer in 1968. At the age of 13, and spent 10,000 hours programming on it.

Outliers theory

To really master a series or particular sweep, takedown. or submission in BJJ or Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), practicing it 10,000 times will help you master the move. The importance of drilling in BJJ or MMA came into play in one of the biggest upsets in MMA at the time. Cain Velasquez’s KO win over former WWE and UFC champion Brock Lesner in UFC.

“The takedown Cain had was what we’d been working on every single Saturday. Saturday in, Saturday out, we went out and drilled it repetitiously, over and over. Honestly, we did it 5000 times in the course of this training camp,” said Velasquez’s training partner and current UFC Champion Daniel Cormier. The importance of drilling in Velasquez’s victory made the difference in the fight. professor Rafael Lovato Jr, one of only 2 Americans to win the World BJJ Championship is also a big believer on the importance of drilling in BJJ and the Outliers theory, teaching it in his BJJ Academy in Oklahoma.

Here are some drills you can use:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc79J8DZcp4

Parents Help your kids in their BJJ journey


Parents Help your kids on their BJJ Journey

Parents Help your kids in their BJJ journey.  I haven’t written a blog in a couple of years. Whenever I feel the need to write one, I want it to be something I am passionate about. I have been practicing BJJ for 17 yrs now. I have been teaching for over 10. I wanted to write a blog about something that helps and makes some parents see some common mistakes they are doing in your child’s journey through BJJ. In the beginning, it is important to help your child with some very simple things…first, bring your child on time!!!! Nothing is worse than when a parent brings their child late to class, in many schools, there is a “punishment” for this like pushups or burpees. You cannot expect your child to act with discipline if you aren’t disciplined yourself.  Encourage your child to stay in the beginning. Most kids today quit things at the first sign of difficulty. Your child is learning things in BJJ that can help them later in life like discipline, confidence, respect, how to succeed, how to fail and overcome it, a competitive spirit (something that is becoming lost in the “everyone gets a trophy” youth sports these days). If you are into it, they will be as well. (My school offers free training to parents if their child is training at the school or vice-versa) As they get more seasoned, many will want to compete or many schools will push this. Here is where the biggest problem lies. Hopefully your child is competing because he wants to and not for you. If you didn’t realize your sports dreams, do not put that pressure on your child. Your child should have his own set of dreams and goals and maybe he or she is not mature enough to know what those are yet. If you are pushing your child to compete or make your child’s training all about competing (or worse, if your school is a win at all costs, only cares about competition kids training facility, you are in the wrong place), you have lost sight about why you brought your child to martial arts. Competition can be a good thing…if you have learned how to lose and learn from it. Royler Gracie used to tell a story of Grandmaster Helio Gracie making them compete as children w/ a built in lesson. He would give them $5 if they won and $10 if they lost in competition to ease the fears, make it fun and make a game out of learning something from the experience. Most adults learn the most from their losses in competition. Most champions are made through failure. It’s OK if they lose, stop looking for an excuse or someone to “blame”. (The ref, your coach, the rules etc) Learn from your mistakes and own them. Sometimes, even you the parent, has to realize that you have to take some responsibility. It is not always “the coaches fault” if they lose. Just like when they are in regular school, the teacher gives them homework and they are not there to help them do it. The teacher taught them HOW to do the homework but if it doesn’t get done correctly, is that the teachers fault? Kids learn at different paces, you do not pull them out of a school or off a team at the first sign of adversity. How does anyone learn from that? One of my favorite sayings in from the great Michael Jordan who once said “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Let your child learn the same way, allow them that. Everyone loses…another quote “The only person who does not lose in the one who doesn’t fight.” so be supportive, teach them to win or lose with class. Teach them that tantrums, crying after a loss or showboating during a win is something that nobody has respect for. Also, let your coaches do what you pay them for, let them coach. Let them handle refs calls, no matter what, keep your attitude positive. Do not put your own feeling onto your kids, they are nervous enough. It takes guts to compete, they should be rewarded for testing themselves, not everyone is cut out to be a champion. They are a champion if they are trying to be the best they can be. If they are having fun, great! Too much intensity or pressure can create negativity towards competition or BJJ and will push them away. You then are creating an environment in which they quit or don’t try future endeavors. Being positive and encouraging will not make your child a wimp, it will help them train more. BJJ has so many benefits, it is something you want them in for the long haul.
Professor Chris Savarese

Savarese BJJ Academy

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am


Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school, has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am this weekend. The No-Gi Pan am in the largest and toughest no-gi tournament on the East Coast every year. Professor Chris Savarese, the Academy owner, was very pleased with the results. “All in all, today was a great day for Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We only had 4 guys compete on the No-Gi Pan Ams and 3 wound up on the podium in the toughest tournament on the East Coast. I am so proud of this group for their hard work, dedication and the example they set for future Savarese competitors. They trained extremely hard for this tournament. Congrats to Brian Long on becoming a No-Gi Pan Am Champion, adding more hardware and it a nice compliment to the No Gi World Championship he won last year. Congrats to Anthony Del Guercio and Michael Carrafiello as well for their silver medals and Brian Procel for giving his all. Win or Learn brother. This time, you learn. It was my honor to stand with you today, you guys did everything an instructor can ask for leading up to this tourn. Our team felt like ONE again today, in the words of Ice Cube “Today was a good day 🙂 ”

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

Lyndhurst jiu-jitsu school has great showing at No-Gi Pan Am

 

Congrats to Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition team!!


Congrats to Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition team!!

Congrats to the Savarese BJJ Competition Team on another FANTASTIC showing at the NJBJJF Tournament today. Every single person on our team (kids and adults) who competed came home w/ a hard earned medal. Our kids competition team took 2nd Place Overall in the Team standings w/ only 9 competitors going!! Special shout out to Harun, who has not lost a match in 3 tournament now and has had only 2 points scored against him!! Coach Sean J L Bermudez is doing an awesome job w/ the program. Also big congrats to the Adult team who has a great showing as well. We are waiting on results of the team Standing for adults. Special mention goes to “El Matador” himself, Anthony Del Guercio who defeated 2 super Hwts while winning the purplebelt Absolute, Jerome Jardiniano who won his division w/ the best fight on the day IMO, coming back from 7 points behind to mount and finish his opponent in the finals and Coach Sean, who fought great in the Super Fight in his first time under the spotlight of the crowd against a very seasoned competitor. I am very proud of everyone who tested themselves today, you never know what you can accomplish until you try. “Win or learn, there is no failure.”

Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition Team

The Savarese BJJ Competition Team is now regarded as one of the leading teams on the East Coast. The competition team has not had a disappointing showing at a tournament since our first tournament as a team in 2007. We train and strive for excellence, pushing the limits of each of our athletes to ensure continued growth and success of each individual and as a team. The proof can be seen on the walls of the gym, which bears multiple team trophies and banners. We will continue to make a name for ourselves on the competition circuit and look forward to the continued success.

You do not have to be a competitor to be a part of our Academy. Anyone who wants to try a free class, call 201 933-5134 to set one up.

Congrats to Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition team!!

Congrats to Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition team!!

Congrats to Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition team!!

Congrats to Savarese Jiu Jitsu Competition team!!

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight


Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident Brian Procel won his Cage Grappling match saturday vs Scott McDonald in Saddle Brook, NJ. Procel stepped into the cage for the first time. The Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student won his fight by rear naked choke in the 1st round vs McDonald, an Edson Carvalho Jiu-Jitsu student.

Congrats Brian for testing yourself and conquering another step in your journey!!  So proud of you!!

Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Established in 2006 by Professor Chris Savarese, a Gracie Trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 2nd degree blackbelt, the Academy opened with great fanfare. Lyndhurst NJ’s top school opened with the intention of bringing high level BJJ in the northern NJ area. Having a Gracie Trained, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 2nd degree blackbelt was just what people were looking for.

As a result, Savarese BJJ has been voted Best of Lyndhurst for Martial Arts Schools and currently serves as the largest professional jiu-jitsu training center for all residents on Bergen County. In addition, the Academy has students come from states as far as Pennsylvania, NY and Delaware.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is taught as the core and Sport Jiu Jitsu techniques are compliments in a way that gives students direct goals to pursue and gives them achievements that enhance their pursuit of belt levels. Hence, the overall training offered at Savarese BJJ is an integral component of a complete self-defense system.

Savarese BJJ ‘s training and instruction approach is the practical application of self defense in the streets and real life attack scenarios.
Students learn & practice techniques for Sport Jiu Jitsu, No-Gi Grappling Tournaments and Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighting competitions including the UFC.

In addition, Savarese BJJ also teaches the highest percentage jiu jitsu and the most effective ways to apply choke holds. Choke holds can render attackers or opponents unconscious. Finally, Escapes are also taught to get students out of the worst possible scenarios.

If you are interested in trying a free class, call 201 933-5134.

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight

Jersey City resident wins Cage Grappling fight