Working for a good cause!

Since I've started training at the Combat Club, I have been trying to help support their charity In The Cage 4 Kids. I've been quite blessed with my BJJ network and their support! I'm grateful for such a kind circle of friends and family. If you have any suggestions, ideas or donations...please don't hesitate to contact me..or pass along my info!



Chico Santiago has been a member of our nation’s Navy for 23 years including several tours in the Middle East. On July of 2004 Chico got the terrible news his 4 year old son, Diego Santiago, had a condition called Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, it’s the most common malignant tumor of the kidneys in children. The peak time of Wilms’ tumor occurrence is at age 3 and it occurs only rarely after age 8.

Initially the family was told that with mild chemo and radiation treatments Diego would be okay, but by November of 2004 the treatments were not working and the family was told Diego only had 6 months to live. Chico was devastated. They tried hard to find Diego some experimental treatment, but nothing seemed to work. After 7 hospitals, 22 doctors, $956,000 in medical bills and many, many chemo and radiation treatments, nothing could stop Diego’s cancer. They then concentrated their efforts on giving Diego his last wishes.

His wish was to be a Navy Chief Petty Officer, like his father. The US Navy, with permission from Congress, allowed Diego Santiago to be in the history books as the youngest Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. His ceremony was a large event. His dream had come true.

On August 2, 2006, five days after his 6th birthday. Diego Enrique Santiago passed away at home in his parents arms. After a long 3 1/2 years of missing his son and a long deployment to Iraq, Chico decided to do something about this terrible illness and started In The Cage 4 Cancer, in 2009, a non-profit organization aimed at raising awareness and contributions to fight cancer. To broaden the reach of the children touched by the MMA community, in 2010, In The Cage 4 Kids was established with a focused effort to help all sick or disabled children regardless of the causing factor.
As a veteran, Chico qualifies to be a Ranger Up sponsored fighter, so we’re throwing our weight behind him and supporting his octagon dreams.

Great Day For My Girls!

So yesterday was an awesome day! I'm up 14 ladies in the BJJ class. I've never been so lucky to have so many women to train with. We had 3 or 4 sign up in one night. It seems as if we have taken over the gym during the day. Cardio kickboxing, BJJ and Arnis. Loving the Arnis class! I need practice, but it seems to come easier each lesson I get. Last night we had some impromptu promotions in the co-ed BJJ class. One of my girls got a stripe, 3 fellas and I even got one.I was shocked, but stoked! The cauliflower ear is totally worth it!

Looking forward to a seminar on May 20th with Felipe Oliviera and May 21st with Scott Oates. These should be great seminars. Of course I'm really looking forward to Leticia Ribeiro on June 24th-26th.

I got a great shirt from 31Fifty!

Leticia Ribeiro seminar is set!

Well, it's official for me. Leticia Ribeiro is coming to my academy! I'm so excited. She will be here 24-26 June. She is my all time favorite female BJJ players. I hope that I will see some of my old friends and make some new ones. Looking forward to seeing you Leslie!