Happy New Year from Dartford MMA!

"The application of traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu transcends the practice of chokes, joint locks immobilizations, throws and strikes. A true Gracie philosophy prepares men, women and children for life, showing them paths to a healthier life and the most effective use of physical, mental and spiritual strength. Eating well is Jiu-Jitsu, taking care of your body is Jiu-Jitsu, saying no to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs is Jiu-Jitsu, as well as keeping a close bond with relatives and friends. This philosophy, which can be called a “way of life”, has been propagated by Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie for almost a century" Here's to our further evolvement in the Martial Arts whether it be in MMA, BJJ, Submission Wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Full Contact Stick Fighting (Eskrima), Bruce Lee's JKD, or Self / Knife Defence. Happy New Year!!

Dartford BJJ for Juniors

Josh, Crazy Brandon (2008 British Champion, WEKAF Full Contact Stick Fighting), Charlie and Rach! Those Academy Pixies, Charlie and Rach! Here in sunny Kent, we offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to Juniors (6-15yrs) as part of our Mixed Martial Arts Classes on Mondays and Weds (18:30). Juniors are also welcome to come along to the Saturday BJJ Class (12:00). This is the most effective Martial Art there is and essential for anyone looking for Self Defence!! All Classes are great fun, in a fully matted area and still only £5 per session!

Dartford BJJ Team at Kent Open

Great new Clip of Meg's first fight Vs Seetha from Checkmat (of 3 for the Silver Medal) at this years Kent BJJ Open

The Dartford MMA Kettlebell Xmas Challenge!

As always, i train on Christmas day...following on from last years Burpee 100 challenge, here is this years Xmas fun! Snatch the 20kg Kettle Bell by the number of reps of your body weight in kgs. I.E if you weigh 78kg you need to do 78 reps as fast as possible.... After a warm-up, I just completed 78 snatches of the 20kg bell in 3min 59 secs.....over to you..... Good Luck! Thanx to RKC Steve Wright for Drill :)

Merry Christmas!!

“Only a life lived for others is worth living”

Albert Einstein

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Xmas Eve here at The Dartford Martial Arts Academy in Kent and what better way to reflect on our world than by playing one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Now go buy the LP/CD...its Motown's finest! "War is not the answer, for only Love can conquer hate"

Dartford Mixed Martial Arts Academy - Refit

Our Martial Arts Academy is having a refit over the Chrimble period. We have added a 2 metre padded wall for our Clinch and Cage work...We tried it in last nights MMA Class and was a lot of fun sparring and working Isolated Drills against it. The improvements will help keep us at the forefront of Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA, Wrestling, BJJ, Bruce Lee's JKD and Stick Fighting (Eskrima) in Kent! We now have Kettle Bells, Free Weights and a Cardio Area (Bikes and Step Machines) as well as various bits of Martial Arts Memorabilia on display! A special Thanx to Mark Hendy for all his work and Support!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Force of The Spirit

At Dartford MMA we our honoured to be part of Marc Walder / Gracie Barra Team. This promo of the soon to be released documentry on Jean Jacques Machado, shows why he was one of the toughest Gracie Barra Black Belts. If you are thinking of taking up this very effective Martial Art, feel free to come along any Weds Eve or Sat Lunchtime for a trial session! See you on the Mats! N.B The BJJ Class is open on Sat December 27th 12:00

Dartford MMA Thai Boxing

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is one of the core Martial Arts taught here at Dartford MMA. The devestating ability to integrate, Hands, Elbows, Legs (inc Knees), athletic ability and Clinch work, keeps this System above other Striking Arts. Our Lineage comes from Master Toddy via Guro Terry Barnett and Master Chai Via Guro Dan Inosanto. Here John and Simon demonstrate our 10-count drill on the pads. Muay Thai is taught as part of our MMA Classes on: Mondays 19:30 Thursdays 18:30 Come along for a fun and sweaty workout!

BJJ in Kent

The Dartford MMA and Marc Walder BJJ Teams, pride themselves on the quality of its Students. None more so than our Ladies and Juniors! This clip of Royler Gracie Black Belt Leticia Ribeiro i find inspiring. Our BJJ Classes are on Weds eves (7:30) and Sats (12:00). Ladies and Juniors you are more than welcome!!

Dartford MMA New Karate Black Belt

Many Congratulations to Dartford Martial Arts Academy Member Jimmy, who passed his Shotokan Karate Black Belt this afternoon!! Jimmy cross trains with MMA and BJJ at our Academy and im sure gave the other Karateka a hard time indeed! Jimmy passed his Exam after hours of Kihon, Kata and Sparring. As a Karate Black Belt myself (some 20 yrs ago now !!) i know what this means to him.

A Very Gracie Christmas

Dartford MMA Limited Edition CD

There will be a limited edition free CD of all the killa Tunes featured on this blog in 2008. It is only available to those attending next Mondays MMA Class 22nd Dec and the BJJ Class on the 27th!

The Wailers - Hypocrites

Where are todays Bob Marley or John Lennon, at a time when the world needs them more than ever?! "Cut-cut-cut against 'em one another. Oh, them teach to love one another"

Xmas opening times

Its been a very successful year for The Academy. Our Fighters have fought in several Competitons in far off places such as The Phillipines and errr Essex, bringing home a haul of Medals! So time to chill for a couple of days and enjoy the festive delights! Mon 22 - OPEN Tues 23 - closed Weds 24 - closed Thurs 25 - closed Sat 27 - OPEN Mon 29 - Fri 2 Jan - closed Sat 3rd Jan - OPEN As you see the Sat BJJ Classes are open throught the holiday period, so come along and have a sweaty couple of hours fun! A Peaceful and Happy Christmas to all our Members!

Diana Ross & The Supremes - Stormy

Just played this in the MMA class tonight, man, couldn't teach for a few Min's such was the joy.... my fave Supremes song, along with the great "Sunny Boy"...absolute Class! Now go play John Legends Save Room......hummmmh...same key, same chords, same melody!!!!!.....some respect due me thinks! Sadly Dennis Yost of the Classics IV (check out their version of "Spooky"!)whom did this a year before the Supremes in '68 recently passed away in Detroit...ironically the home of Motown!

Grading Report

Well done to everyone last night! Great to see the Girls do so well, Peggy, Ryea, Rachel and Terry. Rachel and Brandon passed their JNR Brown belts after some great MMA sparring against the Adults. In the Adults, two first class passes for Sky and Lewis. Barry joined the elite Blue Belt ranks after a long test and Sparring 5 continuous rounds with a fresh partner and submitting 4 of them! Our Blue Belt level is a match for most Traditional Arts Black Belts (i say this without any disrespect intended to any Arts as there are "many paths to the top of the mountain") and not only requires Technical expertise, a good level of fitness, respect and control for ones training partners, but the ability to apply the required knowledge in a Vale Tudo situation! Many thanks to Charlotte, John and Gaz for their help as always!

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on Jackass!

Steve-O vs. Leticia Ribeiro Santos Although meant to be humorous, this clip from Royler Gracies Academy illustrates why i believe BJJ is The essential Martial Art for Women and Children.

Michael Henley Tai Chi

Now in her late Sixties my Mum has decided (i think in competition with my Dad's Motorbike racing this year lol) to take up Martial Arts!...She has found a Tai Chi Teacher called Michael Henley and the Art is doing wonders for her posture, balance and general well being!... She has promised me a pic soon! In the meantine here's Michael's Website: http://www.infiniteway.co.uk/

Maurico Gomes Seminar

Marc is hosting a 2hr Seminar at his School (St Aidens School, Benton Road, Ilford Essex ), with Mestre Maurico Gomes (seen here with the great Rick Young). The Seminar is this Sat (13th) from 12-2pm Please note Our BJJ Class will still be on this Saturday! THIS SEMINAR HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL MID-JAN!

Grading Reminder - No Classes this Wednesday!

Just a further reminder, there will be no BJJ or Junior Classes this Wednesday due to The Grading! Good Luck to all those Grading!

Gonna Be A Big Thing - The Yum Yums

For all of you currently injured and frustrated at not being able to train...your rehab starts here....Get up and dance to this...2min 31secs of Girl Group Heaven...The Philly sound started here...Take 3 times a day!

The Specials Tour!!

I said it would happen next year after seeing Terry and Lynval at the Anti Racism Concert in the Summer...well here tis! Looks like Jerry D is not involved which is a massive shame... How about they get The Selecter supporting?? :) 22 April NEWCASTLE, Academy 0844 477 2000 * 23 April SHEFFIELD, Academy 0844 477 2000 * 25 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000 ** 26 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000 28 April GLASGOW, Academy 08444 999 990 3 May MANCHESTER, Apollo 08444 777 677 6 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000 7 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000 Tickets go on sale 9am Thursday 11th December priced £32.50 in advance except London £35. 24 hr CC Hotline: 0871 2200 260 / online: www.gigsandtours.com Doors 7pm except * tbc and ** 6pm.

Boxing Fitness DVD

Had a superb day yesterday, albeit a tiring one. Filmed the best part of 7hrs for Ian Oliver's (FHM's Fighting Dad!)Boxing Fitness DVD. The DVD will be an essential accessory to Ians best Selling Book. Great to train and spar with my mate Wayne as always, as well as Steph and new Bob Breen JKD Black Belt Kim. Highlight of the day was watching Ian (now in his 60's) showing us youngsters how to Skip!...Thought i was watching a scene from Rocky lol!