Josh's Armbar & Grill

Growing up I did not have any formal martial arts training. I was mainly into sports and occasionally weightlifting. In November of 2006, I began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a little club in Lockport called Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu. The guys were great over there, always wanting to help out each other. I was over-weight weighing in probably over 300lbs. It is not a pretty sight when you are barely 5'10". I know that the guys training with me probably thought I wouldn't last a few months. It was pretty tiring, and I felt lost most of the time. However, I kept learning and training. Slowly the pounds started to shed. I owe my start into BJJ and the love I have for the sport to Derrick Breaux and Gabe Barahonna.

November 2006 - October 2007

I had fun competing and losing the weight. I steadily trained 2-3 times a week…not missing class. I kept journals, I read books, I studied online, I watched DVD’s…I was hooked. I was training very hard getting ready for the first large tournament to be held in Louisiana the Louisiana Open.

November 2007 – Present

A couple weeks before the tournament, I was surprised with my Blue belt presented to my by Derrick and Gabe. I was so proud and anxious now to compete. This was not only the first big tournament, but my first tournament as a blue belt. I did not let my team down, and I was a medalist at the tournament winning my first match, and placing in 2 gi divisions, and 1 nogi division. I have since continued my training and competing. I am now teaching the Kids class and the Adult Gi class in Mathews twice a week. This has helped me grow in making sure I have the details down. You never realize how little details effect the outcome until you have to explain why a move works. I currently go train twice a month with Tim Credeur and Josh Artigue in Lafayette, and when I can with Rafael Ellwenger in Hammond.

Today I will venture into Crossfit. I have messed around with it in the past, but never committed to it fully. I have moved things around at my home shed, and I can not have a good workout from my house. I have some of the equipment...I will make the others, and buy what i can't make.
I will also begin MMA training this week. It doesn't mean that I am going to step inside the cage, it just means that I would like to add that to my game. It will give me a better understanding of the whole game.
Today's crossfit is Overhead squats 5-5-5-5-5 reps. I will not do this since it is my first day, and Eric said he has a great WOD for me. I will post the WO later tonight and add to this blog.

Todays Stats:

Weight -

Workout -

BJJ Training -

My stats:
Age: 30
Rank: BJJ Revolution / Blacklist Blue Belt
Weight: 181 - Middleweight

Goals (Will Add on occassion):
Win 1st place in Middleweight
1st places so far...

• LA State 08
• Kajun Kumite 08
• Gulf Coast Classic
  

Hit an armbar in competition from many positions
Positions hit so far...

• Sprawl
• Back Control
• Guard
• Flying
• Mount
• S Mount
• Off omaplata
  

Win absolute division
Attend Tim's training 20 days in 2009
as of June 1st = 8 days
BJJ purple belt

Win via Armbar 16 sec...LA State BJJ Tournament '09


Win via Triangle Choke 48 sec...LA State BJJ Tournament '09

BLUE BELT

Louisiana State BJJ '09 - 2^nd Place (Middleweight Blue)

Louisiana State BJJ '09 - 3^rd Place (Medium Heavy Advanced NOGI)

Louisiana Open ‘08 – 3^rd Place (Medium Heavy Blue)

Louisiana Open ’08 – 3^rd Place (Absolute NOGI Advanced)
Louisiana NOGI State ’08 – 3^rd Place (Inter Med Heavy)

Louisiana NOGI State '08 – 3^rd Place (Absolute Inter)

Louisiana State BJJ ’08 – 1^st Place (Middleweight Blue)

Gulf Coast Classic NOGI ’08 – 1^st Place (Medium Heavy)

Kajun Kumite ’08 – 1^st Place (Absolute Blue)

Kajun Kumite ’08 – 1^st Place (Absolute NOGI)

Kajun Kumite ’08 – 1^st Place (Medium Heavy Blue)

Kajun Kumite ’08 – 1^st Place (Medium Heavy NOGI)

Louisiana Open ’07 – 3^rd Place (Medium Heavy Blue)

Louisiana Open ’07 – 3^rd Place (Absolute Blue)

Louisiana Open ’07 – 2^nd Place (Middleweight Beginner)

WHITE BELT

Gladiator Games BR '07 - 3rd Place (Med Heavy White)

Blacklist Independence Day ‘07 – 2^nd Place (Heavy White)

Blacklist Tournament ‘07 – 1^st Place (Heavy White)

Blacklist Tournament ‘07 – 2^nd Place (Absolute White)

Blacklist Tournament ‘07 – 1st Place (Absolute NOGI)

Blacklist Tournament ‘07 – 2^nd Place (Heavy NOGI)

Blacklist Tournament ‘06 – 3^rd Place (Heavy White)

Blacklist Tournament ‘06 – 3^rd Place (Absolute White)

Blacklist Tournament ‘06 – 2^nd Place (Heavy NOGI)

Blacklist Martial Arts… Blacklist is owned and run by Derrick Breaux. He has an excellent staff and group of instructors making up his core workers. His students are versatile, and always looking to grow in the art they follow. Blacklist was founded in 2005, and will continue to be a strong group of competitors.

AMERICAN STAND UP - MIXED MARTIAL ARTS...American Stand Up is built upon two foundations: #1 fighters as the priority and #2 produce the best quality the mixed martial arts world has ever seen.

The leadership team at American Stand Up are all active duty members of the United States Military. We run American Stand Up profit free, giving all profits back to the fighters to support training, travel and fights. This fact, along with our slow and persistent approach to advertisement, separates us from the 20 other brands that pop up at every event but go under as there is no way to support the rock star image they portray. We are not completely selfless as we get incredible joy out of taking care of and building relationships with fighters. The fighters truly are the focus of American Stand Up, and we believe that this will lead to long term success in the industry. We currently sponsor over 80 fighters in 4 countries.

We are absolutely obsessed with quality. Every ounce of our effort is spent towards developing the best product on the market. At American Stand Up we have spent $0 on marketing our product to corporations. Our entire marketing plan is to equip fighters with the best pair of gloves, headgear, Thai pads, etc that they have ever seen, and in return they'll tell 100 other fighters about us.

Here are a few of the Seminars that I have participated in.

• BJJ - "Crazy" Tim Credeur - Rodrigo Medeiros Brazilian Jiu-Jistu Blackbelt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, UFC Middleweight
• BJJ - Ricardo Liborio - Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Co-Owner American Top Team
• BJJ - Marcus "Maximus" Aurelio - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, MMA Veteran
• Judo - Josh Artigue - Judo Black Belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt
• Sambo - Doug Fournier - Sambo & Judo Black Belt

JOSHUA GUIDRY - BLUE Belt

Height: 5'9"
Weight: 199lbs
Age: 30
Started BJJ: November 2006
Current Belt: Blue
Gym: Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Matthews, LA
Instructor: Gabe Barahonna - Purple Belt ATT,Derrick Breaux - Purple Belt BJJ Revolution, Tim Credeur - Black Belt Rodrigo Medeiros

I have two wonderful children Addie and Alex, & a wonderful wife Leila. I started BJJ in November 2006. I received my Blue Belt in October 2007. I am getting a lil old and the injury bug has bitten a few times, but i keep on keeping on. I have never been in better shape, than when I'm training. This has helped me with being there for my family.

"Best BJJ Blue Belt in LA" - "Crazy" Tim

• La State Champion '08 Blue Belt - Middleweight
• LA Open Medalist '07 & '08
• NOGI State Medalist '08
• Gulf Coast Classic Champion '08 - Middleweight
• Kajun Kumite Overall Champion '08
• Blacklist Tournaments Champion & Medalist '07 & '08
• Gladiator Challenge Medalist '08

ERIC WEAVER - BLUE Belt

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 215
AGE: 32
Started BJJ: 2006
Current Belt: Blue
Gym: Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Matthews, LA
Instructor: Gabe Barahonna - Purple Belt ATT,Derrick Breaux - Purple Belt BJJ Revolution, Tim Credeur - Black Belt Rodrigo Medeiros

Eric started his jiu-jitsu life in 2006 at the original Blacklist gym. For the first year and half he trained when he had time. He since then has been at the gym pretty much every day. When he is not training BJJ, he is doing crossfit. He has 3 great kids, and a loving wife who lets him work towards becoming a healthy husband and father.

• Blacklist Independence Day - Champion
• LA State Blue Belt - Medalist

TONY ANSELMI - BLUE Belt

Height: 5'4"
Weight: 180lbs
Age: 24
Started BJJ: 2006
Current Belt: Blue
Gym: Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Matthews, LA
Instructor: Gabe Barahonna - Purple Belt ATT, Derrick Breaux - Purple Belt BJJ Revolution, Tim Credeur - Black Belt Rodrigo Medeiros

BUDDY KIEFF - BLUE Belt
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 212
AGE: 31
Started BJJ: 2006
Current Belt: Blue
Gym: Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Matthews, LA
Instructor: Gabe Barahonna - Purple Belt ATT, Derrick Breaux - Purple Belt BJJ Revolution, Tim Credeur - Black Belt Rodrigo Medeiros

Buddy has trained in the Martial Arts for many years. He advanced through Karate years ago, and has since brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into his life. Buddy started training at Blacklist in early 2006, and has advanced in Gi and escpecially NOGI. Buddy is a strong competitor, and researches tons of material when he is away from the mat. He has 2 great kids, and a loving wife who lets him work towards becoming a bad man on the mats!

• LA Open Medalist '08
• NOGI State Medalist '08
• Blacklist Tournaments Champion & Medalist '06, '07, & '08

SHAUN ROOK - GREEN Belt

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 212lbs

Age: 31

Started BJJ: 2002-2003 before 5 year layoff, then started again in 2008

Current Belt: Green

Gym: Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Mathews, LA

Instructor: Gabe Barahonna – Purple ATT, Derrick Breaux – Purple BJJ Revolution, Tim Credeur – Black Rodrigo Medeiros

I have one daughter Sarah who is my pride and joy. I also have a wife Heather who I’ve been with for 9 years. I started training in 2002, but was forced to quit after a few months from a torn AC joint in my shoulder. I recently started back training in July of 2008. Within 2 months I received my green belt and I’m currently a 4 stripe green belt, which means my next promotion is to blue. My #1 priority in life is my family, but my #1 passion is Jiu-Jitsu.

CHAD TOWNSLEY - GREEN Belt

Height: 5’7”
Weight: 175 lbs
Age:
Started BJJ:
Current Belt: Green
Gym: Blacklist Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Mathews, LA

Instructor: Gabe Barahonna – Purple ATT, Derrick Breaux – Purple BJJ Revolution, Tim Credeur – Black Rodrigo Medeiros

Chad has two great kids, and is a very hard working father and jiu-jitsu player. He is gearing up for that elusive Blue Belt.