Posted by Jason on October 26th, 2008 in News
We would like to congratulate the following on their recent promotions.
- Tim Fullerton - 4th Stripe (Next up the blue belt)
- Stefanie Gotta - 4th Stripe (Next up the blue belt)
- Steve Waite - 3 Stripes
- Dave Merces - 2 Stripes
- Jess Pepper - 1 Stripe
Great job everyone!
Posted by Jason on October 20th, 2008 in News
Everyone at the Grapplers Guide Academy would like to acknowledge all of this past weekends competitors at the Grapplers Quest tournament that was held at William Patterson University in Wayne, NJ.
- Jason Scully placed 2nd in the Flyweight Advanced division losing a very close match in the finals 2-0 by a takedown.
- Mike “Tupaco” Benincasa competed in his first tournament after training for only 2 months. He was able to take home a win during his very first match in the Cruiseweight Novice division. Great Job Mike!! Mike is one of the most dedicated students we’ve ever seen. He makes it to every class and you can tell he enjoys every minute of it. It showed on the mat this weekend.
- Dan “Canoes” Witzig competed in his first ever grappling tournament also. He did the Cruiserweight Beginners division and had a hard fought match. Great job stepping up Dan!! Dan fought his heart out and never gave up. His work ethic and defense that he shows in class definitely shined during his match.
- Tim Fullerton placed 3rd in the Featherweight Novice division. He had 4 tough matches and showed a lot of heart and respect on the mats just as he does in class. Definitely one of the nicest and hard working people you’ll ever meet. We’re proud of you Tim!!
Great job everyone. You all represented the Grapplers Guide Academy well. This was our first officially tournament turnout for the Grapplers Guide Academy and we are looking forward to more.
Posted by Jason on October 17th, 2008 in News
As mentioned in previous classes there will not be any classes on Saturday October 18th as we will be at the Grapplers Quest in Wayne NJ.
Posted by Jason on October 9th, 2008 in News


We would like to congratulate everyone who received stripes on Monday. You all have been working hard, training consistently, and you all definitely deserve it.
They all received their first stripe. Great Job Guys!!
- Mike “Tupaco” Benincasa
- Peter Czarnocha
- Kris “Woody” Hopwood
Posted by Jason on October 6th, 2008 in News
We will be having a seminar with BJJ Black Belt Head Coaches Jared Weiner and Wison Reis on Saturday November 1st. It is very important that all members of the Grapplers Guide Academy do their best to make it to this seminar. This will be Jared and Wilson’s first time out at our school and I would like them to meet everyone. It will also be a great time to get an awesome group photo too!
The seminar will start at 12:30 and only cost $50, which is a great price for these two great coache!.
Jared is a great instructor and competitor. He is a BJJ Black Belt under Lloyd Irvin and just recently won the No-Gi Pan Ams in the Black Belt Masters division.
Wilson is a BJJ Black Belt under Roberto Godoi. He is the current EliteXC Bantamweight Champion and holds many titles in both Gi and No-Gi competition.
This will include Gi, No-Gi, and Live Training so definitely make sure you show up!!
Space is limited to 20 people so please make sure you reserve your spot before the seminar!!
T-Shirts and patches will also be available for sale.
Posted by Jason on October 6th, 2008 in News
Everyone at the Grapplers Guide wants to send out a great big congratulations to all of our Philly teammates out there representing BJJ United. We are all very proud of you. They sent out 5 competitors and all 5 went out there, won matches, and brought home medals.
- Jared Weiner - 1st place Black Belt Light weight Masters.
- JT “jail time” Torres -1st place Light Weight Brown Belt
- Mike “pop pop” Ammon - 1st place Light weight purple belt Masters
- Azuna ” The eclipse” - 3rd place super heavy blue belt
- Elyse Goldberg - 2nd place feather weight blue/purple belt
Great Job Everyone!!
Posted by Jason on October 2nd, 2008 in News
Everyone at the Grapplers Guide Academy would like to congratulate our affiliate instructor Wilson Reis from BJJ United on his championship victory for the EliteXC World Bantamweight Championship on September 26th 2008 against very touch opponent Able Cullum.
Wilson is one of the hardest working and nicest people you’ll ever meet. He deserves nothing but the best and we are all very proud of him.
Great Job Wilson!!
Posted by Jason on October 1st, 2008 in News
Here is a great quote that one of the members at The Grapplers Guide posted in response to a post about taking risks. I think it’s a great quote so I figured I’d share it here:
“It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
~Theodore Roosevelt