Airmen train with UFC fighter

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robby Hedrick
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Gabriel Gonzaga, a current Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor, taught a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seminar at the Mori Academy of Martial Arts, July 26. 

Mr. Gonzaga was here to provide instruction in the art of jiu-jitsu. 

Mr. Gonzaga was brought in as a part of Team Link to further the quality of instruction and provide exposure to different aspects of the art taught by Eduardo Mori, owner of Mori's Academy of Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. 

Mr. Mori, says that BJJ can offer Air Force members better health, flexibility, mobility, stress relief and improved self-esteem. 

It comes as no surprise to find out that more than 20 Air Force members, all from different career fields, are training at Mori's Academy of Martial Arts to improve their health and skills. 

This is even more critical with the Air Force's on going Fit to Fight program and deployments to combat zones become more frequent. 

"I initially began training to lose weight," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Keith, 729th Air Control Squadron. "Once I started losing weight, I began competing and my physical training score went from barely passing to in the 90's." 

Although the physical benefits are the most easily seen, the mental aspects are arguably more important. 

"BJJ has helped me deal with the stress of work, managing new Airmen, and easing the strain of deployments," said Tech. Sgt. Keith. 

Mr. Mori said Air Force members are getting into shape and learning self-defense at the same time. 

"I really like to focus on those who know they are going to deploy," said Mr. Mori. "I want to prepare them the best I can before they deploy." 

This is part of the reason why the Mori Academy brings in some of the top fighters from the UFC and other fighting associations. It helps his students to become more well-rounded and have fun at the same time. 

"It's an individual sport, but a great team environment," said Tech. Sgt. Keith. "By creating an environment that allows friendly competition and develops camaraderie it keeps the standards high." 

This camaraderie is what keeps the students coming back even though the training is rigorous and demanding. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport that originated from Japanese Judo and was brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda in 1914. After its introduction to Brazil, the Gracie family influenced the Jiu-Jitsu taught to them by placing more emphasis on leverage and technique. 

The focus of this martial art is grappling, with a high precedence placed on being in a dominant position and using joint-locks and choke-holds to force a submission from an opponent. High percentage holds allow smaller, weaker persons to defend themselves against larger individuals. 

The popularity of BJJ has soared through its initial dominance in mixed martial arts venues such as the UFC and traditional Jiu-Jitsu competitions. 

Due to the success of BJJ, the Army and Marines have incorporated it into their combative programs.