Dennis Asche,
representing Roberto "Gordo" Correa
Jiu-Jitsu
3/07/2008
“Drive-In” recently dropped in on Gordo’s Largo da Barra
academy with two of his students for the AM training. Drive-In is a skilled
featherweight black belt from Gracie Barra with abnormal strength for his size.
Aside from being a technical person to train with Drive in posses a unique
gift as a professor that shows in his academy, Drive-In
Jiu-Jitsu.
02/27/2008
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Koji Arano is Dennis' friend and training
partner from the days of training with Dan Dunn at WVKB in Corvallis,
OR (Now
Victory Gym). Since retiring from fighting and returning
to his homeland of Japan, Koji has put his skills acquired in
the ring to use training US Marines. On the Mt. Fuji Military
base you can find Koji training the soldiers hand to hand combat
through the art of Muay Thai.
Koji made time to answer a few questions for DennisAsche.com:
Why volunteer and teach the Marines for free?
Koji- They fight for the country (USA). They fight to death. Also,
I only prepare them so that when they go back to the states, their new coach
will be happy.
Do you have any active up and coming fighters?
Koji- Joshua Rittenberry...He spent one whole year with me. He won
the Pancrase fight. He did a lot of sprint dash at 3000 ft elevation.
He became unstoppable. He is fighting kick boxing in February for IKF
(he fought and won last Saturday). There are many more that came for a short
period. Some of them is fighting pro.
Tell me about back in the day training at WVKB …
Koji- The best time of my life ever! Kru Dan is truly the great
coach. He pushed us hard so we did not create any drama. Dennis,
he was not the best kick boxer when he came. Next thing I know he was
fighting (in amateur Muay Thai) "The promised stars".... He
suddenly disappeared and one day sent me a letter from Kru
Pong's school. He became pro. He showed so much of his desire
and talent to survive in this rapidly growing business. He is the
original Desert Brawl.
Thanks Koji
Check out the Koji article on: www.dcmilitary.com
21/02/2008
Commuting to Largo da Barra from
Flamengo is time consuming…The bus ride itself takes an
average of one hour each way (I generally make the round trip twice
daily), in addition to the walk form the bus stops (a couple of
miles). This commute allows for reflection on life and training,
while observing the sites and scenery of Rio de Janeiro and that
leaves no room complaints. This goes without saying, “Training
at Gordo Jiu-Jitsu is well worth the commute“.
Watch
video (3:39)
02/14/2008
The photo below was taken with Pitty and Mamazinho at
the beginning of our daily afternoon training. These two have helped
a great deal to bring up the level of my game through hours of
position sparring and work on specific points. This is the training
between classes that makes the difference. I cannot thank these
two enough for making me a part of these sessions.
1-30-2008
Above is the AM class on Gordo's birthday...Leading by example
Gordo shows his dedication in teaching class, even on his
birthday. The ten black belts in the picture give an insight
to the skill level on the mat at any given time.
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28/01/2008
Short Video (Under 2 min): "Training
between Training"
18/01/2008
One of the biggest factors
for excelling in MMA is consistency. Not only consistency in
training but a consistent training partner who is willing to
spend hours drilling basics, combinations and position sparring
between classes. In Jiu-Jitsu particularly, because of the nature
of this sport, in comparison to the other disciplines a good
training partner is invaluable. Over the years there have been
many people who have contributed to the evolution of my ground
game. This past year a few people come to mind but the one who
is always there to tough it out…David Mills, a native
of Santa Cruz, CA that has made his home here in RJ. Thanks for
all those hours Dave!
Also thank you to: Rommel, Pitty
Boy, Mamazinho, "El
Technico", Tiago, Ken, Paddy and Donal.
David Mills and Dennis/Gordo Jiu-Jitsu Academy-Barra 2007 |
01/11/2008
This year has all the makings to allow for a leap forward onto
the MMA and Jiu-Jitsu scene in the US...Following a very productive
year of training under master Roberto Correa, 2008 has many open
doors with opportunities on the bright horizon. Expect to see Dennis
competing Stateside Summer 2008.
12/09/2007
X-Combat.com recently edited
this video from the XI Copa Gavazza: View
Video |
