Christian Bone: Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

This weeks featured fighter from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Member is CHRISTIAN BONE!

Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

November 15, 2013

by Cara Nassar

Christian is one of the most selfless people you will ever meet.

In light of Veterans Day, I wanted to feature one of our veteran members and could not think of anyone more deserving of the honor.

Not only has he served our country for four years, but he continues to serve others who have served through his work at the Veteran's Hospital.

A life-time of service.

When asked about his reasons for joining, he simply said that he could not sit by the wayside and watch while other young men and women risked their lives. Admirable, indeed.

THANK YOU Christian, for your service to our country and your ongoing contributions to others!

How did you get into martial arts?

My first exposure when I was in basic training in the army. The army Level 1 Combatants is a version of jiu-jitsu. It’s jiu-jitsu with slightly different technique. At my first station, a camp in Kentucky, there was a BJJ school an hour and a half away. I trained for 2-3 months and eventually my job interfered. I moved back up here to be near my family. I grew up just south of here in Orchard Park.

How did you find us?

I originally trained a bit when I got back home at Buffalo BJJ with Chuck Anzoni. I did not love the vibe. Then I kind of got out of it and when I was going to nursing school I wanted to get back into training and found you guys on the internet. I started training at the other location and moved here. I now live in the city.

How long have you been training?

About two and a half years and I’m a blue belt.

What do you love/hate about here?

What I like about this school the most is how everyone is friendly. The coaches, the people.. I remember when I first started Mikey Schultz immediately came up and introduced himself. It seems like more of a team atmosphere and the guys are trying to help you learn. What I don’t like.. A little kid shut the light off on me when I was in the bathroom. [laughs] No I’m just kidding. I don’t like the fact that because women’s fitness is on the other side of the gym there seems to be a big gender segregation. Aimee Marko seems to be the only one that really came over to our side. I think more women should train.

What is your favorite thing that you’ve learned here?

Getting better just comes down to hard work. Keep showing up. If I keep coming here three days a week I can see a huge difference, and you’ll start to pick up things without thinking too much. When I first started I was obsessed with studying every little technique that I could find. Eventually I learned to just hit the mats and let it come naturally.

Do you have any future goals?

I’m contemplating competing in the Masters 2014, but first I’m trying to cut down to 154 weight class. It’s going slower than I had hoped. I did do one medium sized tourney in Toronto and that did not go as well as planned. But I only got about one hour of sleep, I was working night shifts at the time, and also I overcut weight. I did not have the energy.

What would you do differently for the next one?

I would do proper weight loss instead of trying to cut water weigh. I want to reach my weight naturally.

What is your favorite move?

Bow and arrow choke. Because I’m a smaller guy I tend to work from the back more often and it’s a very hard choke to get out of.

So what is your military story?

My military story goes like this.. I joined December 2002. Watching the news it was evident to me that we would be invading Iraq. It’s not like I joined for revenge for 911 just felt that if young men and women were going to go overseas I did not want to sit and watch on CNN, I wanted to be a part of it. I finished my associate’s degree in auto tech school and didn’t think it was for me, so I was looking for something different. After I finished my associates, two weeks after graduation, I went to basic training in Georgia for the Infantry. It was a very hot summer. After basic training, I went to javelin school and hand-held anti-tank school and joined the 101st airborne and infantry division. I ended up deploying to Iraq in December of 2003. I did two months in Mosul before the unit came back. Then I re-deployed with the 101^st back to Iraq in the Fall of 2005. I did a tour as team leader in Mahmudiyah. So I was there for about 10 months before I came back for being wounded in IED blast. I did about six months of rehab, but during that time I kept training the new soldiers. I got out when my enlistment was done after 4 years.

What was the most difficult part of serving?

Being wounded was tough. I still have some residual problems, but I’m lucky. It looked a lot worse than it was. If the trap was two inches to the left it would have blown my head off. So really, I’m lucky.

Would you go back and do it all again?

While there was some fun and cool parts, there were also some awful terrible parts. Being in the infantry is a hard life. I don’t know what kind of person I would be without that experience so I would say yes I would do it again.

What was your favorite thing about serving?

Being at a job where the guys you work with are the guys you live with, you are buddies with, you hang out with. It’s like one big happy dysfunctional family. You don’t always get along, and sometimes you hate them, but when things get bad they will do anything for you. It’s crazy to see someone who makes an argument over who’s going to have the most dangerous job because they don’t want to see anyone get hurt. You really don’t see that anywhere else.

Dub told me that your dad is now active in the service? Can you talk about that?

My father is in Afghanistan he does surgery on guys that are wounded. He works the FOB shank. I come from a military family; my grandfather was a doctor in WWII France and post WWII Japan. My uncle served sometime in the air force in Alaska. I joined and my dad followed in my footsteps. He wanted to return the favor for military doctors who took care of me. Originally he volunteered to do surgery in the navy ship USS Comfort after the Haitian earthquake. He did two trips to Germany, all as a civilian. People started asking him to join and he assumed he was too old, but there is a shortage of experienced doctors in the military. I think he broke some record, oldest person to enlist. Brian Williams, age 64. It made national news. He plans to come home in January if all goes right.

Are you done, or would you ever consider serving again?

Yes. I am done. They did try to bring me back in; they told me they wanted me to come back. I decided because of my arm and shoulder injury that I just wasn’t ready. But I am definitely done.

Where do you currently work?

At RA VA hospital in the inpatient psychiatric ward. I’m a nurse that takes care of mentally ill patients. I went to school in D’Youville for it. A lot of my family is in healthcare. It’s something I always had a lot of exposure to.

I know you said you originally enlisted because you didn’t think that auto tech was for you. Are you happy with your job now?

Psychiatric patients are tough. There are good days and bad days. These guys need someone to take care of them. I try to do my part. I had some exposure to psychiatric nursing at the VA hospital when I did a paid internship. I had to send in an essay and application. They pick only two people per city.

"I would describe Christian as driven, noble and selfless. He always volunteers his time to charities and never puts himself first. He also achieves anything he puts his mind to, even if it seems like an impossible task. He's a great role model." - Mandy Detamble, girlfriend

"Christian is the type of guy that is always looking to help everyone else.  His military service speaks volumes about his character. He's dedicated, loyal and a very welcomed addition to our WNY MMA family."  - Coach Michael "Dub" Dauenhauer

"Christian is one of the more humble and knowledgeable guys in the gym. He is always willing to work with people in any level. He always helps in correcting techniques, while being a nice guy about it." - Jordan "Speed", Member

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature!

Emilia Kruzel: Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

Emilia Kruzel: Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

This weeks featured fighter from Women's Fitness Member is EMILIA KRUZEL!

Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

November 8, 2013

by Cara Nassar

Emilia is a self-proclaimed nerd.

She is a doctor. And by that I don't mean your typical shot-slinging, prescription writing, stethoscope-wearing doctor. 

She has her doctorate in the bio-molecular chemistry, and is a bit of a humanitarian, but you would never guess it. At least I never did.

But, I can honestly admire anyone that would give up making more money for the sake of doing something that they not only truly love, but that benefits the less fortunate populace. And she actually enjoys that aspect of it.

This one was truly, truly a pleasure, as I always appreciate sitting down with an intelligent mind and having an interesting conversation. I guess I can relate on that nerd level :)

How did you find us?

I moved to Buffalo in January and tried a few gyms. I saw the Groupon and felt I needed something different. Yoga studios made me homesick, so this was a refreshing change of pace!

Were you always into fitness?

Yes. I was a competitive swimmer for fourteen years. I started when I was 5 years old. I always worked out and took some martial arts. I did Tae Kwon Do for about 6 years and as I got older just wanted to do stuff to keep me sane. More recently, I’ve done a lot of yoga and running. When I was five, people thought that I was on steroids because I was jacked! I mean, I was a five year old with huge biceps, and they thought that my dad was giving me something because he is so intense when it comes to athletics [laughs]. But really, I was just a jacked five year old! [laughs].

What is your favorite thing about the Women’s program?

The classes are tough and the people here know what they are doing. Since I’ve been an athlete for a long time, I had specific questions and I wanted to see what the skill of instructors was. Overall I’ve been impressed! They know what they are talking about.

What is your least favorite thing?

Those red bags! I hate those.. the ones they make the girls workout on. Or another thing I don’t like is if I leave NOT super tired.

What are the biggest changes you’ve noticed from the program?

I started in April. I've been an athlete and worked out compulsively my whole like, but this is the strongest I've been in a long time. So strong that some of my shirts don’t fit across the shoulders anymore! [laughs] I don’t know if I’ve lost weight, but I sure have slimmed down and gotten a lot stronger. I also feel that a really tough workout is good for my sanity. I like feeling like I have a place where people know me and are interested in motivating me. It’s such a nice feeling.  It’s empowering. And I live alone in a new city so to feel so strong and empowered is great.

Who has influenced you the most?

Max and Steve. They both have taken an interest yelling in my ears when I want to stop doing push-ups. [laughs] Since I've been in martial arts I like seeing good athletes around it’s really motivating.

I know you have quite an interesting career, what exactly do you do?

I am a post-doctoral research scientist. I do medical research, studying a parasite that causes African sleeping sickness. It is a disease that is endemic to rural Africa. It’s transmitted by the tse-tse fly, and when it bites livestock or people it’s incurable and will kill the person, or livestock. It’s a completely fatal disease and a big problem for subsistence farmers.

How did you get where you are today with your career?

A LOT of school. I’ve been a huge nerd my whole life and the of the really tough classes in high school I liked biology the most. So I started my undergrad in genetic and molecular biology and then I did pre-med at Northwestern. I started learning about medical research and decided I wanted to do that over medical school. I did my PhD in bio-molecular chemistry at the University of Wisconsin Madison. All and all about a decade of school after high school. SO MUCH SCHOOL! I feel so old when I say that. [laughs]Anyway I graduated, took my post doctoral in Madison and my boss relocated here. I’m from Chicago originally, but I just kind of followed my boss and the work here.

Do you have any advice to someone seeking their doctorate, such as myself!?

If you are going to go to school for a long time, do something you really like, something that you are good at, and something that you are so interested in you are willing to make less money to keep your mind occupied with it.

What is the most interesting thing, in your opinion, about your work?

I guess what motivates me to do the work. First, these diseases that affect poor people don’t make a lot of money. Therefore drug companies have no interest in investing in them. There is a need for the public to invest, simply in the interest of humanity. Research technology and genome sequencing is at the point where our treatments and diagnostic abilities aren’t caught up with one another. I’m really interested in how genes contribute to disease. It’s two-fold for me.. it’s an important area to invest in but I also find it really fascinating.

What is your favorite thing about your work?

I get paid to think and I have a lot of freedom to design experiments and think about scientific problems in a way where I don’t have a boss telling me what to do with my time. Since I hate authority it’s a really good system for me. 

What is the most rewarding thing about your work?

Training scientists and helping them figure out if that’s their thing. I also love working on potential avenues for new drugs and new diagnostics. I couldn’t be a doctor, but I contribute to global doctors. The best way that I can describe it is that a medical doctor is like a mechanic, I’m more like an engineer.

What is something about you that people here don’t know? Besides that you’re a doctor!

[Laughs] I like travelling. I’ve been to Russia, Turkey, Japan, South and East Africa, Zanzibar. Mozambique and Tanzania. A bit of Europe. I like getting stamps on my passport. [laughs] Being an academic scientist, a perk is the flexibility I have with my schedule. I have the ability to take weeks off at a time. My sister and I went on a bunch of trips. We would pick a place and go for a few weeks. Sometimes work pays. They paid for my Japan trip. I spoke in Nagasaki. I was invited to give a short seminar on my PhD work, which was about a fungal disease.

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Intense [Laughs]. Sarcastic and Nerdy.

“Emilia is a doctor. [laughs] She is the kind of girl that every trainer wants in their class. While most people slack when you turn your back, she pushes through even harder because she is that committed to her results.” 

– Steve “E-Tips” Horton 

“Emilia is definitely a leader in our classes; she’s always pushing everyone she works with to have the best workout.” Danielle McDonald, member

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature!

Anthony "Bubba" Norton: Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

This weeks featured fighter from WNY MMA & Fitness is ANTHONY "BUBBA" NORTON

Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

November 1, 2013

by Cara Nassar

Bubba, above all else, is a fighter.

They always say "be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

This couldn't be farther from the truth for Bubba, and he has a hard story to tell, but it explains the motivation behind the true dedication of this kid.

It explains why I see him come in here day after day, fighting through it all, and why he finds such solace in this sport.

And it's the reason why we all know that he is going to make it, and not only that, that he's going to own it. 

I'm just happy to say I got the first official interview, and so it goes..


What is your story? How did you get into MMA?

I was always very athletic. In high school I started over seniors in varsity football as a freshman. I saw MMA on TV all the time and about 5 years ago I was watching Tito Ortiz and I took an interest. It made me want to fight and I wanted to try it. At the time I felt like I had heavy hands. I had been in street fights before. I felt like if I hit someone as hard as I could, I could knock out anybody. That’s not the case now, but it’s what I felt like at the time. Anyway, I researched on the internet, Googled events in Ohio, and called a matchmaker. I ended up winning my first fight, at 230 pounds, with no coaches, no team, and no training behind me. After that I trained in Jamestown, NY with Jay Wadsworth. I dropped from 230 pounds to 205 for my second fight. After that I switched to Knockout Factory and had two fights at 185 pounds. At that point my record was 1-3. I took some time off after that. About 8 months to a year. Then I came to WNY MMA & Fitness wanting to fight. At this point I was pushing 230 pounds again. Dub cut me down to 170 pounds and made me train a year and half. He made me wait until he thought I was ready.

So he wouldn’t let you fight?

He didn’t say I couldn’t fight, just that he would not represent me. But I wanted them in my corner, so I waited. I ended up with a 3-2 MMA record with this gym after waiting and 1-0 kickboxing record. Now I’ve been fighting for 4 years. My record now is 4-5 MMA and 1-0 kickboxing and my style has totally changed. Instead of trying to stand and hit people like I used to my experience has taken over and I’ve learned that anything can happen, so that wasn’t the best game plan for me.

I know that you answered this in a way before but, why WNY MMA & Fitness?

Like I said I was training in Jamestown and the Knockout Factory was like an hour from my house. I took a break and didn’t want to stop, but I was sick of traveling. I started looking more local and I was shopping around a bit. But when I came here and fell in love with atmosphere and people. I felt like ‘this is where I belong.’

What do you love about it here? Is there anything you don’t like?

Everything from cleanliness, to equipment that we need to train right, and the skill level of the guys here in both jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.  The amount of training partners and the fact that I always have someone to work with no matter what. Really there is nothing I don’t like.

What is your favorite fighting style and why?

Kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. I’m a mixed martial artsit and need to be able to stand on my feet and be on the ground.

How would you describe your own fighting style?

More freestyle. Whatever happens, happens either standing up or on the ground. I’m more of a ground and pound style. I like to ‘take ‘em down, beat em up.’ But whatever happens, happens. I’m ready for it.

What does it mean to you to be a fighter?

It means a lot. I had my first fight when my sister Jamie was around. She brutally murdered while I was training for my second fight. After I lost her I went 1-3. Most people would have quit. I stuck with it. I always think of her when I’m out there training. I think of how no one could hurt me as much as she was hurt. I’m always thinking of her. That’s what drives me. It gives me rage.

Tell me about winning your belt this past month!

I won it fighting for TNT. I won my first two TNT fights for them by submission in the first round. I didn’t have the greatest record, but I had tough fights and lots of experience so I deserved a shot at that title. I felt I was underestimated because of my high weight class and crappy record. But I proved everyone wrong. We went all 5 rounds and I won by decision. When they called my name it was a huge relief. It was such a war. I didn’t know if I had won or not. I thought I might have, but when you are caught up in the action you kind of forget the rest of the fight. Going into fourth round I wasn’t sure if it was the fourth or fifth round. I just remember Corey screaming at me “I NEED TWO MORE ROUNDS OUT OF YOU!” I just heard everyone screaming from my corner “HOW BAD DO YOU WANT THAT BELT?!” And I remember the crowd exploding every time I hit the guy.. that is what carried me through.

What was the first thing that went through your head when you won that belt?

I just felt so good. But it felt even better to have that belt put on my mother. When I won I called her into the cage and put it on her. For all she’s been through with my sister and every way she’s been there for me. If this all was hard on me I know it was ten times worse on her.

Do you have any rituals when getting ready for a fight?

I like to go see a priest and have a prayer said for both people. So I don’t get hurt. The last couple times I had Pete Meso’s dad say it. He’s a priest and a champion at 155 pounds. I’m not religious, but I do believe in God. I also like to watch home videos of my sister. And I often watch that Youtube video of my first fight and I can hear her screaming for me in the background.

Where did Bubba come from?

My grandfather named me that as a child because I was always a big, heavy guy. They always called me that as a kid. It stuck through football and sports into fighting. It never left me.

What is something about you people here don’t know?

About my sister. What drives me to be here every day. People know how hard I work, they just don’t understand why I do what I do, and why I am who I am. She was there for my first fight. While I was training for my second fight I lost her, then I lost 3 fights in a row. But it made me stick with it. Even though I lost three in a row I couldn’t quit I’d do anything I needed to keep my dream alive.

How was your relationship with your sister?

We were really close. She was a party animal, I’m more of a father figure, but we had a close bond. Growing up she idolized me, she was younger by six years. As she grew up we got closer and it was more like a friendship bond between us, but I still was father figure over her.

So rumor on the street is you want to go Pro?

That’s the plan. I want to make money. It’s fun and all, but I want to make a name for myself, travel, see the world and get paid to do it. The more I got into I progressed and got better and better month by month. Four years later and 70 pounds lighter, in different weight class.. I can just feel it inside. It came naturally with having fun with the training. Desire came after my first heavyweight fight at 230 pounds and I knocked someone out with no training. I’m lucky I got the matchup I did though. If I lost that fight might have never fought again. I got lucky. He was in a similar place, no training, just wanting to try it.. I might have quit if things didn’t go as they did who knows? For me to go pro I’ve got to go 155 and I’m fighting in a higher weight class right now.

Who here has influenced you the most?

Dub by accepting me as a teammate and not just some ‘Joe Schmoe’ coming in. He saw something in me others didn't and gave me a chance to do something in my life. Corey, Todd and Josh too. I look up to these guys. When I first came I said I just wanted to cross train.. be in and out. They said “no, this is not what they do, we are a team.” I got Dub on the ground, Corey for stand-up work, Josh with my wrestling and stand-up techniques, Todd as my boxing and conditioning.. and I have everyone to my advantage. There are so many people here willing to help with everything. I've made a lot of friends here.  Bayo, Steve, Sean Hennesey, Jeremy, Jordan, Mike Ruopoli, Paul Mercado, Niilo.. I apologize if I forgot anybody, I consider everyone here a friend.

What was the hardest thing for you to overcome in your training?

Dieting. It’s hard to stay on a strict diet and I eat foods that aren’t good for me. Especially because I was a heavier guy I always feel like I can eat more than I really can.

What is your plan to cut weight?

To diet I eat meats and veggies, salad and greens, lots of fruits, and I drink mostly water. I usually taper down about a month out and the closer I get to the fight the less water I drink.  I’m at 170-welter weight right now.

“When you look up commitment in the dictionary there is a picture of Bubba” – Coach Dan “DJ RoundHouse” Dorfman

“When Bubba came here he was overweight with a losing record, but after years of commitment and dedication, he dropped over a hundred pounds and now holds a 170 pound championship belt and will soon be challenging for the 155 pound title. That speaks for itself, actions speak louder than words.” – Coach Corey “The Story” Webster

"Bubba is the "scrapper". I love this man. Since I started at the gym he as been one of my main sparring partners. He helped me out a lot and pushed me to be my best and let me know I could do things I didn't know I could do. I can tell he has the warrior's spirit. He will never quit this sport, I am sure about that. Keep an eye on this guy!" - Bayo "Bacon" Torres, Kid's MMA Class Assistant Coach

"Bubba is my brother. That is to say I love the guy like the brother I never had. Tough as nails. Refuses to quit. Loyal. Determined. A great student, training partner and friend. He also has big, brass Cojones! Never backing down from a fight. He's proof that hard work beats talent every time. Nothing makes me more proud as a coach then watching guys like Bubba go out there and represent WNY MMA." - Coach Michael "Dub" Dauenhauer

Bubba would like to thank all of his sponsors for all the help along the way. AAA Trash Be Gone (Lancaster, NY), Catt-Rez Smoke Shop (Irving, NY), 4Play Nightclub (Downtown Chippewa), Whitey’s Pub (Hamburg, NY) Lil Guys Pizza (Silvercreek, NY), Razors Brakes and Mufflers (Angola, NY) and Edie's Pizzeria (Hamburg, NY) and of course WNY MMA & Fitness!

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature!

Bayo & Liani Torres: Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature

This weeks featured WNY MMA & Fitness Jiu-Jitsu and Kids MMA members are: BAYO AND LIANI TORRES!!!

by Cara Nassar

Bayo and Liani are the epitome of dedication.

I don't think there is anyone quite as dedicated as the two of them. They love this sport, and they love this gym. 

They really do.

The one other thing that stands out to me about the two of them is their good-hearted nature, a quality that Liani clearly has inherited from her father. It shines through.

A native Puerto Rican, Bayo moved to New York in his mid-twenties for work. Liani was very young at the time.

How did you both get into martial arts?

Bayo –Since I was a kid I had an interest in martial arts and boxing. Boxing is a major sport in Puerto Rico. I originally came to Buffalo cause of work, then I started looking for an academy for boxing. I found WNY MMA at the old location and talked to Coach Dub about it. At that moment he convinced me to join jiu-jitsu. Specifically Alliance.

Liani - I was getting bullied in my old school, so my mom said I should go to my dad’s gym because they teach martial arts. I switched schools so the bullying stopped, but I see other kids getting bullied. When I see other kids getting bullied I give them a card and try to get them to come try it out.

How long have you been training?

Bayo – Two years. I was training everyday for the first year. Sometimes twice a day.

Liani - A year or a year and a half.

Why WNY MMA & Fitness?

Bayo – I liked that everything was clean. When I talked to Dub he was super convincing and it made me feel like this is what I needed. I needed something more suave.

What do you like about WNY MMA & Fitness? Anything you don’t like?

Liani - I like this place because you can meet friends, you can learn a lot. And also adults can meet friends and learn too. They have really nice people here and really nice managers and people who work here. There is nothing I don’t like!

Bayo – Everything. I like everything. I like everybody. All my coaches, Dub and Matt. I like Matt’s fancy techniques.All my teammates. Being an assistant in kid’s class. Sometimes it fixes my day. Every time I see a kid smiling it’s special for me. I love everything here.

Have you won anything?

Bayo – In 2012 I went to Boston for the IBJJF Boston open. I took second place. It was my first experience in a competition and it was huge. I was nervous, but I learned  a lot. It was also hard for me cause I had to cut weight for the first time in my life. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling ready to roll. I was feeling like 'I need food! I need to eat! I need something!' I felt weak and I tried, but lost by a few points. After that I went to Mission Submission 2 in Erie, PA. No time, only submission. I don’t even know how many matches I won, but I won a lot. I didn’t take 1^st place but I learned, and learned, and learned. My last match lasted 49 minutes. No GI. I’m still working on my lower body through an injury but in the future I want to keep competing. My personal opinion is you’ll never know how you’ll do until you put yourself in the real situation. I try to get experience that way. I plan to keep on doing tournaments.

Liani - I want to and I’m going to! I want to compete in a kids MMA tournament.

What does it mean to you to be a fighter?

Bayo – I’m a fighter already. I don’t need to go to a cage to show anyone. I know what I can do. I’m confident of my techniques, thanks to my teammates and coaches.

Liani - To me a fighter is.. you have to be healthy, exercise daily, get really strong and learn how to defend yourself.

What are your goals/what do you hope to accomplish in the near future?

Liani - I want to compete soon and be an MMA model in MMA magazines like Rhonda Rousey.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

Liani - Rhonda Rousey and also Valerie Aspass. They are both really good fighters.

Bayo – In MMA George St. Pierre . Lyoto Machida. Victor Belfort. Helio Gracie. Kyra Gracie. Miesha Tate. Rhonda Rousey.

Liani

How old are you?

9 years old.

What belt are you?

I am a yellow stripe. Between a yellow and a white belt.

What do you know how to do that you can teach to others?

I know how to do an arm bar. I would show them with another person who knows it, but I would not really do it! [laughs]

What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Strong. Creative. I’m a giver. Sometimes i'm a little grouchy [laughs].

And three words to describe your dad?

Awesome. Really good at fighting. Strong too!

What is your favorite thing about your dad?

I like it how he teaches others and he’s sweet sometimes because he can hug you he can love you and do a lot of sweet stuff. Sometimes when my mom’s not home he cooks for me.

What is something no one knows about you?

I like to learn a lot. I like to read a lot. I like math and reading comics.


You can see more in a video featuring Liani here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cveoMRRUQp4

“Liani has got the spirit of the tiger. I know it comes largely in part from her father – whom I once sparred with. I see it in the ferocity, will power and personal strength. Above all else she shows true dedication. She has been here whether there have been 15 kids or at times it’s been just her. Her arch nemesis is Landon – just kidding [laughs].” – Coach JJ

Bayo

What is your favorite submission?

Oh that’s a secret [laughs].

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

I’m fast and sneaky. I’m light and strong. I don’t want to get injured anymore training. I believe in safe BJJ.

What are three words to describe yourself?

Honest. Family guy. Athletic.

And Liani?

Lover. She's a lover and she loves everybody. Fighter. Smart. Shes so smart. She’s got good grades and she does all her homework by herself.

What are you most proud of Liani for?

The confidence she’s built in the year and half she’s been training here. 

What is something about you that people here don’t know?

I’m honest with everyone. There isn’t really anything I hide from people. But when Im not training I do my doughnuts diet! And I’m in love with quesitos from the Puerto Rican bakery in Buffalo.

What is the biggest difference between New York and Puerto Rico?

The weather! And the language. What I like most about Puerto Rico is the culture, the weather and family of course. And NY? I love seeing and living every four seasons. I can’t wait to go skiing. The first time I saw snow I was 26 and in Long Island. It wasn’t even snowing, just flurries and it’s amazing honestly. The first time you are in touch with the snow and low temperatures it’s like a gift from earth, like going to the beach in the Caribbean.

What was the hardest adjustment for you when you moved here?

When I started in Western New York was being one of the smaller guys in the class. Until more people started to join our team, I was like struggling with that and the adaptation of a second language. But hey, Jiu-Jitsu is a Universal language meant for everybody! You should try it Cara!

I know you are a bit of an artist, can you talk about that? Do you do it just for fun? Who are your inspirations?

It runs in the family. My Uncle Eduardo Torres Soto, who just passed away this year, was a recognized artist / painter in Puerto Rico. He is one of my inspirations. I started my studies in visual art in 7th grade and did very well but decided to experiment art with developing photography. By that time there was non digital noting lol..... had a successful. I worked in television and as an event press photographer. I won a lot of contests, local and internationals. Yeahh I’m pretty good, now lets go back to Jiu Jitsu [laughs].

You can check out more of of Bayo’s art here: 

www.bayoantorres.com or http://www.modelmayhem.com/1057535

You said Jiu-Jitsu is everything. What did you mean by that?

I started training in the old gym they found the new location and I helped with the mats ring cage and building the gym. I do what I can for my team I teach all I know.. All my techniques. This is my family. I have no family in Buffalo so this is my family right here. Alliance forever! Jiu Jistsu is a lifestyle. It’s the one thing that keeps me busy, happy, confident and in shape. What I mean is for some reason all I think is Jiu-Jitsu, instead of my usual activities like tennis, drawing, photography.. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing [laughs].

And I have to ask! Whats with Bacon?!

I love bacon! I had to cut weight for the tournament Mission Submission 2 and it’s hard for me to cut weight. One day I was talking with Coach Corey about how to cut weight and he just kept saying “No bacon! No bacon! You can’t have bacon!” My teammates heard this and started calling me ‘Bacon.’ It stuck. They used to call me ‘El Conquistador’ because I’m from Puerto rico. Spanish blood.

"Bacon! That's Bayo's nickname. When people ask me why, I just say; Because everyone loves Bacon! Haha, seriously though, Bayo is that guy that shows up Day 1 and then again Day 2 and Day 3 and Day 4.... you get the idea. The guy just kept showing up, did what he was asked and subsequently earned his blue belt through me faster than I have ever gotten someone to blue; 12 months flat! The sky's the limit. Keep your eye out for this guy, he's going to be fun to watch!!" – Coach Mike “Dub” Dauenhauer

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Buffalo NY Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Women's Fitness Member Feature!