ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Gracie Barra New Mexico Professor Quinn Mulhern (18-2) will make his Ultimate Fighting Championships debut at UFC 158 on March 16 in Montréal, Québec against Rick “The Horror” Story (14-6). Mulhern, who replaces injured Sean Pierson, takes a three-fight win streak in to the Octagon and has won 10 out of his last 11 fights. While his numbers were impressive, Mulhern was not on the official list of fighters to survive Strikeforce’s collapse, but was sure that the call could come at any moment.

“I had been waiting for that call,” said Mulhern. “When Strikeforce dissolved I had a sense that I would make it to the UFC but nothing was for sure. I had the feeling that I would be filling in for an injured fighter. Thankfully it was six weeks out when they gave me the call.”

Not knowing who or when you’re going to fight is a fighter’s dilemma that haunts the dreams of fighters on the rise. Mulhern stayed patient, stayed hungry and most importantly, stayed in shape.

“The thing that’s nice about this camp is I came in, in really good shape,” said, Mulhern. “Part of the reason was, I never stopped training hard. I’ve been dedicated to the training and I’ve been training really hard at Jackson’s and Gracie Barra. Now I have an opponent and I can focus on that. I’m not celebrating yet. I’ve got to beat this guy and I’ve got to win this fight.”

Mulhern moved to Albuquerque, N.M. from his home just an hour north in Santa Fe, N.M. to train full-time at one of the most renowned gyms in the nation, Jackson’s MMA.

“Since my fight with Jorge Santiago got cancelled last September,” he said. “I was just trying to live my life so it was sustainable without fighting. I stayed focused so I wouldn’t get caught off guard. There was never a guarantee it would happen but it’s been fun exploring a new town. I tried to come here and build friendships and connections to help get myself better.”

The UFC’s welterweight division is arguably one of its toughest divisions with the likes of Champion Georges St. Pierre, Nick Diaz, former World Champion Carlos “the Natural Born Killer” Condit, Johny Hendricks, Rory McDonald and the list goes on. Mulhern’s first test is against Story, who is an 11-fight vet of the UFC going 7-4 in that stretch but has lost three of his last four. Story holds wins over no.1 contender Hendricks, and former no.1 contender Thiago Alves.

“This is a good match up for me,” he said with confidence. “Rick Story is tough and he’s no joke. One of the things with Rick Story is, he tends to be a little one dimensional. He really puts pressure forward in such a way that I think guys are starting to figure out how to counter. If you deny his one big attribute he is beatable.”

To help get him ready for this fight, Mulhern has trained with some of the best grapplers in the world at Gracie Barra New Mexico and is under the tutelage of MMA wizards at Jackson’s.

“There’s so many people supporting me,” he said. “Just being in a bigger city helps. Carlos Condit has helped me out a lot, Buddy Roberts and all the coaches at Jackson’s including Coach (Mike) Winklejohn and Coach Brandon Gibson helping me with mits. Obviously working with Coach Jackson because he is a wizard at this game.

“The Jackson’s camp is big but also the team here at Gracie Barra has helped me a lot as well,” he continued. “Tussa has helped me a lot and so has Don Ortega. Just everyone who is in that big class on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, everyone is good to roll with. You’ve got guys like, Diego Sanchez, Diego Brandao, Barata, Gustavo and a bunch of other beasts all training hard. All these people are good to be around because they push me and they make me a lot better.”

Mulhern started at the original Santa Fe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy that was founded by UFC veteran and BJJ World Champion Alberto Crane. He remembers the beginnings of what is now Gracie Barra New Mexico and how it molded him.

“I have a lot of love and respect for Gracie Barra,” he said proudly. “As well as the original schools that were founded by Master Crane. It goes way back, back before I even started jiu jitsu. I’m thankful for Tom Pless and the guys up in Santa Fe who got me to this point. It’s great to have some many people interested in fighting in this state and so many people supporting me.”

For more information, visit www.gbriorancho.com

JORDON SCHULTZ STATEMENT

Recently a fellow team member came to me she was burdened and confused. She sought me out as a confidante a person she could trust. She had been battling with a situation morally inside her head. She explained the details of secret interactions she had with her martial arts instructor and employer.

She started with the question “Are you suppose to do anything to become a World Champion?” I replied, “Yes, there are sacrifices you must make to become a World Champion and you are going to have to do some things that other people won’t do to become a World Champion”. She began to cry as she explained.

She said that when she first joined the team she was given a set of rules. She was told exactly how she should act. Everyone on the team follows the principle of the Android. An Android does what they are commanded with no question and no hesitation. Whatever the Programmer says the Android does. According to the Martial Arts instructor this correlates to Martial Arts if the coach gives a commanded and the athlete hesitates or questions for a moment it can cost them the match. That is the importance of being an Android.

Second rule, your word is your bond. If you do not keep your word you are a liar. If you do not follow what you say you are a faker. If you do not keep your word you are definitely not serious about what you are trying to accomplish.

Third rule, confidentiality whatever you talk about with your instructor stays only between you and your instructor it is a form of trust. She explained the Instructor has been deceived and hurt a lot in the past so it was difficult to prove your trust and loyalty to your instructor.

When first coming to the team her instructor automatically judged her, told her that “I have a weird feeling that you are lying and you do not want to be a world champion, you came for alterior motives”

I noticed that the woman was always getting scolded or on thin ice with my martial arts instructor. She always seemed to be messing up tasks that were given to her as her job. She always seemed afraid that she was going to be kicked off the team and sent home. Every team member that comes from another state can be kicked off the team and sent home at any time. Any member of the team will confirm this. This is a consequence that looms over all the athletes.

At one point I thought she really was being sent home.

She had been trying to tell me, and others. She asked us hypothetical questions like “would you do ANYTHING to be a world champion” and she’d tell me she did some things she wouldn’t normally do but her instructor asked her to do it and he said she was proving he can trust her. She explained the things she did for her instructor was a test to see if she would really do anything to be a world champion. That she would keep her word to him and do anything he asked her to do. And she would do it without hesitation to prove her loyalty and that she was an android. I always thought it was something different, like she messed with someone’s credit card or something but I was so wrong.

Her instructor would both ask and instruct her to do sexually inappropriate things with him. Re-affirming his instructions with things like “I thought you said you wanted to be a world champion, and you said you would do anything I tell you to do without hesitation”. He would make her repeat to him over and over that she loved him like a script.

If she ever hesitated or questioned he would call her a liar and say that she didn’t really want to become a world champion and she wasn’t serious about her goals.

This activity went on for a couple months and then he asked her is she would give herself to him sexually, and if she would have sexual intercourse with him.

That’s when she broke down and came to me she was so wrapped up and confused about the tests and hazing she came to me for guidance. And I am happy she did so that nothing else bad happened to her.

What he has asked of her and made her do is disgusting and abusive. I am so grateful she came to me and I was able to open her eyes.
To explain to her that it was wrong, that she did not have to do those things to prove she really wanted to be a world champion.

I think, but cannot confirm that there are other victims on the team. I would see the instructor sleeping in the same hotel room in the same bed at tournaments with other female teammates. Multiple teammates have also been called to his room to give him massages alone together with him in a hotel room, which I always thought was a little inappropriate considering he is there Martial Arts Instructor.

I trained with the team for over a year. 6 months into my stay there I was offered a unpaid mentorship as his internet assassin, and I would be trained to do internet marketing.

The rules on the team were “no inter team dating” and “you always follow instructions 100%” now that I think about it, both rules together breed the perfect environment for the martial arts instructor to take advantage of his female students sexually. Dangle the dream of being a world champion in front each member of the team to control their every move.

The instructor never did anything to me, the training environment was not the healthiest at times, but I was never harmed. And I cannot speak for other male members, but each has their own story. In addition several of my teammates have left the environment within hours of hearing the story I told them. This confirms that each of them had their own suspicions of what was going on.

I was in charge of a project to make several websites, with the soul purpose of covering up the google search results of keywords.

I now realize that it was wrong to do that. And people need to be informed before they choose to associate with the instructor.

I apologize to the female team member and the other female team members I have spoken about. I had to break her trust and warn others about the situation. She confided in me and was not ready to tell anyone about it. But as my moral responsibility the world needs to know. And I encourage anyone who has been affected or controlled by Lloyd Irvin to speak out.

In closing, I have left the team for good, I have ended all ties with team lloyd Irvin and will never have anything to do with it again in any capacity. I came to the team
thinking it would be the best thing for me, plenty of good training partners, hard training, and to learn marketing. I was a fool, and I apologize to anyone that may have been affected by my actions while on the team.

Jordon Schultz

Will you put Caio’s advice to use?

Great interview with Darcy and great work as always from BJJ Addict.

At an event before the UFC on Fuel TV 7 fight card, Dana White stated his strong opinion on TRT, saying it was cheating and he will try everything he cant to stop it. The details below:

“TRT has become a way for people to cheat,” said White. “If this is what your normal level should be and then you have guys training at huge levels for their whole camp then tapering down to get to normal levels before the fucking fight, that’s cheating, and I don’t like it anymore.”

“There are plenty of guys in the UFC that are naturally gifted and talented fighters. If you’re testosterone levels are too low then you’re probably too old to be fighting, stop fighting! “

“We can test everybody. I’m telling you right now, if you are using testosterone replacement therapy, get ready motherf@$%ers because we’re going to test the s#!* out of you.”

“Some things recently have lead me to believe that people are f@$%ing cheaters, people are taking good things and turning it into a bad thing and if you want to play those games then guess what, we’ll play!”

“There’s so much s#!* out there. Right now there’s banned substances and and we follow the regulations and we’re going after the banned substances, TRT was never one of them and they would be tested leading up to the fight to make sure the levels are good. If you’re on TRT now, you’re going to wish you weren’t. We’re going to test the living shit out of you.”

“You have guys that go in there 100% natural with his talent and natural ability, against someone on TRT, basically someone thats on steroids. I’m absolutely 100% against TRT and now I’m going to start fighting it 100 percent with the athletic commissions and I want nothing to do with it.”

Strong words from the UFC President. What are you’re thoughts on TRT?

Will Ronda get another armbar? or will Carmouche be able to take the belt from her? We will find out in a couple weeks.

Great insight by the Valente Brothers. Looking forward to more videos from them.

Great interview.

The idea for Eidos began on the grappling mat between rolls and training sessions. Often exhausted, body spent, and brain a little loopy, we would throw out random thoughts and visions. Most were a little crazy but one that we revisited often was the idea that we wanted a clothing brand that uniquely expressed our shared passion for the sport of jiu jitsu. Eventually the first hoodie prototype was created from a sweatshirt “donated” from the gym’s lost and found and a torn gi from world champion black belt, Felicia Oh. That is one special prototype!

Our Name:
Eidos (noun): The distinctive expression of the cognitive or intellectual character of a culture or social group.

It took us months to come up with the perfect name, and when we finally came across “Eidos,” we knew it was right. We believe the word exemplifies the culture of Jiu Jitsu. The deep friendships that are made on the mat supersede the often dramatic differences in backgrounds, social circles, educational levels and professional occupations. And yet because of our shared passion and respect for the sport, we all become a team and family.

Our Logo:
Our logo was inspired from one of our training partners who has a wicked octopus tattoo that wraps around his left shoulder and back. We knew immediately that an Octopus was the perfect symbol, not only because we all wish we had a few more arms and legs when rolling, but because of all the other attributes associated with it. Intelligence, focus, strategic, elusive, flexibility, adaptability and unpredictability, just to name a few. Seriously, is there a better symbol for jiu jitsu than this?!

2. What is the conception behind Eidos?

As a brand we wanted our clothing to reflect a lifestyle in which passion for whatever you do is paramount, regardless of which path you’re on. We all have goals in and out of the sport, but those goals can’t be bought or given. We reach them and succeed through hard work, perseverance and at times, suffering. These are lessons we learn in life that are constantly reinforced on the mat. The Gi Hoodie was created as a reminder of those lessons when off the mat, and hopefully, when you stick your hands in the pockets and feel the gi material, it will make you want to get back on the mat!

3. Do you train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the daily basis, if so at what time did it interest you to start your own jiu jitsu brand?

There are three partners in the company who came to the sport at different times and for different reasons.

As a purple belt, Michael Hong was able to train five times a week and often twice a day up until a year ago. Then life brought some amazing changes. Now with a new job and a recent marriage, he is down in frequency to twice a week. He hopes to get back on the mat at Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy more regularly as he gets used to married life.

Judith Kilthau, a blue belt, came to the sport about three and a half years ago. She was looking for a compliment to her black belt in Moto Bu Ryu and thought jiu jitsu was a perfect fit. Having started a new job a little over a year ago in a new state, Judith had to find a new place to train. She now calls High Altitude in Aurora, CO her jiu jitsu home and loves it. She is able to train 3-4 times a week.

Brandi Harkonen came to jiu jitsu for the challenge. She was used to competing at a high level in team sports but wanted to give an individual sport a shot. After being introduced to jiu jitsu by a friend, she fell in love with the mental and physical challenges the sport presents. As a blue belt, Brandi tries to get on the mat at BJMUTA 3-5 times a week.

4. Is Eidos your full-time job?

No. Each of the partners has a full time job in their respective fields.

5. How hard is it to train jiu jitsu on the daily basis, and run a business at the same time? or How hard is it to train jiu jitsu on the daily basis, work at your regular job and run a business at the same time? (Depending on the answer above)

One of the biggest benefits of having three partners in the immediate Eidos family is that no matter how crazy things get (and they do get crazy!) there is always someone available to step up and ensure that shipments go out, customer service is handled and new ideas are cultivated. I don’t think any of us could imagine doing this alone as we all have individual strengths and talents that we bring to the table.

6. How long did it take to get Eidos going and establish it?

From conception to production of our first Gi Hoodie it took us approximately two years. We spent a great deal of care and concern with every detail including what kind of material to use to how to stitch the seams. The most time intensive part of the production process was that we had to manufacture our own unique gi material as none was readily available on the market that felt or performed the way we wanted.

Our overall goal is to create quality, authentic and innovative clothing. We are not about pushing product just for product sake. Everything we do takes a lot of time, input, and usually many versions before we finally believe we have something worth putting out there. Our style is not flashy or overly designed; we think simple and clean is best. With three partners who all have strong opinions it takes awhile, but that’s also why we have an amazing product!

7. Who is behind the brand?

Brandi Harkonen, Judith Kilthau, and Michael ‘Zombie’ Hong

8. What is your favorite product of your brand, Eidos?

We currently have one product, and over the last year it has been our primary focus. The Eidos Gi Hoodie is our pride and joy, and we are truly thankful for all of the great feedback we have received so far. We are taking all of the comments and suggestions and hope to incorporate them into a generation two Eidos Hoodie.

9. What is next for your brand? What can we expect?

T-shirts! Sounds easy right? We took just as much care in the design and sourcing of the t-shirts. This project has been many months in the making but we are nearing completion and should be done with production soon!

With less than a year on the market we feel like we’re just getting started and can’t wait to see where it goes! Remember, life is a journey and we hope you let Eidos join you!

Website:
http://www.eidosclothing.com/

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/eidosclothing

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/eidosclothing

Great episode with Xande. Part 2 and 3 coming soon!