Got a message on facebook from York fighter Anthony Dick recently, saying that he started training with Daniel Beleza at York's Academy of Combative Arts.
"Since starting with him I finally won my first fight in Massachusetts. They are so awesome there the school is great and the trainers top notch."
Congrats on the win, Anthony. Hope it's the first of many.
I went over to the Academy of Combative Arts in York today for their open house, and had a great time. The academy, located in the Greyhound Bus Station, is home to many MMA fighters, as well as others who are interested in getting (or keeping) in shape or learning self-defense.
Unfortunately, I was late in getting there, so I missed the exhibition that owners Joe Duffey and Frank Nguyen had planned. But I have to say, everyone was accomodating in doing it again, just so I could get a little footage, which will be edited and put up here sometime soon.
In addition to Joe and Frank, head BJJ instructor Daniel Beleza was there, as well as Muay Thai instructor Kham and a guy he's been training with for a couple years now, Kaensak Sor. Pleonjit. Kaensak, who now trains in New Jersey, was champion at both Lumpinee and Ratchadamnoen stadiums, which I'm told are the two biggest and most prestigious stadiums in Thailand. He was in York for a seminar at ACA in August and hopes to do it again soon.
ACA's Daniel Beleza, second-degree black belt in BJJ.
Just a reminder that York's Academy of Combative Arts, 53 E. North St., York -- in the same building as the Greyhound bus station -- is having an Open House Party Sunday Nov 1st from noon to 4.
I'm kind of guessing, but I feel pretty certain that co-owners Joe Duffey and Frank Nguyen will be there, along with Beleza. I know they have a couple of striking coaches, so you might see those guys as well. Maybe even some of the academy's fight team, or other members. Also, there will probably be some light refreshments, although Frank said don't expect any sushi (he also runs Keo Asian Grill and Sushi Restaurant downtown).
Josh Aarons, right, fires a shot at Joe Duffey, left. Joe, making his amateur debut, lost by unanimous decision but showed he has a tough chin and kept fighting against the more experienced Aarons.
Duffey, co-owner of York's Academy of Combative Arts, sent me this email:
"First, obviously Friday night didn't go as planned for
us. But fortunately, Josh Kessler got the W with an Americana to give
us something to celebrate. We did have a good showing the next day
though at the CPWC Grappling Tourney. I got a little bit of redemption
by winning all my matches via triangle submission to take place. Also,
we had several guys place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the tourney. Finally,
we are having our Open House Party Sunday Nov 1st from noon to 4."
Mixed Martial Arts Videos on Purefight
Just got an update from Joe, co-owner of Academy of Combative Arts:
The Muay Thai seminar was a success. I'm thankful for all who participated. I'd also like to thank George McGinnis and a few of his guys for participating. Also, we just participated in the New Jersey BJJ gi an no-gi tourney sponsored by Frankie from Dead Serious and won 3rd place in the team division. I am very proud of my guys! Finally, we have 5 guys fighting Oct 23rd in Lancaster: James Chappell, Mike Oberdick, Josh Kessler, Jon Tuxford, and I'll be making my MMA Amateur debut against Joshua Aarons.
Tom and I talk Strikeforce, New Breed Fighters and we're a little late on Arena Assault, which occurred last night, not tonight as I say in the video. Yes, I'm a dumbass.
I had a question the other day from someone in the office about Muay Thai. He had been watching some UFC and heard the term, knew it was a component of MMA, but beyond that, wasn't sure what it was all about. Rather than explain it here for those who don't know, you can head to the extensive wikipedia entry and/or take a look at one of the best ffighters out there today, Buakaw Por. Pramuk:
And for anyone interested in taking a MT seminar from another top fighter - if you missed my post yesterday - look no further than this Sunday at Academy of Combative Arts in York.
Here's a note I received from Joe Duffey, co-owner of York's Academy of Combative Arts, on Chappell's recent win: "Jimi won via armbar 1:40 in the first round. I am very proud of him and our group that drove out there to support him."
Muay Thai Seminar with World Champion Kaensak
August 23rd, 2009 11AM-3PM
Location: ACA
53 E North St York, PA 17401
Cost: $65.00 Per Person
Contact Frank at 717-841-4077
All Levels and Non-Members Welcome
Here's an email I received from Joe Duffey, co-owner of Academy of Combative Arts in York City:
Daniel (BJJ champion Daniel Beleza) took Jimmy Chappell up to the Poconos for the WKU Warrior Challenge for a fight. Jimmy won in the first round via armbar. Also, Daniel took a team of guys(Team Beleza is the fight name) to Scranton today (6/27) for the PA Brazillian Jiu Jitsu tournament and all of our guys placed. We had 2 in the kids division, Chaz and Jordan, both winning gold, 4 in the adults white belt division(in 3 different weight classes), Tom(gold), Jaysin(bronze), Josh(gold), Tux(silver) which equated to 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal, and 2 in blue belt division(2 different weight classes), Jimmy(gold) and Mike(Bronze) resulting in a gold and bronze medal.
I'm very proud of them so I wanted to share the news. Joe Duffey
Daniel Beleza
I received an email from Joe Duffey, who, along with Frank Nguyen, run the Academy of Combative Arts in York City. Joe told me that ACA's resident black belt (2nd degree in BJJ) Daniel Beleza, got third in the recent International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation's World Championships, held June 4-7 at California State University in Long Beach.
Here are the results from the IBJJF Web site:
weight class: LIGHT FEATHER
FIRST guilherme mendes Atos
THIRD carlos vieira Check Mat Bjj
THIRD Daniel Beleza Academy of Combative Arts.
Earlier this year, Daniel scored back-to-back first place victories at the Pan-Ams and the New York International Open.
Congratulations, Daniel, from all of us here at MMA Explosion!
Worlds promo video:
A while back, I blogged about the Academy of Combative Arts in York City, and its quest to open up a school on Arch Street.
Well, it appears the school is open, with Frank Nguyen and Joe Duffey as co-owners:
Teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes is Daniel Beleza, a second-degree black belt who has two recent first-place wins in top-level BJJ tournaments.
ACA also had several of its fighters, including Mike Oberdick, fight in the inaugural Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge.
Daniel Beleza
For more information, log onto to their new Web site here.
Daniel Beleza, fresh from his first-place win at the Pan-Ams in California, the second-degree BJJ black belt scored another first in the Black Belt Adult - Light Feathweight category at the IBJJF's New York International Open Championships.
After getting the first place, Daniel, who is an instructor at MACE in Red Lion and Academy of Combative Arts in York, barely had enough time to get back and corner fighters at the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge the next day.
Congratulações, Daniel.
Daniel Beleza, far right, in the blue rashguard, at M.A.C.E. in Red Lion.
As I said in an earlier post, Daniel "The Cobra" Beleza, second-degree black belt with York's Academy of Combative Arts, and Red Lion's M.A.C.E. academy scored a huge win at the recent Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Carson, Calif. In the black belt/master division, light featherweight, Daniel placed first.
Here's an account of Daniel's success from http://diariodonordeste.globo.com/ Keep in mind I used Alta Vista Babel Fish for the translation from Portuguese to English and then also did a little editing of my own:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Daniel Beleza won a gold medal at the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championships, held at the California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson City, held the last weekend in March.
At the event, sanctioned by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Daniel displayed a thrilling performance, finishing his first two opponents in less than two minutes in each match.
In the finals, Daniel faced Mauricio Villardo, a fighter from the Academy Gracie Humaitá, and won gold.
A total of 2,500 fighters representing countries including the United States, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Russia, Brazil, Portugal, Spain and France, participated in the competition. Three hundred of those athletes represented Brazil.
Daniel now has his sights set on the IBJJF's US Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held in April in New York City.
Following that, Daniel will enter the IBJJF's most important competition of this season, the XIV World-Wide Championship, Long Beach, California, in June.
Since August, Daniel has been living in York, Pennsylvania, where he trains and teaches at M.A.C.E. academy in Red Lion and ACA - Academy of Combative Arts.
As many of the prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments are held in the United States, Daniel decided to move here to minimize costs. Daniel's resume includes a 3rd place finishes at both the 2008 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships and the 2008 Pan-American Games.
Original story written by Moacir Felix.
Former professional kickboxer Llew Chester, who is opening an MMA academy in York City, says the opening for the Academy of Combative Arts has been pushed back slightly, while he waits for a city inspector to examine the facility.
"Everything's ready and set," he said Friday of the renovations that have been done.
Chester said a sign should be put up within a couple days at the 53 E. North St. location (at the rear of the Greyhound bus station) and that second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Daniel Beleza is ready to begin classes.
Last month, I posted news of an MMA academy opening up in York, the city of York, that is.
Well, I just had a conversation with co-owner Llew Chester, who said construction is going just fine and that the place should be open by mid-month.
Chester said the school will be called the Academy of Combative Arts, and will feature classes in kickboxing, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
Daniel Beleza, a second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, will be teaching classes at the academy, Chester said.
The academy will be located around the back of the Greyhound bus station, 53 E. North St., between the baseball stadium and the new Codo apartments, Chester said.
I'll have more information as it becomes available.
On Thursday, I interviewed former professional kickboxer - and York resident - Llew Chester, who told me about a new MMA academy he's opening in York City next month.
Chester said the school will be called the Academy of Combative Arts, and will feature classes in kickboxing, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
The academy will be located around the back of the Greyhound bus station, 53 E. North St., between the baseball stadium and the new Codo apartments, Chester said.
Chester, who has partnered with Frank Nguyen, (owner of dowtown York sushi bar Keo Asian Grill and Sushi Restaurant) to open the academy, said Daniel Beleza, a second-degree BJJ black belt, will be teaching there. Daniel, an accomplished professional grappler (I call him "The Cobra" because of his lightning-quick flying triangle) had previously taught at MACE in Red Lion.
Chester, who kickboxed for 13 years and retired with 21 wins, 3 by knockout and 3 losses, said a construction crew comes in next week to begin renovating the space at the Greyhound center for the academy. Their target opening is somehwere around the first or second week in March, he said.
I'll post more info. when it becomes available to me.
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