Hey, I just moved from NM to Toltec which is between Eloy and Casa Grande in AZ. I am looking for the nearest and BEST place to train, my neighbor trains at the Devil's Den in Elroy under Richie Reyes. He tells me that Richie is one of the best fighters in AZ. BUT, when I look in SherDog, his record is NOT at all impressive. He is also supposedly BEATEN a national level wrestler by the name of Jamie Varner and an undefeated fighter by the name of John Levenson (both by KO) but I cannot verify this info anywhere and from the looks of it, it doesn't seem like these fights ever took place. Can I please get some info on Richie:
Who has he trained under??
What belt is he in Jiu-Jitsu?
Is he really a knock-out artist?
How many times has he fought?
Please give me any info that you have. I am new to all this and want to make sure that I am headed in the right direction for training, etc. Phone book has no listing for any fight schools around (only Karate places)
Thanks Everyone,
Mike
Arizona Jiu-jitsu acadamy in casa grande is the place to go. they do kickboxing, bjj, mma training and more. The owner is Carlos ortega, and pro fighter gabe rivas also helps teach there.
at least go and check it out before you decide on a school.
if you got any q's, hit me up at rankinbrent@hotmail.com
he beat the predator, who was not undefeated, but i do not think he ever beat varner, and frankly, i think varner should beat the piss outta him for saying so....
wait,,,maybe the info was wrong???
Richey is a class act and he is the only gym in that area, stop by and check him out, he will let anyone come train, he is a nice guy. that being said-
Richey is a pretty good boxer and a very good wrestler- he is always working his BJJ game and he is getting good. The kid is tough! and there are several tough fighters out of the DEN!
It doesnt matter where you train... JUST TRAIN somewhere!
PS dont believe everything you hear, until you get it straight from the person!
just my .02
Shannon "The Cannon"
hometown: COOLIDGE AZ
Mike,
I am Richie Reyes I am one of the trainers at the Devils Den. I have never said that I beat Jamie Varner nor did I say that I beat undefeated John Levenson that is all info that you got from another source. Yes I did KO john in Mexico. I have traind all over I have learned form everybody. I have trained under Rick Roufus, Shannon Ritch, Rolland Sarria. I have trained with some of the best fighters in AZ like Shannon Ritch, Brian Pardo, Joe Riggs, Vince Lucero, Andy Montana, Rick Roufus. Eddie Castro is the Jiu- Jitsu instructor he has placed second in every grappling tournament he has entered. Melisio Perales, MIke Asford are the wrestling coaches who both are two time state champs. Myself along with Frank Sanchez, and Thomas Gil teach stand up. if you have any questions feal free to call me at 520-705-1314 or come down to the gym 114 E. 3rd street come check it out for yourself before you get info from other people.
Richie is a very nice guy and I just dont believe he went around saying he beat up Jamie. He doesent sit there and brag at all. I agree that you should not believe everything you read. These guys train and fight thats all they do.
A persons fight record should not be how you judge there teaching ability, you should try a couple of classes and talk to some of the students
Thanks for the info guys. I am not trying to stir things up, but I want to make sure that I find a new home for myself. Can I get some additional info on these guys from the Devils' Den, nobody has really answered my questions. I have heard of Roland Sarria and wonder how long Richie trained under him.... I have called the posted number by Reyes but can't get through. Who has Eddie Castro trained under and what rank in Jiu-Jitsu is he and what rank is Reyes??
Anyone have more info on Arizona Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Casa Grande?? I saw an ad in the paper for them last night and it stated that they have a kickboxing instructor along with Carlos Ortega and Gabe Rivas?? Anyone have more info on this, I called the number in their ad and spoke with Carlos Ortega this morning. He is a purple belt in BJJ, and has trained under Roland Sarria for the past 6 years. (just want more info before I commit)
-Mike
Best way to find out is to go to the gym and see for yourself, you can ask them personally. All of the guys you have mentioned are awesome people who train because they love mma and have fun doing it. Good luck in your training
roland has a habit of giving people and himself belts...richies schoolis a great place..his record may not show it, but look at who he lost too good guys, there more of a standup school, but eddie is very good on the ground..theres not much out here mike..if you want staight gi, go to carlos, he has an 8-8 record,his fighters went 0-3 last fights..if you want a good work out and want to fight go to richie..if not go to rick roufus school,its about 30 minutes away, he has eddie sanchez a legit bb, and has alot of top fighters coming in alot ricco,dean lister...etc..
Yeah the best thing to do is go to both gyms, train, talk to the instructors, and students, compare prices, and gym quality. (im not sure but i think ajja is moving or already moved to a different gym)... ive trained with carlos, gabe, roland Sarria, and other fighters from ajja and brausa. so of course my opinion is gonna be biased.
but good luck where ever you decide to train at.
Thank You phoenixmma for sending me in the right direction and everyone else for your advice. I went and visited with Carlos Ortega this evening. He took the time to meet with me before his classes started to show me his school and roll around with me a bit. (He is really skilled- excellent Jiu-Jitsu) Everything was great. He actually has more instructors than himself and Gabe Rivas. There is a kickboxing instructor (don't remember his name), Gabe and Andy Montana who assist with stand up, RJ Gamez who is a wrestling coach and does take downs and then of course Carlos who specializes in BJJ. If all go well and my housing situation here finalizes, I have found me a new home.
Thanks All!
i do what i can. enjoy.
sounds like a troll job, trying to hype one school and put down another by starting conterversy......you belong with the cocksuckers..in your first post you say you just moved here, but in you last one you need to get your housing situation straightened out? do you live in a box..funny how you remembered all of the names, except for the fake kickboxing instructor...your first post ever was to make a guy sound like he was talking crap and bragging....who is the guy you live next too,but have no home..or is it in a van down by the river..
by the way john levinson has a win over your hero carlos, who ritchie knocked out
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Thanks Vince I really appricate your support. MIke I fight next week go check me out and maybe you might think of me a little different. I am not saying Carlos is a bad guy in any way just dont knock me in the dirt before you see me fight or before you train with me. Thanks hope everything works out for you. Vince give me a call.
Okay, so does anyone know who this Vince Lucero guy is anyway? What is his deal?? I am new here but can obviously tell Vince that you have a problem with these people. Sorry to hear that man, I enjoyed what I saw at Carlos' school. As for talking crap, I never talked crap about Richie Reyes', I don't even know the guy. He may have a wonderful school for all I know. You are the only one who has talked crap so far. And why? Uh,I am not sure. Sorry you have issues man. And as far as moving, yes when you relocate from one place to another, that is a move. And the way I see it, New Mexico is definately a different place than AZ and as soon as my house closing gos through, I will be all set.
Again, thanks to all of you who were of help!
Sounds good Richie...maybe I will see you there.
-Mike
Okay, Vince Lucero, you are actually from Eloy, my cousin here is related to the Medrano's from Eloy and Casa Grande and thinks you may be a distant cousin of his. He says you use to fight?? Do you still??