Who is running a good school in Denver? I have a buddy that is moving out there and is interested in getting into a good school.
I know that Billy Hendrix is in Boulder, but thats about it.
Suggestions?
Here is how I rank the schools in Denver:
Billy Hendrix and Nate Marqaurdt run Colorado Starz in Broomfield. You can't go wrong training with a 4x King of Pancrase. I trained there when I lived in the area and I highly recommend it!
Boulder has Boulder BJJ- a Renzo Gracie black belt (talk about rare to find) Amal Easton. He is the nicest guy you will ever meet anywhere. I can't say enough good things about him. Also Jay Jack (MMA pro who fought Pete Spratt as well as others) trains there as well as some very good wrestlers. Its a great school.
In South Denver you have Grapplers Edge, run by Sheldon Marr. I have never trained there, but I have competed against some of his guys and they are really well coached, strong and they have good fundementals. Marr's school won the nationals several years in a row. He is a good teacher of BJJ, Judo, and wrestling.
3D is the best Muay Thai school there is in Denver. That's where Duane Ludwig learned his trade. Clerance is the man to teach you how to throw down. Its a great gym with lots of big guys and good strikers. Its a pro gym so its open all day long. They have grappling classes and they'll teach you all kinds of striking arts. The only drawback is the price. $300.00 to join at first. Its a steep price but you get a lot of good solid gear.
I trained at Champion Martial Arts under Brad Gumm and David Ruiz for a short while while (maybe 4 months). That was a realy good school, but they are no longer there. They have a new school but I don't know what its called, sorry. They also had a great Muay Thai class at the school but again, I don't know the current situation.
Let me know if you want info on judo clubs or boxing clubs in the area. I have been around a bit.
buddie
Actually, Nathan Marquardt just left Starz to start his own school - "High Altitude Martial Arts" in Aurora. It's where Pitt's Academy used to be.
Also, BJJ Boulder has 2 black belts, now. Amal Easton under Renzo, and Mark Johnson just got his black belt from Helio "Soneca" Moriera. Jay Jack left to start his own school in Maine, as well.
Brad Gumm and David Ruiz's school, "Colorado BJJ" is in Littleton. www.coloradobjj.com
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