NEXUS Martial Arts - News & Events

News & Events

Nexus Martial Arts was voted the area's #1 Fitness & Health Center by the Gateway magazine in the publication's Gateway Favorites competition. The full results of the competition were published in the May 21st, 2008 addition. From the write-up by Gateway Editor Beth Perdue: "Owner and Chief Instructor Stephen Whittier said he believes the center's popularity has to do not only with the quality of the programs offered, but also with the way martial arts can be a challenging and effective alternative to traditional fitness programs. "The martial arts center draws a variety of members, he said, from the two-day-a-week hobbyist to those interested in getting interested in serious competition.... "Part of the attraction is that members are immersed in a learning environment where they are trying to improve their skills, according to Mr. Whittier. Often, finding themselves in better shape comes as a wonderful side benefit. "'When you're training for something, you're training in a dynamic environment, you have to be in the moment,' he said. 'You have things to aspire to aside from being in shape.'" "For some, the martial arts approach also helps them stick to the program longer, Mr. Whittier said, adding, 'They just see it as a fun and motivating environment.'"
Pride veteran Murilo "Ninja" Rua, formerly of the Chute Boxe team, will be heading to Massachusetts in Jan 2008 as part of his preparation for his upcoming fight in Cage Rage. Ninja's month-long training camp in will be based out of NEXUS. • CLICK HERE FOR THE TRAINING CAMP RECAP •
Kenny Florian Seminar and DVD Shoot Recap Top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and UFC Lightweight contender, Kenny Florian, led Nexus students through a day of BJJ and mixed martial arts instruction, demonstrating his keen eye for the key details and concepts behind the techniques.

Kenny Florian Films Instructional DVDs at Nexus

Florian’s Ultimate MMA – Basics, was recently filmed at Nexus Martial Arts along with Nexus Coach and longtime friend & training partner, Stephen Whittier. Look for this series to set a new standard in production quality for martial arts instructionals.

Kenny Florian demonstrates a jab with Nexus Coach Stephen Whittier

Nexus Competition Team Updates

Nexus scored big in its first team effort at the Massachusetts State BJJ No Gi tournament held in Lakeville on Dec. 2nd, earning 2nd place for Teams. This was the first tournament for several of our novice students and everyone looked great, even when some divisions were combined and they were forced to compete against larger or more experienced opponents.

BJJ blue belt Ryan Parker has been on fire lately on the northeast grappling circuit. First he swept both the Advanced No Gi and Intermediate Gi divisions at the Dragon Lair Grappling Championship early last month, then followed that great performance with an incredible day of competition at the NAGA Northeast Grappling Championships held in New Jersey on Nov. 10th. Ryan competed in a number of divisions, racking up 11 wins and 3 losses (yes, 14 matches in one day!), including two gold medals.

All in a days work
for Ryan Parker

Also congratulations to Cesar Barros for his most recent victory at the Untamed mixed martial arts competition held at White’s of Westport in September.

Cesar Barros with Stephen Whittier, Ninja Rua, and Matt Borges right before his victory

Nexus at Dartmouth College - Fall 2007 Seminar

Nexus Coach Stephen Whittier conducted his second seminar at Dartmouth College’s Integrated Martial Arts club, which is now under his supervision as an SBG International Affiliated Training Group (Coach Stephen is the SBGI organization’s East Coast Regional Director).

After an evening of private training with the club’s director, Dartmouth Alum Sean Padgett, Stephen ran a full day of group instruction, with the morning session focusing on a progression of Muay Thai kickboxing techniques, drills, and sparring. The afternoon session focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with both gi and no-gi (submission grappling) applications, followed by a relaxed open roll / sparring session. Great fun for all! The club is doing great, and the students have improved greatly since last spring.

Congrats to New Kids & Teens Black Belt Club Members

Huge congratulations to our first group of students at the Wareham school to graduate to the Black Belt Club. The BBC is for youth and teen students who hold a yellow belt and higher who have demonstrated the maturity, commitment, and ability to move into this advanced program designed to accelerate their training for their black belt and beyond. Current members include:

Nitros
Joseph Jacques
Benjamin Mello
Olivia Fernandes
Matthew Wyman
Tyler Noe
Nikolas Polisky

Teens
Corey Miranda
Myles Medeiros
Dennis Blais
Douglas Blais

Private Training with Murilo “Ninja” Rua

The Nexus staff was fortunate to log some private instruction time with top mixed martial arts competitor, Murilo “Ninja” Rua of Brazil’s famed Chute Boxe team. Ninja visited Massachusetts in late September just to help Nexus’s Cesar Barros to train for his upcoming MMA match, and taught several seminars during his stay.


Nexus Hosts Kru Toy Yodtong and Mark Dellagrotte for Muay Thai Seminar This fall Nexus students had the pleasure of attending a seminar with two of the top Muay Thai kickboxing trainers in the world: Kru Toy Todtong, head trainer at the top Thai boxing camp in Thailand, Sityodtong, and the head coach of Sityodtong USA (and Ultimate Fighter Season 4 Coach) Mark Dellagrotte. Mark is also Nexus Chief Instructor Stephen Whittier's Muay Thai coach. It was an amazing experience, with great instruction for students of all levels, and everyone is looking forward to Kru Toy's next trip to the U.S. – and his next seminar at Nexus!

Nexus Seminar at Dynamic Martial Athletics

Nexus Martial Arts Chief Instructor Stephen Whittier conducted a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seminar at Dynamic Martial Athletics in Townsend, MA on Aug. 18th. One participant wrote the following review: "I just wanted to thank you for the seminar you just did at DMA. It was one of the best seminars I have attended. I learned a lot of little things to fill in some gaps I had. I look forward to the next one!"