Big John McCarthy Ultimate Training Academy

Ualue · 05:55 PM

I was eating lunch at the mall yesterday and looked up and a big giant "ARE YOU READY?" slogan on a kiosk poster caught my eye. I looked closer and saw the ad was for Big John McCarthy's Ultimate Training Academy here in Valencia, CA. Big John lives here in my hometown. I had heard about him planning on opening this a few months ago but hadn't heard anything since and it was in the back of my mind. Well, it is now opening Sept 1st.

Charter memberships with full access to all classes/weight room, etc are going for $120.

One of the BJJ instructors, Mike Ortiz, is a black belt under Rickson and has his own local BJJ school. It looks like he will be closing his school and teaming up with Big John.

Another BJJ instructor, Todd, is a black belt under Jean Jacques, and Ryan is a purple under Mike Ortiz/Jean Jacques. (Ryan is a friend of mine from jr high and high school and an excellent grappler).

No word on the Greco Roman Wrestling or Kickboxing/Muay Thai instructors yet.

From the website:

About The Ultimate Training Academy Facilities

32ft x 32ft Cage
24 foot Boxing Ring
25ft x 25ft Bag Training Area
Two Private Training Mat Rooms
3,000 sq feet of Mat Area
2,000 sq feet of Cardio & Weight Equipment
Men’s and Women’s locker rooms
Spectator Mezzanine

Website:

http://bigjohnmccarthy.com/academy.html

Virtual Tour:

http://bigjohnmccarthy.com/virtual_t...tual_tour.html

The time was right for us to get an MMA gym out here. I'm looking forward to it!

muaythaiguy3 · 08-03-2006, 05:52 PM

haha awesome.

Ballet Tudo · 08-03-2006, 05:56 PM

so you can now become a Blackbelt in BJMJJ (Big John McCarthy Jujitsu) ?

Goshinjitsu · 08-03-2006, 06:28 PM

Good for him. He has dedicated himself to furthering the sport and he shoulda had his own academy long ago.

magicman531 · 08-03-2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goshinjitsu

Good for him. He has dedicated himself to furthering the sport and he shoulda had his own academy long ago.

He's a ref. I don't know about his fighting experience but would you go to a football ref to train? They may provide some info but it would be best to learn from the players.

Sax MMA · 08-03-2006, 06:35 PM

Big Johnny, I figure its about time he put this together. he's been in the fight game for years, good for him

Ualue · 08-03-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicman531

He's a ref. I don't know about his fighting experience but would you go to a football ref to train? They may provide some info but it would be best to learn from the players.

The nearest "players" run a $400 a month gym in nearby Hollywood. I'm talking about Bas, Randy, and Eddie Bravo's new gym.

I'd rather go to Big John's down the street for $120 than to a place I can't even afford that is 35 miles away through literally some of the most brutal traffic on the planet.

BTW, he's a brown under Rorion.

Ualue · 08-04-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sax MMA

Big Johnny, I figure its about time he put this together. he's been in the fight game for years, good for him

I agree.

And from what I understand, a real octagon is patented so not just anyone can get one....but Big John did!

MeGaMaNx18 · 08-04-2006, 10:29 AM

thats coo..great slogan..

CapitolCity · 08-04-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicman531

He's a ref. I don't know about his fighting experience but would you go to a football ref to train? They may provide some info but it would be best to learn from the players.

First, Big John has legitimate skills. He's not just a ref who wants to open a school. Second, I see what you're saying, but sometimes the players don't always make the best trainers/coaches - look at guys like Isiah, Magic. Sometimes it takes an outside eye to really key in the nuances of a sport. All in all, I hope Big John's school does well. Unfortunately, it's too far away for me.