On September 12th, 2010 the Hybrid Training Center hosted its first ever Team Hybrid tryouts. Students of all levels and expertise experienced a day in the life of a Team Hybrid Fighter. The 3 HOUR assesment started with a 3 mile run which was quickly proceeded by Crossfit and Caveman conditioning training led by coaches Matt Schwaner and Megan Obryan. “I wanted to test their hearts and courage out right away,” said Coach Buck Grant, Team Hybrid Head Coach. “Vince Lombardi put it best when he said ‘Fatigue makes cowards of us all.’ The conditioning aspect of fighting is THE most important thing. Without it, no skill set matters in a real fight. I wanted to see who’s body and mind was ready for the rigours that would follow.”
Team Hybrid has the most elite MMA strength and conditioning coaches in Hampton Roads. Crossfit coach Matt Schwaner and Caveman Conditioning Conditioning (API) coach Megan Obryan have helped mold our fighters into extraordinary athletes. The candidates quickly learned about their expertise early in the assessment. To see a clip of the workout CLICK HERE!
After the first grueling hour of conditioning was done, the candidates quickly proceeded to one of the 3 sport combat stations. Muay Thai and Boxing ability was tested on thai pads and focus mitts by coaches Chase Walden, Pete Yates, and Harvey Grasse at station one. To see the video CLICK HERE!
The remaining athletes did a heavy bag workout under the watchful eyes of Kru Stacy Grant (VA’s FIRST Pro female MMA fighter), and Assistant Coach Lisa Cuellar, one of our most seasoned Muay Thai fighters. To watch the video CLICK HERE!
The final station was dedicated to MMA grappling and was lead by BJJ Black Belt Scott Oates and MMA pro fighter, wrestling coach and Team Hybrid alumni Chris Buckner. Pro fighters Phill Wyman and Jeff Peterson aided in the gruelingly intense ground and pound sessions while Scott Oates assest their BJJ skills. “The new fighters quickly found out where their their fundamental jiu-jitsu was when the punches started coming down on them,” says Scott who is responsible for Team Hybrid’s ground game. “All the more reason why we make it mandatory for ALL Team Hybrid MMA fighters to be a Blue belt under Ribeiro BJJ before they can even fight. It isn’t an option!” (The MMA grappling portion is showcased up above.)
By the end of the assestment, each candidate discovered the brutal reality of fighting. That it is hard work and very humbling and that in the end, the journey/training is worth more than the destination/the fight itself. They all realized that they may have a far way to go, but our elite coaching staff will help them reach their goals, providing they follow Coach Grant’s 4 golden rules:
1. Show Up to Class!
2. Work Hard!
3. Follow Directions!
4. Have a winning Attitude!
We are proud of the new candidates bravery and commitment. No one quit and everyone grew as athletes and as individuals. See you all in class soon!
Congratulations to our Muay Thai students who tested for rank on Thursday September 30th (Kids) and Friday October first (Adults.) Both were great celebrations that showcased our student’s hard work and dedication to their art. We are extremely proud of our 42 students who “Stayed the Course” and made a step towards their Black Blelt.
We also want to Congratulate Sophia and the Bailey family for winning the Chili Cook-Off! Out of 7 different entrees, theirs was voted the best, thus making Sophia the Chili Cook-off Champion of the HTC! Combined with the bake sale, we raised nearly $400 dollars towards the trip to Scotland for the WKA World Championships. Our very own instructors Chase “The Weapon” Walden and Melissa Carlton will be competing, while Kru Buck Grant will be the National Team Assistant Coach for the second time in his career.
Congrats to all of our students and “Good Hunting” to our Team Hybrid members in Scotland!
Come participate and celebrate as our students move up to their next rank at Muay Thai Testing thisThursday (September 30th) and Friday (October 1st) at 6pm.
Our testing has always been a celebration rather than a test, as all of our students have already worked very hard to progress. This is a great opportunity for them showcase their new found skills in front of their training partners, families, and friends. It is an open house event, so please invite everyone!Come support your Hybrid Martial Artists as they take another step towards theirBLACKBELT!
Also after both events will be fund raisers to help send Instructors Buck Grant, Chase Walden and Melissa Carltonto Scotland for the Muay Thai World Championships at the end of October!
Fri 10/1- 6pm AdultsMuay Thai Testing- and Chili Cook Off ONLY – 6pm ALL EVENING MUAY THAI CLASSES CANCELLED (6 AND 7)
Thurs 9/30- 6pm Kids Muay Thai Testing and Bake Sale for the World Championships (after the Kids Muay Thai Testing)NO KIDS CLASSES THAT DAY
Kru Buck Granttraveled to Thailand in the middle of the summer to be a part of the of Tuff Girls Adventure, a reality show based on female Muay Thai fighters. Kru Buck was hand picked by Grand Master Toddy who is his Muay Thai Ajarn (or Master) and the director/ producer of the reality series which is scheduled to air in the beginning of 2011.
The show features 11 women Muay Thai fighters, 5 American, 4 Australian, and one New Zealander who live together, train together, and eventually, fight each other for a chance to compete against a Thai born champion for the World Title. Kru Buck, along side of Master Ian Pollet (Australian), Kru Johnathan Yu (American) and a team of Thai native masters trained and mentored the fighters through the Tuff Girls Adventure under the supreme tutelage of Grand Master Toddy.
We are truly honored to have Kru Buck represent us and the United States on what will prove to be a ground breaking series. Stay tuned for more information on the shows release date!
Team Hybrid’s amature squad has proven dominant in local competition at Elite Fighting Challenge 7 and Modern Gladiators 12. Our newest memberChris Wentzwon by triangle choke in round 2 at EFC on September 10th at the Wave Church in Virginia Beach, in front of his fellow church members and Hybrid Training Center fans. As a seasoned grappler who fought as a self trained, independent fighter, Chris is now dedicating his training time to become a well rounded MMA fighter by training in the HTC’s Muay Thai program as a student, further validating that the HTC’s programs are for ALL levels of experience. Look to see Chris become a revamped and well rounded fighter in the near future.
On September 25th, 2 more Team Hybrid fighters stepped into the cage to fly our banner. George Arnaoutmade his Muay Thai Kickboxing debut a Modern Gladiators 12 in Chesapeake VA and won by unanimous decision in spectacular fashion. Also fighting and winning on the card was Lee Rahrleins, who competed for the Modern Gladiators Welterweight Title. Lee won his bout by rear choke in the first round to join a long line of Team Hybrid Champions. He has only been a team member for a few months, yet has show the work ethic and the talent to become the nest big contender out of our camp. Look to see big things from this athlete in the near future.
Though all 3 athletes fought as amateurs, they all trained and carried themselves as professionals, as do all of the Team Hybrid members. We welcome in the next generation of Team Hybrid fighters as they set the standard of excellence for our athletes.
UFC Veteran, and former Team Hybrid Fighter, Brandon “The Truth” Vera stopped by the HTC to train with his first Muay Thai Coach, Kru Buck Grant. After coming off an eye injury in his last UFC fight, Brandon is back in action, training hard for his next UFC fight on New Years Day. Tentatively he is scheduled to fight Brazilian Muay Thai stylist Thiago Silva, which should prove to be an exciting fight.
Hybrid Training Center is quickly becoming hub for all Pro MMA, Muay Thai, and Boxing fighters to train on the East Coast. Fighters like Strikeforce heavyweight contender and Team Hybrid Coach Antwain “The Juggernaut” Britt, WEC newcomer Mackens “Tha Menace” Semerzier, Dream and UFC newcomer Jason High, are among the many who chose the HTC to train when they are in the Hampton Roads area.
Team Hybrid wishes Brandon huge success in his next fight in the UFC. he represents Virginia MMA and the HTC proudly.
The WKA National Tournament started at 10am Saturday morning, and did not end till after 1am the following morning! Over 200 competitors in Muay Thai, Kickboxing and MMA fought tournament style, going toe to e with multiple opponents in one night for the chance to become North American Champion. Team Hybrid was in attendance and fought proudly, some waiting up to 7 hours between bouts for their opportunity to showcase their skills.
Early in the day Hybrid Apprentice Instructors Lisa Cuellar, Melissa Carlton, and 16 year old Will Paxson won their first fights in impressive fashion. The day drug out however, and the adrenaline surge form the first fight began to wear off, as fatigue and pain set in from their first battles.
The long wait played heavily on our fighters. Lisa Cuellar won an impressive first round fight by decision, bringing her record to 3-2. She was unable however to continue in the tournament due to injury ( and the fact that her next fight had not been announced even at 1130pm! She fought her first fight around 1pm.) At 40 years of age, Lisa thirst to continually challenge herself is inspiring to us all and we are proud to have her as an instructor at the HTC.
Melissa Carlton fought and won her fight by unanimous decision, only to fight and loose a competitive decision in the finals at 11pm that night (nearly 7 hours after her first bout.) Melissa is a competitor through and through. her drive and determination stayed fast the entire day during her long wait. In the end, even though she lost, she made herself and us very proud for pushing through and “staying the course.” Look to see Melissa and Lisa teaching our Kids Martial Arts Program at the HTC!
Will Paxson, our youngest Team Hybrid member fought and won an impressive first fight by unanimous decision, displaying the poise and technique of an experienced ring fighter. Though loosing his next match (nearly 6 hours later) Will showed tremendous fortitude and bravery for such a young athlete. He is an inspiration and role model for all of our young martial artist at the HTC. Look for big things in this kids future.
Lee Rahliens, fought a stellar MMA match against a Team Renzo Gracie competitor and lost a close and controversial split decision. His opponent was too damaged to fight on in the tournament and gladly gave his spot to the game and ready Lee Rahleins, however the WKA would not allow it. Lee has impressively signed on to fight in the upcoming Cagefest Extreme 10 fight on Saturday June 26th, merely a week after his battle at the WKA.
John Scamordella lost his fight due to referee stoppage due to an eye injury. Early in the fight, Johnny “Law Dawg” came out swinging and had his opponent in trouble early on. A collision of heads late in the first round caused John to temporarily loose vision, thus a stoppage of the fight for safety reasons. Note that even though he was blind, John wanted to fight! Kru Buck Grant and Coach Chase Walden made the safe decision for him. John is a warrior at heart. he’ll be back to fight another day for sure.
Congrats once again to our Team Hybrid warriors for their performance. They did us all proud once again.
Saturday June 19th, Team Hybrid will fight Muay Thai and MMA tournament style at the WKA (World Kickboxing Association) North American Combat Sports Championships. 200 competitors, from 65 different gyms coming from 18 different states and Canada will showcase their talent at this annually run event as they fight for the chance to become the WKA North American Champion! Each fighter may fight multiple times in one day, testing their will and skill against multiple opponents on their way to becoming the Champ. It should prove to be an exciting event for fighters, coaches, and spectators alike and you do not want to miss a single moment of action.
5 Team Hybrid fighters will compete this weekend. Muay Thai fighters and Kids Martial Arts Instructors Lisa Cuellar and Melissa Carlton will compete in the female Muay Thai division, while Johnny “Law Dawg” Scamordellacompetes in the men’s novice division.
Team Hybrid newcomer Lee Rahlienswill be fighting MMA as a novice after coming off of 2 straight wins in his last two fights. Also making his debut is Apprentice Instructor Will Paxson. At age 16, he will be fighting in the newly formed Teens Kickboxing division of the WKA North Americans.
The following day, June 20th, Muay Thai and K-1 legend Rob “The Dutchman” Kaman will be teaching a “Dutch MuayThai” seminar. it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to train with perhaps one of the greatest Muay Thai and Kickboxing champions to come out of Holland.
The fights will take place at the Boo Williams Sports Plexin Hampton Virginia, just a week after Team Hybrid’s BJJ and Submission Grappling Team competed there in the NAGA. For directions CLICK HERE.
Come support your team at a local event that will prove to be exciting for all.
For more information on the event go to www.wkausa.com or visit them on Facebook HERE.
It is said that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Our dear friends Hope and Alex have provided us with nearly a thousand pictures of our Muay Thai Testing that will leave you speechless. Our Kids Martial Arts, Adults Muay Thai and Muay Thai Black Belt Test are all put intoindividual galleries and slide shows that showcase every single student (over 40 total) that tested on the night of Friday June 4th.
The positive atmosphere of HTC is apparent in every picture, and on every smiling face that participated in our proud occasion, but don’t take our words for it. Go to www.hybrid.hopeandalex.com to see for yourself how happy and proud our family is at the Hybrid Training Center!
After 4 years of hard work and dedication, Coaches Chase Walden and Jody Morgan successfully tested for and passed their black belt test. Both instructors took drastically different routes to obtain their black belt. While Chase took the traditional route, fighting and obtaining several Muay Thai titles while running the Muay Thai program at the HTC, Jody Morgan took his competitive spirit to the MMA cage and CrossFit Games while running the TRX program.
Both Black Belts started together as white belts under Kru Buck Grant. Their training paths came full circle, as they met together to showcase their Muay Thai skills in front of nearly 40 HTC students who were testing for rank as well at our Quarterly Muay Thai Test on Friday June 4th.
Congratulations to all of our dedicated students for participating in our quarterly event. You continue to make us proud in your journey towards Black Belt excellence. Jody and Chase exemplified and embodied the true spirit of Muay Thai and served as great motivation to all of our students who continue on their path to greatness.
We want to once again thank Hope and Alex Ignacio for their amazing photography. Look to see more professional photos of the HTC from them in the near future. For more pictures of our Muay Thai Testing, CLICK HERE and visit their blog spot.
On September 12th, 2010 the Hybrid Training Center hosted its first ever Team Hybrid tryouts. Students of all levels and expertise experienced a day in the life of a Team Hybrid Fighter. The 3 HOUR assesment started with a 3 mile run which was quickly proceeded by Crossfit and Caveman conditioning training led by coaches Matt Schwaner and Megan Obryan. “I wanted to test their hearts and courage out right away,” said Coach Buck Grant, Team Hybrid Head Coach. “Vince Lombardi put it best when he said ‘Fatigue makes cowards of us all.’ The conditioning aspect of fighting is THE most important thing. Without it, no skill set matters in a real fight. I wanted to see who’s body and mind was ready for the rigours that would follow.”
After the first grueling hour of conditioning was done, the candidates quickly proceeded to one of the 3 sport combat stations. Muay Thai and Boxing ability was tested on thai pads and focus mitts by coaches Chase Walden, Pete Yates, and Harvey Grasse at station one. To see the video CLICK HERE!
Team Hybrid’s 
