San Diego Jiu Jitsu fight team

 Our desire to excel helps us to exceed our expectations

Dan Hoopes receives his first stripe Purple promotion

Congratulations to hard working Dan Hoopes on his first stripe Purple Promotion!  Super nice guy and if you were to ever look up the word dedication in the dictionary...you'll see his picture next to the word!  Great Guy!


-Team EXCEL

Bubba Pugh MMA Fight Oceanside

Congratulations to Bubba Pugh for putting it on the line against a very tough opponent and game competitor.  Unfortunately, Bubba lost by split decision in a very close fight that could have gone either way.   This fight will continue to toughen Bubba up into a Super Champion!  Good Job Bubba!

Bubba Pugh warming up with Sio Makihele before he enters the cage

 Bubba Pugh vs. Chad Klingensmith in a very tough Title Fight

Bubba Pugh MMA Oceanside

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mat time in Oceanside, Ca

 Excel Grapplers Retreat = Awesome Experience!

Excel Grapplers Retreat Oceanside, Ca

Glenn Riviera and Joey Beltran get some mat time in

 Great training with friends that many consider extended family!

Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Oceanside, Ca

Ryan Murphy with coaches Gabe Gonzalez and Charlie Grant

 Congrats to Ryan Murphy on his 3 stripe Blue Promotion!  This guy is a stud.



-Team EXCEL

Excels' Grapplers Retreat Day 1 & 2

 First Annual Excel Grappler's Retreat!  Day 1 & 2...


Break down and glimpse into the entire Brazilian Jiu Jitsu game...

 Excel presents a 3 day seminar of the entire Jiu Jitsu game!  But more than just technique and mat time...it is the Excel Experience that students and participants will remember for the rest of their lives!

Coaches Charlie Grant & Michio Grubbs

 This 3 day seminar is guaranteed to take the participant to the next level of their very own, unique Jiu Jitsu presentation!

Coach Michio Grubbs pointing out some details to the Jiu Jitsu game...

 Research, Study, and Application...

Coach Charlie Grant showing crucial details to the Jiu Jitsu game...

The Excel Experience...Eric Rivard and Michio Grubbs....

 More than just technique...the camaraderie...the Jiu Jitsu bond...

Coach Jon Romero coaching and guiding.  The Man of Experience and attention to detail!

Coach Jon Romero working his magic

Open Mat...working the magic!

 Study + application + fun!  =  The Excel Experience!

cannot beat the BBQ!  with Max Shepard and Corey Bennin!

Jon Romero and Corey Bennin BBQ = this alone is worth the price of admission!

 Awesome outdoor cooking!  Jon and Corey =  Masters of BBQ!



one more day left!  not too late to sign up for Sunday training!



-Team Excel

Jiu Jitsu Promotions, Laurynn Garcia gets Blue Belt!

EXCEL Jiu Jitsu Oceanside

 Tough and exciting Place to train!  We offer Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Strength & Conditioning, and MMA...oh, and movie posters!

Congratulations to Laurynn Garcia on receiving her Blue Belt this past Monday, Aug 12th!  She is very dedicated and an extremely hard worker!

Laurynn Garcia with coaches Michio Grubbs and Bubba Pugh

Having a great time learning, training and hanging out!

 Congratulations also this week goes out to Milan Djokich on receiving his 2nd stripe Blue Promotion!

Milan Djokich with coaches Michio Grubbs and Charlie Grant

 John Lemus gets his 4th Stripe White Promotion!  This guy brings passion to the mats for sure!

John Lemus with coaches Charlie Grant and Michio Grubbs

Looking forward to seeing you on the mats!



-Team Excel

Stripe Promotions; tough Jiu Jitsu training in San Diego

 Had a great week of training!  Lot's of hard work mixed with tons of fun!

Oceanside Jiu Jitsu Intensive training

 One of our Instructors, Dmitry Sedov shows his creativity and makes this great poster!

Bruce Lee, Excel Jiu Jitsu

Congrats to Gabe Gonzalez on his 4th stripe Purple Jiu Jitsu Promotion!

 Put the time in, the dedication, the blood sweat and tears...you will walk away with the awesome feeling of accomplishment!

Congrats to Andres Badillo on his 2nd Stripe White Jiu Jitsu Promotion!

 Everyone is working hard!

Congrats to Ezekiel Fernando on his first stripe White Jiu Jitsu Promotion!

Congrats to Mark Johnston on his first stripe White Jiu Jitsu Promotion

 Long time training partners and great friends...

Ben Blakesly and Ray Sloan

 Congratulations to Armando Contreras on his 4th stripe Purple Belt Promotion!

Ray Sloan, Michio Grubbs, Armando Contreras, and Charlie Grant

getting some fresh air after some tough, tough matches!

Time to EXCELerate your training!!!

-Team Excel

Interview with Bubba Pugh

Bubba is known for his toughness, his skills and is quite the athlete.  He has been training Jiu Jitsu for 4yrs + and currently holds the rank of Purple Belt under Michio Grubbs, has a wrestling background and is an MMA fighter.  He trains is striking with Billy Schiebe and Sio Makihele and currently holds a 3-1 record in MMA.  Bubba has a fight coming up in Oceanside on Aug 24th, 2013. 

Bubba Pugh of Excel Jiu Jitsu Oceanside

Ø  I'm going to cut right to the chase; What drives you?

Bubba:  To make a better life for myself in the future, the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle...an overall active lifestyle to sustain for the rest of my life.

Ø  How do you see your future in Jiu Jitsu? in MMA?

Bubba:  In Jiu Jitsu, I see myself getting a Black Belt one day.  It's been a goal of mine before I even started to hopefully get the Black Belt before I turn 30 years old.   I'm somewhat on pace but since I started MMA, doing two sports now, the pace is slowed, just a little.  My goal with MMA is to one day get into the UFC.  I didn't really get into MMA to be a World Champion but I got into MMA for the love of the sport.  I've been a fan of the UFC since about 9th grade and I always felt like I could do it.  I see my future as Bright!

Bubba Pugh tough Jiu Jitsu competitor

Ø  Do you inspire people?

Bubba:  I believe that I do so...quietly.  Whether it's just showing up every day, being somewhere, where I say I'm going to be and  then when I get there...not lollygagging though a workout and there is no lack of energy when I'm teaching, so yes, I do inspire people through my actions.

Ø  In your mind, what does it take to be an MMA fighter?

Bubba:  Heart would be number one.  Determination.  You have to have a purpose because if you're going to fight just to fight, you're probably going to stall out.  You should have an end goal.  Don't take fights just to say that you're an MMA fighter.  So, Heart, Determination and Purpose.

Ø  Give us a typical day in the life of Bubba Pugh.

Bubba:  If I have a fight lined up, upon awakening, I'll run in the morning then I have to be to work by 7am until 4pm.  Come home, take a shower go to the gym, run again at least 3 miles then depending on what day of the week it is, I'm either going home changing and then head out to the gym to teach or go and get another workout with boxing or sparring.  So, I work and I train!  That's my typical day.

Bubba Pugh, exciting MMA Fighter

Ø  what weight do you fight at?

Bubba:  I've had 3 fights at 185lbs and one fight at 170.

Ø  Tell us a little bit about your Pre-Fight prep.

Bubba:  If I'm fighting at 170 the first thing that I start is my diet because I usually walk around about 195lbs.  So first thing is cleaning up my diet, eating strictly white meat protein, fish, chicken and as many vegetables as I can.  Start up my Cardio training as soon as possible and start sharpening up my skills in my game plan for whomever I may be fighting, whether it be a wrestler or striker.

Ø  What is the mental difference between a Jiu Jitsu competition and an MMA fight?

 Bubba:  The first thing that pops into my head is the harm that can be done to you in an MMA fight.  I mean, in a Jiu Jitsu match, you do have the capability of getting hurt but when you throw the strikes in there, it is a different ballgame.  The mental side of Jiu Jitsu you have the scoreboard that you're playing to, to look at to gauge how much time is left and the point system in the match so you can play your game plan accordingly.  In an MMA fight, once the fight starts, you may think you're winning but you may be losing on the judges score card or vice versa.  So, it's definitely different in the mental approach.

Bubba Pugh winning Jiu Jitsu tournaments

Ø  What is Bubba's Kryptonite?  What is your weakness?

Bubba: Time.  Trying to get as much in without burning myself out.  Well...well, my weakness is ice cream!  lol

Ø  You are an Instructor at Excel Jiu Jitsu MMA.  Give the readers a little insight on your coaching philosophy and why your classes are the bomb?

Bubba:  The sport of MMA is tough in general so my coaching philosophy...I try to incorporate as much intensity into the classes as much as possible without scaring people off...well, I'm working on that, not scaring people off!  Lol!!!  But when it comes to sparring you have to give and take, just like a Jiu Jitsu sparring session.  When your training partner is brand new to the striking game you don't want to just wail on him!  You have to give and take.  When it comes to the cardio portion of the class, we try to push as hard as we can.  My classes are the bomb because it is so full of energy, lots of enthusiasm with a lot of variety. 

Ø  Why choose Excel Jiu Jitsu MMA? 

Bubba:  The training partners, the coaches, the environment, the overall lifestyle that you gain whether it's Jiu Jitsu or MMA or both.  The way the training makes you feel...you go home at night feeling like you've accomplished something for the day, like you've learned something and got a workout in at the same time.

Ø  How important is it for fighter/competitor to stay focused on their training program ?

Bubba:  It's probably one of the most important parts.  Once you get into a routine, your body accepts what you're doing then it becomes easier and easier every day.  But when you break the routine, it makes it much harder to keep it going.  So, I would say that routine would be the most important.

Ø  What  else do you do besides combat sports?  What other hobbies do you have?

Bubba:  Hanging out with my girlfriend but training is not only my job, it's my hobby too.  If I'm not at the gym or not at work, I'm hanging out with my girlfriend.

Ø  What does your girlfriend say about you fighting MMA?  How about your friends?

Bubba:    She was nervous at first but she is very supportive of it and she wants me to accomplish what I want to do.  She feels the more support that I get, the more I will push myself.  My friends think it's cool.  I get a lot of good feedback on Facebook or text messages.  Or just talking with someone in person...I get a lot of good feedback.

Bubba Pugh and his girl, Brittni Vasquez

Ø  Your dad trains with you and takes your classes.  That tough son of a gun, Joe Pugh!  What's it like having him around, not only as a true supporter but as a solid training partner and exceptional student?

Bubba:  He is definitely a solid training partner.  It's hard to find people who can mimic his strength even for how old he is lol!  Not too many people that I come across is as strong as he is.  When he wraps his arms around you, it's hard to get him off you!  When it comes to striking, it's a little easier because he is so new to striking.  But it is cool to have him around, because I don't have much time during the day to give out but we get to spend quality time together and get some  training in at the same time.

Ø  What would you say to someone just starting out, looking to get into MMA?

Bubba:  Learn the ground game first!  That was the route that I took first.  I have a lot of respect for the ground game so work on your Jiu Jitsu, work on your defense.  Make sure your basics in boxing are solid and make sure to build and work on your game plan.  Take amateur fights first before you fight Pro and find the right gym and the right coaches.  And most of all, have as much fun as possible!

Ø  Would you like to say anything to your teammates, coaches and training partners?

Bubba:  Thank you is the number one thing!  Thanks to everyone that shows up.  To all the coaches I ever had whether it's been wrestling back in high school, my Jiu Jitsu coaches, boxing coaches, Muay Thai!

Bubba Pugh wrapping hands with Coach Sio Makihele

Ø  Shout Outs to all your friends, fans and readers of this interview?

Bubba:  Special "Thank You's" for my family members that support me.  Gotta give a Big thanks to my girlfriend for allowing me the time to train.  There are times that we could be hanging out and she says, "Don't you have to train today?" and that makes it a lot easier for me.  Gotta thank my boss at my work for allowing me to fight and if I show up with a black eye to work...it's ok! 

In no specific order; I want to give "Extra Thanks!" to Michio Grubbs, my Jiu Jitsu coach; Charlie Grant, also my Jiu Jitsu coach; Coaches Jon Romero and Corey Bennin; Sio Makihele, Billy Shiebe my striking coaches; my number one training partner, Ray Sloan, gotta thank Armando Contreras for being there for me as a training partner as much as he can;  My Dad for showing up and sticking it out, even though at times it's rough for him!;  It's hard to name every single person that I want to say thank you to but to all the people that support me and to all the people who ever bought tickets to my fights.

I have my next fight on August 24th in Oceanside..."Beat down on the Beach!"  at the Junior Seau Amphitheatre by the Pier. The best way to get tickets to watch me fight would be call the gym at 760-726-2279 or get a hold of me through Facebook.  Or come and stop by the gym, Excel Jiu Jitsu in Oceanside.  It's going to be a great fight!

 Thanks for the Interview Bubba!


-Excel Jiu Jitsu MMA & Fitness

Sunday Jiu Jitsu Open Mat Oceanside

 Sunday's are so much fun!  Most Academy's are closed but we offer MMA Open Mat at 1pm, Jiu Jitsu Open Mat at 2pm and Strength and Conditioning from 3:15-3:45.  Since it's open mat, there is no formal instruction so most guys and gals come in to work on an aspect of their game that they want to address.  Training partners will often help one another to improve the game.  It is a relaxed atmosphere where people come to work hard and have fun at the same time.

BJJ Open Mat in Oceanside

MMA Fighters Armando Contreras and Cristobal Orendain Spar!

 It's a good feeling to know that you are getting some work in on a Sunday and improving your game knowing that most people are at home eating potato chips and watching re-runs of Gilligan's Island!

MMA fighters Ray Sloan and Joey Beltran Spar!

Excel Jiu Jitsu MMA & Fitness San Diego

Let's Train!


-EXCEL Jiu Jitsu MMA

Jiu Jitsu Promotions, Pako Gonzalez gets Blue Belt!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Oceanside, Ca

 Every morning you have two choices; continue to sleep or wake up and chase your dreams.  The choice is yours.

Pako Gonzalez with coaches Michio Grubbs, Jon Romero and Charlie Grant

Congratulations to Pako Gonzalez on achieving his Blue Belt on Aug 1st!  The guy is a hard worker and always comes in with a smile.  Good job Pako!

Also, congrats to the following on their Stripe Promotions;

Eric Rivard = 4 Stripe Blue, Jason Mageo = 1 Stripe Blue, Nick Bogart = 1 Stripe Blue, Berto Alvarez = 3 Stripe White, Clay Dykes = 2 Stripe White, Junior Ramirez = 1 Stripe White, and Levi Summerlin = 2 Stripe Grn/Wht.

Eric Rivard with coaches Charlie Grant and Michio Grubbs

  Jason Mageo with coaches Charlie Grant and Michio Grubbs

Nick Bogart with coaches Michio Grubbs, Jon Romero and Charlie Grant

  Berto Alvarez with coaches Michio Grubbs, Jon Romero and Charlie Grant

 What a way to start off the month of August!  Everyone is working hard and making that push of improvement.

-Team Excel