This is how 10th Planet moons suppose to do....

[Matthias Sieber]

Great story, Jon!

Last month Carlos Eduardo Rocha began teaching his style of Jiu Jitsu (Dárcio Lira) at 10th Planet Hamburg. Being the ufc fighter and bjj black belt helps us a lot, too. And he even wants to train at 10th Planet hq.

[Michael Romano]

Again, starting a 10th Planet moon as a blue or purple means you are entering a business war zone. The 10th Planet name gives you a fighting chance but not a gaurantee of success.

Always put yourself in the average Bjj student's shoes. Why would he chose to pay a blue or purple belt for jiu jitsu lessons over the neighborhood black belt?

He might go with you as a blue or purple if you out hustle this black belt by A) training like a madman yourself B) giving your heart and soul to your students thru your teaching AND rolling with them on a nightly basis C) acknowledging your ego flare ups and putting a knee on it's belly and controlling it by staying humble D) always remaining a student yourself and learning techniques along with your students and E) putting together a fun loving fierce competitive team that is fully respected in your local community even tho you are only a blue or purple

Again, not all my affiliates are gonna make it, opening an affiliate as a blue or purple is straight warfare and some will lose the war, what are you gonna do? Hopefully you do what 10 do

I have been a student of Louis' for over a year and since day one this describes him perfectly.

[FRANK BARCA]

This was our first major tournament in 2009. It is a bit old now but still cool.

[DarbyBarby]

This was our first major tournament in 2009. It is a bit old now but still cool.

Is this the how we roll highlight? I can't see embedded videos on my iPad lol

[FRANK BARCA]

Ahhh surprised I got that far mate.

[Josh Passini]

You have your hands full in Chicago Josh, but I believe you can do it

Thank You Eddie. Little things like this keep me driving forward.

[Eddie Bravo]

Very cool thread. I know first hand what it's like to have a moon, be a blue belt and be in a city with multiple black belts. It's fucking brutal. I've only had the chance to compete once since Charlotte has been a moon and I think I repped very well. We have slowly but steadily built a force here. We have done extremely well on the tournament circuit and August 6 we have 3 guys on the same MMA card.
One thing that has helped me as a moon was teaming up with black belt Jeremy Arel who opened up a school on the other side of Charlotte. He is a black belt under Gordo and one of the most legit guys in the area. Not to mention he is just awesome guy. I have to say this has helped my reputation in the NC community big time. I know sooo many people were wondering why the fuck would Jeremy pick up a 10th Planet school as an affiliate that is run by a blue belt. That is because Jeremy is a huge fan of 10th Planet and believes in me and my ability. Anybody who slightly suggest anything negative about my school, well...he basically tells them to shut the fuck up.
Sorry to ramble. Point being......we are already on the tournament circuit hard and everybody knows it. We already have 1 MMA win out of Charlotte and now have 3 (all experienced) fighters, which I know we'll all hear about in August. Lastly, if anybody wants to talk shit about me or my school here, I have a 230lb legit as can be BJJ black belt to back me up 100%. 10th Planet Charlotte is not going anywhere.

Again, the right and essential attitude of a successful 10th Planet moon. Jon is a mere blue belt but that's not gonna stop him from going to war on the competition circuit, not all moons will survive, but I'm 100% sure 10th Planet Charlotte will survive and thrive

[Kevin Green]

We are 60 plus deep in DE. Sweeping tournaments n winning MMA events at the Pro and Ammy level. I personally train weekly with Marcelo and his guys.3 hr ride each way but well worth it. Just put a competing jj school out of business run by a black belt...just brought another brown belt in as an assistant instructor who is also a judo black belt.

[Mr Fantastic Shawn Murphy]

I realize that I'm a little late in this thread but I've trained at a few supposedly good schools in Montreal but Louis' instruction blows them all away. He may be a purple for the moment but I'll choose him 10 times out of 10 for my grappling instruction over any black belt in the area.

In the two years that I've been training at his school he's only missed a few days of class. Through good times and bad he's always there filling up the place with positive energy. He trains with us hard and keeps an open mind. He's always up for hearing about crazy theories for variants of this move or that one. He'll roll with the students nightly despite his bangs and bruises and he continues to compete and win! I can't say that of any other instructor in the area.

I don't always have time to train but Louis is always full of words of encouragement, keeping in contact and wishing me well. Never before have I heard of an instructor going to that level. He truly cares about his students and we're all part of his family.

This is the kind of attitude that every jiu jitsu practitioner should strive to have.

Louis, you taught me so much and I'm proud to have you as my coach.

[Louis Ho]

Thank you, Shawn. And everyone else for those kind words.