The Ultimate Fighter 12 only 7 days way...Can't wait. Watch for my instructor to rip

[Francisco Gonzales]

Was a awesome night. Coach Stevens was awarded his brown belt last night. So big night all around for him.

Wasn't Coach Damon awarded his black belt then as well?

[bobby rivers]

"Watch for my instructor to rip"

Kinda funny thread title. R.I.P. coach. I know. I know.

[Conner MACHINE Gibbons]

HaHa Nice bobby......lol. Its ok we have thick skin. Can take a joke when done with some thought. Like that one.LOL.

He has risen from the grave. He fights on the undercard for strike force next weekend on Showtime. Here let me beat you to the best internet joke going. "Never heard of this guy Stevens is fighting, but I pick him to win by gilliotine." Coach loves that one.LOL

Yes Francisco, Coach Damon was also awared his Black belt, but he has had his belt for a long long time. He had never receaved it from the head of Team Balance. So it was more of a ceramony than anything.

[Francisco Gonzales]

Yes Francisco, Coach Damon was also awared his Black belt, but he has had his belt for a long long time. He had never receaved it from the head of Team Balance. So it was more of a ceramony than anything.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that. I have however heard of people getting "re-belted" when they finally settled down with a team they really liked. So who had Coach Damon received his black belt from way back before he got hooked up with Team Balance?

[Conner MACHINE Gibbons]

I know he has been belted a couple differant times with schools he taught at. I know he was at Loyd Ervings for a while. I also know of a place in Texas and a school in Albany he faught and taught out of who also rebelted him for there schools because he was there for some time. I found that on my own looking thru the internet and than asked him about it. He has been all over. He's not a real talkative guy.lol. I am sure his original Black belt came from one of the Gracies on the west coast. Not sure to be honest which one. To many brothers and cousins, I lose track of them. I just know the stories I have been told by black belts that have known him for years. How he moved out to Cali right after high school, Lived in his car sometimes. Made money doing odd jobs waiting tables. Just cared about enough money to train jiu jitsu and if had any left stocked up on Romin Noodles. He lived like that for several years from what I have been told. Like I said, he doesnt talk about it much. I will ck and let you know what gracie it was. I also know the first time Sensai Damon was with me at a Naga , Kip Naga's Prez, Pulled me aside and told me Damon had been a legend on the Naga circuit. Everyone wanted to be like him. He told me I was in good hands. I know his jiu jitsu is like no other I have seen and he is upper food chain level with his skill. I always beg him to compete again, but he says with teaching he doesn't have the time to train, and I know he's not the type to compete half prepared.

[Francisco Gonzales]

Thanks, sorry for all the trouble, thought you just might have known it off the top of your head.

[Conner MACHINE Gibbons]

I almost think it was Rickson Gracie, but I wouldn't want to say that 100 percent without talking to Sensai Damon. But I'm pretty sure I'm right on that.