MMA: Helping boys and girls face a world of bullies

My grandson was promoted to the middle red belt on his 11th birthday. Having started at age 6 with his beginner white belt, he has earned his current middle red belt status by training 4-5 times per week for the last 5 years. There are 7 belt colors and 3 levels earned within each color group. The belt colors and levels signify each student's journey at Tiger Schulmann: white belts become blue, then yellow, green, red, brown and finally, with a mastery test judged by Senseis and Semapis, the ultimate achievement of the black belt.

Having seen him train every now and then, I am now more educated about mixed martial arts (MMA) and because of his involvement with this unique programme, I also have gotten to watching UFC fights on cable TV.  I even know now some of the more popular UFC champions!


At Tiger Schulmann's Hoboken, Sensei Louis Gaudinot (champion UFC fighter) motivates boys and girls raning in age from 4 and above to work towards achieving the belt at appropriate levels. He is however, also quick to take the belt back (temporarily or permanently) if he sees that someone is not deserving. For these young kids, this act of revoking the belt could be based on poor academic performance, a behavioural complaint, or simply lack of discipline.

The Tiger Schulman branch in Hoboken is one of so many throughout continental America. In this branch, there is a huge poster of tribute to its founder, Danny "Tiger" Schulman.

As a young man, after years of rigorous training and winning over 100 competitions, Daniel “Tiger” Schulmann set his sights on the ultimate: full contact bare knuckle competition. This type of competition was widely known to be the most brutal and challenging of all, testing the true effectiveness of each competitor’s martial arts skills. Drawing upon his exceptional technique, speed, and non-quitting spirit, Tiger Schulmann reigned as the undefeated North American knockdown champion for six consecutive years.

Tiger Schulmann could imagine no greater pursuit than to give back to others what the martial arts had given him, so he devoted his life to developing what has become the most comprehensive and effective style known today. The master spearheaded the development and growth of Tiger Schulmann’s from one school in 1984 to now more than 40 schools, located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Florida.

The programme teaches character and values formation, and emphasize the importance of NOT being a bully, of NOT allowing oneself to be bullied by others. The techniques learned in class are meant to be used for the students to not only defend one's self against bullies, but to also defend others who cannot defend themselves.

The greatest lesson at Tiger Schulmann is discipline and self confidence and the 'Tiger Schulmann non-quitting spirit". With hard work and determination, we support Jakob on his journey to his black belt. So proud of my grandson, Jakob! Keep it up. I know you will be my (our) defender! 

Don't forget to also tune in on January 3rd as Jakob's Sensei Gaudinot defends his title as part of the main card of UFC 182 live from Las Vegas! All of the Tiger Schulmann students and families will be cheering for Sensei.