UWO WORLD NEWS

Congratulations UWO Brother Keith Brock

Congratulations to UWO brother Keith Brock on his recent promotion to Black Belt, under the UWO Submission Grappling Program. Keith recently spent some time with Master Murgel, and was evaluated to his current rank. Congrats!!! Union All the Way!!!

Master Murgel Makes History

As of November 15, 2008, Master Murgel is the first Eight Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master ever to be graduated by three Grand Masters and Living Legends of BJJ. Master Murgel received his honors from Grand Masters Joao Alberto Barreto, Alvaro Barreto and Flavio Behring. He is now the highest BJJ graduated Master in Southern USA. The UWO family should be yelling very proudly, UNION!!!

Left to Right: Grand Master Alvaro Barreto, Master Silvio Behring, Master Ricardo Murgel, and Grand Master Flavio Behring.

 

Left Side Photo: Master Murgel receiving his new belt from Grand Master Barreto.

MASTER FLAVIO BEHRING ASSOCIATION INVITATION

Congratulations Mestre on a Lifetime of Accomplishment

On November 15th, 2008, in Sao Paulo Brazil, Master Murgel will be the Guest of Honor of the Annual World Behring BJJ organization Meeting. With the presence estimated of more than 500 members from all over the world, it is suer to be a grand event. During that event, Master Murgel will be graduated by the Grand Masters Joao Alberto Barreto, Alvaro Barreto and Flavio Behring, all Ninth Degree Grand Masters of BJJ, to the Eight Degree Master rank. This is one of the highest graduations in BJJ, worldwide. Master Murgel said, "Such a great honor is even more relevant, because I will have the privilege to receive it from my three Masters and Mentors. They are true living legends of the BJJ and the MMA. He would like to dedicate it to all the UWO`s warriors worldwide!

UNION!!

As the UWO's Executive Directors, we would like to give a much earned congratulations to Master Murgel, our friend, our master, and our mentor.

- Ron and James Hill

Very soon, M. Murgel will be open a new MMA and Martial BJJ academy in Dawsonville, Georgia! Our UWO is growing all over the US and the world. At southern Brazil, more than 300 Warriors are training at several Union affiliate gyms. In the US, the UWO is already in Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, New Mexico, Colorado, and Louisiana.

Congratulations TEAM USA Pankration

Congratulations to the Hill Brothers and the USA Pankration team for their success in Albania.  The Hill Brothers served as the head coaches for the team as they went on to claim the bronze medal in the team event. In individual competition, the team earned 1 Gold, 3 Silver, and 3 Bronze Medals. The Hill Brothers will be coaching the team next year as well, as they travel to Lithuania for the 2009 FILA Wrestling Games. If anyone is interested in trying out for the team, send and e-mail to hbjj1@yahoo.com.

Congratulations Nate!!! (UFC 88 Victory)

Congratulations to Nate "The Great" Marquardt, our Union Brother, on a speedy victory at UFC 88. Nate TKO'd Martin Kampmann at 1:22 in Rd. 1, with an impressive display of hand power and technique. Congratulations on this and your future successes.

***A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM MASTER MURGEL ***

" In my name and the UWO`s brothers and sisters in arms worldwide, I would
like to express how proud we all are of the Hill Brothers, the new US National
Pankration`s Team Coaches for the 1st FILA World Pankration Championships that will be held in Albania this September. Besides, several of their fighters won the trials for that event, and will be among the U.S. Team members. One more time, our UWO`s affiliates proved their high level in the mats, not with words, but with hard work and brave hearts! UNION ALL THE WAY!!"

~MASTER RICARDO MURGEL

7/17/08

Hill Brothers Selected as Team USA Pankration Coaches for 1st FILA World Championships in Albania

 

"Tashi" Ron Hill and "Renshi" James Hill, have been selected to Coach the USA Pankration team in the FILA World Championships in Albania.The brothers have a wealth of experience to offer the team, not to mention that 5 of their fighters have been selected for the team as well. They will all be a part of the 1st FILA Pankration World Championships. Congratulations!!!!

7/16/08

Master Murgel and Grandmasters Joao Alberto & Alvaro Barreto

 

Master Murgel had the privelege of spending time with his first instructors, Alvaro and Joao Alberto Barreto. It was to his great pleasure to again be with them in Brazil. Below is a photo taken of them, representing over 160 combined years of Jiu-Jitsu. The photo was taken on June 16, 2008, at GM Joao Alberto Barreto`s residence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

From Left to Right: Grand Master Alvaro Barreto, Master Ricardo Murgel, and Grand Master Joao Alberto Barreto. Over 160 Years of Jiu-Jitsu.

6/26/08

Master Murgel's Brazil Trip a Huge Success

 

Master Murgel has returned from Brazil with fantastic stories of his travels. He and FIGHT Magazine Editor, Donovan Craig (Also a student), visited many of the top BJJ and MMA schools while there. Master Murgel introduced the magazine to various top fighters and instructors to include: Paulao Filho, Murilo
Bustamante, Toquinho, Vitor Belfort, Roberto Gordo, Tiago Alves, Pedro Rizzo, Vitor Shaolin Ribeiro, Anderson Silva, amnong others. They also visited Rickson Gracie and Grand Masters Joao Alberto and Alvaro Barreto. While in Porto Alegre (Mestre's Hometown), Brazil, Master Murgel's students surprised him with a seminar of over 130 students. He was received by a standing ovation. Master Murgel says that the entire crowd chanted "Union! Union!" While there, Master Murgel promoted 5 new black belts, 4 brown belts, a dozen or more purple belts, and several blue belts as well. It was a great trip for Mestre, and his students were glad to have him there once more.

5/25/08

The Hill Brothers Instruct Ground Survival at Combatives Conference

 

Ron & James Hill shed some light on the true essence of jiu-jitsu this weekend at the ICSDA Combatives Conference in Chicago. They were joined by various masters and grandmasters in their own respective arts. They received great reviews as they taught the true essence of ground survival to the conference participants and instructors. Although the members of the UWO compete well in combat sports, survival is what it truly charishes. The brothers gave a little taste of the UWO's spirit of real jiu-jitsu.

5/23/08

Master Murgel Returns to Brazil in June

 

Master Murgel will be accompanying Donovan Craig, Editor in Chief of "FIGHT" magazine, to Brazil this June. Donovan will be conducting interviews at the largest MMA gyms of Brazil. While in Brazil, Master Murgel will also conduct a huge seminar and belt testing in his home town of Porto Alegre. Good luck to them on the travels and for a safe return.

5/17/08

Rosangela Conceicao Makes History for Olympic Games

 

Rosangela Conceicao, former BJJ & Judo World, National, and State Champion under Master Murgel, has become the first Brazilian female wrestler to be headed to the Olympic Games in 2008. She began wrestling just a few years ago with her current wrestling coaches. The UWO congratulates and sends great wishes to Rosangela in her endeavor. 

5/13/08

Team HCX Fighters Selected for World Pankration Competition in Albania

 

Four members of Team HCX have been selected by the USA Federation of Pankration Athlima to represent the USA Team in Albania. The four competitors are Laura Edler-Hill, Brian Ferenchik, Will Liptak, and Efrain Vazquez. Three of these competitors already brought home 2 Golds, and 1 Silver from the World Cup on April 14, 2008. 

5/10/08

Master Murgel Leads Union Team in Georgia to Victories at NAGA 

Union Team members were amongst more than 1,000 competitors at the NAGA competition in Alpharetta, Georgia. Master Murgel took 11 competitors, 10 of which had no previous experience in competition. As a result of the competitors hard work, the team brought home 8 medals (3 Gold, 3 Silver, & 2 Bronze). Congratulations competitors.

5/5/08

Union Team Brazil Wins Nationals in Rio De Janeiro  

On May 3rd and 4th, three of Master Ricardo Murgel's purple belts out of the Union Team in Brazil, traveled to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships.   The three competitors traveled by themselves, with no coaches, and took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the competition.  Congratulations to these amazing warriors. 

4/19/08

The UWO Welcomes Chris Malgeri and Martial Arts Unlimited

 

Master Murgel and the UWO Executive Directors would like to welcome Chris Malgeri and his Martial Arts Unlimited family to the Union World Organization. Chris has been personally evaluated by Professor Murgel, and deemed worthy of joining the UWO ranks. Chris brings with him, 15 years of BJJ experience, as well as experience in Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Kali, and MMA. Chris is currently an MMA fighter and currently holds a 155 lbs. title. With that all being said, welcome Chris to the UWO family

4/12/08

Congratulations Team HCX

 

The UWO congratulates Team HCX, headed by the Hill Brothers, on their successful showing at the USA Pankration World Cup. Team HCX took 10 competitors, all of whom placed in this World Pankration competition. All in all, Team HCX walked away with 6 Gold, 2 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals. Competitors included: Laura Edler-Hill, Brian Ferenchik, Corrado Venzon, Griffon Venzon, Jimmy Bullock, Jeremy Turner, Will Liptak, Dave Cawall, Ray Bohm, and Angel Santana. Laura Edler-Hill and Jimmy Bullock, were also official Team USA members for this event.