Crimson Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

06/06/2026

MMA has arrived at Crimson Guard. First practice in the books! Saturdays at 12:00PM for all members!

4640 W. 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL

06/04/2026

Muay Thai Kickboxing every Wednesday at Crimson Guard! Monthly & Daily options!
4640 W. 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL

05/31/2026

Congrats to Benji & Niko on their superfight wins at Nitro Grappling Expo tonight!

05/24/2026

To my students back home - Hello from Tokyo. I will see everyone on Tuesday. I hope the mats have been as packed as this picture while I was away, and that they are like this for my return! I will be coming back with lots of new inspiration and ideas that I picked up from some amazing people here.

Next immediate goal - like the team I was training with, for 75% of the room to have cauliflower ear as bad as mine! Which means, come in every day and don't stop!

またらいしゅう!!!

05/22/2026

MMA classes are arriving!
Beginning June 6th, we will be adding MMA to our schedule on Saturdays at 12pm, included in all memberships!
MMA gloves (4oz or training gloves) required.

4640 W. 103rd Street, Oak Lawn, IL

05/18/2026

Whenever I visit to Japan, I don't look it as a time to take off. Rather, an opportunity to get better. I learn how to be a better fighter, and also a better coach. Without Japan, there would be no jiu jitsu. Japan is the mecca of martial arts, and is also one of the leading countries on the Olympic gold medals list in wrestling. Much more training for me here throughout the rest of my trip.
For all my students back home - whenever you travel, bring a rash guard or a gi and explore what's out there, wherever you go.
Thank you to Fighter's Flow gym in Tokyo - I am so happy to call you guys friends. Training with you guys is a blast.

05/16/2026

Hello friends and students back home. At 6:00am (moments ago, Japan time) I decided to go for a run and explore the absolute beauty of the far outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. Staying 40 minutes away from the main city area, away from all the tourists, but definitely not in the "middle of nowhere", rather, in the middle of hidden beauty. I wanted to be at a place among small town natives, where tourism hardly exists, and you need to fully speak Japanese to get by.

Looking at hidden artifacts and structures during my run that are centuries old and still standing the test of time made me realize how small we are in a big, big world. It mostly made me reflect on the word respect.

Anything in this world that was here before us, and will be around long after we are gone, deserves our utpmost respect. This is why I honor and dedicate so much of myself to jiu jitsu. I love finding peace in Japan, because this is where it all began - long before me, and will be here long after me.

When I thought I was finished with my run, I spotted old, moss-covered steps that I decided to run up, remembering what I was reflecting on. It seemed easy at first, but then they began getting steeper and steeper, and I noticed they looked like they go on forever. My legs were burning in pain and I wanted to quit - but I remembered what I'm here for. I realized - centuries ago workers built these steps for me to walk. If they could build them, I could run them.

I eventually made it to the top, and it was a perfect reflection of the jiu jitsu journey. There are so many times where its easy to quit, and it does get harder as you go through, but the rewards make it all worth it.

What was my reward today? I made it up to a place that most people in this world will never know exists. Only a special few. The peace, harmony, and reflection is nothing I can ever get back home. Breathing in crisp morning Japan air after a grueling physical and mental test is something I'll have the rest of my life, and I definitely will make this a new personal spot for my future trips whenever I need to find myself again.

05/13/2026

May temporary schedule updates:
Thursday morning 11:00am classes on May 14th & May 21st will be members-only open mat
Tuesday morning 10:00am class on May 19th will be canceled
Women's class on Sunday, May 17th will be canceled

All other classes will remain as regularly scheduled. Sorry for the inconvenience.

05/09/2026

NAGA offered our students the experiences of ups and downs today, primarily for our kids. Showed us what to work on going forward, but to focus on the highlights...
Abella - Double champ, undefeated, title winner in go & no gi. Ultimate MVP moment!
Kevin - Very solid 6-3 record with 5 submission wins
Adults - Matt - undefeated no gi gold medalist, 100% submission rate

Also congrats to the rest of the team - Cesar, Rylee, Donovan, Brixton - competing is not easy and is something the average person will never experience in their life first-hand. Not every match can be won, but showing up still speaks volumes.

As for me, it is time to go back to Japan and reset myself and train where it all began. I will see everyone again when I return at the end of the month.

04/25/2026

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

Call, email, or visit crimsonguardbjj.com to set up a free class!