Recap Of The SBG Montana Summit

SBG Montana recently held its inaugural Montana Summit in Kalispell from June 14th to 16th, drawing over 70 members from its six locations across the state. The event was a resounding success, featuring intensive Jiu Jitsu instruction led by black belt gym owners from Missoula, Whitefish, Bigfork, Bozeman, and Kalispell.


The summit kicked off with Friday evening open roll sessions, catering to different skill levels and focusing sessions for ladies at SBG Whitefish, and various belt levels at SBG Kalispell and Bigfork.

Saturday’s schedule featured SBG Missoula’s Head Coach Gus Nolte discussing guard passing techniques and hip pinning. This was followed by SBG Whitefish’s Head Coach Daniel di Stefano teaching cross sides top techniques emphasizing body contouring and weight distribution. The day concluded with Cody Bessette from SBG Bigfork focusing on the “Hips over Heels” concept and its application in Jiu Jitsu.

Sunday began with specialized sessions: SBG Ladies learned about attacking from quarters top, while the kids’ section focused on breaking posture from closed guard bottom. The main session reunited all members, where SBG Bozeman’s Coach Ricky Davison taught backstep techniques for passing half guard. The weekend concluded with Coach Travis Davison covering ankle lock defense and protecting vital spaces.

Off the mats, attendees connected at a social event hosted by Black Rifle Coffee Company and enjoyed a dinner together. Fundraising activities included the sale of a steel SBG Belt Tree donated by Defiance Design owner Wyatt Vogsland from SBG Bozeman, with proceeds benefiting the Gorilla Booster Club, supporting travel costs for Jiu Jitsu competitors.

The summit also celebrated individual achievements within the SBG Montana community. Notably, Ricky and Stella Davison earned their first stripes as black belts, while Daniel DiStefano received his second degree. Belt promotions were also announced, with Jon Weimer promoted to Purple Belt by Coach Cody and Ted Davison to Blue Belt by Coach Travis. Lastly, Coach Travis announced Andy Stumpf’s promotion to the rank of Black Belt—a testament to his dedication and advocacy for Jiu Jitsu.

Overall, SBG Montana expressed pride in the growth of the SBG community across the state of Montana, emphasizing the camaraderie and learning fostered at the summit amongst members. One tribe, one vibe.

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Montana Summit Jiu Jitsu seminar in Kalispell, Montana on June 14th-16th

SBG Montana has announced that it will be hosting the Montana Summit Jiu Jitsu seminar in Kalispell, Montana on June 14th-16th. The weekend will kick off Friday night with open mat sessions at the Bigfork, Kalispell and Whitefish gyms. On Saturday and Sunday training sessions will be taught by the head coaches from 5 Montana SBG locations; Coach Gus Nolte from SBG Missoula, Coach Cody Bessette from SBG Bigfork, Coach Daniel DiStefano from SBG Whitefish, Coach Travis Davison from SBG Kalispell and Coach Ricky Davison from SBG Bozeman. There will also be a section for kids taught by Coach Cody Bessette, with the other head coaches assisting and a Ladies-Only section taught by Coaches Stella Davison and Leah Stumpf. A gym social will take place at Black Rifle Coffee on Saturday evening at Black Rifle Coffee in Downtown Kalispell. Members can register for this event at their home gym’s front desk!

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Smashing Success At Gorilla Cup XXI

On May 4, 2024 SBG’s Gorilla Booster Club hosted the Gorilla Cup XXI at Bigfork High School. The Gorilla Cup is a Jiu Jitsu tournament only for SBG members that is held twice a year to raise funds for the Gorilla Booster Club 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Gorilla Booster Club raises travel funds for Straight Blast Gym’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Competition Team (ages 5 & up) so they can participate in high-level tournaments throughout the Northwest. The Gorilla Booster Club was formed in 2012 to help “level the playing field” for Montana’s competitors. The GBC donates money to each participant for travel expenses & registration costs.

The Gorilla Cup XXI was a record smashing success with more funds raised and participants than ever before. 280 competitors from six Montana SBG locations filled the mats and raised over $18,000 for the Gorilla Booster club. Funds come from event registration, spectator entrance fees, donated baked goods and concession sales and t-shirt sales and the event is run by volunteers.

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