MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MMA
TRAINER / COACH
JERBO NERNEY
JAN / 2011
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Coach / Trainer Jerbo Nerney. I first met Jerbo in the year 2003 at the ironworks bodybuilding Gym located in Claremont California. When we initially spoke in regards to Martial Arts, I knew from his words that his knowledge was vast with a traditional base. Jerbo had a genuine insight into the tactical workings of combat. I would watch as he went through his training routine, which was grueling to say the least. He had an obvious understanding of biomechanics, which he implemented into his weight training and Martial Arts technique. If I had to sum up what I know about Jerbo and his art, I would say his system is practical, no nonsense and direct. We here at Martialforce.com hope you enjoy this interview.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Martial Arts magazine
Martialforce.com: When did you begin your Martial Arts training?
JERBO NERNEY: Originally in 1979/80, then I began more seriously in 1995 when I took two years of San Soo with Sensei Bill Lasiter then Ninpo with Carl Arvilla. I was eventually introduced to Richard Van Donk who told me about Ron Blackwood in Orange County. This meeting lead to my studying with Hatsumi in Japan. I trained with Blackwood and received my Shodan and Nidan . My Sandan and Yondan from Negato Sensei and Godan and Rokudan from Hatsumi in Japan. I cross-trained in Escrima with Richard Van Donk and Muay Thai under Brian Dobler. The frequent trips to Japan exposed me to other styles of Martial Arts.
SOKE MASAAKI HATSUMI
Martialforce.com: What was your reason for getting involved in the Martial Arts?
JERBO NERNEY: I worked as a bouncer and would get into a lot of fights. Through this line of work I met a police officer that helped me get into the Bodyguard profession, which changed my life.
Martialforce.com: Our research shows that you went from a traditional approach to an eclectic in MMA and Jiu Jitsu, can you explain this to our readers?
JERBO NERNEY: Sure, in 2002 I began to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, at that time I was being offered fights in Japan. It was an interesting time as prices are high in Japan so I would mail my food in a package to myself at the Hotel that I was planning to stay in before leaving the U.S. to save money. In Japan I fought 7 Vale Tudo matches with a record of 7 / 0. The 7th and last fight I knocked out my opponent in 2.38 seconds of the first round. The 7 fights were within a three-year span and I eventually retired in 2005.
In 2007 I closed the school I was teaching from and started training with Wander Braga in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and eventually received my purple belt. I became assistant instructor at Braga’s school.
Martialforce.com: Are you currently teaching and if so what is the location?
JERBO NERNEY: Yes, I currently teach at my own studio, which is located at 1848 11th street, suite-B, between Benson and Central Avenues in Upland California. I opened this location in 2010 under the Pimpit Fight Team banner and it is going great. I still train under Braga with one of his black belts, Peter Han. I would like to point out that everything I studied with my prior instructors is still part of my personal regimen but at the school the training is geared towards MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Martialforce.com: So was this a decision to switch the teaching method?
JERBO NERNEY: As far as the business end of being a fulltime instructor goes, when I taught tradition there weren’t that many people interested. I switch to this way of teaching and everything has changed. I want to re-iterate that I still train and practice traditional but I make a living with MMA. If someone comes to me and is interested in tradition then I will teach what I have learned.
ROYLER GRACIE, JERBO NERNEY AND WANDER BRAGA
Martialforce.com: What would you say is a main difference between MMA and traditional training?
JERBO NERNEY: Conditioning! prior to my MMA training I worked out to what I believed was the highest physical limit in basics and technique. When I began training in MMA it was like an epiphany. All of a sudden I realized I had a lot missing in the grass roots level of combat conditioning. Anyone that has gone through this transition knows exactly what I mean. I am not taking anything away from my prior training; I am just stating a fact.
Martialforce.com: Would you recommend MMA and Jiu Jitsu training to children?
JERBO NERNEY: If it is a qualified instructor then the training is great for children. Contrary to rumors in regards to MMA, a child will learn mental discipline through physical exercise and related concepts. Yes, we train fighters for the ring experience but there are others that come for the training and as time goes by they learn to achieve their goals through hard work.
Martialforce.com: You train fighters at your school; can you name a few that have competed?
JERBO NERNEY: RJ, Chris Reyes, Chris Golz & Kevin the Boom Bostick are my best guys.
Martialforce.com: Your wife Brandy is a competitor in MMA; can you tell our readers about her experience?
JERBO NERNEY: She fought as an am Kick boxer her record was 9-2 6kos I trained her then she tried MMA as a Pro it’s a different world her record was 1-3 now she is retired still does a little jiu-jitsu she is a blue belt under Wander Braga.
Martialforce.com: Your son Ricky competes in Jiu Jitsu tournaments, can you elaborate on his training?
JERBO NERNEY: He's been training for a long time he's a Blue Belt in BJJ as well & Pretty good at Muay Thai as well but its just a family thing to him he does it for fun like his 3 sisters. He’s only 21, maybe he will get serious one day.
Martialforce.com: What in your experience defines a good Karate practitioner?
JERBO NERNEY: Can’t tell you, I never trained in Karate myself.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any short or long-term plans in regards to Martial Arts?
JERBO NERNEY: Keep Going, as my Soke in Japan would say.
Martialforce.com: Who has been your greatest influence in Martial Arts and / or throughout your life?
JERBO NERNEY: Soke Hatsumi & Wander Braga.
Martialforce.com:
What would
you say is your greatest achievement to date?
JERBO NERNEY: My Kids outside Martial Arts, otherwise I haven’t achieved it yet
Martialforce.com: What changes do you hope to see in MMA competition in the next few years?
JERBO NERNEY: I would like to see the United States go to Japanese rules as it was in Pride. I would like to see more growth in women’s MMA and a division for the women in the U.F.C. My wife being a former pro-MMA Fighter, I got to support the girls.
Martialforce.com: You were a competitor, do you miss the action and would you consider getting back in the ring?
JERBO NERNEY: No, its not that I couldn’t handle the fighting anymore. I just couldn’t handle the training to prepare for the fight. When its time to retire, its time to retire.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for this interview and we here at Martialforce.com wish you success in all future endeavors.
JERBO NERNEY: Thank you for the opportunity.
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