The school is run by Maryland transplant Evan “Oz” Gideon, a BJJ purple belt who most notably made a splash in the world level at the 2010 BJJ World Championships when he took gold at his weight and silver in the open class.
Recently moving to the island and opening his academy at the spot formerly occupied by Relson Gracie’s Joe Alexander, Evan is now working to expand Jiu-Jitsu’s reach by offering BJJ classes via Galveston BJJ while also partnering with veteran MMA fighter Randy Hauer to add Muay Thai Kickboxing and bring a full MMA curriculum to Galveston for the first time.
Evan recently participated at the Martial Arts Mania tournament earlier this month, scoring a gold medal in the purple belt division after defeating two game opponents.
In light of that performance and to let him tell everyone about his new school and what he hopes to bring to the Galveston area, we bring you this latest interview with Evan Gideon.
Evan, first of all congratulations from us at TXMMA on opening up the new academy. For our readers, can you tell us a bit about your background? When did you get started?
Thanks Mike. I started training BJJ four years ago. At first I trained in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but then I dropped everything and only did BJJ. Ever since then all I have done is train everyday multiple times a day.
What lead you to BJJ in the first place? Why do you have a passion for the sport?
My brother, Sonny Kerbow, brought me to an MMA gym and I was hooked. We use to train all the time and then go home hurting from the four-plus hours of training and that was fun. I always liked fighting and wrestling around growing up so BJJ came naturally to me. So after you do something for a while that is fun you keep doing it. Now I watch videos everyday and study BJJ all the time. It’s definitely a passion of mine.
What’s your proudest accomplishment in the sport so far?
It would have to be when I won the 2010 Mundials (BJJ World Championships). That was the best feeling in the world ever!
What do you believe it takes for somebody to be able to win at that level?
Listen to their instructor, take notes and listen to their INSTRUCTOR! If he or she is any good, they will be able to show you the right path to accomplish your goals in BJJ.
Let’s about life outside of Jiu-Jitsu for a minute. What do you when you’re not teaching or training?
When I am not training I am either watching film online or out in the surf fishing. I live right next to the beach and I like to fish A LOT. So I like to fish, golf, hunt, and train. The only two things I have been doing lately tough is fishing and training.
You know what, that doesn’t sound like a bad thing t all. What brought you down to Texas anyways? Do you have any roots here?
Yeah all my family lives down here in Texas. My dad lives in Baytown and my mom lives here on the Island. I was actually born in Houston.
How did Galveston BJJ come about?
The main reason is because there are no Mixed Martial Arts gyms here on the Island. We are the first and only one.
What do you think or hope your school will do for the sport in Galveston?
We are going to do big things for Galveston. I plan on building a BJJ team here on the Island. …A big one too. We are teamed up with CSI: Combat Sports Institute and I feel like the sky is the limit right now. We are definitely getting a Kids MMA program started here on the Island as well. Hopefully one day in the future we will be able to hold our own with some of the bigger schools.
Why should students sign up to train with you?
What type of school do you see Galveston BJJ being geared for? Competition? Self defense? Etc?
We will have classes that cater to all of those things – from the competitors and hobbyists to the people looking to get in shape or want to learn to protect themselves. One thing is for certain though – the gym will definitely have a competition team.
What about you? We have a pretty vibrant BJJ culture down here in Texas. Do you plan on competing regularly as well?
I plan on doing all the tournaments in the area and some of the IBJJF tournaments also. I think the BJJ scene here is getting there. A lot of changes have happened lately and I am looking forward in helping it evolve.
How can prospective students, etc. reach you?
They can reach me online at www.galvestonbjj.com or call at 443-618-8887. We’re also on Facebook.
We certainly wish you luck. Any last words for now Evan?
Thanks to TXMMA.com, Nutrition Demond, and CSI: Combat Sports Institute.
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