By TXMMA Staff
Newly-minted Royce Gracie black belt pushes forward in his martial arts journey
That pretty much describes the story of our current instructor in focus, Chad Kight. Starting his BJJ journey over 18 years ago, Chad has progressed to becoming the head instructor of his own academy, Sugarland Mixed Martial Arts (SLMMA). He also recently obtained his black belt under original UFC winner Royce Gracie.
We caught up with Chad recently to get his perspective on what it took to get to where is along with where he plans to go from here on out.
TXMMA Interview – Chad Kight (Head Instructor, Sugarland MMA)
Chad Kight – I’ve been training BJJ for 18 years now. Actually it was 18 years back in January so now a little over, you know how time flies when you’re having fun! I earned my Black Belt with Royce Gracie in December 2013. There was a gathering in Miami at Gracie HQ with Royce and about 25 of his black belts from around the world. Even GM Helio Gracie’s best friend and fellow GM Pedro Valente Sr. was there. To finally earn my black belt with all of them watching was indescribable. It’s been a lot of years of training, sweating, bleeding, breaking and healing so it means a lot and that’s an understatement. It was a great day but the black belt is just the beginning. Now it starts all over again.
TXMMA –Was this (martial arts) always something you’ve loved?
Chad Kight – I always liked martial arts and fighting. Even before I found out about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I was a kid taking Karate classes at the local boys and girls club in El Campo, TX. So that desire to train has been there a while. It’s kind of hard to put into words or rewind back to the age of 10 years old but I’ve always known this was going to be my life. I always believed that with the discipline to train anything is possible. Life has its ups and downs but when you know what you love to do and commit yourself to it you’ll go down a natural path. You’re only a product of what you’ve been thinking and doing the most. As far as training and teaching…There are easier things to do out there but it is the most rewarding lifestyle for me and I wouldn’t change a thing. Training has shaped my life in more ways than I can name. It is the back bone of everything that I do, the way I eat, and the way that I think. Training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a lifestyle and a way of living both on and off the mat. It has helped me handle all of life opposition much easier. With training, all areas of life get better and continue to grow.
TXMMA – You seem to be pretty philosophical with your approach. Practically, how do you think training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu might benefit the average person?
Chad Kight – It depends what standpoint we are talking from. Helio Gracie’s stand up Jiu-Jitsu curriculum that I teach benefits everyone. Even though we do sport Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, a lot of times the competition aspect isn’t for everyone. Not everybody cares about scoring points in a tournament setting or fighting with rounds, in fact some care nothing at all about competing. Some people only seek training to gear up for a real fight or self-defense situation. This is beautiful and the true essence Jiu-Jitsu that it can help so many people in a real world sense. I believe in Jiu-Jitsu because I know from my own experience that it works and is king of the martial arts world. I have also been training boxing, kick boxing, JKD, and kali for many years but those are simply hobbies. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a way of life to me.
TXMMA – Speaking of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, tell us about how you got involved with and Royce originally.
Chad Kight – I first got introduced to Royce when my friend Pat (Hawk) Hardy invited me over to his academy way back when. I was just a white belt then but I instantly believed in what Royce was teaching. I received my blue belt from Royce and continued training under his guidance with every one of my ranks up to the recent Black Belt and it’s been an amazing journey. I’ve trained with plenty of people but it was his family that brought the art here to America so to me it’s always been one and the same. I have been around some of the best fighters in the world and training at different places with Royce and other people from our Team network. It has been an amazing experience.
TXMMA – Tell us more about Sugarland Mixed Martial Arts. How’s it going and what do you see as the future for SLMMA?
Chad Kight – My school is going great, everyone is eager to learn and getting better daily. The team is getting bigger and with such a great group of students, friends, and members here we can’t go wrong. Even though we all come from all different walks of life we all show up to this place every day for the same reasons. Everyone here has the discipline to get better and the drive to succeed, they create a positive and uplifting atmosphere that is hard to stop. For the future of SLMMA I see more locations in the future and more positive energy going into life. That’s what it’s all about. Just got to keep living!
TXMMA – What about yourself? Any plans to compete on the sport scene in the future?
Chad Kight – Well like you know the school takes a lot of my attention, I train several hundred guys and girls each week so that can get to be a full-time job with running the business too. My focus as coach and school owner is to keep building so right now my main focus is giving back to my students and focusing on making them better but I think yes I will still compete too when the time is right.
TXMMA – What advice do you have for anyone looking to pick a school to join?
Chad Kight – I would tell them to go try out and try all the places they want to consider. They have to find a place that they like to be at. Everyone should choose a place that they feel comfortable training at all-around. It’s like picking a family so it’s not a decision to take likely.
TXMMA – Going further, why should they pick SLMMA to train with you? What would that mean to them?
Chad Kight – It would mean that they are drinking straight from the source. The techniques that Royce gives me I give to them.
TXMMA – Thanks for the interview and congratulations again. Anything else you would like to share?
Chad Kight – Just that I am very thankful for all my Jiu-Jitsu friends and family that helped me along in this journey. There are too many of you too name but everyone is appreciated very much. Jiu-Jitsu has given me everything I need including all the amazing people in my life…. God Bless.