Visalia's Tom Knox invites general public to come see how exciting Jiu Jitsu can be at F2W May 12th in Visalia

It is fight week in the Valley! A big weekend of MMA hits the Central Valley starting with "The biggest party in grappling" as Fight 2 Win hits the Visalia Convention Center Friday night May 12th, 2023. One of the top Jiu Jitsu promotions around sets up the mats for some of the top grapplers to showcase their skills. I caught up with one of the best when it comes to Jiu Jitsu, Elite Team owner and lead instructor Tom Knox prior to F2W 288.

Elite Team Visalia is busy dominating the Jiu Jitsu scene as always. We are always hearing about Elite Team students improving and taking home medals time after time, that it is almost too much to keep up with.  Visalia's 3rd degree black belt under Cleber Luciano, Tom Knox is the man with all the knowledge when it comes to Jiu Jitsu, his academy's, and Fight 2 Win. I started by asking, how everyone and everything was going at Elite Team Visalia? Knox replied,

"Elite Team International is doing incredible! All of our locations, not just Visalia, are doing so well. We finished the 2022 season as the #1 ranked adults and youth jiu jitsu academy for JJWL and our juvenile (16-17) blue belts brought home 3rd place team from the 2022 IBJJF World No Gi Championship. Our focus has been on winning in International competition."

As we know Jiu Jitsu is more popular than it once was, thanks to people like Tom. We do notice many Jiu Jitsu tournaments that get put on. I asked Tom, what are some recent Jiu Jitsu events he or his students have competed in? And how did they go? I also asked who are some standouts at Elite Team we should be keeping an eye out for? He responded,

"We have several standouts from our jiu-jitsu academies. The names that stand out are obviously Josh and Jacob Cisneros, Owen Sabroe, Sam Hulsey,Quentin Saenz, Hazel Vallejo, Harley Davidson and Janelle San Nicolas.  They range in age from 16 years old to 22 years old, blue thru black belts. All have been on the podiums and won IBJJF major tournaments in the juvenile and adult divisions."

Most MMA fans know how important Jiu Jitsu is when it comes to the fight game. Grappling bouts have been getting mixed into MMA events. I asked Tom, for someone maybe not new to Jiu Jitsu but only sees it when incorporated with MMA, what can they look forward to in an event that only showcases Jiu Jitsu? Knox said,

"Well ,they will see from our students a very technical style and attacking style of Jiu Jitsu, always hunting for the submission."

I asked what he thought were some of the top events currently in Jiu Jitsu? And where does Fight 2 Win stand In that mix? He responded with,

"For tournaments it's the IBJJF series and JJWL series. For professional events F2W Pro has been the best in the industry in production and entertainment."

Fight 2 Win showcases Jiu Jitsu and their competitors the same way a professional MMA, Boxing, or even a Pro wrestling promotion would. They've done shows from Hawaii to San Francisco and now thanks to Tom, F2W comes to Visalia Friday night May12th 2023 at the Visalia Convention Center. I asked him how it came about? And how it felt to have a huge Jiu Jitsu event like this happening in his backyard?

"I have always wanted quality, professional Jiu Jitsu in the central valley. I got the IBJJF to Fresno and since Seth from F2W was already doing shows at the Fresno Fairgrounds, I told him we have a way better venue in Visalia not too far from Fresno. I want the general public to see how exciting Jiu Jitsu can be, but I always want them to see Jiu Jitsu produced by professional companies and quality tournaments."

Since the news broke that F2W would be coming to Visalia, the main question I'm getting is "Do you know if Tom Knox is competing?" I brought up the question and also asked if there was anyone he wanted to thank or shout out? He finished with,

"The card will be out soon.. I want to thank all the Elite Team International athletes for always representing us and showcasing their beautiful techniques."

F2W 228 Visalia goes down Friday May 12th, 2023 at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, Ca. Tickets available now at https://nitrotickets.com/event/640/Fight-1To-1Win-1228-1Visalia-1--10512

The event will also stream live on Fite TV @ www.fite.tv/watch/f2w-228-visalia-ca/2pcyq/

Visit F2W at www.f2wbjj.com

Check out Elite Team online on IG @ www.instagram.com/elite_team_visalia/?hl=en and on FB @ www.facebook.com/eliteteam.visalia/

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By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com