Welcome to Mata Leao

Welcome to Mata Leao Combat Sports!

I would personally like to extend my appreciation to you for choosing our school.  I am excited to help you along the tremendous experience of discovering martial arts and to help you receive all the benefits Mata Leao Combat Sports has to offer.

Our martial arts school is a unique learning institution, where you are not just a student, but also part of a family of martial artists striving for excellence.  Each student here at our school is an important part of this learning community.  Your successes in class will further the successes of every other student.  Every other student’s successes will further your own success.

It is our goal at Mata Leao Combat Sports to share the good values of the martial arts; to help people reach high, yet attainable goals, and develop themselves as a whole person. Ultimately, we encourage everyone of our students to live the lifestyle of training hard, training consistent, being happy and staying healthy.

That being said, I hope that you are ready to dive deep into our world of knowledge, work hard and crush some goals.

“Its not just an art. It’s a way of life”

This Welcome Guide will serve as your guide to the academy of your future. The following pages hold the answers to many of your questions. Please take time to carefully read each section and bookmark this guide for future reference. If you have any questions after reading this guide, please see any of our staff. The purpose of this guide is to define guidelines for what you can expect from Mata Leao Combat Sports, and what is expected of you. 

Please take the time now to familiarize yourself with Mata Leao Combat Sport’s Mission, School Expectations and Rules and all other important information that everyone must know. 

Welcome, and continued best wishes to all. 

Sincerely,

Prof. Omar Santiago

Mission Statement 

Our Mission or Main Goal is to help you improve yourself using the martial arts as the vehicle for personal growth and development. We want to provide our students with several options of martial arts training that fit their personalities and goals. 

Mata Leao Combat Sports is committed to quality martial arts and fitness training that help us become better people by: 

•Providing a safe training environment 

•Offering a friendly, professional staff 

•Acting as a positive force in our community 

•Developing a code of conduct as well as learning effective self-defense

•Inspiring the competitive mindset by maintaining a strong team presence at local, national and international competitions throughout the year.

Our aim is to encourage individuals and families to lead healthier lifestyles, and to assist them in reaching their martial arts and fitness-related goals. We seek to touch the lives of as many individuals as possible with the positive benefits of the martial arts.

What You Are Going To Learn

At Mata Leao Combat Sports, we offer 3 martial arts programs, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai (Kickboxing), and Mixed Martial Arts.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – BJJ is our our preferred martial art that emphasizes on taking your opponent to the ground and grappling on the ground. As a student, you will learn how to take your opponent down to the ground and control your opponent using many different submission holds – such as chokes, arm-locks, leg-locks, and more. In Jiu Jitsu, you will also learn how to dominate positioning on the ground and how to escape from bad positions – giving you the superior position to strike or finish with a submission in a real fight. Our program consists of both the traditional form of BJJ with the Gi (kimono) and the NO Gi form of jiu jitsu without the Gi (t-shirt/ rash guard and shorts). We ask that everyone starts with the Gi (kimono) as most of our Fundamental classes require the Gi. Once you have gotten the basics then should you start exploring the NO Gi classes.

Muay Thai (Kickboxing) – Muay Thai is a stand-up style of fighting that utilizes punching, kicking, elbows, knees and the clinch. As a student, you will learn how to deliver devastating strikes to different vital areas of the body that will bring down your opponent. At the same time, you will learn how to defend and counter against different strikes and attacks. It is very important to know how to strike because although 95% of fights end up on the ground… 100% of them start standing.

Mixed Martial Arts –  In our MMA program, you are going to be studying under the Mata Leao Combat Sports MMA system, which is a mix of Muay Thai (kickboxing), Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo and Sambo. As a student, you will learn how to use techniques from these several martial arts disciplines and apply them in real situations. This program is gear to teach students the ‘’sport” of MMA as well as touch base on self-defense tactics and awareness. This form of fighting is self defense that works outside of the classroom. This is a complete style of fighting that will allow anyone any age, size or gender to effectively defend themselves against any opponent. If you are interested in fighting in a future MMA sanctioned fight, this is the program for you. You must be enrolled in the Combat Athlete Program (CAP).

Rules and Etiquette 

At MLCS, we have certain traditions, rules and training etiquette that everyone must  follow. The reasons for this is to create a safer, cleaner, friendlier, and more respectful training environment. Here is a list of some of these traditions, rules and training etiquettes. 

Class Rules and Etiquette

• • You must bow towards the mat whenever you step on or off the mat.
  • You must always address Black Belt instructors as “Professor” and all other instructors as “Coach”,”Sir” or “Ma’am” during class.
  • Sign in at the front desk upon entering the facility and before starting class.
  • Attend class on time.
  • If you are late, or you do not have your uniform you must notify the instructor before entering the class.
  • Do not step on mats with shoes or flip flops on.
  • Greet teammates upon entering the mat. Shake everyone hands upon entering mat.
  • During Muay Thai and No Gi you must always wear a shirt or rash guard. 
  • Remove all jewelry (Piercing, chains, rings etc.) before training.
  • Women/ Girls must wear a rash guard/ t-shirt under their Gi.
  • Keep your personal belongings in a cubby during class not scattered throughout the academy.
  • To train in a class you must do the warm up, if you are late you will be asked to do your own warm up before entering class (i.e. lots of Burpees)
  • Follow all the sparring rules and fight with control.
  • After using the academy equipment, place it back on the shelf neatly.
  • Write your name on all of your equipment.
  • ALWAYS have ALL of your equipment (mouthguard, shin pads, etc.) ready with you in class. Last thing the instructor wants when he/ she asks to put on your protective gear, is for you to leave the training area to hunt for your stuff.
  • If you have lost or found something, we have a lost in found box in one of the cubbies.
  • When the instructor is teaching or talking, you must be in attention and not talking.
  • If you must step off the mats for whatever reason (to get water, etc.) you must ask the instructor first.
  • No inappropriate language during class or when children are present.
  • No inappropriate outburst in class, even if injured.
  • Turn your cell phone off in class or put it on vibrate.
  • If you are waiting in the guest area during a class – you must be quiet and any conversation should be kept at a respectful level. If the instructor can hear you while teaching, you are talking too loud.
  • •     If you are not part of an ongoing class, do not train on the same mat as them while class is going on.
  • •     If  you are physically unable to participate in class, you are encouraged to sit in, observe and take notes.  If you do attend – full class credit is granted.
  • No coaching during sparring done in class – that is the instructor’s job.
  • Make sure to read the message boards, visit the academy’s website, and the academy’s Facebook page to stay up to date with news and activities.
  • Students are encouraged to support and attend all academy activities, seminars, and the like.
  • Respect your instructors and training partners at all time.

Cleanliness

• Do not leave anything in the guest area.

• Do not throw garbage on the floor – throw it in the trash. Throw plastic bottles in the trash can labeled Recycle. Do not throw trash (i.e. paper towels, used athletic tape) in the recycle bin throw it in the trash.

• If you spill anything, specially colored sugar drinks (Gatorade), clean it immediately. Otherwise the spill might stain the mats,

•Do not walk in the academy off the mats with bare feet (i.e. getting water, going to the bathroom). Wear shoes or a pair of flip flops/ sandals is best.

•Always walk into the bathroom with shoes on. Otherwise you will be spreading the germs from the bathroom onto the mats.

•Leave the bathroom clean – if you spill on the floor or seat please wipe it. Flush only toilet paper in the toilet – not paper towels.

•Do not put personal drinks or bought drinks in the refrigerator – that is for new drinks to be sold. Students have bought and drank previously opened drinks, not knowing they belonged to someone else.

•If you noticed you are bleeding, please stop training, clean the blood (with Hydrogen Peroxide), and cover the cut.

•Maintain good hygiene (clipped nails, clean uniform, clean and non-smelly gear)

•After training and going home, make sure air out your personal equipment (gloves, shin guards, groin cup, etc.) Never leave your gear in your training bag. Doing so will promote bacteria and all kinds of nasties to grow on your stuff. This ultimately leads to funky smelling equipment thus ruining them.

•Did we mention clean your gi? Can’t say this enough. Always wash your gi after every use. If you are a savage that trains a few times a week or more. Invest in multiple gis. Clean gis = lots of friends and happy training partners :0)  Dirty gis = No Friends. :0(

•If you notice anything particular on you skin, such as ring worm, shingles, or other skin diseases – please visit a dermatologist and let the instructor know.

•Bathe immediately after class and use anti-bacterial soap to minimize chance of catching a skin ailment.

•For your knowledge, at MLCS we mop the mats daily with hospital grade disinfectant. We do our part to keep the environment clean and safe from germs please do your part in helping to keep it clean by staying clean.

Weight Set

•Weights can only be used during Open Mat or during Fundamentals classes. If there is a class going on, do not disturb class.

•When lifting heavy weights (i.e. Barbell lifts, Powerlifting, Bench, Squats, etc.) one must have a partner to spot you and leave the weights neat after.

•Do not leave weights around mat training area.

Sparring Rules

Sparring is a good way for students to learn how to apply certain techniques in a real setting. At Mata Leao Combat Sports, we practice three different forms of sparring. All sparring is done with extreme care and control. All sparring must be supervised by an Instructor. Only CAP members may engage in Muay Thai Kickboxing or Freestyle sparring. If you have any questions, please speak with an instructor and do not spar until you fully understand all the rules. Below are the rules:

Jiu Jitsu/ Grappling “Rolling”

When the instructor tells the students that its time to “Roll”, it is referring to these rules. Grappling (rolling) is similar to wrestling – but instead of trying to pin your opponent, you are trying to submit him/her. All submissions must be used with extreme care and control. If a submission is applied to you, you must tap physically or verbally so that you can be released from the submission. It is your responsibility to tap and your responsibility to not hurt your partner when applying a submission hold. If you have a submission hold and your partner is not tapping, then you must let go of the hold and not hurt him/her. All intro Fundamental students will start grappling from their knees – until they learn how to execute and defend takedowns in the Combat Athlete Program. Intro Fundamental students and all white belts are not allowed to attempt or apply heel hooks. There are absolutely no strikes of any kind allowed. No punches, kicks, slaps, headbutts, knees, etc. No attacks to the front of the windpipe (i.e. finger in the throat), eyes (elbows, palms, fingers, etc.) or groin. No fish hooks, no hair pulling, or biting. No pushing palm or elbow directly into nose. No dropping or slamming of opponent on their head, no slamming from the guard position (from above the waist). Do not slam to get out of a position, especially a triangle choke. All grappling requires a mouthpiece. If you do not wear ear guards you run the risk of cauliflower ear (a permanent swelling of the ears). If at anytime you feel hurt or sick – you can always verbally give up and step aside. If you feel unsafe (i.e. opponent going too aggressive) you have the choice to not continue the round. You do not have to stay in and finish the round.

Muay Thai Kickboxing When the instructor tells the student that we will “Spar or Technical Spar”, it is referring to these rules. Muay Thai Kickboxing is a form of stand up fighting. Students will use a combination of punches, kicks and knees from the standing position. When Muay Thai Kickboxing, the proper gear must be worn – which includes, mouthpiece, headgear, groin cup, padded gloves (between 14 to 18 ounces), and padded shin guards. All Muay Thai Kickboxing must be done with extreme care and control. There are no strikes allowed to the groin, spine, or knee. There are no elbows allowed and no knees to the head. If at anytime you feel hurt or sick – you can always verbally give up and step aside. If you feel unsafe (i.e. opponent going too aggressive) you have the choice to not continue the round. you do not have to finish the round.

Freestyle (MMA):

When the instructor says that we will spar “Freestyle”, it is referring to these rules. The fights will start standing and possibly go to the ground. All strikes must be exercised with extreme care and control. All striking done with light contact – NO FULL CONTACT. There are absolutely no strikes allowed to the spine, knee or groin. There are no elbows allowed and no knees to the head. The proper protective gear must be worn, including padded gloves, padded head gear, mouthpiece, and groin cup. Submissions and takedowns are allowed. All submissions must be used with extreme care and control. If a submission is applied to you, you must tap physically and verbally so that you can be released from the submission. It is your responsibility to tap and it is your responsibility to not hurt your training partner with a submission hold. If you have a submission hold on and your training partner is not tapping, then you must let go of the hold and not hurt him/her. No attacks to the front of the windpipe (i.e. finger in the throat), eyes, or groin. No pushing palm or elbow directly into nose. No dropping or slamming of opponent on their head, no slamming from the guard position (from above the waist). Do not slam to get out of a position, especially a triangle choke. If at anytime you feel hurt or sick – you can always verbally give up and step aside. If you feel unsafe (i.e. opponent going too aggressive) you have the choice to not continue the round. You do not have to stay in and finish the round.

What is the Intro Fundamentals Program

and the Combat Athlete Program?

When you join Mata Leao Combat Sports, you begin in the Intro Fundamentals Program. The introduction program covers the basics, teaching you the Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Kickboxing. The introduction program is also designed to get you into decent physical shape – enough to get you ready for the Combat Athlete Program.

The CAP program stands for “Combat Athlete Program”.  Being part of CAP means that you have gone through the Intro Fundamentals Program, learned the basics, and decided that getting your black belt is something you definitely want. To get into the CAP program, you have to be invited by your instructor. The instructor will invite you when he/she feels you are ready.  The are lots of benefits to joining the CAP.

One of the benefits of the Combat Athlete Program is the amount of classes. In the Fundamentals Program, you can only train two times during the week in BJJ Fundamental and/or Muay Thai Fundamental classes only, plus any of our Open Mats. As a Combat Athlete Program member, you are allowed to train in 3+ classes per week. In addition to training in the Fundamental classes, you are allowed to train in the:

• CAP Advanced BJJ classes
• CAP Advanced Muay Thai classes
• CAP MMA class  
• Warrior Challenge Strength and Conditioning

   Students enrolled in our CAP Program will be allowed to enter our Official Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) belt ranking system. This is where you get ranked in accordance to our MMA curriculum. You must be in the CAP Program in order to move up in the belt ranks in the MMA Program. Once you are in CAP you will also be allowed to attend special seminars and webinars hosted throughout the year for intermediate and advanced students.       

Another benefit is the length of classes.  CAP classes go from 75 to 90 minutes in length – compared to the one hour of the introduction section.  The extra time gives instructors more time to work on technique, conditioning, and sparring/ rolling time. The extra half hour makes a big difference which you will notice right away. 

The other great benefit of our CAP classes is the level of instruction. As a CAP member you will be taught by the rest of our black belt head instructors and our competition hardened coaches. MLCS coaches are world-class competitors and instructors that will take you to the next level from your introduction graduation.

The average time to be invited to CAP from the Fundamentals Program is anywhere between 2 to 4 months – depending on how often you train and progress. Once your head coaches decide that your are fit for CAP, you will then meet with the program director and get you signed up for the CAP Program.

Even more serious and prestigious than the CAP program is the CAP PRO Program.   Upon joining the CAP, you have the option of joining our CAP PRO Program – which  means that you can come to train in Unlimited Fundamentals and CAP classes.  As a CAP Pro member, you will be training with MLCS’s top competitors and fighters, learning and training with the best. This is true unlimited training – giving you a pass to train in any program we offer.  The CAP PRO program is most beneficial to the serious martial artist or professional fighter who is seeking the extra training time.   

 Testing and Promotions

Here at MLCS we like to run things like any other reputable institution of higher learning.  Our programs are structured with curriculums and monthly tests to help guide our students through their learning experience and our ranking system.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – In our BJJ program we follow the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) ranking system which for most consists of 5 main colored belts for adults: White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black. To acquire and move up to the next belt you must earn 4 stripes on your belt.

 As a beginner you will start as a white belt in our Fundamentals Program learning the blue belt curriculum (the first colored belt). This curriculum is divided into 4 sections where each section is taught throughout one month. Every 4 months we start the curriculum all over. Testing for that month’s portion of the curriculum will be given every last Thursday of the month at 7:00pm.

Muay Thai (Kickboxing) –  In Thailand, Muay Thai is a professional combat sport just like boxing. Fighters who join a gym do the sport to earn a living not belt ranks. A fighter’s rank is based purely on skill, fight record, quality of wins, and number of championship belts and titles. That being said, here at MLCS the majority of students enrolled in our Muay Thai program will likely never step into the ring. With that in mind, we have created a curriculum that covers the basic punches, knees, elbows, kicks and clinching techniques from beginner to advanced. We also incorporated some “Dutch/European” Kickboxing and “Western” Boxing as well into the curriculum. Our curriculum is split up into four sections distinguishing the 4 ranges of standing combat: Mid Range, Short Range, Long Range and The Clinch. Each section is taught during a month period. Every 4 months we will have covered the whole curriculum and will start all over again.

To go along with the curriculum we have created a promotional system to give students something to work towards their achievements. For our Fundamentals Program we award 4 Certificates for each of the 4 levels of achievements towards acquiring the coveted Mata Leao Muay Thai shorts.

Student Agreements and Cancellation Policy

“Time Off” 

I understand that throughout my training commitment as stated in my signed 

agreement, I will be paying the agreed upon rate until the program commitment ends.

If I need to take more than 30 consecutive days off from training for any reason, be it 

vacation time, time to heal a minor injury, illness, scheduling conflict, etc., I can 

request to get the full time credited back to me at the end of my training program,

in the form of “free” months of training. To receive credit, I must request it IN 

WRITING, or via email to mataleaocs@gmail.com, BEFORE I take the requested 

amount of time off! 

(Please don’t ask for credited time AFTER you take a break. We can’t confirm that!)

  CANCELLATION POLICY

You (the buyer) may cancel your agreement by midnight of Mata-Leao Combat Sport’s third business day after the date of this agreement. Excluding Sunday or holidays, such cancellation must be in writing, sent registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or hand delivered to Mata-Leao Combat Sports, 1115 SE Stephens st., Portland, OR 97214. If you do hand deliver your cancellation notice, be sure to get a signed statement from an official at the Academy, acknowledging the receipt of your notice. If you miss the initial cancellation period, you may still cancel your contract afterwards by paying one third of the remaining balance – however, any fees already collected are non-refundable. If your account goes more than 90 days delinquent, you may be sent to collections for the full outstanding amount. You may cancel your membership if you develop a full disability, which prohibits you from utilizing ALL portions of the gym, by having your physician fill out a Disability Form provided by MLCS. This form must be faxed directly from the doctor’s office in order to be accepted. A doctor’s note will not be accepted. For minor injuries, see the paragraph above. You may terminate this agreement in the event that you permanently move your residence more than 50 miles away from any of our locations. For termination due to a permanent move, a written notice of 30 days must be sent to Mata-Leao Combat Sports by certified mail with legitimate verification of the move, any fees already collected are non-refundable, and a $100 termination fee will apply.                  

Student Creed

•I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and to avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or physical health. 

•I intend to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in others and myself. 

•I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively; to help my fellow man, and myself and never to be abusive or offensive.