where did bam bam get his rank?[MOD NOTE: rank confirmed]

**MarioRoberto** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 6:27pm

GRINGO1,

I am usually a lurker and don't post very often. However, I am a strong believer that validating somebody's rank through investigation is a good thing when done in a proper and respectful manner. We all know there are some people out there who are not what they claim to be. This is not the case.

I promoted Scott Sullivan to the rank of black belt. I have been a black belt since 1998 and I have only promoted 3 people to the rank during these 10 years: Jose Morais (a Brazilian), Scott Sullivan and James Clingerman. Scott is a very technical grappler and more than deserves his promotion. He has been training for years -- we started training together in 1997, and he was already a blue belt back then. In fact, as far as I know, he was the first blue belt in the state of Indiana.

As far my credentials or whether I am a "real" black belt by your standards, you can either believe my forum tags (which are not given away without investigation from the mods) or read some feedback on the following thread.

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=68454

Best regards,

Mario Roberto

**clansullivan** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 7:27pm

Hi Gringo1,
I appreciate your courteous policing efforts on my credentials. I think Mario has pretty much summed up the BJJ side of things, so I don't need to add any more to that.

As for shootboxing being fake, this is simply false. Granted that any combat sport can be fixed and faked, and many in Japan like Pancrase are, I am unaware of any fixed shootboxing fights in Japan and I certainly didn't participate in any fixed shootboxing matches.

As for my students competing, well, it is true we are a young school - barely one year old. Nevertheless, we did send 9 guys to the last tournament here in Houston and brought home seven medals. I thought that was pretty good for starters and I hope to build on this in the future.

Finally, I'm sorry that you were disappointed that I don't "have any BJJ on my website". I suppose I would like to add this sort of thing, but I'm too busy teaching my students and spending time with my wife and 5 beautiful children.

In any case, perhaps the above will ease your publicly expressed curiosities and apparent frustrations regarding my business.

Kind regards,
Scott Sullivan

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 7:51pm

Mario Roberto and Scott have given a much more polite, concise, eloquent and grammatically correct explanation about their credentials than GRINGO1's lazy quasi-inquiry. Thank you both.

One would only hope that GRINGO1 replies soon with an apology, an explanation of sorts (or maybe something he knows that we don't know) rather than dissapear into the anonymous void of the internet...

... and if he does chooses to reply back, by the sweat freaking love of Bhaal, at least make the effort to write with proper grammar and capitalization.

**datdamnmachine** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 8:52pm

Originally Posted by MarioRoberto

GRINGO1,

I am usually a lurker and don't post very often. However, I am a strong believer that validating somebody's rank through investigation is a good thing when done in a proper and respectful manner. We all know there are some people out there who are not what they claim to be. This is not the case.

I promoted Scott Sullivan to the rank of black belt. I have been a black belt since 1998 and I have only promoted 3 people to the rank during these 10 years: Jose Morais (a Brazilian), Scott Sullivan and James Clingerman. Scott is a very technical grappler and more than deserves his promotion. He has been training for years -- we started training together in 1997, and he was already a blue belt back then. In fact, as far as I know, he was the first blue belt in the state of Indiana.

As far my credentials or whether I am a "real" black belt by your standards, you can either believe my forum tags (which are not given away without investigation from the mods) or read some feedback on the following thread.

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=68454

Best regards,

Mario Roberto

Originally Posted by clansullivan

Hi Gringo1,
I appreciate your courteous policing efforts on my credentials. I think Mario has pretty much summed up the BJJ side of things, so I don't need to add any more to that.

As for shootboxing being fake, this is simply false. Granted that any combat sport can be fixed and faked, and many in Japan like Pancrase are, I am unaware of any fixed shootboxing fights in Japan and I certainly didn't participate in any fixed shootboxing matches.

As for my students competing, well, it is true we are a young school - barely one year old. Nevertheless, we did send 9 guys to the last tournament here in Houston and brought home seven medals. I thought that was pretty good for starters and I hope to build on this in the future.

Finally, I'm sorry that you were disappointed that I don't "have any BJJ on my website". I suppose I would like to add this sort of thing, but I'm too busy teaching my students and spending time with my wife and 5 beautiful children.

In any case, perhaps the above will ease your publicly expressed curiosities and apparent frustrations regarding my business.

Kind regards,
Scott Sullivan

Gentleman, as an avid poster here on Bullshido, I would like to give you both a heartfelt welcome. I'm sure I speak for many on this board when I say it is refreshing to hear from the both of you on this issue. I think investigations like these not only root out the frauds in BJJ and other martial arts but also provides a reference for others who may be curious about the two of you. I also hope that it would be a template as to how others should respond with these types of questions. Many others usually respond very defensively as if they have something to hide and a lot of times do. You two have provided very easily verifiable information that pretty much concludes this thread. Most would consider responding to an Internet forum below them. I for one am glad you two choose a different wrote and spoke openly about your history in the BJJ community.

If either of you are even in the Bellingham, WA area, let me know.

**Ke?poFist** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 9:27pm

This thread sure was nipped in the bud fast

**tharuz** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 9:52pm

So, how about giving Scott some tags?

**DuckofDeath** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 1:25am

If Scott Sullivan got into a shootfight with Duns Scotus, he'd kick his ass:

http://www.scottmsullivan.com/

**GRINGO1** · Posted On: 6/19/2008 10:40am

oh... sorry about that bam bam. i should have done more research. i wish you, your school, and all your students success.

**eroninja** · Posted On: 6/20/2008 10:40pm

I recently joined Bam Bam Martial Arts and I am having a great time so far. I did my research prior to joining and also did a free try-out session. It was pretty obvious he's the real deal.

Scott might not be the most famous BJJ practitioner out there, but he is a qualified BB. He's not originally from Houston, so that's one of the reasons why you might never have heard of him before.

**syberia** · Posted On: 6/21/2008 2:41am

Originally Posted by GRINGO1

oh... sorry about that bam bam. i should have done more research. i wish you, your school, and all your students success.

For future referance, Gringo, you may want to research a little more before posting things in MABS. I'm not being nasty or mean or anything, but you really should before coming in to check this out with others. I think it's wonderful that people are willing to check on those they aren't sure of.

Good on you for coming back in to apologise though, props.

And props to Mario and Scott for thier polite, and rather eloquent, replies.