How SBG Changed the Landscape of BJJ and MMA
When people think about the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), they often focus on the athletes, but just as important are the coaches and teams that have shaped how the arts are trained and taught. Straight Blast Gym (SBG) has played a crucial role in transforming BJJ and MMA into what they are today—not just through competition, but through its approach to training, coaching, and the philosophy that drives the gym.
Bringing Aliveness to Martial Arts
One of the biggest contributions SBG has made to combat sports is its emphasis on aliveness—a concept pioneered by SBG founder Matt Thornton. Before SBG, many martial arts schools relied heavily on static drills and cooperative training. But as Matt often says,
“If you don’t train with resistance, you’re not training for reality.”
SBG introduced a method of training that focuses on live, resisting opponents from day one. This approach changed the way people train, ensuring that techniques are functional and applicable in real fights—whether in the cage, on the mats, or in real-life self-defense situations.
MMA and BJJ for Everyone
Historically, martial arts gyms were often exclusive and catered only to elite fighters. SBG broke that mold by making high-level training accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist, or a competitive athlete, SBG’s methods are designed to help you improve.
Matt Thornton has always emphasized that BJJ and MMA shouldn’t be limited to fighters:
“The truth is, Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone. The key is finding the right way to teach it so everyone can benefit.”
At SBG SoCal, we embody this philosophy by providing training that is structured, inclusive, and designed to help people of all backgrounds grow.
Cross-Training and the Evolution of MMA
SBG was one of the first organizations to fully embrace cross-training as a necessity. In the early days of MMA, many gyms still operated under a single-discipline mindset—boxing gyms trained only boxing, wrestlers only wrestled, and BJJ schools rarely incorporated striking.
SBG helped pioneer the modern mixed martial arts approach by integrating all aspects of fighting into a cohesive system. This holistic training method has influenced countless fighters and coaches, and it’s now the standard in MMA training worldwide.
“If your training doesn’t transcend venue, environment, and what you happen to be wearing, then it’s incomplete.” – Matt Thornton
At SBG SoCal, we believe that good Jiu-Jitsu should be applicable in the gi, without the gi, with strikes, without strikes, on the mats, in the cage, or in the street. That’s why we train in both Gi and No-Gi, and we incorporate striking and self-defense applications into our BJJ training.
Building a Tribe, Not Just a Gym
Perhaps the most revolutionary idea SBG introduced was the tribe mentality—creating a training environment where egos are left at the door, where people lift each other up, and where everyone is working towards self-improvement.
Martial arts can be intimidating, but SBG has cultivated a culture that welcomes beginners, fosters long-term development, and supports each other both on and off the mats. This mindset has helped shape SBG SoCal, where we take pride in our community just as much as our technique.
SBG has forever changed the way BJJ and MMA are trained, coached, and taught. From pioneering aliveness to making high-level training accessible to everyone, the impact of SBG is undeniable. At SBG SoCal, we continue to uphold these values, ensuring that our students get the best training possible—whether they want to compete, defend themselves, or simply grow as individuals.
If you’re looking for a place to train where good Jiu-Jitsu transcends venue, environment, and what you’re wearing—come check out SBG SoCal. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, our doors are always open.