Cardinal BJJ & MMA

10/10/2026

Your teammate’s competition starts before the first grip, and the corner matters 🥋🔥

If you’re new to tournaments, here’s how to support an athlete with calm, useful energy:

• Stay calm. The athlete takes energy from you. Be steady, present, and encouraging.
• Between rounds, give ONE instruction at a time. Keep it short and specific: “Head position.” “Stand up and reset.” “Stay patient.” A pile of corrections only creates noise.
• Be honest, but gentle. Tell the truth in a way that helps your teammate hear it and use it.
• Remind them of the simple plan, not the score. Focus on the next job, not the scoreboard.
• Help them reset physically: breathe, take a sip of water, sit up, and get ready for the next exchange.
• Respect the referee, officials, and opponent. Character shows in the corner, too.

Afterward, lead with the person, not the result. Ask how they’re doing. Celebrate the courage it took to step on the mat. Save the technical review for a quiet moment later in the week, when everyone can learn without the competition-day emotions running hot.

Showing up for a teammate is one of the fastest ways a new student can grow their own game. You learn to watch, communicate, stay composed, and lead.

At Cardinal, competing, cornering, or watching are all valid roles. Coach Eugene Crisler leads the corner with championship-level experience, a BJJ black belt, and 30+ MMA fights as a veteran pro fighter.

That’s how we build skill, discipline, leadership, and a team that has your back. Learn more at www.cardinalmartialarts.com

Welcome to Cardinal Martial Arts Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiujitsu Get A Free Lesson About Cardinal Martial Arts Eugene Crisler is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, NAGA champion, and respected martial arts school owner who leads with servant leadership and a passion for teaching. As a pione...

10/08/2026

Ever watched a jiu-jitsu match and thought, “What just happened?” You’re not alone! Here’s the quick guide for parents, grandparents, spouses and friends 🥋

Matches usually start on the feet and hit the mat fast. Points reward control:

• Takedown: 2 points
• Sweep: 2 points
• Knee-on-belly: 2 points
• Guard pass: 3 points
• Mount: 4 points
• Back control: 4 points

Advantages are small rewards for getting very close to scoring or finishing a submission. Penalties can be given for stalling or illegal grips and holds.

Matches have time limits. If nobody taps, the referee raises the winner’s hand when time expires. A points win is not boring or unfair. It means one athlete controlled more of the match. In jiu-jitsu, it’s position before submission.

Referee signals and verbal calls help show when points, advantages or penalties are awarded. Rules and point values can vary between organizations, so it’s always fine to ask!

Cheer well: applaud effort, calm problem-solving and courage, not just wins. Cheer for both athletes, keep coaching to the coaches, and never feel embarrassed to ask questions 👏

At Cardinal BJJ & MMA Academy in Brodhead, WI, our coaches and senior students are happy to help new spectators understand what they’re watching. We’re beginner-friendly and family-friendly, and families often train and cheer together. Coach Eugene Crisler (a BJJ black belt, championship-level coach, veteran professional fighter with 30+ MMA fights, Wisconsin MMA pioneer and mentor) leads a culture built on discipline, character and leadership.

Curious about stepping on the mats yourself? Try a class: www.cardinalmartialarts.com

Welcome to Cardinal Martial Arts Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiujitsu Get A Free Lesson About Cardinal Martial Arts Eugene Crisler is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, NAGA champion, and respected martial arts school owner who leads with servant leadership and a passion for teaching. As a pione...

10/07/2026

✨ EXPOnentially Correcting the Narrative: Rising Together ✨

Join EXPO of Wisconsin and The Community for an unforgettable evening celebrating transformation, leadership, community, and the power of people directly impacted by incarceration to change the narrative.

This year’s EXPOnential Gala is more than a celebration. It is a statement.

We are Rising Together and honoring the people who have come home, the leaders creating change, the families who stood beside them, along with the communities working every day to build something better.

📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
📍 The Madison Concourse Hotel
🎉 EXPOnentially Correcting the Narrative: Rising Together

Expect an evening filled with powerful stories, community, recognition, connection, and a reminder of what becomes possible when we invest in people rather than define them by the worst moment of their lives.

Whether you have supported this work for years or are just beginning to learn about it, we want you in the room.

Register today and be part of a night centered on second chances, leadership, dignity, and collective power.

https://secure.everyaction.com/nfdBe0JGiEStJbBIQ2vtWw2?nvep=&hmac=&emci=63a073da-68b8-f111-a6a9-000d3a56d2f7&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=

Formerly incarcerated people who would like to attend but need financial assistance may contact [email protected] to request a scholarship.

Come celebrate with us.
Come hear the stories.
Come meet the people changing Wisconsin.
Come help us keep correcting the narrative.

10/07/2026

All the classes went great. From morning MMA practice, kids class, Women’s self defense, and no gi class all had a lot of value for everyone. New students joining and showing up. Fight camp is going good. Let’s go Cardinal BJJ & MMA

10/05/2026

ONE ANSWER AIN’T ENOUGH 🥋🔥

Adaptive training means getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Different partners. Different positions. Different reactions. Different training problems.

That variety builds decision-making under pressure. Instead of relying on one rehearsed answer, you learn to read what’s happening, adjust, and choose the right response in real time.

That’s the work at Cardinal Academy: BJJ and MMA training that develops adaptable martial artists, not just people who can repeat a drill. Stay curious. Stay sharp. Put the lesson into practice every round 👊🏽

And while you’re putting in the work, represent the academy with our LIMITED-TIME PRE-ORDER lineup:

Hoodie : $39.99: https://square.link/u/xOkknXu6?src=sheet
Elite Gear Bag : $50: https://square.link/u/LHssFY5c?src=sheet
Trucker Hat : $33: https://square.link/u/ZjsV61AT?src=sheet
Mission Tee : $25: https://square.link/u/GwRrucNH?src=sheet

ORDER BEFORE THE PRE-ORDER WINDOW CLOSES! Let’s build adaptable fighters and carry that Cardinal pride everywhere we go 🔥

10/03/2026

TODAY’S THE DAY, BRODHEAD! 🔥🥋

The Self-Defense Seminar with Professor Jorge is happening TODAY, Saturday, October 3, at 10:00 AM!

📍 708 21st St, Brodhead, WI
💰 DAY-OF RATE: $75
🍽️ Food and drinks provided
🥊 All skill levels welcome

Build confidence through real-world techniques and practical Jiu-Jitsu/self-defense application in a welcoming training environment

REGISTER HERE → https://square.link/u/xUbggkHf?src=sheet

Questions or need help signing up? Contact Professor Eugene:
📞 608-481-4098
🌐 www.cardinalmartialarts.com

Let’s get on the mats! 👊🏽

10/02/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY! 🔥🥋

Today is the FINAL DAY to register for the Self-Defense Seminar with Professor Jorge at the $65 rate!

The price goes to $75 tomorrow, the day of the event.

Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:00 AM
708 21st St, Brodhead, WI

Learn real-world techniques, build confidence, and explore practical Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense application. All skill levels are welcome. Food and drinks provided!

REGISTER TODAY for $65 → https://square.link/u/xUbggkHf?src=sheet

Questions or want to sign up another way? Contact Professor Eugene:
608-481-4098
www.cardinalmartialarts.com

Don’t wait: TODAY is the last day at $65! 👊🏽

10/01/2026

TWO DAYS OUT!!! 🔥🥋

Self-Defense Seminar with Professor Jorge is happening THIS SATURDAY, October 3, at 10:00 AM!

All skill levels are welcome, whether you’re brand new to training or already on the mats. We’ll focus on real-world techniques, building confidence, and practical Jiu-Jitsu/self-defense application 👊🏽

📍 708 21st St, Brodhead, WI
🍽️ Food and drinks provided

The $65 rate ends TOMORROW, October 2. After that, the day-of rate is $75.

REGISTER HERE → https://square.link/u/xUbggkHf?src=sheet

Contact Professor Eugene to sign up:
📞 608-481-4098
🌐 www.cardinalmartialarts.com

Don’t wait until the last minute. Get registered and come learn, train, and build confidence with us!!!

09/30/2026

Confidence comes from knowing what to do when it matters 👊🏽

Join us for the Self-Defense Seminar with Professor Jorge and learn real-world techniques, practical Jiu-Jitsu, and self-defense application in a supportive environment. All skill levels are welcome!

Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM
708 21st St, Brodhead, WI

The $65 rate ends October 2, then it goes to $75 on the day of the event.

Food and drinks provided!

REGISTER HERE → https://square.link/u/xUbggkHf?src=sheet

Questions or want to sign up? Contact Professor Eugene:
608-481-4098
www.cardinalmartialarts.com