We are very proud to have Chris Balthasar as our first featured fighter. He is a great competitor and training partner out of Claudio Franca Santa Cruz and represents Coalition95 when competing.
When did you start training?
I first discovered BJJ in 1993, at the original Gracie Academy in LA, about three months before UFC 1. Rorion Gracie was the first person to teach me a basic collar choke. They were all talking about this contest they were putting on to show the world that BJJ was the ultimate martial art, which is the only reason I watched UFC 1. I later moved to Rickson’s studio and trained there a while. Life got in the way when I moved to Santa Cruz, got married, and had kids, and then one day I realized I had been thinking about BJJ for the past 12 years, so I walked into Claudio’s place six years ago, at the age of 40, and never looked back.
How old were you?
I was 28 when I first started BJJ.
What belt are you currently?
Purple 1st Degree
What has been the most challenging aspect of BJJ?
Being older than most other people; taking forever to heal from injuries. Getting so I’m not stressed out before tournaments anymore.
Why did you start training?
I had a brown belt in Kenpo karate, and another guy I worked with was a Tai Kwon Do black belt and we’d always talk martial arts. One day he came into the office and said, “dude, I just tried this amazing martial art… I learned more practical self-defense in a couple weeks than I learned in four years of karate. You’ve gotta try it.” So I did, and he was mostly right.
Do you have other martial arts training?
My aforementioned Kenpo brown belt.
What is your favorite BJJ technique?
Triangle choke.
Do you have any training tips for people learning new techniques?
Drill baby drill.
What is your favorite tournament?
The US Open.
What is your favorite tournament memory?
Winning gold at the Pan Ams in 2009. It was my first Pan Ams, and I wasn’t even going to go except someone talked me into it. I was high for days after that.
What tournaments can we hope to see you at this year?
SF International Open, Pan Ams, American Cup, US Open. Maybe a Jiu Jitsu by the Sea, and American Nationals.
Who is your favorite BJJ fighter?
Marcelo Garcia.
Who is your favorite UFC fighter?
Anderson Silva, though Jon Jones is closing in fast.
