Street Sports in Gladiator Magazine

Street Sports was featured in another recent issue of Gladiator Magazine for a story on the making of "Redbelt". In the article, David Mamet (the writer/director) was asked about some his inspiration for the film's characters to which he answered, "Well sure, the first of course, was my teacher Renato Magno and then Dan Inosanto was also a person who inspired me because I had a chance to train with Dan. Then of course, there were aspects of the Gracie and Machado families that I found very interesting".

Street Sports in RealFighter Magazine

RealFighter magazine recently delved behind the scenes into the making of the film Redbelt and talked to some of the key players in the martial arts world responsible for bringing the realism to the screen.

From the article:

"Mamet is a fine choice to lead the charge of MMA into the moviegoing mainstream. Over the past several years, he has earned a purple belt under Renato Magno, a BJJ instructor in Santa Monica, Calif. (In one for the "Fact is Stranger than Fiction" file, Mamet was reportedly introduced to BJJ by his rabbi.) According to Magno, Mamet walks the walk: "His jiu-jitsu is very technical and he did some boxing and grappling before. He has some good chokes and armbars," says Magno who appeared in Mamet's movie "Spartan" and helped choreograph the fight scenes in "Redbelt".

Street Sports In Gladiator Magazine

Gladiator Magazine has a write up on Chiwetel Ejiofor (star of Redbelt) and Renato Magno's plans to turn him into a black belt for his role in the movie over the course of just a few months. (Article is not online, click image to read)

David Mamet in Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair has a funny 20 questions with Street Sports Purple belt and Writer/Director of Redbelt, David Mamet.

Tim Bond Wins at Grappler's Quest

Brown belt Tim Bond recently took a break from beating up his friends at Street Sports to take his game to Las Vegas for the Grappler's quest championships.

Tim brought home a belt for his efforts, congrats Tim!

Party At Tribeca: Redbelt Premiere

Redbelt was chosen as the gala premiere for the Tribeca/ESPN sports film festival in New York and according to ESPN it was not your average festival opening. I guess that's what happens when you get fighters and artists in the same room, add alcohol and maybe a few b-list celebs.

"NEW YORK -- How to kick off a sports film festival: Take one totally off-the-wall David Mamet movie, add celebrity sycophants, a hint of paranoia and some anxious mixed martial artists, then liberally dump in overmatched security goons, the world's most famous magician, Steve Martin, Smash Williams and a dude who's lived with a fatwa over his head for the better part of two decades, and stir. Then, of course, turn away from this dangerous concoction -- pointing in any direction, really -- and run for your friggin' life." Full article here.

Also, more photos from the premiere here: Redbelt Tribeca Premeire Photos

Street Sports on ESPN.com

Sam Alipour of ESPN.com has written one of the best articles yet about Redbelt, the philosophy of jiu jitsu, and its importance to those involved in the film.

"'Redbelt' is Mamet's love letter to this nondescript building along a sun-bleached slab of Ocean Park Boulevard, the men who sweat here and its purveyor, Renato Magno, a BJJ black belt and Mamet's teacher of six years. It's why the notoriously private Mamet, also a celebrated playwright, fire-breathing essayist and a purple belt, has agreed to guide me into his safe haven where, it seems, only two rules apply: Remove your shoes and leave the outside on the outside."

Full Article Here

Street Sports in the LA Times

The Los Angeles Times drops by Street Sports Jiu Jitsu to interview David Mamet and Renato Magno about Redbelt the Movie and Mamet's inspiration for the film.

Full Article Here

Redbelt Movie Stills

Official movie stills from Redbelt the Movie are online. Click here.

David Mamet on The Fightworks Podcast

David Mamet, Street Sports Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and writer/director of the film "Redbelt" was recently interviewed on the the fightworks podcast about the upcoming movie and his experience in the sport.

Click here to listen to the interview (link to audio is near the bottom of the article).

On the Set of the Movie Redbelt

Here are some behind the scenes photos of the Rebelt on location at The Pryamid at Long Beach State University.

Ready for Action



You should have seen the other guys



The Tunnel






The Reservoir Dogs


The Ring


Grappling Dummies


Where's Renato?


Renato and Jean Jacques Machado


John Machado and Chiwitel


Jean Jacques and Frank Trigg





Randy Couture