Learning from people who are experts in their field is something that the Rowan MMA Club has been doing for a while. 

On Feb. 18, the Rowan MMA Club had its first guest seminar of the semester as they welcomed the owner of Gentlemen’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Earl “Trouble” Small. 

Small, who is a professional MMA fighter with a record of 7-2 and a 2nd-degree BJJ Black Belt, was amazed at how the club was invested throughout the session. 

“You can see that some of the guys here are very invested in the martial arts and their own journey, and it’s kind of transparent,” said Small. “It translates to the newer people here, the newer people in the Rowan community, the guys that are training year-round are doing a great job at helping these guys out, and I think it’s really great for the community.” 

Spencer Jordan, who is a senior at Rowan University majoring in geography, is the president of the Rowan MMA Club. Jordan credits the connections that he has for Coach Trouble’s guest seminar. 

“ We really pride ourselves on the connections we make,” said Jordan. “We are people that train outside of the school to help bring discounted good techniques to people that either can’t afford it or haven’t had the opportunity to. To have someone, a pro fighter who’s traveled the world fighting like Coach Trouble, is really big, and I know it means a lot to all these new members.” 

Small was able to teach the members of the club some new techniques in BJJ and kickboxing. 

“ I think some of the newer guys here picked up the jiu-jitsu very easily and understood the concepts,” said Small. “Kickboxing, sometimes you got guys full sending it, doing a bit too much, and with regards some people were doing great. But for newer people, I think sometimes it’s better.”

Small has a brother who was a graduate of Rowan University a couple of years ago. His brother, Bryson Townsend, is extremely proud of his brother’s success in life.

“ Not even just in Jiu Jitsu, but in life,” said Townsend. “He does not do any drugs. He’s never smoked weed, never smoked cigarettes. Didn’t go to college, almost flunked out of high school, but he’s made such a great career out of his passion and what he loves to do in his life. And that’s something I admire in that, you know, just chasing your dreams and whatever you really want to do, you can do.” 

During the seminar, Small had one message to the club that he preached multiple times: take your time and don’t rush. 

“ It’s everything,” said Small. “It’s the most important part. Taking your time, going over the ones and twos. Everyone wants to forge their blade. Sometimes, it’s important just to polish. You forge your blade in heat, sometimes you just gotta polish it, it’s already sharp. Go over your tools and the weapons you have, the basics that you have, and polish them again and again and again.” 

Jordan prides himself on bringing in people who are accomplished to teach others, and it is one of the most important things about the Rowan MMA Club. 

“ It’s one of our best talking points when I tell people about the club,” said Jordan. “We bring in UFC fighters ‘so and so.’ We bring in the coach that trains ‘so and so. ’ It really means a lot to give us some exposure.”

Giving back is one of the points that Small and the club emphasize. Swayze Eastwood is the cousin of Small. 

“It’s big to give back to the community because he can teach somebody how to defend themselves,” said Eastwood. 

The final message that Small left for the members of the Rowan MMA Club is to always believe in yourself no matter what. 

“ Even if you’re not an MMA fighter, believe in yourself,” said Small. “If you have that voice in your head that says you can be great or you’re gonna be the best, believe in it and never lose that.”

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