BTT USA’s Omar Sabha is a very active competitor having medaled at all belt levels in all the major IBJJF competitions around the world. In this interview with BJJ Eastern Europe, Omar talks about his journey that took him from Jordan to the States, the difference between competing at lower belts and black belt, his time spent in Prague and much more:

Hi Omar, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe?

I am Omar Sabha, from Brazilian Top Team Long Beach, I am a black belt under Marcelo Perdomo. I have been training BJJ since 2008 and gotten all of my belts under my coach. I was born in Amman, Jordan, migrated to the USA in 1990 and I have been living in the States ever since. At BTT LB, I can honestly tell you, that we have pound for pound, one of the best academies around.
One of my main titles comes from Med Heavy No Gi World Brown Belt Master, and closing out the open weight with my teammate Aniss. As a black belt, I was National Champion as well. I have been a black belt for almost exactly one year now. I have been fortunate enough to medal at black belt. I enjoy it so much, and I can honestly tell you, it is the reason why my ability to progress in my belts in BJJ at a faster pace than average. I compete A LOT.

Photo: John Ricard

Please tell us about your Jiu-Jitsu story

I joined Brazilian Top Team Long Beach in 2007, and started training primarily stand up, and my jiu jitsu classes consisted of maybe one or two classes a month. It wasn’t until February of 2008, six weeks prior to Pan Ams, that my coach asked the team to get a group of guys to compete. I raised my hand, and started training jiu jitsu for that duration. It wasn’t until I stepped on the mat, and felt the adrenaline rush did I really fall in love with the sport. I somehow won my first match, and lost the second match. I was stuck in half guard and I had no clue how to get out. Ever since, that day, I was hooked on training. I would compete in every single tournament, no matter what the event. I was training my tail off. I was in the academy four to five hours a day Monday to Thursday, and two hours per day on Friday and Saturday. My biggest accomplishment so far was being ranked number one in weight and open weight in the Brown Masters division. In July, 2013, I received my black belt from Master Marcelo Perdomo. Since my promotion, I have learned that one thing; I need to start re-learning everything. I find that to be especially true when competing in the black belt division. In many times, you make a mistake, and the match is over. Either way, I love every day of training. I am constantly learning new details that make movements more effective. Ultimately, I would like to own my BTT affiliate and pass on everything I have learned to my students.

How would you describe your BJJ game? What are your strong points?

It is no secret, my game is best at the bottom. However, it seems like I have had to adapt my game so much ever since I became a black belt. Now days, I like to be as aggressive in passing and smashing Carlson Gracie style!!!! It has been joked around that our team is known as Half Guard Top Team, (for its half guard game).

Can you describe the difference when competing as a black belt and as a brown, purple etc..Is the pressure the same, are the opponents so much better etc..

Once I became a black belt, everything needed jto be precise and crisp. There was never any room for error. One mistake and your match is over. At the black belt level, experience plays a major factor. For example, I am a black belt for less than a year, competing against a person who was a black belt since before I started. In other belts, the skill level is usually roughly the same. In my opinion, the most fun belts to compete in are Purple and Brown belts. It seems at that level, the individual knows a lot of submissions and are constantly going for them, where as at black belt, and especially in the higher level, a lot of stalling occurs, and more precise movements and fewer risks are taken. More risks usually results in a lost match.

You’ve spent some time training in Prague at jungle BJJ. Please tell us about your experience there. 

Prague was by far one of the best memories I have had in my bjj journey. The program that Fernando Araujo has going on over there is quite amazing. He is VERY knowledgeable, and a nice guy. I really enjoyed that time there. The guys over there are known for their smashing passing eastern European style. If anyone is in the area, I highly recommend a visit. You won’t regret it. Plus, Prague is simply AWESOME!!!!!!

Do you follow the growth of BJJ in your native Jordan?

As far as Jordan, I am extremely proud that I can always visit my country and get to keep training. I am very good friends with Zaid Mirza and his students. He has produced some solid black belts in Ashraf, Zaid abu Soud, Mohamad Bilbasi, Haider Rasheed (Haider and his brother, brown belt Hamzah competed in Copa Podio) and many more to come I am sure. They have a solid foundation going on and every time I visit, I am in for tough rolls. The sport is growing at a very fast pace. They have Desert Force Championship as well, the premier MMA organization of the middle east. I am sure one day, one of our fighters will move on to fight in the UFC and become a champion, I am quite sure of that.

Please tell us more about your academy BTT in California. Will BTT ever become the powerhouse it once was?

BTT will be back. I am sure of it. The new focus is BJJ and MMA now and I am certain of it. BTT LB constantly takes a big group of guys and wins tournaments. We don’t combine 50 or 60 schools like our counterparts. As a team, we have over five team trouphies from IBJJF tournaments. That is something that is unparalleled. In the near future, iI am certain we will return to promenennce. I train with BEASTS in Marcelo Perdomo, John Orr, JP, Franklin, Lansang, Baxter, Carsell to name a few. Those guys will take your money and eat your lunch too. BTT LB is a very competitive roll, more often than not, the toughest rolls come in training, and not in competition.

Tell us about the product that your sponsor makes which prevents the formation of cauliflower ears.

Currently, I am a sponsored athlete from Optimal Performance and Recovery (OPR). Dr Ales specializes in getting people treated and healthy. Not the average kind of Dr. He has done more charitable free work for athletes than I can imagine. He has helped me stay on the mats longer and more often, I can never thank him enough for his help.
As for his invention, he has patented a new technology that allows you to NOT get cauliflower ear. It is called Ear Splint. It is a very comfortable set of magnets that allows you to maintain pressure on your ear after you drain the trauma so that fluid does not fill back up. Not only is it comfortable, but it also allows you to wear while training. Most of the time you do not notice it being on your ear. The patent has been completed and the sales kit are being produced and set for release in the near future. To top it off, they will be sold at a very reasonable price.

What is next for you in 2014/ 2015?

My plan for this year is to continue to compete in the IBJJF circuit as well as step into the cage for the first time. I hope to do that in the very near future. By 2015, I hope to be able to open up my own academy somewhere and pass on the knowledge I have received from my Master.

If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free

I would like to give a special thanks to OPR for keeping me healthy, Koral USA, for keeping me stylin and Hoven Sunglasses for keeping the sun out of my eyes.

Thanks Omar and all the best!