SOTG Exclusive Interview with Top Sambo Coach: Gregg Humphreys

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Gregg Humphreys is one of the top Judo and Sambo coaches here in the United Sates. Having been an international competitor, coach for Miletich Fighting Systems during its championship days, trip leader to Russia for training camps with his best friend: multi-time world champ Igor Kurinnoy, he has been at the forefront of developing the sport of Sambo here in the US. Gregg was kind enough to grant us this exclusive interview and he didn't hold back.  Having been an active user of the Sambo For Professional program since its creation and release, I have had the opportunity to get to know Gregg personally and I consider him a true inspiration and role model. I hope that you all enjoy this interview, gain some insight into the sport of Sambo and, maybe, give it a try!-Happy Rolling, Greg 





                                                                                                                 Gregg  coaching at "The Sambo Summit"

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Be on the lookout for more exclusive interviews with Stephen Koepfer and Joe Neely in upcoming posts.

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SOTG:Gregg, Tell us about your background: when did you start Sambo, what was your first impression of it, when did you know this is what you wanted to do?

GH: "I started Judo in the seventies. I always had a fascination for the Soviet Union. It was those fascinations that lead me to learn about Sambo. I was living in the Chicago area at the time and I found a Sambo coach named Bill Maxey. That's when I began supplementing my Judo training with Sambo. I competed in several National Champions and got to join a group of Judo players and wrestlers that went to the Soviet Union. It was then my enthusiasm for Sambo sky rocketed."

SOTG: You've had an amazing career working with Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) and leading trips to Russia to train with multiple times World Champ Igor kurinnoy: do you want to discuss your career highlights?

GH: "It's been great coaching and training at MFS. Taking teams to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus for training has been the peak of my career. Igor Kurinnoy is one of my best friends and I've never met a better athlete. Other coaches who I've trained with such as Steve Koepfer, Vlad Koulikov, Serge Gerlach and Aaron Fields have influenced me greatly. My son Corey has always been my most honest critic and has been my best training partner. He has been to Russia and Ukraine multiple times. Also Joe Neely was a pioneer in U.S. Sambo and he continues to be a force. He deserves huge thanks."

SOTG: Gregg can you you tell us more about your relationship with Igor and the "Sambo For Professionals" (SFP) program?

GH: "Igor's Sambo for Professionals (SFP) was a ground breaking approach to sambo coaching and training. I'm Igor's North American Representative and editor. Igor has a Doctorate in Physical Conditioning for Grapplers, the guy is a genius."

                                              Gregg Leading a Trip To Russia To Train With Igor Kurinnoy

SOTG: Gregg, what in your opinion are the hurdles that Sambo has to overcome to progress here in the United States?

GH: "One word-- POLITICS. The recent changes in FIAS and in the United States hold promise but only time will tell. Steve Koepfer's efforts in the American Sambo Association have been nothing but amazing. If I had to pick the top three proponents of Sambo in the United States it would be Steve, Steve and Steve. I'm not joking here; he has been unselfish and tenacious in his efforts to put U.S. Sambo on the international map."

SOTG: Gregg, considering your contributions, where do you see Sambo in the next 5 -10 years here in the US, where does it fit into the jiu-jitsu/grappling /mma scene in your opinion?

GH: "If we can get around the political issues and work together, I see a bright future for U.S. Sambo in terms of growth and international success.

Regarding it fitting into the Jiu-Jitsu/Grappling/MMA scene, I think it has already begun and will explode largely to the efforts of the Bellator organization importing former Soviet Bloc athletes into the MMA scene."