About Me
I began my BJJ training at Sleeping Storm, an academy that offered instruction in all kinds of martial arts that was local to my home outside London. I trained there for six months under Ricardo Da Silva (then a Purple Belt), but decided if I was going to pursue jiujitsu more seriously, I would need to find myself a full-time academy. As a result, I moved up to London to begin training at the Roger Gracie Academy in Ladbroke Grove and spent several months sleeping on the floor at a friend's house and training every day. After three months at Ladbroke Grove, I received my Blue Belt from Roger Gracie in April 2006.
For much of the next two years, I occupied himself by training at the academy and assisting with the Kids classes that were operating at the academy HQ, as well as helping with any odd jobs that presented themselves. The Kids classes unfortunately wound down after the instructor moved on from the academy, and so for a while I was back to just training and doing my best to improve. I received my Purple Belt from Roger Gracie in June 2008 after my second attempt at the World Championships at Blue Belt. Shortly after that, I took up a full-time position as a receptionist at the academy, which finally gave me access to an income that would allow me to take my already-active competition schedule to the next level.
In October 2009, I left my job and am now living at the Roger Gracie Academy in Ladbroke Grove whilst pursuing a career as a full-time Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor. Finally, at the beginning of February 2010, I received my Brown Belt from Roger Gracie after winning the European Championships for the second time.
I would like to think I am one of the most active competitors in the world, having won over 40 gold medals in my relatively short competition career and taken part in over 250 competitive grappling matches, winning a significant majority. I hold a number of titles, both national and international, and continue to compete on a local and world level on an almost-weekly basis.
My most notable achievement to date was winning the Abu Dhabi Pro European Qualifiers in Barcelona, where I defeated a Black Belt and a Brown Belt in back-to-back fights to take Gold and qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Professional Jiu-jitsu Cup in Abu Dhabi. Although I was knocked out of that competition by a world-class Brown Belt from the United States, it was still a tremendous opportunity to compete in the same division as greats of the sport such as Marcelo Garcia, Michael Langhi & Claudio Calasans, and one that I hope to repeat in the near future. I have also won both the CBJJ and CBJJE European titles in my weight, as well as capturing the CBJJE Purple Belt Absolute title and medalling at the Pan-American Gi and No-Gi Competitions. Whilst a World medal still eludes me, that is one thing that I am hoping to put right in the near future.
For much of the next two years, I occupied himself by training at the academy and assisting with the Kids classes that were operating at the academy HQ, as well as helping with any odd jobs that presented themselves. The Kids classes unfortunately wound down after the instructor moved on from the academy, and so for a while I was back to just training and doing my best to improve. I received my Purple Belt from Roger Gracie in June 2008 after my second attempt at the World Championships at Blue Belt. Shortly after that, I took up a full-time position as a receptionist at the academy, which finally gave me access to an income that would allow me to take my already-active competition schedule to the next level.
In October 2009, I left my job and am now living at the Roger Gracie Academy in Ladbroke Grove whilst pursuing a career as a full-time Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor. Finally, at the beginning of February 2010, I received my Brown Belt from Roger Gracie after winning the European Championships for the second time.
I would like to think I am one of the most active competitors in the world, having won over 40 gold medals in my relatively short competition career and taken part in over 250 competitive grappling matches, winning a significant majority. I hold a number of titles, both national and international, and continue to compete on a local and world level on an almost-weekly basis.
My most notable achievement to date was winning the Abu Dhabi Pro European Qualifiers in Barcelona, where I defeated a Black Belt and a Brown Belt in back-to-back fights to take Gold and qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Professional Jiu-jitsu Cup in Abu Dhabi. Although I was knocked out of that competition by a world-class Brown Belt from the United States, it was still a tremendous opportunity to compete in the same division as greats of the sport such as Marcelo Garcia, Michael Langhi & Claudio Calasans, and one that I hope to repeat in the near future. I have also won both the CBJJ and CBJJE European titles in my weight, as well as capturing the CBJJE Purple Belt Absolute title and medalling at the Pan-American Gi and No-Gi Competitions. Whilst a World medal still eludes me, that is one thing that I am hoping to put right in the near future.
About Me
I began my BJJ training at Sleeping Storm, an academy that offered instruction in all kinds of martial arts that was local to my home outside London. I trained there for six months under Ricardo Da Silva (then a Purple Belt), but decided if I was going to pursue jiujitsu more seriously, I would need to find myself a full-time academy. As a result, I moved up to London to begin training at the Roger Gracie Academy in Ladbroke Grove and spent several months sleeping on the floor at a friend's house and training every day. After three months at Ladbroke Grove, I received my Blue Belt from Roger Gracie in April 2006.
For much of the next two years, I occupied himself by training at the academy and assisting with the Kids classes that were operating at the academy HQ, as well as helping with any odd jobs that presented themselves. The Kids classes unfortunately wound down after the instructor moved on from the academy, and so for a while I was back to just training and doing my best to improve. I received my Purple Belt from Roger Gracie in June 2008 after my second attempt at the World Championships at Blue Belt. Shortly after that, I took up a full-time position as a receptionist at the academy, which finally gave me access to an income that would allow me to take my already-active competition schedule to the next level.
In October 2009, I left my job and am now living at the Roger Gracie Academy in Ladbroke Grove whilst pursuing a career as a full-time Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor. Finally, at the beginning of February 2010, I received my Brown Belt from Roger Gracie after winning the European Championships for the second time.
I would like to think I am one of the most active competitors in the world, having won over 40 gold medals in my relatively short competition career and taken part in over 250 competitive grappling matches, winning a significant majority. I hold a number of titles, both national and international, and continue to compete on a local and world level on an almost-weekly basis.
My most notable achievement to date was winning the Abu Dhabi Pro European Qualifiers in Barcelona, where I defeated a Black Belt and a Brown Belt in back-to-back fights to take Gold and qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Professional Jiu-jitsu Cup in Abu Dhabi. Although I was knocked out of that competition by a world-class Brown Belt from the United States, it was still a tremendous opportunity to compete in the same division as greats of the sport such as Marcelo Garcia, Michael Langhi & Claudio Calasans, and one that I hope to repeat in the near future. I have also won both the CBJJ and CBJJE European titles in my weight, as well as capturing the CBJJE Purple Belt Absolute title and medalling at the Pan-American Gi and No-Gi Competitions. Whilst a World medal still eludes me, that is one thing that I am hoping to put right in the near future.
For much of the next two years, I occupied himself by training at the academy and assisting with the Kids classes that were operating at the academy HQ, as well as helping with any odd jobs that presented themselves. The Kids classes unfortunately wound down after the instructor moved on from the academy, and so for a while I was back to just training and doing my best to improve. I received my Purple Belt from Roger Gracie in June 2008 after my second attempt at the World Championships at Blue Belt. Shortly after that, I took up a full-time position as a receptionist at the academy, which finally gave me access to an income that would allow me to take my already-active competition schedule to the next level.
In October 2009, I left my job and am now living at the Roger Gracie Academy in Ladbroke Grove whilst pursuing a career as a full-time Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor. Finally, at the beginning of February 2010, I received my Brown Belt from Roger Gracie after winning the European Championships for the second time.
I would like to think I am one of the most active competitors in the world, having won over 40 gold medals in my relatively short competition career and taken part in over 250 competitive grappling matches, winning a significant majority. I hold a number of titles, both national and international, and continue to compete on a local and world level on an almost-weekly basis.
My most notable achievement to date was winning the Abu Dhabi Pro European Qualifiers in Barcelona, where I defeated a Black Belt and a Brown Belt in back-to-back fights to take Gold and qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Professional Jiu-jitsu Cup in Abu Dhabi. Although I was knocked out of that competition by a world-class Brown Belt from the United States, it was still a tremendous opportunity to compete in the same division as greats of the sport such as Marcelo Garcia, Michael Langhi & Claudio Calasans, and one that I hope to repeat in the near future. I have also won both the CBJJ and CBJJE European titles in my weight, as well as capturing the CBJJE Purple Belt Absolute title and medalling at the Pan-American Gi and No-Gi Competitions. Whilst a World medal still eludes me, that is one thing that I am hoping to put right in the near future.
Achievements
Amateur MMA Record: 25 W (23 SUBs) - 0 L - 2 D (link)
Combat Sports Open Trials 2010 - Welterweight Champion
UK MMA League 2008-2009 - Overall Champion
UK MMA League 2008-2009 - Welterweight Champion
Grappling Record: 272 W (176 SUBs) - 138 L (29 SUBs) - 2 D (15/10/12)
Grappling Competition Results:
2012
BLACK BELT
No-Gi Pan Championships - 3rd Place (Lightweight Black Belt)
Atlanta International Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Black Belt)
American Nationals No-Gi - 2nd Place (Middleweight Black Belt)
American Nationals - 3rd Place (Middleweight Black Belt)
Montreal International Open - 1st Place (Absolute Black Belt)
Montreal International Open - 1st Place (Middle Heavyweight Black Belt)
Boston International Open - 3rd Place (Middle Heavyweight Black Belt)
Chicago Summer International Open - 3rd Place (Middleweight Black Belt)
Las Vegas International Open - 2nd Place (Middleweight Black Belt)
Toronto International Open - 1st Place (Absolute Black Belt)
Toronto International Open - 2nd Place (Middle Heavyweight Black Belt)
2011
BROWN BELT
English Open - 2nd Place (Middle Heavyweight Brown Belt)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 1st Place (Heavyweight Brown Belt)
London International Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
London International Open - 3rd Place (Middle Heavyweight Brown Belt)
Ground Control UK Invitational - 2nd Place (Brown/Black Belt Superfight)
Ground Control UK Invitational - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown/Black Belt)
Brazilian Jiujitsu Pro Cup - 2nd Place (Lightweight Absolute Brown Belt)
Brazilian Jiujitsu Pro Cup - 3rd Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
British Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
British Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Welsh Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
Ground Control: Choke In The Big Smoke - 2nd Place (Lightweight Advanced)
UK Premier Championships - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt))
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 3rd Place (Lightweight Brown & Black Belt)
2010
NAGA European Championships - 3rd Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
Milano Challenge - 1st Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
Milano Challenge - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
CBJJE European Championships - 3rd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
CBJJE European Championships - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Ground Control Nationals - 1st Place (Brown Belt Superfight)
Midlands Open - 1st Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
English Open - 1st Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
English Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
North West Open - 1st Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
JJI European Championships - 4th Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
JJI European Championships - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Brighton Open - 1st Place (Absolute Purple & Brown Belt)
Ground Control 'Beat the Heat' - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
German BJJ Groundfighting Open - 2nd Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
Hereford Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
Manchester Open - 1st place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
Gracie Invitational - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Mediterranean Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown and Black Belt)
Copa Espana - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
British Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
British Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 3rd Place (Lightweight Purple, Brown and Black Belt)
London Open - 1st Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
UK Premier Championships - 3rd Place (Lightweight Brown and Black Belt)
Disneyland European Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Brown and Black Belt)
Disneyland European Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Brown and Black Belt)
PURPLE BELT
European Championships (CBJJ) - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt National Teams)
European Championships (CBJJ) - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Scottish Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Scottish Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
2009
Ground Control UK Nationals - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple, Brown and Black Belt)
Kent Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
No-Gi British Open - 4th Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
No-Gi British Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Ground Control 6.0 - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Pan Jiu-jitsu No-Gi Championships - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Pan Jiu-jitsu No-Gi Championships - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
European Championships (CBJJE) - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
European Championships (CBJJE) - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Bristol Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Bristol Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Ground Control 5.0 - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Ground Control 5.0 - 1st Place (Superfight Division)
British Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Celtic Open - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Pan Jiu-jitsu Championships - 3rd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Welsh Open - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Welsh Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple, Brown and Black Belt)
Bristol Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Ground Control 3.0 - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
European Championships (CBJJ) - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
2008
Copa Catalunya - 1st Place (Middleweight Purple Belt)
International French Open - 3rd Place (Lightweight Purple and Brown Belt)
Kent Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Open - Joint 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Kent Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
NJJC National Championships - 1st Place (Lightweight Open Experience)
Combat Academy No-Gi Groundfighting - 1st Place (Ultra-Heavyweight Open Experience)
Combat Academy No-Gi Groundfighting - 3rd Place (Absolute Open Experience)
FILA British Grappling Trials - 3rd Place (Lightweight Advanced)
VT Jiu Jitsu Grappling Competition - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Brighton Grab and Pull - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Bristol Open 2008 - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Bristol Open 2008 - 4th Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
ADCC UK Trials - 3rd Place (Absolute Advanced)
ADCC UK Trials - Joint 3rd Place (Lightweight Advanced)
BLUE BELT
Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting - 1st Place (Absolute)
Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting - 1st Place (Middleweight)
Gracie Invitational 2008 - 1st Place (Battle of the Brands Teams)
Gracie Invitational 2008 - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Grapplers Showdown 2008 - 4th Place (Middleweight Novice)
Bristol Open 2008 - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
2007
Northern Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Copa Bitteti- 3rd Place (Lightweight Absolute Blue Belt)
Copa Bitteti - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
British Open Amateur Submission Grappling Championships - 3rd Place (Absolute)
Southern Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Blue Belt)
Southern Open - 3rd Place (Featherweight Blue Belt)
Bristol Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
FILA British National Trials - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight)
ADCC UK - 1st Place (Absolute Novice)
ADCC UK - 2nd Place (Lightweight Novice)
Essex Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Irish Nationals - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Gracie Invitational - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Gracie Invitational - Joint 1st Place (Heavyweight Blue Belt Teams)
Gracie Invitational - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt Teams)
Combat Academy Groundfighting - 3rd Place (Middleweight Open Experience)
III Coupe Suisse - 4th Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
III Coupe Suisse - 2nd Place (Absolute Blue Belt)
Urban Gorillaz Nationals - 1st Place (Lightweight Novice)
Urban Gorillaz Nationals - 3rd Place (Absolute Novice)
Amsterdam Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Bristol Open - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Bristol Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Blue Belt)
2006
Northern Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
ADCC UK - 4th Place (Middleweight Novice)
Britsubfight - 2nd Place (Absolute Novice)
WHITE BELT
Urban Gorillaz SENI '06 - 3rd Place (Absolute Beginner)
Achievements
Amateur MMA Record: 25 W (23 SUBs) - 0 L - 2 D (link)
Combat Sports Open Trials 2010 - Welterweight Champion
UK MMA League 2008-2009 - Overall Champion
UK MMA League 2008-2009 - Welterweight Champion
Grappling Record: 271 W (176 SUBs) - 126 L (24 SUBs) - 2 D (12/08/12)
Grappling Competition Results:
2012
BLACK BELT
Las Vegas International Open - 2nd Place (Middleweight Black Belt)
Toronto International Open - 1st Place (Absolute Black Belt)
Toronto International Open - 2nd Place (Middle Heavyweight Black Belt)
2011
BROWN BELT
English Open - 2nd Place (Middle Heavyweight Brown Belt)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 1st Place (Heavyweight Brown Belt)
London International Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
London International Open - 3rd Place (Middle Heavyweight Brown Belt)
Ground Control UK Invitational - 2nd Place (Brown/Black Belt Superfight)
Ground Control UK Invitational - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown/Black Belt)
Brazilian Jiujitsu Pro Cup - 2nd Place (Lightweight Absolute Brown Belt)
Brazilian Jiujitsu Pro Cup - 3rd Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
British Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
British Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Welsh Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
Ground Control: Choke In The Big Smoke - 2nd Place (Lightweight Advanced)
UK Premier Championships - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt))
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 3rd Place (Lightweight Brown & Black Belt)
2010
NAGA European Championships - 3rd Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
Milano Challenge - 1st Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
Milano Challenge - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
CBJJE European Championships - 3rd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
CBJJE European Championships - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Ground Control Nationals - 1st Place (Brown Belt Superfight)
Midlands Open - 1st Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
English Open - 1st Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
English Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
North West Open - 1st Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
JJI European Championships - 4th Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
JJI European Championships - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Brighton Open - 1st Place (Absolute Purple & Brown Belt)
Ground Control 'Beat the Heat' - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
German BJJ Groundfighting Open - 2nd Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
Hereford Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
Manchester Open - 1st place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
Gracie Invitational - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Mediterranean Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown and Black Belt)
Copa Espana - 1st Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
British Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Brown Belt)
British Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Brown Belt)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 3rd Place (Lightweight Purple, Brown and Black Belt)
London Open - 1st Place (Middleweight Brown Belt)
UK Premier Championships - 3rd Place (Lightweight Brown and Black Belt)
Disneyland European Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Brown and Black Belt)
Disneyland European Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Brown and Black Belt)
PURPLE BELT
European Championships (CBJJ) - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt National Teams)
European Championships (CBJJ) - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Scottish Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Scottish Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
2009
Ground Control UK Nationals - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple, Brown and Black Belt)
Kent Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
No-Gi British Open - 4th Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
No-Gi British Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Ground Control 6.0 - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Pan Jiu-jitsu No-Gi Championships - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Pan Jiu-jitsu No-Gi Championships - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
European Championships (CBJJE) - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
European Championships (CBJJE) - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Bristol Open - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Bristol Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Ground Control 5.0 - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Ground Control 5.0 - 1st Place (Superfight Division)
British Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Celtic Open - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 3rd Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Brighton Grab & Pull - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Pan Jiu-jitsu Championships - 3rd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Welsh Open - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Welsh Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple, Brown and Black Belt)
Bristol Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Ground Control 3.0 - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
European Championships (CBJJ) - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
2008
Copa Catalunya - 1st Place (Middleweight Purple Belt)
International French Open - 3rd Place (Lightweight Purple and Brown Belt)
Kent Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Open - Joint 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Kent Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Open - 2nd Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
NJJC National Championships - 1st Place (Lightweight Open Experience)
Combat Academy No-Gi Groundfighting - 1st Place (Ultra-Heavyweight Open Experience)
Combat Academy No-Gi Groundfighting - 3rd Place (Absolute Open Experience)
FILA British Grappling Trials - 3rd Place (Lightweight Advanced)
VT Jiu Jitsu Grappling Competition - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Brighton Grab and Pull - 1st Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
Bristol Open 2008 - 1st Place (Absolute Purple Belt)
Bristol Open 2008 - 4th Place (Lightweight Purple Belt)
ADCC UK Trials - 3rd Place (Absolute Advanced)
ADCC UK Trials - Joint 3rd Place (Lightweight Advanced)
BLUE BELT
Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting - 1st Place (Absolute)
Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting - 1st Place (Middleweight)
Gracie Invitational 2008 - 1st Place (Battle of the Brands Teams)
Gracie Invitational 2008 - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Grapplers Showdown 2008 - 4th Place (Middleweight Novice)
Bristol Open 2008 - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
2007
Northern Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Copa Bitteti- 3rd Place (Lightweight Absolute Blue Belt)
Copa Bitteti - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
British Open Amateur Submission Grappling Championships - 3rd Place (Absolute)
Southern Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Blue Belt)
Southern Open - 3rd Place (Featherweight Blue Belt)
Bristol Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
FILA British National Trials - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight)
ADCC UK - 1st Place (Absolute Novice)
ADCC UK - 2nd Place (Lightweight Novice)
Essex Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Irish Nationals - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Gracie Invitational - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Gracie Invitational - Joint 1st Place (Heavyweight Blue Belt Teams)
Gracie Invitational - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt Teams)
Combat Academy Groundfighting - 3rd Place (Middleweight Open Experience)
III Coupe Suisse - 4th Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
III Coupe Suisse - 2nd Place (Absolute Blue Belt)
Urban Gorillaz Nationals - 1st Place (Lightweight Novice)
Urban Gorillaz Nationals - 3rd Place (Absolute Novice)
Amsterdam Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Advanced)
Bristol Open - Joint 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
Bristol Open - 2nd Place (Absolute Blue Belt)
2006
Northern Open - 1st Place (Lightweight Blue Belt)
ADCC UK - 4th Place (Middleweight Novice)
Britsubfight - 2nd Place (Absolute Novice)
WHITE BELT
Urban Gorillaz SENI '06 - 3rd Place (Absolute Beginner)
Sponsors
Scramble
Scramble is what happens in MMA, jiu jitsu, and grappling, when two fighters are halfway between positions. It's the moment when everything is at stake, and it's a chance for either fighter to come out on top.
It's about whoever has the strongest will.
Scramble is here to rescue you from flying skulls, winged skulls, flying winged skulls with top hats on, minotaurs, bulging muscle man, dragons with flying skulls and top hats on them, flying minotaurs with winged skulls and flames, and all the other crap that infests the visual side of the MMA world.
I lived for many years in Japan, where I was exposed to some of the coolest designs I've ever seen. They were bright, bold, fresh, and sophisticated in their simplicity. Barely a rippling muscle or a pumped-up minotaur-dragon in sight.
T-shirts are emblazoned with barely-English slogans and large, bright characters. At first, I laughed at this English. Wanted to correct it. But now, I realise. It has taken on a life of its own. In the same way that a single, deft brush stroke can inspire the image of a swaying tree or a rippling lake in your mind, so a slightly off Engrish slogan can stir up thoughts and capture an idea better than a perfect sentence can.
Scramble is here to bring that to you.
Scramble t-shirts are made using high quality materials and printing processes, nothing like the usual printed-on-a-piece-of-tissue-paper stuff that you often get from small t-shirt companies. You might pay a bit more, but you get a shirt that looks and feels good, and will last a long time. We're martial artists; we need a shirt that can stand up to a stiff breeze.
A t-shirt is one of the quickest ways to tell someone about yourself. In a single glance, you can tell the world what team you support, what band you like, what film inspires you, or which athlete you cheer for. Probably not all at the same time, though.
And with Scramble, you can be sure, you'll know what the Japanese characters mean on your shirt.
Scramble also brings you select products from Japan (like BJJ Spirits, the awesome DVD magazine, and some special edition t-shirts from the heart of Tokyo), depending on the time of year and what's of interest at the time.
Scramble is a small company and values every single one of its customers. That means you.
Welcome to the family.
Scramble was started by Matt Benyon, who blogs at The Grappling Dummy
Roger Gracie Academy
The Roger Gracie Academy and its numerous affiliates make up one of the largest Brazilian Jiujitsu teams in the UK, as well as being home to many of the top competitors in the country. Leaving aside Roger Gracie himself (generally acknowledged as the number one grappler in the world today), there are numerous champions at regional, national and international level who call RGA their home.
Sponsors
Scramble
Scramble is what happens in MMA, jiu jitsu, and grappling, when two fighters are halfway between positions. It's the moment when everything is at stake, and it's a chance for either fighter to come out on top.
It's about whoever has the strongest will.
Scramble is here to rescue you from flying skulls, winged skulls, flying winged skulls with top hats on, minotaurs, bulging muscle man, dragons with flying skulls and top hats on them, flying minotaurs with winged skulls and flames, and all the other crap that infests the visual side of the MMA world.
I lived for many years in Japan, where I was exposed to some of the coolest designs I've ever seen. They were bright, bold, fresh, and sophisticated in their simplicity. Barely a rippling muscle or a pumped-up minotaur-dragon in sight.
T-shirts are emblazoned with barely-English slogans and large, bright characters. At first, I laughed at this English. Wanted to correct it. But now, I realise. It has taken on a life of its own. In the same way that a single, deft brush stroke can inspire the image of a swaying tree or a rippling lake in your mind, so a slightly off Engrish slogan can stir up thoughts and capture an idea better than a perfect sentence can.
Scramble is here to bring that to you.
Scramble t-shirts are made using high quality materials and printing processes, nothing like the usual printed-on-a-piece-of-tissue-paper stuff that you often get from small t-shirt companies. You might pay a bit more, but you get a shirt that looks and feels good, and will last a long time. We're martial artists; we need a shirt that can stand up to a stiff breeze.
A t-shirt is one of the quickest ways to tell someone about yourself. In a single glance, you can tell the world what team you support, what band you like, what film inspires you, or which athlete you cheer for. Probably not all at the same time, though.
And with Scramble, you can be sure, you'll know what the Japanese characters mean on your shirt.
Scramble also brings you select products from Japan (like BJJ Spirits, the awesome DVD magazine, and some special edition t-shirts from the heart of Tokyo), depending on the time of year and what's of interest at the time.
Scramble is a small company and values every single one of its customers. That means you.
Welcome to the family.
Scramble was started by Matt Benyon, who blogs at The Grappling Dummy
Roger Gracie Academy
The Roger Gracie Academy and its numerous affiliates make up one of the largest Brazilian Jiujitsu teams in the UK, as well as being home to many of the top competitors in the country. Leaving aside Roger Gracie himself (generally acknowledged as the number one grappler in the world today), there are numerous champions at regional, national and international level who call RGA their home.
Media
Grappling Dummies Short: Oli Geddes Interview from martial farts on Vimeo.
Interview with Seymour Yang of Meerkatsu:
Meerkatsu interviews Ollie Geddes - The Half-Guard Wizard
Interview with Fight! Magazine:
Oli Geddes: The Journey to Faixa Marrom
Interview with GrapplerINFO.pl:
Oliver Geddes Interview
Entry on BJJHeroes.com:
Oliver Geddes Wiki Entry
Media
Grappling Dummies Short: Oli Geddes Interview from martial farts on Vimeo.
Interview with Seymour Yang of Meerkatsu:
Meerkatsu interviews Ollie Geddes - The Half-Guard Wizard
Interview with Fight! Magazine:
Oli Geddes: The Journey to Faixa Marrom
Interview with GrapplerINFO.pl:
Oliver Geddes Interview
Entry on BJJHeroes.com:
Oliver Geddes Wiki Entry
Contact
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Categories: Women's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blogs
Gabi Garcia Talks Worlds 2013
Gabi Garcia World Absolute Champion 2012 - photo Kid Peligro
Since 2010 one name has been at the top off the weight and absolute in every major tournament in BJJ and Submission grappling. That name is Gabrielle Garcia. Winning every title and only sharing the top absolute with teammate Luana Alzuguir, Gabi is the most dominant force in ladies BJJ for 3 years running. With an impeccable record of wins most by submission Gabi has endured accusations of many kinds, from using PED's to winning because (read more)
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Passing the Guard
Kid Peligro ebook: Secrets of The Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: BJJ Great Escapes Kid Peligro Iphone App Secrets of the Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Portugues
Countdown to Metamoris Pro II - Estima v Vieira
Check out this promo video from Metammoris Pro II featuring their match between Braulio Estima and Rodolfo Vieira:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hllotjvUJ1o
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Passing the Guard
Kid Peligro ebook: Secrets of The Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: BJJ Great Escapes Kid Peligro Iphone App Secrets of the Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Portugues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hllotjvUJ1o
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Passing the Guard
Kid Peligro ebook: Secrets of The Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: BJJ Great Escapes Kid Peligro Iphone App Secrets of the Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Portugues
Take me out to the ball– Oh, or not…
The baseball game on Wednesday night got rained out. We could have guessed this before we left town to drive up there, as it was starting to absolutely pour down on the interstate, but my dad insisted that we were going because there was free food. Although most of the rain let off by the time we got up there, the field was too soaked so they called the game off. But we could stay in the suite and eat, so my dad was happy.
Then this morning I hit the snooze again. I’ve got to start getting to bed earlier and not staying up reading. (The good news is that the problem is **not** because I’m not packed. I’m ready, I’m just too tired to get up.)
Friday nightShort warmup, then on to 5-min rounds of drilling. Double armbar from guard, then double armbar to swinging single armbars, then finally double armbar to singles to sweep with armbar. Five-minute drilling rounds are looong!
Then three rounds to finish up. And you guys I did something Assertive!! It was great! I started out with Lauren, one of the new white belt girls (though she trained some in Florida before moving up here), so I went at her pace. But I still worked on my Assertive Goals, so I went for sweeps and passes, didn’t give up immediately at the first sign of resistance, got to side control and knee-on-belly, controlled her arms as if I would throw that armbar, let her work out but looked immediately to move back in. So, some practice, some thinking, but no aggro. And then I rolled a round with Janet and one with Jen — and I turned up the pace!! *squeal* I didn’t remember the Assertive Goals this time, but I do remember thinking, “These girls don’t need to be coddled.” I stuffed some passes and sweeps, I stuck with some of my own passes (and got them!), I did all the stuff I’d done with Lauren (but this time actually trying to finish!), and I really gritted down a couple of times to get things done. I felt so darn accomplished at the ends of all 3 of those rounds.
Open Mat after that, but I split. I’m leaving early in the morning to go visit my goddaughter, and I still needed to pack and I need to get to bed early. So good night!
Categories: Women's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blogs
On the Mat Day 375: A Chill Out Night of Training
I asked K-sensei the name of the brown belt who I drilled with last week after class. I am so forgetful when it comes to people's names. I looked at the guy's picture on our member's board and for his name he had written 871. K-sensei told me that was his name. Is he a cyborg, or something? you might think. Actually, the Japanese have a great way of remembering phrases or numbers since their syllables are interchangeable with numbers. The guy's name is Yanai. This can be broken down into Ya = 8, nana or na = 7 and i or ichi = 1. That's why he wrote 871. It kind of reminds me of the Mnemonic Major System but is much easier than ours. Japanese commercials often use this system when displaying their telephone numbers on the TV and they also use it to remember which days of the month don't have 31 days nishi muku samurai 246911 so February, April, June, September and November.
I took it really easy last night because I was low on energy and there weren't many of us at class in contrast to last Friday. Wednesday's class, where I pushed hard, really knocked me off sync. Three other guys besides me turned up to take K-sensei's lesson. The theme continued with knee on the belly choke attacks.
During sparring, maybe it was just one of those days, but everyone seemed to either grab or attempt to trap my injured foot so by the end of the night it was painful to sleep even after icing. The legs play such an important part in BJJ that it's so hard to avoid hitting them on something. I talked to Yoshida about his trip to Brazil a little. He mentioned that the guys there were all really strong and believed it has something to do with their diet. They eat a lot of meat whereas in Japan people eat small portions and mostly fish. It made me think about Mark Sisson's Paleo diet and strength training that is recommended with it.
At the end of class I worked out with the 16 and 20 kg kettlebells just to get a feel for them. I'd like to get hold of an adjustable set.
Sparring time: 4 x 6 mins = 24 mins
I took it really easy last night because I was low on energy and there weren't many of us at class in contrast to last Friday. Wednesday's class, where I pushed hard, really knocked me off sync. Three other guys besides me turned up to take K-sensei's lesson. The theme continued with knee on the belly choke attacks.
During sparring, maybe it was just one of those days, but everyone seemed to either grab or attempt to trap my injured foot so by the end of the night it was painful to sleep even after icing. The legs play such an important part in BJJ that it's so hard to avoid hitting them on something. I talked to Yoshida about his trip to Brazil a little. He mentioned that the guys there were all really strong and believed it has something to do with their diet. They eat a lot of meat whereas in Japan people eat small portions and mostly fish. It made me think about Mark Sisson's Paleo diet and strength training that is recommended with it.
At the end of class I worked out with the 16 and 20 kg kettlebells just to get a feel for them. I'd like to get hold of an adjustable set.
Sparring time: 4 x 6 mins = 24 mins
Kid Peligro on NHB Radio talks Mundials and "Buchecha"
No Holds Barred: Kid Peligro on the 2013 Mundials and the Rise of
Buchecha
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again
spoke with our colleague and correspondent Kid Peligro (http://
www.kidpeligro.com).
Our main topic was the 2013 IBJJF World Jiu Jitsu Championship, also
known as the Mundials, which takes place May 29 through June 2 at The
Pyramid at California State University in Long Beach, California.
There will be a pay-per-view webcast of the Mundials on IBJJF TV
(http://ibjjftv.com).
Much of the discussion leading up to this year's Mundials focuses on
the sensation who emerged with double gold last year, the heavyweight
Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida of CheckMat. Now just 23 years old, among
other victories, Buchecha repeated his double gold performance in
March at the world's largest jiu-jitsu tournament, the 2013 Pans,
winning both his weight class and the absolute division.
"He, kind of, came out of nowhere," said Kid Peligro in this
interview. "It is part of his mystique, is he came out of nowhere last
Worlds."
heck it out at: nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2013-05-…
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Passing the Guard
Kid Peligro ebook: Secrets of The Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: BJJ Great Escapes Kid Peligro Iphone App Secrets of the Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Portugues
Buchecha
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again
spoke with our colleague and correspondent Kid Peligro (http://
www.kidpeligro.com).
Our main topic was the 2013 IBJJF World Jiu Jitsu Championship, also
known as the Mundials, which takes place May 29 through June 2 at The
Pyramid at California State University in Long Beach, California.
There will be a pay-per-view webcast of the Mundials on IBJJF TV
(http://ibjjftv.com).
Much of the discussion leading up to this year's Mundials focuses on
the sensation who emerged with double gold last year, the heavyweight
Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida of CheckMat. Now just 23 years old, among
other victories, Buchecha repeated his double gold performance in
March at the world's largest jiu-jitsu tournament, the 2013 Pans,
winning both his weight class and the absolute division.
"He, kind of, came out of nowhere," said Kid Peligro in this
interview. "It is part of his mystique, is he came out of nowhere last
Worlds."
heck it out at: nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2013-05-…
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Passing the Guard
Kid Peligro ebook: Secrets of The Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: BJJ Great Escapes Kid Peligro Iphone App Secrets of the Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Portugues
Academy Mindset
When we Train, give opportunity, take occasionally. When we Fight, take everything, give nothing..
Worlds 2013 Pre- Schedule Change - No Competition on Wednesday!
The IBJJF has released their new pre-schedule. There will not be any competition on Wednesday: (read more)
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Passing the Guard
Kid Peligro ebook: Secrets of The Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: BJJ Great Escapes Kid Peligro Iphone App Secrets of the Closed Guard
Kid Peligro Iphone App: Portugues
Evolution Of BJJ
A lot of things have changed in BJJ, things that used to work years ago no longer work. And it's not because people lost touch with the basics, or they never learned the true invisible jiu jitsu.
It's because in the past, if you trained 4 times a week, it was a lot. I remember in early 2000, if you trained 3x or more a week, it was a lot. Unlimited training was very rare and twice a day was only for Gracies.
So the game was different and people created systems around what was available at the time. Meaning guys got tired, they would get tired from picking people up, they broke the guard open from the knees. They got tired of standing and smashing and passing so they began passing from the knees. They got tired and started sitting in peoples closed guards. Or they got tired and just held half guard. So many schools teach you moves based on the idea that you are starting from the knees, or he will willingly enter your guard, or pass from his knees because its too tiring to stay standing. And its why when they compete, objective reality hits them in the face. They have no way to get a person into their guard unless they jump guard, and if the top guy doesn't just sit their on his knees and let you set up your grips, you are at their mercy.
So do all the moves you learned in the past not work because the game has gotten too sporty? Or do they no longer work because there are a lot of guys who train all the time and they don't get tired in a 5 minute match let a lone a 10 minute match?
Who can pick you up over and over even though they are same weight as you. They can spend 3-4 minutes on one pass attempt without their knees ever resting on the ground. People don't need to go into half guard to stop a pass, they can go inverted over and over and recover guard. How many times have you gotten swept just because you were tired or your legs gave out? Well that was a legitimate point of strategy back in the day.
So many of the moves we learned from closed guard are hard to do because its so hard to get someone into your closed guard in the first place. Even trying to hold them in your classic open guard with feet on the hips is difficult. And now you are trying to stop passes where they don't tire and they are putting an incredible amount of pressure. In the past the guy on top would get tired because they are up, where the bottom guy is lying on his back and can conserve energy. Now neither guy gets tired.
Rubber guard was so brilliant because it exploited the 90s and early 2000 habit of sitting in peoples guard, and all the half guard sweeps exploited people sitting in half guard. That's the era Eddie learned BJJ. Now people don't pit stop anywhere, they go go go and don't get tired and don't willingly enter your guard or half guard. There's so many brilliant moves I've seen from rubber guard, I have not seen a lot of good ways to get an opponent into your rubber guard against an unwilling opponent.
A lot of the old BJJ relied on people getting tired. Modern BJJ realizes people won't get tired so they have to come up with innovative ways to scramble to make things happen. It's a mistake to think things are changing because its just diluted or its jiu jitsu being too sporty. Things are changing because the pioneers were too used to fighting guys and other martial arts guys who had cardio that would last 1-2 minutes like in a real street fight.
Against an opponent who doesn't get tired, its a whole new ball game. Its one of the major reasons BJJ has kept evolving.
MMA changed when Frank Shamrock, followed by Tito Ortiz emphasized good cardio. It became the new Zuffa era, then GSP and Benson Henderson and everyone else is a cardio freak. Same thing happened in BJJ. I remember hearing about these technical wizards of BJJ who would kill champions who visited their school but in BJJ competition, they would do great initially, get tired and lose. Same thing when some of them entered MMA.
When you have out of shape BJJ guys, or older guys, you learn the basics and you start believing oh, I get smashed by these young guys because my basics aren't good, I am missing key hidden details, it does a lot of save face and ego. To think its because you are out of shape does something to you mentally. So people love that, its because I am not technical enough and need to focus more on the basics not because I am just training 1-2x a week and I am gaining weight. And practicing basics won't wear me out but has a high return on investment! I CAN catch up to these punk kids. YES! Better technique always helps but so does better conditioning.
In health people always want to know the secrets to weight loss. There are no secrets. Same thing with anything. People who look for secrets don't succeed.
It's why all sports change, better athletes change the strategy. The greatest Gracie was Rolls during one era, he was also the biggest and strongest. He died and the greatest Gracie was Rickson, who we think had effortless jiu jitsu, yet he also happened to be the strongest, biggest, and most athletic of the Gracies of his era. That's no coincidence, when conditioning enters the picture along with skill, everything changes. Now the best Gracie is Roger, who is also the big strong and athletic Gracie. You guys see a pattern here?
It's because in the past, if you trained 4 times a week, it was a lot. I remember in early 2000, if you trained 3x or more a week, it was a lot. Unlimited training was very rare and twice a day was only for Gracies.
So the game was different and people created systems around what was available at the time. Meaning guys got tired, they would get tired from picking people up, they broke the guard open from the knees. They got tired of standing and smashing and passing so they began passing from the knees. They got tired and started sitting in peoples closed guards. Or they got tired and just held half guard. So many schools teach you moves based on the idea that you are starting from the knees, or he will willingly enter your guard, or pass from his knees because its too tiring to stay standing. And its why when they compete, objective reality hits them in the face. They have no way to get a person into their guard unless they jump guard, and if the top guy doesn't just sit their on his knees and let you set up your grips, you are at their mercy.
So do all the moves you learned in the past not work because the game has gotten too sporty? Or do they no longer work because there are a lot of guys who train all the time and they don't get tired in a 5 minute match let a lone a 10 minute match?
Who can pick you up over and over even though they are same weight as you. They can spend 3-4 minutes on one pass attempt without their knees ever resting on the ground. People don't need to go into half guard to stop a pass, they can go inverted over and over and recover guard. How many times have you gotten swept just because you were tired or your legs gave out? Well that was a legitimate point of strategy back in the day.
So many of the moves we learned from closed guard are hard to do because its so hard to get someone into your closed guard in the first place. Even trying to hold them in your classic open guard with feet on the hips is difficult. And now you are trying to stop passes where they don't tire and they are putting an incredible amount of pressure. In the past the guy on top would get tired because they are up, where the bottom guy is lying on his back and can conserve energy. Now neither guy gets tired.
Rubber guard was so brilliant because it exploited the 90s and early 2000 habit of sitting in peoples guard, and all the half guard sweeps exploited people sitting in half guard. That's the era Eddie learned BJJ. Now people don't pit stop anywhere, they go go go and don't get tired and don't willingly enter your guard or half guard. There's so many brilliant moves I've seen from rubber guard, I have not seen a lot of good ways to get an opponent into your rubber guard against an unwilling opponent.
A lot of the old BJJ relied on people getting tired. Modern BJJ realizes people won't get tired so they have to come up with innovative ways to scramble to make things happen. It's a mistake to think things are changing because its just diluted or its jiu jitsu being too sporty. Things are changing because the pioneers were too used to fighting guys and other martial arts guys who had cardio that would last 1-2 minutes like in a real street fight.
Against an opponent who doesn't get tired, its a whole new ball game. Its one of the major reasons BJJ has kept evolving.
MMA changed when Frank Shamrock, followed by Tito Ortiz emphasized good cardio. It became the new Zuffa era, then GSP and Benson Henderson and everyone else is a cardio freak. Same thing happened in BJJ. I remember hearing about these technical wizards of BJJ who would kill champions who visited their school but in BJJ competition, they would do great initially, get tired and lose. Same thing when some of them entered MMA.
When you have out of shape BJJ guys, or older guys, you learn the basics and you start believing oh, I get smashed by these young guys because my basics aren't good, I am missing key hidden details, it does a lot of save face and ego. To think its because you are out of shape does something to you mentally. So people love that, its because I am not technical enough and need to focus more on the basics not because I am just training 1-2x a week and I am gaining weight. And practicing basics won't wear me out but has a high return on investment! I CAN catch up to these punk kids. YES! Better technique always helps but so does better conditioning.
In health people always want to know the secrets to weight loss. There are no secrets. Same thing with anything. People who look for secrets don't succeed.
It's why all sports change, better athletes change the strategy. The greatest Gracie was Rolls during one era, he was also the biggest and strongest. He died and the greatest Gracie was Rickson, who we think had effortless jiu jitsu, yet he also happened to be the strongest, biggest, and most athletic of the Gracies of his era. That's no coincidence, when conditioning enters the picture along with skill, everything changes. Now the best Gracie is Roger, who is also the big strong and athletic Gracie. You guys see a pattern here?
On the Mat Day 374: Knee on the Belly
My body was so beat after yesterday's training that I couldn't go to sleep. It was beyond the point of exhaustion so much so that I could not drift off into sleep - which is weird. I really pushed myself during sparring that by the end I felt dizzy and totally drained. I think I drank about 2 liters of water to replace the sweat I lost. A lot of folks turned up and again, I mostly worked on standing and gripping.
We were taught knee on belly attacks, which were all chokes. one hand gripping collar to stabilize while the free hand slides in either far collar and progresses to baseball bat choke from north-south, or near collar and moves into mounted choke. I frequently attack from KOB so enjoyed this lesson.
During sparring, I actually managed to jump into a flying triangle again without really thinking about it. It is becoming more automatic. The opponent was bigger than me so remained standing and eventually shrugged me off but I was pleased with my ability to jump into it without hesitation. I still need to drill triangle finishes for both leg triangles and arm triangles when the opponent is being stubborn and defending. Teo came to train so got to spar with him a little bit. I was just too tired by the end to offer much resistance though.
We have a 32 kg kettlebell in our gym and I tried to snatch it but it was way too heavy. I asked Atsushi and he did it easily. Apparently another guy at the club tried to do the same thing and messed up his wrist. Anyone who regularly works out with this type of weight on kettlebells must be a beast. I always do a few reps at the start of class now with the 16 kg and 20 kg just to warm up. Love kettlebells.
When I got home I drank a protein shake and ate maguro-don which is a bowl of raw tuna fish on rice with avocado and seaweed. This really helps to prevent muscle ache the following day. I just feel sleepy - that's it.
Sparring time: 8 x 6 mins = 48 mins
We were taught knee on belly attacks, which were all chokes. one hand gripping collar to stabilize while the free hand slides in either far collar and progresses to baseball bat choke from north-south, or near collar and moves into mounted choke. I frequently attack from KOB so enjoyed this lesson.
During sparring, I actually managed to jump into a flying triangle again without really thinking about it. It is becoming more automatic. The opponent was bigger than me so remained standing and eventually shrugged me off but I was pleased with my ability to jump into it without hesitation. I still need to drill triangle finishes for both leg triangles and arm triangles when the opponent is being stubborn and defending. Teo came to train so got to spar with him a little bit. I was just too tired by the end to offer much resistance though.
We have a 32 kg kettlebell in our gym and I tried to snatch it but it was way too heavy. I asked Atsushi and he did it easily. Apparently another guy at the club tried to do the same thing and messed up his wrist. Anyone who regularly works out with this type of weight on kettlebells must be a beast. I always do a few reps at the start of class now with the 16 kg and 20 kg just to warm up. Love kettlebells.
When I got home I drank a protein shake and ate maguro-don which is a bowl of raw tuna fish on rice with avocado and seaweed. This really helps to prevent muscle ache the following day. I just feel sleepy - that's it.
Sparring time: 8 x 6 mins = 48 mins
