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The Basic X-Guard - The Set-up, the Sweep, and the Kneebar.
2008-02-28 18:00:00
A video from the Grappler's Guide website (www.grapplersguide.com)This video breaks down the X-guard into simple steps:Now, this might be the first posting that has to do with the X-guard, and I'm not going to lie- I avoid it like the plague. Every damn time I've gone for one, either my brain shuts down and I can't seem to pull anything off, and I end up brute-forcing the other guy back down with a bad sweep, or my legs get the ever-loving-piss cranked out of them, usually by toehold. Not that X-guard isn't useful. I just suck at it.Anyway, the important bits:1) The X-guard setup:Start in Butterfly guardRock and Pop-upShoot arm throughFeed legs into position2) The kneebar:Control arm-side legPush out opposite legBring own leg over from insideControl under hip, bridge up, finish the kneebar.-y
More About: Basic , Guard , Sweep

Kyokushin Karate: Shokei Matsui's famous 100 man kumite
2008-02-27 18:09:00
Video of Kyokushin Karate 's record 100 man Kumite by Akiyoshi (Shokei) Matsui, currently the Director of the IKO (International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan)From the IKO website about Shokei Matsui:(http://www.kyokushin.co.jp/eng/ka ncho.html)Akiyoshi (Shokei) Matsui started Kyokushin Karate at age 13. In 1976, he joined the Kita Nagare-Yama Dojo in Chiba prefecture and managed to achieve the first level of Black Belt in a little over one year. In 1980, he placed fourth in the 12th All Japan Open Karate Championships, when he was just 17. Soon after, he became Chief Instructor of the International Kyokushin Headquarters school ("Honbu" Dojo) located in Tokyo. Both in 1981 and 1982, he took 3rd Place in the All Japan Open Karate Championships and then 8th place at the same event in 1983. At the Third World Open Karate Tournament in 1984, he took a remarkable 3rd place and became famous worldwide for his amazing sprit, strength and determination. He succeeded in winning the All...
More About: Famous

Very Old Footage: Gracies vs. Karate
2008-02-26 19:12:00
Carlos, Relson, Rorion, and Rolls Gracie, along with 2 of their students, take on all comers in this old-school footage from 1975 of fights against the Karate masters of South America.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W- SltgKQHDUFun video. I'm not sure, but it might be narrated by Rorion.That footage reminds me of what my last 2 'challenge' sparring sessions looked like. Clinch, takedown to side mount scramble, mount, submission. Hooray for the majority of people who still like to ignore groundfighting! :)
More About: Footage

Slo-Mo of UFC 81 Tim Sylvia vs. Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira
2008-02-25 18:25:00
Found something to stop the commotion of whether or not Nogueira 's finishing takedown at UFC 81 against Sylvia was intentional or not. The video below shows what happens, step by step... you'd be surprised at all the details you would have missed if it was playing in real-time.http://www.youtube.com/v/rcpLeh Aiug4@ :10 - Definitely a half-guard pull. People have argued that he was going for some other takedown, and just slipped, but that looks pretty intentional to me.Before :42 - Waiting out for the left leg to get the simple half-guard sweep.@ :42 - Sylvia basically just gives him the leg in an attempt to pull out of Nogueira's half-guard. Of course, textbook sweep comes. The beginning of the end.@ :49 - Big Nog pulls out of half-guard top to side mount.@ 1:05 - While Nogueria tries going for what I assume was an attempt to either move to NS positon or for an opposite-arm armbar, Sylvia scrambles to get up.@ 1:10 - Minotauro moves with him, locks in the closed-guard gulliotine. ...
More About: Tim Sylvia , Rodrigo

Mauricio Shogun Hua vs. Kevin Randleman (Pride)
2008-02-23 20:14:00
This was actually one of the first Pride fights I ever saw: Mauricio 'Shogun ' Rua vs. Kevin 'the Monster' Randleman . I distinctly recall there was extra on the line for this fight because of some drama between the Chute Boxe and Hammerhouse teams.Now that's how you finish a kneebar. But kudos to Randleman for not tapping to that nasty toehold earlier. Although I'm terrible at setting them up, this fight was actually the reason that I love kneebars.Also, best wishes to Mr. Randleman on recovering from that horrific Staph infection. I hope he recovers, and gets back on track.-y
More About: Kevin Randleman

*Sigh*...Never Back Down - The New MMA Movie
2008-02-21 17:30:00
So, after thinking that I would ignore this abortion of a movie, I figured, why not capitalize on the probable high number of searches coming for this POS.Honestly, I don't mean to offend the teen to early-20s group of people who think this movie is going to be the greatest thing ever, but as a somewhat serious MMA fan, and cynical martial artist, I'm not happy. You want to know what this is? I'll explain it to you:The Punch Kick Choke Guide to "Never Back Down" 1) Can someone say, "recycled plotline"?Take "Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift," replace the asians with rich white kids, and the cars with fighting. At least be creative. Good god. Protagonist get lured into match for girl, get humiliated, finds mentor who trains him, starts to kick ass, and beats the talented asshole who beat him in the first place. Never heard that one before. I was going to give Mamet's upcoming "Redbelt" some props, but marbles? What the hell?2) Speaking of Fast and the Furious...This movie is go...
More About: Movie , Sigh

Download "MMA: The Book of Knowledge" by BJ Penn
2008-02-20 18:09:00
I finally found a PDF version of my favorite Martial Arts book ever: Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge - written by the one and only, BJ Penn .Download Mixed Martial Arts- The Book of Knowledge (Click Here)Short Review:This is one of the best MMA books out there. It really does go with Penn's self-titled arsenal of "Advanced Basics." I personally like this book because it tries its best to include ways to distract the opponent to get the move to work, which is severely lacking in most martial arts books, and how to use strikes to set up passes and submissions, and vice versa. I'm personally a huge fan of Penn's groundwork (note: DUH.), especially the series of moves that stem from his "Damn Good Guard." The basic no-gi sweeps are covered, as well as attacks and defenses from every position, even against the cage.The only thing this book is lacking is a solid striking section. I know that crisp, clean striking isn't Penn's strong point (although I hear he has ridiculously ...

Footlock Defense - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
2008-02-19 17:59:00
I quip every once in a while in this blog about "leg locks are awesome, don't forget about them!"But today, I post about how to get out of the basic footlock, aka, the Achilles lock.Video from the Gracie Academy in Torrance, with Ryron and Rener Gracie explaining what exactly is required to get out of a footlock.Most important bits?Push outside foot off firstHug attacking leg and bridge/hop over outside footPull your outside leg out and around to place on opponent's hipPush/Pull legs to escapeLike I've said before... BE CAREFUL WHEN PRACTICING LEG LOCKS OF ANY KIND.
More About: Defense , Jiu Jitsu , Jitsu

Fight Quest S01E08: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu episode
2008-02-18 09:07:00
Fight Quest S01E08 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Watch/Download Episode Here (Stage 6)I can't really give my take on this episode just yet, as I am downloading it myself right now.Also, I would like to officially retract my earlier statement about Fight Quest... before it started, I called it "a Human Weapon knockoff," when in fact, Fight Quest is essentially what Human Weapon SHOULD have been.Anyway, watch the episode- I heard it was excellent, and that one of the hosts gets his elbow way hyperextended. Worth watching just for that.-yPs- I have the Jason Chambers (HW) vs Jimmy Smith (FQ) MMA fight somewhere in this blog- search for it.
More About: Fight

Tank Abbott vs. Kimbo Slice Elite XC
2008-02-17 08:10:00
I'm really not sure what Kimbo proved by beating Tank , but it sure was entertaining.Great job, Kimbo. But for the love of god, fight someone talented, and under 40 next time. Then you might get a little more love from the actual MMA fans.-y
More About: Elite , Kimbo Slice , Tank Abbott

Marcelo Garcia vs. Shaolin Ribeiro ADCC 2003
2008-02-16 22:32:00
From the Abu Dhabi Combat Club competition in 2003- Marcelo Garcia vs. Vitor Shaolin RibieroNot much of a post- just watch. It's a short video showing you why grapplers think Marcelo is so awesome. :)-y
More About: Ribeiro

Download a Copy of "The Essence of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu," by Rigan Machado
2008-02-15 21:45:00
"The Essence of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu " Download The PDF Here (Requires Adobe Reader or Equivalent)Rigan Michado, one of the most knowledgeable Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners in the world, introduced for the first time in published form his famous "Machado Jiu Jitsu" techniques. This book encompasses an enormous variety of techniques, including arm locks, chokes and leg locks.I just started reading this book, but so far, so good. I'd recommend reading it at a high zoom, because the scan isn't the crispest thing in the world. But then again, I am using my monitor at a higher resolution than the average person (1920x1200), so you might have an easier time reading the words.Honestly, that's really the only gripe I have about the download- it's an excellent read. No nonsense, it gets right into the submissions, which I'm sure appeals to those who have read other jiu jitsu books that spend a good 1/4 talking about the 'progression in the art' and newbie drills rather than getting ...
More About: Copy

Fedor's now going to fight another can... TUF style!
2008-02-14 21:36:00
I mean, as 'cool' as another MMA TV reality show would be, (/sarcasm) I really can't express my displeasure properly in words.Premise:16 Fight ers head to Russia to train.They fight.They probably drink heavily and cause man-drama. ("In Soviet Russia, Vodka drinks you!")Winner fights Fedor Emelianenko.I mean, as much love as I have for Fedor, this crap makes me wish the winner of the show flash KO's him. That being said, I am probably going to watch the final fight, popcorn in hand.-y
More About: Style

Dean Lister Shows How to Break an Armbar Stalemate by Cutting at the Forear
2008-02-13 20:25:00
A lot of weak novice grapplers I've seen have been caught in many an armbar stalemate while attempting it from the top, because the opponent is stronger with a powerful grip.Dean 'The Boogeyman' Lister shows how to break that without too much trouble:Tips from the video:Don't try to swing back to wedge your own arm as far into the elbow as possible- instead, figure four near the back of the forearm.Don't try to yank back or up. Rather, use your shoulders and abs to pull the elbow towards the chest. That pushes their forearm and bicep together with your own arm in between, which creates a significant amount of pressure on the forearm.-y
More About: Break , Stalemate , Armbar , Dean Lister

A Good Muay Thai Kicking Drill - Front Push (Teep) Kick to Knee
2008-02-12 22:02:00
This kicking drill is just plain excellent for teaching good footwork and timing.You start out with a simple teep kick, imagining you're hitting the midsection of an incoming opponent, and using the swinging back movement to visualize the opponent basing out and moving forward again, you catch it with a knee.Rob Karman shows it here:Now, it's expected that you have a partner to steady the bag, but if you're one of those guys that like to train alone, don't fret- there are variations to the drill. (Though some will teach you different skill sets) Here, I made up two:1) Do it normally, and perform a forward jumping knee to catch the bag. Similar to normal drill but with delayed timing, and will work on your explosiveness overall.2) Move back and forth around the bag from further out, do the teep, but instead of hitting the bag, have the kicking leg land right in front of it, clinch the bag, and immediately go for a hard knee. This won't do much for your teep, but will work on you...
More About: Muay Thai , Thai , Front , Good , Kick

Eddie Bravo talking about the importance of moving while mounted
2008-02-11 20:51:00
Now, everyone and their grandmother knows the turtling is poor technique, whether it's actually turtling like competition Judo folks, or just staying stagnant and shelling up. Unfortunately, when you're really screwed/don't know what to do from a certain position, that's really all you can think of sometimes. BAD! Eddie tells the Submissions101 crew about the importance of continuing to move when mounted.If you really need to get the idea through your head, next time you're mounted, imagine 'Buttscoot' Bravo slapping your forehead and generally humiliating you. Get your ass moving.-y
More About: Moving , Talking

Good training material: takedowns from on-knee starts
2008-02-10 00:47:00
Most grappling schools have sparring sessions where they start on the knees-The Submissions101 guys show a handful of handy starting takedowns from the on-knee start.I know that some people think it's stupid, but here are my reasons as to why it's not:Considering that a lot of people who start their grappling experience with BJJ have trouble with their throws and takedowns, the on-knee position gives very good experience that transitions well into learning proper judo or wrestling.Not everyone has the opportunity to practice on good, thick mats- the on-knee start will prevent injury as well as be a little more resistance-oriented than always starting in a predetermined position.I don't know about you guys, but getting thrown, and throwing people cuts my ability to train by a significant amount. Notice how I did not say that starting on the knees was the most realistic way to practice, but it sure has it's advantages.The point is, you should train standing, on-knee, and in a pred...
More About: Training , Good , Material , Takedowns

A wonderful two-move combination- Failed armbar to cross-leg armbar
2008-02-08 21:24:00
This is a great combination move I've found: From Guard - Armbar to Cross ed Leg Armbar on Other ArmWe've all had our moments when we go for an armbar from guard, and the guy on top manages to pull his arm out just in time... here's the perfect follow up- the cross-leg armbar.Watch this:Explanation:Go for armbarOpponent pulls arm outPivot to other side while controlling other armAttack the other arm
More About: Move , Combination , Wonderful

The reason there wasn't a post today
2008-02-08 07:54:00
...I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled out yesterday, and the last 36 hours has been one big codeine/Tylenol induced nap.The basic story:I go to dentist for teeth cleaning/cavity check to stop occasional nagging from girlfriend about it.Assistant X-rays, then cleans my teeth, which felt like getting orally raped by a large piece of broken glass. Dentist comes in for full inspection.He tells me that I have no cavities, which is funny considering that I don't floss and drink coffee, soda, and booze on a regular basis.But he notices that my wisdom teeth are at a rough 45 degree angle (like #2 in the picture above), and tells me that if I don't remove them, the teeth in front of them will start to rot. I agree that it should get taken care of.Instead of telling me to come back on an empty stomach to get knocked out and feel nothing, he proceeds to inject Novocaine into the back of my mouth, waits 5 minutes, pulls out what is essentially a pair of pliers, and goes to town with my wisdom te...
More About: Post , Today , Reason

Americana (Keylock) From Side Mount
2008-02-06 22:04:00
I keep forgetting to post about attacks from Side Mount , so here's the most basic of basic offensive moves from Side Mount- the Americana , or Keylock.From TrainFightWin.com:Some important things to note:Make sure you have your weight on the guy's torso, not your knees.The usual headgrab the person on bottom does is a perfect setup for the armbar as well, which I prefer.Don't start yanking as soon as you get the Fig-4 lock on. Bring that elbow close in before cranking that keylock.Happy Training-y

Lesnar vs. Mir UFC 81
2008-02-03 11:13:00
(Comment: this'll probably be taken down immediately, so don't complain to me)All I can say is that I'm pleased with how it ended up.Lesnar was classier than expected, though. Good for him, and I hope he gets some more training in- he'll be a beast with some experience.-y
More About: Frank , Brock

Meh, nothing wrong with posting another fight: UFC 80 Penn vs. Stevenson
2008-02-02 01:13:00
In case anyone hasn't seen it yet, I found the Penn vs. Stevenson fight in high quality-Penn looked in pretty good shape- very tight RNC, and a congrats to him on his Lightweight Belt.It wasn't as much of a "raping" as it was "domination." I kind of can't wait for the Sherk/Penn fight after seeing that.To Watch Penn vs. Stevenson Click HereBloody. Watch it to see what I mean.
More About: Fight , Wrong

So, during my trip, I bought a Pride FC collection
2008-02-01 22:01:00
...And the Fedor/Nogueira Title fight from Body Blow was awesome to watchGotta hand it to Nogueira for his ability to continue to work for something despite getting pounded. Pounded by Fedor's big-ass robot hands.Enjoy-y
More About: Trip , Pride

Well, I'm back from my visit to St. Louis
2008-01-31 19:43:00
...And, of course, I ended up getting drunk and grappling.Here is the video of the 3rd night I ended up doing it in my 12 day stay:It was just a friendly match between me and my friend. Ignore my girlfriend in the background. -_-;;2 roundsWarning: This is hardly exciting in any way shape or form.Drunken Grappling During WashU Visit - Funny blooper videos are hereSome things to note:When drunk, I seem to...Magically prefer the open/half-butterfly guardCan operate only one leg at a time to set up attacksCan't sweep and I completely forget about kimuras and triangles from the bottom, but I can keep shrimping and regaining the guardCan't maintain base, and completely forget how to pass the guard from topAll in all: JUST SAY NO TO DRINKING, KIDS. ESPECIALLY TO EVERCLEAR SPEEDBALLS.God, I look like an idiot in this. Oh, well... I consider it my payment to all of you for not posting in 2 weeks.
More About: Louis , Back , St Louis

Tony Blauer (S.P.E.A.R) on Hicks' Law
2008-01-16 20:31:00
As it turns out, the there's actually a law that describes for why most traditional martial art practitioners fight like shit:Tony Blauer, the creator of the SPEAR fighting system explains Hick's LawHick's law, or the Hick-Hyman law, is a human-computer interaction model that describes the time it takes for a user to make a decision as a function of the possible choices he or she has. Given n equally probable choices, the average reaction time T required to choose among them is approximately T = blog2(n + 1) where b is a constant that can be determined empirically by fitting a line to measured data. According to Card, Moran, and Newell (1983), the +1 is "because there is uncertainty about whether to respond or not, as well as about which response to make."here's the video:So, despite the fact that I still think Blauer is a bag of douche, he eloquently explains everything I've been trying to say about why it's so hard for martial artists to actually apply what they learn, and a...

(Non-MMA) Another Lockpicking Post:- the Return of "Why you shouldn't buy M
2008-01-16 04:57:00
Watch me make a "high security" Master Padlock my bitch.Easily Picking Open A "High Security" Master Padlock - Celebrity bloopers herehttp://www.metacafe.com/watch/1041124 /easily_picking_open_a_high_security_mast er_padlock/I just put it up, so vote 5 stars for me. Pleeeease?-y
More About: Post , Return , The Return

2 Things + a surprise video!:
2008-01-15 21:01:00
1) I will be posting sporadically from Jan 17th (this thursday) to Jan 29th - I will be in St. Louis to visit friends and my girlfriend. So don't unsubscribe during that time period- I'll be back, I promise!2) To any of my Los Angeles readers, quick question:Do any of you know the going rate monthly for instruction at Hollywood BJJ? I believe the instructor is Shawn Williams, and they have no info on rates anywhere-I'm sure they work things out differently per students, but knowing an average would be nice, because that's one of the schools I'm looking to join after my schedule frees up again. It's either that, 10th planet, or a Judo school I've heard good things about. speaking of the judo school, where the hell is Sawtelle Judo located (as in, what the building looks like, cross streets)?Since there was really no point in terms of MMA in this post, here's a nice video to pay you back for having read this:UFC 79 George St. Pierre vs. Matt Hughes (Yeah, I JUST found this one...
More About: Video , Things

Review: Toribash - Ragdoll Fighting Game
2008-01-14 20:30:00
Grasshopper, is your wire-fu t3h major weaksauce?Do what gamers do and use the computer to allow you to do things that you can't do in real life (In this case, in terms of martial arts):Toribashhttp://www.toribash.com/I stumbled upon the site, and with some good reviews, I decided to download it.It has a very basic premise: Do as much damage as you can to the other guy.This is where a very basic understanding of ragdoll physics and physiology come into play- What do you (Hold/Relax/Contract/Extend) to get a certain movement going?It's kind of frustrating the first couple of times, but after going online and finding some tutorials, the very first time you grab the other ragdoll and rip it apart with your cold, square, and digital hands is very satisfying.I have yet to try the multiplayer version, but I hear that fun... as long as your not a complete noobie.Examples:So, go on- download it, have some fun. I just managed to combine a double-leg takedown with a capoeria kick.-y
More About: Review , Fighting , Game

Kneebar From Guard (Hyperextending Leg Lock)
2008-01-12 21:32:00
Something I've been experimenting with- the Kneebar from Guard .It's one of those make or break moves that probably won't work all that often as you spar against higher and higher ranked opponents, but it doesn't take away from the move at all- It's perfect to go for one as soon as your opponent's guard becomes open, and you have a little space between you. In that instant, you grab the leg you're attacking, then you slide your own opposite knee over the hip of your opponent, lock your legs, squeeze them together, fall back, and go for the Kneebar.Here's what I would add to the original technique I just described: If your opponent doesn't tap, circle your arm around to get an overhook on the ankle of the leg you're attacking. That'll get even the most flexible of people.Just remember, be REALLY careful when practicing Kneebars (And any type of joint lock, really) because it's really hard when you're caught in the moment, to tell if a knee is about to go pop. Tap early wh...
More About: Lock

Abu Dhabi (ADCC) Highlight Compilation
2008-01-11 21:40:00
A good compilation of the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) competition through the years- some pretty passes and intense scrambles from the world's best grapplers picked up by the guy who edited this:
More About: Compilation , Highlight