Friday, January 30, 2009

UFC 94 Preview Machida v Silva

Love him or hate him Machida's record is very good. I love the way he fights because it gives us old school karate guys hope that sitting in the pocket and punching away may not always be the best option. His ability to fight from the outside and not get hurt is amazing. His clinch game is tight too, he made Ortiz look like an amatuer. I think he will be far too smart for the steam roller that is Thiago Silva. I just hope he finishes the fight rather than going to a decision.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Stephan Kesting: More Signal, Less Noise.

Today I want to talk about a critical component of mastering BJJ, but first let me ask you a question.  If you were being driven around town, who would you want as your driver:

A) someone who's been driving every day for 15 years but also drives while talking on a cell phone?
or
B) someone who got their license YESTERDAY and is 100% focussing on driving?

I'm guessing that the vast majority of you would feel far safer with the veteran driver.  There is no substitute for experience behind the wheel.  Even though a veteran driver might be a little distracted sometimes, the judgement and reflexes created by years of driving will probably get you to the destination safe and sound.

When you're driving you have to consider the speed and direction of every car on the road (including your own).  In addition you have to remember the rules of the road, watch out for potholes and pedestrians, react to emergencies, etc.  After a few years you do most of this on instinct.  If you're making a left hand turn you don't actually think "OK, move my hands a little further in a clockwise direction."  No, you just turn the wheel.

Can you see where I'm going with this?

In a BJJ match you have to keep track of where every limb is, how your weight is distributed, how your opponent's weight is distributed, how your bodies are aligned, where everyone is gripping, and so on...

If an experienced grappler wants to stand up in the guard he's not thinking "OK, keep my knees exactly here and here to control his hips, now my left hand grips with the fingers in the lapel, twist my hand, grab the other sleeve, fingers exactly here, position my arms and body to prevent the armbar and triangle choke, shift my weight slightly, post one foot 13 inches from my body, push off, and now post my second foot about 22 inches from the other..." 

Now this experienced grappler IS thinking - he's thinking about the important things.  His mind gets freed up because many of the small adjustments are made on autopilot and by reflex.
 
Because he's not being distracted by every single tiny detail screaming for attention, he can use his bandwidth to concentrate on the big strategic picture, or try to solve a particularly difficult tactical problem (e.g. how his movement is being hindered by a particular grip his opponent might be using).
 
And it's the hours and hours on the mat that will eventually allow YOU to do this as well.

It's mat time that hones your reflexes and allows you to quickly react to your opponent's movements.  It's mat time that gives you the experience to recognize different situations and instinctively know what to do.  It's mat time that allows you to quickly filter the deluge of incoming information and quickly pick out what's important.

If your training consisted ONLY of mat time, and you had NO formal instruction, then you'd still get better.  The reverse is not true. (Of course to really get good you're going to have to combine mat time WITH quality information).

More mat time equals more signal, less noise.

Stephan Kesting
www.grapplearts.com
www.beginningBJJ.com

Monday, January 26, 2009

Ryan Hall Setting his Triangle in Comp


Everyone knows its coming but cannot stop it. Classic game plan and patience. One time his opponent gets slack with his postue and bang, too late. Very nice display of inverted guard.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

MMA Analyst interviews Andre Galvao

Fedor blog

In the lead up to the Arlovski fight M1 Global has started a blog on Fedor which includes a video diary as well as a Fox Sports special called the Baddest man on the Planet. Rather than posting all the videos you can check it out here. If anyone has a clue how we can watch this fight live please let me know. Mainevent is screening the Shane Mosley boxing match instead of the Affliction Day of Reckoning card. Like all the greats Ali, Armstrong, Gretsky, Jordan, Tiger...you can tell greatness when you see it, even if you dont completely understand the sport, you know these are once in a generation players. But to watch Fedor in a sport I love and practice and follow is truly awe inspiring.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Fedor 10 years in Pride FC

Lloyd Irwin Black Belt

Rambles and seems to have Eddie Bravo disease i.e. naming everything with weird names like your the first guy that thought of this shit, but some good stuff here anyhows....to improve your top game pressure. Viva las vegas.....(think Elvis hunk hunk a burnin love kinda thing)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Erik Paulson's Party Tricks

Everyone asks what Catch Wrestling and Gene Lebell cranks look like, well here it is.....not nice but very effective. Paulson is a funny guy.

2008 MMA Round of the Year

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Saulo Ribeiro No Gi Match

Rich Franklin ESPN Interview







if your reading this before tonites training just come down with no-gi stuff for both classes, its too damn hot for gi training!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Arlovski v Fedor Jan 24th


Can Arlovski's new found boxing prowess back up Fedor and land the big shots to put the Russian away? Me thinks not boys. MMA is not boxing, Fedor's shots are unorthodox and looping leaving him vulnerable to straight clean punches but Arlovski will struggle in the clinch and on the floor. Dont be suprised to see Fedor play this one from the outside and not stalk as much as he normally does....cant wait to find out. Bring on Barnett and I think we may have a real fight on our hands. I have lots of respect for Arlovski but dont think he is in Fedor's league.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Cobrinha V Ryan Hall


Not the best footage but this is one way to shut down the triangle game and to me it looks like a lot is setup from the strong crossface before the pass then back attack to choke and finish. Cobrinha is no slouch.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Yoshida v Veira

I think this is from Rickson Gracie's Budo challenge in Japan. 3x3min rounds with points for sub attempts and limited stalling allowed.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

JFT and TITS

Niall put me onto this idea on Saturday and I think it applies equally well to training in BJJ as well as Triathlons. So no more excuses, JFT and get some TITS. No shortcuts. Just funny acronyms.

UFC 93 Preview Henderson v Franklin

Friday, January 2, 2009

Leo Viera v Jeff Glover ADCC 2007 U65kg Qtr Final


Great match. Glover is very impressive in this bout. Thought the Darce he had in the first five minutes was tight but Leozinho's passing pressure in the second half of this ten minute war is relentless. Points only acrue after the first five minutes has past in an attempt to encourage submissions to finish the fight.

Here is an interview with Jefff Glover at the No-gi worlds earlier this year in California.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Now thats punching......

Mark Hunt has an iron chin but Manhoef has serious power in these hands. Great example of counter punching a big guy. Happy New Year. Next open mat will be Saturday at 12pm. Normal classes resume on the Tues 6th January.