About Me

Check out my latest book: M.U.S.C.L.E.-The Cheatin’ Security Guard

Check out my books: The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling , Grappling for Newbies and  A Vampire on the Mat 
on Amazon.com!


Re-up-up-update: May 16, 2011: Man, I am still a Blue Belt but I am definitely on the right path. I can bang with the big belts but I still catch many ‘beatdowns.’ I am training at a new Academy and loving it. 

Re-up-update: October 14, 2010: I am still a Blue Belt-One Stripe (with Purple Belt tendencies). I am training under —— ——- now!

Update March 1, 2009 : I am a Blue Belt now and no longer train in Georgia, but in Florida at Combat Athletix. I am still a grappling fanatic and now, I can train as much as I want. I still think about and attempt to do something BJJ related everyday.

I am Bakari Akil and I am a Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling fanatic. I want to get better but my training facility only meets twice a week and its 30 miles away.  On my birthday, Nov. 15, 2007, I had a bright idea. Why don’t I devote the entire year (365 days) to training in Jiu-Jitsu and see what happens.  Imagine, 365 days. How good can I get? What can I achieve? What doors may open as a result? Yeah, I can’t go to class that often and I can’t train strenously everyday, but there has to be something I can do everyday.

This is my story….

Suggestions, Comments, Opinions and Insight are welcome….

Oh yeah, I am also an academic. So in my spare time I have been conducting research on grappling and MMA related topics. I will share that here too…..

But don’t worry, I am not going to write in an academic style on this website. I will save that for the people who employ me and their friends….

47 Responses

  1. The FightWorks Podcast, on December 7, 2007 at 10:14 pm said:

    Your site has been nominated as one of the best BJJ blogs of 2007! Just a heads up that you might want to let your readers know to come on over and vote at:

    http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2007/12/03/submit-your-vote-for-the-best-bjj-blogs-of-2007/

    Polling ends midnight on 12/30 here in California.

    Best of luck!

    Caleb

    Reply
  2. jiujitsu365, on December 8, 2007 at 1:34 am said:

    Thanks Caleb!

    I sure will let them know.

    It is an honor being nominated……

    Reply
  3. Adam Adshead, on January 19, 2008 at 9:05 am said:

    Hey Bakari,

    Really enjoying your journey of 365 days of BJJ, keep up with the quality blogging.

    All the best in training and life,

    Adam Adshead – ConceptualBJJ.wordpress.com

    Reply
  4. jiujitsu365, on January 19, 2008 at 2:26 pm said:

    Thanks Adam,

    I will try my best….

    Reply
  6. David Fermin, on March 17, 2008 at 2:29 pm said:

    Hey Bakari how are you doing! this is so nice that you have this blog is very interesting and thank you for the nice words you put together, I am still training to fight a little more but lets see what happen, I hope you are training hard and enjoying yourself in your new place but I never got where is were you are at. Write me back and let me know how are you doing I am subscribing to your blog now!!!
    Thank you again and good luck with your challenges, World Vibe!
    Dahveed

    Reply
  7. jiujitsu365, on March 18, 2008 at 9:48 am said:

    Hey Dahveed,

    Thanks. I am doing well and congratulations on your fights. I am actually living in Warner Robins, Georgia and training in Macon, GA. Warner Robins is a small city of about 50,000 people.

    I enjoy the place that I’m training in and a lot of the guys are really skilled and laid back.

    It’s funny how small the world can be.

    Regards,

    Bakari

    Reply
  8. angrygrappler, on April 2, 2008 at 1:45 pm said:

    yo keep training all year and let me know how it goes and how the sidemount escapes go. sidemount is the hardest to get out of for any belt.

    Reply
  9. jiujitsu365, on April 2, 2008 at 5:46 pm said:

    Will do Angrygrappler.

    So far I have made it through without any major blips….

    Reply
  10. John, on April 3, 2008 at 10:10 am said:

    Hey man

    Live in jacksoville novice here with bjj but love to grapple looking for grappling partners to train with

    Reply
  11. jiujitsu365, on April 3, 2008 at 12:10 pm said:

    John,

    Sorry I live in Georgia. However, there are many BJJ academies in Jacksonville. I’m sure there are many people to train with.

    Reply
  12. FuzzyDunlop, on April 28, 2008 at 1:22 pm said:

    Hey Bakari, can you shoot me an email? I want to ask you somme BJJ beginner’s-type of questions, but I can’t find an email address for you on the site. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Smiley, on April 29, 2008 at 3:29 pm said:

    Hello Bakari, this is Smiley. I recemtly read your post about you coming to Jacksonville soon and you are considering training at my school. I am honored that you have even heard of us and I am even more grateful that you have us on your list of schools to train at. If you have any further questions about who we are and what we teach, please feel free to call to the gym (904)644-7571 or on my cell (904)861-7658. I am looking forward to talking to you soon. Peace.

    Reply
  14. jiujitsu365, on April 30, 2008 at 3:25 pm said:

    Thanks Smiley,

    Wow! This blog continues to surprise me.

    I have a lot of family down in Jacksonville, so in recent trips I have been pleased to find out about your training facility.

    I am a ‘peon’ in the scheme of things but I look forward to visiting in about a month or so.

    Bakari

    Reply
  15. jiujitsu365, on May 19, 2008 at 4:15 pm said:

    Hey FuzzyDunlop,

    I saw your request for an email but you didn’t leave an email address. No worries. I can be reached at jiujitsu365@hotmail.com….

    Reply
  16. Mr.So aka Charlie, on October 27, 2008 at 8:58 am said:

    Great idea with the 365 days. My idea is 730 days (2years) and I also know what the final goal is – to compete in Brazil
    http://www.metrobloggen.se/2brazil

    Reply
  17. jiujitsu365, on November 12, 2008 at 5:22 pm said:

    Thanks Charlie,

    I enjoyed visiting your blog and admire your stick-to-it-tiveness…

    Bakari

    Reply
  18. Grappling-With-Life, on November 24, 2008 at 7:23 pm said:

    Hey Bakari,

    Thanks for the nomination! I also nominated your work for Blog of the Year. There are a handful of others I read that I believe also deserve nominations but it seems as though most have already received them, I guess it all works out! Good luck, and thanks. Keep up the good stuff.

    -Jay

    Reply
  19. jiujitsu365, on November 25, 2008 at 9:41 am said:

    Thanks Jay,

    It is amazing how the that contest has exploded since last year.

    Good luck….

    Reply
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    Reply
  21. judofun, on December 17, 2008 at 11:59 pm said:

    jiu-jitsu 365 i live in warner robins area and would like to know where your jiu-jitsu dojo is located at. As i am interested in training. Right now im doing Judo in Macon.

    Reply
  22. jiujitsu365, on December 18, 2008 at 12:23 am said:

    I no longer live in Warner Robins. I moved in June. I used to train with Team Praxis in Macon. They trained in Macon and Griffin, GA. I just looked online and it looks like they only train in Griffin now. But I am not sure. Here is there website: http://www.praxisma.com/Default.aspx

    I trained with Cam….

    Reply
  23. Caleb, on December 21, 2008 at 5:35 pm said:

    Just a note to let you know that your blog made it to the finals in the 2008 BJJ Blog of the Year Contest.

    http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/12/21/bjj-blog-year-vote/

    Reply
  24. jiujitsu365, on December 21, 2008 at 6:19 pm said:

    Thanks Caleb!

    Once again, it’s an honor!

    Reply
  25. artofjits, on February 5, 2009 at 4:06 pm said:

    Awesome blog, I’m new to blogging but im getting some great inspiration here.

    Thanks

    Reply
  26. Jaf, on March 14, 2009 at 10:42 pm said:

    Congratulations on your blue! That’s quite an accomplishment! (Don’t worry about people disparaging how “long” it will take to get the black; the joy is in the journey, not the destination.)

    I used to try to roll a lot when I was in south FL and when I lived in Orlando. Hate the gi and was a fanatic about no gi grappling. Unfortunately, I stopped training when I moved to JAX 4 years ago and am now thinking about getting back into it, maybe. I even “got the bug” and went to the FL Grappling League tourney up in JAX a few weeks ago to show my support.

    I enjoy your blog and saw that you now “Twitter”; I was so intrigued that I almost joined just to keep up on your “tweets.” I need to keep checking in with your blog.

    Good luck with all your endeavours!

    Reply
  27. jiujitsu365, on March 15, 2009 at 12:28 am said:

    Thanks Jaf,

    You are right. The journey is definitely important.

    Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you enjoy your return to the mats as it seems as if you have already made the decision to do so.

    Reply
  28. Jaf, on March 16, 2009 at 3:09 pm said:

    I laughed when I read your reply because I’ve been “wrestling” with the decision (pun intended) to return to the mats for awhile. In fact, I’ve been accused of thinking myself out of doing it just the other day.

    If, as you say, I seem to have already made my decision to do so, then I just need to convince myself inwardly to match what it appears I’m projecting outworldly, at least.

    Now to find a school, etc………..

    Reply
  29. Brody Sanders, on May 24, 2009 at 10:53 pm said:

    Bakari,

    If you want to add Facebook or email sharing buttons to your blog posts, there’s a plugin that does it for you: http://tinyurl.com/sharebuttons

    Hope you find it helpful!

    Cheers,
    Brody

    Reply
  30. jiujitsu365, on May 25, 2009 at 10:25 pm said:

    Thanks for the tip Brody.

    Reply
  31. grappler, on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 am said:

    amazing blog! looks like a lot of hard work went into it!

    Reply
  32. jiujitsu365, on July 7, 2009 at 1:11 pm said:

    Thanks grappler,

    I spent a lot of time on it in the beginning, but now it is just a build up of many posts over time.

    I enjoy it though!

    Reply
  33. Jennifer Cecelia S., on August 26, 2009 at 1:47 pm said:

    Great site! Recently I have decided to look into self defense, being that I am thinking about majoring in Criminology. Congratulations on your accomplishments with Jiu Jitsu, sounds tough. Sorry to hear about the knockout- for what it’s worth, must have been some good workouts, I guess you had a good run. I will definitely read previous posts, maybe I will get some needed tips.

    Reply
  34. Mike, on June 16, 2010 at 7:58 pm said:

    Hi Bakari,

    I just discovered your blog, it is really great! Can you drop me a line in regards to it?

    Thanks!
    Mike

    Reply
  35. S, on July 8, 2010 at 3:30 pm said:

    Hey man…your website is not just informative and interesting but rather fun to read as well.

    I am wayyyyy overweight and sort of lathargic…the sad thing is i’m only 24.

    I was thinking about taking up brazilian jiu jitsu as a sport to get me into shape and help me obtain some discipline but I don’t know if it’ll be the right thing to do.

    You’ve been to different places, do you think i should take it up? being the size i am…about 6ft and 235lbs.

    Any advice would be appreciated man.

    Thanks again…keep up the awesome work

    Reply
    • jiujitsu365, on August 7, 2010 at 9:47 pm said:

      Thanks S.

      Many of the guys I go against are 6ft (or taller) and over 235 pounds and not the muscular kind. All shapes and sizes show up at BJJ and do well.

      My advice would be to make sure you visit many different schools in your area if that is possible and observe a class or two first before taking any free lessons. Further, just relax when you grapple against someone for the first time. Most people are so scared they will be dominated that they go all out and gas out in less than a minute. You will be dominated and tapped out anyway so conserve your energy, take it slow and your first few classes will be a lot easier.

      Reply
  36. Todd, on November 11, 2010 at 10:28 pm said:

    Got your “The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling”. Great, easy, fast read. Perfect for the lazy grappler.

    Reply
  37. jiujitsu365, on November 22, 2010 at 11:43 pm said:

    Thanks Todd,

    I really appreciate it and I am glad you enjoyed it.

    Reply
  38. Terje, on March 15, 2011 at 4:38 pm said:

    Hi

    Just read your article from 2008, March. Very inpsiring. I would love to see the data you had as a basis from back then. Would it be possbile for you to email it to me.

    thnaks for taken the time to do the research!

    Best Regards
    Terje

    Reply
  39. Frank, on May 5, 2011 at 4:28 pm said:

    Hi, I came across your site and wasn’t able to get an email address to contact you. Would you please consider adding a link to my website on your page. We are happy to offer you a 10% discount to our Online Store if you do so. Please email me back and I would be happy to give you our link.

    Thanks!

    Frank

    Reply
  40. More Blogs ! - My BJJ Journey, on September 29, 2011 at 7:13 am said:

    [...] across a fantastic site 365 days of BJJ. Just imagine that being able to train 365 days a year !! With all our commitments and the like it [...]

    Reply
  41. kris horner, on December 4, 2011 at 4:29 pm said:

    Great blog. Keep writing great content about jiu-jitsu, Bjj and mma. I am writing you from http://www.gameness.com. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

    Reply
  42. David Aria, on February 5, 2012 at 4:21 am said:

    Hello:
    I was referred to someone by the name of Anna who is supposed to be on this website. Roman referred me. I am looking for Gracie Jiu-jitsu in Kiev, Ukraine. Anybody have contacts for this – preferrably someone who speaks some English too as I do not speak Russian / Ukrainian.

    Thanks,
    Dave Aria
    Sacramento, CA

    Reply
  43. walt settlemyre, on March 22, 2012 at 1:25 pm said:

    Hi Bakari. my name is Walt.I just wanted to say thanks for the new book, Tap Monster. I’m getting ready for my first tournament, been trying to work hard, had a shit night on the mats during class. You know tthe ones where you question if all the work is worth it! I tossed and turned for several hours thinking about it. Around 2am I still couldnt sleep, so I grabbed my Nook and started looking for books on wrestling. By chance I searched Grappling and your books came up. I bought 20 ways a while back and I tweeted you how much I liked it, but man! TapMonster is on point my friend. So much so, I actually wrote a review on Barnes and Noble. The new book just really inspired me to get back at it and renewed my motivation. I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to write and put your ideas out there. The book really spoke to me. Walt

    Reply
    • jiujitsu365, on March 22, 2012 at 1:49 pm said:

      Hello Walt,

      Thanks! I appreciate you letting me know and I am glad it helped. I just read your review at B&N and I was blown away. That is a powerful story you told me and it will inspire me in the future when I’m writing.

      Awesome.

      P.S. Thanks for the feedback on Twitter for 20 Ways. I hope I responded as I don’t check it as much as my blog.

      Reply

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