UFC 84 Predictions: I think I nailed this one!

BJ Penn vs. Sean SherK:  BJ Penn of course!
Sherk had trouble with GSP and Matt Hughes because he had a shorter reach than these guys and because he couldn’t handle their strength. I believe BJ Penn has more core strength than Sherk (although they use it differently) and he has better hands than the “Muscle Shark.”
Wanderlei [...]

MMA Live on ESPN

JiuJitsu365: I watched a pretty interesting show called “MMA Live” on ESPN.com. It was pretty interesting after you get past the first three minutes where the host says “MMA Live” about a hundred times. The co-hosts were Kenny Florian and Franklin McNeil (a sports writer). Both Florian and McNeil were a little awkward at first, but [...]

Block with your hands and not your face…

When I used to box (many years ago) sometimes I would play around with the lead hand down defense.  I would use a lean and a shoulder to block or avoid incoming blows (e.g., Pernell Whitaker). I usually did this when the head trainer, Frank, would turn away for a moment. However, I would never use it [...]

The Upa (Bridge): Can you do it when your tired?

The upa or bridge, when properly executed is an awesome way of disrupting an opponents balance, setting them up for a sweep and helping to secure a sweep. However, in my experience of practicing BJJ and watching boatloads of submission grappling and MMA videos, it is highly underused.
Whenever I remember to use it in practice it [...]

Kazushi Sakuraba: Slapping on the Kimura

Kazushi Sakuraba always posed a significant threat in PRIDE and it pains me to see that he continues to fight way past his prime. But who I am I to tell someone to stop doing what they love to do and also pays the bills?
Anyway, what made him particularly scary as a fighter was his [...]

Redbelt: Possible Spoilage (If you haven’t seen it..)

I have mixed feelings about “Redbelt.”  First, I must state that my wife, who often tires of hearing me talk about Jiujitsu, said it was “really good.” My wife even waited for me to walk by her in the theater and then tried to grab me around the neck like the main character, Chiwetel Ejiofor, [...]

Ground and Pound Action: Class

Last night, I arrived a little late to class. When I entered, the guys were in the middle of a striking session with the pads. It turns out that Big “J” will be fighting in his first MMA match this Saturday.  Big “J” is a rare specimen. He is 6′4 or 6′6 (he said he [...]

TUF: Episode 2: Rampage & Forrest Griffin

Some people have complained about TUF having the guys fight before allowing their characters to develop.  But I think it was a good idea to shuffle things up.  I think they could have at least let the fighters know that they would have to fight their way into the house. It might have been 30 seconds of [...]

Spoiler Alert: Comments on UFC Fight Night Live

Jiu-jitsu365: *Wow!!!!   I looked down for a second and Houston Alexander ‘got knocked out….’  He’s denying he was out, but the video says otherwise.
I was busy thinking how Steve Mazzagatti no longer has that ridiculous mustache and missed it….
 *Nate Diaz put on another clinic against Pellegrino.  Pellegrino got a little cocky after schooling Diaz in the first [...]

UFC and ME: Fight Night Live

I am sitting on my couch waiting in anticipation (6:58 P.M.) for UFC Fight Night Live and the TUF premiere. My wife is visiting her folks and I can watch with no guilt. I have been feeling a drought as of late and if I have to watch one more episode of UFC Unleashed, WEC or [...]