Month: January 2008
Taking MMA to another level….
I watched a very interesting video at GracieMag.com. Using technology you often see with EA Sports (video games) or on that Sports Science show on Fox Sports, an academy in Fair Lawn, New Jersey is capturing and converting fighters’ movements into computer animated graphics. Martin Rooney, a columnist with the magazine, describes how they use it to analyze and improve fighters’ performance.
Extra Place to Train: Gi Included
I found a Tae Kwon Do academy that offers Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in my city. Further, it is located about 2 to 3 miles away from my house. I could walk there if I wanted to (I wouldn’t be able to make it back though because I am usually toast after grappling).
I talked to the owner and he told me that they are qualified to offer blue belts in BJJ. They also train with the gi or kimono, which is awesome. I believe that they are ‘Gracie affiliated’ due to the way that he described the program, however, I will have to wait and see how that will pan out.
The classes are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays and one Saturday a month. I would only be able to go on Fridays and the one Saturday class because the Tuesday class conflicts with the place where I currently train. I am going to sit in on a class this Friday at 7pm and hopefully I can start training in BJJ with the gi.
Sambo Steve: An Interesting Submission
I ‘happened across’ a video of Sambo Steve who has an interesting series of videos on YouTube. Although the video’s purpose was to demonstrate a counter to a toehold or knee-crush, it wasn’t the counter that caught my attention. It was the toehold or knee-crush submission.
I am often able to obtain the back of my opponent while they assume a turtle position. One of the easiest things to do is to get at least one hook in. Usually I will work to get the other hook in and pull my opponent backwards or I may grab an arm and attempt an arm-bar. However, I never thought about hooking one foot, spinning out and then sinking in a submission on the hooked leg.
The video demonstrates it better than I can describe it…
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The Coincidences Keep Coming…
A few days ago I wrote a post about finding video of my first BJJ instructor, David (Dah-veed) Fermin. Well, while watching the videos I noticed that my current head instructor, Cam McHargue, has refereed at least two of his MMA matches.
I’ll have to ask Cam if he knows David personally, but it is interesting either way. Apparently there are less than six degrees of separation in BJJ and MMA.
Twister Side Control
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While perusing through Eddie Bravo’s book, Mastering the Rubber Guard, I came accross the Twister Side Control. It reminded me of the technique that we often use in our class where we switch our hips from a scarf-hold position to face in the other direction. From that point we would usually pull down the opponent’s knee, if it was being used to block, and then insert our far leg over our sparring partner’s stomach to obtain the mount.
The Twister side control, however, allows you to set up the Twister. I tried to to use the side control in class twice last week and I ended up having my sparring partner pop up both times and attempt to take my back.
I’ll keep working on it though….
My First BJJ Instructor: David Fermin
I can’t believe it. I found some video of my old instructor from Tallahasse, Florida. I couldn’t ever find anything on him before because I never knew his last name. I just knew that his first name was David (pronounced Dah-veed). This is the man that provided the base and a substantial amount of my BJJ knowledge (WorldVibe Jiu-Jitsu).
I heard that my hometown had a new BJJ academy open up so on a whim I typed in Tallahassee and Jiu-jitsu in YouTube to see what would happen. A bunch of his videos popped up. I found out that his last name is Fermin.
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I also found a number of his fights on YouTube as well. He told us before that he wanted to instruct local law enforcement, etc., so he wanted to add a couple of fights to his resume. However, it seems that he has had more than a couple..
Brings back memories and in a strange way has provided me with motivation. David used to grapple with all of us one after another like a machine (sometimes as many as 8 of us). All of the acrobatic movements and unique looking drills that you see him doing in the video I picked up from him.
It’s good to see that he is doing well…
***If you check out the vodpod video on the left (David Fermin x Chris) you will see David’s opponent throw a punch and David catches him in a arm and head choke while standing. ***
Knee-on-Belly (KOB) Success/Class Wrap-up
Good news. I have been able to add the knee-on-belly (KOB) technique to my arsenal with much success. My practice on the heavy bag paid off. I attempted it on two different guys in class, multiple times, and was able to obtain it every single time.
I think the mere explosiveness of the move is what allowed me to gain the position. I noticed that two things generally occured when I tried out the KOB in class. My opponent was momentarily shocked that it happened and didn’t react quickly and I could either go back to side mount or full mount or they immediately shrimped away from my knee. So my next plan of action is to find a way to set up a trap for when they shrimp away.
In other good news, I am improving in my ability to control Big “J.” I noticed that my guard pass has become a little more proficient and that I am able to hold him down for an extended period of time. I even heard him grunt a few times so that means that I am using my weight more effectively. Yet, my main problem is when he gains the mount on me. It seems as if he is standing up when he is kneeling over me and he usually taps me from this position. Last night it was an armbar. I’ll figure it out though…..
I’ve noticed that the fluidity that I once used to display (in my opinion) is coming back and a guy in class complimented me on my ability to defend rear-naked-chokes. So overall, I am happy with my improvements….
Comments and Questions on UFC Fight Night
I think Burkman ‘was robbed.’
Corey Hill won his fight. Can we see him in a televised bout?
Nate Diaz looked like he was putting on a clinic.
What’s up with the Rambo Replay???
Do we need interviews with Joe Rogan’s buds?
Finally, I enjoyed the fight between Omigawa and Tavares (minus the stand-up). I enjoyed watching Omigawa use the open guard to control his opponent and how often he was able to stand up. He timed it just right so he would duck as Tavares would instinctually throw a punch as he was rising to his feet. I also liked Omigawa’s attempts to armbar him from unorthodox positions.
His armbar attempts reminded me of my first tournament match as a Judoka. I (a white belt at the time) went up against a brown belt. New to the sport, I went for a double leg and caught him by surprise. As I rose up I found myself in an armbar. My right hand was planted on the mat between his arm and chest and he wrapped his arm around my elbow to force the tap when I naively sat up in his guard.
Overall, I would say that the Omigawa/Tavares match was the most interesting fight for me. I also had an 80 percent accuracy rate on my predictions…..
UFC Fight Night
It will be pleasant to watch a UFC event that is not old or without having to fork over $39.95 for a pay per view. The fights they are putting on this week should help determine the next line of viable contenders for belts (long way to go though).
Here are my predictions (which hold about as much weight as the pollsters for the New Hampshire primary):
Mike Swick is going to make his debut at 170, but I think that he is going to find out that he will have a tough time in any division and that Josh Burkman will give him all that he can handle. Although Swick has the better hands and ground skills, I think Burkman will be stronger and will out muscle him for a ground and pound victory.
Predicted Winner: Burkman
The next matchup is between Drew McFedries and Patrick Cote. Although many people called Cote’s win over Kendall Grove a fluke when it happened, I think everyone forgot about his nullification of Tito Ortiz. Although he didn’t win that bout, I think he will have the stand-up edge as well as UFC experience edge over McFedries.
Predicted Winner: Cote
Although Alvin Robinson was able to beat Jorge Gurgel, I think he was in too deep with Kenny Florian. I believe his matchup with Nick Diaz is meant to be a build-up fight for Diaz. The reach advantage Diaz holds over Robinson will be too much and I think he will outclass the BJJ brown belt, Robinson, on the ground.
Predicted Winner: Diaz
Concerning the matchup of Thiago Tavares and Michihiro Omigawa, I believe it will be an easy victory for Tavares. I believe that Omigawa is the classic case of a strong primary sport star (Judo) being thrown too early in to the mix of MMA. His 4-5-0 record indicates that he probably is not much of a striker and relies on his Judo skills for wins.
Predicted Winner: Tavares
One more note: We may finally get to see Corey Hill in action, but it will depend upon the pace of the other fights. Hill could be devastating if he found the right camp. Further, Joe Silva gave him an opponent who is 5ft 6in, so he will most likely be able to pick apart his opponent and sprawl and brawl to a victory. I would venture that they want to keep Hill around so he won’t be fighting a monster.
Predicted Winner: Hill
Working on Knee on Belly…..
I stated in my 60 day review that I would be focusing on positional dominance the next 30 days. More specifically, knee on belly. When I trained in Florida, my instructor used it effortlessly and it seemed very natural. I never really focused on it because I always thought I would be easily countered.
I’ve been practicing transitioning from side control to knee on belly on the heavy bag for the past few days and will try to implement it in class soon. We shall see if it works.
In this video, the instructor is teaching his students how to go from side control to knee on belly to a cross-side armbar. He runs his academy like a boot camp, but I found it informative….
Jiu-jitsu 365 