UFC
Tito Ortiz, MMA Legend Retires – Learn English with Slow News
One of the projects I have been working on is to teach people how to speak English (as well as Spanish). I have been creating videos to help people with the language and I decided to cover Tito Ortiz with my latest one. For almost 20 years I have watched Tito Ortiz and I am amazed that he has fought that long. He has been entertaining and a pillar in the MMA community. To check it out click the link: Tito Ortiz, MMA Legend Retires .
You can read Bakari’s books: Grappling 101: How to Avoid being Bullied on the Mat, Psychology of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling Games: BJJ & Submission Wrestlers, Tapmonster: Ideas about Grappling for BJJ and Submission Wrestlers, Grappling for Newbies, 20 Ways to Increase Grappling Skills off the Mat, The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling and much more.
Fighters shouldn’t retire until 46-BJ Penn
*Check out Youtube video of post here: Fighters shouldn’t retire until 46
Okay, BJ Penn is coming out of retirement again to fight Yair Rodriguez. After a two year lay-off he is at it again and wants that UFC gold. That’s great. I will never knock a man for chasing his dreams. Trust me, I want Penn to win. I bought his books, watched his BJJ channel religiously and even learned a couple of his boxing combinations. I never used them because I thought the four punch combo would leave me too open.
However, Rodriguez is a live wire, unpredictable and has momentum. He is 24, full of fire and venom and has been training non stop for the past few years. Penn just turned 38 and has had long layoffs in the sport. I think this is a dangerous fight for him on many levels and not just because of his age. Age is a factor, but I think retirements are a major factor in tripping up many fighters who return to their sports.
I am recognizing a trend that is prevalent in many sports, but more so in combat sports such as boxing and MMA. Fighters retire and then come back after long lay-offs and put themselves in dangerous positions. They are convinced they are hanging up the gloves and going off into the sunset. However, since a fight is a fight and anything can happen a retired fighter can almost always get an upper tier or championship fight after doing nothing for years. Therefore, they keep coming back.
STOP IT!
When I say stop it. I mean stop retiring. I propose that instead of fighters retiring, they instead state they are placing themselves on Inactive Status until the age of 46. By doing this they can avoid many things.
1: Lessen Ring Rust
By claiming an Inactive Status they will know that they will most likely fight again. Therefore, they can continue to train, learn new techniques, evolve as a fighter, stay up to date with inevitable changes in the sport and always be in shape. No, they do not have to train at full tilt. However, they should train hard and smart enough to maintain skills, flexibility, endurance, etc.
2. Spend less Money
By training and staying in shape they can avoid bad habits retired people and people with a lot of money and nothing to do fall into. These habits include eating too much, traveling too much and spending money on unnecessary items to entertain oneself.
3. They will be realistic
Many fighters who go out on top or near the top still believe they can ‘whup’ anyone placed in front of them. All they need is to join up with the best trainer and a great camp. Hogwash! Yes, I said hogwash. They do not know how much they have declined and carry false ideas of greatness.
It is similar to the 40-year-old who thinks he can beat his nephews who run high school track because he used to be a Division I track athlete. He remembers his old glory and doesn’t realize how much he has declined. However, by claiming an Inactive Status (with the full intention of fighting again) he will continue to train and will know how he measures up against up and comers. He will not get surprised. People in your camp and who you bring in to spar and help you out are not going to tell you that you don’t have that “It Factor” anymore. They are just going to pump you up and in worst case scenarios, collect a check.
4. Avoid Missing the Game and coming back to do something stupid
Finally, by claiming an Inactive Status and continuing to train with the full intention of getting better and improving I believe many of the guys who do eventually return will fare better. They will accept or take more appropriate fights and know their limits or if they have any. Also, it will lead to a more disciplined life. When they turn 46 they can hang it up knowing that they had a full fighters experience and don’t have to return to try to check off some boxes they left untouched.
***Fighters who have suffered severe injuries, concussions and other health maladies should never continue fighting. Fighters should always train safely to minimize the effects of CTE and other maladies that come along with combat sports.
What do you guys think?
You can read Bakari’s books: Grappling 101: How to Avoid being Bullied on the Mat, Psychology of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling Games: BJJ & Submission Wrestlers, Tapmonster: Ideas about Grappling for BJJ and Submission Wrestlers, Grappling for Newbies, 20 Ways to Increase Grappling Skills off the Mat, The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling and much more.
Building a Better World Through BJJ
In the video above, Frank Curreri (a BJJ Black Belt and journalist) proposes a way to train kids in BJJ who have no means to experience it. He also uses Meisha Tate as a helper to demonstrate the art. The video is interesting and he says some things that are truly shocking about his experience with BJJ.
Here are my thoughts on a perfect BJJ World:
My view of the perfect BJJ world would be to have a permanent BJJ mat (the size of half a basketball court) in every community. This mat would be self cleaning and could survive the rigors of rough weather. People would come and work out like a local gym and experienced grapplers would help the younger grapplers to improve their skills. If all you wanted to do was use it for open mat, then so be it. No monthly payments, just free grappling.
*Instructors and school owners, you do not have to worry. If we had grappling in every neighborhood you guys would be needed as coaches in every school in the nation. You could make a living in the hierarchy that would exist.
What would your perfect BJJ world be?
Another Ted Talk you can watch: JiuJitsu: When Martial Arts become a Philosophy
You can read Bakari’s books: Grappling 101: How to Avoid being Bullied on the Mat, Psychology of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling Games: BJJ & Submission Wrestlers, Tapmonster: Ideas about Grappling for BJJ and Submission Wrestlers, Grappling for Newbies, 20 Ways to Increase Grappling Skills off the Mat, The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling and much more.
Mixed Molly Whoppery – You Need This!
I have found the best Mixed Martial Arts podcast/show ever. These past few years it has been very hard to listen to MMA shows. They are ubiquitous, they all cover the same content and there is very little originality in subject and delivery.
However, I stumbled upon one of the coolest analysts out there and hardly anyone knows about him. His podcast, Mixed Molly Whoppery, has slick production, strong content and smooth delivery. And the best part, he sounds like he is out of a Robert Dinero movie. It is like having Robert Dinero or Joe Pesci break down the world of MMA for you.
Yet, the level of knowledge is not like something you would hear from a guy off the street, an MMA fan or an MMA analyst on TV. This guy has levels. He goes 6ft deep with his analysis and you feel as if you are smarter after listening to him. The people who do know about his Youtube page go crazy over his posts in the comments section.
If you are a fan of MMA but are tired of MMA analysis you could do yourself, this is your guy.
Bakari is the author of Grappling 101: How to Avoid being Bullied on the Mat, Psychology of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling Games: BJJ & Submission Wrestlers, Tapmonster: Ideas about Grappling for BJJ and Submission Wrestlers, Grappling for Newbies, 20 Ways to Increase Grappling Skills off the Mat, The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling and much more.
In MMA, does a smile (at the face-off) mean you will lose?
According to a study conducted by Michael Kraus and David Chen (via BPS Research Digest), MMA fighters who smile at the “pre fight” matchups are “more likely” to lose their fight.
Coders for the study were asked to assess whether fighters were smiling during their pre fight matchups (without knowing the fighters or the outcome of the bout). Then the researchers studied UFC statistics and found that the smiling fighters were more likely to lose their fights. The results were not major, but enough to question if the findings have merit.
According to the BPS Research Digest, fighters who bared their teeth were “more likely” to be:
1) “Knocked down”
2) Wrestled to the mat; and
3) Hit more times
The fighters who hadn’t smiled were “more likely” to “excel and dominate” according to the BPS Digest article.
The article also stated that people who bet on fights tend to favor the non-smiling fighter as well. The researchers posit that smiling is a cue to the other fighter that you are submissive, lack aggressiveness and lack hostility.
I find this very interesting and wonder if it also applies to BJJ and submission grappling by default.
What are your thoughts?
BPS Article: Smiling Fighters are More Likely to Lose
Check out my grappling books on Amazon: Grappling 101: How to Avoid being Bullied on the Mat, Grappling Games: BJJ & Submission Wrestlers, Tapmonster: Ideas about Grappling for BJJ and Submission Wrestlers, Grappling for Newbies, 20 Ways to Increase Grappling Skills off the Mat, The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling and much more.
MUSCLE – The Beginning (Sample) Rated PG -13 for violence, profanity and adult situations
Hey guys, this is the prequel to my MUSCLE Firm Short Story Series, a quick, fast paced, action adventure comedy. If you like it, pass this link to everyone you think would like it. Thanks!!!
© Copyright 2011 Bakari R. Akil II, Ph.D.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this report may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system without express written, dated and signed permission from the author.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Dedication
To people who love excitement and adventure!
Other books in The MUSCLE Firm Series
MUSCLE – The Case of Cheating Security Guard
11:30 PM
“He’s here,” were the words Muscle heard through his earpiece. As he peered from his encampment behind the bushes, sure enough, the man in question was walking toward the house. His pace was deliberate and he looked intense. This guy was nothing but trouble.
“The nerve of this dude! Balls of steel,” said Bell, who was positioned in the Blue Ford Edge with tinted windows, two houses down. The man they were watching had the look of a person that felt he belonged, and he acted as if he owned the place. But that was far from the truth.
Yes, he once owned the house, six months ago. But now his ex-wife inhabited the home with their two small children and occasionally, her new boyfriend or what some single mothers refer to as a “a friend” or “your uncle.” No matter who was seeing whom now, the client was inside and that is why Muscle and Bell were here.
The man walked past the long row of bushes where Muscle crouched and headed for the huge front window that occupied the center of the house. He knelt down and tried to look through the brown plantation shutters that were meant to keep outsiders from peering in and not suited for the aims of ‘peeping Toms.’
It was time to move!
Bell had already left the car and began heading to the house. Muscle stood up and left his vantage point from behind the bushes.
They approached the kneeling man from the side as he strained to see through the glass. Dressed in black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and dark boots; something about the way he acted signaled deadly intent.
“John Wilkerson!” shouted Muscle.
Wilkerson tried to jump up, but as he rose, Muscle kicked the back of his leg between his thigh and calf. His head hit the wall as he crashed back to his knees. Wilkerson was quick though. Unfazed, he pushed away from the house and rolled backwards on the ground until he was able to jump to his feet.
“Awesome!” was all Muscle could think as he watched the stalker perform his acrobatics. He snapped back to reality when he saw the absolute look of calm in the guy’s eyes. Wilkerson took a step toward Muscle when, out of nowhere, a loud whistle rang out behind him. He stopped in his tracks and quickly spun to his left so he could keep an eye on Muscle and whoever whistled at him from behind.
It didn’t matter though. Bell was already in the air and had a big smile on his face. He used a body scissor kick to bring Wilkerson down to his back. In an instant, the two…
MUSCLE – The Beginning can be found on Amazon. MUSCLE – The Case of Cheating Security Guard, the next story in The MUSCLE Firm Series is also available.
For my readers at Jiujitsu365, if you like this story, please leave a review at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords or iTunes if you purchase it.
Regards,
Bakari
Check out my grappling books on Amazon: Tapmonster: Ideas about Grappling for BJJ and Submission Wrestlers, Grappling for Newbies, 20 Ways to Increase Grappling Skills off the Mat, The Lazy Man’s Guide to Grappling and much more.
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