Happy Friday! Last Day for Super Early Bird Registration for Pans 2018

Super early, I know- but today’s the last day to shell out under $100 for Pans. It may be a little too far ahead for some, but I know that’s the one tournament that I always attend throughout the year so I’m comfortable signing up.

For anyone else that’s fairly sure that they are also going to be competing at Pans, sign on up and have a great weekend!

Article on Top Black Belts never Winning a World Title

Hey Everyone,

Flograppling has an interesting article about 5 of the best black belts out there, that have never won an IBJJF World Title. #1 will shock you!….

Jk, I’m not into clickbait: it’s JT Torres, which I am frankly surprised about: I figured he would have won at least one of them.

Check out the article, and have a great day everyone!

Metamoris Facebook “Challenge”

I saw this poster on Facebook this morning:

I really think Ralek should write a book with all of the things he’s done to Metamoris, and someone should title it “101 Ways to Not Run a Fight Promotion Company”. To be fair, it seems like the Gracie family really leans into the old saying “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” but what I think he doesn’t realize is that having a public image is a lot like having a savings account: you typically keep adding to it, and try to avoid making withdrawls if at all possible. Though granted, considering how he still owes Metamoris athletes money I feel that analogy would be totally lost on him.

I am enjoying some of the challenges put forth- these have been my favorite so far:

+5 for creativity…

And of course the obvious:

A crowd favorite so far, it seems.

Training, Coaching and the Like

Hey Everyone,

I know last week was a little bit of a doozy- rest assured I’m still training

….and still working on trying to be photogenic. Also, contrary to what the photo may suggest, I do not have jaundice.

I’ve also been helping to coach/support our team:

Just haven’t been posting much: I can’t totally promise that I’m back on the wagon, but I’m making an effort.

This past weekend we had a group of competitors raise money and compete in Tap Cancer Out: it’s a great tournament for a great cause, and if one’s coming through your area I would highly suggest checking it out.

Have a great day everyone!

Results and Thoughts on EBI 12

Last night was the 12th Eddie Bravo Invitational, or EBI 12. This one was particularly interesting because it was an all women card. I was only able to watch the first round and two matches in the quarter finals (because of that whole pesky “work in the morning thing”) but it seemed to be a pretty exciting event.

The eventual winner was Erin Blanchfield over Gabi McComb via armbar in overtime- good for her.

The only other thing I’ll say about the event is that while combat jiu jitsu- striking while on the ground- seems like a good idea in theory, watching it in practice I’m not totally sold on it. I think it’s more appropriate if the match is being stalled one way or another, but in the little I saw, it seemed like competitors were trying to strike one another while a legitimate submission attempt was going on, which was a little silly in my opinion.

Those are just my thoughts. Also, having an event at 9pm on a Sunday night would not be my top pick for an event. Especially while Game of Thrones is running. Just sayin’.

For those who watched, what were your impressions? Also, for anyone who missed the event, you can find them here.

Have a great day everyone!

 

 

BJJ and Competition: It Pays to Be Nice

I had this conversation recently while at a function over the weekend: most of the time in sports, but particularly in BJJ it really pays to engage in sportsmanlike conduct on the mat, and to be nice off the mat.

Part of it really has to do with attrition: as you advance in the sport, more and more you will find that you are fighting the same people. You start to recognize faces, you remember names (even if you are terrible at remembering names like I am). And the higher you go, the more often you will see that person- if all of you decide to continue competing.

It’s much easier on all of you to continue competing if you are on good terms with everyone. Think of it this way- what situation would you rather walk into, a tournament where you are basically meeting up with old friends, you all duke it out and win or lose  you are shaking hands with everyone while laughing and smiling? Or you walk into a tournament where you have a problem with everyone, and everyone has a problem with you, and all of you awkwardly ignore each other before and after you fight? Personally, I would prefer the former, but to each their own.

And also, it’s just plain common decency to be nice to one another. We’re all taking time out of our schedules and lives to fight one another, which should be acknowledged and appreciated.

So, in summary be nice to one another, because you never know when you are going to meet that person again…and again… and again…

Have a great day everyone!

 

Eddie Bravo (Finally) Starts Combat Jiu Jitsu

So this is finally a thing now? I feel like this idea was introduced YEARS ago- adding open palm strikes to jiu jitsu when one opponent is on the ground.

Good for Bravo, for finally getting this ball rolling. Personally, the idea of having someone slap me in jiu jitsu is a bit annoying, but hey if people are into it, more power to them.

Check out an article on it, and have a great day everyone!

Competition: Going with a Group vs a “Lone Ranger” Competitor

We have a policy at our academy that may seem a little strange to some, but it works pretty well for us: when it comes to a jiu jitsu competition, unless there’s some special circumstance, no one competes alone. You at least have one other person with you (preferably a coach) and under ideal conditions we bring a whole team of people to a tournament.

I’ve seen the “lone ranger” sort of competitor: the guy without a coach or even another teammate to cheer them on. I’m curious to hear if someone prefers it this way. Personally, I like the idea of having an entire team attend an event, to share the experience and memories with.

Do other people prefer it the other way? If so, why? I imagine there’s some benefit that I’m just not aware of, and am curious to know what it might be.

Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Tap Cancer Out Tournament

This pas weekend our team did a fantastic job competing at the Tap Cancer Out tournament, an even all about raising funds for cancer research organizations- and hey, you get to choke people out. It’s a win-win!

Our team went out there and did a fantastic job. Win or lose, everyone tried their hardest and worked their techniques as best they could. Which is really all anyone could ask for.

The Tap Canter Out organization holds events across the country, and it was a very nicely run event- on time, and they go by IBJF rules, so I would say check to see if one is in your area and give it a try.

Have a great day everyone!

EBI 8 Tournament Line Up is Published

You know, as much as I don’t really agree with Eddie Bravo…’s style, he has been pretty successful when it comes to putting on these EBI tournaments.

Take a look a the EBI 8 lineup and let me know what you think- otherwise, have a great day everyone!