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.

Article on Things You Need to Compete in Your First, and Last Tournament

Good morning everyone!

I have a confession: I did not watch Metamoris this time around- I promised to visit relatives instead over the weekend. I read the outcomes (totally not surprised Josh Barnett submitted Ryron Gracie, btw) but while I catch up on a little more in depth recap, check out this article on side control about the things you need for your first, and last tournament.

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Friday: Garcia/Dern/Metamoris 6 Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

So apparently the saga continues: according to an article in MMA Fighting, there were talks of Mackenzie Dern and Gabi Garcia fighting in Metamoris 6, but couldn’t come to terms with payment. According to Dern, the paltry sum they were willing to pay the female fighters, in addition to the match being on absurdly short notice (4 days before the event) just didn’t make sense and that it’s detrimental to women’s jiu jitsu, and I absolutely agree. It sets a precedent that would take a long time to reverse, if ever.

However, believe it or not I can also see Garcia’s point about wanting to fight anyone, anywhere (I know, I surprise me too sometimes). Personally, it grates against my soul to think of walking away from a fight. I think Gabi needs to see the bigger picture here though: it’s not about the fighting, it’s about the expectations that is being set when agreeing to do these sorts of events. I don’t think she’s seeing the larger implication by accepting a smaller amount- that her jiu jitsu is worth less than a man’s jiu jitsu. She and Dern are some of the most recognized names in the community, male or female, so why should they accept a sum that would be more deserving of a lesser known name?

Either she doesn’t realize this, or just doesn’t care- which actually I wouldn’t be surprised. I imagine she’s had a lifetime of practice not giving a damn what other people say or think, but in this case I do think she needs to take a step back and see the longer, more nuanced implications of her actions.

What do you guys think? Let me know- otherwise, have a great weekend everyone!

Ralek Gracie and Foot in Mouth Syndrome, Caught on Tape

Jiu Jiu wrote an article on her blog about how Ralek Gracie basically spent 15 minutes putting his foot in his mouth. 

First, I applaud her for taking the time to watch the whole damn thing. I absolutely hate the straight on, close up shots the organization seems to be so fond of when it comes to interview footage- I don’t know what it is, it just really gets on my nerves.

Anyway, apparently he spends the time talking about how his comment was not sexist, but rather out of context, and all other sorts of things I have no interest in hearing at the moment (sorry, not sorry).

Check it out, let me know what you think, and have a great day everyone!

Metamoris on Booking Women’s Matches- They Can’t “Afford” Them

In an article on Girljitsu according to Ralek Gracie- head of the Metamoris event, the organization can’t afford to put together more women’s matches. It sounds like there is a promise to put women on a prelim card, but there’s a lot of pressure in regards to who is placed in the main event.

“It’s absolutely not a joke who ends up on the card.” says Gracie.

…you want to run that by me again, Ralek?

In all seriousness though, I understand that he wants to appeal to the most people as possible, but I think he’s doing his own organization a great disservice by not including more women’s matches. I mean damn, even the UFC got on board and started including more women’s matches. I read the article, I know Ralek attributes this change to Rousey and her rise to fame, but really it was only a matter of time- well, I think it was.

What do you guys think about the whole thing? Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Metamoris and Gary Tonon- Huh?

So, due to the fact that I have a 9-5 job and spend the majority of my conscious moments on the mat, admittedly sometimes it feels like I live under a rock.

This would be one of those times:

First of all, I had no idea Metamoris was even in a position to offer this kind of deal to any competitor, or that they had offered it to Tonon. Second, I had no idea there was a response on Tonon’s end, declining the offer. I found all of this out through Instagram: which Metamoris, let’s be real, that’s an equally brilliant and awful way to publish a press release. Awful mainly, but brilliant in the “There’s no such thing as bad publicity” sort of way.

What do you guys think? There is a HUGE piece of the story we’re (obviously) not getting here. Anyone know more about this? Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Getting Ready to Head to Pans

Hey everyone,

This is going to be a super short post, and I’m getting ready to head out to California for Pans. In the meantime, check out this article about the next Metamoris and one of the matches- Chael Sonnon and Renato‘Babalu’ Sobral.

Have a great day y’all!

All Women Card for Metamoris? What Do You Think?

Jiu-Jitsu Times wrote a post proposing an interesting idea: an all female card for the next Metamoris. The article goes on to suggest a number of potential match-ups, going the jiu jitsu vs. mma route, and quite frankly makes a number of nice pair ups that I would be interested in seeing.

As long as we adhere to a strict “no double guard pull” rule. I don’t know how that could be enforced, but it needs to be put into effect.

What do you guys think? Are you down for an all ladies Metamoris? Even if that never happens, I would still love to see at least some women’s matches in the next couple of events.

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

Metamoris 5 and the Competitor Contest (Sort of)

Metamoris 5 is just a few days away, and one of the competitors, Kevin Casey, had to bow out.

The cool part of that is Metamoris decided to take the opportunity to open the slot to the jiu jitsu community, getting them involved in the selection process for the spot by posting the potential candidates on Facebook and having people like or share who they wanted to see compete at the event- the one with the most likes and shares would take the spot.

Now here’s the sucky part: not that I know the tally, but according to some a competitor was chosen, but he was not the most popular one and therefore should not have been the winner.

It blows, but I’m not terribly surprised. Or maybe it’s just that I’m not that terribly emotionally invested in the outcome. Anyway, who do you guys think should have taken the spot? Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Lovato Out of Metamoris 5

Not to kill your jive this morning, but unfortunately Raphael Lovato Jr. (who really should dress as that particular Ninja Turtle one Halloween…but I digress) will not be participating in Metamoris 5 due to a tear in his shoulder.

This is the explanation he provided on Facebook:

“To all my friends, fans, & supporters, I regret to inform you that I will not be able to compete at Metamoris 5 against Yuri Simoes on November 22nd, due to a serious tendon tear that happened in training this week.

The tendon that connects my pec to my shoulder is torn.

Words cannot express the disappointment I felt when I got hurt this week and realized that I was going to have to step out of Metamoris and cancel my fight with Yuri.”

I truly feel bad for Lovato: not only does he train hard, obviously a top competitor, but the few times I’ve met him he’s just a really nice guy, and it’s a shame to see someone work so hard, they are so close to their goal and then an injury like this pop up, taking them out of the running.

I saw (I think it was Instagram…I don’t remember. Which, btw my username on there is @skirtonthemat if any of you are interested) that Cobrinha is clamoring to take Lovato’s spot: we’ll see how things play out over the next couple of weeks, I guess.

Who do you think should take Lovato’s spot in Metamoris? Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!