BJJ Poll: Why Did You Leave Your Former BJJ School?
August 29, 2009
Pick the answer that best describes why you decided to train at a new BJJ school. Leave comments below! I know there are some good stories out there, so please share!
Dinner with the Family – September 7
August 27, 2009
Is there ever a bad time to talk about Brazilian jiu-jitsu? I suppose it’s not good to bring it up during most people’s funeral services, in a business meeting, or in that argument with your significant other where they are complaining that you spend too much time doing jiu-jitsu.
The rest of the time, it is all we want to talk about. And although at this very moment I am away on my honeymoon with my lovely new bride, you can bet I am thinking about BJJ when she leaves the room. So why not have another one of our FightWorks Podcast Dinners with the Family when I return? That way we can catch up and blather about BJJ and the most recent issues we’re having in training, BJJ videos we’ve seen on YouTube, or tournaments we’ve been to or will go to soon. It’ll be just like our Dinner with the Family we had back in May.
So come on out! Don’t be shy! You’ll know us when you see us – it’s easy to spot jiu-jitsu people.
If you can make it, please let us know using the Google Event Box thingy above so I’m not the only one!
Jeff Glover's Half Guard DVD
August 23, 2009
The new Jeff Glover Half Guard DVD from Budo Videos.
If you have been listening to the The FightWorks Podcast recently, you know that I just got married yesterday! After the wedding of course, the honeymoon comes. So I am out of town for a while.
But what about The Mighty 600,000? I can’t leave them with nothing at all while I am away. I knew Jeff Glover’s new DVD set was going to become available about the same time as my beautiful bride and I leave for our honeymoon in Hawaii. So just like when you go on vacation you sometimes get a house-sitter to mind your house, I said, “Let’s let Jeff Glover website-sit while we’re away!”
So I rang Jeff up and recorded a brief installment of The FightWorks Podcast that includes Jeff Glover, aka “The Pipelayer”, aka “J-Glo”. Widely regarded as one of Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s most entertaining personalities both on and off the mats, Jeff and I discuss his recent invitation to the 2009 ADCC in Barcelona, Spain, where he will compete amongst the likes of Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles, Baret Yoshida, and Ryan Hall. Jeff also brings us up to date on his dog and his obsession with the video game Guitar Hero.
Of course we go over Jeff’s new half guard DVD (trailer here) . The 2 DVD set includes:
- Vol. 1 Escape to deep half guard
- Vol. 2 Deep half entrances
- Vol. 3 Sweeps
- Vol. 4 Passes
- Vol. 5 Darces
- Vol. 6 Back Attacks
So that is what is on the menu until I return, Mighty 600,000! The next episode of our humble Brazilian jiu-jitsu internet radio show will be posted on September 13! Keep training, and I’ll talk to you soon!
Promotional consideration paid for by Budo Videos.
[iTunes] Subscribe to the FightWorks Podcast directly in iTunes (recommended)
[mp3] Download the show
Adrock and Jeff
BJJ Poll: Do You Cut Weight When You Compete in a Jiu-Jitsu Tournament?
August 22, 2009
See You When I Get Back!
August 21, 2009
For those who haven’t had a chance to hear our recent shows, I wanted to give a quick post here on the site reminding everyone that we’re going on a bit of a hiatus because I am getting married tomorrow! We do have something special that will appear on the site on Sunday, and there will be a bunch of content that will appear here on the site while I am gone, so make sure you keep checking in.
While I am away, you may also enjoy going back and listening to older episodes of the show. Here are some previously posted tips on how to find them:
- Here’s one quick shortcut: our Episodes category. All our shows should carry that categorization, so clicking on that link will bring you to all posts here on the site associated with audio interviews. From there you can browse old audio interviews with BJJ black belts that you may want to hear.
- All of the actual audio files which contain our BJJ internet radio shows have the exact same file format. Here’s the link to Sunday’s show, which was episode #125:
htt p://www.thefightworkspodcast.com/podcasts/fightworkspodcastepisode125.mp3
See the 125 in there? If you want to hear episode 121, you’d just put
htt p://www.thefightworkspodcast.com/podcasts/fightworkspodcastepisode121.mp3
into your browser. It will start downloading (and probably playing) the audio file.
- Dont’ forget our FightWorks Podcast Google Gadget! If you don’t remember what that is, here’s a video explanation!
So that’s the scoop! I better have an inbox full of email from the Mighty 600,000 when I get back!
Tournament Review Tuesday: ADCC Regionals in New Jersey
August 18, 2009
by Jen Flannery
After driving over 5 hours and hitting 3 accidents on the way, I finally made it into Northern Jersey on Friday evening for the ADCC Northeast Regional Tournament the next day. Next hurdle, finding The Edge in order to weigh in and attend the FREE Marcelo Garcia seminar. A couple stops for directions (and about an hour) and wishing I had a GPS, I arrived. Despite being late, ADCC Regional promoter, Emilio Novoa, was kind enough to introduce me to Marcelo and both encouraged me to go ahead and change into my gear and jump into the remainder of the seminar.
Over 50 men, women, and children were paired up and going through sweeps and submissions from butterfly guard under the watchful eye of Marcelo Garcia and a few willing assistants on the sides. Marcelo graciously went longer than planned and then offered to roll with anyone interested. He easily (and gently) handled each taker before stopping for a glass of water. With a smile, Marcelo posed in more than a few pictures and signed his name on the belts of his excited fans. To top things off, Marcelo closed with the exciting announcement that he will upload video of every class he teaches at his new academy in NYC for all to see on his website, mginaction.com.
Close to 200 competitors arrived at Cody Arena the next morning to find parking attendants greeting and directing them to the free parking garage. The entire event was set-up and ready to go when the competitors entered in the morning. There were vendors, gatekeepers, police officers, medics, and my favorite (most often neglected aspect at tournaments) was the large amount of warm-up space available. Before the day’s matches commenced, the head referee called everyone onto the competition floor to ensure that the ADCC specific rules were clear to all competitors and coaches prior to the start.
With the rules explained, the advanced men’s divisions kicked off, followed by advanced women before moving on to the intermediates and beginners. Most of the major teams on the East Coast were represented, including: Alliance, Gold Team, Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts, Fifty/50 BJJ, Royler Gracie/David Adiv, Balance, and New Jersey Martial Arts to name a few. Though the men’s divisions were anywhere between 8 and 16 competitors deep, the late announcement that winners of the advanced division would receive placement in next years’ nationals likely contributed to the fact that few top-tier competitors participated in the event. Those who did however, made a splash. Alliance purple belt phenom, Dave Bass, won all of his matches including a win over MMA legend Jorge “Macaco” Patino before a very controversial decision in the semi-final ended his day.
The women’s divisions were pretty spare, with only a single competitor (me) occupying the lightest weight class in the advanced division and none in the one above. The heavier weights had a few girls, but it would definitely be nice to see a few more at future events.
One thing that surprised me about the ADCC tournament, this having been the first that I attended, was that the table workers kept score and the referee was not able to override their decision. I saw at least one case where the black belt referee admitted that the score was incorrect. Some of the table workers did not seem to be at the level necessary to keep accurate score. Though this is obviously not an issue at the Professional ADCC main event, it is definitely something I hope the Regional promoters will address for the future.
Overall, the tournament had the feel of a professional competition, which for a new organization is particularly impressive, a credit to all the work Emilio and his team put in. I am definitely looking forward to going to the ADCC Nationals next year and I have high expectations for a very professionally run event.
Jen Flannery trains and teaches a women only class at Fifty/50 BJJ in Arlington,VA, part of the Brasa network, and writes the BJJ Cailin blog.
This is an installment in our Tournament Review Tuesdays column, where FightWorks Podcast listeners submit reports about Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling competitions that happened the weekend prior. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of The FightWorks Podcast. Through the rest of 2009, if you submit a Tournament Review Tuesday piece, you might win an Isami gi!
- Caleb
#178 Robert Drysdale Talks ADCC, Ryan Hall on the 50/50 Guard
August 16, 2009
2007 ADCC Absolute division medalists: Robert Drysdale, Marcelo Garcia, and Andre Galvalo.
The 2007 ADCC World Championship ended with an upset: Robert Drysdale defeated Alliance’s Marcelo Garcia by sinking a head arm triangle early into the match. As the reigning champion, Drysdale is now set to face the seemingly invincible Roger Gracie. Drysdale has discussed what it is like to face Roger Gracie before. Saying it is no easy task is an understatement. Today on The FightWorks Podcast, Bruce and I speak with Drysdale and learn about his preparation to defend his title against Roger at the 2009 ADCCs that take place at the end of September in Barcelona, Spain.
We will also spend some time with Ryan Hall speaking about the current controversy in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community surrounding the 50/50 guard. The fifty fifty guard has been the subject of much discussion, with some calling for it to be disallowed or penalized in competition because it can be used to stall. Others laud it as another step forward in the evolution of grappling. Ryan is an expert in the use of the 50/50 and joins cohost Dan and I for an objective chat about where the 50/50 guard in jiu-jitsu came from, the BJJ community’s assessment of the technique today, and how we will likely regard it in a few years. (What’s your take? Vote here!)
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (recommended)
[mp3] Download the show
BJJ Poll: What Is Your Opinion of the 50/50 Guard?
August 15, 2009
A lot of discussion has been taking place in 2009 about the 50/50 guard. GracieMag dedicated several pages of their most recent issue to an article on the 50/50 guard, and the matter continues to evoke controversy on their website as well.
What do you think about the 50/50 guard? Vote in our poll and leave us a note in the comments of this post telling us if you use the 50/50 guard in your jiu-jitsu!
Ryan Hall (bottom) uses the 50/50 guard against Scott Bieri in this 2007 match.
Tournament Review Tuesday: Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge, the London Open
August 11, 2009
Daniel Agard St John applies an armbar to finish his opponent in the blue belt adult lightweight division.
by Seymour Yang
The very first ‘London Open’ held in 2003 was a landmark event – at the time it was one of the very first major BJJ tournaments to be located in London, England. Fast forward to today and the 2009 ‘London Open’, run by Grapplers Showdown, evoked strong memories of that tournament 6 years ago. Back then, as now, the numbers were small, comprising perhaps 160 competitors. But the smaller numbers meant a terrifically intimate atmosphere as people crowded around the mats, cheering and supporting their friends and team mates.
The Grapplers Showdown tournament has grown year on year as a strictly no-gi event. But for this London Open, event organiser Milan Keric decided to try his hand at a gi based event. The setting was the Westway Sports Centre in Latimer Road, West London. This centre is normally reserved for indoor tennis, but for a change – and to the amusement of the neighbouring tennis players, the nets were cleared away to allow our merry band of BJJ fighters to compete.
Due to the short numbers, many categories had to merge the adult and masters division. And, unusually for recent events, there were only a few women competing. However one division that was a stand-out success was the juniors. These children are the future of the sport. At 8,9, 10 years or older, these kids came to fight and they wanted to win. It is a measure of their coaching to see how technically adept many of them are. The biggest team showing in the kids division were those from BJJ School, run by black belt Felipe Souza. I counted 15-odd just from this one academy. Felipe’s skills as a children’s instructor are clearly paying dividends with medals throughout the categories. For the kids, it was a great chance to test their skills, plus all received bright t-shirts and sweeties at the end, which was a nice touch.
In the adults division, teams from all over the UK made the trip to London. Biggest credit should go to Dungeon BJJ school for making the long trek from the north east of the UK. They also entertained with their colourful dungeon gi patches and proved to be mean fighters as well. Other academies that brought big teams were Nova Forca, run by black belt Ricard Da Silva, BJJ School as mentioned before, Roger Gracie Academy (RGA), London fight Factory, BTT, Checkmat and many others.
For me, the highlight fight of the event was the one featuring two young but very talented lightweight blue belts – Daniel Strauss from RGA and Daniel Agard, from BJJ School. Both had won their respective opening rounds with ease, each by submissions, and so were destined to meet in the final. Sadly, I had to go and fight my own division and missed this eagerly anticipated match but Dan Strauss won in the end by armbar.
Overall, the facilities of the venue were top notch. The huge expanse of the indoor tennis centre meant plenty of space for people to wander between mats. Competitors received a free t-shirt (always a nice touch) and the winners in each division won prizes. Despite the immense stress he must have been under, Milan was a genial host and bent over backwards to ensure everyone was happy and made sure things ran on time -which they did.
The BJJ community looks forward to more offerings from the Grapplers Showdown organisors in the future.
Seymour Yang trains at the Mill Hill Combat and Conditioning Academy, part of the Roger Gracie Academy network and writes the Meekatsu BJJ blog.
This is an installment in our Tournament Review Tuesdays column, where FightWorks Podcast listeners submit reports about Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling competitions that happened the weekend prior. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of The FightWorks Podcast. Through the rest of 2009, if you submit a Tournament Review Tuesday piece, you might win an Isami gi!
- Caleb
Tournament Results Tuesday: Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge, the London Open
August 11, 2009
As part of our ongoing effort to bring you the details of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling news from all parts, here are the partial results of the Grapplers Showdown Gi Challenge (London Open) which took place August 8th in the United Kingdom.
If you are a tourney organizer, we encourage you to send us the results of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling events too. If you are a competitor, feel free to send us a write up of your competition experience as well! Details are here.
FEMALE
WHITE BELT – FEATHER WEIGHT
1st Chun Ye Cheng (RGA)
2nd Camila Ferrad (LFF/Check Mat)
BLUE BELT – LIGHT WEIGHT
1st Sheena Davis (RGA Andy Roberts)
2nd Analize Gulaidi (BJJ School)
BLUE BELT OPEN WEIGHT
1st Sheena Davis (RGA Andy Roberts)
2nd Pippa Granger (Pedro Bessa BJJ London)
MALE
WHITE BELTS
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – SUPER FEATHER WEIGHT
1st Joe Lennon (RGA)
2nd L.Finch
3rd Simon Harmer (RGA)
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – FEATHER WEIGHT
1st Jerome Eusebe (BJJ School)
2nd David Jones (BJJ School)
3rd David Morgan (Mario Reis London)
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – LIGHT WEIGHT
1st Nicolajs Pasesnikovs (BJJ School)
2nd Victor Frontczak (ECBJJ)
3rd Nick Lennon RGA
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – MIDDLE WEIGHT
1st Brendon Flanagan
2nd Dave Doyle (BTT Ze Marcello)
3rd Mark Innes (Check Mat)
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – MEDIUM HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Karol Trzeciak (RGA)
2nd Lukaz Gondkovsky
3rd Ben Bell (Check Mat)
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Simoa De Borja (RGA)
2nd Remi Matusz (Andy Roberts RGA)
3rd Josh Turner (BCA)
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – SUPER HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Richard Kerrigan (RGA Wimbledon)
2nd Wilson Denver
3rd Al Mosawi
WHITE BELT – adult/MASTERS – SUPER SUPER HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Arek Brzozoweic (Pedro Bessa BJJ London)
2nd Richard Bourabia (Check Mat)
3rd Stiofan Long (Gracie Barra NI)
WHITE BELT ABSOLUTE
1st Arek Brzozoweic (Pedro Bessa BJJ London)
2nd Mark Innes (Check Mat)
3rd Umezeyi Sule (Brixton BJJ)
BLUE BELTS
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – SUPER FEATHER WEIGHT
1st Mark Stevenson (Nova Forca)
2nd Seymour Yang (Mill Hill RGA)
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – FEATHER WEIGHT
1st Mark Stevenson (Nova Forca) (Moved up in weight)
2nd Makatari Hasson (ECBJJ)
3rd Andy Mcewan (Check Mat)
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – LIGHT WEIGHT
1st Daniel Strauss (Mill Hill RGA)
2nd Daniel Agard (BJJ School)
3rd Sufian Amezyan (Siwak Team)
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – MIDDLE WEIGHT
1st David Khoza (RGA)
2nd Jorn Laskowski
3rd David Goodell
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – MEDIUM HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Pawel Maranczyk (LFF/Check Mat)
2nd Vlijter Cornell (RG Vie Academy)
3rd Alex Montagnoni (BJJ School)
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Robert Wordzala (Izol Titan Poland)
2nd Krystof Saganowski (RGA)
3rd Damien Mulgrave (Gracie Barra NI)
BLUE BELT – adult/MASTERS – SUPER HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Laurence Griffths (RGA)
2nd Tubes Lawson (Nova Forca)
3rd Leo Rodley (RGA)
BLUE BELT ABSOLUTE
1st Jarek Saganowski (RGA)
2nd Krystof Saganowski (RGA)
3rd Lola Bambgala (RGA)
3rd Joseph Smiles (RGA)
PURPLE BELTS
PURPLE BELT – adult/MASTERS – LIGHT WEIGHT
1st Oliver Geddes (RGA)
2nd Chanak Weerasinghe (BTT Ze Marcelo)
PURPLE BELT – adult/MASTERS – MIDDLE WEIGHT
1st Tamen Al Jundi (BJJ School)
2nd Rory Quarrier (BJJ School)
3rd Gareth Neale (DMAC Team Lagarto)
PURPLE BELT – adult/MASTERS – HEAVY WEIGHT
1st Nagy Tama (BJJ School)
2nd Rafael Nery (Check Mat)
PURPLE BELT – ABSOLUTE
1st Oliver Geddes (RGA)
2nd Antonio Junior (RGA)
3rd Rory Quarrier (BJJ School)
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