We ARE Jiu-Jitsu.
Whoa! I did not see this one coming.
He made the announcement yesterday via Instagram:
This is going to change the competitive landscape considerably in the light weight divisions for years to come.
What’s your take on the matter?
BJJ has been the most important teacher in my life. It taught me that if you just keep showing up everyday with a positive attitude that you can achieve anything & everything. Being on the mat is tough but so is life. For both you have to be flexible, resistant, humble & tough and know when to be what. This belt means everything to me but it also means nothing.
-Kenny Florian
When asked about the prospects of women in future Metamoris cards, Ralek all but shut women down. Part of his response really upset a big segment of the bjj community.
We had that one match and it was cool, but that was more of, “That’s cool and that was interesting and I want to see that again if the girls are cute.” You know how it is. The UFC wouldn’t even have a women’s division if it wasn’t for Ronda Rousey. They wouldn’t even have it.
-Ralek Gracie
[Read more…] about That Awkward Moment When You Go Against the Spirit of Jiu-Jitsu
I was selected to do a gi review for the very popular Bamboo Frenzy kimono. After having favorable experiences with Submission FC’s hemp shirts, I was pumped to try out their new gi, beat it up a little, wash it using my process, and see how it holds up. It’s been a while since I had a new gi, since I keep all of mine in very good condition. Also, I am not a gi hoarder (not that there’s anything wrong with that, relax). Right off the bat, the first thing that stood out to me was the lightweightness (my blog, I can make up words if I want to =P) of the gi.
[Read more…] about Looking for a Comfortable Gi? Try the Bamboo Frenzy
Where to begin…
Well, two Sundays ago I competed after not having competed since December 2013 (that was my purple belt competition debut after having been promoted that same summer). On February 22, 2015, I won gold in my division, and I won silver in the absolute (had to use a lot of different strategies against a larger opponent).
That Sunday was the first time I had ever made it to the podium of the absolute. I was absolutely devastated after losing in the absolute. I had an opportunity that I failed to capitalize on, and, much to my dismay, my opponent executed better and beat me.
In retrospect, I had nothing to feel bad about. After all the dust has settled, the mats packed up and put away, and the body aches have set in, I know that I am truly lucky.
Last weekend, in and of it self, was a victory, period.
Martial Arts, like any other art, is at its root a platform to express ourselves. You may or may not agree, but the manner in which you dress yourself is also an expression. You express and communicate that you want people to know something about you, or that you don’t want people to know things about you. I say, even if you dress very plainly, you are still expressing yourself.
The majority of my training partners, in one form or fashion, outwardly express their love for jiu-jitsu. I see social media posts, car decals, and clothing that express their love for jiu-jitsu in a manner that speaks to them.
This post is in regards to my first review of bjj gear that doesn’t necessarily facilitate training. I was sent two bjj shirts last fall by Submission FC for review. This review is more than over due. In fact, being brutally honest, I should have completed this a while ago. My apologies Shakib! I spread myself too thin too often. Anyway…
Holy crap, I can’t believe I have not written anything since the last time I was on the podcast with these guys. I have a good excuse though. I have been training a lot more in preparation for the IBJJF SF Open. I can’t wait to get out there again since it’s an event a lot of us from the academy compete in every year.
Anyway, the guys from Verbal Tap have me out again to battle it out with Kevin for fight predictions. Not to toot my own horn, but I decimated Kevin (obviously). I can’t wait to see him make good on our bet. Beeyotch.
[Read more…] about Over/Under with Verbal Tap Podcast & UFC 183 Recap