Gracie Barra Black Belt, ADCC Champion Orlando Sanchez: 1982-2022

 

Sad news late in the week as multiple outlets report that Gracie Barra black belt instructor and ADCC champion Orlando Sanchez has died at the age of 40.

Watching The UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3

Spent the evening taking in The UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3, a grappling event that was initially going to showcase the must-happen rematch between Gordon Ryan and Vinny Magalhães. This rematch did not happen due to a medical issue for Vinny. So we got a new main event with Ryan rematching his ADCC victory against former teammate Nicky Rodriguez.

As for the event overall, I very much enjoyed the performance of Mason Fowler in the eight-person tournament. I tend to think that whenever you see a professional grappler win off their back, you've got to take special notice. The fact that Fowler was able to secure submissions from the guard in his first two matches is the kind of thing worth celebrating. Also interesting that Fowler faced off against two very different competitors in the long and lanky Haisam Rida and the short and thick Pat Shahgholi - and finished both.

Also impressed by the incomparable Beatriz Mesquita. Michael Chiesa referred to her match against Meisha Tate as "tough," which is not exactly how I would describe the contest. But the match showcased essentially what you'd expect from a matchup between one of the world's best grapplers and one of the world's grittiest MMA fighters.

With regard to the main event, it's notable that "The Toehold" that NickyRod attacked Gordon with late in the match was immediately referred to as a moral victory by the commentary team. There are some great lessons in the way that Ryan dealt with Rodriguez in the OT, realizing that this was one of those "position before submission" moments and leveraging his superior technical skill to manage his opponent's athletic advantage.

Now Playing: Leandro Lo's Spider de la Riva X Guard

With apologies to Michael Ondaatje, here's the latest "trick with a knife I'm learning to do" for 2023.

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Roger Gracie: Greatest Jiu Jitsu Competitor of All Time | Lex Fridman Po...

"If you're going to be good, you have to work on your weaknesses." Roger Gracie

Jiu-Jitsu Kings

 

Jordan, Kobe, Lebron? GSP, Jones, DJ? Brady, Montana, Manning?

Jiu Jitsu Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for many things this Thanksgiving. But if there's one thing I'm more thankful for than anything else when it comes to my time on the mat, it's been the vision of the man who's made my jiu-jitsu dream possible.

A lot of people boast about how many schools they've trained at, how many instructors they've studied under ... And I hope that has helped them live the kind of jiu-jitsu life they enjoy. For me, I couldn't be happier to have been raised in one home, by one family, for the past 17+ years of my jiu-jitsu life.

Revolution 2023

 

Firas Zahabi "This is the thing Jiu-Jitsu players don't do but absolutely should"

Is conditioning the biggest differentiator between the success of jiu-jitsu athletes in MMA and other combat athletes, especially Russian wrestlers? Tristar's Firas Zahabi thinks so.

I recently read an Instagram post from a wrestling organization that encouraged wrestlers to make sure they got in their conditioning work. And if there was a choice between conditioning and strength work, conditioning came first. I've adjusted my off-mat training to emphasize conditioning and de-emphasize strength work. I've also gone back to doing a long, LSD cardio session (40+ minutes) after jiu-jitsu training.

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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised ... Or Over-Capacity

 

Night Moves: Thursday Edition

 Everybody had fun tonight ...

Kade Ruotolo Explains Where Jiu-Jitsu Is Headed Next | Morning Kombat

Luke Thomas doing the Lord's work with more great coverage from this year's top ADCC competitors.

Night Moves: Tuesday Night Edition

 Porrada edition ...

IBJJF No-Gi Pans 2022 Results

The final big event of the year - the IBJJF No Gi Pans - is in the books. As always, FloGrappling has the coverage - and the videos - you need to read and see. As for highlights, check out the performance of brown belt Jacob Couch in his match up against New Wave (formerly Danaher Death Squad) representative Luke Griffith.

Props also to the performances of the Corbe brothers at Feather and Light (there's something about these jiu-jitsu brotherhoods; I've been wanting to write about that for years!). And congratulations to Elizabeth Clay in taking home double gold (Middle and Absolute).

It was also great to see Keenan Cornelius back on the competition mat. Things didn't work out as he would have liked, but it was great to hear his attitude and demeanor about where he is and what his next steps are. He would be a great interview - especially if he were willing to go there about his early training, his relationship with top competitors over the years, the future of gi entanglement strategy in jiu-jitsu ...

The next big event in the IBJJF calendar will be coming sooner than you think: the IBJJF European championships for 2023 will be held in late January - at Paris' Institut du Judo, no less!

John Danaher's advice for grapplers | Lex Fridman Podcast Clips

Night Moves: Thursday Edition

Me and my mat time tonight ...

IBJJF No-Gi Pans Brackets Revealed

Is it anti-climactic to have the IBJJF No-Gi Pans after the ADCC? Or is this year's event going to take advantage of the momentum from one of the most exciting ADCC tournaments of all time?

Either way, the No-Gi Pans are coming this weekend and the brackets have now been revealed.

Night Moves: Tuesday Edition

Tales from a night on the tatame ...

Night Moves: Thursday Edition

A map of my time on the mat tonight ...

Night Moves: Tuesday Edition

Notes on the evening's activities ...

And current film study.

Is Gordon Ryan the No Gi GOAT? | Morning Kombat Extra Credit Ep. 28

ADCC 2022: The Yankees Are Here

A friend of mine who knows nothing of grappling but did know that I was especially excited for this week's event asked me which country tended to do the best at ADCC. 

Up until very recently, this was a pretty easy question to answer. 

But now it looks like the 2022 ADCC will be the first one to feature more gold medals for the U.S. than for any other country - including historic ADCC gold medal-collector Brazil.

2022 ADCC Division Champions

• 66 kg Brazil
• 77kg USA - Won all matches by submission
• 88kg USA - Submitted IBJJF no gi 2017 division and Absolute champion
• 99kg Brazil
• >99kg USA - Now three-division champion
• Absolute Brazil
• <60 kg Wales 
• >60kg USA - Defeated 2019 division champion in semi-finals

That adds up to:

2022: USA 4, Brazil 3, Wales 1

Compare that with this history of Brazilian dominance.

• 2019: Brazil 5, USA 3
• 2017: Brazil 6 USA 2
• 2015 Brazil 6 USA 2
• 2013 Brazil 8 USA 0
• 2011 Brazil 5 USA 1
• 2009 Brazil 6 USA 0
• 2007 Brazil 5 USA 1
• 2005 Brazil 7 USA 1
• 2003 Brazil 4 USA 1 Norway 1
• 2001 Brazil 4 Japan 1 South Africa 1
• 2000 Brazil 4 USA 2
• 1999 Brazil 3 USA 2 Russia 1
• 1998 Brazil 5 USA 1

Gordon Ryan: This Is My Game on Gi

Days before the greatest no-gi grappling competition, and I'm fascinated by Gordon's thoughts about how his game translates into the gi. 

"My entire game is like, if you're standing and I'm on bottom, you go into ashi garame. Well, if I have pants to grab, then it's going to be easier to knock you down. If you're on your knees, then I go into butterfly sweeps with sumi gaeshis. If I can get to a belt, and pull you on to me, sumi gaeshis is easier. Then it's forcing half guard from top position. And if I can get to half guard and I can feed a lapel and use a stronger crossface, I can pass your guard easier. And then mount and back, there's just more friction to hold people and more collars to strangle with ..."

People Get Ready: Revolution Edition

 

Six Weeks Out begins Monday, September 19th

Mega Coral: IBJJF Recognizes Wellington Dias' Coral Belt Promotion

Once upon a time, I used to fantasize about competing in the Masters divisions of some of the IBJJF's biggest events in the U.S. My favorite vision involved winning the Masters 5 division at the Seattle Open and then defending my title against one of the greatest competitors of all time: Wellington "Megaton" Dias.

For a variety of reasons - some more obvious than others - there's little chance of that vision coming true. But I've always kept an eye on Megaton's performances, all the same. His accomplishments are truly inspiring.

Today with the IBJJF Masters underway and having received his Coral belt in March, Megaton was awarded his Coral belt certificate today by the IBJJF.

Take Down Tuesday: Mr. Smith's Low Single

One of the drills we did as part of the warmup during my first week back was alternating single/double leg shots and sprawls. Here's something for me to work on when those warmups come around again.

Maps and Territories: Half Guard Top Edition

And Baby, You Better Believe It!

Start Your Training Sessions With a Sense of Purpose: Guard Pass Edition

"Only effort expended in a positive direction gets you to where you wish to be." -- John Danaher

Thoughts on Pena v. Ryan 3

It isn't often that a fighter gets a third shot at an opponent after coming up short the first two times. In mixed martial arts, the inability of former UFC featherweight champion - and fan favorite - Max Holloway to overcome current champion Alexander Volkanovski after three attempts is as poignant a story as Vokanovski's dominance over the division. 

On the other hand, in the same league but years previous, light heavyweight Quinton Rampage Jackson was able to take advantage of a third contest with Wanderlei Silva to get a knockout victory after losing - viciously - to the Brazilian muay Thai specialist in their previous two encounters.

Would Pena v. Ryan 3 be a case of the former or the latter?

I enjoyed the contest. I saw a lot of good jiu-jitsu that I'll be referring back to - if only to see top competitors at work. The fact is that Gordon Ryan is the best in the business of no-gi grappling and there aren't many comers - especially at his size. So I'm grateful to see him against anyone who is both a top competitor and not physically overmatched.

That said, I'm pretty impressed by Chael Sonnen's take about what Pena v. Ryan 3 means in the bigger picture of creating a real, popular "grappling sport" that is enjoyed by more than just its competitors.

RIP: Leandro Lo: 1989-2022

 Devastating news.

Endgame: Pena v. Ryan 3

There have been plenty of great heavyweight jiu-jitsu contests in grappling's great history. And tomorrow's second rematch of Felipe Pena v. Gordon Ryan is easily among the most anticipated.

Flograppling has provided plenty in the way of preview. And I HIGHLY encourage you to partake in every minute of it. Here's one of the early set pieces.

But the best way to pre-funk for tomorrow's contest may be just to watch the first two encounters - both won by Pena.

Gordon v. Pedro: Henry Akins Analyzes Guard Pass and Mount Finish

 

T Minus 2

 

Charles Oliveira & Aljamain Sterling Have Changed MMA Wrestling | Mornin...

Why Compete

 

“We make all our trainers compete in a strength sport. You cannot be a trainer for us if you don’t. Because that’s how you know (what your clients/students are going through) ... You have to push the envelope. For yourself and for your knowledge.” 

--Matt Wiedemer, S&C Coach, Member of the team currently training Jon Jones as he moves up to heavyweight.

I remember a woman, a blue belt, once criticizing higher belts at our academy for not competing more in local events. She felt strongly about it - that the higher belts were not putting themselves to the same sorts of tests, trials, and tribulations as the lower belts. I go back and forth about the idea of coming out of retirement. But I’ve never forgotten what she said.

"Grips Are Killing Jiu-Jitsu"

 

"I think what's stopping the sport is the grips. Guys will get a grip and then they'll stop when they want to. It's very easy to do that and it's really hard to break the grips." - Kron Gracie

Roger & Me: Thoughts on Goal-Getting

Shortly after receiving my black belt, I remember lamenting to a veteran black belt one day that I "didn't feel much like a black belt." His response was one that I didn't take well at the time, and one that's taken me years to fully appreciate. 

What I mistook as a criticism of my abilities on the mat was actually the key to any continued success I would have from black belt onward. I was so focused on what I wasn't able to do effectively and consistently against those of comparable skill that I had completely taken for granted - and, as a result, under-developed - those areas where I excelled.

If I achieve anything in the second half of my jiu-jitsu adventures, then let it be a response to this.

T minus seven ...

T Minus Ten

 ... and counting ...

George Patton, Helio Gracie, and the Depletion Principle

One of my favorite lines from the movie Patton is this:

Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.

I remembered this bit after reading a recent email from Ryron Gracie, who was pitching his Gracie University 32 Principles program. I haven't bought the program. But I thought this excerpt from Ryron was worth noting - especially as I get closer to Mat Return (TM) next month.

When I was growing up, I remember my grandfather telling me, “I’d rather you make a mistake and get submitted, than roll so hard that you can’t continue.”

What I took from this was that I was to never defeat myself.

No matter how badly I want to submit someone, sometimes I must slow down because if I continue at the pace I am at, I run the greatest risk of all: complete exhaustion.

The reason complete exhaustion is worse than being submitted is because submission is generally due to a simple technical error. However, when you reach complete exhaustion, it is a psychological/mindset error.

We should never reach the level of vulnerability that exists when you are so tired that you are begging your training partner to get off you, unable to continue rolling, or the worst, when you can’t stand up because you’re so exhausted.

It’s okay to train hard, but be very careful not to defeat yourself.

The desire to avoid inferior positions and the desire to submit your training partner may lead you to defeat. Learn how to pace yourself because the ability to outlast your opponent is a great technique in itself.

If you ever had the chance to ask the Grandmaster how he defeated all those giants, he would have said, “I never defeated my opponents, they defeated themselves.”

Gracie Barra Washington Represents at Fight2Win 203

Easily some of the most fun I've had watching jiu-jitsu competition has been at Fight2Win events. I'd grab a burger and fries, beer and a shot (or two) downtown, and then walk over to the venue with enough buzz in my membrane and grub in my belly to last me all evening.

Missed this latest event. But am looking forward to catching every minute of the action courtesy of the good folks at FloGrappling.

FloGrappling Recaps the IBJJF World Championships

From the Meregali victory in the absolute to the immortal Leandro Lo to the incomparable performances of Mica Galvao and Tainan Dalpra, this year's IBJJF World Championships were among the most exciting in years. Victor Hugo's spectacular comeback win! The U.K.'s first female IBJJF world champion Ffion Davis! The dominance of Gabi Pessanha!

Be sure to catch up with FloGrappling for a great IBFFJ World championship review - as well as updates on the new faces coming to ADCC 2022 later this year.

Luke Thomas Talks with Jiu-Jitsu Legend Demian Maia

There are a lot of jiu-jitsu guys that I love. But there are few whose game and intelligence I admire more than Demian Maia. Very much enjoyed this conversation between Demian and one of my favorite MMA analysts Luke Thomas.

FloGrappling Previews the IBJJF World Championships

Aside from providing the best video coverage of grappling, FloGrappling's previews of major events are second to none. 

One of the best experiences in jiu-jitsu I've had off the mat was listening to their preview of the ADCC in 2019. I was stuck in a hotel room in New York on business and spent almost every free moment listening to the FloGrappling team talk up one of the biggest events on the calendar. I can't remember ever being so excited to watch a grappling event (aside from maybe EBI 1 which debuted the same weekend I just happened to be in L.A.).

With any luck, the Grappling Bulletin's breakdown of the IBJJF World Championships - which start in over than two weeks - will do the same.

MMA Submission Hero of the Week: Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira

No explanation needed. Looking for a good time watching MMA? Start with Do Bronx's loss to Paul Felder (in 2017!) and check out every fight since.

People Get Ready: Summer Competition Edition

 If you're competing at the Revolution in June, then your Eight Weeks Out begins today.

Guard Passing with B.J. Penn

One of the greatest misconceptions about BJ Penn's jiu-jitsu is that, due to his exceptional lower body flexibility and control, Penn's bottom game is more advanced than his top game. 

If anything, Penn's top control - guard passing and finishes from dominant positions - better characterize his jiu-jitsu than submissions from the guard. 

Here's a sample of the former. A great insight into guard passing fundamentals.

Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Playlist: Black Belt Adult Feather

I'm biased in favor of the division. But I think it's fair to say that black belt adult featherweight has plenty of talented jiu-jitsu competitors for fans of heavier weight combatants, as well.

Here I'm sampling some of the more interesting contests. I'm especially highlighting some of the top competitors that DIDN'T make the podium, let alone the finals. This is all the more unfortunate insofar as the division suffered one of the event's infamous first place close-outs with Alexssandro Pinto Sodre of Nova Uniao and Raimundo Diego Pinto Sodre of Nova Uniao taking first and second respectively without contest.

Richard Emiliano Nogueira and teammate Thiago Augusto Araujo Macedo closed out third place

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Kennedy Leonardo Maciel v Richard Emiliano Nogueira

Richard Emiliano Nogueira v. Shane Jamil Hill-Taylor

Isaac Doederlein v. Alexsssandro Pinto Sodre

Raimundo Diego Pinto Sodre v. Richard Emiliano Nogueira

Thiago Augusto Araujo Macedo v. Alexssandro Pinto Sodre

Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Playlist: Middleweight Champion Tainan Dalpra

 

Photo Credit: RVCA

Tainan Dalpra (Art of Jiu-Jitsu) was one of the biggest sensations at the Pan American championships this year. He won the World championship last year, and did not disappoint with his performance this year at the Pan.

Here's a look at his gold medal winning campaign this spring as he won the Middleweight division at the IBJJF Pan. (FloGrappling subscription required).

Finals

TAINAN DALPRA VS JEFERSON GUARESI

Semifinals

TAINAN DALPRA COSTA vs RONALDO PEREIRA DE SOUZA JÚNIOR

Quaterfinals

TAINAN DALPRA COSTA vs EDUARDO AVELAR DE CARVALHO

Elimination

ROBERTO FRANCISCO JIMENEZ vs TAINAN DALPRA COSTA

Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Playlist: Black Belt Feather Master 5

The IBJJF Pan American championships are in the books. To make watching and tape study a little (actually, a lot) easier. I'm putting together a playlist of certain competitors and certain divisions. Credit to FloGrappling for making the videos available, and you'll need a FloGrappling subscription to watch them. 

First up is "my" division: Black Belt Featherweight | Master 5. I always want to see what competitors my size and rank are up to first. 

Black Belt Feather | Master 5

Finals

ALESSANDRO CIRONE NAGAISHI vs RENATO SAMPAIO TAVARES FILHO

Semifinals

ALESSANDRO CIRONE NAGAISHI vs MICHAEL CHUNGSIK YUN

RENATO SAMPAIO TAVARES FILHO vs ANDREI OSTI ANDREZZO

Quarterfinals

ROBERT SCOTT SCHWARTZ vs ALESSANDRO CIRONE NAGAISHI

RICARDO GUEDES DE OLIVEIRA vs MICHAEL CHUNGSIK YUN

SAMUEL JOSEPH vs ANDREI OSTI ANDREZZO

Happy New Year! "You Say You Want a Revolution" Edition

Love to see the plan?