Lisbon Sights, The Trip Home, New Goals, and Training Again

Just a Few Pics To Start Off THis Post...And below is a Slide show...Will get to the wording later this evening...Check the slides for now...

European BJJ Championship Travels, Trials, Tribulations, And Triumphs

There's a Slide Show BELOW The Post

Here's Some of what happened...Very Long But I hope you read through!!! PLEASE do...


Left The US on Friday...After much bullshit and problems...Moneywise and timewise...Work tied to throw a few monkey wrenches into my leaving as well as arranging things for my mother...Sponsors pulled out, people were full of bullshit, and my account in the bank was lookin like a straw hut after a hurricane rolls through...blank...
Literally up until the last couple hours before my flight I was two seconds from not going...
Got to the airport and had more money issues and had to call in to explain some crap for work that seemed as if it was gonna make me late...Last minute...People who count...Came through...So I'm off..

So I'm on the concourse at the airport and I get upgraded..so here's something good..I am in Business Class!!! (really just a stripped down first class but still TOP notch...I had Beef Tenderloin, some kind of rice, two different kinds of burgundy wine, many different kinds of bread, chocolate ice cream with cheese cake bits and some kind of fruit sauce...and ENOUGH ROOM to stretch out completely to sleep...!!!)...gave me hope the trip was going to come out nicely...uh uh
The Flight over to London was smooth and quick...got to Gatwick Airport saturday morning..kicked it for a few...made a couple calls using my card to let folks know i was ok (not realizing the connection charges were 19.99/per instead of 1.99/per!..this further dented the account)...Anyways..i get an exit row seat on the TAP Portugal flight to Lisbon (Note: DO NOT FLY THESE MUHFUCKAS UNLESS U GOT TO, TO LIVE!!!)...Flight was smooth...BUT...they neglected to put ONLY my bag ...my ONE bag on the plane...
No biggie right? Wrong...no more flights but one that day...and if it didn't get there...then I was not going to be able to compete as my GI was in my bag!!!
Well..you guessed it..they didn't even KNOW where my bag was before the tournament...I talked to a few friends here on the good ole FREE internet (Hotel Dom Carlos Park in Lisbon...GREAT place to stay!) and was convinced to at least go to the tournament...Never know what might happen...
I was resigned to missing the Absolute division to wait to get my bag the next day...but..the hell with it..At least I'd get to see some good matches...
So I go there...and on the way between the talks with friends and my own mind, I think to try to borrow or buy a Gi and do what I came to do...(Money was seriously Richard Pryorish...i.e. funny as hell) So I got to the tournament and language barriers prevented me from being able to explain to borrow a Gi so I go to the ONLY(KEIKO RACA...THANK ANd GOD BLESS YOU TO THE OWNER) vendor there (sucks as there are many at Worlds/PanAms/USOpen etc)...I ask if I can rent or borrow a Gi from him, and he gives me one for what I was holding in my hand at the time (which was not even half of what he charges for them)...

I'm SORRY TYLER (Tyler is owner of The GREAT Gi company that sponsors me...GOMGI... Http://www.gomgi.com
Make sure you go check them out and get some gear from em...!...It wasn't my fault buddy...again..FUCK TAP Airlines!)

Problem was, he had no purple belts...:( so here I go again asking to borrow one..and dudes were flat out telling me NO!...So I go back to the owner and he asked had I found one, I said no so he says he;d ask someone for me...He goes and gets MaryAnne Mullahy...She won the Mundials last year and had just gotten promoted (is also an ADCC competitor!) to purple and had won her divisions already...She agreed to let me borrow the belt!!!

So here we go...I make it to the bullpen for the Absolute...I got my mind right but the jetlag, lack of sleep, and realization i hadn't drank any water nor eaten since London, as well as the weight of all the problems up till that point (there were more, much more but no need for em here), kinda had me thinking that I'd just be ok competing getting beat and getting prepared for my weight division...But remembering how far I;d come and how things came together to place me in position to compete, I got my mind right, and made my mind up, anyone who faced me, was tapping...Wasn't playing around or being "too nice" as Marcus tells me I am:

My first fight:
I grab his lapels as he kind of backs away thinking about a shot...But I was really aggressive with him as he was a medio or meio-pesado so I felt I would just bully him to the ground...but dude was strong as a damn OX!...so I grab him and aggressively pull guard...Now we were in my territory...I work into a straight arm bar attempt (which was a feint) and slapped him hard with the triangle...grabbed the leg, rolled him onto his side and squeezed...Tap...Win.

Fight 2:
We danced a bit, as this guy was a good Judo guy it seemed so I worked to keep his hands off me...I finally gt the over the shoulder to the back grip and grab his other wrist...bent down low and ankle picked him...2pts/takedown...but as soon as I got to his side, he slipped a leg in so i'm in half guard...I sat up in seemingly poor position as his coaches were yelling at him to sweep, but it was a setup learned in class...as he sat up thinking he could roll me...I grabbed his head, and threw the tirangle at him from half-guard...he tried preventing the other leg from getting locked but to no avail...grabbed the leg..rolled and squeezed for the tap!!! Tap...Win.

Fight 3:
This guy was Frickin huge...I think he was 260 but not sure...so I wasn't playing to make a mistake and get side-mounted...I grabbed his lapel, and acted as if I was bending to hip throw and picked a single leg...took a knee to the back and "down goes frazier"...2pts/takedown...I got to sidemount and control his hip with a pants grip...my side mount attacks and control have been a source of concern so i figured i needed to go for something quickly...so i wrap my arma around his head as if i was going to north/south, but re-grabbed his pants to keep him from turning...and I throw my knee up into his throat for the choke..but him being so big he tucks his chin as i am pressing and "crack" the jaw goes boom...he screams (verbal submission) from the broken jaw (No Marcus, I didn't feel sorry for it ...until later after the competition!)...Win.

Fight 4: had some negative thoughts on this one b/c I'd seenthe guy at PanAms etc do really well and i was tired and dehyrated
This was Against Laurent Bulin (French National BJJ Champ and Judo Black Belt)...Starts out with him getting a hold on my lapel I couldn't break...Since I couldn't I figured just try to keep my feet and figure out how to pull guard...Not an easy task as he;d throw all his opponents until me..easily and HARD...But only once did his attempts almost get me down but we were out of bounds and re-started then...We keep at the attempts at lapel grabbing and control and he jabs me right in the lip as i am changing levels...I'm bleeding, and internally..i'm mad..but play it cool...Finally after a while of dancing around and stopping his sweep and throw attempts could I get his other lapel in a good grip and I pull him to guard...didn't wrap it up well and he stood to pass...grabbed my pant legs but I wrapped my legs around ...he tries the under over pass and I counter by shifting my body out at an angle and turn in to easily reinsert my leg...he tries the other way immediately which is what I was waiting for...slapped a hard triangle on him...grabbed the leg and rolled him in a cradle to the side..couldn't tell at first if he was chocking b/c he has a huge afro but he is just strong as hell and the end was there...Night night....snoring lt;s me and the referee know he's out...Win. (Note: You punch me in the lip u go to sleep!)

Fight 5-Semi-Finals:
This one had some action as this guy was dancing all over the place...He kept trying to shoot in over and over, but I kept stuffing his shots...I grabbed him and went for a jump triangle, but he blocked it...Luckily I regained my balance Got an Advantage Pt....Made a mistake and he grabbed my leg but sprawled out and flipped him back...no points but I'm in top....screwed up and ended up in his guard, but i moved immediately as taught...broke the guard, and moved to half guard..Advantage pt...I use this pass I picked up from watching a Saulo Ribeiro video online and I've been teaching in my class recently..worked like a charm...3pts for the pass...I decide to work Knee on Stomach Like Marcus does and Coach Allen does...they always give me hell with it so I figure give it right back...I go to knee on belly ...2Pts...and put heavy pressure which made him put his outside arm up...i move to Mount..4pts...and look up to see the score...and think a bit..but dude is pretty good so as he moves i shift my hips down for control and start working for the head-and arm choke i get it set in well...i hear his breath going and switch to knee on belly to the other side...i hear his neck crack a bit but cant tell if he is choking so as i hop off to finish i let go like a dummy...but as he sits up...to roll away i slip onto his back...and move my legs around for an arm bar with my legs figure four'ed...he screams and taps b/c I pulled HARD...Tap. Win.

Absolute Final:
We Dance a bit...but I am tired as hell so I'm trying to finish it quickly...I go to pull guard as he is going to grab my leg...they give him 2pts for the take down (ONLY points scored on me this weekend)...But he is in my world...so I work side to side looking for the tilt arm bar...but he makes a mistake thinking he can pass going to grab a leg...wrong move..I shoot the triangle and even though his hand is inside he says to himself "Merda" (Shit! in Portuguese)...i squeezed and kept bumping and shifting my hips until eventually he pulled his hand out as it was in an odd position and i heard his wrist giving way (it seems my extra work has made me a LOT stronger than I though)...same drill grab the leg,..roll him up into the cradle...Tap. Win.
I let out a yell and honestly was shedding tears at the win...Not because it was bigger than any I've had, but because of how hard it was to get there and make it to even compete...Just all the issues that were building and still waiting for me at home that i came through it and won...I was happy. truly happy.

I get to the podium...and there's the guy from Gracie Magazine...he takes a few pictures and I ask him did he get any of my matches ( i am sure he did but wanted to know for sure to get them from him...)...He asks if I am the guy from America with the problems (very bad English...but better than my Portuguese)...So the owner of the Gi co. told him and he'd watched my matches...he asks about how things were going and says he will put something about me onto the website and into the magazine (#132 when it comes out ... www.graciemag.com ) we will see

I get back to the hotel..call the baggage people up and these fuckers cant tell me anything...Damn I hate they asses...When i call back some hours later they tell me it will be here the next day by twoas it was found in London....i explain...i need it way before then to be able to compete...they say it should be here...uh huh...

I get to sleep eventually as the time difference is fuckin with me... (im writing this at 3:12 AM Local time!!)...and sleep through a wake up call AND free breakfast..get up at 2PM...I have to compete at THREE!!!...So I dress quickly..get a cab and make it there at 2:50pm...walk in change and they are calling my division...saw MAryAnne on the way to the bullpen and told her i won last night (she said the belt was lucky...i'm inclined to believe her!)...and she was saying something about a jump triangle so we talked about em and she asked if i pulled one of fin competition...i said yeah but not a lot.....but i had to go so off to the pen...no warm up no nothing...So here goes my contest of the Super-Heavyweight Division:

First Match:
I feign a few shots..and apparently I was a good actor b/c the guy immediately goes to try to grab and pull guard...I keep my feet and push him down..he falls...he ties back up with me...I lift my left arm under his right and move to his side..i get a good grab at his left arm and throw my back leg onto his back and shoot the right over his arm i am holding...it was a thing of beauty..probably the tightest triangle i've ever thrown...it's so tight looks like his eyes are bulging out..he gives his arm but taps before i can even straighten it...Tap. Win.

Second Match:
I go straight into guard...and shot an Uma Plata attempt at this guy as he was trying to lay and pray a bit...I am really undersized in this division so it made me work my angles more...As he sits up he literally lifts me off the floor...but makes the same mistake of dropping his hand thinking he can pass without more control...Bam..Triangle shot...he tries to pass and stack me the wrong way so i first grab his arm like i am going to shoulder lock him to get his foot forward...grab the leg...cradle...squeeze..hold for a LONG time...Tap. Win.

Super-Heavyweight Finals:
Dude grabs me by both lapels..and i jump guard because it was clear i couldn't get away...I slide down but don't open into guard..rather i close the legs...and trip him and take him down...2pts/Take down...I go to half guard and set up the same half-guard triangle shot as last night (from class!)...Works like a charm...shift my hips..grab the head and leg as he was too damned big to roll and squeezed..Tap. Win.'

So I am the Purple Belt Sr. 1 Absolute Champion and Super-Heavyweight Champion at the European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu CHampionships!!!!!

Took more pics and talked to the guy from gracie magazine...He told me to look in the 132 issue for something about me...and also took a picture and talked with Fabricio Werdum...the guy was REALLY nice....congratulated me and seemed more interested in how I'd done than how much I was impressed with meeting him!...Took pictures with this drummer who beat the hell outtta the drum when someone from his team was rolling...Tried walking to the hotel and got lost as hell..There ar NO FUCKING STREET SIGNS in LISBON!!!
What the hell?? I mean i was getting a REALLY intense workout because the hills are STEEP...honestly i felt as if I'd worked out a whole leg weight workout by the time i got close tot he hotel....what is a 5 min cab ride turned into an hour and 15 minute walk...Phew...

I get in..call about my bags..they say it SHOULD have been on a flight in to Portugal but they cant tell for sure...MAYBE it'll be here tomorrow
I tell them I leave tomorrow and need it.....................much talking and four phone calls later they tell me they got confirmation it is here and will be delivered before 2am...

It gets here at 1:03 AM!!!! With a BROKEN FRICKIN WHEEL...well actually the well is MISSING!!!!...I Am DONE ...But at least i got my bags...I stop here for now and blog the epic journey that is my trip home (complete with a 10 hour layover in Frankfurt) when I can.... Hope y'all enjoyed this...

Marcus Hicks...Blackbelt!!!

I know, I know...I'm late as hell...And I got LOTS to put up...first off...I have to say congratulations to my boy Marcus "Wrecking Ball" Hicks, as last Wednesday night (23 January 2008) he received hi Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...Above all I see him as one of my best friends, but his skills as a coach, motivator, and training partner are unequaled...
His belt comes now, but his skill level has been there for some time now...The ceremony was really nice...Kirk Dudley and Coach Allen gave some nice speeches about Marcus hat were really heartfelt...As you can see in one of the pictures, Marcus has a lot of students and runs his own school Hicks MMA ( www.marcushicks.com )...There were a lot of people who turned out for this occasions (Know that this does not happen often in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that someone is promoted to the rank of Black Belt!)...and even more who could not attend but were there in spirit because of all the people dude has touched over the years...
This post is for my boy...Marcus...Congratulations...I'm proud of you as a Coach, Fighter, and Friend as well...

Oh..make sure..be on the look out for Marcus on TV soon..He is a UNDEFEATED MMA Fighter in the WEC organization and Fights March 26th on the Versus/Spike Network...Once he wins this one...He gets a title shot...Make sure to support him!

Sometimes It's You!

Hope I have at least a few more moments like this this year...

Talked with a good friend last night and this morning. Talked about how to get out of ruts in life, and how to change results of things in life. Was speaking about Jiu-jitsu and what I was speaking of before as in reaching kind of a plateau where it didn't seem I was progressing, but it applies to life in general too...It seems as if lots of times we get into places where we blame others, other situations, lack of resources, hell, just about anything for our downfalls, limitations, and misfortunes...We focus so much on those things, and dealing with outward problems, that we don't realize...sometimes....most times...it's us!...It's YOU. Some things have been turning around for me, as I've focused more on God, on family, on health, and on basically staying to myself, and away from bad situations and bad people...But even so there were/are things that must be changed by myself to move forward...the progress I made last night in class, allowed me to see that by focusing on changing me, I can continue to improve and move forward. Marcus and Coach Allen always say in positions, that you move yourself, don't try to move the person...Never has that been more clear, as I've seen a lot of folks around trying to move others, instead of realizing they need to move themselves...I know I'm rambling, but It meant a lot to me, and hope it reaches someone...

I got up with my push ups, sit ups, and stairs today...felt decent
Today's wake up weight was 205.2...Happy with that as well as I have somewhere between 6 and 8% body fat as measured by caliper...So it's been good weight put on...My movement and understanding in class and rolling have honestly grown by leaps and bounds in the last couple days ...Hopefully that translates well as I start the competition season.

Thought for the day: "You should fix what's in the mirror, before you allow yourself to point the finger at others."

When Things Make Sense (Life Doesn't Stop)

Just some photos that mean a lot to me...

Tonight was good and trying for many reasons...Had a lot on my mind as I went in...Seems like the harder you try to get away from bad people and things, the more they attempt to follow you...It's good to be able to escape work, personal problems, and the rigors of life on the mat though...Out there, nothing exists but you and your opponent. There can be no bullshit on the mat.

For some reason, it seems as if I am opening up to a whole new phase of growth and development in jiu-jitsu after having been kind of on a plateau...I started class at 207.8 lbs... So it seems I'm maintaining weight but not gaining or losing too much...I didn't do my normal before or during class extra bodyweight workouts as I am trying to ease back on my way to tournament shape...

Tonight the things coach Allen showed were right up my alley...We did the normal warm ups and moved into the drill phase doing the basics like get ups, side to side knee movement drills etc...For some reason it was a little more strenuous than normal...I think I didn't stretch well enough beforehand...

The technique parts were showing the baseball bat choke from top position when your opponent has half-guard or x-guard, as well as the cradle reversal from the bottom in half-guard...Coach has shown me the sneaky variation on the baseball bat choke before and it's worked from guard so I can't wait to use this one as it clicked the way he showed it tonight and I end up in that position a lot...The other technique was a new set up for triangle from top position in half guard or when the opponent is trying x-guard...THAT one is definitely made for me and was really tight..i picked these up great in the practice drills...

When it came time to roll, I asked to roll with one of our instructors as he is a great test for me, and makes it so I can't take any time off or rest even a second...He finishes his moves so quickly and cleanly that u don't get second chances so it's great practice for tournament rolling...And with the fact that he is so much better than I am, makes it gratifying if I catch him in anything or am successful in any way...

First roll starts with me on the bottom and he on top in side mount...Took me quite some time, but with my new arm placement I was able to hold off his arm attacks and
right at the end of the round I ended up recovering to half-guard...I still have a lot of work to do as this is my weakest spot...
Second roll starts with me in his guard...this one is a war!...He constantly had me on the defense for the first part, but I was able to work the guard break I taught in my class on Sunday! Once I got it, it was a dog fight with him trying to set me for an arm bar or triangle, and me trying my under/over pass...in the end...I got it!!! Went all the way to 50-50!!!
Third starts with him in my guard as I needed to work it for the tournament...I set up for the side to side elbow-pull arm bar, but he was too savvy for those..so I set up with a pull on one arm, and opened guard to act as if I was setting to switch hips for the arm bar but when I did, he blocked aticipating triangle and i switched hips, and got out to the side and set up the pendulum sweep!!! But I had something ins tore..instead of following all the way over, I feigned having trouble coming up to mount to get him to post his arms out..he did, and I blocked one and shot the triangle...and i finished! My pet move!!!To get it to work on him means I can put it in my toolbox now!
The next roll was back in my guard...he stood to pass and kept up good pressure...I eventually made the mistake he was setting me up for and he did the sweetest rolling toe-hold you ever want to see!!! Not sure about some of the setup he did for it, but he put so much pressure on to pass that I left things to chance trying to work for reversal #6 ...He's seen it a thousand times and I didn't execute...Went about it too methodically...He had a lot, including a really good side control method that I learned from him as well as his in-guard techniques...I learn a LOT every time I roll with him...Hopefully, he and I will be going down to Brazil for the International Masters & Seniors World Championships later this year!

As I write this, I am 206.2lbs...hope I can keep that on over night...Need to get some rest, and hope I can get some peace of mind from every day life so that the only thing I have to deal with is the jet lag come this weekend...but it seems nothing I do can keep the issues in life from escalating...Wish I could triangle hold em and put em to sleep but...seems the only place I get peace of mid is in the gym...I thank Coach Allen, Marcus, and the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...without this I'd crack up...or strangle someone! lol


MLK Day Thought: You cannot be happy, when focusing on creating unhappiness for others.

Sunday's Class

Woke up this morning at 207.3...So I am doing well minimizing my overnight weight loss(normal is 1 - 2.4 pounds per night) ... Got to class, and was happy to see that I had about 12 guys already there waiting and ready to go!...Was a good mix of guys there...I'd already done my workout for the morning, and was advised by Marcus not to do any hard rolling etc today because of fatigue feeling in my muscles...

Getting to teach is a privilege and an honor that I don't take lightly and I really enjoy it...Been liking it more so lately b/c it seems as if the folks who come to the class really are getting what Ive been showing and are actually beginning to use it effectively...

Today I taught two different kneeling guard Breaks and the reverse variation to my favorite under/over pass...Most everyone got the basics of it down...this was after the 1hr warm up/drills section where we did jiu-jitsu specific exercises...Rolling we did 5min on1min off, with the person on bottom having to reverse or submit in the last 30 seconds or they did cardio between rounds instead of getting water/rest....at the end we did a bit more strenuous cardio and no one quit...I'm very proud of everyone on that!...


As for me...These sinuses are kickin my ass..seems like every few hours I got to use a damned inhaler..hope they let me bring that over on the plane this coming weekend...Seems like I will be ok to go to the tournament...just gonna be really tight on $ as a lot of things here at home are pressing because of the back out of one of the sponsors...As for physically, my weight is coming along fine..just wish it wasn't so hard to gain as I'd like to be about 211 or so when I go over there...Hopefully I can make it to at least 209 or so and maintain it...Since I will be scaling back practice after tonight, that should be attainable if I continue to eat right!...


My technique has been feeling tight lately, and my guard passing/escape from side control have been improving greatly (there are two of the things I felt needed to work on to get to the next level)...Trying to get into the game face mindset...Since this is first tournament of the year, I want to start on a positive note and bring home one if not two golds...

got to figure out if i can make calls from over there on my sprint phone (i doubt it) and if i will be able to blog in real time from someplace....


Anyways..back to work on the plantation...Happy MLK day everyone...hope yall are home resting and reflecting as i am here slaving at the job...:(

Hard Work Pays Off...I think!

Another day another workout...

Still having issues at work so getting through today was a drain...did the usual morning workout (sit ups, pull ups, dips, six inches, jump squats, and did the stairs in my bldg. till one of the neighbors came out and looked at me sideways! lol) but energy was sapped b/c I knew I had to go in to the job and face the same b.s. project...


Anyways...got in to practice determined to work my pass and variations off it, and to get the back, and/or any submission once I passed...Got told something that someone said to Coach Allen about me that was really funny to me tonight...tell ya bout that at the end ...


Oh at work i did the stairs a few times and snuck in some push ups at lunchtime..got through 50 inverted push ups straight without stopping and added a set of ten on top of it and did some burpees as well trying to blow off steam from some meetings and trying to to strangle folks i work with! lol......so i was really tired at the end of the day....

Tonight's lessons and warm ups in class were directed at working on flowing with guillotines, rear naked chokes, and thumb chokes...Worked these pretty well, but my thumb choke chin control is really lacking so I need to step up the repetitions on this somehow to get good at it...it's something I've envied that Marcus Hicks does and want to put it in my game...From there we moved on to rolling...I paired up with one of our really good high blue belts(to me he rolls at purple level from my experiences in competition)...i worked in his guard which is a bad place to be as he is really good at throwing arm bars from pretty much anywhere and he has always given me trouble with his submissions and control...But my guard breaks were on point and i actually got my under over pass and went to side control pretty well (something he had always been able to keep me from flattening him out)... i worked my lapel choke but made a mistake and let him to his knees which normally meant he would reverse and get on top where he has really good control...BUT...i actually worked another pick up pass i've been working on and got side control again...ended up making another hip control mistake and got back to knees again, but this time i sat into his butterfly guard and worked to reverse his reversal and worked him into a triangle...kinda difficult to explain but it's something that has come to me naturally...got to the triangle and finished...
We went together again for the second round which we started with him in side control...i escaped to half-guard and then reversed and went straight to the back (it's amazing how things come together sometimes when u just execute without pauses)...went there straightened him out and worked on my control and bow and arrow choke..he defended really well but my control with my hips was tight and allowed me to work to Uma Plata...here, i made another mistake and let him straighten up(coupled with the fact he went into the counter fast and is damn good!), but i worked that into a reversal and back to trying Uma Plata...same mistake of not blocking the hip and flattening him out so he crossed over but i slid out the back and got to hid back again and got to a rear naked choke... had some really good control moves with the lapel and arms, and i worked pretty well with blocking the lead arm in half guard and scooting but my Uma Plata and finishing moves from the back asn attacking/reversals from half-guard need work...
Third roll started with him on side mount with me flattened out...ive been working on a new arm placement with my arms inside the one of our Brown belts taught me and it worked really good for getting me to my side but i kept forgetting to block the cross-face he was throwing so it took me a while to recover half guard...i ended up getting a reversal and worked to my gi choke with the bottom label...started again with him on top...and worked for the reversal but he was in really good positioning this time and his movement seemed to be a step ahead of every move i was doing to escape...he ended up catching me in an arm bar as he was rolling to avoid my passing..he fought me hard as hell for it...dude is really good and showed me where i need to improve...the pictures are from these rolls...

had another roll to show some one my favorite move (Triangulo Do Pesadelo)...i just love that move...got a flick of that one too...

after this we worked take downs...i went to do my normal after class stuff...push ups-50, bag sit ups-60, regular strap pull ups-25, hard grip pull ups-7, 60 second dead hang from Gi material, 150 sprawls...

In the midst of this, there's a new guy in class who asks em to roll with him because he wanted to "see how he'd do with a purple belt"...If you know me, you might know how it went...tired as i was..i passed to side control faster than I've ever done actually(i was proud of me) and worked from 10 finger guillotine to a knee on the throat choke that Carl (one of our black belts taught me), back to anaconda choke, back to side control where we got stopped for folks needing space for take downs...we went over to the ring and resumed...i passed...when to work a knee on stomach to triangle set up i kinda dreamed up, and i think it was gonna work till BAM!!!...Charley horse in the hamstring...ain't had one of them in a LONG time..i drink more than a gallon of water a day..but i guess the level and load of the increase in my training is catching up b/c my arms, back, everything started seizing up...so i had to stop there...but it's kinda cool sometimes to just pass, and know u can do whatever u like while telling the person to move...knowing they can't...i don't enjoy that feeling too much but i did tonight


skipping some other stuff... I'm talking to my instructor...coach Allen after class, and he says someone asked him if I was on steroids or HGH because of how ripped I was and how I've been gaining...(not the kid..i'm too broke...too scraed of needles...and the health risks to me in my condition aren't worth it....plus...if i do my technique correctly...it won't matter about the strength/size!...that's why i fight up a weight division in tournaments)....LOL guess that means all this suffering and hard work are paying off!!!!!

for the class pictures tonight..don't get mad if they are a lil blurry..my daughter was taking them with her new camera...so if y'all talk bout my baby's pictures...i'mma buss u in da nose!...had one i was gonna put up of some guys and one of me and coach Allen but she cut our heads off ...so next time I will put em up...

Feelin Old But Damn Good

Above pictures from the cardio/strength work after training...(100 push ups, 35pull ups((10 with hard grip)), 50 bag sit ups, 3 min jump squats, 150 sprawls, 3 min six inches, and assorted Jiu-Jitsu specific drills like get ups, shrimp drills with belt resistance, guard butt scoot drills, bear crawls etc). The other guy in one of the pictures with me is a REAL tough fighter and good friend from the school, who is a fellow old guy! lol

There was a different air in the gym tonight...People really seem keyed up about competing as a general rule across the board ...There are a couple big tournaments coming up here in town soon, as well as the Pan-Ams as well as a big NAGA event here in May... I warmed up with push ups, pull ups, and some butt scoot drills, shrimp drills, and rolling drills to keep my arms in..also did some bridging and stretching exercises weighted before class...Went into class weighing 206.8!!!!

The warm ups tonight were all based around pommeling and some nice trip and transition take downs from the clinch...Having a little problem with the step-through take down but my transition to the outside leg trip was ok...

Coach Allen broke everyone up into Gi, No-Gi and beginner/advanced ... In my group we worked on the Bow-and-Arrow chokes from different positions and different variations...a guy who just started training at our school (a champion at the Pan Ams last year!!), who's specialty this is, gave us some pointers and some real good innovative ways to finish the choke from just about every position...

Rolling time came (I did 50 more push ups, 2 min of jump squats, 25 bag sit ups, and 25 sprawls in the break between)...And my first match I worked in guard with one of our really good blue belts who outweighs me by about 20 lbs.....i managed to get my favorite under/over pass twice and worked to good control both times...worked in one of the bow and arrow chokes we learned tonight that i hadn't seen so i felt good about that one (it's going in the tool box) .....also worked to my partner's back as well which I've been working on...didn't work on submissions till the last minute where i set up three triangles...

Second round i rolled with another blue who outweighed me but is probably purple material now..got the same pass but the reverse way, and also worked in my guard, and allowed him to partially pass so I could work a pass escape Coach Allen and Marcus have been showing me and trying to get me to do (some reason I just have been freezing on it)...not only did I do it, but I transitioned it to a triangle then to a loop choke fluidly...Feels great when something just clicks!!!! Also feels good when the instructor is watching, and u do something he's been trying to get u to do for al ong time...that happened with three different techniques on that rolll!!!

rolled twice more and worked straight submissions...and honestly felt like I was ON...Don't know why but I'm glad I didn't roll like I felt.

Had and still have a LOT on my mind...Work sucks ass, and still worrying about how/if I will be able to pull off the Portugal trip with the back-out I talked about in a previous post...As well as that, just personal things weighing me down...Glad for a short time I could tune that out and not get choked out or hurt b/c my mind was elsewhere...


Weight Update: Going to bed at 205.2!!!

How To Set Goals

This morning I woke up at 204.8!!! Seems like the weight gain/extra work I'm putting in is working...A change in my meds as well has helped, so hopefully before the end of the month I will be at my target walking around weight of between 210 lbs and 215 lbs...

This morning I felt lazy, so I did about 20min of stretching, only 50 push ups, 3min of six inch drills, 5 sets of stairs, and was off to work...

Portugal Trip update
A major portion of what was to be put towards the trip, isn't now. Should have learned long ago, never put goals out there that depend upon others for their achievement. Still working toward it now though, and have faith that it will happen...If not, then I will just be here and compete and referee in the TXBJJ tournament in Dallas that same weekend...


class tonight...hope i shake this lazy/sick feeling so i can get a good workout in...need to work my side mount escapes and on some new submissions from side mount and guard tonight...want to have a more varied attack this year...the armbars have been coming...but this is my year for bow and arrow and rear naked chokes!

Oh...if you can't see the videos at the bottom...go here: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bioniqmc
I put up a few new tournament videos last night

Late On Time (Big Update Today)

what's up everyone...I know I know..I'm late..but sorry...just have been having some personal stuff, as well as feeling a bit under the weather lately...here goes...

Update: Looks like things will work out and I will get to go to Portugal Jan 27&28 for the European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships...Still have a serious financial shortcoming issue to overcome with it, but the major portion should be handled...


found out the date and location of the Masters & Seniors International Championships...July 26&27 in Brazil at the Tijuca Tenis Clube...Gonna start working on that one...

Not sure in my Goals for this year but, I plan to compete in the Euro. Championships, Pan Americans, Mundials, Masters & Seniors Internationals, American Nationals, US Open, No-Gi Worlds, and a major Grapplersquest, and major NAGA event and medal in each one of them this year! Have picked up my workouts in anticipation of accomplishing this...




Sunday Jan 13 Training
Didn't feel much like training today...Had some health issues going on and hadn't rested much, as well as had some personal things that just seemed to sap my energy....But it was refreshing to see the guys show up for the class and so ready to work that once I got into the warm up the rest of the world kinda melted away...Taught a variation on the middle guard pass and a lapel choke submission from side mount...then did tournament situation drills where each person started with someone side-mounted and their job was to not only escape but to reverse and submit...Everyone worked hard as hell on these, and being that each person had to go with 7-10 people for their turn...It was a rough workout...Had one of the students tell me he really got a lot out of the drill but that I showed the techniques very well...That was very satisfying...also spent time with each guy who came going over something that needed to improve...As for myself, I reversed and/or submitted each time I went...followed the workout with sit ups on the heavy bag in the air, pull ups using the hard grip push ups (i am up to 50 straight now), 3min of six inches, 3 min sets of jump squats and 150 sprawls... also worked on shrimp drills with resistance from someone using my belt...


Last Night's - Monday Jan 14 workout...
I was happy as I started class weighing 204.3lbs! Seems to be gaining weight well, and only putting on lean muscle b/c I really can't tell the difference in size...but my grip is getting a lot better..need to work lower body more...
Coach Allen had us doing the S-Pass guard pass drills...going both ways depending upon what your partner does...Also worked on several drills with different guard break drills such as the rocking chair etc...I also worked the 2-hand dive guard break, and my banana-split guard pass ...Between each drill, I did sets of 10 and 10 (10 jump squats, 10 sprawls, 10 push ups, 10 bag sit ups, 10 pull ups)...From there we moved on to drills where u start in guard and attempt to break and pass and the person on bottom had to reverse or submit...then starting with someone on mount and u have to get to half guard or reverse and the top person had to submit or keep control...then with someone side-mounted and u had to get to guard and reverse or submit and the person on top had to submit and keep control...I did well in these with the exception of once where I went with someone a lot heavier than me and left an arm out..didn't get caught but it made my job harder and I need to eliminate that mistake...
After practice did 75 push ups...35 pull ups (15 with hard grip) 75 bag sit ups...150 sprawls...and 5 straight min of jump squats...I feel like I need to work harder though...for some reason...it feels like I've hit a wall in my development...still make little mistakes that i shouldn't...partially it's because of in life things that i can't always get out of my head... but i have to get past it somehow if i want to accomplish the things I've set before myself...

After practice and before bed weight was 202.4...Woke up this morning at 200.8 so things are working out well with the weight...



let me know if there's anything else i should add to this to make it more interesting...if u have any suggestions on things i should do training-wise etc...let me know...