So as a couple of you know I started Brazilian Jiujitsu about a year ago. I was going through the archives. I started talking about it in March, but didnt start training til like April 13 which is a week from today. Last year we had 3 posts that were me Trey and impulse mostly chatting about BJJ.


It's been a great ride and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone to at least try. I know its not fro everyone, but the types of guys who generally post here
-active
-into sports and competition
-cerebral, analytical
-obsessive
-like to have fun

I think BJJ fills all of those needs. For someone like me who was active, its a new challenge to take on and every day provides a different riddle or problem to solve. Sometimes it becomes all consuming.

On a personal note, I train 3-5 days a week depending on family and work. Im still very much a white belt, but a lot better than when I started. I remember early on when I just didnt know what to do with my hands and arms all the time and was constantly getting submitted. Now I generally know what to do to defend myself and not get crushed, but I cant always react fast enough to capitalize

Now I still get submitted, but not as often. That doesnt mean im good. Sometimes Im in a sparring sessions defending or "on my heels" the whole time. But on the same note there's times im doing that to someone else.

Feel free to ask me any questions. If you train, please chime in. If youre interested, post up and Ill find you a local place to train. Most schools offer free trials.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I don't count March through June cause I was going once a week at most.

Starting June through Dec I started doing 3 classes a week, then Jan through March I was out, and now I'm back. So I don't know what to tell people when they ask "how long have you been training?" Technically been a year, but I want to say "6 months semi-seriously".

I talk to dudes that started in December 2015 and they're like "at June promotion if I'm still a white belt" cause they go 7 days a week. Shit kind of wows me.

Anyway.... went to my boy's Judo school finally on Sunday, and I really want to hit up open mat once a month or so if possible. It's opened up a whole new dimension of Judo - BJJ relatedness that's oddly reflected on the BJJ reddit this last week. The throws are HARD and they are pretty tough upper middle aged black and brown belts. Throws are way harder, pins are way harder, this brown belt had me in a kesa gatame that I almost tapped to (and he later took pride in telling me he recently made a Sambo guy tap and walk out of the dojo with it. it still hurts when I cough).

It's interesting doing newaza with those guys cause it's basically BJJ Japanese style, and then randori is great because you can spar with throws. i hate that there is no single leg attacks, because I feel those are the ones I'm most comfortable with.


SORRY THE QUESTIONS DUH:

Do you plan on taking some judo for your stand up?

Are you keeping a journal?

Do you tend to keep it flowy or smashy in rolling?

Do you do DVDs? I used two moves from the MGInAction best of 2010 DVD last night. Shits both worked beautifully.

What's going on at MGA, I feel like it's kind of dead the last few weeks?

Im not a blue belt man. The fact that you said I had 3 stripes, makes me want to go less since our promotions are largely attendance based. Whatever, worst case ill skip summer promotions too and stay a white belt and jump from 0 stripe white to Blue in January where I feel ill be more ready.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>
>Starting June through Dec I started doing 3 classes a week,
>then Jan through March I was out, and now I'm back. So I don't
>know what to tell people when they ask "how long have you been
>training?" Technically been a year, but I want to say "6
>months semi-seriously".


Its quick how quick that year crept up. In February i was telling people 6 months, then doing the math and like, Nah. The truthis I didnt start rolling regularly til Mid-Late July because it was all Fun 1 classes.

>Anyway.... went to my boy's Judo school finally on Sunday, and
>I really want to hit up open mat once a month or so if
>possible. It's opened up a whole new dimension of Judo - BJJ
>relatedness that's oddly reflected on the BJJ reddit this last
>week. The throws are HARD and they are pretty tough upper
>middle aged black and brown belts. Throws are way harder, pins
>are way harder, this brown belt had me in a kesa gatame that I
>almost tapped to (and he later took pride in telling me he
>recently made a Sambo guy tap and walk out of the dojo with
>it. it still hurts when I cough).
>

Theres a group of guys that just do Judo in the corner at open mat, My boy ric traisn with them.


>It's interesting doing newaza with those guys cause it's
>basically BJJ Japanese style, and then randori is great
>because you can spar with throws. i hate that there is no
>single leg attacks, because I feel those are the ones I'm most
>comfortable with.
>
>
>SORRY THE QUESTIONS DUH:
>
>Do you plan on taking some judo for your stand up?

I took a private with Jordan with some other guys and we worked takedown for BJJ that mixed wrestling and Judo since he did both.


>
>Are you keeping a journal?

No. I should be but im not. My biggest regret from this year. Every dau i go to class and I tell myself ill write about it. It was fun looking back at my old posts in the early bjj posts from my first class. What happens is I get back and its lunch time or work time and I eep putting it off til I forget.

>
>Do you tend to keep it flowy or smashy in rolling?

I dont know if I ever flow, but I dont smash. I stay pretty calm and cool but am definitely trying to get shit to happen without being all over the place.

>
>Do you do DVDs? I used two moves from the MGInAction best of
>2010 DVD last night. Shits both worked beautifully.

no DVDS: lots of youtubes and reddit. I have some of Akins shit. The one DVD I bought was a waste of money.

>
>What's going on at MGA, I feel like it's kind of dead the last
>few weeks?


Really? last couple times ive gone its been packed and hana said its gonna get worse leading up to worlds.


People just dont like that 8pm class
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>Its quick how quick that year crept up. In February i was
>telling people 6 months, then doing the math and like, Nah.
>The truthis I didnt start rolling regularly til Mid-Late July
>because it was all Fun 1 classes.

>Theres a group of guys that just do Judo in the corner at open
>mat, My boy ric traisn with them.

Usually only see the older caucasian gentleman with the purple belt and an AZN bro

>I took a private with Jordan with some other guys and we
>worked takedown for BJJ that mixed wrestling and Judo since he
>did both.

Jordan's classes are the shit. I get a warm feeling about BJJ (pause?) when he teaches. Didn't know he did both wrestling and judo. That's dope. I'm jealous.

>No. I should be but im not. My biggest regret from this year.
>Every dau i go to class and I tell myself ill write about it.
>It was fun looking back at my old posts in the early bjj posts
>from my first class. What happens is I get back and its lunch
>time or work time and I eep putting it off til I forget.

Evernote is great and easy. For a while I was making entries in my phone on the train ride home but I've been slipping , but I have never consulted them. When my knowledge base expands and I am forced to map shit into categories mentally, I will probably.

>no DVDS: lots of youtubes and reddit. I have some of Akins
>shit. The one DVD I bought was a waste of money.

The MGInAction joint they got on sale at MGA has phat beats though son.

>Really? last couple times ive gone its been packed and hana
>said its gonna get worse leading up to worlds.
>
>
>People just dont like that 8pm class

True. Thursday is dead. Tuesday was great though, a few purples and blues to liven things up.

i've been gone a while but i remember the first few posts. if i remember correctly, do you train at marcelo's?

thoughts on shields-aj at polaris?

>i've been gone a while but i remember the first few posts. if
>i remember correctly, do you train at marcelo's?

Yep I train at marcelos. Pretty cool after you posted yesterday I walked to class and ran into him pulling a suitcase thingie down the street. He saw me and smiled at me. MARCELO actually recognizes me!!! I was giddy like a schoolgirl all the way to class.


>
>thoughts on shields-aj at polaris?

I didnt watch the full fights but from what I saw, definitely put most of the blame on AJ. He was playing heel prefight and just talking major shit.
Those eye gouges looked pretty intentional.

I dont love the draws. I feel like in submission only matches there should still be a winner. Whether its EBI OT rules or something else. I feel like everyone leaves a bit dissatisfied with draws--competitors and fans.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

i agree w/ you regarding the draws. it leaves even the most hardcore fans unsatisfied. i like how eddie does his tourney's too.

i had the pleasure of training at marcelo's once. i've met a few famous people throughout the years, but that and the time i met talib kweli were probably the only two times where i really was starstruck.

your guys' warmups are no joke.

i kinda sorta knew he trained.

But I walked into my usual socal training spot and saw him. Was actually his partner as he was teh other white belt.


Throughout class I didnt act like I knew him really. Its funny when he introduced himself as Rhett, and afterwards I finally was like yea, i was a big fan of you growing up."

One of the few times inmy life ive asked a "celeb" ive been in the vicinity with to take a pic with me.

He was a big hero of mine growing up cause were both from Cerritos and both into hip hop. Part of the reason I chose to go with big black plastic frames when I got glasses lol

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

through a mutual friend. He was real cool

But before that we used to go to the Fat Beats on Vermont he was kind of a dick though

Probably cause he had a million kids asking how to get their demos / records whatever in the store, put me on, I got a party I'm promoting etc. etc.

Can any ya'll beat ronda yet?

-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.

even before we started training?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

8 man bracket

Won for the first time in my career and lost my second match on points.
So that netted me 3rd place.


I wanted to win 2, and get to the finals, but wasnt able to pull the trigger on some stuff from guard and ended up getting passed towards the end. The guy I lost to won the division

I still dont know if I like competing. We kinda build up this whole artificial stressful situation for no real reason, but it is fun to compete with teamates.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

crazy looking back at the old posts.

Wish impulse was still around

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

Blue belt is supposedly the most often quit belt which is weird to me. If have guessed it were beginners at white. Crossfit for example if you made it through the first 6-12 months you'd be around.

I'd love to ride this out to black if I can.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg

I'm really psyched we got our blues at the same time. We took very different paths and have different games from different instructors.

It's dope to get the blue but even doper to get it with the homies. Cheers, pa

Yea I've felt good so far the first couple days first day especially. Today I was a bit gassed since I only had 4 hours of sleep two nights in. A row but still ok

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

"Sean sparks like John Starks, nah, Sean ball like John Wall" - Rest In Power Forever Sean Price.

your sparring & competition for sure. but also technique, attendance, work ethic, and adherence to the culture of the gym which is positive.

.

..i trained in various arts growing up, but jiu jitsu was something that came natural.

its nice to see someone give an honest assessment of their progress. keep going.


*skatin' the rings of saturn*


..and miles to go before i sleep...

...and I've lost 23 pounds and still going. I echo everything you said in describing my experience too. I can't recommend practicing a martial art enough - fitness should be FUN. I haven't ever enjoyed a workout as much as the one I'm getting now.

The US Open in Santa Cruz is in a couple days.

Made weight, have been feeling good in training. Win or lose I'm looking forward getting the competitive juices flowing again.

crazy....

reading back thru the archives again funny how much Ive learned but still so much to learn.

Been out the last month with a torn groin, but Im close to getting back on the mats.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Last month trained for a day in LV at Cobrinha's.

Got washed by everybody. 4 stripe blue, 1 stripe blue who had been training since 4 years old (only 1 stripe blue because he is 16 y.o.), black belt instructor, and a seasoned purple.

Dudes going at you in competition mode makes you reevaluate how to train, I think. I kinda made it a priority to train harder.

Also trained at Tsunami in Culver City when I hopped over to LA, it was more laid back.

My real goal was to hit up Villains BJJ in NELA since it's a Demian Maia affiliate, but it was hella far and my gal put the kibosh on 3 training sessions on vacation.

>Last month trained for a day in LV at Cobrinha's.
>

Cobrinha has a Las Vegas school?
My boy says the drop in is expensive as hell

>Got washed by everybody. 4 stripe blue, 1 stripe blue who had
>been training since 4 years old (only 1 stripe blue because he
>is 16 y.o.), black belt instructor, and a seasoned purple.
>
>Dudes going at you in competition mode makes you reevaluate
>how to train, I think. I kinda made it a priority to train
>harder.
>
>Also trained at Tsunami in Culver City when I hopped over to
>LA, it was more laid back.
>
>My real goal was to hit up Villains BJJ in NELA since it's a
>Demian Maia affiliate, but it was hella far and my gal put the
>kibosh on 3 training sessions on vacation.
>
Lol yea its hard to train while travelling. Id love it if places had 6 or 7am classes that werent far so I could train and then get on with my day. Hard to leave midday or evening for a class.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

$40 for MGA is high lol (but worth it given the class-load you could pull)

You wake up that early on vaca you wild!

>Last month trained for a day in LV at Cobrinha's.
>
>Got washed by everybody. 4 stripe blue, 1 stripe blue who had
>been training since 4 years old (only 1 stripe blue because he
>is 16 y.o.), black belt instructor, and a seasoned purple.


Was the seasoned purple his son?

Man, the way I roll these days is so far from competition training, I'm sure they would all mop the floor with me, too. I really only roll like that with my instructor, and that's usually only Saturday mornings when we are both feeling up for it.

>Was the seasoned purple his son?

edit: to clarify it wasn't Cobrinha teaching at LV. They're still based in LA. But the professor did teach some Cobrinha used on Gianni Grippo during their match, I'm sure it wasn't a coincidence w/ me visiting lol

nah actually it was a dude that had jumped around for years. apparently there is a lot of politics in Las Vegas BJJ and people are forced to move around. as you know, jumping around leads to not getting promoted as quickly. I asked dude how long he had trained he said 9 years.

>Man, the way I roll these days is so far from competition
>training, I'm sure they would all mop the floor with me, too.
>I really only roll like that with my instructor, and that's
>usually only Saturday mornings when we are both feeling up for
>it.

yeah, sometimes I want to take some time and go to Masterskya or Birdman BJJ in Brooklyn or something just to take a break from the pace of MGA, but I feel pretty loyal to the school already

Trying to forget about the one-two punch of Aldo getting TKOed and the Cavs getting mollywhopped this weekend... so I figured this is a good time to up this.

Personally, my training has been going pretty well. A couple of months ago I talked with my instructor about what he wants me to be working on to move to the next level. I've been tending to those things, and they have been going pretty well, and others have taken note. Definitely still works in progress, but I like having that focus, and using it to become more aware of the details I need to improve.

I'm curious, for the MGA folks here, what's the mood been like since Dillon and Munch left? Any sort of after-effects at the gym? I wonder if it has been a bigger deal on the internet than it has at MGA.

Any thoughts on Worlds? I'm pretty sad for Satoshi, man. I really want that guy to win Worlds.

Also, Meregali surprised the hell out of me. I mean, I knew he was good. But win Worlds as a first year black belt? Wow.

That ol left right left right lol. I'm happy for that dude Max. He's a tough fucker. Aldo was throwing heat and Max had his hands up at the end of the second round like ok let's bang brah

>Personally, my training has been going pretty well. A couple
>of months ago I talked with my instructor about what he wants
>me to be working on to move to the next level. I've been
>tending to those things, and they have been going pretty well,
>and others have taken note. Definitely still works in
>progress, but I like having that focus, and using it to become
>more aware of the details I need to improve.

What is it that he came back with for items for improvement? That's cool you have a close relationship and you can ask questions directly from your instructor. I think the higher up you go the more it should be like that.

It's interesting cause what I work on is always dictated on who are my instructors. Lately it's been a lot of cool shit from Paul Schreiner and some butterfly guard stuff from Joel. When I rolled with Shawn he developed a whole different game since he usually attends Bernardo's classes. Like for instance, I never learned the over-under pass. At my size it should be a go-to, but I use speed passing and floating mostly instead of smashing.

>I'm curious, for the MGA folks here, what's the mood been like
>since Dillon and Munch left? Any sort of after-effects at the
>gym? I wonder if it has been a bigger deal on the internet
>than it has at MGA.

We all miss Munch. Munch taught wednesday nights and he made us work hard and if people fucked up he would tell them. I liked his style which is weird because we have very different body types but his lessons just worked for me. Even though Dillon seemed cool to me, the internet is claiming MGA people didn't like training with them and all that and they were acting like assholes in the gym, I just don't see it at all, then again I wasn't in Advanced classes to see for myself. Dillon outside of social media has shown himself to be a pretty grounded, respectful dude. On the other hand it is possible to come to the conclusion that the Conor chapter got to his head, and at the end of the day, we train sport jiujitsu, not MMA or sub-only grappling, and the culture Marcelo has built through hard work shouldn't be compromised no matter how talented the disciple.

>Any thoughts on Worlds? I'm pretty sad for Satoshi, man. I
>really want that guy to win Worlds.

I'm sad for Bernardo and Marcos Tinoco. Those guys are my coaches. Especially the way they lost, Bernardo to that asshole Erberth and Marcos choked out by Arges (didn't know he was so dominant). I like Satoshi's style ever since you posted some highlights of his on here way back. Recently got a DVD 'Jiujitsu Priest' that features a lesson by him, can't wait to watch it, even if it is all in Japanese LOL. Did he go out on a sad note? Is this the last time he competes?

>Also, Meregali surprised the hell out of me. I mean, I knew he
>was good. But win Worlds as a first year black belt? Wow.

Yeah he submitted everyone. They clip of him advancing past Leite's guard with a loop choke and the savage ass look on his face just defines how scary he is.

http://i.imgur.com/vOnp43R.gifv

He has all the natural attributes of Keenan Cornelius but he could be way more dominant, on par with Rafa Mendes or Marcelo even.

Also, this year seeing the mainstays like Bernardo, Andre Galvao, Cyborg still hanging around is definitely cool being an older head.

>What is it that he came back with for items for improvement?
>That's cool you have a close relationship and you can ask
>questions directly from your instructor. I think the higher up
>you go the more it should be like that.


He pulled me and another brown belt to the side and told us what he wanted us to work on. He has Q&A sessions every class for us to ask whatever we want, and even outside of that he always answers any questions anyone has regardless of rank. We do have a good relationship though and he's good about helping me troubleshoot problems I'm having, even for positions or techniques he doesn't care for or use.

He told me and the other brown belt he wants us to have one technique that we can always redirect the situation back to that is unstoppable. Meaning, he wants us to be able to funnel where we are, from anywhere, back to a submission, pass, sweep, etc that we are always dominant with. He said we should be known for that pass/sweep/submission, people should expect that it is coming, and still be unable to stop it. He gave us that goal to work on for the next two years.

He's given me goals like this at every rank, and it has always been helpful having that focus. I like going to the gym knowing what I should be working on, rather than just watching YouTube videos and trying out a bunch of moves.


Like for
>instance, I never learned the over-under pass. At my size it
>should be a go-to, but I use speed passing and floating mostly
>instead of smashing.


How big are you again? Also, how old? I used to use almost all mobility passing, but getting older, both biologically and in jiu-jitsu years, has caused me to become mostly pressure passing oriented. It's just easier on your body, and it's something you will always be able to do no matter how old you are and what shape you are in. Also less tiring. But it sounds like you're pretty athletic, so don't listen to me.

I like the over-under pass a lot, and it's one of the ones I use the most when I'm doing a "real" passing technique. Bernardo and Murilo videos have helped me a lot with the pass.


>>Any thoughts on Worlds? I'm pretty sad for Satoshi, man. I
>>really want that guy to win Worlds.
>
>I'm sad for Bernardo and Marcos Tinoco. Those guys are my
>coaches. Especially the way they lost, Bernardo to that
>asshole Erberth


I am not a Erberth fan at all. He seems like a shitty dude, and I don't like his game either. I know he's killing it, and folks love his game, but I just don't.


and Marcos choked out by Arges (didn't know he
>was so dominant).


Yeah, he's good.


I like Satoshi's style ever since you posted
>some highlights of his on here way back. Recently got a DVD
>'Jiujitsu Priest' that features a lesson by him, can't wait to
>watch it, even if it is all in Japanese LOL. Did he go out on
>a sad note? Is this the last time he competes?
>


He hurt his shoulder again. I think this is like the third time, and it seems like nothing even happened to cause the injury. They were only a couple minutes into the match.

He will probably continue to compete, but I don't know if he will ever win Worlds, man. Which sucks, cause he really deserves it.

Growing up I was a huge Charles Barkley fan, and Satoshi gives me the same feeling.


>
>Also, this year seeing the mainstays like Bernardo, Andre
>Galvao, Cyborg still hanging around is definitely cool being
>an older head.


I expected Cobrinha to win this year, but I read he had a little help from the refs. Can't believe Andre Galvao's old ass is still winning though, that's crazy. He's so good.

>He pulled me and another brown belt to the side and told us
>what he wanted us to work on. He has Q&A sessions every class
>for us to ask whatever we want, and even outside of that he
>always answers any questions anyone has regardless of rank. We
>do have a good relationship though and he's good about helping
>me troubleshoot problems I'm having, even for positions or
>techniques he doesn't care for or use.
>
>He told me and the other brown belt he wants us to have one
>technique that we can always redirect the situation back to
>that is unstoppable. Meaning, he wants us to be able to funnel
>where we are, from anywhere, back to a submission, pass,
>sweep, etc that we are always dominant with. He said we should
>be known for that pass/sweep/submission, people should expect
>that it is coming, and still be unable to stop it. He gave us
>that goal to work on for the next two years.
>
>He's given me goals like this at every rank, and it has always
>been helpful having that focus. I like going to the gym
>knowing what I should be working on, rather than just watching
>YouTube videos and trying out a bunch of moves.

Incredible. This is the difference between the 'A' game of purple and browns I have rolled with and the basic comprehensive level beginner blues like me are at. Sometimes you may be able to hang with a purple or brown for a portion of the roll, but when you end up being directed into their preferred wheelhouse it's just pure murder. On the other hand, I have rolled with visiting upper belts who when we do positional sparring, say, starting from the back, get very frustrated with finishing chokes vs. switching to their preferred armbar. If you 'don't allow' the 'A' game, it can lead to frustration. But that's usually applicable to those type of limited rolls that are not actual training.

The way our school is and because I'm taking my time not trying to attend too many advanced classes I roll primarily with other blues, and some whites, which they say is good to develop your attacks. Yesterday I was lucky enough to roll with one of our black belts in nogi, which was such a dope experience. Highlight of my recent training.

I now own too many instructional videos to watch now and I usually use download / buy a series with a particular position I have trouble with in mind to address. One guy I roll with has a sick half guard / deep half guard game, so I got the Deep Half Guard killer by Bill the Grill Cooper.

>How big are you again? Also, how old? I used to use almost all
>mobility passing, but getting older, both biologically and in
>jiu-jitsu years, has caused me to become mostly pressure
>passing oriented. It's just easier on your body, and it's
>something you will always be able to do no matter how old you
>are and what shape you are in. Also less tiring. But it sounds
>like you're pretty athletic, so don't listen to me.

I'm 36 and I used to be 220 but I'm down to 205, so I'm not big anymore really (or young for that matter) but I could most certainly use my weight better. There are guys much smaller that feel like they are crushing you with applied pressure. When I used to do the quick stepping / fake-out type of passing this one brown belt imitated it pretty sarcastically one time lol. There is definitely something to be said about the slow glacial passing that is impossible to stop and takes minimal effort, so I definitely will work on getting better at it.

>I like the over-under pass a lot, and it's one of the ones I
>use the most when I'm doing a "real" passing technique.
>Bernardo and Murilo videos have helped me a lot with the
>pass.

Will look out for Murilo vids.

>I am not a Erberth fan at all. He seems like a shitty dude,
>and I don't like his game either. I know he's killing it, and
>folks love his game, but I just don't.
>
>He hurt his shoulder again. I think this is like the third
>time, and it seems like nothing even happened to cause the
>injury. They were only a couple minutes into the match.
>
>He will probably continue to compete, but I don't know if he
>will ever win Worlds, man. Which sucks, cause he really
>deserves it.
>
>Growing up I was a huge Charles Barkley fan, and Satoshi gives
>me the same feeling.

Sucks big time! He seems like one of those high level competitors that doesn't get his deserved recognition despite being on the level of the elite guys.

Guy at my gym put me up on a black belt named Sonny Nohara for example cause he said his style might be a match for me when I was visiting schools. The little footage of him existing out there is amazing to me but I can't find much. Satoshi is more accomplished but I feel like he is similar in not having much exposure.

>I expected Cobrinha to win this year, but I read he had a
>little help from the refs. Can't believe Andre Galvao's old
>ass is still winning though, that's crazy. He's so good.

For real. I don't even believe it's the horsemeat at this point. (ok maybe a little) This may have been Cobrinha's last chance but who knows? He looked incredible against Gianni Grippo recently.

>The way our school is and because I'm taking my time not
>trying to attend too many advanced classes I roll primarily
>with other blues, and some whites, which they say is good to
>develop your attacks.


This is always the case no matter what rank. I think even my instructor (3rd degree black belt) uses white and blue belts to experiment and come up with new ideas. Then he tests their reliability on higher belts. He recommended this to me, and it's worked well.


Yesterday I was lucky enough to roll
>with one of our black belts in nogi, which was such a dope
>experience. Highlight of my recent training.
>



You know, I still haven't rolled with a lot of black belts. I started long enough ago that black belts were still quite rare, but I have rolled with lots of purple and brown belts who are *now* black belts. But as far as rolling with folks who hold a black belt at that moment... I can only think of 5 right now, but I'm probably forgetting a few. But those 5 include a former UFC and Strikeforce fighter and an Ultra Heavyweight IBJJF multi-time medalist.



>>I like the over-under pass a lot, and it's one of the ones I
>>use the most when I'm doing a "real" passing technique.
>>Bernardo and Murilo videos have helped me a lot with the
>>pass.
>
>Will look out for Murilo vids.


(music warning for these 3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wujuSIjshSw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAWqGfDm0x4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVt54LHhm6w

(I've watched this match many times, it's one of the best displays of domination in the past few years)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HZCxcCLTO0

I think Murilo may be injured, haven't seen him compete in a minute. Maybe he retired? Not sure.



>Guy at my gym put me up on a black belt named Sonny Nohara for
>example cause he said his style might be a match for me when I
>was visiting schools. The little footage of him existing out
>there is amazing to me but I can't find much.


I'm going to look for him, not familiar.

Trey doesnt even send me a bat signal?

>Trying to forget about the one-two punch of Aldo getting
>TKOed and the Cavs getting mollywhopped this weekend... so I
>figured this is a good time to up this.


I love both guys but ended up putting $ on max as an underdog so that was alright. Im glad Aldo didnt get knocked out in 10 seconds and showed how dangerous he was in the first, but max took that shit in true changing of the guard fashion. I hope he can do the same against Frankie. As much as I liek Frankie, I dont wanna see a change of the guard flip back to him. He'd be a perfect Dessert for max to start a GOAt trajectory on if he can decisively fuck up Frankie. Only GOAT level guys have done it.


>
>Personally, my training has been going pretty well. A couple
>of months ago I talked with my instructor about what he wants
>me to be working on to move to the next level. I've been
>tending to those things, and they have been going pretty well,
>and others have taken note. Definitely still works in
>progress, but I like having that focus, and using it to become
>more aware of the details I need to improve.

Its great that you have that relationship with your instructor and he knows your game that well. Im surprised when MGA instructors kinda know my game -- but its nowhere near that depth. The teacher i have most convos with is Paul--and those are never more than a few minutes.

I wish I had high level guys to mentor me. I was kind of jealous of folks who trained at unity for that reason. hell the guys who started early at MGA got that. A lot of our guys also left to go to JT Torres' school in westchester. Seems like theyre getting a lot of personal attention and JTs instruction is dope. Its really crisp: I describe it as "boom, boom, boom" concise but clear. If you dont already, follow him on Essential BJJ he put up some good stuff recently. If I lived closer to him I might consider training there.


>I'm curious, for the MGA folks here, what's the mood been like
>since Dillon and Munch left? Any sort of after-effects at the
>gym? I wonder if it has been a bigger deal on the internet
>than it has at MGA.
>

Its been fine in the gym overall. We have some high level purple belts visiting. Surprisingly both guys got upste in worlds. One was matheus Lutes --who came from Unity (so actually not visiting). He won worlds already at purple last year and hasnt really not lost anything since. he got beat in the qtrs by the guy who won it this year. Must be a tough pill to swallow.

On social media guys dont really say much about Dillon but a lot of guys still tag Munch on old pics and facebook memories. Ive heard a couple guys talking about texting him to try and connect. The other day he actually responded to a facebook tag of him and said something like "I miss you"

Overall I think the vibe has become more mature. Guys like Matheus who used to joke around more have become more professional and I really like that. Matheus seems to really be taking his job as being a good coach seriously.

>Any thoughts on Worlds? I'm pretty sad for Satoshi, man. I
>really want that guy to win Worlds.
>

I was sad about Satoshi too. Wanted to see if anyone cpuld get Lepri on his heels. Japanese dude Masahiro Iwasaki held him to a 1-0 advantage win which is nice. Masahiro trained for a couple months at MGA last year.

>Also, Meregali surprised the hell out of me. I mean, I knew he
>was good. But win Worlds as a first year black belt? Wow.

I knew Meregali was the future but I didnt think he'd get Lo. Early in his BB career Lo seemed to be his kryptonite and I thought it might take a few years to solve. But man....he ripped through Leite's half guard like it was paper. Never seen anything like that.

I have to say I kinda hate his all american midwestern QB looks. My boys were joking that he's Tom and Giselle's kid all grown up.


I think Gianni and Shane Hill Taylor coulda been given decisions to get to the finals. I wont say they were robberies though. Shane is the future of that division though man. That kid is so good. He's always gonna get some hate as a TLI guy, but his credentials stand for themselves.

I wonder about TLI. Its unfortunate that a lot of the top black US bjj athletes are there and get caught up. But besides up and coming AOJ, who has homegrown more talent? Shane and another one of their young black belt women--started there as kids and are also FT college students-- so theres positive stuff brewing there.

Murilo is injured. He tore a shoulder sometime this year. When id take my son to Unity hed be in a sling or holding it gingerly. I lik ehis game overall. Its funny how what he plays is different than what he teaches. At unity ive seen him teach a lot of inversions. My boy who trains there says thats also true. I triued his stack passing from standing but had a hard time executing.

Funny you should ask about training in the last 2 weeks I hit a valley again. Earlier this year I was sidelined for a month with a torn groin. I came back and felt good right away. I was peaking for about 6-8 weeks. Then the last 2 weeks things arent working again.

I REALLY need to work on my guard. Id say my guard is 2 -3 stripe white belt. My best asset if I can get to closed guard is I can hold and control guys there-- but my sweep and submission game is straight ASS.

Id say my passing is solid blue. I like to pressure pass. I went from finding stack passes to a bit more strategy.

Now off the bump of a roll im looking for 2-3 things
1) i force half guard, weave my arm, and do the rafa mendes smash pass. I can get by with most blue belts. From SC i hunt opponent lapel or my own lapel for a choke. Im trying to work on Crucifix and N/S to diversify more. There are guys I can pass who know my lapel game, so I cant finish

2) Lorreando. I learned it from the BJJ Scout study of LO an his torreando which is basically getting pant grips, stepping to side and straightening your arms and driving with legs to runa guy down. I dont have Lo's stamina so results vary, but I can catch a lot of guys off guard here. From passing I have same SC finishes.

3) If a guy plays butterfly, I dive in, smash legs, try to shift to dominate one and get passed Walid Ismaels Style. Works pretty well at MGA.

I also have a good base so I dont mind standing in most (up to purple) guard and letting them throw a Single leg x in. From there I posture/base, clear the hip and look to pass.

Are you still looking to come up and visit and train?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I give you some leeway broski

>I wish I had high level guys to mentor me. I was kind of
>jealous of folks who trained at unity for that reason. hell
>the guys who started early at MGA got that. A lot of our guys
>also left to go to JT Torres' school in westchester. Seems
>like theyre getting a lot of personal attention and JTs
>instruction is dope. Its really crisp: I describe it as "boom,
>boom, boom" concise but clear. If you dont already, follow him
>on Essential BJJ he put up some good stuff recently. If I
>lived closer to him I might consider training there.

Mostly a couple of the Spanish dudes that are from the BX / Uptown right? One dude who is a beast I think originally trained with JT, and I heard the other lives up there, but are folks really leaving cause of the quality of instruction? hmm


>Its been fine in the gym overall. We have some high level
>purple belts visiting. Surprisingly both guys got upste in
>worlds. One was matheus Lutes --who came from Unity (so
>actually not visiting). He won worlds already at purple last
>year and hasnt really not lost anything since. he got beat in
>the qtrs by the guy who won it this year. Must be a tough pill
>to swallow.

The other purple is Ruan Alvarenga. Have you ever seen him roll? He's fucking incredible. Seen him destroy higher belts. Huge sweeps and clean transitions.

>Overall I think the vibe has become more mature. Guys like
>Matheus who used to joke around more have become more
>professional and I really like that. Matheus seems to really
>be taking his job as being a good coach seriously.

Definitely.


>I have to say I kinda hate his all american midwestern QB
>looks. My boys were joking that he's Tom and Giselle's kid all
>grown up.

he dead ass looks like a tennis player. like, not even rugged enough for soccer.

>I wonder about TLI. Its unfortunate that a lot of the top
>black US bjj athletes are there and get caught up. But besides
>up and coming AOJ, who has homegrown more talent?

Yeah I want to like Mahamed Aly but I can't cause TLI (although he is Brazilian Black not sure if you are making a distinction).

Atos?


>I REALLY need to work on my guard. Id say my guard is 2 -3
>stripe white belt. My best asset if I can get to closed guard
>is I can hold and control guys there-- but my sweep and
>submission game is straight ASS.

yeah remember I was telling you I purposely don't play closed guard (although you have to work it some time) in order to work open guard more? Open guard leads to so many things I am finally feeling out DLR 1LX and X and transitioning. I had something going last night where I was taking the back from Spider / DLR. I was like whoa you can do this???

>
>Its great that you have that relationship with your instructor
>and he knows your game that well. Im surprised when MGA
>instructors kinda know my game -- but its nowhere near that
>depth. The teacher i have most convos with is Paul--and those
>are never more than a few minutes.
>


I'll be honest, I think I will always go with the smaller school, given that the level of instruction, facilities, training partners, etc, are similar or non-factors. I just can't fathom paying roughly a couple grand a year and not have a personal relationship with my instructor that gives me the individual tools I need to improve. I previously trained at a school where I didn't have that sort of relationship with my instructor, which turned bad in the end, and I hated it the majority of the time I was there. It was/is the big, popular school in the area, but where I am at now is so much better for me. It's also cheaper.



>I wish I had high level guys to mentor me. I was kind of
>jealous of folks who trained at unity for that reason. hell
>the guys who started early at MGA got that. A lot of our guys
>also left to go to JT Torres' school in westchester. Seems
>like theyre getting a lot of personal attention and JTs
>instruction is dope. Its really crisp: I describe it as "boom,
>boom, boom" concise but clear. If you dont already, follow him
>on Essential BJJ he put up some good stuff recently. If I
>lived closer to him I might consider training there.
>


I'll look for it. I've been a big JT fan for years.



>
>I wonder about TLI. Its unfortunate that a lot of the top
>black US bjj athletes are there and get caught up. But besides
>up and coming AOJ, who has homegrown more talent? Shane and
>another one of their young black belt women--started there as
>kids and are also FT college students-- so theres positive
>stuff brewing there.
>



Agreed about TLI. I wonder what it is like there present day, given all the allegations in the past about it being like a cult and with the sexual assault incidents. Like you said, he's still producing great talent.

I have a friend, pro MMA fighter, kickboxer, and boxer, who runs his own gym, who is a staunch supporter of Irvin, and always defends him when the gossip comes up. He's wanted to train with Lloyd as long as I have known him.



>Funny you should ask about training in the last 2 weeks I hit
>a valley again. Earlier this year I was sidelined for a month
>with a torn groin. I came back and felt good right away. I was
>peaking for about 6-8 weeks. Then the last 2 weeks things
>arent working again.
>


I think we talked about this before, but mid blue belt was tough for me. I was a blue belt four years, and I think there were maybe 4 periods where I was stalling hard. Like not getting better for the course of a few months. ... And I think that is where having a good coach becomes vital. It's how I finally started getting better. As an aside, we never did any private lessons, and a lot of the stuff he talked with me about was conceptual, rather than work this technique this way.



>I REALLY need to work on my guard. Id say my guard is 2 -3
>stripe white belt. My best asset if I can get to closed guard
>is I can hold and control guys there--


oooooh, so you're that guy.




>
>2) Lorreando. I learned it from the BJJ Scout study of LO an
>his torreando which is basically getting pant grips, stepping
>to side and straightening your arms and driving with legs to
>runa guy down. I dont have Lo's stamina so results vary, but
>I can catch a lot of guys off guard here. From passing I have
>same SC finishes.
>



I like this pass, but don't use it so much any more. But I still teach it in class. Works fine in no-gi, just push the knees instead.


>
>Are you still looking to come up and visit and train?
>
>



I thought about coming this summer. Time is probably the biggest issue. A lot going on for me this summer. A week in Montreal solo and a week in Havana with a couple friends. Also, lots of work stuff to do. Maybe I could be persuaded to drive up there for a weekend if I had a couch to sleep on or a guide or something. : ) Also, if my cardio doesn't turn to shit with all the food I'm going to eat on vacation.

and this post gives me life more than anything else I've read on here. Keep on training hard my brothers in armbars. I just got promoted to black belt in November

Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings...They did it by killing those who opposed them...unknown

>and this post gives me life more than anything else I've read
>on here. Keep on training hard my brothers in armbars. I just
>got promoted to black belt in November
>
>Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings...They
>did it by killing those who opposed them...unknown


Oss!

Ill try and update tomorrow

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

my wife pretty much told me I didn't have a choice about going back training after I had back surgery and after seeing how depressed I was...she was like, "if you don't choke your friends, this marriage won't work"

If y'all are ever near Tallahassee, Fl stop by Zicro BJJ

www.zicrobjj.com

I'm one of the assistant instructors there.

Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings...They did it by killing those who opposed them...unknown

Ahhh an alliance school too

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

It's simultaneously frustrating and cool - people who don't know BJJ have no idea how big a deal it is earning a black belt; but the people who do know BJJ understand the mountain of time and work that goes into it, which makes it even more special.

Huge congrats to you, man.