Okay, let me just start off by saying that this seminar blew me away.

Nick is one of the best teacher’s i’ve ever had the pleasure to learn from, either on the mat or via instructional. Although a brown belt this guy has got a phenomenal amount to offer, and is one of the UK’s most successful BJJ competitors.

Starting at 3pm, the session started with some light warming up and straight into some fresh techniques from Nick; starting with the reverse De La Riva guard.

The Reverse DLR is something that, to my knowledge, we haven’t done much on; so it was really refreshing to learn something that i’d never even seen.

Starting in this main position, we learned numerous sweeps, with Nick’s main focus on showing us moves for almost every situation; depending on his posture, movement, etc. There were a good 6 or 7 sweeps; many similar but with subtle nuances that could seriously change the way i look at the open guard.

Then Nick turned his attention to the “regular” opn guard, where we learned a few new entries into the omoplata, after opening and placing your foot on the bicep (but not in a spider-guard fashion; more on this if i get pictures), giving way to a number of triangles as well as sweeps.

Sparring was intense, and i rolled with 2 or 3 people if memory serves me correctly; Nick being one of them. Even though we were all pretty tired at this stage (we’d already over-run the 2 hours the seminar was expected to last for), the sparring was top quality.

Nick put me on my back early on and from there i stood little chance; realistically speaking, there was little i could do, but hold on and at least attempt to do my best impression of surviving. The guy’s a monster.

Overall, an enjoyable day; topped off with some brilliant sparring, that’s left me pretty damn tired, it must be said.

Pictures will be up when i get them.

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Steve Nelson, who fought in and ran the Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation (USWF) in the 1990’s in Amarillo, Texas. This organization, which was one of the most successful local promotions of its time, held fights under what were called shootfighting rules, with only open hand strikes allowed, but with all submissions as well as kicks and knees permitted.

Steve was also a headliner in the company’s most famous fight, when he took on Ralph Gracie, who had defeated him in under a minute in 1996 under no holds barred rules in Extreme Fighting 2 in the Mohawk community of Kahnawake near Montreal. The rematch took place August 22, 1998, at a USWF show in Amarillo.

This fight was my selection as the 1998 Fight of the Year in mixed discipline combat sports.

A video of most of this fight can be seen here.

In a lengthy interview, we spoke with Steve about the USWF and its history, his fights with Ralph Gracie, some of the fighters from the USWF who became notable in mixed martial arts, the movement to establish a wrestling team at West Texas A&M University, the accomplishments of the boy’s and girl’s wrestling teams at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, where Steve is the head coach, and more.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called “The Heist”, by musician Ian Carpenter.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Gladiator Magazine, for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear.

Gladiator Challenge, shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com.

FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman
EddieGoldman.com

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the controversy regarding Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler Ara Abrahamian, who had his bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games stripped by FILA, the international wrestling federation.

In the second period of the 84kg semifinal match with Andrea Minguzzi of Italy, the eventual gold medal winner, Ara Abrahamian, who had lost the first period, received a warning by the referee. However, it was only after the match was over that a point was assessed against him, thus giving Minguzzi a win in the period, and thus the entire match. Requests to file a protest and for a video review of the match were denied by FILA.

Ara Abrahamian, along with the Swedish National Olympic Committee, then filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the way FILA handled these requests. He also returned the bronze medal he later won, leaving it on the mat and walking out of the media ceremony. Abrahamian was later stripped of the medal, and vilified by almost all the mainstream media as a sore loser.

The hearing was held Friday, August 22, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport agreed with Abrahamian and the SNOC that FILA was wrong in how they handled this and that FILA had violated both the Olympic Charter and their own rules.

Their decision said, “FILA is required by the Olympic Charter and its own internal rules, to provide a procedure in its rules for an appeal jury (or some equivalent) to hear promptly claims by athletes or others affected that in a competition the relevant officials have not complied with FILA rules and procedures.”

On this edition of No Holds Barred, we discuss this case in depth, and what it means for the sport of wrestling.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called “The Heist”, by musician Ian Carpenter.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Gladiator Magazine, for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear.

Gladiator Challenge, shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com.

FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman
EddieGoldman.com

Kenny Bond was recently awarded his 1st degree on his black belt by Renato on Saturday, August 23.

Many hardcore California bjj fans know Kenny well, tut for those of you that don’t,
Kenny has been a black belt for five years and as many competitors have found out the hard way, he is the master of the bondo-plata (patent pending).

Apologies for my terrible camera phone pics, but they’re all I got.

The Stripe

With younger brother, Tim Bond.

Random “Bondo” grappling videos for your enjoyment:

Grappler’s Quest 2003

No Gi Pan Ams 2003

Grappler’s Quest 2007

Versus Joe Camacho

Arm Barring Len for the 3,000 time

A quick catch up then on the last couple of weeks.

First the technical stuff…

Monday last week - we covered a take down in which, having taken up grips, you kind of squat, then project your hips backwards – this brings your opponent off-balance over their own toes. As your but touches the floor, you place one foot on the hip and execute a sort of half Ippon Seoinage, sweeping with the other leg. From here, you can take top position. Clearly, this technique is wholly dependant on the initial resistance of your opponent, but it’s easy to adjust and improvise with this one. If your opponent does start to come forward of his own volition, you can block his legs with your feet, slide them to hook the ankles, then push on his knees – this will sweep him backwards.

One other thing we looked at was from spider guard – feet in opponent’s biceps, controlling the wrists. Wrap one arm with your leg, pull the other shin across the body. Invite your opponent in and then project of using your shin.

Wednesday last week – still working on the sensitivity/leverage of the core and legs used in symphony, we practiced a movement where you start kind of in open guard, defending against the opponent with your shin and hand to stop them from passing. As he comes forward, you can frame against him, lift your hips to raise your legs, swing legs across and chop down, keeping your core engaged. As your body comes up, place your free hand on the floor and swivel round to face your opponent having created space and now in a stronger open guard position.

Working with little Dean we also did an exercise with one person initiating, the other trying to “sense” (through a combination of feel and reading body movement and posture) what the opponent was going to do. The aim of the exercise was either to occupy the middle space before your opponent does, thus putting him literally on the back foot, or to be away from your opponent’s forward intent, creating space and momentum that will work against your opponent. It’s about being alert to subtle changes in your opponent’s intentions, weight and balance and trying to never be where your opponent wants you to be.

We then looked at an escape from cross side using leverage in the legs and core to create space and movement. Once space has been created you can often get your bottom knee in to create a frame/take guard or sometimes, if the weight is correct, you can extend your other leg to sweep your opponent over. If your shoulder is blocked by your opponent (thus preventing you turning in to face him), simply use legs and leverage to come out the bottom – you can use the arm to create a frame against the throat or face to create additional space.

Only one session for me this week due to other stuff going on, but we really extended the work started last Wednesday. We started by drilling a whole heap of basic movements – variations on teeter totter, shrimping, pocket knife, all focussing on keeping the core strong and the feet off the floor. There were also a lot of movements to practice projecting the legs and one particularly hard one of coming feet over your head and sort of walking around your shoulders – I need a bit of practice on all of them methinks, but especially that last one. Apart from being good conditioning for the core muscles, the reason behind these movements would later become apparent.

We then worked on the same sensitivity drill from Wednesday, but a little more freeform and with this some of our earlier movements came into play. Dean T also went over the escapes from cross side again and the movements we practiced worked seamlessly into the practice and the same principles applied to practicing a couple of escapes from North/South.

All topped off with a nice bit of free-training which I did with Craig. I really enjoyed this and the training felt cooperative and mutually beneficial. Aside from cramps in both calves (a side effect of the previous night’s five mile run I suspect), it was a comfortable and enjoyable way to train.

I’m really enjoying the training we’re doing lately – I feel like I’m learning loads, like it’s the stuff that’s somehow “hidden” in Jiu Jitsu that can make it really effective. There are no shortcuts with this stuff though and you’ve got to be committed to its practice in the long term. There are shortcuts elsewhere – majoring on speed and strength – all great attributes to have, but this feels like it’s where it’s really at. I leave sessions feeling relaxed and happy. I’ve always left Jiu Jitsu happy in the past, but not always relaxed….more absolutely shattered and aching… This way means I get great training and am never too tired to go to the Gym for my CV workout the next day, which is great.

I haven’t trained at Tonbridge since Brighton, mainly because other stuff keeps cropping up, but also partly due to cost – petrol getting there and back then £8 per session. The credit crunch has hit BJJ :(.

I’ve managed to get back into some regularity at the gym lately and this is paying dividends – in fitness at least. I’m running further, faster and my resting heart rate and blood pressure have come down a lot (60bpm and round about 125/70). No more weight loss to note, but none gained so OK there.

I’m off to San Francisco tomorrow for one week – it’s my brother in law’s wedding, so, as with my last US trip I have some training planned…it has to be done. I originally sought out a guy who is/was (?) a Rickson rep in San Fran – a purple belt. I eventually tracked him down and he told me that the weekend I arrived he was hosting a seminar with Xande and Saulo Ribeiro. “GREAT!” I thought “what an opportunity”. So as instructed I emailed the guy and waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually I phoned him again to check if he’d got my emails – yes, he had and would be in touch soon. 3 days before I’m due to leave and the seminars begin, I email him again to see if there’s any update….nothing. No response.

I know people are busy, but it doesn’t take much time to answer an email. I expected more especially from a guy who is a Rickson rep (although I heard he’s one over to Saulo’s Association). It’s just plain rude.

So anyway, after a bit of browsing, I find a guy called Eduardo Rocha, a 3rd Dan under Royler Gracie – 3 time Brazilian Champion, 4 Time Pan Ams Champ and World Cup champ amongst many other accomplishments. His gym is based in Oakland, a short hop from where I’m staying in Walnut Creek. I emailed Eduardo to see if I could train and how much it would be and almost immediately got a reply, in true Brazilian style “For sure. No Charge”. Now that’s more like it – how great is that…and no charge?! So, tomorrow, I’m off and hope to squeeze in a couple of sessions between the sightseeing and family fun and hopefully more great stories for this blog.

One other thing, before I go. I’ve decided to make more of my gym membership and recent talk from Dean T about Yoga and a thread on EFN, made me think about trying it out. Now luckily, there’s a class on Sunday Mornings at my gym – Iyengar yoga, the cost of which is covered in my membership, so when I get back I’m gonna give that a go – I’ll let you know how I get on.

See you in a week or so!

over these!

BUT!
I don’t have $500 yet to dispose of, so i might as well make do with my trusted gis.

Not that I need a new one, really.  I just WANT a new one   These gis (or kimonos) have been “working” hard, so I thought maybe they need a break…and some new company [...]

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Wade Schalles, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, a champion or All-American in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling and in sombo and judo, and a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Wade is now working with Media Sports Productions to promote wrestling through developing a weekly TV show called Wrestling 411.

In a lengthy discussion, we touch on both the progress of this project and what is happening in the wrestling at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. We discuss both the good and the bad, including the incredible performances by 21-year-old, first-time Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo of the U.S., and 33-year-old, three-time Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler Bouvaisa Saitiev of Russia.

We also explain some of the controversies revolving around the current rules in international wrestling, And we discuss the context, which has largely been unreported in the media, about the controversy over the returning of his bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics by Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler Ara Abrahamian.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called “The Heist”, by musician Ian Carpenter.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Gladiator Magazine, for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear.

Gladiator Challenge, shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com.

FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman
EddieGoldman.com

The Bigfoot body that was found recently has been revealed as a hoax. It is highly improbable that a large ape-like creature lives among us in remote forest areas with no hard evidence ever surrounding it. I believe it is a waste of time to go on searching for something that probably does not exist. [...]

What is tough?
What does it mean to be tough? This can only be answered by looking at specific contexts. Generally tough is registered in people’s minds concerning the ability in taking punishment and a certain degree of toughness, or lack of. If I get hit in the face and smile am I tough? Most of [...]

My first BJJ class in a week and by god i felt the lack of training creep up on me with all the subtle, cat like movements of a runaway freight train.

Got to the gym at about 7pm, enough time to stretch out (which i’ve been doing more of in my absence from the class) and get ready for the BJJ class at 7.30.

Getting back into the swing of things felt good, and we started with a simple drill; breaking your opponents posture while he’s sitting in your closed guard. This is a vital part of any guard system, and sadly something that a lot of beginners forget, myself included. I’d quite like to drill this with more active resistance, which i think would help to integrate this into my gameplan.

After this, utilising the Gi, Lee showed the class a technique where, by wrapping the gi around an arm, you can secure a grip which maintains a level of control on the arm for long enough for you to grab an armbar. Failing this, Lee showed us the next technique in the series where you can take the same Gi-grip and if the armbar fails, use this as a gogoplata-like choke which can then in turn be used as a setup for other things, if failed.

This seemed like a very nice little setup and i’m VERY impressed with it. The techniques in class seem to be making more sense to me lately in the wider scheme of things, and for that i’m eternally thankful. Understanding moves is nine-tenths of the game itself.

A little light sparring followed these techniques, with myself and the returning Tim being paired up for a little guard-passing work. Tim’s getting much better, and i feel like my guard is getting more effective; i’m no longer just going for double-wrist grips and using the lay and pray strategy, i’m actually trying to set things up. The omoplata has become my best friend, that move is just SO versatile.

At the end of the class Lee spoke to us on the concept of injury; something close to my heart after my thumb was in agony all week. Alright, not the worst injury ever.. shh.

It’s true; injuries suck. And the more you put 100% of your strength into every training session the more you’ll have. This isn’t the finals of the mundials or the ADCC, just tap for crying out loud.

Anyway, after the class i paired up with Jez for some tougher sparring. I’m noticing that he’s putting me on my back easily off of the kneeling position; but given that this isn’t a natural position that occurs in a fight, this isn’t an issue to me. He’s developed a pretty solid smashing top game which isn’t pleasant to be under, believe me.

I think that’s enough said for tonight. Again, sorry for the lack of updates but there you go, that’s what happens when you’re stuck in the world of technology; “sh*t happens”. :).