It’s disturbing that security took so long to show up especially with all the children witnessing this.
https://youtu.be/7RBWuYFeg9Y
For a breakdown of what happened check video below:
https://youtu.be/CjnRR8N5IVw
Best MMA Gifts Guide With Detailed Reviews
Combat athletes are not complicated, people. It takes little to make them happy. Just let them train, let them watch fights and DVDs, and occasionally surprise them with an MMA-related gift and they’ll be purring. Take it from someone that knows. MMA fighters and grapplers are some of the easiest people in the world to shop for. granted, if you’re going in the direction of apparel, you’ll need to know sizes, etc. But there are so many different options for MMA gifts out there, that you don’t really need to focus on this, Instead, check out our best MMA Gifts guide with detailed reviews of some great options for combat athletes!
Let’s face it, MMA training is an addictive and very demanding thing. At least if you’re really serious about competing and making it a career. It can be very rewarding, but it also requires much more than just personal commitment. It also requires those around us to understand the lifestyle and provide support. In that regard, surprising someone whit a gift that ties in perfectly with their lifestyle might be a small act, but it can make an MMA fighter’s day. Let’s face it, everyone likes gifts, and when a gift is tailor-made for you, it makes a world of difference! Luckily, there are countless options out there when it comes to MMA presents, but not all of them are the best MMA gifts you can give a fighter. You can find those that are in our guide below.
The Perfect Presents For Combat Athletes
When it comes to MMA gifts, you have a large selection to choose from. After all, any gear you buy an MMA fighter is going to be more than welcomed. However, gear is somewhat reminiscent of “work” so it may not be the best possible gift. Instead of providing someone with everyday objects that tie in into their lifestyle and main interest is a much better choice. In that regard, you can surprise your significant other/parent/kid/friend with any of our best MMA gifts and put them in a great mood!
One item that is perfect for MMA fighters is books. Of course, not just any books, but MMA-related ones. With books, you have two main options. One is to go for technical books, those that focus on either MMA moves and techniques or strength hand conditioning. those are learning books, and not every fighter might find them interesting. What everyone loves, though are books written by famous MMA fighters themselves. Currently, MMA autobiographies are quite numerous, particularly amongst UFC fighters. From legends like GSP and Chael Sonnen to young UFC stars like Paige VanZant, everyone seems to have something to write nowadays. And they’re all interesting to read.
Apparel is another major thing. And I’m not just talking fight shorts or rashguards here. MMA apparel is available in all possible shapes and sizes nowadays, from hoodies and T-shirts to jackets and hats. In that sense, you can find whatever your significant other considers best MMA gifts in terms of apparel, or even customize some to suit their needs.
Simple smaller stuff like accessories or collectible figurines is also an interesting and original option. These are categories that contain an indefinite number of options, meaning you can never run out of gift ideas.
The Best MMA Gifts
Let’s take a look at some of the best MMA gifts that are universally appreciated by anyone involved in the sport! When putting our guide together we made sure to follow certain requirements and criteria in order to arrive at the very best options. Namely, below you won’t find two items from the same category. The reason for this is to provide you with as much diversity as possible. Basically, you can follow our guide as it is and get what we offer, or use it as a source of ideas and expand your search accordingly.
A huge aspect of our best MMA gifts guide is pricing and availability. While every item in our guide is available, some are parts of limited editions and you’ll need to act quickly. |the idea is that you get not just something great and MMA-related but also a gift that’s unique and somewhat rare. Moreover, the price of everything is more than affordable, meaning you can actually get a few gifts instead of one for an unbelievable price.
REEBOK OFFICIAL UFC FIGHT KIT WALKOUT HOODIE
Features:
- 95% Cotton/5% Spandex
- Slim fit
- French terry fabric
- Drawcord hood
- Bonded front pockets
- Full-zip
Right from the start, we’ll open with an awesome gift idea. Whether or not someone is fighting in the UFC, they’ll like this hoodie. It is the official UFC fight kit walkout hoodie, made by Reebok. It is not just a great piece of MMA apparel, it is also a collectible item as well as perfect for day-to-day wear and even training!
What you get with this hoodie is an original Reebok UFC product of the highest quality. It is available in black and comes in all usual sizes (S-XXL). The material is a blend of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. This means that while it is extremely comfortable to wear, this hoodie also fits perfectly. Available in a slim fit cut, with french terry fabrication that provides a soft warmth feel. Extremely durable and designed for performance. The hood has a drawstring cord for adjustability. The hoodie features a full-length zip as well as bonded front pockets. There’s the Reebok logo on the front left of the chest along with the UFC logo on the front right, at shoulder level.
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UFC BOBBLEHEAD LIMITED ACTION FIGURINES (JOANNA JEDRZEJCZYK)
Features:
- Handcrafted and handpainted
- Life-like design
- Velvet bottom for cushion and protection
- High quality
This one is highly specific, even as an MMA gift. This is a gift for people that like collecting MMA items. Whether they’re already into it, or you want to spur them on, this is the perfect opportunity. There are several figurine collectibles so far by the UFC. However, the best ones are made by MMA Bobblehead, which is exactly what we have on offer today.
The MMA Bobblehead Series features several fighters and MMA personalities in genuine figurine form. The example we have for you today is of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but there are also many others, including legends like Bruce Buffer, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Brian Ortega, etc. All of the fighters are in their signature stances making each figurine special. Moreover, each figure is handcrafted and hand-painted. The figurines are high-quality plastic and come in mint condition special packages. Appropriate for ages 5 and older.
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12 COMMANDMENTS OF JIU-JITSU POSTER
Features:
- Handmade
- Premium luxury materials
- Highest resolution, definition, and clarity possible
- Digitally printed
- Semi-gloss
This one might be BJJ specific, but it is perfect for anyone training MMA or combat sports in general. Posters are a great gift on their own, but this one is actually special. This poster depicts 12 commandments of Jiu-Jitsu that are highly motivational, and attributed to Grand Master Carlos Gracie himself!
MMA fighters and grapplers are always in search of motivation. It makes it a lot easier to get up early in the morning and go straight to the grind when you can read a piece of text that’ll motivate you to work. This poster does exactly that. It is a wall poster that is available in 8 x 10 dimensions. The print is of the highest quality, with Fuji Crystal Archive photo paper as that base. Design-wise it is a black and red typographic on a brown parchment with a Chinese symbol silhouette.
The photo paper used is of the highest quality, and color fidelity, providing a lifetime of enjoyment!
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RING TO CAGE MMA GLOVE KEY CHAIN
Features:
- Made of leather
- 3.5 inches long
- High-quality clip
- Durable
There’s no more subtle yet clearly visible way to show your love for something than with a key chain. Key chains are visible everywhere and yet, they’re not overly obvious nor take too much space. Plus they’re the best-priced option from our best MMA gifts guide (obviously). There’s also as much variety as you want, but it doesn’t really get better than a pair of MMA gloves.
This key chain features a pair of “Ring to Cage” MMA gloves. They’re available in two different designs. One has a marine green and black combination, while the other is pink and white. This pretty much covers both sexes when it comes to giving this key chain as a gift. The key chain is 3.5 inches long and the gloves themselves are made of leather. This makes for an extra quality key chain that’ll last as much as the real deal. They come in singles, so if you want a pair, you’ll have to order two of them. They can also easily double as a rearview mirror ornament if you’re not a fan of key chains.
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VENUM “CHALLENGER PRO” BACKPACK
Features:
- 100% Polyester
- Large main zip compartment
- Half-zip front pocket
- Laptop storage pocket
- Padded backing
- Air-mesh fabric
- Adjustable foam-filled shoulder straps
Although this might technically count as MMA gear, it is still one of the best MMA gifts you can get from someone. Plus it easily doubles as MMA apparel or something you can wear for non-MMA-related activities. This backpack is really a thing of beauty. Uit has everything an MMA fighter might need. From storage space to looks and the perfect organizational system, the Venum “Challenger Pro” backpack has it all!
First of all, this is a Venum product. that means you get top quality and a great price. Next up it is a part of the Challenger series, which is arguably the best series of MMA ger ever! This backpack comes in 9 different designs. The all-black one is a real classic but the others, like black/grey and the Red Devil are also awesome. The material is 100% Polyester, making it ultra-durable. There are a large main compartment and a 17 inch separate pocket for a laptop or tablet. The main compartment has a halfway-round zipper, giving it perfect access. There are also additional pockets, like for example a dedicated mp2 player pocket. Perfect for daily use.
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Whether you’re looking for more gift ideas or something for yourself, check out a complete guide to the best MMA backpacks available in the market today.
SHOCK DOCTOR MOUTHGUARD
Features:
- Gel-fit liner technology
- Breathable
- Professional dental protection
- Durable
- Triple-layer design
- Boil and bite
As far as protective gear goes, the one piece of it you don’t need to worry about size for is a mouthguard. And not just any mouthguard. The Shock Doctor Mouthguard is a 100% customizable and ultra-high protection mouthpiece. It is a huge preference among pro-MMA fighters around the world. It just so happens to also be one of the best MMA gifts you might have at your disposal!
Shock Doctor is an unrivaled brand when it comes to mouth guards. They have a huge collection, but one that really stands out is the Gel Max Mouth Guard. This is a state-of-the-art mouth guard that comes with gel-fit liner technology. It is fully customizable, protects every structure in your mouth and neck, and comes with lots of variety. In fact, there are not just more than a dozen different colors available, but also flavors. Now, the mouthpiece can taste like blueberry, bubblegum, cherry, mint, fruit punch, or lemon. It is also breathable and very easy to mold. A heavy-duty exoskeletal Shock Frame guarantees maximal protection, enhanced by special gel. Made from heavy-duty silicone.
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Whether you’re looking for more gift ideas or something for yourself, check out a complete guide to the best MMA mouth guard available in the market today.
THE WAY OF THE FIGHT – GSP
Features:
- Paperback
- Illustrated
- 240 pages
- 10 oz
- Available in Kindle and as Audiobook
As previously mentioned, one of the very best MMA gifts is an autobiography book by a legendary fighter. While there are many great options in this department out there, GSPs bok is definitely among the best. Simply put, it is a book every aspiring MMA fighter needs to read.
In his first book so far, Georges “Rush” St. Pierre shares everything he learned during his long and memorable UFC career. The book titled “The Way Of the Fight” outlines GSP’s complete journey, from being bullied as a kid to a double division UFC champion. St. Pierre shares every crucial experience in training, fighting, mindset, injuries, and everything that comes with an MMA-centered lifestyle. This book portrays GSP from a different angle, allowing insight into his private life and mind never before seen. the book is available in paperback or hardcover, which are probably the best options for an MMA gift. You can, however, also get it in Kindle or Audiobook form. Read more hidden text[/expander_maker]
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Whether you’re looking for more gift ideas or something for yourself, check out a complete guide to the best MMA books available online.
WEIGHTED ADJUSTABLE JUMP ROPE
Features:
- Braided cotton
- Synthetic rubber grips
- Foam handles
- 0.6 lbs
- Tangle-free double ball bearings
- Adjustable
- Storage bag included
A jump rope is one of the most important tools of any combat athlete. It provides a lot more conditioning options than running and all of those without having to leave home or the gym. This jump rope, though, is not just a regular rope, but comes in double the weight of others, providing a different challenge for fighters and presenting as the perfect MMA gift.
A very durable rope due to the branded cotton material, this grey jump rope is 9.8” long, albeit adjustable to any height. It provides a smooth and fast jumping experience, as a result of double ball bearings that prevent tangling of any sort. It comes with a storage bag containing two cordless ball clips. The weight of 0.6 lbs is double the weight f usual jump ropes, meaning this one will challenge even the fighters with big gas tanks.
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Check out the complete guide on the best Jump Ropes Reviews for MMA available in the market today.
Digital/DVD Collections
There is a category out there that we did not touch upon yet. those are instructional DVDs. Now, while MMA DVDs might not be an easy thing to put together (at least not great ones), there are certainly others out there that can actually help with training. During the last few years the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu DVD scene has really been booming, offering not just stand-alone titles but complete collections that have a lot to offer. Providing someone with a DVD collection is certainly one of the best MMA gifts you can give. Particularly when that collection contains crazy amounts of useful information that can help someone win fights.
It does take some tinkering to figure out learning from digital sources if you haven’t done it until now. In that sense, you want to start with something that actually relates to MMA. It’s great if you’re looking for a collection on Gi BJJ basics, but that might not be your best option for MMA. Instead, some of the following DVD collections are actually great resources from MMA, as well as awesome MMA gift ideas:
A former Air Marshal, and the man behind UFC legends such as Randy Couture, Melanson is a grappling coach that is all about practical stuff. Just about every move he shows in his exclusively No-Gi DVDs has an MMA application. Moreover, Melanson goes over such applications, whether it is ground and pound or something else during the demonstrations. The fact that he is an extremely well-rounded grappler featuring Judo, Catch Wrestling, Sambo, and BJJ in his style really sums everything up. Melanson himself is a student of legends like Gene LeBell and Gokor Chivichyan, which makes him of the best grappling coaches alive! His collection so far includes around half a dozen titles, offering options from the bottom, from the top as well as many crazy and ultra-painful submission finishes.
If you don’t think that leg locks work in MMA take a better look at some of the most recent fights. Rousimar Palhares aside, leg locks are a huge benefit in MMA, as Gary Tonon and Ryan Hall, among others, have showcased lately. Well, there’s one leg locker out there that we still haven’t seen venture into MMA. However, he has some deadly stuff when it comes to submissions and an entire DVD collection to show for it. The Australian phenom has a couple of leg lock DVDs as well as triangle chokes, Z guard, and a few other titles in his collection. All are No-Gi and are perfect for a fierce bottom MMA game.
The original MMA leg locker himself, Mr. Ryan Hall simply had to feature here. This is one of the largest DVD collections you can get, numbering at a total of 10 DVD sets, each containing at least three volumes. As far as the best MMA gifts go, this collection might be the one to start with. It offers both Gi and No-Gi DVDs, each specializing in a single subject. You get both guard and passing strategies as well as a ton of submissions, topped off with Hall’s signature 50/50 leg lock system that saw him win the Ultimate Fighter.
This one might seem like it is out of its place here but bear with me. Travis is an Olympic medalist in Judo and a BJ Jblack belt under John Danaher. What he has to teach, is what you need to listen to. He is extremely well versed in No-Gi and knows what works in the cage and what is useless. In this collection, you’ll learn things other DVDs do not teach. Form essential grip fighting and limb control, to devastating No-Gi and Gi takedowns that end in submissions. This collection is perfect to help you develop an unusual and highly effective takedown game for MMA.
Finally, a real treat for any combat athlete. If you’re unsure what DVD collection you might want to get as a gift, consider this one. It is the ultimate No-GI DVD collection, featuring a dozen carefully selected titles that are perfect for both grapplers and MMA fighters. There is something in it for everyone, with coaches like former UFC fighters Tom DeBlass, grappling legend Dean Lister and the enigmatic coach John Danaher, to name a few. All in this one might be on the top of our entire best MMA gifts guide!
These are definitely not the only options you have out there. However, they do offer something different, both as learning tools and as some of the best MMA gifts you may give to a fighter.
In Summary
Even when you know what you need to get for someone, it is always easier to have a complete guide. All of the items above are most definitely the best MMA gifts for any fighter. Speaking as one, I know that I’d enjoy getting either one of them, particularly when they come as a surprise. Or, simply use this guide as a source of ideas and categories and go and further customize your MMA gift search!
The Blueprint For Grappling On A Low Carb Diet
In the modern-day, keto craze plenty of people are trying a thousand different diets and nutrition protocols to help them achieve their goals. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, that usually translates to something sustainable that provides ample energy for regular training. Moreover, there’s also the question of bulking up and cutting weight as well. To that extent, not all diets are particularly suited for high-level grappling or MMA training. Making a low-carb diet for combat athletes is not impossible but it requires a lot more than just a simple Google search.
The norm today, when it comes to training any kind of combat sports is to include the so-called trifecta. You need to train your martial art (or arts) of choice, you need to train to be in shape for training and fighting and you need to dial in your nutrition. Surprisingly, specific grappling or MMA training is the easiest part of this equation. Strength and conditioning is a subject for a different time and is probably the most complicated of them all. Somewhere in the middle is nutrition. Should you go high carb, low fat, or opt for a low carb diet? Vegan, vegetarian, or carnivore? What about gluten? these are just some of the questions that often arise in terms of combat sports nutrition. Today, we’ll tackle the question of low-carb diets and whether they work for grapples.
Low Carb Diet 101
So what is the deal with all this low-carb diet craziness? Are carbs really the enemy here? There are a host of different schools of thought on that one. For starters, let’s make a crucial distinction – carbs and sugar are not one and the same. Carbohydrates (or carbs) are compounds that are found in many different types of food. They have a very distinct function – providing energy. And sugar is just one type of carbohydrate available to us. So what’s the deal with everyone trying to ditch carbs and go Keto or high fat?
Our bodies use carbs as an instant energy source. When there is enough energy from carbs, the excess gets turned into glycogen for “safekeeping” in the liver and muscles. When they are full as well, all excess carbs turn into fat to be later released as an alternate source of energy. The more processed the carbs, the easier they turn into fat because they provide a lot of energy in quite small doses. So when you compare sugar to sweet potatoes or yams, you can see that there’s a huge difference.
A low-carb diet works by turning to fat metabolism as a primary energy source. To that extent, you have to understand that if you decide to grapple with low carbs, you’ll have to significantly increase the amount of fat you eat. The fewer (or not at all) carbs, the more fat. To that extent, fat needs to be in check as well, the less processed the better.
Cutting Carbs The Right Way
When you decide to give a low-carb diet a try, you have to remember that you’re also grappling or training MMA on a daily basis. That means that if you decide to drop all carbs today just like that, you’re training is going to suffer along with your health. Instead, whenever you decide to do major changes in your diet, you need to make sure you do them step by step.
In terms of nutrition, you need to start dropping carbs gradually. Start with the stuff that has no nutritional value at all. The first step in establishing a low-carb diet for grappling would be cutting out all processed carbs. That means all kinds of sugar, white or brown. Sodas, all kinds of sweet snacks, ice cream, etc should be the first to go. That also means no hidden sugars well, so there go cereals, all the “healthy” energy bars, and granola. Once you do that, let this change sink in, give yourself a couple of weeks to try it out, and get used to it. It is not just your energy metabolism, but also your gut bacteria that needs to get sued to the change.
What you’re left with now are natural carbs. Those are the carbs from fruit, grains, and root vegetables like potatoes or yams. If you’re looking to further cut carbs, you should start with grains. That means no bread, pasta, rice, corn, wheat, etc. of any kind, white or brown. Dropping fruit and root vegetables means you’re looking to go into Keto/Paleo mode. That requires a lot of tinkering and adjusting. If you’re looking for a low-carb diet that you can sustain, keep the yams, potatoes, and certain fruits. Drop honey, dry fruits, or sugary fruits like watermelons and pineapple.
Sustaining A Carb-Free Diet While Grappling
The main trouble with any low-carb diet is usually sustainability. We’re surrounded by carbs and delicious completely unhealthy and nutritionally useless food. That means that temptation is high every day. If you cut out carbs completely, you’ll most likely give in at one point or another. Once you do, there’ll be no turning back. Instead of going cold turkey, after you follow the above steps to cutting carbs out, you need a game plan for staying low carb for prolonged periods of time.
That said, your focus should be on low-carb foods, first and foremost. Those are lean meats like chicken, fish, eggs, leafy greens, greek yogurt, avocados, nuts, olive oil, and certain fruits like berries, to begin with. these should be the staple of your low-carb diet. For regular grappling training, I’d advise not dropping potatoes and fruits altogether. Instead, use them smartly, consuming them only after you train, when your body needs them the most.
Next up, make sure the meal plan you choose is sustainable. It will be really hard to sustain a low-carb diet if you do not prep ahead of time. Meal prepping should become a habit, particularly on days when you know you’ll be really busy. Also, going shopping for handy low-carb snacks once a week is a great idea. When you have stuff like nuts, seeds, boiled eggs, hummus, veggies, and even fruit at hand, you’re less likely to reach for processed stuff and fall off the wagon.
If you like to really understand, and combat sports nutrition you should turn to the foremost expert in the field – George Lockhart. His “Nutrition And Weight Management System” has it all, from diet templates to weight cut protocols. Comes in a bundle with an E-book and a DVD set.
Women’s BJJ Issues – Does Breast Size Matter?
In this modern world of today, we take things for granted. For example, it is perfectly normal to have women training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with men on a regular basis. There’s nothing wrong about that and it is just the way it is supposed to be. However, most men do not recognize certain things that really affect the finer half of BJJ. To that extent, while men may be careful how much strength they use, they do not go much further than that (most often). There are a lot more Women’s BJJ issues that bother women other than having to deal with strength. One of those is breast size.
Nowadays there seems to be a solution for everything online, including some of the plaguing women’s BJJ issues. Well, okay, not all of them, but this one certainly has solutions, as long as you ladies know where to look for them. For all those that do not understand, breast size does matter for women training grappling. It impacts performance a lot more than those without this “issue” might think. To that extent, there are several aspects to it that well-endowed ladies need to consider.
Common Women’s BJJ Issues
Being a woman in any male-dominated area is not an easy task to do. In most martial arts, women are a regular presence, although their number is quite a lot smaller compared to that of men training. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, at least so far, is no different. That doesn’t mean, though, that some of the toughest grapplers out there are women. Still white or black belt, there are some women’s BJJ issues that all ladies face.
To begin with, BJJ is a contact sport trained at extremely close quarters. That means that one thing women need to overcome is the adversity of having to roll with sweaty people, mostly men, on a regular basis. This seems to be one of the challenges ladies have no problem overcoming if it is a challenge in the first place.
Next up it is anatomy. This is a major one, as the ladies are built quite differently than men. That means they pose certain qualities men don’t have, but lack in others. A woman is never going to be as strong as a man unless there are steroids involved. However, women understand leverage much better, plus have an extended range of motion and crazy flexibility. Both of these are huge assets to have in BJJ.
Speaking of women’s BJJ issues, there’s breast size as well. For most ladies, a good sports bra does the trick, but those that have rather large breasts, actually face a real struggle. From training itself to competing and even choosing a Gi, there’s a whole host of issues that need to be resolved. Luckily there are answers for all of them.
The “Issue” Of Breast Size In Ju-Jitsu
When it comes to women’s BJJ issues, breast size is one that’s pretty much always relevant. To that extent, the anatomy of women is actually somewhat of an obstacle in this particular case. Especially when it comes to grappling with men, who are heavier and stronger. The issue here is mostly that of safety. Not only do men have no idea of the pain that breasts can cause, particularly during menses, but they have no idea how to keep ladies safe during rolling. From inadvertent strikes, so placing crazy amounts of weight, rolls can get really uncomfortable the bigger the size of your breasts is. To that extent, if you’re facing this issue, breast protection via specialized gear should be on the top of your priority list.
Next up is Gi acquisition. The thing with BJJ Gis’ is that there are simply not as many options for women as there are for men. That said, those that are available are usually of an athletic cut. That means that while they might fit perfectly at the level of the shoulder s and the waits, they oftentimes do not take into account cleavage. This can make choosing the right Gi a real headache unless you know where to look for the right GI. Keep in mind that certain brands do offer Gis that particular fit this type of needs.
Check out our guide to the best women’s Gis available out there today! Full Guide HERE!
Choosing The Right Bra
When it comes to breast size as one of the women’s BJJ issues, a great solution is to opt for a sports bra. However, given the size of your breasts, you can’t just go for any old piece of sportswear. BJJ is different than running or CrossFit and requires a different level of protection and support.
When choosing a bra for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, there are several things you need to pay close attention to. First of all the bras have no muscles and depend solely on one ligament. The heavier the breasts are, the more strain the ligament has to deal with. Throw in the exertions of BJJ and you have a recipe for disaster. To that extent, only high-grade specialized sports bras should be on your shopping list. Moreover, go for bras over braziers, as they provide a lot more protection and support. In fact, unless there are foam cups inside the bra, you probably shouldn’t consider it for grappling.
When it comes to straps, there are two things to consider. First, go for an X or Y shaped straps. This ensures they won’t be falling off during training, next, Make sure they’re large enough to bear the weight. To that extent, you should opt for straps that offer great adjustment without coming undone during rolling and training. Moreover, the closure has no impact sou feel free to choose front or back based on your preference. In terms of material, go for soft and elastic seem and straps, foam cups, and breathable material.
Check out our guide to the best BJJ training bras available out there today! Full Guide HERE!
In Conclusion
Breast size certainly is one of those women’s BJJ issues that deserve more recognition. And it is not just male training partners that need to be aware of it. Other female training partners also need to stay on top of this as it may prove to be a reason someone decides to quit Jiu-Jitsu.
https://bjj-world.com/best-bjj-training-bra-2019-guide/
Mario Lopez & Mark-Paul Gosselaar “Saved By The Bell” TV Stars Are Training Jiu-Jitsu Together
Angela Magana Lost Her Bra and a Fight against Amanda Cooper
Cryotherapy For BJJ And MMA Recovery
In today’s training people get the benefit of having science pave the way towards the best possible results. That holds true for both the professional MMA fighter and the recreational BJ guy/girl. The only problem is, science never stops exploring, so you while you might want to use it as a guide you don’t want to jump ship every time something new comes out. Still, some of the recent breakthroughs are definitely worth a try. One of those is cryotherapy. Speaking of it Cryotherapy for BJJ is probably the best possible way to rapidly recover from training.
In the quest for the utmost recovery system, athletes across the globe are willing to give anything a try. From proven stuff like massages and stretching to mumbo-jumbo like cupping. Wo where does Cryotherapy fit into all fo that. it is probably somewhere in the middle. Cryotherapy for BJJ, in particular, is an awesome recovery tool. The trick here is, doing it right. it is effective, albeit pretty new, and you can mess it up easily. That said if you can find a place that offers solid treatments. You’re going to recover faster compared to any other method.
Recovery And Grappling
During any kind of physical training, our bodies endure a lot of stress. All that stress causes damage to our muscles, which in turn, react by adapting and getting stronger. That is the main premise behind physical training in the first place. Well, with grappling you get a whole different type and amount of stress compared to any other physical endeavor.
Brazilian Jiu-=Jitsu is the art of controlling someone until such a time that you can apply a submission hold. Those submission holds are either moves that use leverage to cause a joint to break, or ways of choking someone unconscious, And that’s only the submission part of grappling. While we’re rolling, and in fact, even training, we get into a multitude of positions. During those, one person is on top and the other on the bottom. What people usually fail to factor in is pressure, awkward positioning of body parts, the inability to breathe, someone slipping, explosive movements going wrong, and a bunch of other stuff. All of this leads to soreness and inevitably injuries.
The strain from training is the main reason many grapplers turn to recovery methods even before they leave the mats. To that extent stretching or myofascial release are the usual suspects. Hot-Cold showers seem to be finding their way into grappling as well. However, the best possible thing you can do, scientifically proven, is Cryotherapy for BJJ.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy stands for treatment that uses freezing or near-freezing temperatures to enact changes in your body. It may be used for medicinal purposes, but mostly, ti is a recovery tool for high-level athletes. That said, nowadays, it is widely accessible to anyone in most spots in the world.
Basically, for cryotherapy sessions, you have two options that are spread worldwide. One is to get into a tank of sorts, where your head is sticking out. the rest of your body is in the tank and exposed to temperatures between -194 and -248 degrees Fahrenheit (-90 to -120 Celsius). The time spent inside varies but is usually between 2 and 5 minutes.
Apart from this type of cryo tank, there are also Cryotherapy chambers. In those, you go inside like in a sauna, with special gloves and a face mask on to prevent frostbite. The other parameters are pretty much the same, but this time, your entire body is exposed to the cold. in terms of Cryotherapy for BJJ athletes, both options work perfectly, but if you can get access to a full-body chamber, go for it!
Cryotherapy For BJJ And MMA Recovery
While Cryotherapy is still new and there’s a lot more to be learned about it, grapplers worldwide have been swearing by it. To that extent. Cryotherapy for BJJ does provide some benefits that are extremely desirable.
For starters, Cryotherapy helps relieve muscle pain and speed up muscle repair. If you’re a grappler that sounds like something too good to e true. Well, it is not. The cold causes your muscles and blood vessels to contract, flooding everything with blood when you get out. This means faster recovery and resolution of potential injuries. perfect!
Reducing inflammation is another big thing. Chronic inflammation is something every grappler that trains 5-6 a week has to worry about. Cryotherapy for BJJ is a great way of solving this particular issue. There’s ample research so far to back up this claim of cryotherapy, and this might be the most important benefit when it comes to grapplers.
Weight loss is another aspect of cryotherapy for BJJ that’s helpful. While you can’t expect to shed pounds in there like in a sauna, cryotherapy can help you both recover and drop some weight before a tournament which is something. No grappler is going to say “No” to that!
Final Thoughts
Cryotherapy might be one of the latest trends in the already questionable recovery world. Still, there’s science behind it and as much as more research is needed, it seems to work. To that extent, cryotherapy for BJJ and MMA fighters seems to be the ultimate solution to the recovery puzzle.
https://bjj-world.com/bjj-recovery-limber-11-routine/
BJJ Problems – Getting Smashed By Newcomer Wrestlers
When you get into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you get into the deepest part of a very densely shark-infested ocean. Once you survive it and start to really experience the gentle Art, for many people, that feeling of utter helplessness usually remains in the past. Okay, you get manhandled by the occasional high-level competitor and most black belts. However, as you yourself get near the black belt, it becomes unthinkable to experience that same level of torture you did in the first few months of BJJ. Then, an experienced wrestler walks through the door, wearing a white belt and shatters all your preconceptions and illusions of grappling dominance. And getting smashed by wrestlers, even as a black belt, is one of the BJJ problems everyone is going to face as a grappler.
“Leave your ego at the door” is one of those BJJ quotes that everyone knows and repeats. However, very few are actually able to do it. In fact, the most ego-driven people in Jiu-Jitsu are white belts and black belts. the former think they can resist everything, particularly if they’re big. Very soon though, they learn the truth. Black belts, however, are a whole different type. They’re all too eager to admit defeat at the hands of world class black belts and other superior grapplers. However, when it comes to “losing” at the hands of a white or blue belt, that black belt ego reaches new heights. This ego is just one of many BJJ problems that we’re all too familiar with.
The Power Of Wrestling
Not long ago, Ben Askren went on to criticize the organization of a common BJJ class. For most people out there, it made a lot of sense. However, that’s just about as far as they’ll go. Even top competition oriented gyms are not willing to change the laid back way of the BJJ class structure. On the other hand, there’s your usual wrestling class. It is high paced, it is extremely physical and only the warm-up is probably going to kill your everyday BJJ practitioner.
Wrestling has been this way for years, and there’s a great reason for it. If you want to truly become a grappling machine you need to make sure your body can handle it. It is not that wrestling is all about power and strength. On the contrary, it is a highly technical grappling martial art that requires years to master. However, the way wrestlers learn grappling is different from any other grappling martial art in the world. They focus on training like crazy in steamy hot rooms and tend to exhaust themselves before technical practice even begins. That’s how they develop not only a winning mindset and extreme technical knowledge, but the power to beat any other grappler without breaking a sweat.
This is precisely what one of the most common BJJ problems is. Jiu-Jitsu people have a hard time dealing with the power of wrestling as a whole. That includes technical knowledge, the mindset to prevail and the raw power and strength to turn every exchange in their favor. As BJJ grapplers we can either try and solve this problem wrestlers bring to the mat. Or we can learn from it and develop our art further to include similar training modalities in order to even the odds.
Common BJJ Problems – Dealing With Wrestlers
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs. wrestling is a rivalry as old as BJJ. Granted wrestling has been around for a much longer time, going back to ancient Greece and India. BJJ is a fairly new grappling martial art, but it is completely unique in that matter. Both arts have a lot to offer which is exactly why MMA fighters train in both on a regular basis.
In terms of goals, BJJ focuses mostly on ground fighting and controlling positions in very intricate and elaborate ways. Moreover, it places a strong emphasis on submissions as a means to an end. Wrestlers, on the other hand, focus mainly on getting the fight to the ground via a myriad of different throws, trips, and takedowns. That said, they also have a groundfishing portion where the focus is on pinning the opponent to the ground.
In terms of training methodology, in BJJ you warm up extremely lightly, do a technique and then try it out with position sparring. Afterward, it is were rolling time which mostly starts from the knees. Wrestling, on the other hand, uses a much more physical approach. They also use a system of drills that they repeat over and over again. To that extent, in wrestling, everything is live sparring, as opposed to Jiu-jitsu. And that’s why dealing with wrestlers is one of the toughest BJJ problems to solve.
“The Catch Wrestling Formula” DVD set by Neil Melanson is the perfect way to introduce some crazy wrestling into your BJJ. From brutal submissions and crazy setups to the wrestling no-defeat mindset, everything you need is in this instructional!
When Technique Doesn’t Conquer All
So back to our fundamental BJJ problems. When a wrestler with no experience walks through the door of a BJJ academy, people usually tend to underestimate him/her. Very soon, that impression changes. Starting from the lowest tiers of white belts, wrestlers quickly move up towards the higher belts. That said, they might get submitted by a brown/black belt, but they’ll cause l kinds of trouble to them all. In fact, it is not giving up a submission to a wrestler that is the real problem. It is getting manhandled in a way that’s reminiscent of early training days that scares black belts.
The trouble here is that such an approach to grappling is a real cold shower on the notion that technique conquers everything. Well if you’re a 155 lbs black belt and are up against a 220 lbs D1 wrestlers, there’s no amount of technique in the world that’ll get you out of it. A wrestler can literally play with you like a baker with pizza dough. And that’s at the core of one of the biggest BJJ problems- what to do with wrestlers.
As far as simple solutions go, there is only one. We need to integrate certain aspects of wrestling training into BJJ if we’re to even the odds. That doesn’t mean training like wrestlers, but it does mean adopting some modalities. If you ask me, adding writing-style drill training to BJJ is the best way to get the best out of both worlds. Who knows, it may just solve our unsolvable BJJ problem here!
Summary
All in all, wrestlers are too powerful and stubborn to concede defeat at most other grapplers out there. It will take a special blend of skill, tactics, and power to get the upper hand over them. To that extent, if we can find a way to achieve these, we’ll solve one of the most common BJJ problems of today. And get back some pride and further inflate those egos that we claim do not have.
The Difference Between Japanese (traditional) Jiu-Jitsu And BJJ
Theodore Roosevelt’s Jiu-Jitsu Training and his view on Wrestling vs Jiu Jitsu
Nothing New For You At A BJJ Promotion? So What?
The one moment in BJJ that has us turn into real nervous wrecks is actually not when we have to compete. The one moment every grappler looks forward to, but at the same time hates is BJJ promotion. Everything, from the class itself on that day, to the ceremony, is a recipe for stress. Why is that? Well, in most cases it is down to whether or not you expect to get that next belt or not. This feeling of anxiety, similar to waiting for test results, is completely normal. However, how you react to getting, and more importantly not getting a promotion is even more important.
Evey BJJ promotion I’ve been to always has at least one person that comes out sulking and fuming. “How come I didn’t get promoted and whats-his-name did?” This is usually followed by a bunch of other comments that actually annoy teammates and instructor a lot. If you did not get a belt or even a stripe for that matter, it is not the end of the world. there’s a reason for that, and one day you’ll come to respect the decision of your professor.
The BJJ Belt System Is There For A Reason
All martial arts have a grading system. Given that martial arts require us to use our bodies in order to better someone else with similar capabilities. There has to be a way to know who is at which level. In traditional martial arts, belts are there to visually demonstrate how “mature” a martial artist is. Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu uses a belt system that’s similar to those of Japanese martial arts.
Similarly to traditional martial arts, in BJJ you start off with a white belt, this means you know nothing and you have a big task ahead of you. When you’re ready, your professor is going to award you the next belt at a BJJ promotion ceremony. That is the blue belt, a darker color that symbolizes you now know something about what you’re doing. After that comes the purple, then brown and ultimately, the black belt.
This belt system is there for a reason. First of all, it comes in handy in competition when you need to get paired with an opponent. Next, it provides much-needed hierarchy inside the academy. Furthermore, it is a representation of a certain level of understanding you have of the art. Notice that I say understanding and not technical knowledge as belts are not about how much you know. To that extent, getting a BJJ belt is a task that’s more difficult than getting a belt in any other martial art. This is precisely why BJJ promotions are such big events.
What If You get Skipped During A BJJ Promotion?
First of all, let’s make something clear – there’s no way you et skipped for a BJJ promotion. You either deserve it or you don’t. BJJ promotion is rarely a spur of the moment thing. Yes, someone might get a belt as recognition for hard work outside of a given date. Or the instructor might promote a student on the podium after a stellar display at a competition. Thos are the exceptions. As far as the rule goes, professors always know who’s going to get what belt. Did you think belts just magically materialize out of thin air in the academy with the right size whenever someone gets them?
Let me share with you the other side of the BJJ promotion story. Instructors and professors have the hard task of deciding whenever someone is fit for that next big step that is a BJJ belt. This does not come easy, believe me! If there was a test, like in other martial arts, instructors could at least use a grading system to figure out if you’re ready. Instead, in BJJ it’s all about your overall behavior.
Do you get on time to each class? How often do you go to class in a given week? Are you attentive and careful or cracking jokes during class? How do you act while you’re rolling? How do you fare in competition (which does not equate to how many medals you’ve won) etc. Everything, up to your conduct outside the academy comes into account when you’re being considered for a belt promotion. And that is no easy task, believe me!
Stripes And Belts Are Not The Everything
Whevner a BJJ promotion passes you by, it is not down to chance. Know that professors take a really good look at everyone that gets even a stripe, let alone a belt. If you’re a part of a serious academy its not about money or the number of belts you get. It is about how much you Jiu-Jitsu and your overall behavior is fitting to a certain color of a belt.
Stripes and belts are by no means a measure of how much you know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. On the contrary, they’re just ways of showing you how far you’ve come along in the art. Getting a stripe or a belt is not something that’s needed to show everyone how good you are. Understand that stripes and belts, as happy as they make you feel, are things meant only or you. They’re a recognition of the way you approach Jiu-Jitsu and not just how many submissions you can pull off in a roll.
Next time you think you’re up for a BJJ promotion and do not get what you think you deserve. don’t smirk and sulk. Instead, ask your instructor what you need to do in order to improve and reach the required standards. Moreover, if you don’t get a belt, it means that you’re in a great BJJ academy and that your professor requires a lot of dedication to award you that much anticipated next belt.
In Conclusion
BJJ belts are huge milestones in our journey as grapplers. However, they’re much sweeter when they’re thoroughly deserved, rather than just received on the basis of time spent in the gym or other criteria. THere’s no point in wearing a belt you’re not growing into, is there? Trust the BJJ promotion process and be particularly grateful if your professor is one of those that doesn’t just give belts away.
OSS Meaning: Discover Its Origin, Usage, And Purport In Martial Arts
You Think You Deserve a New Belt? Go Ask Your Instructor About It! Maybe He’s Wrong!
Swimming For BJJ And MMA Conditioning
When it comes to BJJ conditioning you’ll hear different stories from different people. Everyone swears in something, from CrossFit to the old-school practice or running slowly for miles. In essence, every type of conditioning you do is helpful to your body. Yes, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is different from other sports and requires specific training, However, you can get conditioning out of everything you do. The main trouble is not choosing the right energy system training balance. it is the choice of training methods itself. Swimming for BJJ is not high on most people’s list of possible conditioning methods. And that is a huge mistake.
I remember hearing Eddie Bravo on the Joe Rogan Podcast right after his second match with Rolyelr Gracie at Metamoris. before giving a breakdown of the match Bravo outlined how he got ready for it. We all know that he pushed the pace all the time and nearly got Royler in a submission. WEll, Bravo’smethod of choice was swimming and it made me scratch my head. Swimming for BJJ is that really a good idea? Well, as it turns out it is not just a good conditioning tool, but perhaps the best one available to grapplers and fighters!
Conditioning For BJJ – The Demands
When it comes to conditioning yourself for grappling, nothing can really get you used to it like training BJJ in the first place. However, that age-old Marcelo approach of only rolling hard is utter nonsense. You need to get your body ready for maximal exertion and you can’t just do that by rolling, The reason is that the better you get at BJJ the more efficient you become, that means using less muscle, more leverage and not getting the same conditioning to kick out of your rolls. Then, you get to a competition and you gas out in the first couple of minutes when the adrenalin gets pumping. An all too familiar story.
Getting in shape for BJJ includes two main things – strength training and conditioning training. Let’s leave strength aside and focus on not gassing out for now. During a BJJ match or a roll, you are in almost constant motion. Yes, that includes the times when you’re trapped under someone or controlling them from the top. Then, you have bursts of highly explosive movements that are key to solving scrambles or hitting a transitional submission. Finally, you have all the isometric stuff that requires you to hold frames and positions for a while before you can switch.
The main trouble with complete conditioning training for BJJ is that it requires a lot of time. Moreover, training for all of these requirements with running or kettlebells or what not puts an even further strain on your body. The solution is simple – swimming for BJJ conditioning, there’s no impact, no stress, and crazy conditioning benefits in return.
Check out the “1% better Every Day” DVD by Ricky Lundell for an alternative way to get ultra strong for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
The Ultimate Solution: Swimming For BJJ Athletes
When it comes to swimming for BJJ, there’s actually not much to it. First up you need access to water. For those that live by oceans, seas or lakes, and even certain rivers, this is not really a problem. All others have an easy solution – pools. Whether they’re open or closed, all you need is a pool. A second thing that’s actually not mandatory is knowing how to swim. For those that know, and have access to a pool or an ocean, everything is set. Those that don’t know how to swim are actually in a better position It doesn’t take long to learn fro am a certified instructor and you’ll end up with the perfect technique that means you can gain much more form swimming for BJJ conditioning.,
In terms of training, you won’t need to go swimming too often. Two times per week is the bare minimum, with four being probably optimal, depending on how much you grappler throughout the week. Al in all, you can use swimming for recovery purposes at the same time.
In terms of setting up training, a pool offers just about everything you need to get in crazy grappling shape, You can go for long distance, you can sprint, or you can use different swimming techniques. All of those bring about different challenges to your body. In fact, Swimming is the absolute best way to make sure you get in shape to deal with everything, from marathon running to BJJ training and competitions.
A Sample Swimming Workout For Fighters
As far as particular workouts go, the sky is the limit, You can program them yourself, get someone from the academy to do it or get a conditioning coach. A great way is to ask a swimming coach to set it up for you as they understand the demands of swimming better than anyone. That said, when it comes to swimming for BJJ here are a couple of sample workouts to get you going!
Entry Level Workout
Total Yardage: 600
2 x 50 warm up with any stroke you want- 4 x 25 free counting strokes – the goal is to hit the same number of strokes for each length you swim
- 4 x 50, with 30 second rest. Try to swim at the same pace for each 50 yard length
- 4 x 25 free counting strokes – just like before
- 2 x 50 cool down – any stroke
Intermediate Level Workout
Total Yardage: 1000
- 100 yards freestyle warm up
- 100 free strokes – during the first length breathe on the 3rd pull, during the second on the 5, 7, 9 pulls
- 50 Backstroke
- 50 Navy Seal kicks
- 4 x 50 free with (20 – 30 seconds)
- 100 dolphin kick, first length face down, 2nd face up, 3rd one side, 4th other side
- 2 x 25 butterfly
- 50 backstroke
- 100 100 warm up
- 100 free, first length breathe on 3rd pull, 2nd length breathe on 5, 7, 9
- 50 Backstroke
- 50 Navy Seal kicks
- 4 x 50 free with timed rest (20 – 30 seconds)
- 100 dolphin kick, first length face down, 2nd face up, 3rd one side, 4th other side
- 2 x 25 butterfly
- 50 backstroke
- 4 x 25 breaststroke, first length no glide, 2nd 1 sec, 3rd 2 seconds, 4th 3 second glide
- 100 freestyle cool down
The Best Strength & Conditioning DVD and Digital Instructionals
Yarden Gerbi DVD Review Fundamental Judo Mastery
Yarden Gerbi is an Israeli Judoka who is one of the best grapplers in the world today. She is a highly regarded black belt and World Champion, as well as an Olympic medalist. She is also one of the best when it comes to teaching Judo. Now retired from international Judo competition, Gerby certainly has some time on her hands. And, we’re grateful that that time brought about the ‘Fundamental Judo Mastery” Yarden Gerbi DVD. It is basically a blueprint to beat anyone, In Judo or BJJ, regardless of level and with absolute certainty!
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Yarden Gerbi – Fundamental Judo Mastery (DVD/DIGITAL)
In this day and age of countless DVD instructionals, both grappling, striking, MMA and any other, those with by female martial artist are really rare. I couldn’t think as to why this is, given that most times they’re actually much better instructors than their male counterparts. So, when I came across a DVD with a female instructor, moreover a World Champion and Olympic medalist. This Yarden Gerbi DVD is a great refresher in the world of digital grappling instructionals. Picking up the Fundamental Judo Mastery DVD set is a no-brainer for a whole host of reasons. Read on to discover what some of them are.
Who Is Yarden Gerbi?
Let’s take a peek into the career of the amazing Yarden Gerbi before we go any further with her DVD. For one, she is a 29-year-old Judoka, that was born in Kfar Saba, Israel. She had an impressive Judo career, conquering pretty much everything a Judoka would hope for. By the age of 24, she was already five times national champion of Israel. On top of that, she won the 2013 World Judo Championship in the 63kg division. Furthermore, Gerbi got a bronze medal for Israel in the 2016 Rio Olympics, just before announcing her retirement from international competition.
Gerbi started practicing Judo at the early age of 6. From the first moment, her coach was Shani Hershko, who was also the national women’s Judo coach. She started dominating the Judo scene around 2007 when she won her first Israeli National Championship. Success and medals at tournaments like the Belo Horizonte World Cup, Baku World Cup, and European Judo Championships soon followed. It was not until 2013 though, that she really hit a stride, winning the world title in Rio. three years later, once again in Rio, she won the bronze medal in the Olympics to crown a very rich and impressive Judo career.
Gerbi is known as an aggressive and attacking Judoka. She is also an innovator and is probably most famous for her Gerbi choke. If you haven’t seen it so far, it is a modification of the Peruvian Necktie to an extent. What Yarden did is modify this highly effective choke to fit Judo needs. SHe introduced lapels into the mix, making the choke that much tighter and more difficult to escape. And yes, this choke features in the “Fundamental Judo Mastery” Yarden Gerbi DVD.
Yarden Gerbi DVD Review: Fundamental Judo Mastery
To be honest, learning from a lady grappler is a preference for me whenever possible. As a smaller framed grappler, I find that technique is the only way to get the upper hand on larger and stronger opponents. Well, there’s nobody better at pure technique than female grapplers. it is not just smaller grapplers though, that need to learn from female grapplers. Everyone is going to benefit from becoming more technical, and, as Yarder Gerbi can demonstrate, the ladies are in prime position to teach us that.
This Yarden Gerbi DVD set has four total volumes, filled with integral Judo information. The first and second volume focuses on the most effective throws and sweeps Judo has to offer. It is not just a demonstration of techniques though, but also of ways to outsmart an opponent and set them all up perfectly. Volume three goes deeper into the realm of Judo grip fighting than any other I’ve seen so far. Moreover, every little tip and trick is completely transferrable to BJJ as well, so pay attention to this one. Finally, volume four of the ‘Fundamental Judo Mastery” instructional goes over some neat sweeping tactics, along with the famous Gerbi choke.
Volume 1 – Fundamentals Of Judo
Just like the name of this Yarden Gerbi DVD suggests, the opening volume is all about the fundamentals of Judo. However, she doesn’t teach you how to break fall or hold someone in a Kesa Gatame position. Instead, Gerbi focuses on the most effective Judo throws that are simple and basic by nature. Conversely, they’re also the highest-percentage throws in the entire sport. As such, they have a perfect carryover to BJJ and are even useful for MMA.
The subjects covered in this first volume start with the hardest Judo throw you can master – the Uchi Mata. Yes, it is a fundamental throw, but it requires a lot of precision and technical knowledge. luckily Gerbi knows all about it, and more importantly, she knows how to teach it. Almost half of the first volume is all about the Uchi Mata. And that includes an awesome Uchi Mata counter. It is also the best way to learn everything about the throw, outside of getting a private with Yarden.
Other subjects include the Tani Otoshi (a favorite of mine). There’s also great info on the Kouchi and Ouchi Gari, plus a great combination of them both.
Volume 2 – Advanced Judo Fundamentals
In the second volume of “Fundamental Judo mastery” Yarden continues to explore the basic throws of the sport. here, moves like the Uki Goshi and Tai Otoshi are among the opening chapters. There’s also a real Osoto Gari masterclass in here. As simple as that sweep might be, it is also crazy effective and is particularly useful to BJJ grapplers.
Also in this volume, Gerbi introduces some tactical work. In Judo, it is very important how you position yourself in relation to your opponent. She covers the basics of same and opposite side stances and grips for executing various throws. Furthermore, moves like the Ippon Seio Nage and Sode Tsurikomi also feature, bringing in crazy amounts of variety to the throwing game. The ever-present Uchi Mata also features again, this time from the Maki Komi perspective. With volume two of the Yarden Gerbi DVD, we put a wrap on throwing techniques and move to different fundamental aspects of Judo.
Volume 3 – The Judo Gripping Game
I was stoked about this volume of the “Fundamental Judo Mastery” Yarden Gerbi DVD instructional more than any other! Suffice to say, I was not disappointed. That said, this DVD is all about grip fighting. If you think grips are important in BJJ, you should see the difference they make in Judo. Basically, the first one to get superior grips gets the chance to send the other person flying.
First of all, gripping is divided into two categories in this volume. The first is according to stance, meaning you get right vs. right and left vs. right. next up ti is the position, meaning sleeve and collar grips, either high or low. From there on, Gerbi teaches how to control opponents as well as how to free yourself from a dangerous grip. But it doesn’t stop there. There’s crucial information on how to actually use the grips once you get them. That includes braking posture and even ways of confusing your opponent by switching grips. A basic choke entry off of successful grip fighting completes this volume.
Volume 4 – The Art Of Sweeps
The opening sequence of this final portion of the Yarden Gerbi DVD is going to be particularly of interest to Jiu-Jitsu folks. It contains the insider details on the Gerbi choke. Let me put it in simple terms – this choke is brutal, effective, easy to get, and works every single time! Gerbi herself has used it to win countless Judo matches at the highest levels.
Apart from the Gerbi choke which takes up the first chapter, this volume is the ultimate Ashi Waza or sweeping guide. From basic turnovers to deadly sweep combinations, this is the perfect DVD for people that don’t like shooting for takedowns or going for upper body throws. Moreover, it contains a blueprint on how to practice all the sweeps in order to master them in record time!
Summary
“Fundamental Judo Mastery” is much more than just a Judo DVD. It contains crazy amounts of grappling information applicable to just about any grappling martial art. Moreover, this being A Yarden Gerbi DVD, you’re getting information from a World Champion and Judo Olympian. Plus, it’s all as technical as hell. What more could you want?
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Yarden Gerbi – Fundamental Judo Mastery (DVD/DIGITAL)
“Sao Paolo Passing System” Leo Nogueira DVD Review
The closed guard is no longer a position that creates nearly as many struggles as it did when BJJ first appeared. Well, not for those that have a few ways of passing it, anyway. The truth is that the options to get out of the closed guard are numerous and they do go beyond standing opening and the basic knee opening. Even if you get your posture broken, and you’re trapped on top of your opponent, you can still pass. In fact, you can pass better. How? Well, the “Sao Paolo Passing System” Leo Nogueira DVD is the complete blueprint on one possible way. Well, more than one, really.
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Leo Nogueira – Sao Paolo Passing System (DVD/DIGITAL)
A Leo Nogueira DVD on the Sao Paolo Passing System. A world champion and highly renowned black belt demonstrating the most devastating way to pass the closed guard. Of course, you’re interested. I went over this DVD several times and I’m still hooked to watching it! It is a real treasure if you ask me. Information on the Sao Paolo pass is scarcer than you might imagine.. believe me. Ever since I got a serious knee injury, this turned into my best option of passing the closed guard. And, I have done my research very thoroughly. Leo Nogueira’s instructional is by far the best possible resource on this passing system. Plus, there are more passes that you can connect to the Sao Paolo fro an unstoppable top game!
How to Pass Everyone’s Guard with Leo Nogueira
Leo Nogueira is a Fabio Gurgel black belt and Alliance team, member. Interestingly, the 31-year-old is originally from Sao Paolo, Brazil. The heavyweight started training at 16 and became a world champion as early as a blue belt. Soon after that, he changed camps, choosing Alliance as his base of operations. It turned out to be the right choice as he won a bunch roe World, European and Pan titles. He got his black belt in 2009 after becoming the brown belt IBJJF world champion. With notable wins over the likes of Buchecha, Keenan Cornelius and Xhande Ribeiro, Nogueira established himself as one of the top heavyweights out there.
The one thing people recognize Leo Nogueira for is the Sao Paolo Passing system. He is not the inventor of the Sao Paolo pass, but rather the man to take it to new heights in modern BJJ. The Sao Paolo, or Tozi pass came to us courtesy of Roberto Tozi somewhere in the early 2000s. It broke all the rules of conventional closed guard passing and still worked like a charm. I mean, when Roger Gracie integrates a move in his game, that alone is enough of a testament to its efficiency, isn’t it?
Given that Tozi himself was a heavyweight, it is only natural that another heavyweight would have tremendous success with his passings system. Enter Leo Nogueira, whose keen mind and endless hours on the mats transformed the Sao Paolo into the most powerful guard pass of today. And there’s now a Leo Nogueira DVD out there, explaining it in great detail, over four volumes filled with high-level grappling information!
Sao Paolo Passing System – a Leo Nogueira DVD review
This Leo Nogueira DVD is organized like most BJJ DVD instructionals of today. It has four volumes, follows a clear progression and delivers a bunch of never-before-seen information. The one thing that makes it special is the choice of subject. Even if people tried to cover the Sao Paolo Passing system before, no one is more versed with it that Nogueira. Leo is a master competitor, but he is also an amazing Jiu-Jitsu instructor as well. You can tell that he has years of experience with the Sao Paolo pass simply form the depth of his understanding of the technique.
The DVD starts with an introductory course to the Sao Paolo. From the basic Tozi pass to some modern-day Nogueira innovations, it’s all in volume one. The second volume widens the scope, looking into using the Sao Paolo system to pass other guards. Some of those that feature are the butterfly, spider, and lasso guards. Speaking of the lasso guard, There’s an entire volume (the third one) dedicated to dealing with this pesky open guard. Nogueria ends with a volume on De la Riva and leg drag passes that use Sao Paolo passing principles.
DVD 1
Kicking things off is a section on the Sao Paolo Passing system basics. In fact, at this point, it is more of an explanation of the pass itself than the whole system. The most basic variation of the Sao Paolo is, after all, the position zero of this Leo Nogueira DVD. Speaking of basics, there are many more variations here, then you’ve seen anywhere before. From passing with the lapel in hand to passing with a high posture, it is all in there.
The second position of the first volume focus on how you should move once you set the pass up. This is where most people mess things up, so make sure you pay close attention. Weave pressure is integral, and no one can explain it better than Leo Nogueira. Options include passing with a neck crank, pressure weaving t mount, folding and much more!
DVD 2
In the second volume, this Leo Nogueira DVD opens up, literally. Instead of focusing on the closed guard, Nogueira witches focus to open guards. If you’ve ever seen Roger Gracie fight, you know that he likes to use the Sao Paolo passing system against the butterfly guard. That’s exactly where Leo starts. he offers great ways of rendering the butterfly guard useless and passing with ease. There’s a folding pass thrown into the mix that really makes it impossible for anyone to retain the butterfly guard.
A large portion of this part is also dedicated to passing the spider guard. For anyone regularly training in the Gi, the spider guard is one of the major nuisances during rolling. Well, it turns out there’s a Sao Paolo solution to the problem. in fact, there are several, in the form of passing to different sides, or even a crazy one with a bridge.
DVD 3
Volume three turns the attention to the biggest nightmare of Gi Jiu-Jitsu – lapel guards. In particular, this is the portion on passing eth lasso guard, which most practitioners out there will find more than useful. This is also the largest part of this Leo Nogueira DVD containing almost a dozen different chapters. Passing starts from the spider guard but soon moves on to different ways of dealing with the lasso.
The way Leo Nogueira passes the lasso guard depends on the guard variation. He includes options to dismantle the basic lasso, the deep lasso, and even the short lasso. In terms of passing, everything from torreando and knee slice all the way to flip passes are included. While these are not Sao Paolo passes per se, they’re still a part of the Sao Paolo passing system. As such, they offer a versatile and innovative way past the lasso guard.
DVD 4
Finally, we have a volume that turns to the De la Riva guard and all accompanying variations. Here Nogueira offers different passing variations, starting with the staple pass. This is one of the best passes in BJJ, and it is dreadfully underused. That said, it ties in perfectly with the Sao Paolo Passing system. Moreover, there are leg drag variations, like the inverted leg drag that will blow your mind!
A few more passes, in the shape of folding, passes, backsteps and even a stack pass asl omake an appearance here. They’re a clear demonstration that this Leo Noguera DVD is anything but one dimensional. Moreover, they offer neat ways of taking the Sao Paolo much further than it can go on its own!
Conclusion
All in all, the Sao Paolo PAssing system is finally no longer a riddle. Thanks to this Leo Nogueira DVD, we now know the secrets behind this devastating pass. but this is more than just a simple guard passing DVD. It is a blueprint for connecting every aspect of your top game into a foolproof gameplan!
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Leo Nogueira – Sao Paolo Passing System (DVD/DIGITAL)