Cowboy Cerrone Remembers Crazy Near-Death ATV Experience

By
BJJ World
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Cowboy Cerrone Remembers Crazy Near-Death ATV Experience

In a recently surfaced video, UFC Hall-of-Famer and wild man Donald Cowboy Cerrone recounts how a harrowing ATV accident nearly claimed his life. Known for his relentless spirit and fearless approach, both inside and outside the octagon, Cerrone’s tale of survival adds yet another chapter to his already legendary status.

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“I remember dying. I remember it’s clearly, clearly dying, and I know they talk about DMT, like, the strongest hallucinogenic on the planet.”

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Cowboy Cerrone On Crashing His ATV

The Incident Where Cowboy Cerrone Died (For a While)

The incident occurred 15 years ago, but the memory remains vivid for Cerrone. While riding an ATV at high speed, he lost control and crashed, resulting in severe injuries that left him fighting for his life.

The aftermath was nothing short of a nightmare. Cerrone’s intestines were shredded, and he required immediate medical attention to save his life. The severity of his injuries was staggering, and the recovery process was grueling.

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“I remember dying. It was the most peaceful, graceful feeling,” Cerrone recounted as he went out after the accident. “It was just black. I had no spiritual awakening, I didn’t see the other side. I just passed away.”

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When he was brought to the hospital, he came in with all his ribs broken, punctured lungs, and significant internal bleeding. In fact, he was pronounced dead at the scene for a while, before returning to the land of the living thanks to the work done by EMTs.

It took weeks of recovery in a medically induced coma for Cerrone to wake up. When he did, he was completely lost and in such intense pain that he ended up ripping out his catheter, adding to his injuries.

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“You know the pain if you’ve ever caught it on the zipper before? Imagine that, but much worse,” 

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In a recent video, the Cowboy Cerrone ATV accident featured again, as the fighter recounted the events, sparking renewed interest in his life and career. Beyond the dramatic retelling, the video also provides insight into Cerrone’s crazy strong mindset that landed him on top of so many legendary UFC scraps.

The fighter’s brush with death left him with lasting internal damage, including the removal of 9 feet of intestines and half of his stomach. His harrowing recollections provide a sobering perspective on the risks of his profession and the fortitude it takes to recover from life-threatening injuries.

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“I was racing some motocross and I wrecked real bad and just kind of spilled my guts out,” he said. “They had to take a bunch of my intestines and part of my stomach.”
“What happened this time is, my stomach basically rolled around the intestine. Man, talk about pain. It was like someone was stabbing me. Oh, it was so brutal!”

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A Life of Thrills and Spills

Cerrone’s near-death experience on the ATV is just one of many wild stories in his life. Known for his adrenaline-fueled antics, ‘Cowboy’ has always lived on the edge.

From wild horseback rides to daring stunts, Cowboy Cerrone death brushes are quite a common thing in the octagon, as the fighter seemingly tries to replicate the intensity of his fighting career:

  • Falling Off a Cliff – In 2013 Cowboy Cerrone fell off a cliff during rock climbing, angering Dana White to an extreme.
  • Hunting Accident – 2016 saw Cerrone post a gruesome eye injury that was a result of shooting a rifle while hunting off of a horse, which spooked the horse.
  • Suba Dive Malfunction – As he was trying to find a $500 hidden prize, Cowboy’s suit filled with water during a scuba dive and he barely managed to survive.
  • Car Accidents – There have been more than we can recount, but one sticks out, where Cerrone ended up with his truck flipped on its roof in New Mexico, just days before fighting Tim Means.
  • Short Notice Fighting – Cerrone once fought two times in the UFC in the span of two weeks, in January 2015, winning both of them.

One of the most captivating aspects of Cerrone’s persona is his ability to blend his fighting legacy with his adventurous spirit. Fans have seen him take on the toughest opponents in the UFC, but his off-the-cuff exploits add a layer of unpredictability that keeps them hooked.

Cowboy’s Legendary UFC Legacy

Inside the octagon, Cerrone’s legacy is undeniable. With numerous records under his belt, including the most wins and finishes in UFC history, he has cemented his place as one of the sport’s greats.

His fighting style—marked by precision striking, impeccable grappling, and an indomitable will—has earned him a legion of fans worldwide. Cerrone’s ability to bounce back from adversity is a testament to his resilience.

Whether it’s recovering from life-threatening injuries or facing setbacks in his fighting career, he always comes back stronger. This tenacity has made him a role model for many aspiring fighters but his recent idea to come out of retirement was met with scepticism from Dana White, who we agree with:

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“If it’s about money, he can do something else,” said White. “Cause he ain’t gonna fight for the rest of his life, he’s always gonna need to make money. So let’s figure that out now instead of three years from now.”

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Cowboy Cerrone Remembers Crazy Near-Death Experience

There’s Nobody Like Cowboy Cerrone! 

Donald Cowboy Cerrone’s life is a testament to living fearlessly. His near-death ATV accident is just one of many stories that illustrate his indomitable spirit and unyielding passion for adventure.

Beyond the octagon, Cerrone has engaged in a series of wild stunts that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. From horseback riding escapades to daring motorcycle jumps his off-the-cuff exploits add a layer of unpredictability that mirrors the intensity of his fighting career.

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Grappling Continuum DVD Review Zack Esposito, Shawn Williams, and Warren Stout

By
Ognen Dzabirski
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Grappling Continuum DVD Review Zack Esposito

Key Takeaways

  • A No-Gi instructional taught by three coaches, who are experts in different aspects of grappling. 
  • Covers fundamental wrestling engagement tactics from standing that can be replicated on the bottom.   
  • Includes passing, takedowns, grip fighting, submissions, sweeps and counters.
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 9 out of 10.

THE GRAPPLING CONTINUUM DVD GET IT HERE:

Grappling Continuum DVD Preview Zack Esposito, Shawn Williams
SEE THE TRAILER: Grappling Continuum DVD

You need better wrestling for your BJJ. That’s a sentence I can freely share with 90% of BJJ practitioners and I would be correct. However, what is it exactly that you need to be focusing on from wrestling that would help your BJJ without overcomplicating things or having to learn a whole new combat sport?

That, right there, is one of the hardest questions to answer in this day and age of grappling. What is fundamental and what’s the stuff we absolutely can’t grapple without? The Grappling Continuum DVD, a very well-put-together collaborative effort between three standout coaches offers plenty of answers to these questions.

Fundamental Wrestling Techniques 

I have no idea what’s fundamental in grappling at this point in time. I’ll go ahead and use the term for every move that seems to be inevitable when we engage, whether it is standing or on the ground. Actually, the moves that apply to both get my vote as fundamental over anything else.

This should make it easier for you to sift through the millennia of knowledge that’s contained in wrestling, as you attempt to figure out what to use in BJJ and what to leave. Given the usual reasons for people being different, both in body and mind, as well as the different goals, the fundamentals have to be stuff that would apply to all, and not be subject to individual influences.

So, what are the fundamentals of wrestling for BJJ then? Getting close to the opponent, attaching yourself to their neck, arm, or leg, stopping them from attaching, taking away balance, and preventing the bottom person from standing back up. These will do for now and are exactly what you can pick up quickly from the Grappling Continuum DVD.

A Standout Grappling Trio

Whoever thought of putting this dream team together for a specific grappling DVD is a genius, and I’d love for more work like this to start appearing. Instead of just the condensed idea of one coach, in this instructional, we get to enjoy the expertise of three coaches, each of them expert in a different field:

Zack Esposito is a wrestling coach at Oklahoma State, with several Big 12 titles to his name in that role. He has also guided many wrestlers to NCAA D1 All-American Titels and national championships, as well as being in the corner of UFC champions like Johnny Hendricks and Daniel Cormier. He is the wrestler in this deadly trio of grappling experts.

Shawn Williams represents BJJ as a Renzo Gracie black belt and one of the best innovators in the sport. The man behind the Williams Guard and a host of other incredibly effective systems, as well as one of the greatest coaching minds in Jiu-Jitsu in this century, is the glue that holds the material in this Grappling Continuum DVD together.

Warren Stout, a Lehigh wrestling legend and 3rd-degree BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie is the final piece in this puzzle. He has been helping Renzo and Shawn Willimas with wrestling for two decades and has spent time training with Rolls Gracie, Mauro Sergio, and John Danaher. These days, he coaches MMA fighters and grapplers at multiple locations.

Grappling Continuum DVD Review: Zack Esposito, Shawn Williams, and Warren Stout

This three-person instructional dubbed the Grappling Continuum DVD is a very useful project that provides plenty of expert information from various perspectives about the same grappling exchanges. It has six volumes, each of them with a different length, and a total of 3 hours of material:

Part 1 – How to Engage

In one of the best DVDs I’ve seen about wrestling for Ji-Jitsu, the opening sections feature short intros by all the coaches involved in it. Given the combined knowledge of Shawn, Warren, and Zack I was wondering how the material delivery would flow at this point.

It turns out I had nothing to worry about, as the three know each other pretty well and already have a way to work together. most of the first volume of the Grappling Continuum DVD covers the basics nobody likes to learn (at least as a beginner).

There are lots of movement basics, stance details, and instructions on how to manage distance to engage, both on the feet and on the ground. I loved that all the material demonstrated stating, is then translated to direct use in BJJ by looking at guarded scenarios.

Part 2 – Grip Fighting 

Another aspect most people hate to learn is grip fighting. Well, Shawn and Co. make it as fun as it can get in this part of the Grappling Continuum DVD, covering mostly how to keep your arms free of engagement.

The focus is first on the elbow and collar ties, with low-energy, high-efficiency ways of clearing them in No-Gi situations. A set of hand-fighting drills to help you figure out timing really helps with the point they’re making.

As the material progresses, the attention switches to the 2-on-1 grip, and how to approach wrist control, or rather how to clear wrist grips which, as it turns out, matter more than the upper arm one. I really enjoyed the portion on disrupting opponents, as it is something I’m focused on myself at the moment.

Part 3 – Butterfly Guard Applications

In part three of the Grappling Continuum DVD Shawn takes the steering wheel, focusing a lot on the butterfly guard and integrating everything shared so far into an easy-to-follow game, that seems to be just as uncomplicated to pull off in rolling.

Sticking to engaging with grips, he quickly explains how to use armdrags, head snaps, and elbow control to disrupt balance and sweep. His end-range sweeping move of choice here is the ankle pick, which works beautifully.

As this volume draws to its conclusion, we also get to see how to use the tie-clearing tactics from the previous one to easily brush off collar tie attempts from the person on top.

Part 4 – Getting the 2-on-1

Past the halfway point, Zack, Shawn, and Warren’s Grappling Continuum DVD introduces attacks from standing, with the 2-on-1 grip featuring in the main role. The way they present it is with the 2-on-1 as the main goal, with entries and takedowns representing branches that stem from it.

Attacks include takedowns, controlled scoring, establishing side control after taking the match to the mats, and a few turtle breakdowns, just to cover all bases. A key principle on how to use pushing, pulling, and shoveling makes all of the above possible, once again allowing you to exert the minimum possible amount of energy.

Part 5 – All About the Double Leg 

Everyone’s favorite takedown to watch, but least favorite to do (at least for Jiu-Jitsu folks) is the center of attention in the penultimate portion of the Grappling Continuum DVD. The coaches start from the setup, looking at armdrags and collar ties as the starting points.

In fact, they go very far in detailing why shooting is a big risk in BJJ, and clinch-type setups are far more effective. They also offer instruction on recognizing guillotine dangers and maneuvering around them to finish the double in full control. Toward the end, the single leg also gets a mention, as a common follow-up or predecessor to the double leg takedown.

Part 6 – Snapdowns, Turtle and Extra Concepts 

As we get to the final part of the instructional, the coaches use their time to finish up offering bits and pieces that maybe had no place in the previous content but definitely make it easier to figure out how to do the stuff they already presented.

From a look at the stiff arm turtle (a.k.a. referee’s position) to reverse Tae Otoshi straight into guard passing, this portion contains all the extra stuff you might be wondering about in terms of using the material. I liked the snap-down guillotine and also enjoyed the concept of feet-to-floor training and a high level of control from standing engagement to pin.

Training Jiu-Jitsu With A Purpose

The moment you start engaging with your opponent, which usually means you’re standing, you need to only move with a clear purpose of attacking, defending, or creating better angles and opportunities. Unfortunately, I often see people grappling without purpose, but rather for the sake of just ‘play fighting’.

You’ve heard that you need to have something you’re testing out in rolls, or else they only count as low-yield cardio at best. Well, testing something out, or specializing as BJJ grapplers like to say, means you are after a goal, which gives you purpose. That’s the easy part.

The hard part is to hone in on that purpose from the moment you start a roll or match, not just when you’re close to it. If passing is your area of research, then you should be thinking about how to stay past the legs after taking the opponent down as soon as you slap and bump, not after you engage.

This point, and lots of similar ones are at the core of the material that three of the best grappling coaches in the world present in the collaborative effort that is the Grappling Continuum DVD.

Grappling Continuum DVD Review Zack Esposito Free Sample
WATCH A FREE SAMPLE: Grappling Continuum Zack Esposito, Shawn Williams, Warren Stout

DOWNLOAD HERE: THE GRAPPLING CONTINUUM DVD

Finish Strong!

It’s all about the finish in BJJ, isn’t it? Sound familiar? Well, a strong finish is only going to be possible if you start effectively, give yourself every advantage, and have a clear idea of what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and when to do it. It sounds very Danaher-y when I put it like this, so why not make things simple and learn from the Grappling Continuum DVD? Zack, Shwan, and Warren break things down so that even strikers can understand it.

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Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD Review [2025]

By
Ognen Dzabirski
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Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD Review

Key Takeaways

  • A Gi BJJ DVD that has Roger Gracie explaining what he thinks and does when passing guard. 
  • Features pressure passing scenarios based on concepts that relate to realistic scenarios.  
  • Includes examples of passing the knee shield, half guard, and closed guard. 
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 10 out of 10.

ROGER GRACIE GUARD PASSING SYSTEM DVD GET HERE:

Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD Preview
FULL TRAILER: Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD

There is no point in watching Roger Gracie pass guards, with or without the Gi, if you don’t have any context as to what he is doing. Okay, you understand the basics of BJJ positions and can figure out what passing is and what guards are. But what is Roger doing?

I think the more important thing is what is Roger thinking, and that’s something you can’t analyze using footage – you have to go to the source. In this case, the best source to figure it out said from asking Roger himself, is to get your hands on the Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD. You have the chance to do it – will you grab it?

Pass Like Roger Gracie

Yeah, you wish. But you’re welcome to try! The cold hard truth is that you’ll never be able to pass like Roger unless you’re Roger. You can, however, learn from everything Roger has done in his lifetime of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

With passing on the menu today, we get to revisit the craziness that is the Roger Gracie closed guard pass, and his unbeatable strategy when it comes to destroying people’s guards. In fact, they managed to, seemingly easily, breeze past the guards of some of the best grapplers ever, both with and without the Gi. Very, very few people have been able to replicate that.

The Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD is not a full depiction of Roger’s system. Thank God! Instead, he shares his approach to passing, explaining how he likes to use pressure to deal with any type of guard scenario. This one is one of the ‘new breeds’ of instructionals that transcend techniques and actually aim to teach grapplers something.

Roger Gracie’s BJJ Legacy

Whenever people mention Roger Gracie, a few things spring to mind. The most well-behaved and calm Gracie member for one, and probably the most humble. Super technical Jiu-Jitsu. A bad run in the UFC. Cross collar chokes. Pressure passing. GOAT.

I could go on, but for those few Gen Z readers who have no idea who Roer is, I think you get the point. Roger is by far one of the best that ever stepped on the mats, both as a competitor and a coach.

His legacy of submitting all of his opponents with the same submission in the IBJJF Worlds has never been matched. Also, very few have managed to submit al their opponents on the road to ADCC gold, as Roger did back in 2005. That’s a flawless, Mortal Kombat-type of performance if ever there was one.

Another thing everyone visiting London does Is hop over to Roger’s (he actually has a few academies around town) to try and learn from the GOAT. Do you know what happens if you run into him during class? You get to roll with him as he spars with everyone when he is in the gym.

Until you can figure out how to get to London and hope that Roger is on the mats when you visit, take a look at the Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD. It’s one of his ‘signature move’ areas and you’ll pick up stuff you’ll use on the mats until you decide to hang up your Gi for good.

Guard Passing System Roger Gracie DVD Review

One look at the Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD and you can see it’s not the same as most instructionals these days. It has three volumes, but each only contains a few chapters, even though they’re all over 30 minutes long. The full instructional lasts just under 2 hours and features Roger demonstrating guard passes with the Gi:

Part 1 – What is Pressure Passing?

So, pressure passing isn’t really what you thought. I know that for me, this Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD changed my complete perception of pressure passing. As early as the very first chapter, Roger explains exactly what pressure is in terms of passing, and crucially, pinning during passing.

He shares some incredible concepts in this part of the DVD, that both explain your body positioning relative to the opponent, and exactly which points of the opponent’s body you need to pressure.

A very astute example follows in the form of a knee shield solution that doesn’t take you into a pass, as most instructionals show. Instead, Roger demonstrates how to get past the knee shield and into half guard. He addresses the half guard next, constantly ensuring the bottom person does not recover their knee shield.

Part 2 – Leg Pins

When I figured out this concept, it completely changed not just my passing approach, but also my sweeps. It wasn’t Roger who pointed me to it, but I more than enjoyed Roger Gracie’s take on the subject, which is the main focus in the second part of this Roger Gracie Passing DVD.

Gracie picks the leg weave position to portray how pinning the legs and creating a bottom leh aids your passing efforts. Still using the half guard as an example, he covers pressure mechanics, optimal direction, and how to deal with common recovery attempts.

The end destination of Roger’s pressure weave pass is the mount, of course, and we all know what happens to the bottom person from there once Roger conquers it. An alternative smash pass option against the knee shield wraps up this volume.

Part 3 – Pressure Passing the Closed Guard

About 12 years ago I think, was the first time I heard of the Roger Gracie closed guard pass There was nothing on YouTube, and the only way to figure it out was to learn from someone who has trained at Rogers and figured out the details for himself.

I personally loved it, as butchered of a version as I got during my blue belt days. Well, the move has been pretty much dissected by now on multiple occasions, but it is always a pleasure to see Roger demonstrate it.

The final part of the Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD guides you through pressure passing the closed guard, from opening using a knee in between the legs to torturing the bottom person with Roger’s spine-twisting pass. Just to cover all bases, Roger also offers a standing passing version at the tail end of the DVD.

The Goal of Guard Passing in BJJ

Why do most guard passes fail? The answer is surprisingly easy and super obvious, but people tend to miss it all the time. It all comes down to one thing – can you keep the bottom person from getting back to guard once you pass?

A big part of the blame here lies with BJJ coaches. They focus on so many needless details for arm placement, angles, etc, that they miss the actual main point. We pass guard not for the process of passing, but for the effect of getting past the legs. Read that again.

Now, hopefully, triggered to think, take a look at some top matches. Doesn’t matter if it is Roger Gracie, Gordon Ryan, Marcel,o or yourself featuring. Even better, watch random purple belts from competition footage on YouTube and try to see what they do, after they pass, to ensure they stay past the legs.

As your eyes open to the fact that people worry more about how they move their legs while passing than they worry about staying past the legs, you’ll want solutions. The Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD has a bunch of them, all pressure-based and delivered by the real GOAT of BJJ. 

Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD Free Sample
WATCH A FREE SAMPLE: Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD

DOWNLOAD HERE: ROGER GRACIE GUARD PASSING SYSTEM DVD

Pass With Pressure! 

Time to unleash that old-school pressure that won’t crush your opponents, but rather pin them. If you play your cards right and stick to the instructions in the Roger Gracie Guard Passing System DVD, you’ll also unlock the ability to use pressure in a way that makes the bottom person experience it worse the more they struggle to get out. Passing like Roger, right?

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John Danaher Marriage Rules: 5 Radical Reasons for Saying ‘I Do’

By
Filip Zanki
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John Danaher Marriage Rules: 5 Radical Reasons for Saying 'I Do'

John Danaher, the enigmatic and widely respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, is one strange cat, as Joe Rogan would put it. Known for his cerebral approach to martial arts and background in philosophy Danaher’s reputation for deep analytical thinking, Danaher is considered a BJJ ‘guru’.

From time to time, though, his eccentricity in other aspects of life also seeps through, making the mysteriously charismatic figure of John Danaher appear even more unique and interesting. Take the John Danaher marriage rules for example, offering a blend of humor, pragmatism, and a unique perspective that only someone like Danaher could provide.

John Danaher Marriage Rules

John Danaher Marriage Advice: 5 Key Reasons to Get Married

During a candid conversation, Danaher outlined what he humorously refers to as the “only five viable reasons to get married.” His criteria are unconventional, to say the least, reflecting his analytical mind and dry wit.

  1. Age Difference: “The bride must be between 18 and 25 years old, and the man should be over 55,” Danaher quipped. The significant age gap, he suggests, brings about a certain dynamic that could be beneficial for both parties.
  2. Financial Dynamics: He jested that the man “should have no money,” while the woman “must be wealthy.” This reversal of traditional financial expectations adds an ironic twist to societal norms.
  3. Enthusiasm for Intimacy: Danaher emphasized that the woman should be “particularly enthusiastic about intimate relations.” While tongue-in-cheek, this point underscores the importance of physical compatibility in a relationship.
  4. Practical Benefits: The coach also mentioned that marriage should offer tangible benefits, such as social connections or personal advancement. “If it doesn’t improve your life in measurable ways, why complicate things?” he mused.
  5. Shared Goals: Finally, Danaher highlighted the necessity of aligned life objectives. “It’s crucial that both individuals are moving in the same direction,” he said, noting that divergent paths often lead to discord.

Danaher has been known to challenge societal expectations so the John Danaher marriage rules, entertaining as they are, come as no real surprise:

“People often follow scripts laid out for them without question,” he remarked. “Marriage, careers, lifestyles—we should critically assess what truly brings us fulfillment.”

The Man Behind the Plan

Born in New Zealand, John Danaher moved to the United States to pursue higher education, eventually undertaking a Ph.D. in philosophy at Columbia University. However, a knee injury led him to the doors of Renzo Gracie’s academy, where he found his true calling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Danaher quickly became one of the most influential figures in the sport, coaching elite athletes like Georges St-Pierre, Gordon Ryan, and Garry Tonon. His methodical approach and dedication have revolutionized modern grappling.

Despite his prominence in the martial arts world, Danaher is a private individual who rarely discusses his personal life. Yet, when he does share, his thoughts are as intriguing as his coaching techniques. Just take a look at the John Danaher marriage advice!

A Few More John Danaher Pearls of Wisdom

Danaher’s views on marriage aren’t just theoretical. His lifestyle and personal anecdotes often reflect his philosophies, both applicable to BJJ and life, just like the rule-based John Danaher marriage rules Tonon shared with the BJJ world:

  • Rash Guard Wedding Attire: Fellow BJJ legend Matt Serra once recounted the hilarious story of Danaher attending his wedding in his trademark rashguard. “There he was, everyone in tuxedos, and John walks in dressed for the mats,” Serra laughed. “That’s just John—unapologetically himself in every situation.”
  • Monastic Commitment: Danaher’s students often joke about his monk-like dedication to martial arts. Garry Tonon shared:

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“I asked John once why he never pursued relationships, and he said, ‘I’m married to Jiu-Jitsu.’ His devotion is on another level.”

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  • Dating ‘Advice’: In a lighthearted conversation, Danaher once advised, “Never start a first date discussing your 10-year life plan. It’ll either scare them off or, worse, they’ll want to join in.” His dry humor offers levity while subtly critiquing overzealous commitment.

John Danaher

The John Danaher Marriage Approach

What makes Danaher’s views particularly engaging is how they mirror his teaching style in martial arts—unconventional yet profoundly effective. He deconstructs complex systems, whether in Jiu-Jitsu or life and rebuilds them with logic and purpose.

The John Danaher marriage rules, while delivered with humor, invite deeper reflection on societal norms and personal motivations. After all, everything he has said about Jiu-Jitsu has been right – so why shouldn’t he be on point about marriage as well?

Danaher’s emphasis on self-awareness, practicality, and challenging conventions encourages individuals to make choices that align authentically with their values. The question is, whether someone would decide to adhere to his advice and test his theory.

Renzo Gracie sums up John Danaher pretty well, in one of his more famous quotes regarding the BJJ mastermind:

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“John lives life on his own terms. His perspectives might seem eccentric, but there’s wisdom hidden in his words.”

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People on social media have shared and discussed his five reasons, with many finding them refreshingly candid. One user wrote, “Leave it to Danaher to make me laugh and contemplate my life choices all at once.”

The ‘Central Problems’ of Getting Married 

This unconventional approach to marriage is likely a reflection of Danaher’s philosophy—question everything, seek authenticity, and don’t be afraid to defy norms. His five viable reasons to get married are less about prescribing actions and more about encouraging critical thinking.

In a world where societal pressures often dictate personal decisions, the John Danaher marriage advice serves as a reminder to live deliberately. Whether on the mats or in life, his teachings inspire others to pursue mastery, not just of a craft but of one’s own existence.

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Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD Review [2025]

By
Ognen Dzabirski
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Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD Review

Key Takeaways

  • A Gi BJJ insturctional outlining a complete fundamentals curriculum used by Eliot Marshall.
  • Includes attacks, defenses, standing, and groundwork, along with punch defense and awareness. 
  • Features headlock and bear hug defenses that are more suited for an Aikido instructional than a BJJ DVD. 
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 4 out of 10.

FUNDAMENTALS CURRICULUM ELIOT MARSHALL DVD GET HERE:

Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD Preview
FULL TRAILER: Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD

I really like it when people organize their teaching, as most coaches don’t really pay too much attention to methods and training structure, but rather to how good they sound while demonstrating. Sometimes, coaches manage to organize their curriculums in an effective way that helps both students to learn faster and other coaches to coach better.

The Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD sounds like it delivers exactly that. While it does contain a fairly long and detailed curriculum, there are flaws to it that make it almost useless to a beginner student, and very limited in terms of quality info for coaches. Read on.

The Roadmap I Never Had

When I started training BJJ instructionals were pretty scarce, especially ones that delivered full curriculums. I would’ve really enjoyed supplementing my daily training with some digital details back then, especially organized by level and experience.

Later on, as I turned to lots of teaching when I became a purple belt, I became curious about curriculums, believing that they were the only way to organize training and gauge results. It turns out that, while you do need a roadmap, curriculums rarely offer it.

Just like you can’t use the school system from the 80s to teach kids about what they need today, you can’t use all the old school BJ stuff, exactly as it was before the 2000s, and try to teach people today. Apart from a few timeless things most of that stuff is useless, which also explains the role of repetitive curriculums in BJJ.

Unfortunately, the Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD is the perfect example of the point I am trying to make here. Check out the play-by-play review to learn more about it.

UFC Veteran Eliot Marshall

Eliot Marshall has been a part of martial arts since he discovered Karate Kid during his childhood. Initially a Soo Bahk Do striker, Marshall turned to BJJ in the late 90s and has never looked back.

These days, Eliot is the owner and head coach at Easton Training Center, where he covers most of the grappling classes. With several Pans titles to his name, as well as a stint in the UFC to top off an impressive 17-5 professional MMA record, there’s little dispute that he knows what he’s talking about.

BJJ-wise, Eliot began training with Amal Eason in Colorado in 1999, and received all his belts from him, following in the Renzo Gracie lineage. Marshal is also the first American to win the Pans at blue, purple, and brown belts. The superheavyweight is now dedicated to teaching full time, offering his experience and knowledge even outside the bounds of his gym, with the likes of the Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD.

Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD Review

The Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD contains eight volumes and has no real structure to it. I can see how some things are beneficial for beginners, but this entire instructional is like a chaotic version of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu curriculums, with perhaps a third of the material offering anything useful. The length of the DVD is just under 5 hours.

Part 1 – Warm Ups and Self-Defense Basics

As this instruction opened up, there was a promise in the approach that Marshall utilized. I liked the fact that he integrated punching into his Jiu-Jitsu, as it really provides a different perspective to grappling exchanges, one that’s mostly missing nowadays.

That said, the first part of the Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD immediately sets the stage for a pretty chaotic approach to the material that Marshall demonstrated. He starts with the intro to his system, offering some interesting warm-up options, and then talking immediately about punch defense from various positions.

He offers technical stand-ups, sweeping, posture control, front headlock chokes, and more in the span of 15 or so minutes, all condensed into a couple of scenarios that are hardly relatable to one another.

Part 2 – Back to the Mats Scenarios

From the beginning of the second portion of the Eliot Marshall Fundamentals DVD, it is clear that the structure is different from every other BJJ DVD so far, and not in a good way. Part two offers mostly guarded situations, with some stuff like the concept of the self-defense open guard offering valuable information.

Other chapters involved in this portion, such as the buck & roll are a direct waste of time, and they’ll do more damage than good to someone looking to figure out the fundamentals of grappling.

The Kesa Gatame escape is good though, as is the basic knee to elbow defensive application Eliot shows here.

Part 3 – Back Attacks & Subs

Arguably, one of the best bits of the Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD. In this volume, Marshall at least sticks to one area. Once again there is a a Kesa Garame defense that involves going back to guard and standing up just like every volume so far.

The good stuff starts when he takes punch defense toward back exposure. I leave the punching up to you to decide whether you’ll use it as an opening. However, what Marshall demonstrates in terms of getting and attacking from the back is sound, from a fundamental perspective.

He shares some fairly details RNC finishing mechanics, explains how to get to the back after getting to a front headlock (he uses a snap down from standing) and also covers grip work that leads to chokes and armbars from behind. Not at all bad.

Part 4 – Mount and Side Control

Bear hugs really have no place in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but for some reason, Marshall seems to think we need to defend against them. While the attack is Aikido-esque, the over-under solution he offers I actually useful as a clinching position for grapplers.

If we skip over the bear hug portion the points made about pinning in this part of the Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD are quite straightforward and easy for beginners to figure out. This includes just enough details on mount and side control maintenance.

Part 5 – Headlocks 

Another rollercoaster of a volume in the Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD that covers lots of headlock scenarios, mostly from a defensive aspect that is reminiscent of early 2000s self-defense instructionals. All that’s missing are the heavy red curtains in the back.

Some moves are useful, or at least the idea behind them, such as hunting for armlocks after escaping a headlock. The inevitable Kesa Gatame appears again, with yet another idea on how to get out and back up to standing.

The incredibly complex subject of frames and pummels features very shortly, just enough to cause massive confusion in a new grappling student. More open guard self defense and headlock escapes conclude this 45 minutes long part of the instructional.

Part 6 – Passing and Bear Hug Defense

More bear hug defense, separated from the other martial in this DVD on the subject by an entire volume. Just saying.

Part six of the Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD goes into passing, looking at how to perform the Torreando pass and how to attack from side control. useful content, including the following sections on standing closed guard passing using the knee slice.

I’ll skip over the bear hug stuff completely. There is also a standing Osoto Gari in this portion, but with no context whatsoever that will make it viable to use.

Part 7 – Overhook Guard Attacks

Along with the portion on back attacks, this is another part of the Eliot Marshall Fundamentals DVD that I found enjoyable to watch, and took some useful insights from it. The overhook guard is something that’s just as useful in BJJ as it is in MMA or self-defense, especially when paired with traingle and Omoplata attacks. Well, triangles do feature in this part of the DVD.

There’s also a bit of passing under the legs, which adds the final useful dimension to passing around and through the legs as mentioned in the previous volume. I think they could’ve all easily featured in the same one for consistency.

Part 8 – More Back Attacks & Defense

As we reach the final part of the Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD, which was confusing and even tiresome at some points, the focus is on more back mount work. Most of it has to do with attacks, which include rear naked choke variations and armbars, but also some examples and a glance over the role of grip fighting in escaping.

How to Use BJJ Instructionals as a Newbie 

If you’re starting BJJ in teh 2020s you’re starting with just about every bit of information available to you – and that is a lot. No one person can hold, process, or deliver that knowledge to you, but the internet can, and it often leaves beginners confused to the point where they just give up on BJJ and leave.

What you need to know as a beginner in the whirlwind of DVDs and instruction is that you need structure. All the information is useful, but what you do with it matters the most, and in that regard, not all information provided by instructionals is helpful, at least not at the starting point of your grappling journey.

While you can learn from any instructional at any belt level, don’t expect to learn everything in it. This is true for every DVD, but especially for the Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD. A few bits and pieces are definitely worth the time to watch and maybe re-watch, but as a whole, this instructional won’t teach you much.

The same thing applies to all instructionals you’ll ever watch, although as you specialize more, you’ll be able to pinpoint specific ones that carry only the information you need and get more in return than you would with a general one like Marshall’s.

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Start Here! 

The rallying cry of the Complete Fundamentals Curriculum Eliot Marshall DVD is to ‘Start here” but here is highly confusing in this DVD. Is this the BJJ instructions to get you going? Nope. Is this the instructional to help an instructor set up their fundamentals curriculum? While it has some good points, I hope nobody tries to use it in that regard. it is good, however, to see what it was like to teach 20+ years ago and what not to do today.

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NEW Trump Executive Order Bans Trans Women From US Sports

By
BJJ World
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NEW Trump Executive Order Bans Trans Women From US Sports

In a move that adds to an already widespread debate and controversy on a sensitive aspect of combat sports, the latest President Donald Trump executive order bans trans women from competing in women’s sports in the US. 

This decision has far-reaching implications, particularly within the combat sports community, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While the order aims to address concerns about fairness in women’s sports, it has also ignited discussions about inclusivity, discrimination, and the future of combat sports.

Executive Order Bans Transgender Women From Sports

Trump Executive Order Bans Trans Women Athletes

On February 5, 2025, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, President Trump signed the executive order, citing the need to protect the integrity of women’s sports. The order states that allowing transgender women to compete in female categories undermines fair competition and disadvantages cisgender women.

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“This decision is about ensuring a level playing field for female athletes,” Trump declared. “With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over.”

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Trump also took aim at the International Olympic Committee, saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make the White House’s stance “as clear as anybody can make it.”

“We are putting every school receiving taxpayer dollars on notice: If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding,” Trump added, describing a 1972 law that bars sex discrimination.

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“We want them to change everything having to do with the Olympics,” Trump announced.

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Reactions to Trump's Bans of Trans Women From US Sports

Trans Women Out: Reactions and Fallout

Transgender activists and organizations that have fought against bans were outraged by the  Trump executive order bans trans women – but not surprised. Supporters argue that it is necessary to maintain fairness in sports, while critics contend that it discriminates against transgender athletes and excludes them from competitive opportunities.

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“We need to protect the rights of cisgender women in sports,”

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The stance of prominent figures in the combat sports world on the subject is clear, with the likes of Joe Rogan and GSP being vocal about this particular problem for the past decade the latter of the two stating that:
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“Safety and fairness are paramount in MMA. It’s important to find a balance that ensures fair competition without compromising the safety of athletes.” 

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However, LGBTQ+ rights organizations have condemned the order, calling it a setback for transgender rights. GLADD, one of the biggest LGBTQ rights organizations in the US, also condemned Trump’s order, calling it “inaccurate and incoherent”.

“All women and girls, including transgender women and girls, should be welcome to play sports if they want, make decisions about their own bodies, be hired for jobs they are qualified for, and be free from lawless attacks by extremists in elected office,” the group said in a statement.

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“This executive order is a blatant act of discrimination,” declared a spokesperson from the Human Rights Campaign. “It sends a harmful message to transgender individuals that they are not welcome in sports.”

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Lambda Legal, a nonprofit that has partnered with the ACLU on multiple cases defending trans athletes also weighed in on the Trump executive order bans trans women. Charles a senior attorney with Lambda Legal, is unsure if the order would be challenged in court, and how quickly it might happen.

“This is yet another action from the Trump Administration that makes it abundantly clear trans people are squarely in their crosshairs, despite the fact that we are barely 1.6 percent of the population,” said Carl Charles.

A Revamp of Rules As Donald Trump Bans Transgender Athletes?

The Trump trans ban has significant implications for the world of combat sports, particularly BJJ and MMA, where gender divisions play a crucial role in competition. BJJ and MMA are unique in that they require physical strength, technique, and strategy, making the debate about transgender athletes’ participation particularly complex.

The community is already aware of the subject, and the complexities it brings, with MMA fighter Fallon Fox, who is a transgender woman, arguably the most popular name advocating about the need for inclusivity.

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“Transgender athletes face immense challenges and discrimination,” Fox stated. “Banning us from competing only perpetuates inequality and prevents us from pursuing our passion.”

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The executive order has sparked a broader conversation about how combat sports can navigate the inclusion of transgender athletes while maintaining fairness and safety.

Some propose the creation of separate divisions for transgender athletes, while others advocate for individualized assessments to ensure fair competition.

Governing bodies such as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and ADCC will eventually play a crucial role in shaping the future of the sport. Ultimately, the path forward requires a nuanced approach that considers the diverse perspectives within the combat sports community.

Fair Play in Combat Sports: How Does it Play Out? 

The future of combat sports will depend on the collective efforts of athletes, coaches, and governing bodies to create an environment where all individuals can compete with dignity and respect. As this Trump executive order bans trans women from competing in women’s sports, we’re left to figure out how to proceed ahead.

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How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD Review [2025]

By
Ognen Dzabirski
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How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD Review

Key Takeaways

  • A No-Gi BJJ insturctional offering different ways to turn the knee cut into your best pass. 
  • Includes concepts, principles, and technical details, focusing on both headquarters control and aggressive dynamic passing.  
  • Covers passing different guards using many variations, including unique ones, of the knee cut pass. 
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

HOW TO KNEE CUT JUNNY OCASIO DVD GET HERE:

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There is no way to avoid the knee cut pass when you oll or compete in BJJ. Even if you’re all about body lock passing or never passing and going for leg locks, you need to be aware of what knee cutting is so that you can deal with it. Actually, even in those instances, the knee cut is going to be super helpful.

The How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD is a great example of how you can focus on knee cuts to achieve a lot more from top positions than simply passing a guard. After all, Junny knows exactly what works, after spending all his time training with the monsters over at Unity Jiu-Jitsu.

Pure Knee Cut Passing

Knee cut passing was introduced to me when I was a late white belt, but it was taught as ‘knee smash” passing at the time, and it didn’t involve shin pinning. Let’s just say it went through the middle, combining the worst of a knee to the groin and knee on belly pressure.

I have to say, that as effective as that passing direction is, it is hard to practice over and over again in the gym with realistic resistance. I have no idea where I saw the ‘purified’ knee cut version from, but I know it turned into one of my favorite passing positions for a long time.

I remember that I had enormous success switching knee cuts without even passing. The position was perfect for hinting Darce chokes, and later on, getting to Ashi Garami as well. I also found out that you can make the shin pin a lot more painful than the smash pass, but when you want to, and more importantly, exactly as much as you want to.

My point here is that there is a lot more to the knee cut pass than a simple way to slice through a guard. Since it works just as well with and without the Gi, it would be irresponsible to miss out on the How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD. It’s that good.

Edwin ‘Junny’ Ocasio

‘Junny’ is a character that seems to be the depiction of modern Jiu-Jitsu. He is to the point, precise, an odd joke here and there, but also highly knowledgeable and very good at transferring that knowledge, at least if we judge him on the martial presented in the How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD.

Edwin Ocasio, known as ‘Junny’ is a BJJ black belt under Murilo Santana and part of the legendary Unity Jiu-Jitsu Academy in NYC. A World champion, Pans champion, and European champion in No-Gi, and still very active as a competitor Junny has an exciting, aggressive style featuring lots of pressure.

With a wrestling background providing a strong base for his Jiu-Jitsu performances, Junny also takes up the role of teaching on a regular basis. Proudly holding the mantle of the first student in Unity Jiu-Jitsu, helping Santan since before he had the gym space. Junny received his black belt from Santant in 2019.

How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio DVD Review

The How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD contains 2 hours of martial, spread in a very uneven way between three volumes. However, this structure makes a lot of sense when you watch the instructional, and the delivery of the material is exceptional:

Part 1 – Concepts and Control

There is an interesting structure to this How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD. In the opening volume, Junny only shares just over 10 minutes of material, setting up the stage for knee cuts by focusing on concepts and principles.

One thing most people find difficult when knee cutting is balance, and Junny spends a lot of time explaining how to control someone from the knee cut position, without losing it and falling over.

Toward the end he shows how to utilize the shin cut and smash pass starting from headquarters, which essentially sums up the aspects covered in extreme detail in the following volumes.

Part 2 – Knee Cut Variations vs Seated Guard

Part two of the How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD lasts considerably longer than the first volume, as Junny launches into a more in-depth explanation of knee cut techniques, based on the main concepts from volume one.

He kicks things off with the sit up guard, and the things you need to focus on when trying to pass it using knee cut passes. Grips get lots of attention in this section, with the collar tie and triceps combo taking center stage.

In terms of specific knee cut techniques, Junny shares the basic, controlled version from the collar and triceps grip, followed by blitz knee cutting, and my personal favorite, low-base passing.

Part 3 – Headquarters and Aggressive Knee Cutting 

As we get to the final part of this instructional, the amount of material offered in this volume surpasses the two previous ones put together. In almost an hour of material, Junny continues to explore different knee cut variations, introducing even more problems in the form of different guards.

He sticks to a proven launching pad for the knee cut by exploring the headquarters position, popularized by Rafel Lovato Jr. in great detail. From there, he goes into his signature aggressive knee cuts, which range from the ‘standard’ HQ setup to unorthodox pass finishes using unusual angles and timing.

If I can point out one chapter in this last volume of the How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD, I’d opt for the highly effective, and equally as painful (for the person receiving it) solar plexus armpit cut. You’ll recognize it when you see it.

A Painful HQ Position 

The headquarters position was all the jazz when Lovato started using it. I figured it out first from a very badly recorded instructional by what is now the first Estonian black belt, Martin Aedma where he connected it to the knee cut and surf-style smash passing, creating a mini system.

What I missed at the time (ah, blue belt days) was that Lovato’s idea of the headquarters extended a lot further than the specific position demonstrated by him in regard to passing. In fact, my own instructor had an idea of setting up a ‘position zero’ spot from closed guard that really did the same thing – provided a headquarters position.

Look at headquarters as a concept rather than just the position shown by Lovato, and you’ll see that it is a concept you can apply to any position in BJJ. Using the knee cut pass as a headquarters position for torturing and eventually passing is exactly what you get to learn from the How To Knee Cut BJJ DVD by Junny Ocasio.

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Cut ‘Em Up!

I guess you know what you need to do now if you want to improve your passing. Pick up the How To Knee Cut Junny Ocasio BJJ DVD and start thinking about the ability to stop your passing at any point after you begin, and chill out in a position that will cause misery to the guard player. After all, the biggest reward from passing isn’t getting past the guard – it’s the pressure you get to apply during the pass.

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Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD Review [2025]

By
Ognen Dzabirski
-
Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD Review

Key Takeaways

  • A No-Gi BJJ insturctional offering different ways to turn the knee cut into your best pass. 
  • Includes concepts, principles, and technical details, focusing on both headquarters control and aggressive dynamic passing.  
  • Covers passing different guards using many variations, including unique ones, of the knee cut pass. 
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

BRICKS KESA GATAME SYSTEM JEREMY BRICK DVD GET HERE:

Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD Preview
FULL TRAILER: Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD

How long can you hold someone in Kesa Gatame? What if I told you that what you’re missing are nuances that high-level Judokas learn very early on, and not more pressure, or as I sometimes hear, more weight?

Figuring out the Judo Side Control position is not easy, but it is worth it. Judokas have a slow way of teaching it, although once you do it this way, you’ll rarely fail with it. If you don’t have the time or patience to go this route, then pick up the Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD. It’ll do the trick, at least initially.

Old-School Pressure Torture 

When I was a beginner in Judo, one of the first ground techniques that we worked on was Kesa Gatame. More precisely, I had the task of getting out of the headlock, and I had to figure it out on my own.

After months of work, I managed to sneak out consistently, which is when the instructor paid me some dedicated attention. He came over and instructed the top person, who was way more experienced, on how to counter my escape. Back to the drawing board, it was.

There is a reason why Judokas pay so much attention to drilling Kesa Gatame scenarios over and over – it is a pin that can win them fights. Since you can win in Judo by way of a pin, if you hold the bottom person on the mats for over 20 seconds, the control value of the position is clearly highly applicable to BJJ as well.

Moreover, Kesa Gatame offers plenty of quick, Judo-style submissions, which as just as brutally painful as they are quick to set up. Some of these feature in the Jeremy Brick Kesa Gatame DVD as part of his attack system from the position.

“Highlander “Jeremy Brick

Masters competitors, especially those that are competing in the higher masters divisions are a special breed. They demonstrate grit and technique to a level not fathomable by younger grapplers, but most importantly, they bring tons of experience with them.

Folks like Jeremy Brick have been around for a long time. The 5 times IBJJF Pan American champion and 4 times IBJJF Master Worlds champion has one of the best Masters division records in history. He has seen it all, from the early days of BJJ in the USA to fighting in MMA in the late 90s, however briefly.

Lately, the black belt has been focusing more on teaching and family, a venture that extends to the digital realm as much as the mats. One great example of the exceptional value that Jeremy can bring to the table for grapplers is the Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD.

Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD Review

This Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD is a curious one. It has great content, but it is extremely short, running well under an hour. I’ve seen classes taught on the Kesa Gatame where instructors shared and talked more. That said, there are some really valuable details and tips in this one, so if you’ve never done the position it’s perfect for you:

Critical Control Concepts

Holding the Judo side control position, also known as Kesa Gatame is no simple task. There are plenty of nuances to positioning, and it’s not just about weight distribution. Jeremy goes over some of the key concepts here, offering details on arm placement, leg motion, and overall positional awareness that Judokas used to dominate from this pinning position.

Judo Side Control Submissions

As the Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD rolls on with a foundation of core principles set, submission enters the frame. In a truly OG fashion, Bricks dive straight into a bunch of armlocks and chokes that you can easily get from the Kesa Gatame.

Examples include alternative Americana finishes using your legs, an arm triangle variation, shoulder locks, and the dreaded pressure tap. This final one, which you also may know as a chest compression finish, is particularly useful for stealing your opponents’ souls.

Kesa Gatame Escapes 

One of the main aspects of Kesa Gatame in BJJ terms is dealing with it. In Judo, it takes months to figure this out, but Jeremy offers a quick shortcut here. He uses reverse engineering of the pinning principles from the position to pinpoint weaknesses you can exploit when defending against it.

In the final portion of the Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD, you get to learn how to defend arm locks and chokes, and how to get out towards the back. Jeremy also included a detailed breakdown of the go-to Judo escape, which is essentially a bridge and roll move (this one requires a strong neck).

finally, a few entries into the position, paired with realistic situations like sweeps, passing and Kimura trap attacks, provide context to how you can actually expect to use the Kesa Gatame while rolling or competing.

Judo Pins and Pin Escapes

Judo pins are extremely powerful since they place a big emphasis on using the Gi to accentuate your control over the bottom person. Even high-level Judokas struggle to escape the Kesa Gatame, which shows you how useful it can be for your game.

Even the Gracies dedicated a big part of their defensive curriculum, some of which is still a part of Gracie Barra gyms these days, to escaping the Kesa Gatame position. The Gracies faced lots of world-class Judokas in their challenges, so they had to know how to deal with this staple pin.

Since very few people tend to specialize in the position these days, at least for BJJ purposes, escaping Kesa Gatame is not something people dedicate a lot of attention to. While you don’t have to work on escaping it exclusively, you can figure out how to deal with it if you know how to hold and maintain it. This is the main premise behind the instructions in the Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD.

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Head Lock Magic! 

Learn how to hold the Kesa Gatame, and every time someone thinks they’ve escaped your side control, hit them with it. It will seem like black magic, having your opponents question their entire grappling life and experience as you pressure them into slow (or lightning-fast) taps.

While far from exhaustive on the subject, the Bricks Kesa Gatame System Jeremy Brick DVD provides a great starting point to figure out the basics of the position if you’ve never done it before.

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Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD Review [2025]

By
Ognen Dzabirski
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Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD Review

Key Takeaways

  • A No-Gi BJJ DVD offering a very thorough and detailed look at the front head lock position. 
  • Features instructions to achieving control and submissions from the position. 
  • Covers all kinds of positions, from standing to guard, and transitioning tactics to reach them. 
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

FRONT HEAD LOCK KAYNAN DUARTE DVD GET HERE:

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Getting out of the front head lock position can be a real nightmare, especially if a wrestler grabs a hold of you. There is an even worse scenario though, and it involves a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who specializes in the position trapping you in it.

For those who like being on the giving end of the front head lock, controlling where the exchanges take place is as easy as deciding where you want to go. And, as you’ll see from the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD, finishing with different submissions is as easy as the aforementioned rag-dolling of the trapped opponent.

The Ultimate Posture Killer

Let’s use the guard as the most obvious example for posture breaks as I try to show how the front head lock position is unrivaled in helping you achieve this particular goal. Take any guard you want, Gi or No-Gi and break your opponent’s posture from it using any means necessary.

If the top person’s head is under your armpit, in any shape or form, it’ll be a nightmare for them to regain posture. It just so happens that front head locks place the head in this exact position. Do you see where I am going with this?

The best part about front head locks is that you’re not just constrained to the guard – you can use them to break posture and keep it broken from anywhere. After all, folding is a key concept in wrestling and we all know where we borrowed the front headlock position from.

As far as using the position from anywhere to control, submit, or reach other positions in BJJ there is the incredibly detailed Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD. Read on to see what exactly awaits in it.

Atos Giant Kaynan Duarte

Kaynan Duarte is a very popular name in BJJ circles, for more reasons than one. The 27-year-old is a multiple-time ADCC champion, IBJJF World Champion Pans, Champion, European Champion, Abu Dhabi Pro champion, and super fight winner in many pro-grappling promotions.

He also had a fierce rivalry with Gordon Ryan for a while, although he never managed to beat the ‘King”. To date, Kaynana has won the IBJJF world a total of three times but only two of those feature in his record. After winning the double (weight class and absolute) in 2019, he failed a USADA test and was stripped of his title.

Developing under the tutelage of Andre Galvao, after training with Ze Cavalo and Paulo Ledesma back in Brazil, Duarte possesses a very aggressive and power-based game which has brought him great success in competitions starting from his juvenile blue belt days.

It was Andre Galvao who convinced a young Duarte to dedicate full time to BJJ and the Atos team, promoting him to brown, and eventually black belt in in 2018. With 148 wins out of 160 matches, I have a feeling that Duarte has a lot more numbers to add to the win column.

As we anticipate his next performance on the mats, the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD provides a very in-depth insight into how Duarte analyzes key BJJ positions and sets up optimal game plans.

Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD Review

This Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD is on the longer side of instructionals with 8 volumes containing over 4 hours of front head lock material that covers every aspect of the position you can imagine using in BJJ:

Part 1 – Front Head Lock Control 

This is one big DVD! Kaynan really covered everything in this one, starting with the major aspects of dynamic control of the front head lock position outlined in the first part of the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD.

Instead of using it as a pin, Kayanna guides us toward using the front head lock similarly to side control, following the opponent and constantly adjusting, while never losing even one bit of control. To that extent, he shares how to adjust when your opponent is moving backward, side to side, or trying to twist out.

The guillotine, a submission of choice for Duarte, makes an early appearance and then keeps appearing throughout this entire insturctional. In the opening portion though, only the finishing mechanics of the arm-in guillotine and some key control concepts feature, paving the way for what comes later.

Part 2 – Guillotine’s From Everywhere

The most guillotine-filled portion of the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD is part two, where Kaynan shows why everyone tries to stay as far from his front head lock as possible when competing.

In over half an hour, he covers a host of different guillotine grips to improve your finishing rate and just as many transitional uses of the move. Transitions include sweeping, passing, and pinning from top positions, before launching into different finishes. He also covers the chin strap configuration and its role in both front head locks and guillotines in extreme detail.

Part 3 – Front Head Lock Chokes

The guillotine, as powerful as it might be, is not Kayan’s only weapon from the front head lock, as he often pairs it with other high-percentage finishes from the position to ensure he gets a tap. A proven strategy that everyone should develop and adjust when considering exploring the front head lock.

As you probably expect, Darce chokes and Anaconda choke variations are the main go-to moves in this part of the Kaynan Duarte Front Head Lock DVD. Since they’re readily available from both the headlock and just about every guillotine variation Kaynan already demonstrated, most of the focus here is on connecting the dots and turning everything into a system.

Part 4 – Back Exposure

What happens when the front head lock and guillotines don’t work for Duarte? We’ve only seen this happen a handful of times, but when it does, he has a very solid backup plan that is a direct result of his front head lock control strategy.

Namely, in the fourth volume of the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD, the focus shifts from the FHL itself to transitions that lead to the back. Using a very methodical approach, Duarte explains how you need to create back exposure first, and then go for hooks and positioning so that you don’t end up losing both positions.

Several different scenarios serve as great examples of how you can safely and effectively spin to the back from the front head lock, including a couple of interesting ideas on turtle breakdowns.

Part 5 – Front Head Lock to Crucifix

As we pass the halfway point of this Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD, their transitions continue, with a different way of getting to the back. The crucifix is one of the best control and submission positions in BJJ, and it pairs with the front head lock just as well as it does with the back.

Duarte offers several different ways of capitalizing on the FHL by creating Crucifix entries that lead to one-arm chokes and nasty armlocks. He also explains exactly how to use the crucifix as a checkpoint between the front head lock and the back.

Towards the final portions of this volume, Duarte spends some time covering the tripod position. He mostly uses it in the context of back takes and crucifix setups, but also sets the stage for some interesting options that appear in the next volume.

Part 6 – Tripod FHL

Working from the tripod position is not something many people place lots of emphasis on when attacking from the front head lock. Duarte offers even more back attacks in this part of the DVD, as well as direct front head lock options from this particular position.

As the sixth part of the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD comes to an end, Kaynan teases with jumping guillotines to announce what he’ll cover in the next volume of his instructional.

Part 7 – Front Head Lock Takedowns

As front head lock takedowns are a personal favorite of mine, I was more than curious about this volume, and it definitely did not disappoint. Kaynan first offers several different ways to get to the head lock from common ties, such as the over-under and underhook.

He then expands into demonstrating several ways to force your opponent down once you have completed the snap down and have your front head lock control dialed in. The cradle takedown was particularly eye-catching for me, although the ankle pick is super-effective as well.

A single-leg defense tactic using the front head lock position and all the threats it carries rounds off the penultimate part of the Kaynan Duarte Front Head Lock DVD.

Part 8 – Counters Using FHL

Jsut when n I thought there was nothing more Duarte could offer from the front head lock position, I ran into one more volume in the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD. This is a collection of very useful scenarios, more than anything else, although we can categorize it as a set of counter-attacking instructions since most of the uses outlined here are reactive.

Some of the subjects in this one include body lock defense, creating neck exposure from passing situations, and lots of interesting quarter mount options that include heavy use of the chin strap. Duarte ends with a set of live drills that put everything he shared previously into context.

Control, Submissions, and Transitions

At its core, the BJJ goals you have are to get to a position (transitioning), stay in that position (control), and finish your opponent (submission). All three feature in the Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD, as they pertain to the subject of front head locks.

It is apparent that the position allows for all three key goals of BJJ exchanges to form the same spot which is something very few positions can offer. As such, the front head lock position is one you should consider just like you do mount, back, or guards, even though you don’t get any points for it in competitions (don’t get me started on the point system).

At the end of the day, any position you can remain in (control) while you successfully move through other top and bottom positions (transition) and finish at will from any of those positions (submission) is a position that should have a central role in your game. The front head lock ticks all those boxes.

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It’s A Lock! 

Getting the front head lock is the most difficult thing of playing the position that you will need time to figure out. The Front Head Lock Kaynan Duarte DVD will help you immensely, not just with getting to the position but also with making it count.

Mastering the FHL is like a shortcut to BJJ – you can do it all, takedown, pass, sweep, transition, and submit without ever having to release that initial position. It’s as close to as liver bullet as you can get in this sport.

Complete Front Headlock System Michael Pixley DVD Review [2024]

Schultz Headlock – The Nastiest Front Headlock In Grappling

BJJ Attacks From The Wrestling Cradle Position

Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD Review [2025]

By
Ognen Dzabirski
-
Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD Review

Key Takeaways

  • A Gi BJJ DVD offering a peek into what Baby Shark likes to do from open guards.
  • The main feature is the De la Riva, with supine, standing, and hybrid options appearing throughout the DVD.  
  • Diogo covers sweeps, and upper body submissions, and shares different ways in which grips can change the outcome of your guard attacks.  
  • BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.0 out of 10.

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Emulating the guard game of proven competitors and world champions is a common attempt for people to figure out a guard game for themselves. It doesn’t always work, but that’s because competitors find stuff that works for them, and even if they explain it perfectly, it may turn out to be less effective for everyone else.

The Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD offers the Gi open guard game that Diogo likes to play. Somehow, whether intentionally or not, it also happens to contain instructions that work super effectively for others. It is definitely worth a look if you like to play classic open guards with reliable Gi grips.

A Winning Combo for Playing Open Guard

Open guards in BJJ are all about flirting with the danger of passing or leg locks as you try to attack the top person by initially making them work for their balance. While it is difficult to figure out a formula for open guard, mostly as a result of all the variations that exist, there are a few things that are foundational for each of them.

Namely, the two areas that you should aim to control on your opponent are his hips and his shoulders. Since this can be difficult given the many levels of passing that exist, I’ll dumb it down: control their legs and their arms, and you’ll do great.

Now whether you invert and control the arms with your legs and grab their legs with your arms, or you just grab two sleeves from the De la Riva guard, you’re doing the same thing, just in a different manner. For those who enjoy this latter iteration of open guard, the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD is tailor-made for you.

Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis

ADCC 2022. All Brazilians come dressed in soccer jersey-style Brazil rashguards, so it’s hard to make sense of who is who. I have no idea who some of them are anyway, especially the youngest one. By the end of the event, the grappler in question made sure everyone knew who he was and what his Jiu-Jitsu was about.

That grappler was Diogo Reis, the Baby Shark that exploded on the biggest stage in old-school Brazilian Style, coming out of nowhere. But that is only the way the BJJ world got introduced to him.

Behind all that success was a painstaking decade of work on the mats. Since he was 10, Diogo has spent all his time training, under the tutelage of his Alexandre Oliveira. It was Diogo’s older brother who lit a flame for grappling in Diogo and quickly impressed everyone.

After a few years of training and a rank of yellow belt, Diogo switched to Melqui Galvao’s gym, as it could provide a lot more opportunities. And so it did. Reis won the Worlds, Euros, Pans, Pan Kids, Brazilian Nationals, and Copa America during his collared belt days.

Galvao promoted the young prodigy to black belt in 2020, and it only took Diogo one try to win the ADCC, a feat he repeated in 2024. I bet you’re very interested now in the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD. Well, you should be, and here’s why:

Full Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD Review

The Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD offers four volumes, each covering a different aspect of playing the De la Riva guard in the Gi. The total running time of the instructional is under 2 hours, with all the basics and some advanced concepts covered in sufficient detail:

Part 1 – Sweeps and Armlocks

If there is one thing that “Baby Shark” is instantly recognizable for, it is armbars. The young Brazilian dominated the ADCC with them, and the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD shows in even greater detail why he is so good at them.

Most of the guard work in this instructional is from open guards, with the De la Riva being Diogo’s preferred position. Throughout the insturctional, he pairs the guard up with different grips but mostly uses double sleeve grips to set up his attacks.

Those attacks come in the form of sweep-submission dilemmas and upper-body submission chains. Several interesting supine sweeping options feature in this opening volume, connected to a bunch of direct or rolling armbars, and a tringle here and there to provide a surprise factor.

Part 2 – Sit Up Guard System

The second portion of the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD covers the De la Riva variation most people like to play in the Gi when they are attacking, which is a seated variety of the guard.

While a bit more complicated to hold on to, this version does provide a lot more in terms of attacks, and a lot less for the top person to use against you, especially after you see Diogo’s details and gameplan.

The skull crusher sweep, in several variations, is the star here, with the sleeve grips doing all the heavy lifting. Triangles open up an indirect route to even more sweeping if/when you can’t finish, and wrestling up from the position into single legs rounds off your options.

Part 3 – More Sweeps

The third part of the Diogo Reis Baby Shark Guard DVD was the one I enjoyed the most. The mermaid sweep is something I’ve been using since my white belt days, and it gets lots of attention in this part.

A few other very attractive sweeps that tend to be underutilized, such as the balloon sweep also get an update in terms of details and applications here. Reis includes lots of unbalancing by grabbing different parts of the legs and opening up a very interesting proverbial can of worms with sweeping in mind.

Part 4 – Hybrid Open Guards

The final part is all about flair and complications, way more than I personally enjoy. That said, I know guards such as the De la spider and DLR Lasso combinations work for some, so to each their own.

To Baby Shark’s credit, he does a good job of focusing on what really matters as he demonstrates how to sweep and submit from the aforementioned positions. The concept that runs through this final volume of the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD is stepping on the hip of the top person, something that I actually loved very much.

Old School Brazilian Guards

15 years ago the Spider Guard was the new thing everyone was trying to figure out, and the De la Riva was that staple open guard people learned. Both featured some sound mechanics and some very potent attacks, with the DLR also translating pretty well to No-Gi.

However, people started forgetting about the Spider Guard (I guess because No-Gi kind of took over) and they started overcomplicating the De la Riva, creating hybrid guards that only shared a starting position with the original DLR. Both are now in the category of old-school Brazilian-style guard, even though the DLR does have its regular flashes of brilliance nearly every year.

As a proponent of basic Jiu-Jitsu, I have no problem playing the DLR, and value its original versions just as much as I do the closed guard and half guard. The spider guard is a very one-dimensional one that I don’t really think has an important place in modern Jiu-Jitsu.

Luckily, there was not much Spider Guard in the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD. The De la Riva is the hero in it, and the throwback to this old-school open guard, and the improvements and ‘modernization’ Baby Shark brings without overcomplicating things is impressive, and above all, seems to be effective.

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The Apex Predator Guard

You can’t claim to be a shark anymore, as that legendary phrase has now been memefied beyond recognition. You could, however, opt to look into the Baby Shark Guard System Diogo Reis DVD and adopt the game plan he offers in it. If you are a Gi grappler, then this instructional is perfect for you, as it features the techniques that a reigning world champion uses daily.

Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD Review [2025]

No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD Review [2024]

Double Sleeve Guard Jon Thomas BJJ DVD Review [2024]

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