Master The Move Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD Review [2025]

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD breaking down the Anaconda choke, from mechanics to setups.
Offers setups from standing, guard, pins, passes, back control and even pulling guard.
Features key information on essential aspects such as the anaconda roll.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9 out of 10.

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So far, Danaher has proven to be able to offer valuable solutions to moves people find hard without having a specific body type to help them. The anaconda choke certainly qualifies as one of these moves, with both complex mechanics and a very specific finishing position that works more off of feeling than seeing what you’re doing.

The Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD is the latest addition to his Master The Move series and is probably the one that should interest people the most. Even the move’s founder, Milton Vieira has never done such an in-depth analysis of the move and all its applications.

The Least Valued Arm Traingle Choke

When people ask me to teach them a Darce or an Anaconda, I start teaching them a traingle choke. Yeah, the one with the legs. It really helps pinpoint the mechanics of choking from the position.

Next, I move to the arm-triangle choke, as replicating the same effects with the arms takes different mechanics. The goal of this long-winded approach is to get people to understand how chokes work in general and how triangle chokes are different.

We all know (or say we do) about the role of the shoulder in a triangle choke, but nobody pays too much attention to it while rolling or competing. And yet, the shoulder is an essential component of pulling off a triangle choke. That’s why I start with the leg triangel – you can see what you’re doing.

With the arm triangle, you can still kind of see what’s going on and adjust. Once you move on to Darces and Anaconda chokes, though, you’ll need to time your grips and squeeze on the depth of the choke, which has to do with the opponent’s shoulder, rather than where you place your own arm.

This aspect of not being able to really see what you’re doing has made the Darce and Anaconda somewhat underutilized in BJJ, particularly with the Gi. This is especially true for the latter. Here’s to hoping that the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD can change this impression.

Danaher DVDs Getting Some Heat

Since around 2013, John Danaher is probably the most often associated name with BJJ. After the huge amounts of success his students had with leg locks, the New Zealander really timed his peak right, first with this secrecy, secondly with the teasing Joe Rogan appearance, and finally, in launching his instructional avalanche at the very best moment when everyone was interested in his work.

Since then, Danaher has not just launched instructionals, but the entire series, both Gi and No-Gi and he is far from done. To this point, we’ve all seen or used at least one Danaher instructional in our quest for better BJJ.

Interestingly enough, with the rise of different coaching streams in BJJ, namely the Ecological Dynamics Approach and CLA, the man pioneering these methods Greg Sauders made a snappy comment about the length of Danaher’s instructionals, which landed him in fire as John’s students stood up to defend the BJJ mastermind.

While Sauders did raise some legitimate questions, the Danaher instructionals machine keeps on rolling, with yet another title now offering as deep an insight into a specific technique as is humanly possible. The latest member of the Master the Move series is the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD.

Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD Review

The John Danaher Master the Move DVD about the Anaconda Stangle features the customary structure featuring 8 distinct volumes, with different durations each, all coming down to a total of 4 hours of high-quality, super-specific instruction on just one BJJ move:

Part 1 – Front Headlocks

As John begins his instructional, we’re drawn into the familiar Danaher Twilight zone of grappling, with the ever-changing tone and impeccably thought-out vocabulary in every second of the material.

The first part of the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD is all about the position that comes before the Anaconda choke, and that’s the front headlock. John talks a lot about the chokes you have at your disposal from the position and overviews the rolling motions Olympic wrestlers use from it, which we rarely practice correctly in BJJ.

Part 2 – Central Problems

A central feature of any Danehr DVD to date has been a detailed focus on the central problems that you need to solve in order to make a specific move work. In the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD, he defines two such problems and, of course, offers more than one way to solve them.

None of the solutions come in this portion, as that is what the following 6 volumes are for, but John does refer back to this part very often in the rest of the material. This portion also outlines the ‘T’ position, something we know Danaher loves from his Kimura instructionals, and how to optimally set it up.

Part 3 – The Roll

Coming back to a motion briefly mentioned in the first volume of the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD, part three dissects the Olympic roll motion, as it pertains to the Anaconda choke and front headlock efficiency in Jiu-Jitsu.

The “T” position features again, but this time so does the roll, which, even though is not at all mandatory for an Anaconda choke, can help and looks super cool. Danaher breaks it down into two sequential steps and offers a variety of adjustments in terms of leg placement to make it work for everyone.

Part 4 – Standing Anaconda Setups

Most people will go for a guillotine when they’re trying to fight off a takedown. Most people will also fail with said guillotine because they’re not willing to go through with it. The alternative arrives in the form of the Anaconda choke, conveniently done from the same position as a guillotine (sort of).

In the fourth part of the John Danaher Anaconda DVD is a surprising number of ways you can fend off single leg and double leg attacks using the anaconda choke. Even if you go to ground, the result is going to be a submission finish for you, rather than simply points for your opponent.

Part 5 – Passing With the Anaconda Choke

Submission passing is a mark of the New Wave team, put together and led by John, so it’s no surprise that Anaconda details in passing context also feature in the DVD. Unlike with the guillotine, the goal is not to pass with the Anaconda but rather pass into a finish.

This portion of the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD examines the inverted North-South position as a target to hit with your passing, as well as how to approach seated and supine opponents with the end goal of strangling them with the move.

Part 6 – Top Pins & Guard Tactics

Mount and side control setup of the anaconda marks the first half of this volume, offering ways to set up and finish without risking your pinning position. The front headlock acts as a bridge between the top pining position and the guarded Anaconda focus, which comes next.

From a bottom perspective, John Danaher shares setups that begin with the front headlock, more precisely, with the mandatory arm-in position (holding a head and arm from the front). Two methods he shares for getting to the choke are heisting and going for overhead sweeps with his favorite Sumi Gaeshi.

Part 7 – Setting it Up From the Back

One thing I’ve never really done much (at least not intentionally) is to set up the Anaconda from the back position. Danaher offers much food for thought for me to start considering this, by sharing top tips on incorporating the reverse armlock as a launching pad.

In this portion of the John Danaher Anaconda DVD, you’ll also find classic anaconda submission chains involving the Darce on the opposite side and the guillotine in the middle. As expected, these chains contain the level of detail only Danaher can provide.

Part 8 – Anaconda Alternatives & Troubleshooting

As we get to the end of the quite extensive Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD, the only thing remaining are a few troubleshooting tips. John has important tips on how to keep going if you can’t get to the ‘T’ position and an eventual bail-out option that will take you to the back.

He also addresses the Olympic roll in more detail, covering a few more front headlock pointers, before wrapping it all up with a guard pull into the Anaconda choke which I expect will trip up many white to purple belts in upcoming competitions. Just a hunch.

Front Headlock Attacks

Attacking the front headlock is something you absolutely need in your BJJ game. It is as stable as a pin for control, as versatile as the Kimura for setting up different submissions without letting go of the grip and as surprisingly useful as inversions when you want to change from bottom to top in an instant. Plus, you can use it while standing too.

What I find people struggling with the most from the position is how to stay connected in a way that helps them keep the opponent where they want, and open up further attacking avenues.

The first thing to address is the grips – there is no one best grip to use. Aim to have as tight of a loop around the opponent’s head and arm and you’ll do great using any grip you want.

Next, we have the biggest issue most people are not aware of – the arms are not enough. When you put your entire body to use from the front headlock, the resulting control is going to be much heavier. I like to point to people to try and force the chin of the opponent to their chest. In the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD, you’ll find this in the portions covering the “T” position.

FULL DOWNLOAD: ANACONDA STRANGLE JOHN DANAHER DVD

Master The Move

Another John Danaher DVD. This one is really good, but then again, each of them has lots to offer in terms of perceived value for someone specializing. I’d say that the Anaconda Strangle John Danaher DVD is worthy if nothing else, to help you understand the front headlock, mainly because it covers a lot more angles of control, including rolling, as opposed to other Danaher DVDs you might have seen.

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What UFC Bryce Mitchell Said To Make Dana White Call Him “Dumbest Human Being”

BJJ World

UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his comments about Adolf Hitler. During the inaugural episode of his “ArkanSanity Podcast,” Mitchell described Hitler as a “good guy” and denied the Holocaust. These remarks have drawn widespread condemnation from fans, the media, and UFC President Dana White.

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“I honestly think that Hitler was a good guy based upon my own research”

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The Shocking Bryce Mitchell Hitler Comments

Mitchell’s comments are nothing short of inflammatory. He praised Hitler for “purifying” Germany by removing Jews and took the opportunity to mock the LGBTQ+ community. The backlash was swift and fierce, with many labeling his comments as antisemitic, homophobic, and transphobic.

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“Hitler was a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education,” Mitchell declared. “I really do think before Hitler got on meth, he was a guy I’d go fishing with. He fought for his country.

He wanted to purify it by kicking the greedy Jews out, that were destroying his country and turning them all into gays. They were gaying out the kids. They were queering out the women. They were queering out the dudes.”

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His comments, as expected, resulted in plenty of reactions that included his boss, Dana White. White did not hold back in his response. visibly frustrated. In his usual style, Dana did not spare any words and insults to Mitchell when reacting to his insensitive comments:

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“I’ve heard a lot of dumb, ignorant s*** in my day, but this one’s probably the worst,” White said. “Hitler is one of the most disgusting and evil human beings to ever walk the face of the Earth, and anyone who tries to even take an opposing position is a moron.”

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However, despite the outrage, White confirmed that Mitchell would not face disciplinary action, citing the principle of free speech.“I don’t care if you don’t like it,” White added, doubling down on his stance.

Bryce Mitchell Apology Not Enough

Mitchell, perhaps realizing the gravity of his words, took to Instagram to issue an apology. Yet, this apology has done little to quell the outrage. Fans, commentators, and advocacy groups are calling for more substantial action against the fighter.

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“I’m sorry I sounded insensitive,” he wrote on Instagram. “I definitely was not trying to offend anybody, but I know I did. I know that a lot of people died in the Holocaust, and that’s a fact.

Hitler did a lot of evil things, I think we can all agree on that. I’m definitely not a Nazi, and definitely do not condone any of the evil things Hitler did.”

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The impact of Mitchell’s comments extends far beyond the octagon. “Bryce Mitchell’s comments are not just offensive; they are dangerous,” said Sarah Silverman, a prominent Jewish comedian and activist. “This kind of rhetoric can incite violence and hatred, and it has no place in our society.”

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A post shared by Bryce Mitchell (@thugnasty_ufc)

The Free Speech Debate

As the MMA community grapples with the controversy, it highlights a broader issue: the balance between free speech and the responsibility that comes with a public platform.

While some argue that Mitchell’s comments are protected under free speech, others believe that such hateful rhetoric should not be tolerated. Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center was unequivocal in his condemnation.

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“Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences,” Cooper said. “The UFC must take a stand against hate speech.”

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White’s decision not to discipline Mitchell has drawn significant criticism. Many believe that the UFC should take a stronger stand against bigotry and hate speech, particularly given the sport’s global reach and influence.

What Now?

Mitchell’s remarks have undeniably left a lasting impact on the MMA community. While some fans support Dana White’s stance on free speech, many others believe that the UFC should take a more proactive approach in condemning hate speech.

The controversy surrounding Bryce Mitchell is far from over. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of words and the responsibilities that come with having a public platform. As the MMA community continues to debate and discuss this issue, one thing is clear: Mitchell’s comments have sparked a conversation that won’t be silenced anytime soon.

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Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD Review [2025]

Ognen Dzabirski

Key Takeaways

A Gi BJJ insturctional that focuses on the execution of the sneaky baseball bat choke.
Includes expert details on grips, finishing mechanics, and troubleshooting the choke as you go.
Magid offers not just the popular bottom-position setups, but also top-position baseball choke entries and finishes.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

BASEBALL CHOKES FROM EVERYWHERE MAGID HAGE DVD GET HERE:

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If someone has ever used the baseball choke on you, I am certain you’ve asked them immediately after tapping (or waking up) to tell you just what in the BJJ world they did. Most people that figure out what this choke is, end up falling in love with it.

However, these love stories turn out to be one-night stands in the big picture of BJJ, and we haven’t seen any experts with the choke at the highest levels. Apart form Magid Hage, of course.

Privy to the choke since his early days in BJJ as a kid, Magid built an entire, highly effective Jiu-Jitsu game around the baseball choke, putting some of the top competitors in the world to sleep. All the juicy, truly never-before-seen details of his baseball choke escapades are now out in the Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD.

The Sneakiest Choke in BJJ

There are quite a few contenders for the title of the sneakiest choke in BJJ, but the baseball choke has always been one of the strongest ones. The first time you see it done, especially that crazy bottom setup where you pull the top person into a pass only to choke them is going to change your view of BJJ attacks for good.

This aspect of the baseball bat choke is exactly why this choke is so dangerous and effective – nobody sees it coming. Even from the top, the setup for the baseball bat choke is innocuous and stealthy, and once your opponent realizes where they are it is impossible to defend.

In all honesty, the choke is fairly easy to prevent and defend in the early stages, hence all the need for secrecy. However, understanding that being sneaky with it is key for half of the success of the choke is all you need to start pulling it off.

The second part of the success of the baseball choke is that it is incredibly tight, and you put your entire body weight behind it as opposed to simply squeezing with your arms or pulling with your lats. All these details and a ton more are up for grabs in the Baseball Chokes Magid Hage DVD.

The Babe Ruth of BJJ Chokes – Magid Hage

Whenever I hear or read the name Magid Hage I think of baseball chokes. That’s exactly the legacy you want as a submission specialist in BJJ. Hage’s proficiency with this one crazy effective move is on the same level as Eddie Cumming’s heel hooks, Roger’s cross collar choke, and Craig Jones’ shorts design patterns.

A fourth-degree BJJ black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr, promoted when he was only 19, Hage has been a loyal representative of Gracie Barra over the years. Training since he was 10, Magid always saw BJJ as a means of having fun, which is something that is clearly reflected in his style.

Hagid caught everyone’s eye with his crazy baseball choke setups and finishes between 2015 and 2020, establishing himself as the leading expert in that particular Gi BJJ submission finish. ‘Gorilla Hands’ went on to build on his legacy, currently heading the Surfight Academy in San Diego.

While there are tons we could learn from someone with Magid’s experience (he’s been training BJJ for over 40 years to date), it’s the baseball choke details that everyone’s curious about. Well, they are now all laid bare in the Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD.

Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD Review

The Baseball Chokes Magid Hage DVD is a four-part instructional that drivers just under 2 hours of super-high quality material on an elusive and sneaky choke by the world’s leading expert on that particular move:

Part 1 – Baseball Choke from Bottom

Kicking off the Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD is a series of fine details on how to hold and move your body that only someone with a lifetime of experience can pinpoint. Having learned the choke from a Judoka in his father’s gym as a kid, Magid brings exactly that to the table.

The chapters in this first volume involve an intricate and highly detailed explanation of the baseball choke grips, how to get them, how deep you should go, and how to prevent finger injuries. Magid also shares a few tested bottom setups from different positions that ensure you will get the tap and not just risk a pass.

Part 2 – Sneaky Baseball Bat Choke Setups

The real magic with the baseball bat choke happens in the second part of the Baseball Chokes Magid Hage DVD. This is where Magid uses the foundations laid out in the first part to guide you through a series of sneaky bottom position setups for the choke, mostly from different guards.

The over under, leg drag, and reverse half all feature here, with Magid demonstrating exactly where and when you should look for the choke to ensure you strangle whoever is trying to pass your guard. In fact, magid explains beautifully why passing won’t really matter when your baseball choke trap is set, as you want the top person closer.

Part 3 – Finishing Details

This part is the one that those who already love doing the baseball choke will appreciate the most. The third part of this Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD focuses on finishing the choke, along with key troubleshooting information.

Magid uses the knee shield setup to shed light on how you can adjust the choke along the way, and how to know whether or not it is safe to remove the guard. I can freely say that I’ve never seen so many details on baseball choke finishes anywhere else to date.

Part 4 – Baseball Bat Chokes from Everywhere

While most people might have used the baseball bat choke from the knee on the belly position, it is not a go-to from the top. I know because before seeing the Baseball Chokes Magid Hage DVD, that’s exactly how I viewed it.

Safe to say, Hage swayed my opinion. In the final part of his instructional, he builds on the finishing mechanics laid out earlier, easily pinpointing the adjustments you need to make when setting the choke up from the top so that it works even better than from the bottom.

As it turns out, you can set the choke up not just from a bunch of different positions, but also from different ranges. You can hit it from passing, for example, or even against turtled-up opponents.

Finishing the instructional in an unexpected way, Magid Hage shares his thoughts on whether or not the baseball bat choke works in BJJ and a few notions on the No-Gi version of the baseball choke.

Hidden BJJ Attacks

The more you’re able to make your intentions in BJJ, the more successful you’ll be in dominating and especially finishing opponents. The baseball choke is a clear example of how important sneakiness and attention guiding are in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The same is true for every other attacking aspect of BJJ, and to a point, even defensive efforts. For example, the very well-known dilemma principle preached by Danaher is a variation of hiding attacks to the point that the opponent has no idea what the real threat is.

From submission passing to fake guard pulls that open up ankle picks, hiding your true intentions is the mark of a true expert grappler. You’ll see it as a reliable strategy with every one of the top competitors of all time, so why not use it in your game as well?

Start with the Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD. It will direct your focus to what’s probably the most useful integration of a hidden BJJ attack, setting you up to succeed with the more open-ended aspects of BJJ when using the same strategy later on.

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Home Run Derby

Time to hit the home run with the baseball choke every time you swing for it! Expect to fail, especially during your first few attempts. However, once you understand the details laid out in the Baseball Chokes From Everywhere Magid Hage DVD, you’ll be able to hit the choke from top, bottom, and even standing positions, and even use it without the Gi as well.

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Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD Review [2025]

Ognen Dzabirski

Key Takeaways

A BJJ insturctional containing a complete system on playing the shin to shin guard in Gi and No-Gi.
Features fundamental mechanics, sweeps, leg locks, X-guard combinations, back takes, and entries.
Answers common questions and provides counters to common passes.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9.5 out of 10.

SHIN TO SHIN SYSTEM SHAWN WILLIAMS DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD Preview — FULL TRAILER: Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD

The shin to sin guard is like the half guard these days, especially if you’re doing a lot of No-Gi Jiu-JItsu. Like it or not, you’re going to end up in it, both playing and trying to beat it. So, why not accept that it is here to stay and try to create a working system from there?

Better yet, why not copy a system that has been proven to work at the highest levels of BJJ? The Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD has got you covered on everything shin to shin guard-related, both for Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu.

Seated Guards: High-Risk High-Reward

When I was a fresh blue belt, I was a big proponent of seated guards, more precisely, the Koala guard. It is a seated guard that provided some awesome options with the Gi until a friend of mine figured out a way to kill it – he simply pushed my head to the mats.

This is the most in-your-face (literally, if you try the Koala guard) example of how seated guards can go from hero to zero in an instant. So why play them at all? Because they also have a lot of attacking potential and are incredible for disrupting the balance.

If you’ve ever played a seated De la Riva using the Gi (skull-crusher sweep, anyone?) you know how many options seating up can open. The same is true for the shin to shin guard, arguably the most utilized seated guard variation in BJJ these days.

A shared problem for all these guards is the proximity of your head to the opponent’s arms. This can spell trouble for you unless you know how to mitigate it with optimal angles and a precise grip-fighting strategy. One man who has figured it out is Shawn Williams, with his findings now available in the Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD.

The Grappling Brilliance of Shawn Williams

When I was a blue belt I somehow came across a Shawno Williams instructional. It was about a guard I had never heard about, called the Williams guard. While it didn’t have a fancy name, it delivered efficiency in a way no other guard did in the direction of providing me with a reliable go-to closed-guard version.

Back in those days, innovating and naming stuff after yourself was not as encouraged as it is now, especially by Gracie family members. Renzo Gracie, however, was always a different breed of Gracie. Most of the innovation in the BJJ world came from that blue basement, and Shawn Williams and his guard efforts are just one example.

A black belt under Renzo, and only the fifth American to get the coveted rank, Shawn Williams was touted as one of the top competitors of his generation, competing a lot in the early 2000s. Rolling every day with the likes of Matt Serra, Danaher, and Ricardo Almeida meant Shawn had to be at his best in those super-hard old days of training in the blue basement.

Guard was his forte, and to this day, I have not figured out a better-closed guard than the Williams guard. Now, the story gets a second part, this time with the focus on a seated guard variation in the Shin To Shin Guard Shawn Williams.

Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD Review

The Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD has way more than just the essentials, offering a system divided into 6 volumes which include control, attacks, transitions, entries, and troubleshooting. There is even a dedicated volume for Gi adjustments in this four-and-a-half-hour-long DVD:

Part 1 – Shin To Shin Fundamentals

First things first, the key aspects that make the shin to shin guard work. As it is clear by now, failure from seated guards is just as possible as winning an exchange. Understandably, Shawn’s first lessons have to do with the fundamental elements of the guard, such as positioning, grips, essential movement, and primary attacks.

This opening act of the Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD presents a concept that explains the essentials behind flat and spinning attacks, which I really wish I had known when I first picked up the shin to shin position.

Willimas also delivers ideas on what exactly you need to do to the primary leg to start your attacks and how to be heavy on your opponent. A short tease about using the guard to get to Ashi announces part two.

Part 2 – Ashi Garami & Sweep Attacks

The longest volume of this Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD is all about leg locks. Not surprising, since most people only think of them when they enter into the shin to shin guard.

Shawn’s mini system of leg locks from the position begins with the usual suspects, such as single leg X connections and getting to straight Ashi, outside Ashi, and Inside Senkaku. he also throws in the full X guard in the mix, introducing a variety of sweeps and teaching you how to create dilemma situations.

Part 3 – Bear Traps & Wrestle Ups

One of the less known and used leg locking options that is having its moment in the sun these days is the calf slicer from the bear trap position, or in 10th Planet lingo, the Ham Sandwich.

In part three of the Shin To Shin Guard Shawn Williams, you get as deep of an analysis as anyone can deliver on the position. Shawn starts by explaining the risks of looking for this position, as he outlines different ways to get the position by being proactive and reactive from the shin to shin.

He does an excellent job at connecting the dots between the bear trap and traditional Ashi Garami, which provides you with a means to funnel the opponent into wrestle-ups that conclude the system. Some impressive Kosoto and single-leg finishes wrap things up.

Part 4 – Troubleshooting

I always enjoy when people include a troubleshooting section in a BJJ DVD, although not all of them contain actionable and valuable information. Well, you can rest assured that Shawn delivers exactly what you need to answer the questions that you have about his shin to shin guard system.

Some key topics covered in this part include dealing with knee cuts and breakaways, which are two of the most common counters available to the top person. All levels of backsteps into Ashi also get a lot of attention before Willimas provides a formula for winning leg pummels every time.

Submission awareness against rolling Kimuras rounds off the troubleshooting portion of the Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD.

Part 5 – Shin To Shin Entries

You can tell that Shawn shares a past with Danaher, as they have the same principle of teaching the things you do first in rolling at the end of their lessons and instructionals. That’s the best way to do it, anyway.

Getting to the shin to shin guard often results in catastrophic position giveaways for the bottom person, so Shawn addresses fallacies first, before offering a few proven ways to get to the guard. For the most part, he talks about setting it up against standing opponents, covering two distances – long range with no grips, and from a hand-fighting pocket.

Providing both a great example of a level-changing opponent, and introducing the next and last part of the Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD is an entry to the shin to shin from the De la Riva guard.

Part 6 – Gi Shin To Shin System

Another Shawn Williams super-cool move is that he also provides a blueprint for setting up and playing the shin to shin guard in the Gi. In the final part of the Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD, he dons the cloth and goes over the differences between playing the shin to shin guard in Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu.

Sleeve grips are the aspect Shawn focuses on the most, with plenty of De la Riva-style sweep attacks becoming an option. On a more interesting note, a lapel ber trap setup features in the middle of this volume, and it became an instant favorite of mine.

There are also Berimobolo countering details, ways to spin under into inverted attacks, and directions on blocking passes. A series of pummeling drills bring an end to this exhaustive, but very well-put-together BJJ instructional.

Looking Past Leg Locks

So where does the shin to shin guard fit in your game if you’re not big on leg locks? The answer is the same as with any other seated guard – whenever you’re engaging a standing, sometimes kneeling opponent, and you’d like to isolate a leg while staying very close.

This last part about distance is what matters the most. It is why seated guards work so well in both Gi and No-Gi. When you latch on to the leg of a standing opponent, the full weight of your body is there to keep them “chained” to the ground. using the same principle you can create off-balances, in all directions, using a multitude of different methods.

One more important thing that comes to mind when seated guards are the subject is their checkpoint role, as a safe spot to hang out in when changing different guards, especially when you’re changing the distance, and/or the top person is changing levels. It’s all in the Shin To Shin Shawn Williams Guard DVD, explained to a ‘T’.

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Sit to Win!

Lazy BJJ is the best BJJ. Seat on your butt, grab that leg and become one of the most annoying and difficult-to-beat people in the gym. At least when we’re talking about playing guard. If you want to keep your suffering to a minimum, use the well-presented and tested advice from the Essential Shin To Shin System Shawn Williams DVD to get an immediate edge when you introduce the shin to shin guard to your game.

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Marcelo Garcia AMA: White, Blue & Purple Belts Should Focus On This

Ognen Dzabirski

Marcelo Garcia, a name synonymous with expert BJJ performance is back in the spotlight for all the right reasons. He beat cancer, returned to world-class level competitions, and submitted fellow veteran Masuzaku Imanari in a spectacular fashion in his comeback match. After the fact, the GOAT took to Reddit, opening a Marcelo Gracia AMA thread where he shared some invaluable pieces of advice on every aspect of Jiu-Jitsu and life he was asked about.

Marcelo Garcia AMA: White to Purple Belt Focus Explained

Marcelo Garcia’s path to becoming a multiple-time world champion in BJJ is a testament to his dedication and passion for the art. Starting his training in Brazil, Garcia quickly rose through the ranks, earning accolades and respect from the global BJJ community.

His innovative approach to grappling, particularly his mastery of the butterfly guard and X-guard revolutionized the sport and inspired countless practitioners worldwide.

In the Marcelo Gracia AMA thread on Reddit, the 42-year-old kept answers short and to the point but took his time to answer everything respectfully, offering some invaluable advice along the way. A few particular answers caught people’s attention the most interesting of which was Marcelo’s advice on what to focus on at different belt levels.

One of the Reddit members asked the GOAT: “If you were to start all over again – what would be the 1 key essential that you’d try to get as good at as possible at each belt level?”

Marcelo’s responses, while short, gathered as much attention as his comeback grappling match in ONE. Well, almost:

1. White Belt: Injury Proof Yourself

Marcelo Garcia started at the beginning, addressing what he’d do at white belt IF he had to do things over again:

“White belt – I would’ve learn how not to get hurt.”

With injuries quite prevalent in our sport, this advice is not something people training should take lightly. Marcelo has seen thousands, if not tens of thousands of people on the mats in his BJJ career, and knows injury rates better than anyone.

2. Blue Belt: Become a Specialist

Addressing the blue belt level next, Garcia had this incredible piece of advice to share”

“Blue belt – I would’ve learn specific training and techniques. For example, back attacks, side control, mount etc”

The time for specializing is at blue belt, as you already understand enough to navigate BJJ, but need in-depth practice in everything as well. The biggest takeaway here is not to focus on everything at once, but rather take your time to go through different positions and moves and study them in detail.

3. Purple Belt: Fight on the Feet

The final piece of advice Marcelo had to offer had to do with the goals a purple belt should have, according to him:

“Purple belt – I would’ve focus more on my stand-up.”

Pretty straightforward, but also very smart. At purple belt, you already have more than an idea of what’s going on. You’re good at different things, can work your way around injuries, and can dedicate yourself completely to learning takedowns without the fear standing practice usually presents newbies and less experienced grapplers.

More Marcelo Gracia Reddit AMA Gems

You know that while the centerpiece of the entire Marcelo Garcia AMA on Reddit was his take on progressing through the BJJ belts rank, at the end of the day there were going to be some great gems among the questions, and even better ones in the answers Marcelo provided.

Check these out:

Q: “Best advice for older grapplers on reducing wear and tear on the body?”
Marcelo: “We need to train with no ego. We should be better at that especially when we’re older.”

_________________________________________________________________

Q: “How did you get so good at grappling bigger opponents? Did you favor training technique over live rounds? Give me your secrets.”
Marcelo: “I believe jiujitsu would definitely help on that. I always feel that I need to prove my jiujitsu against people my size and bigger people too. Since I started, I always train with people bigger than me.”

_________________________________________________________________

Q: “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Murr from Impractical Jokers?”
Marcelo: “At least five people on the streets.”

_________________________________________________________________

Q: “I just opened my first gym a few months ago. Pls wish me luck and could offer any advice to maintain a positive environment?”
Marcelo: “Good luck and don’t let people be rude to each other inside and outside the mat.”

_________________________________________________________________

The Marcelo Garcia AMA thread on Reddit went on to cover a bunch of other topics, related or unrelated to BJJ, as people enjoyed having the chance to change a few words and get some advice on arguably the best grappler ever in the history of submission grappling.

The Best For Last

If there’s one more Marcelo Gracia AMA session answer that deserves to be pointed out from among all the others it has to be this one:

_________________________________________________________________

Q: “Any tips for longevity?”
Marcelo: “Jiujitsu – focus on not getting hurt and use it to release stress. Life – Do jiujitsu so you don’t get too stressed out.”

_________________________________________________________________

Marcelo Garcia really knocked it out of the park with his AMA session, which was the very first of its kind with the legendary grappler. We hope to see much more of Marcelo in the ONE circle, but also on Reddit in the upcoming months!

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UFC Star Brian Ortega Flies Cross-Country to Settle Fortnite Feud With A Choke

Filip Zanki

In a bizarre turn of events, UFC star Brian Ortega took his online gaming rivalry to a whole new level by flying cross-country to confront a fan who had been trash-talking him during Fortnite matches. This unexpected encounter has captured the attention of both the MMA and gaming communities, highlighting the unpredictable nature of online interactions.

Brian Ortega Shows Up at a Fan’s Workplace ‘We Made a Bet’

The story began with Ortega, known for his exceptional submission skills inside the octagon, receiving numerous requests from fans to play Fortnite with him. While most interactions were friendly, one particular player’s behavior crossed the line, prompting UFC fighter Brian Ortega to take action.

The fan, who had been talking trash during their matches, challenged Ortega to a bet: if Ortega lost, he would fly to North Carolina to confront him. True to his word, Ortega made the journey, showing up at the fan’s workplace and waiting for him to finish his shift.

“People ask me ‘hey play with me on Fortnite, play with me on Fortnite.’ Only problem is you guys be talking mad.” said Ortega, “The real reason why I flew to North Carolina was because he was talking s**t. We made a bet.”

“I showed up to his damn job and I had to wait for him to finish his job. So now, ‘Imma choke your a out. A bet’s a bet!”

In a recorded interaction where Brian Ortega chokes fan out, he can be heard telling the fan, “I’m gonna choke your ass out,” to which the fan responded, “That’s a bet, dog.” Ortega then instructed the fan to put his hands up, signaling the start of the submission attempt.

Brian Ortega flew out to North Carolina to choke out someone who was talking trash to him on Fortnite 😭

🎥 @BrianTcity #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/VR5T1hASVu

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 28, 2025

‘Still Want to Play With Me ?? Lol Bets be Crazy!’

The video shows Ortega executing a flawless chokehold, putting the fan to sleep. After the incident, the fan admitted, “I took a nap man. Hey, f*king s*$t feel weird man.”

The video of the confrontation quickly went viral, sparking a mix of reactions from fans and fellow fighters. While some praised Ortega for standing up to online bullying, others questioned the appropriateness of his actions.

After the Brian Ortega Fortnite choke video of the bet went viral, Ortega declared on X: ‘Still Want to Play With Me ?? Lol Bets be Crazy!’ I doubt any more Fortnite players will decide to try their luck against a UFC fighter anytime soon.

Brian Ortega’s cross-country confrontation serves as a reminder that online interactions can have real-world consequences. His actions have reignited discussions about the boundaries between virtual and physical worlds, and the responsibilities of public figures in handling online conflicts.

As we wait to see Ortega’s next performance in the UFC featherweight division, this incident will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the more unusual chapters in his journey.

Mixed Year for Ortega

Choking out his Fortnite rival is one of the top highlights of 2024 for Brian Ortega. He had a mixed year in the octagon, finally taking his revenge on Yair Rodriguez in a bout at UFC Fight Nigth 37, where he emerged the winner by way of submission in the third round.

His next performance saw him lose to Diego Lopes via a decision at UFC 306 in a bout that he had to pull out of originally for the UFC 303 event in July, stating illness as his reason for withdrawal. At the moment he doesn’t have a fight booked.

Final Thoughts

Looking ahead, Ortega has announced plans to move up to the lightweight division. He stated that the featherweight title path is uncertain due to the growing list of contenders, and he believes moving to 155 pounds is the best career decision.

Ortega is excited about the possibility of facing tough opponents like Charles Oliveira, whom he admires for his resilience and success. We already know that he can choke out people larger than him, don’t we?

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Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD Review [2025]

Ognen Dzabirski

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD focusing solely on how to open up routes to attack the back.
Offers exposure from standing, top, bottom, and Ashi Garami with lots of different options and details.
Underwhelms somewhat in the turtle department, offering unrealistic attacks.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

CREATING BACK EXPOSURE LUKE GRIFFITH DVD – GET IT NOW:

Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD Preview — SEE FULL TRAILER: Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD

“Get the back!” This is one of the most common things shouted out at your average BJJ tournament everywhere in the world. Yet, many of the results for competitors trying to heed this advice usually end up in failure to achieve it. And it all has to do with how you set up to get there.

It is one thing to see the back and get it in an opportunistic fashion, It is another thing completely to create openings that are hard to block from all kinds of positions, top and bottom. That is exactly what the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD attempts, and to a certain point, succeeds in delivering.

The Two End-Ranges of Back Attacks

You all know what back attacks are, but do you know what the two most difficult aspects of executing them from start to finish are? You probably do, but I’m going to tell you anyway, in a manner that hopefully puts things into perspective and clears up a few misconceptions.

The one huge aspect of back attacks that is immensely difficult to do is finish a submission from the back. Many people take the position for granted, thinking that they’re guaranteed a finish simply by getting the hooks and winning the grip fight. Well, there’s lots to do still, particularly if the person defending isn’t trying to escape but only trying to stop submissions.

Another key area that defines your success with back attacks is creating the optimal opening to go for the hooks and harness in the first place. People ‘jump’ to the back hoping for the best, but that’s like trying to jump in a pool without seeing where the pool is – doesn’t make too much sense, does it?

So far, not many instructors have addressed this in their DVDs, although I’ve seen it covered extensively in seminars and camp classes. The Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD is filling that void now, with plenty of very useful information that stops at back exposure.

BJJ Wonderboy Luke Griffith

Looking in from the outside, one gets the impression that everyone over at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, from Danaher to the cleaning lady, has made an instructional. Long-winded DVDs about everything and the kitchen sink don’t carry too much value, but there are some hidden gems among all the rustle.

Most of those in the BJJ World who are not die-hard competitors probably don’t consider Luke Griffith to be someone worth looking into, especially when they find out he is “only” a brown belt. However, those who are aware of the young South African’s performances, know that there is a lot to be learned from the 23-year-old.

The two-time ADCC trials winner and multiple-time World and Pan champion (colored belts, of course) took the grappling competition circuit by storm a couple of years ago and has been constantly growing since. He’s already beaten some big names such as Oliver Taza, Kaynan Duarte, and Rida Haisam.

A master of back attacks Griffith is notoriously hard to shake off, both because he weighs more than 220lbs, and because he has incredible technique and tactic when it comes to the back mount. He talks about it in great detail in the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD.

Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD Review

I love the fact that Luke Griffith managed to stay true to the title of this instructional and only focus on creating exposure that might lead to back takes, and not talk about hooks, chokes, and actual back attacks incisively.

The Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD consists of five volumes, each targeting a different aspect of the subject. The combined length of all the volumes reaches just over three and a half hours.

Part 1 – Standing Back Exposure Tactics

One aspect of the standing game in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that people often disregard the back as a viable attacking option. The first part of the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD does a great job of shining a very important light on this aspect of the standing game.

Luke shares his basic concepts of attack, immediately launching into coverage of New Wave team classics in the form of Kouchi and Ouchi attacks that led to snapdowns. Throughout the volume, he uses takedown threats to ensure he gets on the outside and can expose the back.

Techniques covered in this one offer something for everyone in terms of technical versatility and preferences: Underhooks, slidebys, overties, duck under and some nice Judo hip throws. I was particularly keen on rewatching the knee block shuck over and over again.

Part 2 – Passing to the Back

A volume that offers all the usual methods we see New Wave competitors employ, but simplified. This Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD is like asking ChatGPT to dumb things down for a 12-year-old, only covering what’s really important and works from Danaher’s complex systems.

Torreando passes open up the chapters in this volume, closely followed by the pins that you should focus on during the pass so that you get back exposure without any effort. Stacking, shin pins, and the body lock feature are the stars here.

The front end of back attacks, which is mounted, also makes an appearance here, along with a few side control options to round off the list of positions that you can use to create back exposure from the top.

Part 3 – Drag-Based Bottom Setups

I enjoyed this part of the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD a lot. I was ready to call it my favorite, but there’s something in the next volumes that convinced me otherwise. That places this portion of the instructional as a close second.

In it, Griffith uses the concept of arm drags, more precisely the hip heisting drags to twist the top person’s spine, while breaking their balance, resulting in an exposed back. Luke throws a host of different options at us here, from diagonal tosses to cat-like kickflip twists.

Toward the end, he uses a lot of DLR guard to launch inverted attacks that end up creating back attack options. The final couple of chapters address half guard arm dargs on both sides.

Part 4 – Ashi Garami to the Back

My undeniably favorite part of the Luke Griffith Back DVD is the one that beat drags for the title. Most people only see back attacks as a way to counter leg locks, but Luke now explains where to look for the back when you’re the one attacking the Ashi.

Most of the focus is on cross-ashi, with the 50/50 dominating as the optimal position for creating back exposure. Griffith uses Ashi bolos, which are basically inversions from Ashi Garami to open up the back.

As it turns out these Ashi bolos do the trick not just from the 50/50, but also Outside Ashi and Cross Ashi variations. I can’t pick a favorite chapter from this one – I liked them all.

Part 5 – Attacking the Turtle

I can’t blame Luke for the fallacies in this part, as he bases all his instructions on what he’s been taught by John and Gordon, and his competitive success with it. However, against people who are true masters of the defensive turtle, none of the stuff in this part is going to work.

Since those folks are still kind of scarce, you’ll probably be able to pull off some of the turtle breakdowns Griffith delivers in this final part of the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD. I wouldn’t bet on them working on a high-level defense expert, though.

The perspective of attacking just to create exposure, which runs as the hero focuses through this DVD flawlessly, looks into inserting claw grips and tight waist control before attacking from different angles, mostly diagonal ones. Wrestling has many defensive answers to these threats though, so I remain unconvinced.

Think Back, Do Everything

So many good things happen when you get your opponent to panic. But how can you get someone who’s done BJJ for so long to mess up when you want them to? Threatening with something that’s proven to be dangerous for everyone seems to do the trick for me.

Trying to create an opening for back attacks is the perfect example. How many times have you gotten the chance to set up guillotines off of arm drags from the guard that originally aimed to open up a route to the back? Another commonly seen scenario is people turning into you as you try to get behind when standing, resulting in a buffet of different takedown options.

Approaching BJJ exchanges like this goes past creating dilemmas. You’re actually going for the back, and you know you need to create exposure in order to get it. During this exposure creation phase, all of BJJ opens up to you, especially if your opponent notices what you’re doing. Plenty of this is covered in the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD.

Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD Free Sample — FREE TECHNIQUE SAMPLE: Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith

FULL DOWNLOAD: BACK EXPOSURE LUKE GRIFFITH DVD

Ultimate Back Exposure!

The back is one of the best spots to be in grappling, and you’ll quickly figure out how to stay there for prolonged periods once you start practicing it more. However, finishing and creating the initial exposure is going to take a lot more time on the mats.

For this last one, exposure, you can speed up the process of understanding and learning using the Creating Back Exposure Luke Griffith DVD. It has its drawbacks but overall, is a great example of how to approach the subject of creating openings for back attacks.

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NSFW! The Viral Mackenzie Dern Photoshoot You WANT to See [2025]

BJJ World

Mackenzie Dern, the renowned UFC strawweight fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom, has once again captured the world’s attention. This time, it’s not for her prowess in the octagon, but for a series of provocative undergarment photos that have gone viral. The Mackenzie Dern photoshoot is a project with renowned avant-garde photographer Juan Cardenas.

Nothing Like a Mackenzie Dern Photoshoot To Make Your Day

On January 29, 2025, Mackenzie Dern’s photoshoot took the internet by storm. The images, which feature Dern in a series of stylish and provocative undergarments, highlight her athletic physique and undeniable presence.

The photoshoot was a bold move, showcasing a different side of the 31-year-old BJJ black belt that fans and followers wanted to see. She’s done similar shoots before, but it’s always welcome to add to those collections, especially with shots like these!

Juan Cardenas is a photographer whose work is popular and sought after, mostly operating on the Las Vegas art scene, where he has earned a nomination for the prestigious Featured Artist at the Las Vegas First Friday Festival in 2019.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with social media buzzing about her stunning transformation from fighter to fashion icon. You can see all the photos below, at the end of this article. Here’s a treat:

Dern’s 2025: Huge Win, Emotional Support Dog, Making UFC History

While the photoshoot has garnered significant attention, it’s essential to recognize Dern’s accomplishments in the octagon this year.

In January, she avenged her 2019 loss to Amanda Ribas with a spectacular armbar submission victory. This win not only marked her redemption but also solidified her position as a top contender in the UFC strawweight division.

During this stellar performance in the octagon, Dern became the 12th woman in UFC history to earn 10 wins in her career, showcasing her consistency and skill., and joining an elite club.

She also caught lots of attention by bringing her emotional support dog to the UFC press conferences during fight week, stating emotional imbalances as the main reason:

“He helps me a lot just being comfortable and I’m kind of trying to stay as calm as I can,” Dern shared. “I think what I’m most needing in my fights is composure, and to kind of just go into the Apex one more time and just feel like it’s a training session.”

Balancing her professional career with motherhood, Dern continues to inspire with her dedication to both her sport and her family. We expect a strawweight title shot to come her way during 2025 as well.

“He [the dog] goes to the gym with me and everything like that and Moa [her child] is going to be here on Friday,” added Dern. “So it’s kind of the best way to just keep me relaxed and not getting all my nerves up too high.”

Mackenzie Dern’s Lingerie Photoshoot

The viral photoshoot has not only elevated Dern’s profile but also sparked conversations about the intersection of athleticism and femininity. The photo shoot serves as a reminder that athletes can be multifaceted, breaking boundaries both inside and outside the arena. Enjoy the images:

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Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD Review [2025]

Ognen Dzabirski

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD sharing world-class details on getting fast taps from the top using wristlocks.
Includes attacks from key pins such as mount, knee on belly, side control, and top half guard.
Features many standing wristlock attacks, blended with top-level wrestling.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

WRISTLOCKS FROM THE TOP PETE LETSOS DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD Preview — CHECK OUT THE TRAILER: Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD

Nobody starts training BJJ to learn how to wristlock people. However, once you tap to a wristlock or two (or several hundred), you’ll have to accept the cold, hard truth that wristlocks are here to stay in Jiu-Jitsu, and you need to hop on the wrist locking wagon sooner rather than later.

So far, Pete the Greek has been an invaluable source of expert wrist-locking information. He keeps up with that trend, now presenting his Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD, which is pretty self-explanatory by the title alone. I’ll add that it is probably his best instructional on the subject to date. Interested?

The Submission Everyone Loves to Hate

People hate wristlocks in BJJ. Well, most people. The only folks who don’t resent these sneaky and painful finishes are the ones who do them. In that regard, wristlocks are just as addictive as heel hooks and buggy chokes – once you pick them up, you won’t want to stop doing them.

Writslocks are one of those moves that act as great equalizers. Our opponent can be as big as they want and with decades of experience, but you can still pull off a wristlock finish if you understand how. This brings us to the main reason why wristlocks are not more widespread in BJJ (well, the main reason apart from being hated as shortcuts).

Namely, when people hear wristlocks, they think there’s nothing to it, and start thinking like they’re emulating Steven Seagal. Since we all know how “effective” Aikido is, if you really want to learn effective wristlocks, you need to figure out how they work in the chaos of BJJ.

With plenty of proof out there that wristlocks work, the easiest and fastest way to add them to your arsenal is to learn the basics from the man who is best at them. That man is Pete the Greek, and if I had to pick one of his wristlock instructionals to start with, it would be the Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD.

Wristlock Guru Pete ‘The Greek’ Letsos

If you’d like to learn wristlocks that work in BJJ, then Pete the Greek is your man. There is nobody else (I’ve checked) who understands writ locks to the level of detail that Pete Letsos does, particularly when we’re talking about using them for Jiu-Jitsu purposes.

So, how did Pete become this world-renowned wristlock guru? Well, the Carlson Gracie Jr. black belt has been training for about 30 years, beginning in 1996 at Carlsong Gracie’s gym in Chicago. He also spent 4 years in Brazil, training at the team’s HQ academy but also at all other gyms he could find, like Gracie Barra, BJJ Top Team, and legends such as Terere, Andre Galvao, Osvaldo Alves, etc.

Remember that back in those days, BJJ was as hardcore as it gets, with every roll done with the intensity we now associate with world championship performances. As a lightweight, Pete had to figure out how to stay competitive against all the beasts he shared the mats with.

Along the way, Pete figured out that wristlocks are his best friend. Known for an incredibly aggressive top game, Pete perfected wristlocks from everywhere, but so far, has not talked a lot about the particular ways he has used them when passing. His brand new Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD delves into this murky territory.

Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD Review

The Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD is a three-part No-Gi instructional lasting around two hours and offering details on finishing wristlocks that nobody but Pete the Greek can provide:

Part 1 – Standing Wristlocks

The Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD begins standing, with ‘the Greek” offering legitimate ways of using wristlocks to your advantage. While at very first glance it may seem as if this is going into Aikido waters, it quickly becomes clear how painful the finishes are, mostly from the facial expressions of pain on Pete’s Uke.

There are lots of wrestling elements used in this part, with snap downs, Russian ties, and double wrist ties paving the way for snappy wristlock finishes that get taps in fractions of a second. Along with key finishing details, Pete also covers several options to hit wristlocks from a standing Kimura, which I found very interesting.

Part 2 – Wristlocks from Top Side Control

The gist of this instructional happens in top side control, with Letsos delivering the majority of his material from variations of this position. He begins by exploring the different ways to attack wristlocks on pinned arms, offering options for both the far and near arms.

He builds on that by exploring how to get wristlocks from positions and attacks you’re probably already using from top side control, such as the Americana, neck frame, undertook, etc. A few malevolently sneaky bait setups also feature here.

As the second volume of the Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD unfolds, he goes into counter-attacking with wristlocks, reacting to common side control escapes. The cherries on top are a few short but sweet options for wristlocks from the Kesa Gatame and Crucifix positions.

Part 3 – Top Half, Mount & Knee on Belly Finishes

Finally, the true art of being a sneaky wrist locker gets exposed by Pete as he provides incredibly effective options to finish from very dominant positions when you can’t seem to pull another submission off.

This volume is as conceptual as it is precise, with Pete focusing on the key elements that work from both mount and top half guard, such as chest pressure, posture, and balance. He then focuses on pinning and attacking the top arm of the opponent, either directly or through counters, such as the one on destroying a hip post.

Wrapping up the Pete Letsos Wristlocks DVD are a few direct details on finishing from the technical mount, as well as an unstoppable wristlock from a top armbar position. This last one is particularly painful and fast.

The Ultimate Opportunity Creator

I have an Aikido black belt in my gym that uses wristlocks. he rarely gets taps with them since he is dead set on trying to prove Aikido works, but that’s beside the point. His success with them mainly comes through opportunities that present themselves when people use all their attention to defend wristlocks in a state of pure panic.

This is one of the main areas in which wristlocks can immediately improve your Jiu-Jitsu game. Struggling with an armbar? Wristlock. Can’t finish that triangle – same answer. Passing, sweeping, pinning even takedowns, whenever things seem to stall, threaten with a wristlock

Understandably, you have to be able to use wristlocks as a legitimate threat to pull all this off, which is where the Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD comes in. That Aikido guy I am talking about is extremely good at opening up takedowns off of any grip using wristlock threats that funnel people exactly where he wants them. Just food for thought.

Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD Free Sample — FREE DVD SAMPLE: Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos

FULL DOWNLOAD: WRISTLOCKS FROM THE TOP PETE LETSOS

Wristlock the World!

There’s really no better phrase than this one, used by Pete in all his wristlock instructions so far! You really can wristlock anyone (except maybe Pete) if you play your cards right. When you’re cruising on top, though, there’s hardly a better way to open up your opponent more, or keep them pinned with ease than applying any (or all) of the options presented in the Wristlocks From The Top Pete Letsos DVD. They all work with and without the Gi and are legal (for blue belts and above).

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The Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD Review [2025]

Ognen Dzabirski

Key Takeaways

A Gi BJJ DVD offering a ton of low-risk high-reward closed gaurd moves.
The DVD contains moves organized in systems throughout each volume, forming highly effective chains.
Malachy provides step-by-step instructions on how to turbocharge classic closed guard attacks.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9 out of 10.

THE CLOSED GUARD MALACHY FRIEDMAN BJJ DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

The Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD Preview — WATCH FULL TRAILER: Closed Guard Malachy Friedman DVD

The closed guard is the one position in BJJ that you’ll never stop using. So, since you’ll be in it anyway, why not make it work? By that, I mean really work, like a flytrap filled with venomous spikes but with added electrical currents running through it at the same time.

For that, you need someone who can teach you how to play the closed guard stuff you already know with a different set of goals and checkpoints. The Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD features exactly that, guided by the mind of one of the most innovative coaches in BJJ when it comes to effectiveness.

Make your Closed Guard Uncomfortable

Just to make things clear, the idea is to have your closed guard be uncomfortable for the top person, not yourself. I see too many people who just cross their legs, maybe get a grip on a sleeve or collar, and hang out there believing in the mystical power of the closed guard.

Well, news flash – getting to the closed guard alone doesn’t mean you get to channel Helio Gracie’s ghost to help you dominate. You’re actually going to need to put in work, and that work begins when you place pressure on the person you have in your closed guard.

Yes, pressure from bottom positions is a thing, but that’s a subject for a different time. For now, let’s just call it discomfort, and let’s get you to think about it. The next time you claw your way to a closed guard, stop thinking you can just sweep or submit.

Instead, try to make your opponent as uncomfortable as possible from the position, without risking giving away a pass. One look at the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD and you’ll get a heap of ideas on how to do it.

The Quirky Efficiency of Malachy Friedman

When someone comes from a legendary old-school lineage, such as that of Carlson Gracie, you expect effective, simple Jiu-Jitsu, based on aggressiveness and domination. Ricardo Liborio’s black belt Malachy Friedman is kind of an outlier in that regard.

Don’t get me wrong he has all the key qualities of a Carlson Gracie standout – he is methodical, relentless, keeps stuff simple, and dominates. But he does it in his own, quirky way, kind of like when a mad scientist makes you a cup of coffee.

The ex-member of the American Top Team knows perfectly what it takes to make your Jiu-Jitsu work against world champions, proven by the fact we’ve seen him in the corner of plenty of UFC, IBJJF, and ADCC champs to date.

At present, Malachy is running his own Black Label Martial Arts Academy in Charlestown and also has a brand of online instructional series, appropriately dubbed the “Jiu-Jitsu MadLab“. In there, he cooks up original recipes, such as his Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD.

Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD Review

The Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD offers a ton of closed guard moves, chains, systems, and tactics. It lasts for nearly 3 hours and, as you’ll see from out Malachy Friedman DVD review, is organized meticulously over the course of four volumes:

Part 1 – Attacking Posture & Kimura System

This instructional has lots of everything in terms of options from the closed guard. While quite elaborate in terms of the number of techniques, Friedman manages to keep everything neatly organized, offering ways to systematize the content in each volume.

The first one is all about understanding the importance of dealing with posture. Malachy offers gi and No-Gi concepts that are closely tied together, as well as resulting follow-ups along the lines of the butt sweep, a series of direct overhook submissions, and a stunningly deceptive back take.

As the opening portion of the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD gets past its halfway point, Malachy narrows down his focus to the Kimura, offering a mini system that includes sweeps, submissions, and failed Kimura armbar follow-ups.

The best part comes at the very end, setting a very cool trend throughout this entire DVD. Namely, Friedman offers a precise way of taking all the information from this volume and organizing it in a system that will work for anyone.

Part 2 – Scissor Sweep & Lapel Attacks

As we get to the second part of the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD it already feels like we went through an entire BJJ DVD. However, instead of being overwhelmed with everything but the kitchen sink, the material is actually filtered so that it contains only the most useful.

Another testament to that is the section outlining how to take the scissor sweep to a whole new threat level from the closed guard. He ties it in beautifully before introducing triangles, and a nasty loop choke to create a looping chain.

To my great delight, Friedman also covers the Brabo choke/Brabo closed guard, a lapel-based system of choking, sweeping, and back takes that destroys posture like nothing else from the closed guard. Armbars sprinkled throughout the content as a fail-safe to moves that don’t work out make this instructional the real deal.

Part 3 – Flower Sweep & Omoplatas

Part three of the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD takes us through some true old-school BJJ classics. First up is the elusive flower sweep a technique that is as simple as much as beginners tend to mess up.

Malachy’s take on it is to remove the hour-long explanation of mechanics and needless details and focus on how to get it to work. Friedman uses everything, from collar grips to laples and even armbar setups to get to the end range of the flower sweep.

Similarly classic and difficult to comprehend for lots of people is the Omoplata, which is again “dumbed down” to a level taht’s easy to make sense of. The usual culprits including sweep, triangle, and Kimura combo feature here, before the signature final chapter on how to create a system using them.

Part 4 – Armbars & Triangles

The only things left for Malachy to cover from the closed guard are… Well actually he covered pretty much everything, but he still has some very neat alternatives to offer for some of the moves already seen so far in the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD.

Armbars-wise there are spinning, rolling, and counter-attacking setups that will provide an option for literally anyone out there. The re-bite armbar was the one that did it for me. In this part, Malachy offers an armbar system roadmap as he finishes the portion covering them.

The same happens with the triangle, mostly shown from the versatile overhook position. Lots of shoulder locks, from direct attacks, through Kimuras, all the way to the Barataplata turn this system into a nightmare for your opponent. A final set of guidelines on how to create a system out of all these bits of information brings the entire DVD to a close.

Old Guard, New Tricks

The best part about the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD is that it won’t teach you anything new, but you’ll still be able to pull off stuff from the closed guard that never seemed to work for you before.

In essence, you get to re-learn some of the stuff you think you know, looking at them from a perspective that was lacking until now. You’re literally picking up new tricks to make classic day-one stuff like armbars and butt sweeps work against high-level grapplers with tons of experience.

The secret is in how you approach the exchange with the top person, not in the hundreds of technical details you often hear from your coaches or see in YouTube videos. Getting people uncomfortable and attacking with chains organized in systems is completely going to change how successful you are from the closed guard.

The Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD Free Sample — FREE DVD SAMPLE: Closed Guard Malachy Friedman

FULL DOWNLOAD: MALACHY FRIEDMAN CLOSED GUARD DVD

The Low Hanging Fruit

Go for what’s available once you have the person you’re attacking trapped in your spider web. In a gist, that’s what you’ll learn from the Closed Guard Malachy Friedman BJJ DVD. What makes all the difference is the ability to recognize the best available attack and build a system of chains off of it rather than stubbornly trying to set up a painfully obvious attack. That’s the ‘little’ thing your guard has been missing.

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