Marcelo Garcia Comeback: “It’s Not Just About Winning Titles But Appreciating Life”

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In the BJJ World, few names resonate as profoundly as Marcelo Garcia. Revered for his unparalleled skill and indomitable spirit, Garcia’s career has been a testament to resilience and excellence. But in 2024, Garcia faced an opponent more formidable than any he’d encountered on the mats: cancer.

His journey through this life-threatening battle and the imminent Marcelo Garcia comeback to competition is a story of courage, determination, and the unwavering power of the human spirit.

Life Upended: The Shocking Diagnosis

In early 2024, Garcia was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The news sent shockwaves through the BJJ community and left Garcia grappling with a fight for his life.

“I felt like my world had turned upside down,“ Garcia recounted in a heartfelt interview. The diagnosis was a devastating blow to the athlete who had built a legacy of strength and perseverance.

As Garcia began treatment, the challenges were immense. Chemotherapy sessions, surgeries, and the toll on his body were daunting. Yet, true to his warrior spirit, Garcia approached this fight against cancer with the same tenacity he displayed on the mats.

“Every day was a fight, but I refused to let it defeat me,” he said.

“Jiu-Jitsu has Always Been my Sanctuary”

Garcia’s recovery was a grueling process, marked by both physical and emotional hurdles. The support from his family, friends, and the BJJ community was instrumental in his journey.

Messages of encouragement poured in from all corners of the globe, reminding Garcia that he was not alone in his fight.

As he slowly regained his strength, Garcia found solace in returning to the mats, even if only for light training sessions.

“Jiu-Jitsu has always been my sanctuary,” he explained. “Being able to train again, even at a reduced intensity, gave me hope and a sense of normalcy.”

Garcia’s determination to overcome cancer and return to the mats became a source of inspiration for countless fans and fellow athletes. His story was a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up.

The Marcelo Garcia Comeback: Return of a Legend

In January 2025, just a year after his diagnosis, Garcia announced his return to competition at ONE 170, a prestigious event in the grappling world.

The news was met with widespread excitement and admiration. Garcia’s comeback was not just a personal triumph but a symbolic victory for everyone facing adversity.

Leading up to the event, Garcia’s training intensified. With the support of his coaches and training partners, he pushed his limits, determined to prove that he could still compete at the highest level.

“Every training session was a reminder of how far I’ve come,” Garcia said. “It was about proving to myself that I could overcome any obstacle.”

“My Life Changed in Ways I Never Imagined”

Garcia’s battle with cancer has profoundly changed his outlook on life and competition.

“My life changed in ways I never imagined,” he reflected. “The experience gave me a new perspective on what’s truly important. It’s not just about winning titles but appreciating every moment and the people around you.”

The atmosphere was electric as Garcia stepped onto the mats at ONE 170. Fans and competitors alike were in awe of his resilience and determination. The event marks a new chapter in Garcia’s illustrious career, defined not just by his skill but by his indomitable spirit.

Reasons to Watch ONE 170 on Jan. 24

ONE 170 is set to be an electrifying martial arts showcase, taking place on January 24. This event, despite the highly anticipated return of BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia, also features a series of high-stakes matchups, including three world title showdowns:

Three World Title Showdowns: The event features three monumental World Title bouts, including a highly anticipated rematch between Tawanchai and Superbon for the Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.
Exciting Flyweight Contest: Teenage prodigies Johan “Jojo” Ghazali and Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan face off in a thrilling flyweight contest, both known for their knockout power and fearless approaches.
Bantamweight MMA Title Defense: ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade defends his title against “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il in a rematch that promises high-intensity action.

We know that we’ll be tuning into the grappling part of the ONE 170 event, if not the whole thing!

The Legacy of Resilience

Marcelo Garcia’s journey through cancer and back to the competitive arena is a story of unwavering courage and resilience. His ability to face the greatest challenge of his life and emerge stronger is an inspiration to all. As he continues to compete and inspire others, Garcia’s legacy grows even more profound, reminding us all that with determination and support, we can overcome any obstacle!

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Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A DVD instructional teaching you how to properly set up weight training for BJJ.
Taught by a sports performance expert with a PhD in sports physiology and a BJJ black belt.
Features methods for building, updating, and organizing weight training for grappling.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

WEIGHT TRAINING FOR GRAPPLING MICHAEL ISRAETEL DVD GET HERE:

Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD Preview — LOOK AT THE TRAILER: Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD

One area that is full of myths and misconceptions is the subject of weight lifting for the purpose of improving your performance on the mats as a grappling athlete. There is more information than anyone can go through in a lifetime, most of which is useless. So, how can you make sense of the clutter and set up a program that will actually help you?

It takes someone who knows grappling (and not at a white or blue belt level) and who is an expert at sports performance to teach you what you need to know about weight training. That’s exactly what the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD does – it teaches you how to train, rather than give you a program of exercises and the sets and reps to follow it.

Personalize Weight Training for Grappling

What is the best way to lift weights for BJJ? If I had a penny for every time someone asked me this question on the mats. My answer is always the same – it comes down to you. There are no two athletes who can use the same training methods and yield the same results in the world.

If there is one thing you need to figure out when thinking about supplementing your BJJ training with weight lifting, it is personalization. The program must reflect your weaknesses, areas you want to improve in, and most importantly, your ability to stick to it.

Even the best program in the world, tailored to you, won’t work if you don’t follow it. Failing to factor in the aspect of scheduling and life obligations is where most people fail. Interestingly enough, this aspect is very much in the focus of the material presented in the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD.

Why Listen To Michael Israetel

The name Michael Israetel is probably one you know as a grappler if you like to lift weights and follow trends in high-performance training for combat sports. I’ve long claimed that the best people to provide training programs for grapplers are ones that profoundly understand grappling and Michael is exactly that.

Although we see him teach with a brown belt in the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD, Michael is actually a black belt, earning the promotion towards the end of 2024. His coach is Josh Vogel from The Jiu-Jitsu Company.

From the other perspective, Israetel holds a PhD in sports physiology and is the co-founder of RP Strength and author of the Renaissance Diet. He has spent a lifetime exploring the field of fitness for sports performance and has paired that knowledge beautifully with his love and understanding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD Review

This particular instructional has no volumes, as Michael delivers all the material in one highly conceptualized DVD. Don’t be fooled by the ‘lack’ of separation though – there’s still over 2 hours of super valuable material here.

Kicking the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD off is an overview of what weight training requirements are for grappling athletes, and how to adapt to the shared workload of technical training and supplemental lifting.

After making his intentions with the instructional clear, Mike moves on to explore movement patterns that grapplers should aim to improve. He follows that up with the optimal intensity and frequency of weight training to create a balanced program that will fit the different needs and schedules of different people.

In that regard, Israetel shares a way of devising weekly schedules that are very flexible and easy to adapt to a specific lifestyle. He uses sample programs to further provide clarity on his programming principles, but those are not meant to be used as follow-along templates.

Around the halfway point of the Michael Israetel Weight Training DVD, he covers how to progress by updating your training program, and shares the role of reloading at regular intervals. I found the information on adjusting training loads near a competition particularly helpful.

Towards the end of this instructional, Mike focuses on delivering advice based on decades of experience that most grapplers tend to overlook. He clears up some weight training myths in terms of BJJ-specific training and provides broad nutritional guidelines to follow.

Strength Matters

And then some! Whoever tells you that it doesn’t matter if you’re strong as long as you’re technical in BJJ, clearly hasn’t rolled with someone who possesses both. As it happens, those types of athletes are becoming the norm rather than the exception, so developing strength is a non-negotiable aspect of training BJJ, especially with longevity in mind.

Another key benefit of introducing weight training for grappling athletes that everyone overlooks until it is too late is injury prevention, PRehab is better than rehab, and that’s exactly what you’re getting with carefully organized and personalized weight training programs.

Plenty of resources out there claim to deliver the best programs for BJJ. Most will fail you. If you need to pick some of them, pick the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD. It will teach you how to organize weight training and put together programs yourself, rather than following someone with a camera as they lift.

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Get Strong, Now!

Undeniably, you need to get stronger for BJJ. I don’t care how strong you are, or think you are at the moment – you need more. Bulletproofing yourself is not easy, and unless you have a personal coach at your disposal, to follow and adapt your training every 3-4 weeks, then the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD can assume that role. Actually, you’ll become your own coach once you go through the DVD and understand how weight lifting for grappling works.

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The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Key Takeaways

A Gi BJJ DVD outlining the secrets of Andre Galvao’s devastating stack pass.
Offers details on stacking as a position to create and finish passes such as leg drags.
Features solutions to common problems and counters, as well as follow-ups after passing.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

STACK PASS ANDRE GALVAO DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD Preview — FULL TRAILER: The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD

Hello pressure my old friend. If you consider yourself to be a passer, but skip stacking, you need to reevaluate your priorities. Stacking is one of the best ways to kill BJJ guards, render flexibility useless, and encounter next to no resistance after you pass.

The catch is that you need to understand a few key things that make stacking such a formidable weapon to use in grappling. All the key points, broken down in extreme detail await in the Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. All that you need to do is pick it up.

The Worst Way to Pass (For the Bottom Player)

Stacking is a horrible invention and whoever came up with it should be punished. Preferably by getting stacked themselves, over and over again. That said, if a move feels so horrible on one side, then the other side must love it. And so they do.

Passers around the globe swear by the stack. Some even don’t like to pass – they just stack people up and slow-cook them until they give in. When I come to think about it, that’s exactly the point of the stack. It is intended to break your spirit and your guard, but the position itself is not a pass.

Why do I share this perspective of the stack in what’s obviously an article that is pro-stacking? So that you understand what your goals are. Every time your stack failed, is a time when you moved too fast. Remember, stacking is all about torturing the bottom person, and the longer you maintain it, the better your passing outcome will be.

Now that it is clear how you should use stacking for maximum efficiency, let’s see what The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD has to offer to build on this premise and make you a pressure passer from hell.

A Factory for BJJ Champions

Andre Galvao is a man who has really built an empire in BJJ. However, instead of having a bunch of schools all over the world (which he does), he actually managed to gain a name for himself in a different area of BJJ. Andre’s specialty is producing exciting talent that more often than not, ends up with world championships all across submission grappling and BJJ.

The Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy is definitely one of the hubs of high-level competitors in the world, with representatives who can give anyone a run for their money. In some ways, Galvao has been at it a lot longer than Danaher (at least on his own) and all the other popular competition gyms these days. With many of his contemporaries not even in the same league, such as Cobrinha, Estima, or Drysdale, Galvao is pretty well positioned to claim the title of the GOAT coach of top competitors.

I’ve never had the pleasure of training at Atos, but it is clear that if you want to succeed in Jiu-Jitsu, that’s the place to be. Galvao was a top competitor and world champion himself, but it is his teaching that I am a lot more impressed with than his competitive performances. The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD is a clear example of why.

Detailed Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD Review

Four volumes filled with long chapters that offer sequences mark this Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. The material is demonstrated with the Gi and lasts around two hours in total.

Part 1 – Essential Concepts

Andre Galvao has his own way of structuring BJJ instructionals, one which he sticks to in The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. He prefers to provide fewer chapters per volume, but what he lacks in quantity he definitely makes up in quality.

Galvao’s chapters are long and detailed, often including not just complete sequneces, but also alternatives and follow-ups. When explaining the foundations of stack passing, he spends almost half an hour talking about what a stack it, when the person is stacked and when inverted, how to stabilize the position, and how your body needs to align so that you maintain the pressure.

Wrapping up, he talks a lot about the role of posture, and how to stay wary, and more importantly, safe from a common counter which is the traingle choke.

Part 2 – Problem Solving

The second part of the Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD keeps going, sticking with the subject of problem-solving during stacking. He begins by offering posting solutions, which often end up creating just enough space to stop you from stacking the bottom person fully. Dealing with teh elbow push is also covered.

A few entries and useful control positions are the first technical examples Galvao uses to capture the essence of his concepts. He shares a slick way to stack a De la Riva guard player with no risks to yourself. What I liked the most was the baseball bat stack position he shows towards the end of this volume.

Part 3 – The Super Stack

This is the part of the Andre Galvao Stack Pass DVD that those already familiar with the position are going to enjoy the most. It is a brutal way to emphasize the stack, so a word of causing when using it against people who’ve never been stacked before.

Galvao’s super stack essentially removes any hope for the bottom person to shimmy into an inversion and launch into guard attacks by focusing on not just stacking the hips over the shoulders, but also folding your opponent, similar to what wrestlers do.

The jack stack pass is a very appropriately named option to pass using this method and represents the first full pass presented in this instructional. Andre follows up on it with yet another stack adjustment that leads past the guard.

Part 4 – Finishing Passes

Already touching upon the subject of finishing passes in the previous part, the final portion of The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD delivers what seems like the easiest part of the sequence, but is often the trickiest one.

Finishing passes against stacking means the opponent is far from a solid pin, so if you don’t force them into one as you’re passing, they’ll likely find a way back to guard. turtle or simply stand up. Galvao’s solutions are expected, but nonetheless effective: leg drags, twister hook back takes and staple passes.

Immobilizing Flexible Guard Players

Why would you consider using any version of stack passing in your game? For those of you who think they’ve got passing solved, wait till you meet a high-level gaurd player who is also crazy flexible. I know this is not the standard in your gym but it should be the santadar you measure your passing prowess against.

Not many passes in BJJ can help you deal with super flexible people. Dealing with guards is difficult enough without the added introduction of flexibility as yet another layer of defense you have to break through. One particularly annoying trait of flexible gaurd players is that they’re extremely adept at absorbing pressure.

However, not all pressure passes will fail against flexible, spinning, fidgety gaurd players. As it is probably clear by now the method outlined in The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD is a great way of rendering not just guards, but also flexibility useless.

The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD Free Sample — FREE STACK PASS: The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD

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Stack ‘Em!

Congratulations, you’ve now unlocked stacking as your next ability. Mastering it is going to take some time, which you can considerably shorten using the blueprint from the The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. However, you’re not free to torture guard players of all sizes and levels, as you introduce a whole different concept of pressure to your top game.

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Daniel Cormier ROASTS Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Offensive Grappling Skills – Must See Moment

By

BJJ World

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Daniel Cormier ROASTS Khabib Nurmagomedov's Offensive Grappling Skills - Must See Moment

In a recent video with MMA fans in stitches, Daniel Cormier proved he’s not just a former heavyweight champ but also a comedy king! During a sparring session with the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, DC took full control – physically and verbally! 💪

Khabib, famous for his relentless grappling that crushed opponents in the Octagon, tried every move in the book to finish Cormier… but with no success. DC, on the other hand, countered every attempt with hilarious commentary:
“NO chance, no way! This is nothing! This is baby offensive skills!” 😅

As Khabib gave it his all, DC kept things light, roasting him in real-time and making the entire gym laugh. Even Khabib struggled to keep a straight face as his techniques fell flat against DC’s defense.

At one point, Cormier jokingly told Khabib: “Bro, if this is what you call an attack, what would you do if you were relaxing?” 😂

Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD offering a perfect base for standing through Greco-Roman wrestling.
Contains fundamentals of movement, angles, entries, and finishes.
Features counters and re-counters and submission follow-ups to completed takedowns.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

GRAPPLING TAKEDOWN DOMINANCE BRANDON RUIZ DVD GET IT HERE:

Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD Preview — WATCH TRAILER: Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD

Dominating on the feet in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, if you don’t have a background in a grappling martial art like Judo, Sambo or wrestling is a very difficult skill set to develop. However, it is not impossible, and you won’t need to sign up for Judo or wrestling classes to become competitive in standing exchanges.

A very good, if not excellent resource to figure out how to set up takedowns for BJJ is the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD. This instructional will teach you a lot more than just takedown techniques – it offers a blueprint for dominating while standing to the point where takedowns start appearing on their own.

Greco Roman Wrestling for BJJ

When you sign up for BJJ, nobody tells you that you’ll most likely need to figure out your takedowns game using a different grappling sport. Many different people are going to recommend different stuff, with and without the Gi, and have their reason for it.

The one undeniable truth is that apart from catch-wrestling, none of the other grappling arts has even nearly as many submission options as BJJ. None of them feature the guard as well. These are huge aspects to consider when trying to B-line toward the best grappling source to master takedowns for BJJ quickly.

Based on my personal experience, extensive research, and countless hours of discussions with grappling minds, Greco-Roman is most likely the best base for developing a standing BJJ game. Focus on the word ‘base’ here, since once you figure out the key aspects of Greco, you can expand into whatever you want – Judo, Sambo, Glima, etc.

Greco-Roman wrestling works perfectly for BJJ for one particular reason – it emphasizes upper body control, gained through grip fighting. When submission threats await left, right, and center, and the exchange is still open once you reach the ground, this seems like the most logical, effective, and proven method to set up your takedowns.

I tend to take this a step further, as neck injuries have left me incapable of any wrestling exchange. So, my Greco base serves as a great way to pull guard and immediately start attacking. Instead of developing this base the hard way, like I did, using many sources and incomplete instructionals, you have everything you need in the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD. Use it!

Grappling Champion Brandon Ruiz

Not many people in the world have extensive experience in several different grappling arts. Even fewer were able to take all that knowledge and devise effective systems and concepts they could then teach to others.

One of the few that goes against the grain is Brandon Ruiz. A 4th-degree BJJ black belt under Rigan Machado, 4 time All American in Greco Roman as well as a silver medalist in the Pans. With titles in Grappler’s Quest, Pancrase, and Catch, there’s hardly anything in grappling that Brandon has not tried and excelled at.

Ruiz has transitioned better than most into high-level coaching after his competitive career came to a natural end. Apart from founding and heading the Ruiz Combat Grappling Academy, he has been taking his expertise to the Military and law enforcement as well.

Lots of Brandon’s students have won prestigious titles, be it in BJJ, wrestling, or Greco. Ruiz is a very sought-after coach, and you can see exactly why from his super-effective and simple takedown system, which is explained in the Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD.

Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD Review

The Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD consists of four volumes, each with a different running time. The combined length of the material is almost 4 hours, and every technique is demonstrated without a Gi.

Part 1 – Standing Basics

If you have spent any amount of time in any wrestling gym you’ve heard about and drilled stance, footwork, level changes, and grip fighting. This is exactly what the first part of the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD demonstrates, albeit in a much more concise matter than trying to learn this stuff live in a gym.

Ruiz begins with his philosophy of grappling, which is all about blending the most effective aspects of different grappling martial arts. He follows up with details on the best stances to use and alternate between, clearly emphasizing the differences in wrestling and grappling stances.

Motion, represented through footwork, and the geometry of movement is arguably the best chapter in this entire DVD, as it is applicable to all areas of grappling, not just standing exchanges. Distance management and purposeful grip placement bring this opening act to a close.

Part 2 – Creating Angles

The deciding factor between something working or failing, especially during standing, often has to do with the angle of approach. The second part of the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD breaks down the top angles for attacking, reducing the options down to 4 key ones.

Ruiz then uses examples of takedown finishes to make the application of these angles clearer to all. The front headlock, arm drag and over-the-top attacks feature here, with a very cool standing chokes chapter marking the halfway point of this instructional.

Part 3 – Counters and Re-counters

There are two key areas of resistance you’ll meet in any grappling exchange when you’re attacking – defense and/or counters. The latter is much more dangerous for you, so being aware of how to handle common counters, and re-countering them is the mark of an expert grappler.

In terms of takedowns, this Brandon Ruiz Takedown DVD makes it easy. Brandon’s 30+ years of grappling experience help him single out the key moves you’ll need to master to counter and re-counter common leg attacks. Plus he uses cool names such as the sword & shield position and the Rambo counter.

He also goes into defense a bit, demonstrating how to do damage control when you end up being taken down, and how to turn the tables. He also provides a very cool leg lock follow-up to the single-leg takedown that I’m itching to try.

Part 4 – Underhook Series

The final portion of the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD addresses underhooks, but does so by focusing only on the most effective positions available. I’m already aware of, and relying on the cowcatcher position in my own standing game, so I enjoyed learning even more about it.

On top of the cowcatcher, Ruiz offers a bunch of options to help you dominate the top underhook position and open up arm-locking submission finishes. He also shares a few catch wrestling-inspired attacks against the turtle position, which include heel hooks and a very cool Kimura.

Reducing The Clutter

One thing I used to love, and now am wary of about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the amount of information available. This often leads to confusion, as there are so many options to try, that you end up having no time to really dedicate to one of them and figure it out in detail. That leaves people frustrated with a lack of progress.

An obvious solution is reducing the clutter, but this is easier said than done. most people need someone to guide them through their thoughts. I am not at all a fan of giving people a mold to follow at any belt level, especially at white and blue belt.

So, one option you have is to book a private class or two to discuss this with a coach. Another is to use online resources to find out what the most effective aspects are across all lares of BJJ. Once you become effective in most exchanges (standing, top, bottom, submissions, defense) you can begin diversifying your interests.

For standing, the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD offers a solid base to build any type of game around. Even though the instructional is in No-Gi, everything works in Gi as well, and you can use it at any belt level too.

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Dominate The Match!

Dominating the match exchange is easy when you dictate where it goes, starting from standing exchanges. This requires practicing the high-percentage stuff over and over again until you’re confident you can’t mess them up. Use the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD to build your base for standing. Then, you can take any match or roll in any direction you want.

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CJI 2: 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Unveils Star-Studded Team, Superfights Mooted

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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CJI 2: 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Unveils Star-Studded Team, Superfights Mooted

The world of competitive grappling is set to witness a groundbreaking event as Craig Jones announces the second installment of the Craig Jones Invitational – CJI 2. This time, the tournament will feature an ambitious team-based format with eight elite squads competing for a $1 million prize.

Grappling’s Biggest Prize: CJI 2’s $1 Million Team Tournament

The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) is set to return with its second edition, promising to reshape the future of competitive grappling. The inaugural CJI event, held in 2023, left a lasting impact on the grappling community with its innovative approach and high-stakes competition.

Building on that success, CJI 2 aims to elevate the sport even further by introducing a team-based format, setting the stage for a thrilling and dynamic showdown. Scheduled to take place at the iconic Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, CJI 2 will feature eight elite teams battling it out in a quintet-style, last-man-standing format.

With a staggering $1 million prize on the line and an exciting competition format, this event is poised to be one of the most lucrative and highly anticipated tournaments in grappling history.

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Confirms Lineup for CJI 2

One of the most exciting aspects of CJI 2 is its team-based format, following the Quintet model, which brings a new level of strategy and camaraderie to the sport.

Teams composed of five athletes each will face off in a single-elimination tournament, with the goal of having the last man standing to secure victory for their team. Prominent academies such as Atos, New Wave, B-Team, Checkmat, Gracie Barra, and 10th Planet are expected to participate.

The first team to officially announce their lineup for CJI 2 is 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, a renowned academy known for its innovative techniques and formidable athletes. The 10th Planet team features an impressive roster:

Geo Martinez: The veteran competitor of the bunch, with the most unpredictable, submission-orientated, and aggressive style of the bunch.
Alan Sanchez: Two-time EBI welterweight champion known for his submission prowess, ready to showcase his grappling skillset on a different platform. Will be fun to see his performance.
PJ Barch: Arguably, the most versatile grappler with the most well-rounded skill set on this team. Not too exciting, but always very technical.
Ryan Aitken: A rising star with a tenacious approach to competition. We expect Ryan to become the next 10P sensation.
Kyle Boehm: No real big BJJ event can go without the participation of Boehm, a seasoned athlete with a wealth of experience and tactical acumen.

The team format not only highlights individual skills but also emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and adaptability. Each match in the tournament will test the grapplers’ ability to work together, cover each other’s weaknesses, and capitalize on their opponents’ vulnerabilities.

Top Pro Grapplers Excited for CJI Superfights “Craig Always Brings the Money”

Mackenzie Dern, one of the most popular female BJJ competitors of all time, has expressed her eagerness to return for CJI 2. After making waves in the grappling community by choosing to compete at the inaugural CJI instead of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Championships in 2024, Dern is keen on another CJI super fight, after losing in her first appearance to Ffion Davies.

Following her recent victory at UFC Fight Night 249, where she secured a third-round submission win over Amanda Ribas, Dern revealed that she received a message from UFC brass commending her performance and expressing interest in her participation in CJI 2.

“Definitely. (Craig Jones) always brings the money,” Dern said about her interest in being part of CJI 2 when asked about it.

“It’s a good show. I like how he brings the entertainment to Jiu-Jitsu. We kind of need that. I think it reaches a lot of different people, which is one of the reasons why I came to MMA: to try and spread jiu-jitsu to people who never even seen martial arts or practice martial arts.”

Dern’s decision to compete at CJI 2 highlights the growing crossover appeal between MMA and grappling, as well as the lucrative opportunities that events like CJI offer to top-tier athletes.

Danielle Kelly, the former ONE FC world grappling champion recently posted on her social media that there is no conflict if ONE contracted athletes want to compete in CJI, potentially hinting at her interest to appear in Craig Jones’ revolutionary pro-tournament.

Craig Jones Invitational 2: Grappling’s Most Lucrative Tournament

Enjoying the controversial effects his announcements have on the BJJ world, and always taking digs at Gordon Ryan and the adcc, Craig Jones remains focused on his vision for the event, aiming to provide better financial opportunities for athletes and push the boundaries of the sport.

CJI 2 represents a bold new chapter in the world of grappling, combining the excitement of team competition with the allure of a substantial prize. As the event approaches, fans and competitors alike eagerly await what promises to be a historic and unforgettable tournament.

Breaking: Craig Jones Reveals CJI 2 Date and Issues Warning to BJJ Athletes

Slay The Wrestle Up Guard Nick Rodriguez DVD Review [2024]

The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A Gi BJJ instructional that contains the complete takedown system Buchecha used in competition.
You’ll learn how to set up takedowns with and withoutut grips and how to attack off of grip breaks.
Features double leg, single leg, ankle pick, collar drag, and many more.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9.5 out of 10.

THE BUCHECHA GI TAKEDOWN SYSTEM DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD Preview — SEE THE TRAILER: The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD

Taking someone down in the Gi is no easy task. In fact, it is much more demanding and complex than executing the same task in No-Gi. Obviously, the presence of the cloth makes things more complicated, but there are ways you can turn this complexity into your ally.

The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD is a great place to start understanding how takedowns work with the Gi. It will teach you how to use your grips, both when you ARE engaged and disengaged, and even when you’re breaking grips, to expose your opponent and create weaknesses that will land you that elusive takedown.

Gi-Based Takedowns in BJJ

The Gi can be a fickle mistress in terms of grips. There is the obvious over-dependence on Gi grips that makes people fairly useless in No-Gi, However, the bigger concern is the desire to hold on to grips that make no sense, eventually providing an advantage to the person you’re holding.

Figuring this out is probably the most complex aspect of playing Gi Jiu-Jitsu. When we’re talking about the standing portion of the game, grips are the crucial battle you want to win, or that you don’t want to lose, in the case of Gi takedowns.

While gripping the Gi in specific ways and at specific locations can set up incredible takedown options, missing these key anchor points can also spell disaster for your takedown attempts. Understanding the role of grips is the key aspect of mastering Gi takedowns. In that regard, there’s hardly a better resource than The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD.

The Best Gi Grappler In The World (Once)

It was around 2012 (I think) when the news broke out that a young Brazilian heavyweight managed to take Roger Gracie to his limits. Let’s remember that at that time, beating a Gracie in BJJ earned you a direct GOAT status, as not many people had such a win on their record.

It turned out that Marcus Almeida, known as ‘Bucheca’ found a way to almost beat Roger in the sub-only ruleset of Metamoris. He went on to break Roger’s record of most absolute world titles with 6. Buchecha’s kill lists also feature victories over the who-is-who of BJJ: Kron Gracie, Bernardo Faria, the late Leandro Lo, Murilo Santana, Rodolfo Vieira, Leo Nogueira and many others.

The Checkmate prodigy had one very distinct aspect of his game that left everyone in awe – his takedowns. Buchecha could run through anyone, mixing up Judo and wrestling at a rate that was difficult to follow. The exact system is now laid out by the man himself in the Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD.

The Gi Takedown System Buchecha DVD Review

The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD is obviously a Gi BJJ instructional. It follows the modern standard outline, and features four volumes, each targeting a different aspect of the game. The material from each connects to the other volumes, creating a system that lasts about 2 hours.

Part 1 – Gi Takedown Fundamentals

The first part of The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD covers the underlying aspects that dictate whether or not a takedown game works or fails. Of course, lots of the focus is on grip, but Buchecha shares something here that many fail to see as important – how to fight when you don’t have grips.

The key concepts that drive the Buchecha takedown system are the concepts of engaging with and without grips. Both offer advantages, and are obviously easy to combine. As the volume progresses, Buchecha offers examples of double leg and single leg setups and finishes using these grip concepts as the foundation.

Part 2 – Attacking from Grip Breaks

Still sticking to grips as the main determinant of the direction of his takedown game in the Gi, Bunchecha talks a lot about breaking grips in the second volume of The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD.

His attention is on the role of grip breaks in setting up takedowns of your own. Instead of only thinking defensively, Buchecha will help you understand how to set up double legs, ankle picks, and dominant clinch positions immediately after breaking a grip. He also addresses belt grips in this part of the instructional.

Part 3 – Body Locks

I did not expect a section on body lock takedowns in a Buchecha Gi Takedown DVD, and yet there is an entire volume covering them. A very pleasant surprise indeed, as Marcus takes us through his interpretation of the position, based on his own concepts.

As in previous volumes, he follows up on the concepts with direct examples. In this instance, he provides options to finish the body lock in every direction, creating a mini-subsystem of its own. He also introduces the Sumi Gaeshi, a classic we’ve seen him use plenty of times on the mats.

Part 4 – Signature Buchecha Gi Takedowns

The final part of The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD is the shortest of the instructional, but it does deliver what everyone has been asking for. In this part, Buchecha deconstructs his signature takedowns, sparing no detail.

His legendary power double is first, with plenty of references to his fights which provide a real-life perspective into the application of the technique. A very sneaky collar drag face plant also appears here, just after Buchecha explains how he sets up his world title-winning ankle pick while having no grips on his opponent.

Learn Gi Wrestling

When you’re engaging in a takedown battle with the Gi, there is no need to think Judo or Sambo immediately. Unless that’s your background, you’re most likely spending more time on wrestling takedowns than anything else. Trying to switch grappling arts on the go is impossible unless you’re an expert at them.

That means that all that needs adjusting is your mindset. If you are wrestling, then keep wrestling, only factor in the Gi and the role it plays. The Gi can create a lot of problems, but it is mostly down to you whether those are your problems, or your opponent’s

One of the best examples of a profoundly successful Gi wrestling game is BUchecha’s takedown system. As it becomes clear from The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD, his success had a lot more to it than just athleticism, youth, and luck.

The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD Free Sample — FREE BUCHECHA TAKEDOWN SETUP: The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD

FULL DOWNLOAD: BUCHECHA GI TAKEDOWN SYSTEM DVD

Takedown, Pass, Submit!

It seems so simple when you write your BJJ goals. Take your opponent down, pass their guard, and submit them from a dominant pinning position. However, things rarely work out like that against a resisting human. As far as taking someone down and keeping them there in Gi Jiu-Jitsu, The Buchecha Gi Takedown System DVD has you covered.

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Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD shedding much-needed light on how to put body lock passing to immediate effect.
Half guard, closed guard and butterfly half guard passes make up the bulk of the DVD.
Features easy-to-follow instructions on anchoring with body locks and passing with pressure.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9.5 out of 10.

POWER PASSING BODY LOCKS DAN MANASOIU DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD Preview — FULL TRAILER HERE: Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD

Body lock passing is a part of BJJ that seems to work incredibly well for top competitors, but usually fails miserably when you try it out in training or competition. I know I am right because it has happened to me, more than once.

In fact, I decided against body lock passing for my game, on account of it being overly complicated. What I didn’t know is exactly what the Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD. It turns out, the body lock is simply a part of a passing system that can be as simple as you want it – it’s all about those damn fundamentals again.

Half Guard Problems

The most fundamental guards in BJJ are often the ones that will cause you more trouble than any of their modern, overcomplicated counterparts. Try dealing with a black belt’s closed or half guard and you’ll understand what I mean. In fact, most of you reading these are already stuck in these exact spots. Otherwise, why would you be interested in the Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD?

The half guard is a particularly sticky spot to figure out. While you can use it to ensure the bottom person doesn’t change guards, simply by sitting on their leg, you’re going to be in deep trouble if half guard is the bottom player’s preferred position.

There is so much variety available in half guard, that I guess we can consider it a major area of BJJ on its own, rather than looking at it as part of the guards section. The position offers not just versatile attacks, but also plenty of variations that all fall under the half guard umbrella.

Add to that the fact that with half guard, you’re in a sort of a 50-50 position, and passing can become a highly frustrating venture. How many times have you thought you passed the half guard after lots of work, only to discover that your leg is still stuck? Well, it is time to change that, and I know of a certain Jiu-Jitsu giant that can help out.

The Jiu-Jitsu Giant Dan Manasoiu

Jiu-Jitsu was put together so that that scrawny kid could bet up the big bully. Or so they say. However, when that big bully is an athletic freak, weighing 300 lbs, moves like a panther, and is a John Danaher purple belt, then the scrawny kid is in trouble.

I’m not calling Big Dan a bully, but the world would definitely be a really sucky place if he ever decided to bully those around him. For now, he reserves that for the mats, as all of his opponents from ADCC, ADCC Trials, UFC Fight Pass, and other similar top fight promotions know full well.

Still only 23 years of age, the Jiu-Jitsu Giant is only going to get better and scarier. How could he not be training with the beasts over at New Wave? Even more importantly,m he has been molded and tutored by Danaher and Gordon for the past 7 years. That’s a lifetime in BJJ terms.

Until such time that we see Big Dan entertain us on the mats again, we get to enjoy some of his teaching. Unlike many top competitors in the BJJ world, Dan is just as exceptional at teaching as he is at dismantling opponents. A great testimonial to that is the material in the Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD.

Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD Review

The Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD delivers four parts of passing solutions. It offers the basics of body locking, followed by specific uses of pressure against half guard, closed guard, and the butterfly half guard in No-Gi. The full set lasts for over 2 hours.

Part 1 – Dominating the Body Lock

We all know that the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team members are all big on body lock passing. Dan is no different, but he also has his own way of pulling it off. The first part of the Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD outlines his take on locking and maintaining the body lock.

I am sure you’ll find his take on exposing the waist super helpful in your body lock passing attempts. He piles even more essential details by showing how to easily deal with underhooks and how to set up the shin pin position.

Already a staple of many top competitors when it comes to passing, the shin pin is as elaborate as any passing checkpoint. Dan boils it down to a few key aspects that will do wonders for your body lock passing, even if you’re not an ultra-heavyweight.

Part 2 – Pressure Passing the Half Guard

Volume two of the Dan Manasoiu Passing DVD begins looking at specific guards, and how you can destroy them using the body lock as your anchor. Big Dan introduces pressure as the passing method by addressing movement against resistance.

The key thing I find lacking in many passing instructionals is that all the demonstrations are against no resistance. When the bottom person is trying to sweep or submit you, which in half guard is all the time, your passing opportunities dry up in an instant.

Dan shows how you can use pressure to ensure you glide past any threats the bottom person sends your way: underhooks sweeps, guard retention positioning, and recovery tactics. He outlines teh main aspects of pressure and builds on it by introducing underhook(s) and head control to secure a pin as he is passing.

Part 3 – Closed Guard Balancing

If there was ever an area in Jiu-Jitsu that requires addressing, it is dealing with the closed guard. The Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD shares the ‘secrets’ of standing up safely in the closed guard and using the most effective methods to break it open and pass.

The portion on keeping your balance while standing up and when you are up is absolutely magnificent. Nobody has ever really deconstructed standing closed guard passing as precisely as Big Dan, even in situations where your posture is not ideal. He extends your options to include successful passes even when the bottom person threatens, or even partially succeeds at sweeping you.

Part 4 – Killing the Butterfly Half Guard

The final part of this passing instructional is all about one of the most dangerous guards you’ll face, and also one of the most boring to be trapped in – the butterfly half guard. With threats available for both upper and lower body, this guard can be a nightmare, if you don’t have a game plan to deal with it.

The Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD provides this game plan, sticking to the concept of simplicity and effectiveness. Without too much unnecessary talking, Dan covers everything from hip switching from a tight waist, through sprawling, to passing using head and arm pins.

A very cool variation of the knee slice pops around the middle of this volume, offering a different kind of pressure you can use. From there, Dan offers speed and pressure-based end-range passes that work perfectly when blended together.

Beating BJJ Guard Traps

One of the key danger areas of any guard in BJJ is the threat of traps. Skilled guard players draw you in, allowing you to think you’re passing, as they’re setting up pitfalls in the form of sweeps, submissions or back takes.

The thing with traps is that you can’t know the ones that the bottom person would be using. Forget about trying to figure out all traps from all guards, there is no way of knowing what different people would do from the half guard alone! Obviously, a different approach is required.

That’s where pressure comes in. Once you make the bottom person carry your weight or a portion of it, their options start becoming limited. The best part is that the longer you make them carry you, the fewer options remain for them, as they tire out.

There is a catch though – isn’t there always? You need to figure out how to remain in close proximity to the guard player in order to place pressure, which is not easy given that you’re battling against the legs, which hold the power to launch you across the mats.

One solution we often see is the utilization of the body lock as the means to exert pressure. The body lock isn’t a guaranteed pass – it is simply an anchor to ensure you’re close enough to use pressure on your way past most guards, the half guard included.

Now that body lock pressure passing makes more sense, what you need is an expert at it, leading you through your options. Unless you live in Austin, I’d opt for the Dan Manasoiu Power Passing DVD. Actually, I’d get it even if I could visit Dan’s classes anyway. It’s that good!

Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD Free DVD Sample — FREE TECHNIQUE: Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD

FULL DOWNLOAD: POWER PASSING BODY LOCKS DAN MANASOIU DVD

Smesh!

It is about time that your body lock passing starts to work. Spend a few weeks on the Power Passing Body Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD. Then, force half guard, just for the sake of trying the stuff out. Expose the waist, find the body lock sweet spot, and hang there a bit, rejoicing that it finally makes sense. When you’ve had your share of gloating, turn the pressure on and enjoy the dumbfounded expressions on the faces of your opponents.

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Mark Zuckerberg Ready for MMA Debut in 2025 Despite Serious Injury

By

BJJ World

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Mark Zuckerberg Ready for MMA Debut in 2025 Despite Serious Injury

Tech titan Mark Zuckerberg revealed his passion for Mixed Martial Arts in a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. Despite the high stakes of leading Meta, Zuckerberg has found time to train with some of the best fighters in the world, leaving fans and critics alike intrigued by his dedication to the sport.

Mark Zuckerberg, known globally for his role in creating and leading Facebook, now Meta, has been making headlines for a very different reason: MMA. Training with top fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski, Zuckerberg’s commitment to the sport is no secret among those in the know.

His rigorous training sessions have prepared him to compete in high-stakes environments, both in the boardroom and the octagon.

Inside Zuckerberg’s Secret Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

His dedication to the sport has even led him to disguise himself and compete in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament incognito. During the tournament, Zuckerberg registered under his first and middle names, donning sunglasses, a hat, and a mask.

The moment his identity was revealed upon being called to the mat left his opponent and spectators in disbelief. Joe Rogan couldn’t help but laugh when Zuckerberg shared the surreal experience on his podcast.

“I registered under my first and middle name, so people didn’t know who I was,” recounted Zuckerberg. “I had like, sunglasses and a hat and I wore a COVID mask. … It wasn’t until they called our names to step on the mat that I took all the stuff off and they were like, ‘Huh?!‘”

After securing a submission victory, Zuckerberg recounted how his opponent was utterly bewildered by the entire scenario:

“Afterwards the opponent was like, ‘I think that was Mark Zuckerberg who just submitted me.’ … And the coach was like ‘What?! You’re fighting Mark Zuckerberg, get back in there! Go fight him!’ It’s like, ‘No, he just submitted me”.

Serious Knee Injury Sidelines Zuck’s MMA Debut

Despite his enthusiasm, Zuckerberg’s journey has not been without setbacks. He recently disclosed that an ACL injury, which he sustained while training MMA, and which required surgical intervention.

This injury has delayed his MMA debut, but it hasn’t dampened his spirits. Despite the setback, Zuckerberg continues to train and hopes to make his professional MMA debut in the future.

“I’m either doing general fitness, or a kind of MMA [discipline], and do sometimes grappling, sometimes striking, or some both.” Zuck shared. “But it got to the point where I tore my ACL training. At that point, I wasn’t integrated between my weight training and my fighting training, so I think I was probably overdoing it.”

Balancing his professional responsibilities with his passion for MMA has been challenging for Zuckerberg. He expressed his desire to compete but acknowledged that 2025 will be a busy year for him due to developments in artificial intelligence.

“I want to [fight],” Zuckerberg revealed to Rogan. “And I think I probably will, but we’ll see.”

While he is focused on his business, Zuck hasn’t ruled out the possibility of stepping into the cage one day. It seems probable that we might see a Mark Zuckerberg MMA debut in 2025!

The Jiu-Jitsu Effect

According to Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg’s time spent training on the mats has led to a shift in his political leanings. The discipline and perseverance required in BJJ (and MMA) have provided Zuck with a new lens through which he views both personal and professional challenges.

“Mark Zuckerberg started doing jiu-jitsu and nothing turns you into a libertarian like Jiu-Jitsu.” Rogan said on Zuck before their podcast. “Nothing turns you into a person who values hard work, and discipline, and struggle like Jiu-Jitsu.”

It’s an exposure of character. Nothing else is like it. You expose character in a way that’s almost impossible, even with other martial arts.”

As Zuckerberg continues to balance his dual passions for technology and MMA, fans eagerly await the day he steps into the ring. Whether he will make his MMA debut remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Mark Zuckerberg’s journey is far from over.

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Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A Gi BJJ DVD detailing one of the most effective iterations of the closed guard in the history of BJJ.
Contains upper and lower body submission attacks, sweeps, and combinations.
Features plenty of lapel-based moves, tried and tested by Roger Gracie himself.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9.5 out of 10.

ROGER GRACIE CLOSED GUARD SYSTEM DVD AVAILABLE HERE:

Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD Preview — CHECK OUT THE TRAILER: Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD

How long could you last in a roll with a world champion? Yeah, I thought so, and even that thought you just had is very generous. So, is there any hope whatsoever for those not training since they were in diapers to be competitive against people who’ve grown up in the sport?

Yes, there is. It is only a hope, but it exists nonetheless. It lies in the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu, such as the closed guard, half guard, Kimuras, triangles, and Gi chokes. In other words, a simple game, just like the one depicted in the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD. A fundamentally simple guard game by one of the best ever, that might even help you win things if you use it right. Interested?

A World Class Closed Guard

There is a closed guard, and then there is the Roger Gracie closed guard. We always talk about how there are levels to BJJ, but if it takes seeing Roger dismantle world-class athletes and even world-champion black belts with decades of experience using the position to truly grasp this concept.

The good news about developing such a game, from everywhere, is that anyone can do it. The bad news is that you are behind, and will always be someone who has decided to specialize in the field and is sticking to it.

However, that doesn’t mean that you need to start at the same spot as Roger did. If you want to develop a closed guard that is head and shoulders above the game of anyone in your gym, start where Roger ended.

In all honesty, you’ll still need years to make everything work against anyone and pull it off even when your opponents know what’s coming. However, you won’t need decades, which is a huge leap forward. All you need is the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD.

The Most Dominant Grappler Ever

Rickson and Royce Gracie are definitely names from the family that are always going to be remembered as brawlers in the combat sports world. Renzo remains the most charismatic and nutty of the family, but also the one with the best legacy in terms of academy products over the years.

However, it is the seemingly quiet and reserved Roger Gracie that is arguably, the greatest Gracie ever. Well, at least when it comes to actual Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

While all the other Gracie family members I mentioned above made their name in MMA, Roger dominated BJJ in a way nobody could replicate to this day. Finishing all opponents with submissions in both the IBJJF Worlds and the ADCC remains a feat that we haven’t seen anyone pull off since Roger did.

Granted, he also had his run in MMA, with a record of 8-2, but his focus has always been on grappling. The most impressive thing about Roger’s game is that he is the grandmaster of simplicity – he can collar choke anyone (literally) from the closed guard, for example.

The value of having a dangerous game based on the simplicity (and functionality) of fundamentals is huge, but the ability to achieve this level can only happen if you dedicate your life to being on the mats. If you want to see an example of the summary of a lifetime of high-level fundamentals, the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD is a must!

Roger Gracie DVD Review: The Roger Gracie Closed Guard System

A four-part Gi BJJ instructional delivering details about the closed guard that only Roger Gracie can provide. What you get with the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD is two hours of super-high-quality material delivered by the GOAT of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Part 1 – Chokes

There is not a single chapter of this Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. In line with his calm and organized personality, Roeger delivers a very precise and immaculately put-together breakdown of literally everything you’ll ever need to know about the closed guard.

In the opening volume, he addresses the importance of being able to keep people in the closed guard for as long as you desire. He then directs his attention to explaining his favorite chokes from the position.

The cross-collar choke, as expected, is the first, and gets lots of attention. Roger explains more about it in 15 minutes of this instructional than all other BJJ DVDs do put together. He follows up on it with lapel choke variations which we haven’t seen him use in competition, but appear to be airtight.

Part 2 – Arm Locks

Not my personal forte, as I still avoid attacking arm locks, especially from the guard. However, I did understand some aspects of these attacks that I never considered before, such as connecting arm lock submission threats along the entire length of the arm.

This part of the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD will teach you how to attack every joint, from the wrist to the shoulder, using devastatingly effective finishes, both of the straight and bent arm varieties. Once again, the lapels emerge as an extra method of control during Roger’s arm lock setups and finishes.

Part 3 – Sweeps

Another unstoppable part of Roger Gracie’s game is his sweeps. Over the course of 30 minutes in the third part of the Roger Gracie Closed Guard DVD, he outlines the key aspects of his favorite ways to get on top.

The material here includes the Omoplata sweep, leg and arm sweep, and Roger’s signature sweeps, which most people refer to as the Roger Gracie sweep. He also offers a powerful scissor and hook sweep combo that creates so many options regarding submission follow-ups, that you’ll consider abandoning all other sweeps in your game.

A welcome surprise in this part of the Roger Gracie closed guard system instructional is a slick kneebar setup off the Lumberjack sweep.

Part 4 -Combinations

The final part is about all those who like complicated things. In all honesty, the moves here are still very fundamental, but making the combinations work is going to take time and experience, which makes them seem more complex than they actually are.

The final part of the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD offers combination attacks featuring the lapels, focusing on isolating an arm to achieve different upper body finishes. On top of that, Roger also shares his crucial concepts from the closed guard, explaining how he approaches problem-solving from the position during live exchanges.

The Ultimate Surprise in BJJ

I’ll use a short story about my personal experiences to outline why you need to keep the closed guard, and similar foundational positions warm and ready, even if they’re not your primary game.

In almost 15 years of BJJ, I’ve gone through a bunch of ‘signature’ positions. Shoulder guard, tornado guard, RDL, half butterfly, lockdown, X guard… the list is long. Expanding that, I also did tons of Darces, leg locks, guillotines, arm triangles, truck attacks, cradles, defensive BJJ postures, etc. Basically, everything that was fun and, oftentimes, popular.

Fast forward to the last few years, post-pandemic, and my game started to become a lot more ‘basic’. Fancy guards made way for the closed guard and the super-fundamental open guard, the crucifix became my best pinning position, and the triangle my main submission. BJJ simplified.

The thing is, as years go by, regardless of how athletic you are (I did breakdancing, gymnastics, lifted weights, sprinted, etc.) your body simply doesn’t want to play ball any longer. In my case, I was only familiar with stuff like the triangle and crucifix and had to start at the beginning.

Imagine if I worked on them as I did all my other research. No doubt, I would’ve had next-level experience with them, and my body would not object to using them. If I could rewind time, I’d use resources like the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD from day one.

Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD Free Move — FREE CLOSED GUARD TECHNIQUE: Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD

FULL DOWNLOAD: ROGER GRACIE CLOSED GUARD SYSTEM DVD

Airtight Closed Guard!

There is a moment where you can see on the face of your opponent that they’re not comfortable in a certain position, such as the closed guard. After a dozen attempts to get out or counter fail, the time for your attacking game is ripe. Understandably, to actually succeed with attacks you need to know what you’re doing. This is where the Roger Gracie Closed Guard System DVD comes in, delivering an airtight closed guard game for Gi Jiu-Jitsu. Enough said.

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