UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov found himself in a heated dispute with airline staff over an exit row seat, leading to his removal from the flight. Now dubbed the ‘ Khabib Nurmagomedov flight incident’, took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, has sparked widespread reactions on social media and raised questions about airline policies and passenger rights.
Nurmagomedov, known for his undefeated record and status as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, was on a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles when the dispute occurred. According to reports, the issue arose when flight attendants asked him to move from his seat in the emergency exit row.
“We cannot allow you to sit in the exit row… I am not going to do this back and forth. I’ll go call a supervisor. You can either take a different seat or we can go ahead and escort you off the plane,” said the flight attendant to the UFC legend.
Nurmagomedov, who assured the staff that he understood English and could assist in an emergency, refused to comply, leading to a tense exchange.
“When I was in check-in, they asked me, do I know English and I said yes.” says Khabib. “Then why you guys do this?It’s not fair.”
The incident quickly went viral, with clips of the confrontation being shared across social media platforms.
Many fans and fellow fighters expressed their support for Nurmagomedov, criticizing the airline’s handling of the situation. Others, however, pointed out that airline policies are in place for safety reasons and that passengers must comply with crew instructions.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Flight Clash Explained by the Champ
In a post on social media, Nurmagomedov addressed the incident, stating that he was treated unfairly and that the flight attendants were rude from the beginning:
“First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier not AlaskaAir. Lady who comes to me with questions was very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything and agreed to assist, she still insists on removing me from my seat.
What was the base for that, racial, national or other one, I’m not sure. But after 2 minutes of conversation, she called security and I was deplaned from this aircraft, after 1,5 hour I boarded another airline one and left to my destination.
I did my best to stay calm and respecttul as you can see on the video. But those crew members could do better next time and just be nice with clients,”
He emphasized that he had been cleared to sit in the exit row during the check-in process and that he had agreed to assist in case of an emergency. Despite his calm demeanor during the confrontation, he was ultimately escorted off the plane.
First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier not AlaskaAir.
Lady who comes to me with questions was very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything and agreed to assist, she still insists on removing me from my…
Passenger Rights or Airline Rules? The Debate After Khabib’s Removal from Plane
This incident has brought attention to the broader issues of passenger rights and airline policies. While safety is paramount, the treatment of passengers, especially high-profile individuals like Nurmagomedov, raises questions about fairness and consistency in enforcing rules.
The debate continues as fans and experts weigh in on the matter, but the fact remains that Khabib went through an unneeded ordeal while not being wrong about anything expect defending his rights.
One thing most coaches don’t teach in classes is how to be heavy. I understand that weight distribution is a tricky subject to cover, but I also think that there are aspects of it that we can help people uncover using different training methods. It beats having people figure stuff out themselves, which takes years to accomplish.
It is the route I took to learn how to be heavy, which was particularly difficult for me, as I am a featherweight. Looking back, an instructional like the Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD would’ve saved me years of trial and error, not to mention frustrations and injuries. It will most definitely do the same for you!
Weight as a Weapon
When you roll with a very experienced black belt you often feel like there’s nothing you can do in most positions you get stuck in. That includes top and bottom positions and not just bad ones. Even your best guards and passes will fail against people who use more than just techniques and concepts in their game.
Since movement, whether it is creating or containing it, is a fundamental requirement of grappling, learning different aspects of it is going to make your Jiu-Jitsu seem alien. Weight distribution is one of those things people often refer to as ‘Jedi mind tricks, allowing experienced grapplers to do whatever they want.
The Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD takes a peak at precisely this aspect of the foundational BJJ game, exploring how you can be heavy from top. Mastering the art of weight distribution leads to a pressure game that can’t be taught in class, and a great foundation to launch transitional or finishing attacks from.
The Legendary Fabiano Scherner
A black belt from Murilo Bustamante and Luis Duarte. A master of weight distribution and the top game, with Gi and No-Gi IBJJF world titles, a Pans title, and more time on the mats than most people you’ve met. That’s just a little bit of what is fascinating about Fabiano Scherner.
The 52-year-old Brazilian is currently a 5th-degree black belt and one of the most popular representatives of the Gracie Barra affiliation. He is famous for being a really aggressive training partner, so much so that he was jokingly dubbed ‘Pega Leve” in Brazilian Top Team, which translates to “take it easy”.
Scherner also competed professionally in MMA, with a record of 11-11-3, fighting for the UFC and Cage Rage during the early 2000s. Since then, Fabiano has become one of the most sought-after Gi instructors, especially for those looking to improve their top game. So, if you can’t train with him, his Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD has everything you need to become as “easy going” from the top as Fabiano.
Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD Review
What you get from the Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD are three volumes of super-high-quality material that explains how to make everyone carry your weight when you’re rolling with the Gi. It lasts just over an hour but has everything you’ll ever need to understand and master the pressure game from the top in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Part 1 – Top Position Gi Chokes
The moment you hear Fabiano speak, you know you’re in for an old-school BJJ instructional. For most, it may mean ‘boring’ basics, but for those who can recognize the value, the Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD offers a wealth of knowledge.
The very first volume starts off very strong, with Scherner going over a selection of his favorite Gi chokes. All the submissions are from top positions, using weight to work, while at the same time allowing you to pin the bottom person as you go for the finish.
Some of the strangles you’ll learn to execute with great efficiency include the baseball bat choke, brown and arrow choke, and a very cool diving lop choke variation. As this part of the DVD nears its end, Fabiano starts announcing the subject in the second volume by introducing a unique soul-der crusher finish against the turtle.
Part 2 – The Soul-Der Crusher
As the name suggests, a big portion of the second part of the Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD focuses on a finish that’s rarely seen in BJJ. In fact, people do not use any shoulder chokes apart from the Von Flue.
The Soul-Der crusher finish is a variation that Scherner has come up with, but it works on its own, as opposed to the Von Flue which only works as a counter. Fabiano also offers multiple positions for finishing the choke, exploring side control in depth in this part, on top of the previously covered turtle setup.
Toward the end of this portion, more top position torture takes shape, in the form of a Kesa Gatame control system that ends in a super-tight arm triangle choke. There is also a very sneaky scissor choke that most people will think won’t work.
Part 3 – Passing Half Guard
Finally, Scherner takes a short break from choking, exploring a different kind of pressure game from the top which focuses on crushing the half guard. In the final portion of the Top Game Fabiano Scherner DVD, passing and pinning are in the spotlight.
Fabiano shows several ways to deal with common half guard variations, such as knee shield, Z guard, and underhooks, using lapels to provide strategic handles that allow him to project immense pressure against the guard. He explains the mechanisms of this method in great detail, making it very easy to follow along as he heads towards the mount/knee on belly.
The Pressure Game in BJJ
When you figure out how to use pressure, you’ll open up a whole new level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu you never even thought was there. Pressure doesn’t just mean the ability to crush people with crossface from top pins like the mount and side control.
On the contrary, pressure is more of a scalpel than a hammer, and is a precise tool you can use to dissect the game of an opponent on the bottom, regardless if you’re pinning or still dealing with their guard. Pressure is also going to make your submission finishes, whether chokes or joint locks, incredibly more difficult to defend.
But that’s not all. Even though that aspect of pressure is not covered in the Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD there is also pressure you can do while you’re on bottom, causing all sorts of mayhem in your opponent’s game. Trust me, figuring out weight and pressure is research that’s extremely worth the time and effort you put into it.
The next time you roll, try to see how much you can dominate and dictate the exchange by mindfully using pressure against your training partners. Then, when you realize that it’s no joke, turn to the Heavy Top Game Fabiano Scherner BJJ DVD. In a matter of weeks, you’ll be able to figure out where you went wrong and how to feel like a 500lb gorilla when you roll with anyone.
UFC commentator and BJJ brown belt Laura Sanko has once again showcased her grappling expertise by breaking down the bread cutter submission from mount. Known for her insightful fight analysis and as the first female color commentator in UFC history, Sanko’s instructional video has become a must-watch for grapplers looking to enhance their submission game.
Who is UFC Commentator Laura Sanko?
Laura is the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era, transitioning to the role after a successful career as an MMA fighter. She joined the UFC broadcast team in 2021 and has since been a beloved figure, known for her insightful analysis and engaging personality.
Born on December 7, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, she began her journey in combat sports inspired by the movie “The Karate Kid.” Laura initially pursued a career in business administration but eventually followed her passion for martial arts.
As a fighter, Laura ‘Fancy’ Sanko competed as an amateur and professional MMA fighter, making her professional debut in 2013 at Invicta FC 4, where she secured a victory via submission. Unfortunately, she did not extend her pro career past her first victory.
What is the Bread Cutter Submission?
In her recent instructional video, Sanko demonstrated the bread cutter submission, a technique that combines elements of the Ezekiel and key lock chokes. She uses the mount position to set it up, delivering a super-effective move without requiring excessive weight shifts which blocks bridge escapes as a threat.
How the Bread Cutter Submission Works
Sanko starts by explaining how she likes to set up the move starting from side control. “I start by isolating the arm and transitioning into the mount,” she said as she began in a knee-on-belly position with a crossface.
Before going to mount Laura makes sure she gets a wrist grip on the far arm side, using the mount transition to pass off the wrist to the arm that’s crossfacing. This creates a very uncomfortable position for the person at the bottom from the start.
All it takes for the submission to work is to thread your now free arm as if you’re looking to finish an Americana lock. Instead of going for a figure four grip, Laura Sanko places her arm across the neck, executing an Ezekiel choke of sorts.
For a finish, Laura goes as deep as possible with the arm across the neck, and then she leans forward as she pulls on the bent arm. The result is a weird combo of an Ezekiel choke and a shoulder lock.
Laura Sanko’s Key Details for Success
One key detail in Sanko’s breakdown was her focus on maintaining control throughout the process. “Make sure your legs are tight,” she emphasizes, explaining how keeping a solid base is essential for maintaining position and finishing the submission.
She also highlighted the importance of making a fist with teh arm that goes across the neck, which significantly increases the pressure applied in the choke.
Despite being a highly effective technique, Sanko pointed out that the bread cutter can be applied without necessarily transitioning into full mount.
“You don’t have to go all the way to mount. If you have enough pressure, you can still execute it while keeping your opponent flat on their back,” she said, demonstrating her ability to adapt the move to various situations.
Check out the full instructional video here:
Know Your Submissions: Bread Cutter vs Paper Cutter
The term “bread cutter’ usually refers to a choke in BJJ, which, I guess, is still applicable in this case. However, given that Laura’s desaturation is of a No-Gi move, I feel we need to make a clear distinction between two similarly named moves.
I am referring, of course, to the so-called ‘bread cutter’ or ‘paper cutter’ choke that’s done with the help of the Gi from side control. The main difference is this utilization of the Gi to trap the arm, as well as the finishing position, which is more of a side control than it is mount. The paper cutter also has no arm-locking effect involved in the execution.
I can also see the similarities, with both chokes working as air chokes, with an arm across the neck that pressures the trachea. Both chokes also feature a trapped arm as a precursor to the choke, although from different positions and using different means.
In order to be able to make a clear distinction between these two, I think that the Laura Sanko move is the ‘bread cutter’, and the good, old Gi version should only be known as the ‘paper cutter’ choke.
We Want More
After seeing this demonstration from UFC commentator Laura Sanko, we definitely want more. It is clear why she won her pro-MMA debut with a submission, as Sanko delivers an innovative and practical move that is perfect for No-Gi BJJ, and probably even MMA, depending on the gloves. Considering the level of detail in her iteration of the move, I know I’d go and grab a multi-part Laura Sanko grappling instructional. Wouldn’t you?
Wrestling is a hard, demanding sport that requires a lot of dedication and discipline. That is why we are training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rather than wrestling. Being lazy, however, does not mean we need to exclude all the relevant and effective aspects of wrestling that are easy to integrate into BJJ.
The Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD is a unique instructional in the sense that it delivers proven, effective methods to achieve your grappling goals, tailor-suited to the needs of BJJ. Expect a lot more than takedowns in this one, and enjoy learning how to select the optimal techniques from wrestling to improve your BJJ.
Wrestling is More than Takedowns
Whenever people talk about wrestling in terms of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu it is either to very about how a white/blue belt wrestler is toying with them, or to discuss takedowns. However, the age-old sport of wrestling has unbelievably more to offer BJJ athletes than just takedowns and boogeyman stories.
I’ve been utilizing a bunch of crucial wrestling concepts in the curriculums of my gym for the better part of the last decade. From pinning principles to using rides for transitions, exploring different, but very potent grip configurations and my favorite, mastering mat returns to ensure you can keep a match where you want it.
These are just a few examples of how wrestling can completely change your BJJ game. I haven’t even touched upon the enormous library of information regarding defense and escapes that is available through millennia of wrestling experiences.
The Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD is an instructional that delivers on far more than just a set of takedowns and grip fighting, even though it does feature these two giant staples of grappling. It also explores how we can use wrestling for passing, sweeping, submission setups, and pinning, among other things.
Grappling Innovator Shawn Williams
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Shawn Williams DVD. Back in the day, I had some of my best closed guard performances as a result of his Williams guard instructional, but I haven’t really come across anything else from the Renzo Gracie black belt since.
The Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD came as a surprise, as I was not sure it was the same Shawn Williams. Turns out that the man behind this instructional is the same genius mind that came up with the Williams guard, and has been transforming BJJ for decades.
Shawn spent a lot of time training with different Gracies in addition to Renzo but also stayed open to different Jiu-Jitsu streams, such as the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu style. Shawn’s guard was a direct result of his mindset during training, appearing before he even came close to a black belt which he got 23 years ago from both Renzo and Danaher.
Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD Review
The 6-part Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD is going to tach you everything you need to know about incorporating efficient wrestling into your BJJ game, and it will only take you just under 4 hours to get through the full material!
Part 1 – Introduction to Wrestling for BJJ
As you’d expect from a Shawn Williams instructional, this DVD has tons of knowledge to offer and makes it easy to understand exactly what Shawn is trying to explain in each and every chapter.
The entire first volume of the Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD serves as an introduction to the 6-part series, focusing on the core applications of wrestling in BJJ which extend far past just taking someone down.
Willimas covers the goals of the DVD first, as he looks into the optimal stance to take for both standing and top position grappling. In fact, a guard passing concept defining key points of contact, which are wrestling-inspired appears in this part of the DVD, right before Willimas starts breaking down key movement patterns that you have to able to recognize.
Part 2 – Grip Fighting
The most boring, yet most important aspect of grappling – grip fighting is the main subject in part two of the Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD. Shawn makes it as interesting as grip fighting can be, while still covering key hand-fighting concepts such as collar and elbow ties and wrist control.
He offers both sides of the coin in this part of the instructional, providing everything you need to know about both getting optimal grips and preventing your opponent from getting his first. A set of useful hand-fighting drills also appears in this section of the DVD.
Part 3 – Wrestling from the Guard
One of the least explored aspects of wrestling for Jiu-Jitsu, which is using wrestling from the guard is what Shawn explores in the third part of his instructional. If there is one part of this DVD you need, it is hands down this one!
While you probably know about most of the stuff Shawn demonstrates from the butterfly guard, such as arm drags, head snaps, and ankle picks, you probably never studied them from a wrestling perspective. These staple moves become a lot more dangerous when you introduce wrestling goals and ideas behind them.
This portion of the Shawn Williams Wrestling DVD also contains one of the best subjects in this entire instructional, which is the short series on clearing collar ties that brings this volume to an end.
Part 4 – Wrestling Attacks
Things get more interesting and heated as we get past the halfway point of the Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD. In terms of attacks, Willimas managed to select and break down the most fundamental wrestling attacks you can use when standing, starting with the 2-on-1 grip series.
If you expect a set of crazy takedowns in this portion, you’ve clearly never seen a Shawn Williams DVD before. The focus is on key movements and reactions to pushing, shoving, pulling, and working angles, as Williams shows you how to outmaneuver everyone before you pull the trigger on a takedown.
Part 5 – Minimizing Dangers when Practicing
Arguably the most important part of the Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD, albeit not one I expect plenty of younger, athletic grapplers will take too seriously. This part covers Shawn’s philosophy of practicing wrestling in a way that spares your knees, spine, and overall health, while still delivering efficient results.
He outlines the dangers of certain moves such as shooting for double legs and guillotines, for example, and shows ways around them and how you can avoid them completely by blocking your opponent’s access to these specific moves.
Part 6 – Mastering Wrestling for BJJ
The last part of the Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD is where you get the gist of wrestling for Jiu-Jitsu, served using the principles that were shared in the previous volumes of the instructional.
Here, Willimas talks turtle breakdowns (including the stiff-arm turtle), finishing the single leg, passing directly off-of takedowns, incorporating Judo sweeps with headlock threats and the likes, offering a full system that has components to fit anyone’s game, no matter how expansive or restrictive it is.
Saving some of the best for last, Shawn also shares concepts that are crucial to developing a successful wrestling game for BJJ but would’ve been wasted if shared earlier anywhere in this DVD. Another testament to Shawn’s expertise as one of the best BJJ coaches in the world.
Learning ‘Safe’ Wrestling
The one thing that most people dislike about wrestling is the intensity that it requires for the moves to work. That, however, is only true if you’re actually wrestling. As a BJJ grappler myself, I understand we prefer to be lazy in this sport, but the good news is that we can adjust what we take from wrestling to fit a much slower pace and the elaborate needs of Jiu-Jitsu.
Shooting is one example of things that you can freely forget about. Yeah, it will work if you’re strong and powerful, but it won’t get you past your purple belt days. Instead, opting for moves that don’t put any more unnecessary pressure on your knees and spine is the best formula to adopt wrestling techniques into your BJJ game, but not destroy your body along the way.
So far, not one of the Wrestling for BJJ instructional that I’ve seen covers longevity, which is another aspect that makes the Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD unique. Saving your health means you can grapple for longer, and this DVD contains details on how to integrate such an approach into your game.
Wrestle more, but be smart about how you set it up! The Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu Shawn Williams DVD goes past just offering useful wrestling concepts and techniques for BJJ – it also teaches you how to safely incorporate them and which aspects of wrestling to avoid altogether. It also offers a lot more than just takedowns, which is what your game actually needs – diversity rather than more details on the same few moves everyone’s trying to use.
There’s no way you can do BJJ and not have a Darce choke variation in your arsenal. It just makes no sense to skip over a move that is so versatile and powerful, especially not when people justify shunning it through myths like the claim that it is only a move that works for lanky people.
Nothing could be further from the truth, and the Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD is an instructional that definitely lays this myth to rest for good. Since it offers both Gi and No-Gi applications of the Darce, there’s literally no reason not to pick this one up and improve your BJJ in a matter of weeks.
The Best Arm Triangle Choke in BJJ
Out of all the arm triangle variations you’ll learn in BJJ, none comes even close to the variety in terms of application that the Darce choke offers. While very potent on their own, stuff like the arm triangle, anaconda, and Mizzou choke are not nearly as versatile as the Darce.
The main reason for this is that you can hit the Darce from just about any position in BJJ, good or bad. It works from top, bottom, during escapes, and is particularly useful when you look to set it up during scrambles and transitions.
Moreover, finishing the choke is considerably less difficult compared to its counterparts, with plenty of different grips and Gi variations available to bring it home. This is before I even mention super scary (for your opponent) follow-up finishes such as the dreaded Japanese necktie. All of this stuff awaits in the Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD – you just have to pick it up and start exploring.
Darce Master Travis Moore
The moment you see Travis Moore, you kinda know he’s going to be the triangles guy. His long arms and legs give him the perfect tools to hunt for all kinds of chokes, but for people with those predispositions, triangles are the way to go.
Moore is no stranger to capitalizing using exactly that at all of the biggest stages of BJJ. With medals and championships in IBJJF, EBI, WNO, Fight2Win, etc, Moore is a grappling veteran. He is currently the man leading Texas-based Legends BJJ as a 3rd degree black belt under Bruno Bastos.
Equally proficient with and without the Gi, Travis has a particular knack for Darce chokes. Over the years he has developed a system that puts him right at the top with other Darce masters such as Richie ‘Boogeyman’ Martinez. His latest Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD provides a deep insight into everything you can do with a Darce choke.
Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD Review
This Darce Travis Moore DVD instructional is a real Darce choke vault, covering both Gi and No-Gi aspects of the move over the course of 2 hours. There are four volumes in the DVD, each targeting a specific aspect of the choke, including follow-up finishes.
Part 1 – Arm Positioning
The one thing that makes or breaks a Darce choke is arm positioning. Contrary to popular belief, arm length does not matter, at least not as much as depth, grip selection, and the manner of squeezing.
The Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD’s first part addresses this aspect of Darcing, removing all the clutter and only providing you with information that you can apply immediately. For example, Moore covers optimal grip placement, how to pull the head to create more space, and how to position your body so you get deep with the choke.
There are also several finishing mechanics in this part of the instructional, starting with the traditional Darce. Moore adds several tweaks of his own to the classic finish, which I, as a Darce enthusiast, really enjoyed. He also shares details on making the short arm and rolling Darces work better for you.
Part 2 – Top Side Set-Ups
You can hunt for the Darce choke from just about any position in BJJ, but for the most part, setting it up from the top is the most reliable option. As Travis takes us through the second volume of the Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD, he is all about turtle, top half guard, and side control attacks with the Darce.
The turtle portion is solid, banking on threading an arm under the opponent’s armpit. If you can achieve this, which is no easy feat, then Moore’s setups, along the lines of the whip over and switch Darce will do wonders for your finishing rate.
If you’re after the most reliable Darce setups in Jiu-Jitu, then the following portion on the half guard and side control top should be your main focus in this DVD. From the quintessential Darce counter to the underhook half guard, to super slick variations on the classic side control Darce setup, Moore offers plenty of ways to get to the choke and wrap it up.
Part 3 – Advanced Set-Ups and Funnels
This is where Darcing gets a bit more fun, but also more complicated. This is down to the setups and the choke itself, rather than the material Moore offers. Those more familiar with Darces will find incredible additions to their game in this part of the Travis Moore Darce DVD.
Moore opens up strong, demotivating the elusive Ghost escape to Darce that has gotten so many people stuck in North-South. This is no longer going to be a problem.
Travis also explores submission passing that revolves around the Darce, including ways to beat the butterfly guard and come out on top from 50/50 stand-offs. He even covers standing Darces, even though they remain low-percentage finishes, in my opinion.
An aspect of this DVD that I really enjoyed was the simplification of the relationship between the Darce and the Anaconda choke. Travis manages to connect the two using a simple principle that will clear up which finish you’re after once and for all. Not that it matters.
Part 4 – Gi Darce Variations
Truly committing to delivering as much variety with the Darce as possible, Travis dons a Gi for the final part of the Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD. The goal is to provide answers about the Gi Darce choke finishes, usually referred to as Brabo chokes.
Travis takes things further, though, offering as many grips as there are spots on the Gi sleeve you can grab. From biceps grip, through Ezekiel choke hybrids, all the way to four-fingers in finishes, you’ll learn them all in this instructional.
Picking a great way to conclude an exceptional instructional, Moore goes over several more high-percentage setups from the top, featuring knee on belly, X pass, and mounted Darce setups.
Things You Can Do with Darces
Well, that’s a notion that deserves its own article, if not a whole series. I can, however, provide the gist of it here, just so you have an idea of how much variety Darces are going to introduce to each part of your BJJ game.
Let’s not even consider finishes for now. Passing is one of the main areas you’ll see massive improvements in, especially in No-Gi. There’s hardly a better way to deal with any half guard they throw at you, than Going for the Darce. The same is true for almost any sit-up guard you’ll encounter.
Then, there’s escapes. Stuff like the ghost is like black magic, getting you out when it seems the top person is in control. There are even reliable ways to use the Darce when your back is taken.
Some of the standing aspects of using Darce chokes, and the options they provide feature in the Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD anyway. What’s not there, and yet, the Darce provides is surprising people with finishes they don’t expect, like hitting a Darce when trapped in the Honeyhole or using Gi Darces to dominate the closed guard.
There’s no point in delaying the inevitable any longer. Accept the Darceness and unlock the full potential of arm triangle chokes in BJJ. The Welcome To The Darce Side Travis Moore DVD is your introduction and main guide as you opt for supremacy and dominance over any opponent, big or small, with or without the Gi. Who doesn’t want such power?
In a bold statement that has sent ripples through the martial arts community, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has questioned the integrity of BJJ black belts awarded to MMA fighters. Makhachev’s critique has reignited the debate about the standards and significance of the real BJJ black belts in modern combat sports.
Islam Makhachev, a prodigy of Dagestan and a student of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, is renowned for his formidable grappling skills.
With a foundation in combat sambo, Makhachev’s transition to MMA has been marked by dominant performances and a keen understanding of ground fighting.
However, his recent comments have raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among fans and fighters alike.
Makhachev Questions BJJ Integrity: “You Have to Compete to Earn It!”
In an interview, Makhachev questioned the standards of awarding BJJ black belts to MMA fighters, suggesting that they are given too easily.
“You have to compete in Jiu-Jitsu,” Makhachev stated, emphasizing that a black belt should signify mastery and competitive success in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, not just proficiency in an MMA context.
“You have to spend like hours, hours… Like five, six years to be black belt. They have to go some competition, World Championship. Instead like do something special to be black belt, to deserve this.”
Makhachev’s comments came after his victory over Charles Oliveira, a renowned BJJ black belt, where Makhachev’s grappling prowess was on full display. He further pointed out that some fighters receive black belts without ever having competed in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, which he believes undermines the belt’s true value.
“But now, it’s a big deal to give some fighters a black belt. No, it’s not. It shouldn’t work like this, you know. I think people agree with me. If you’re a UFC champion, you cannot be a black belt in one day. No, it’s not working like that.”
“We Cancel, Brother”: Makhachev Mocks Dustin Poirier’s BJJ Black Belt
In a lighter, albeit pointed moment, Makhachev humorously referenced Dustin Poirier’s black belt status, saying, “We have to cancel, brother, many black belt because they make the Jiu-Jitsu look bad” during a media interaction.
This moment, widely shared on social media, highlighted Makhachev’s skepticism about the legitimacy of some BJJ black belts awarded to high-profile MMA fighters.
“Black belt, who give him [Poirier]?We have to check that now“- said Makhachev. “Because a lot of guys have black belt but I don’t know.”
He then questioned Poirier’s avoidance of initiating grappling with Oliveira: “Why are you scared to go with him on the ground? You’re a black belt.”
Despite his criticisms, Makhachev has been vocal in his admiration for fighters who have earned their real BJJ black belts through rigorous competition. He lauded fellow UFC champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson saying “You are the real black belt. Of course. 100%.”
Makhachev’s comments have sparked diverse reactions within the martial arts community. Some support his call for stricter standards, arguing that the BJJ black belt should remain a symbol of elite skill and dedication.
Others believe that the evolving nature of MMA warrants a more flexible approach to awarding belts, recognizing the unique challenges faced by fighters who train across multiple disciplines.
The Great Fake BJJ Black Belts Debate
As the conversation around BJJ black belts in MMA continues, Makhachev’s voice adds a compelling perspective to the ongoing debate. Whether his call for stricter criteria will lead to changes within the martial arts community remains to be seen. Fake BJJ black belts have been a problem in the community, albeit from a different perspective.
For now, fans and fighters alike are left to ponder the true meaning of a BJJ black belt and its place in the ever-evolving world of combat sports.
What are your thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s critique of BJJ black belt standards?
Finally, an instructional that delivers one of the most fundamental concepts in grappling – head control. While I disagree that this is an advanced aspect of grappling and think everyone should be made aware of it from day one, I am a huge fan of everything that the Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD delivers.
Chin control is sadly limited to a couple of key positions in BJJ, most of which we take for granted and use only opportunistically, or as a means to a different end-range goal. However, there is a lot more behind the concept of controlling the chin, and this instructional hits the spot perfectly in delivering all the essentials to master this grappling ‘hack’.
Chin Control From Everywhere
How often do you focus on the chin of the opponent while you’re grappling? I’m not talking about ground and pounding them, but rather using the chin to emphasize your control.
For most people, the answer is going to include either chin-strap-based guillotine-type control or cross facing, mostly from mount. Or both, for those who really like to manipulate the chin while grappling.
When you come to think of it, though, there are a lot more applications of chin control all across grappling, from standing to bottom and top positions on the ground. The chin plays a pivotal role in sweeping, passing, pinning, getting to upper body submissions, finishing said submissions and, very notably, escaping bad spots.
The more you understand how to utilize the opponent’s chin to make your attacks easier and block their defenses, the easier it will be to impose your grappling game. I found the Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD game-changing in this regard, and can’t recommend it enough.
BlackOut Grappling Leader David Petrone
Mr. David Petrone is one of the people with the most grappling experience in the world. Certified in wrestling, catch wrestling, and holding a black belt degree in BJJ, there are a few living people out there who might claim to have more accumulated submission grappling knowledge than Petrone.
Petrone has been grappling for over 40 years, focusing on submissions more than anything. His research has led him to uncover plenty of key grappling concepts that extend past just submission holds, earning him the title of one of the most innovative minds in modern grappling.
Currently heading the BlackOut Grappling team out of Las Vegas, Petrone is all about teaching. His competition resume, however, includes a couple of Pans No-Gi titles and a world title, along with plenty of medals in different tournaments that were available when he was actively competing.
He has already proven to be a fantastic coach, particularly through the grappling success of his son Vincent, who is also a coach and competitor, David is tireless at sharing his knowledge. The Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD is his 8th instructional, and as far as I am concerned, his most valuable to date.
Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD Review
The Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD has everything organized in two parts, the first of which addresses bottom applications of chin control, and the second covers top position uses. The length of the material is about an hour.
Part 1 – Chin Control from Guard
The one aspect you might not be considering in terms of chin control is using it from guard past the classic chin strap/guillotine grip. I know I didn’t, at least not consciously, before seeing this opening volume of the Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD.
Head control is something we’re after all the time, but as it turns out, it’s the chin we need. Petrone makes a great point by explaining how most of the head control methods we use, Gi and No-Gi end up affecting the chin of the opponent.
Using practical examples to better capture his point, Petrone takes us through several staple BJJ moves in this part, starting with the flower sweep, and extending into triangles and armbars. Throughout the demonstrations, the focus is on chin control and how it makes all the moves possible.
Part 2 – Top Position Chin Dominance
Top positions provide a real playground for chin control, especially for those who like to utilize catch wrestling in their BJJ game. He kicks the second part of the David Petrone Chin Control DVD with a pressure tap submission based on chin control, before moving on to explore other methods of torturing your opponents.
There’s lots of wrestling in this portion, with stockades and cradles used as practical examples of the power of chin control. Petrone also takes a look at the top half guard, offering submission passing using the chin control, before wrapping up with a slick side control reversal option.
Controlling the Head
You’ve probably heard the old ‘where the head goes, the body will follow’. That concept I true, and it is the foundation of plenty of pins that work really well in BJJ, such as mount and side control.
However, there is a fallacy in the way we present the concept. I find people get lost when they need to figure out how to direct the body by using the head. My version of it is simpler – the body will go where the face is looking. That makes it a bit easier to figure out, as now you have just one side of the head to consider.
That brings us to the points of control that can help you force the face, and consequently, the body, into a specific direction. The top of the head and the chin are the two best points to leverage the neck portion of the spine, causing the head to turn and remain directed in a specific direction.
Out of the two, the chin is the more difficult one to figure out, but the one that provides a larger chunk of the control, as it is the most mobile part of the head, and conveniently located on the face. All of these concepts and more feature in the Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD.
Time to start focusing on the chin and all the ways you can control it to gain an advantage. The Advanced Chin Control Concepts David Petrone DVD offers plenty of ideas, covering both top and bottom positions, attacks, and escapes. However, you can extend your research to include Gi applications and the standing uses of this foundational grappling concept, which most people don’t take seriously.
Not many people in BJJ think of hip throws as a legitimate threat during standing exchanges. Just this notion is more than enough to get you interested in mastering these moves, and catching most people by surprise as you send them flying through the air.
The one issue you’ll inevitably run into is the time it takes to make hip throws work and integrate them into your BJJ game. Looking to shorten this timeline, I’d recommend two things. First, focus on hip throws in No-Gi, rather than Gi Jiu-Jitsu. Secondly, pick up the Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD. It will help more than signing up for Judo classes.
Do Hip Throws Work in BJJ?
The jury is still out on this one, even though I have a Judo background and 15 years of experience in BJJ. In fact, if I had to decide right now, I’d say that hip throws in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are a lot more reliable and realistic in No-Gi than in Gi, despite the apparent Gi connection to Judo.
Even in Judo, hip throws are a sketchy part of the game, If you ask me. They tend to be high-risk moves that don’t offer a big reward, especially in BJJ where inertia-based reversals often end up leaving you stuck at the bottom.
Moreover, there is the constant threat of back attacks when you initiate most hip throws, and my personal counter, foot sweeps that an opponent who understands balance can use to take you down 9 times out of 10. That leaves hip throws in somewhat of a precarious position if you want to use them as your primary method of takedowns.
Of course, masking them with other threats changes the situation completely, but that leads to the next issue I have with hip throws – the learning curve. Learning and Uchi Mata, for example, require years of dedicated practice, and masking it with other moves just prologes that time frame. Not quite the best fit for impatient BJJ practitioners.
Plenty of instructional have covered hip throws so far, but not many deliver anything actionable in my opinion. The Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD gets an edge, first because it covers the No-Gi application of hip throws, and secondly, because Ozbek is an expert in both grappling arts.
UK Judo Champ Christian Ozbek
If you want to learn Judo for the purposes of BJJ, then seek out someone who is an expert at both. Not many people like that are out there though, as getting a black belt in both these competitive grappling martial arts is an exceptional feat. Christian Ozbek is one of those select few.
Ozbek has a stellar Judo career, with 13 years of experience in the sport to date, and we’re talking about a 26-year-old grappler here! He also has just under a decade of BJJ under his belt, which he turned to as a means of escaping the ever-changing competitive Judo rules. Not sure how that worked out for him given BJJ’s struggles with rule sets, but he did stick around.
these days, the Progress Jiu-Jitsu sponsored athlete is based out of London where he teaches at the London Shootfighters/Submission Grappling Club, competing at every chance he gets. He is also active in the digital realm, with his latest instructional, Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD looking into a very interesting subject for BJJ athletes.
Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD Review
The Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD is a No-Gi insturctional perfectly merging Judo and BJJ in over two hours of material. It contains four volumes, each looking into a different throw, starting with basics and moving toward more advanced moves and setups as he presents the material.
Part 1 – The O Goshi
The first volume of the Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD kicks off with Judo basics, going over one of the very first things you’ll learn in a Judo gym in regard to hip throws.
After covering some basic mechanics that are the foundation of any hip throw, Ozbek goes on to break down the O Goshi throw in a way that makes it super easy to understand and pick up. His take on making the move BJJ-specific is using baits and twitches to set it up, offering a mixed system of setups from the start.
He builds on those setups by hiding the O goshi hip throw behind other takedown threats, such as the Sasae and Kosoto Gari. As a whole, this first volume offers a great system covering the easiest Judo hip throw that is also the most difficult to master. Once it clicks, though, you can build on it with plenty of fun moves, like the ones that follow.
Part 2 – Headlocks & Hip Throws
For me, the second part of the Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD was the most interesting, but that’s because I have a Judo background and happen to love headlocks from standing positions. Blending the two is a great way to dominate the standing exchanges in BJJ, especially when you use hip throws to follow up on headlock escapes, and vice versa.
Ozbek does an exceptional job of demonstrating how the floating hip throw works, and how you can use this ‘shortened’ version of an O goshi in a Jiu-Jitsu setting. The pinch headlock is Christian’s method of choice, with variable arm controls offering different throw setups.
Part 3 – Uchi Mata Masterclass
Dubbed the most difficult throw in Judo by some (I tend to agree) the Uchi Mata gets a dedicated volume in the Christian Ozbek Hip Throws DVD. The longest part of this DVD series contains a masterclass on the Uchi Mata that covers everything, from the origin and basic mechanics to creating submission openings using this staple Judo throw.
Ozbek starts by covering balance, using hopping drills to present the foundational goals of the throw. He also talks about using the Uchi Mata as a counter-throw, providing those with a defensive standing style a reliable hip throw option.
Towards the end of this part, Ozbek starts connecting the Uchi Mata to BJJ-specific moves, from the obvious connection to the single leg takedown, to uncovering the hidden relationship between the Uchi Mata and the triangle choke.
Part 4 – Harai Details
Another staple move that looks a lot easier to execute than it is is the Harai, which is the last aspect of hip throws you’ll learn about from the Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD.
Once again, Christian starts by covering the basic mechanics of the move, as well as some Judo-inspired setups, albeit without the Gi, before moving on to combine what he has already taught with the Harai. Uchi Mata and pinch headlock setups are only a couple of examples.
This final part of the instructional also contains lots of wrestling-based controls and entries, with duck unders, passbys, and snap downs creating openings for hip throw attacks that lead to successful Harai Goshi finishes. If I had to pick a favorite, the ankle pick setup would be my immediate choice.
It’s All About the Clinch
Nothing is going to work in the standing portions of BJJ as much as clinching, which is why I find sports like Judo and Greco-Roman wrestling to be superior to freestyle wrestling and Sambo. To put it simply, clinching offers a way out if you fail with your initial attacks by allowing you to pull guard at any point.
Having this safety net allows you to make braver decisions in terms of taking risks when looking to take the match to the mats, which provides you with more options than you’d have if you played it safe. My personal preference was chain wrestling from body locks, but I can’t leave out the potential for Judo hip throws from underhooks, headlocks, and arm drags.
At the end of the day, clinching instead of shooting or looking for Judo-style entries is a much smarter, albeit more demanding approach to developing a highly effective standing game. While you’ll struggle with getting the clinic initially, the time you put into mastering this is a very smart investment. Especially since you can cut it down using instructionals such as the Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD.
Getting a highlight reel of hip throws for your Instagram is going to take time, but once you manage, you’ll not only have a really cool video to post, but also a heap of experience in creating hip throwing opportunities, and more importantly, taking them. The Highlight Hip Throws Christian Ozbek DVD is a great guide to help you achieve exactly this in the shortest amount of time possible!
How far are you willing to go for a submission when you’re controlling the back? Would you give up hooks for a choke? How about giving up on the seatbelt entirely to finish an armlock? If the answer is that you don’t feel comfortable doing it, you’re in desperate need of a guide such as the Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD.
Even if you’re not afraid to mess around with the different types of back control out there, and you prefer submissions over collecting and keeping points, you’ll find this Felipe Pena instructional very useful. With a strong focus on submitting form positions that you use to retain back control when people escape, it offers more in terms of efficiency than all of Gordon Ryan’s back controls DVDs put together.
Finishing From the Back
You might be an expert at taking the back in BJJ, and that is certainly a smart tactical approach, which may even win you plenty of fights. However, when it comes form finishing form the position, I find that nobody is as good as they think they are. Except for maybe a few giants of back control, such as Marcelo, Gordon, and Felipe Pena.
Getting to a submission form back control is not an easy task, and finishing a submission you managed to open up is even less of a straightforward thing. As dominant as the back position is, it is also highly predictable – people controlling it don’t want to sacrifice control, so that means they can only threaten with certain moves that the defender can focus on blocking.
So how do the top guys manage to finish from the back so frequently and reliably? The answer lies in threatening with much more than just rear naked chokes and armbars and utilizing every possible back control variation at their disposal. If you take a careful look at the Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.
Felipe “The Sloth” Pena
Even though Gordon Ryan is doing a good job of painting himself as a trash-talking bad boy, the real villain in his story is Gracie Barra’s, Felipe Pena. The Brazilian is the only man to convincingly beat Gordon twice, finishing him once with a choke, and once dominating by a big points margin.
The 33-year-old grappler has been training BJJ for 20 years, starting his journey in the same academy he still represents – Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte. Pena got his black belt from Marcelo Azevedo in 2012 at a promotion that also featured Draculino.
Since then, Pena has conquered the ADCC twice, the IBJJF worlds three times (two Gi and one No-Gi title) the Europeans, AHP grand slam, and Brazilian Nationals. He also had a world title stripped after USADA found him positive for PEDs, which resulted in a year-long suspension.
Although he made his name mostly as a Gi grappler, Pena is just as versatile in No-Gi, as proven by his ADCC conquests. He is one of the rare back position specialists these days, so picking up his Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD is a smart move for anyone looking to improve No-Gi back control.
Detailed Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD Review
The four-part Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD offers a very useful gameplan for finishing from different variations of back control, specifically tailored for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. Felipe Pena offers just over two hours of super valuable material in this instructional.
Part 1 – Controlling the Back
The progression of the material in this Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD is one of the things I enjoyed the most while watching it. Pena is going to teach you everything you need to stay on the back and finish, but you need to go through the material in the order it is presented.
Initially, Felipe talks a lot about how to control the back position and not lose any of the angles that are mandatory for submission finishes. What you’ll learn from this part is to be patient and how to establish more and more control by gauging the opponent’s reactions and capitalizing on them.
Part 2 – Staying on the Back
Part two is where the magic happens. This is where Pena starts talking about keeping back control when people manage to disrupt your optimal positioning, which is also known as back retention.
The second volume of the Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD explores counters to common escape such as the arm over escape, hook stripping, and turtling. Pena sticks to submissions as his counters, not afraid to leave the back position if it means a tap – his Guillotine setup against a turtle is the best example.
There is a lot of emphasis on diagonal control throughout the DVD, with Pena not shying away from the Twister as one of the most logical follow-ups to many back escapes. Even when he doesn’t finish the Twister, Felipe uses it to set up subs like Kimuras or get back to choking from the back.
Part 3 – Alternative Back Control Options
Speaking of using the Twister and alternatives to the classic back control, Pena has a whole host of follow-ups we rarely see in modern BJJ. The third part of the Back Control Felipe Pena DVD explores innovative controls such as Half Nelsons, North-South seatbelt control, and plenty of crucifix options.
On the subject of the crucifix, Felipe offers a mini-system you can use on its own, featuring swift Kimuras and triangles. Pena also shares a submission I haven’t seen in quite a while in the form of a biceps slicer inspired by Robinsho Moura.
Part 4 – Submission Finishes
The final part of the Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD is all about submissions, ranging from grip fighting and setup to end-range mechanics. All the retention principles re-appear, making submissions like the RNC from the side possible.
On top of that, you have an arsenal of super tight subs to pick from, including more Twister finishes, brutally fast wrist locks, armbars, and Felipe’s own take on the Straight Jacket system, complete with strangling finishes.
Back Control Past Seatbelt & Hooks
If you keep thinking about back control simply in terms of hooks and seatbelt, you won’t manage to get very far with it. I understand the draw of the 4 points (or more) from getting to the position, but you don’t always have to hunt for the points. Even better, why not get them and then open up your back control game to include lots of different positions, and thereby, many more submissions than the classic?
Things like the crucifix, hip lock back control, the twister, and even the Truck are all very valid examples of different types of back control that yield plenty of submission threats, even though they won’t earn you any points.
Sometimes (or, better said, most of the time) moving into these positions is the only option you have apart from losing back control altogether. People can defend in many different effective ways in modern Jiu-Jitsu, so instructional that take that into account, such as the Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD offer a huge edge to your back-attacking game, no matter what belt you hold.
Instead of trying to claw desperately onto the back, even if that means that you’re exhausted and on the defense when your opponent gets out, be smart about being a constant submission threat by diversifying the controls. Use the Back Control and Submission Felipe Pena DVD to develop a system of back control that will help you dominate in both Gi and No-Gi, under any ruleset out there.
There is something about the crucifix position that makes it so much better to use than the traditional hooks and seatbelt back control. I feel that spreading someone’s arms from behind, rendering them powerless to resist, pretty much sums up what BJJ is all about – control.
There are pros and cons to playing the crucifix position, but then again, the same is true for every position we use in Jiu-Jitsu. The Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD is one of the rare DVDs covering this position in modern days, and probably the only one that actually contains useful information. As a crucifix player, I highly recommend it!
The Ultimate Back Control
I’ve never been a big fan of the traditional back control a.k.a. back mount in BJJ. While obviously advantageous and dangerous, it never clicked for me and I always found it boring, even when I spent time specializing in the straight jacket system.
That said, I found out that you don’t have to be traditional about back attacks, as long as you don’t mind sacrificing hooks (and potentially, points) for a much better control position that offers much more direct submission threats.
For me, there are three back control positions I tend to gravitate to – the crucifix, the Truck, and the rear triangle. The first two are essentially the same thing, just done at different levels of the body. They also happen to be my absolute favorite method of dealing with people, especially since I am a smaller framed grappler.
Sacrificing the potential of points (which you don’t have to do) is a very acceptable thing for me, given the amount of control I get from the crucifix, and the host of different energies that can get me there, without the predictable and often impossible requirement of getting hooks in. The Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD offers plenty of useful insights into how it all works.
Judo & BJJ Black Belt Alexandre Pereira
Alexandre ‘Alex’ Pereira is a grappler who holds black belts in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Currently the head coach and founder of Carlson Gracie KJiu-JItsu Peniche in Portugal, Alex has spent the last decade spreading the sport that changed his life across Europe.
During his life-long grappling career, Pereira spent time training with the who-is-how of Jiu-Jitsu, including legends such as Eddie Bravo, Andre Galvao, Rafa and Gui Mendes, Erik Paulson, and Marcos Flexa. You see how the style of someone who has learned from so many different specialists translates to extreme grappling competency on the mats.
Competition-wise, Pereira has not spent too much time competing at the black belt, although he has some outstanding results during his colored belt days. Instead, he is focused on teaching, both at his academy and a bunch of camps around the world. His Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD offers a glimpse of his unique Jiu-Jitsu game and teaching style.
Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD Review
The three-part instructional called ‘Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD’ contains about two hours of quality material on the crucifix position. It covers setups, control, submissions, and different uses, with Alex taking the time to demonstrate things in Gi or No-gi, depending on the context and best practices.
Part 1 – The Role of the Kimura Grip
I love playing the crucifix position, but I have not found any viable instructional that has any meaningful contribution to my crucifix game so far. For the most part, anything past Marcelo’s original system is a variation of his work, just watered down and made pretty useless.
Alex Pereira has the potential to change that with this Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD. He did change my mind by first, offering a different perspective to the crucifixion control through the prism of the Kimura grip and Kimura trap system.
The first part of his instructional emphasizes the power of the Kimura grip configuration and its key role in holding and finishing from the Crucifix position. While ideal, I liked that Alex recognizes that this position is not always available so he also offers a position zero concept of control that eventually leads to the Kimura, but begins with initial shoulder grips.
This part also features Alex’s notes on critical concepts on using your legs to get the most out of the Crucifix, as well as transitions from control to direct submission finishes.
Part 2 – Entering the Crucifix
Once control is covered, the focus of the Alexandre Pereira Crucifix DVD shifts towards entries. Alex begins with the turtle, the quintessential position for setting up crucifixes.
Pereira recognizes the value of the modern turtle defense system and how difficult it can be to set up direct crucifix entries from there, which I really appreciated, and has follow-ups and dilemma threats to solve it. He likes to use guard setups to conquer top control via the crucifix, combining different angles of threats against turtled opponents.
Innovative and highly useful top position entries from side control, knee on belly, and the back mount also feature in this part of the DVD. Depending on the concepts he shares, Alex switches between Gi and No-Gi throughout the instructional.
Part 3 – Standing & Bottom Crucifix Attacks
Standing crucifix entries tend to be a double-edged sword – if you mess up the control, you end up conceding a takedown and perhaps even a pin. However, for those willing to take the risks, there’s a masterclass on countering the single leg and some Judo throws using crucifixes in the final part of the Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD.
To me, the second portion of this value was particularly useful, as it addresses the counter-attacking uses of the crucifix, from bad spots such as bottom mount or side control. Alex has some invaluable ideas to share that will make your escapes, and your guard game much more dangerous by integrating the crucifix and the threats it brings.
Trap Systems in BJJ
If you want to be a good grappler, and by good I mean efficient, regardless of your size, you need to consider becoming a trapper. And no, this isn’t just a tactic that small grapplers can use – one of the first people to open my eyes to it was Cyborg Abreu, and he is a really big guy.
There are plenty of instances of traps in Jiu-Jitsu, with the Kimura trap being arguably, the most popular and widespread one. The idea behind it is that you can use the Kimura grip to transition between different positions without ever losing control. It turns the Kimura into a lot more than just a submission hold and can allow you to build an entire game around it, even if you are new to the sport.
Other examples of trap systems also exist, such as the guillotine, the inside Ashi Garami, the triangle, leg rides, etc. All of these can help you master plenty of Jiu-Jitsu positions faster by having a common denominator to look for in each, or, even better, to hold on to.
In terms of the back mount, the crucifix position is one of the positions available through the Kimura trap system, that allows you to capitalize on the versatility of this grip configuration by staying behind your opponent. This aspect is covered in detail in the Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD.
The next time you find yourself struggling with retaining the back, just give up on the hips! Instead, go for the crucifix and force your opponent into believing that there is, in fact, a better way of controlling and attacking from the back. The Mastering The Crucifix Alexandre Pereira DVD is a great starting point to get you on your way to making the Crucfux position your specialty.
UFC Commentator Laura Sanko Shows The Bread Cutter Submission
UFC commentator and BJJ brown belt Laura Sanko has once again showcased her grappling expertise by breaking down the bread cutter submission from mount. Known for her insightful fight analysis and as the first female color commentator in UFC history, Sanko’s instructional video has become a must-watch for grapplers looking to enhance their submission game.
Who is UFC Commentator Laura Sanko?
Laura is the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era, transitioning to the role after a successful career as an MMA fighter. She joined the UFC broadcast team in 2021 and has since been a beloved figure, known for her insightful analysis and engaging personality.
Born on December 7, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, she began her journey in combat sports inspired by the movie “The Karate Kid.” Laura initially pursued a career in business administration but eventually followed her passion for martial arts.
As a fighter, Laura ‘Fancy’ Sanko competed as an amateur and professional MMA fighter, making her professional debut in 2013 at Invicta FC 4, where she secured a victory via submission. Unfortunately, she did not extend her pro career past her first victory.
What is the Bread Cutter Submission?
In her recent instructional video, Sanko demonstrated the bread cutter submission, a technique that combines elements of the Ezekiel and key lock chokes. She uses the mount position to set it up, delivering a super-effective move without requiring excessive weight shifts which blocks bridge escapes as a threat.
How the Bread Cutter Submission Works
Sanko starts by explaining how she likes to set up the move starting from side control. “I start by isolating the arm and transitioning into the mount,” she said as she began in a knee-on-belly position with a crossface.
Before going to mount Laura makes sure she gets a wrist grip on the far arm side, using the mount transition to pass off the wrist to the arm that’s crossfacing. This creates a very uncomfortable position for the person at the bottom from the start.
All it takes for the submission to work is to thread your now free arm as if you’re looking to finish an Americana lock. Instead of going for a figure four grip, Laura Sanko places her arm across the neck, executing an Ezekiel choke of sorts.
For a finish, Laura goes as deep as possible with the arm across the neck, and then she leans forward as she pulls on the bent arm. The result is a weird combo of an Ezekiel choke and a shoulder lock.
Laura Sanko’s Key Details for Success
One key detail in Sanko’s breakdown was her focus on maintaining control throughout the process. “Make sure your legs are tight,” she emphasizes, explaining how keeping a solid base is essential for maintaining position and finishing the submission.
She also highlighted the importance of making a fist with teh arm that goes across the neck, which significantly increases the pressure applied in the choke.
Despite being a highly effective technique, Sanko pointed out that the bread cutter can be applied without necessarily transitioning into full mount.
“You don’t have to go all the way to mount. If you have enough pressure, you can still execute it while keeping your opponent flat on their back,” she said, demonstrating her ability to adapt the move to various situations.
Check out the full instructional video here:
Know Your Submissions: Bread Cutter vs Paper Cutter
The term “bread cutter’ usually refers to a choke in BJJ, which, I guess, is still applicable in this case. However, given that Laura’s desaturation is of a No-Gi move, I feel we need to make a clear distinction between two similarly named moves.
I am referring, of course, to the so-called ‘bread cutter’ or ‘paper cutter’ choke that’s done with the help of the Gi from side control. The main difference is this utilization of the Gi to trap the arm, as well as the finishing position, which is more of a side control than it is mount. The paper cutter also has no arm-locking effect involved in the execution.
I can also see the similarities, with both chokes working as air chokes, with an arm across the neck that pressures the trachea. Both chokes also feature a trapped arm as a precursor to the choke, although from different positions and using different means.
In order to be able to make a clear distinction between these two, I think that the Laura Sanko move is the ‘bread cutter’, and the good, old Gi version should only be known as the ‘paper cutter’ choke.
We Want More
After seeing this demonstration from UFC commentator Laura Sanko, we definitely want more. It is clear why she won her pro-MMA debut with a submission, as Sanko delivers an innovative and practical move that is perfect for No-Gi BJJ, and probably even MMA, depending on the gloves. Considering the level of detail in her iteration of the move, I know I’d go and grab a multi-part Laura Sanko grappling instructional. Wouldn’t you?