In an extraordinary display of strength vs technique, Martins Licis, the 2019 World’s Strongest Man, who also does BJJ, recently engaged in a unique grappling session, simultaneously facing two junior judoka at the Keiji Academy.
This remarkable event has sparked widespread discussion about the interplay between sheer strength and technical skill in martial arts.
Martins Licis Grappling: When Strength Meets Technique
During his visit to the Keiji Academy, Licis donned a borrowed gi and humorously sported a black belt, clarifying that he hadn’t earned the rank. He took on two junior judoka in a simultaneous sparring session, a scenario that tested both his physical prowess and adaptability.
Licis shared his thoughts on the experience, stating:
The session highlighted how Licis’s formidable strength allowed him to counterbalance the coordinated efforts of his opponents.
He explained, “I was able to grip tight and use one of my new friends for balance while the other attempted to trip me.” Despite the judokas’ technical expertise, Licis’s raw power presented a significant challenge, demonstrating the impact of strength in grappling scenarios.
Pandora’s Box Is Open?
The martial arts community responded with a mix of admiration and humor. Observers noted the playful nature of the encounter, with fans commenting that Licis “had them right where he wanted them” even when taken to the ground.
This lighthearted exchange underscores the respect and camaraderie shared among practitioners of different disciplines. Licis expressed his appreciation for the experience and his interest in further exploration of martial arts, saying:
His openness to engaging with various martial arts disciplines highlights the value of cross-training and the mutual respect that can develop between strength athletes and martial artists.
With Craig Jones now scheduled to meet a wrestling world champion, after his initial CJI superfight against Gabi Garcia, these unorthodox matchups seem to be popping all over the place. While great fun, let’s make sure we don’t end up in the realm of pro-slapping or those Russian 2-on-1 MMA parkour fights. Just saying.
Two Judokas vs. One Strongman – What’s Next?
Martins Licis’s grappling session with two judoka makes a case for the strength vs. technique debate that has been a part of martial arts since the first small person claimed that their technique could beat bigger guys.
While technical skill is paramount, this encounter illustrates how physical strength can influence the outcome of grappling exchanges. The event quickly went viral, once again bringing focus to the fact that strength does matter in grappling, and when you have as much as Martin Licis, you can pretty much dominate everyone on the mats.
If you’ve ever watched an action movie and thought, “There’s no way that happens in real life,” well, think again. Belgian MMA fighter Maxim Arbil turned fantasy into reality in Pattaya, Thailand, when he successfully took on a group of men single-handedly, sparking a social media firestorm and leaving the internet with its jaw hanging somewhere near its ankles.
A Movie-Like Car Park Hussle
Here’s the setup: Maxim Arbil, who’s already made his name as a seasoned mixed martial arts competitor, found himself in a heated parking dispute.
On the night of March 16, 2025, Arbille and his Thai wife returned to their condominium in Pattaya, only to find their entrance blocked by a vehicle.After waiting patiently, Arbille approached the vehicle’s occupants, a group of Indian men, requesting them to move their car.
The situation escalated from a verbal disagreement to a physical altercation when additional individuals joined, outnumbering Arbille four to one. Rather than the standard fare of angry honking or passive-aggressive gestures, the encounter quickly escalated into a scenario straight out of “John Wick.”
According to reports, Arbil was surrounded by four attackers who evidently didn’t realize they’d picked a fight with someone trained to fight people professionally. As the viral footage clearly shows, Arbil reacted swiftly, defending himself with surprising calmness.
“We just wanted to get through. They were blocking the entrance, and my boyfriend tried to talk to them, but it escalated quickly.”
-Arbil’s girlfriend
The condominium’s security guard, witnessing the confrontation, felt intimidated and refrained from intervening.The altercation lasted approximately 20 minutes before local police arrived to de-escalate the situation.Remarkably, neither party chose to press charges.
As expected, the footage exploded across social media platforms. MMA enthusiasts, casual fans, and even skeptics weighed in with a mix of awe, disbelief, and some hilariously on-point memes.
Conversely, others questioned the morality of glorifying street violence, regardless of context. “While impressive, we should probably not encourage professional fighters to engage in street fights,” argued one commenter in a heated discussion thread.
Despite the odds, Arbille’s training and experience in mixed martial arts enabled him to defend himself effectively, which, at the end of the day, is all that really matters. Luckily the entire incident was caught on video.
The Spotlight for MMA in Self-Defence
Beyond the viral buzz and jokes, the incident has undeniably put a spotlight on MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, underscoring the effectiveness of martial arts training even in unsanctioned, unpredictable real-world situations.
Suddenly, he’s not just a fighter; he’s the guy who turned a chaotic brawl into a global headline overnight. In a sport that thrives on spectacle, this story pushes the boundaries—combining skill, chaos, viral fame, and the undeniable intrigue of real-life action heroics.
It’s not something MMA fans—or even Hollywood scriptwriters—could have dreamed up better.
“He doesn’t want any problems. He travels back and forth and doesn’t want to deal with court appearances repeatedly, so he just asked for an apology and let it go.”
In the end, whether you’re rooting for Maxim Arbil, amused by the absurdity, or skeptical about professional fighters using their skills outside of official competition, one thing’s clear: this incident has delivered entertainment gold.
It’s got everything—a real-life hero, villains biting off more than they could chew, viral fame, and, of course, a healthy dose of MMA swagger. Let’s just hope Arbil’s next fight takes place inside the cage—or at least in a parking lot with fewer cameras.
If you want to be on top of everything that happens in the BJJ world and be hunting for all the new stuff that seems to be working at the highest levels, then calf slicers deserve your full attention. If recent matches are anything to go off of, then this is a very promising direction to explore for submission hunters.
The Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD comes at the perfect time to offer not just an overview of the most effective ways to hunt for calf slicers, but also a completely new approach to making this forgotten leg lock one of your best weapons. With Mikey at the helm, you already know what to expect, but if you want to learn more, read on!
Calf Slicers On the Rise
These days, the calf slicer is slowly creeping into the spotlight. We’ve seen plenty of uses over the years, from Eddie Bravo’s truck and ham sandwich systems, all the way to Lachlan’s distal control-based attacks, but none of them seemed to really stick and spread like heel hooks did.
Enter Helena Crevar and her incredibly impressive finish against Maggie Grindatti Lira at FPI 10 and the world suddenly started thinking about calf slicers again. Whether by coincidence or not, the Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD appeared just a couple of weeks later, adding fuel to the calf-slicing fire.
Long overdue, if you ask me. The calf slicer is a great way to ensure you don’t lose on an Ashi when the knee line is no longer under your control. You can use the threat of calf slicers to prevent any leg locks escape from Ashi, and even to follow-up to the back if you decide to change gears. Plus, it delivers a very fast and equally as powerful way to finish every one.
Mikey Musumeci’s Leg Lock Game
Mikey has one of the best leg-locking games in the world at the moment. His success lies in the fact that he is not just banking on using his signature Mikey Lock all the time but has no trouble diversifying his attacks to include everything that works.
Honestly, Mikey Musumeci has such a well-rounded game that he is dangerous from anywhere. However, if I had to pinpoint a couple of his strongest attacking areas, I’d say leg locks and back attacks. These areas tend to be favored by most top-level competitors, but sometimes, connecting them can be complicated.
That’s a gap that the Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD helps fill. Now, Mike shares his thoughts on one of the most underutilized and underestimated leg locks in the history of grappling sports. With calf slicers somehow becoming the move of the day lately, Mikey’s system is a great way to get ahead of your competition, fast!
Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD Review
The Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD contains three volumes, with al the material delivered in No-Gi. Each volume lasts a different amount of time, the first being the longest, and the total running length of the instructional being around two hours:
Part 1 – Calf Slicer Pre Requisites
Musumeci is always very methodical in his instructional and the Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD is no different. The first volume is the longest, and it delivers a very deep dive into calf slicers, from mechanics to setups, and most importantly, key problems and troubleshooting.
Mikey first talks about his favorite calf slicer finishes, before explaining where the calf slicer fits in the leg lock game. He follows up with a few core concepts – keeping a bent leg, placing tension on the leg, hip bites and how to use turning escapes into an advantage for yourself.
The breaking mechanics of calf slicers appear toward the end of this volume, and Mikey offers an alternative approach to anything I have heard until today, I am a huge fan of calf slicers. The most important chapter in this part, according to me, is the one explaining how far you can go with a calf slicer, and when to stop to avoid serious injuries in training.
Part 2 – A Different Way To Calf Slice
If Mikey stopped at his introductory volume, and just called it an instructional, it would’ve been a great one on its own. However, he has more to add (of course) with his actual calf slicing game explained in further detail in the second and third parts of the Mikey Musumeci Calf Sllicer DVD.
As I mentioned, Mikey has a different finishing idea for calf slicers, which he demonstrates through sequences. He starts with guards, such as the SLX and the K guard, offering complete context on how to get to a calf slicer, where your key checkpoints are, and how to finish should be applied.
A few back attacking follow-ups help round off Mikey’s game, and the idea behind attacking with calf slicers from bottom positions.
Part 3 – Alternative Finishes
Part three of the Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD introduces even more variety into the calf slicing game, providing different finishes and different ways to set up the submission based on the opponent’s reactions.
Submission-wise, Mikey uses positioning to adjust the finishing mechanics, offering ways to wrap a calf slicer up from under the opponent, from the side, or when you’re squared up. He also goes over the pros and cons of the different variations, providing you with a roadmap of when to use each one.
Common reactions like peeling hooks and rolling are just opportunities for Mikey to turn his attacks into different attacks, with back takes, Berimbolos, and falling back into deeper leg locks the routes demonstrated in this part of the instructional.
The X Factor Is…
While we all love to drool over the crazy amounts of control that BJJ positions offer and chant the ‘control before submission’ mantra, there are moves that only work because they come out of nowhere, and deliver the element of surprise.
The calf slicer is exactly that a move that has that X factor which is a surprise. There is a dual advantage to having calf slicers in your game – you have a move that people won’t see coming, and it is the same move that you can use to prevent them from defending leg locks, escaping the turtle, or getting out of your back control.
Not many moves in Jiu-Jitsu double as quick and painful submissions, and versatile follow-ups to many of your opponent’s defenses. The calf slicer is definitely in a category of its own, which is covered in great detail in the Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD.
So, calf slicers are somewhat illegal (until brown belt) to use. So what? That doesn’t mean you can’t be thinking forward!
No point in waiting to see if calf slicers really become the next big thing in Jiu-Jitsu! It’s much smarter to pick up the Slicin’ Calves Mikey Musumeci DVD now and start adding these moves to your arsenal, regardless of how mainstream or not they are. At the end of the day, they work, and people have little idea of how to defend them – the perfect combination!
Ready to improve your guard to be able to survive against those Nicky-Rod-type huge blue belts and those Josef Chen-style purple belts who seem to move through time and space differently than you? The Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD can help, but it won’t solve all your problems.
Faria offers a very interesting take on guards, focusing on guard retention as the aspect of guard that allows you the most options for attacking. While it may sound counterintuitive, it is actually very logical and effective, when you come to think about it. If you want to avoid this thinking part, then pick up the DVD – Bernardo has done it for you!
Why Do We Need Guards?
Seriously, what is the point of the guard? Why do we go to guard when all we do from there is getting back up on top? Okay, we have submissions, but those don’t always work out and often result in people getting past the guard.
People miss the main point of guards altogether when they decide to play from the bottom. A guard is designed to keep the top person where you want them so that you can get on top or get a submission. Once you come to terms with this role of the guard, which is essentially to stall the top person, you can start thinking about how to achieve it.
The Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD offers plenty of different ways to stay on your guard despite the top person’s best efforts. However, the one truth you need to accept is that just getting to a guard doesn’t mean you can do everything Bernardo shows – you’ll actually need to put in lots of work to make things happen.
Real OG Bernardo Faria
How many BJJ instructionals do you own? Well the reason you can access them, and in such a vast number, is Bernardo Faria. The man behind BJJ Fanatics and a renowned multiple-time world champion truly changed the way information is delivered across the BJJ World.
Faria is a Brazilian, originally from Juiz De Fora, who dedicated his entire life to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Starting at the early age of 14, Faria ended up as one of the best competitors to ever come out of the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team and one of the most successful super-heavyweights in the history of the sport.
Bernardo has also launched an incredible number of instructional, the Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD being just the last in a very long line of game-changing DVDs. he definitely knows what he is talking about, particularly when modifying Jiu-Jitsu to give older practitioners hope.
Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD Review
The Bernardo Faria Guard Retention DVD follows the industry standard four-volume format, delivering about 2 hours of material on using guard retention to launch attacks while training BJJ with the Gi.
Part 1 – The Four Foundational Principles
Following the standard four-volume format he created, Bernardo begins the Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD with an overview of the four principles he considers to be foundational to any guard retention effort.
Faria likes to use lots of examples to explain the context behind his theory, so he opts for pass prevention from his signature half-guard to demonstrate exactly how guard retention can be used to attack and not just for last-ditch defending. Toreando pass counters demonstrate how guard recovery works taking you through half guard, open guard, and several grip options.
Part 2 – How To Beat Stacking
An aspect of guard retention that everyone is undoubtedly super interested in is how to deal with stacking. If you’re one of those people who fear getting stacked, but likes to play guard, the Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD has the lifeline you were looking for.
I love that Benrado transforms almost every end-range guard retention situation into an attack that yields effortless sweeps. The roll back, fake triangle, and elbow control methods he uses to kill stacking all provide a direct way to turn defense into offense.
Toward the end of the volume, Farial also dedicates attention to the Over-Under pass, and as a master of the pass, he’s exactly the person you want to listen to about preventing it!
Part 3 – Pass Prevention
A couple of super-common passes in the knee slice and leg drag are Bernardo’s focus here. As he goes deeper with the Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD, he offers some sneaky ways to capitalize on your grips and your opponent’s body positioning during passes to ensure you not just stop, but also counter these passes with sweeps.
I liked that Faria decided to stick with two passes, but cover different variations and end points for both the leg drag and the knee cut, including very late-stage defense. He also mentions the folding pass towards the very end of the instructional.
Part 4 – Half Guard & Turtle
Bernardo’s name is pretty synonymous with the deep half guard, and any half guard for that matter so his true expertise comes at the tail end of the Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys Bernardo Faria DVD.
While Faria begins in the half guard, he quickly uses it to introduce a very modern defensive guard concept – using the turtle as a guard. he covers several different turtle positions, demonstrating how you can use it as a guard retention method to transition defense into offense.
Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys
Old guys can do Jiu-Jitsu. This has always been true, from the old Gracie days, all the way to the days of modern No-Gi grappling. Yes, there is intensity in competition and training, and yes, younger guys have a physical and even technical advantage over you. But that just means you need to play the game differently, it doesn’t mean you need to quit it.
As an old guy, the guard is one of your best positions. However, thinking that you’ll just get into a guard, regardless of which, and be able to stop young, athletic purple belts because of it is delusional. The guard can help, a lot, but you actually need to play it, not just get to it.
As an OG grappler, your task is to be sneakier and more effective than the young training partners who can move better and faster than you, and have the upper hand in terms of strength. Berandro’s Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys Guard Retention DVD perfectly captures the essence of how you can implement this type of guard strategy into your game.
Just because someone is stronger, younger, and more experienced than you, it doesn’t mean that you should just give up and tap to everything they throw at you. The Jiu-Jitsu For Old Guys Guard Retention Bernardo Faria DVD offers you not just a glimmer of hope as an OG guard player, but rather a fool-proof way of catching everyone by surprise, and not just once!
The X-Guard, but Gi-specific. That’s what the X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD is all about. It will give you answers to plenty of questions you have about entering, keeping, and attacking from the full X-guard.
However, the best value of this instruction lies in the sheer number of sweeping options it provides. Instead of trying to teach people who are already struggling with BJJ complicated off-balancing concepts, Sleema simply provides effective ways to disrupt balance and put people on the mats. Exactly what the doctor ordered.
When In Doubt, Play X-Guard
Yup, the statement above just about sums up my entire BJJ guard game. That said, I am a beat-up master grappler who is only interested in efficient ways to survive against Nicky Rod-type blue belts which seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days.
The X-Guard is the perfect guard for, well, anyone. It is effective with and without the Gi, can get you leg locks, but also offers routes into upper body submissions, puts you more than halfway to the back, and allows you to sweep in more ways than any one grappler can master. More on this in the actual X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD.
There is a catch though. While effective for everyone and requiring absolutely no athletic abilities, the X-guard will only work if you get there, and that’s the part that deters most people from playing it. Yes, it is not easy to claw your way into the X-guard, but with the help of those who really understand it, like Kyle, you’ll definitely be able to figure out a shortcut to establishing it.
Kyle ‘Bull’ Sleeman
Kyle is a very interesting character, with lots of instsity to everything he does, from talking to grappling. The black belt has been training since 2005 and is a mainstay at IBJJF competitions, with impressive titles to his name so far.
The Canadian teaches his craft at Kalsamrit Martial Arts in Bowmanville, Ontario, and is also often on the roster of BJJ Globetrotters camp instructors. He likes to be the person on top, and is a master at passing and pinning folks, backed up with a versatile takedown game.
So why consider the X-Guard Kyle Sleeman DVD if Kuyle is such a master at the top game? Well before all his success from the top, Kyle built his game around the guard. Also, crushing people’s guards gives him the most unique perspective on what works and what doesn’t in terms of guard.
X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD Review
What you can expect to learn from the X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD is sweeping people from many different X-guard variations using the Gi. There are four different length volumes in this instructional, amassing a total of 2 hours of material.
Part 1 – Filling the Single Leg -X Guard
If you want to learn the X-guard, learn from a masters’ competitor. Since Kyle is a champion in the masters’ ranks, the X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD is definitely a top choice.
The instructional starts off with an overview of X-Guard basics, starting with the Single Leg X. Apprantely Sleeman likes to teach the other way around, starting with Single Leg X and going into the full X-guard from there. I have to say it makes sense.
A few entries build on the SLX guard mechanics already covered, originating in different guards or the bottom mount. He then seamlessly connects the Single Leg X-Guard to the full X version, once again, offering entries from different guards and building complete bottom game sequences in the process.
Part 2 – Sleeve Grips Versatility
I was most intrigued by this second volume of the Kyle Sleeman X-Guard DVD. Most people tend to base lots of their X-guard success on controlling the arms of the top person, especially in Gi Jiu-Jitsu. I really loved that Kyle offers no-sleeve grip options in this part of the instructional.
He starts off with an array of X-Guard sweeps that only require you to grip the legs. The face plant sweep was my favorite of the bunch, but there are other effective ones in this one too.
As the volume goes on, Kyle re-introduces sleeve grips, mostly through the Kuzushi he already showed us. Once the sleeves are back in the mix, sweeps become even more effective, as the shoulders are the first to hit the mats, all but guaranteeing sweep completion.
A few armbars show up here as well, from initial setups to follow-up finishes taking into account common counters. Triangles and Omoplatas ensure there is no lack of submissions in Sleeman’s X-Guard game.
Part 3 – Single Leg-X Sweeps
In the third portion of his instructional, Kyle circles back to the Single Leg-X guard. Previously used as a means of obtaining the full X-Guard, the focus is now on attacking from the SLX, with sweeps being the preferred method.
This short portion of the X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD offers details on the common sweeps that Gi grapplers will find very useful. There’s a bit of leg locking as well, with the ankle lock making a quick cameo.
Part 4 – The Lasso X-Guard
Finally, a bit of typical modern Gi guard work to round this Kyle Sleeman DVD off. The X-guard becomes part of a hybrid here, introducing Lasso control on one side to trap the top person more securely. While not a fan of anything lasso, I must admit there is a method to the madness here.
Kyle is an IBJJF competitor with a great record, and the lasso combos here, especially the sweeps, are proven to work in those settings. For Gi competitors, this instructional, and particularly this last volume is a sweeps gold mine. A bit of Honeyhole leg-locking naughtiness from the Reverse X-Guard helps bring this DVD to a memorable end.
Use Close Distance Guards More
So, why is the X-Guard such a useful position and why is it more stable than the Singel Leg X? Well the answer to that is the same one behind the effectiveness of the 50/50, deep half guard and every other guard that places you directly beneath your opponent’s hips.
Simply put, you’re in the best possible position to disrupt the balance of the top person when your entire body is under their hips. When you can also control both legs, like in the full X-Guard, you’ve basically swept the top person just by entering into the guard – it is just a matter of time.
The X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD builds on this particular off-balancing power of the guard to provide you with an entire game, from entries to submissions while exploiting the many sweeping directions the guard offers.
The trick is in the balance. Take it away, and you can do pretty much whatever you want. you’ll learn a lot about performing X-guard magic from the X-Guard Trickery Kyle Sleeman DVD, including how to sweep without having any sleeve grips. This instructional has only one flaw – it’s too Gi-specific. With a few adjustments though, it’s not hard to make it work in No-Gi as well, so the final verdict is to go for it.
A bit of wrestling spices any grappling sport up, and nothing can bring a bit of mayhem into a roll as attaching to someone and riding out the craziness. While wrestling offers many different rides to get and stay on the mats, the crab ride is the one that fits BJJ perfectly.
The idea behind crab rides is not too complicated, but figuring out how to use them live, especially as counterattacks does take some time. The Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD offers a sensible alternative, providing you with the chewed up and organized information you need to introduce this wrestling classic into your Jiu-Jitsu game.
How to Beat Modern BJJ Defense
If you ever rolled against one of the folks using modern defensive BJJ systems, particularly the turtle, you know how annoying Jiu-Jitsu can get. The BJJ world needed something like that to wake it up from the idea that any type of attack would work against the turtle by default.
That said, the modern turtle is far from unbeatable, it just takes work, and you might mess it up. It’s what grappling is all about anyway. So if you want to beat a really good turtle player, turn to the source that helped provide the turtle information in the first place – wrestling.
Rides, and in particular, ankle rides remain my favorite way of breaking down even the most stubborn turtle player, but you’re definitely not limited only to them. The Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD offers what is arguably the safest and most offense-rich method to beat the turtle and a bunch of other defensive BJJ puzzles.
Iron Horse Head Coach Anthony Budion
I must say, I am slightly confused by Anthony Budion’s credentials, as I’ve never seen someone e a black belt under two different people. Don’t get me wrong; I am not disputing them; I am just curious.
Budion is a legit black belt in BJJ, proven by his record as a coach and competitor. He is a black belt under Romaro ‘Jacare’ Calvalcanti and a black belt under Sean Applegate. Antony has been representing Alliance BJJ, even though Applegate is one of the best 10th Planet Jiu-JItsu representatives. I’m a bit confused, and I don’t like linens anyway, so let’s just say Budion is a black belt who knows what he’s talking about.
With a rich history of service (Air Force, FDNY, NYPD) Budion is now the head coach of Iron Horse BJJ, an academy operating out of Alpharetta, Georgia. Holding a rank of 3rd-degree black belt at the moment, he offers a practical, efficiency-focused syle of grappling. The Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD is the perfect representation of what’ he’s about.
Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD Review
In the Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD you get No-Gi material divided into four volumes, each with a different length. The total running time of the instructional is around the two-hour mark, and it is applicable to people of all belt ranks:
Part 1 – Half & Full Crab Rides
Crab rides can be deceptively difficult to master, just like most super-basic-looking wrestling moves. Having had to figure them out myself, I think that the Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD offers a great way to approach them in a systematic manner.
In the first volume, Budion goes over the basics, starting at the half crab position, which you’ll find yourself into a lot more often than the full crab. It also offers plenty more transitions, such as stacking, twister hooks, and ankle stomps, all of which feature in the DVD.
The full crab position is all about attaching yourself to the opponent’s hips, with your arms playing several different roles, depending on the requirements. Anthony does an excellent job at deconstructing crab ride positioning, end goals, and common issues, including the most fundamental aspect of the position – rolling with the opponent.
He introduces a concept not many people consciously use in BJJ, which is chasing the lower back. It was a first for me as well, to hear it pretend like that and it definitely changed the way I approach attacking the back and turtle.
Part 2 – Riding Out of Leg Locks
Part two of the Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD is particularly useful in modern BJJ as it provides a way to deal with leg locks that not many people use. What you might have seen from some B-team members and looks a lot like scrambling is very intentional crab riding.
Anthony goes over a bunch of different Ashi positions, explaining how you can use leg levers to enter half and full crab rides and use his system from there. You can expect to see lots of Bolos, inversions, leg hooks, and spins in this part of the instructional.
Budion also offers a few interesting finishes, sticking to leg locks such as the Junny lock and Aoki lock. Towards the end of the volume, he brings common inversion guards into the mix suc has the K-guard and RDLR.
Part 3 – Crab X-Guard & Back Takes
Back attacks, featuring both the standard version and Anthony’s lower back chasing are the primary focus in this part of the Anthony Budion Crab Ride DVD. Sticking to the idea of using guards to set up crab rides from the previous volume, Budion builds by going over how the X-guard is the best position to get easy crab rides from.
The attention here is on guards that place you underneath your opponent’s hips, so the 50/50 also makes an appearance, allowing for even more inversions to the back. Finally, Budion connects heel exposure from these guards to opportunities for crab rides, bringing everything together.
Part 4 – Diving Through
The last part of the Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD looks at a fundamental movement that is crucial for crab rides to work. Given the dynamic nature of the move, your ability to stay attached and adapt to situations in rolling depends a lot on your ability to perform the dive through.
It’s easier than it appears, and Budion does a stellar job at explaining it, as well as how it relates to everything already covered in the instructional, from leg locks to Berimbolos and the Hammerdown.
Wrestling For BJJ
You already know you need to include more wrestling in your BJJ. In the past couple of ADCCs and of course, the CJI, wrestling was the determining factor between winning and losing among the best grapplers in the world. And it’s not just the standing exchanges I am talking about.
Craig Jones and the B-team have been very open to including mat returns, rides, and wrestling-inspired scrambles into their game. Danhaer’s New Wave has been using wrestling from the knees for who knows how long now, and Eddie Bravo has built his entire system drawing on inspiration from wrestling’s ground exchanges.
Some of the moves that are staples in wrestling offer really great ways of improving control over otherwise difficult-to-hold positions. Nelsons, shoulder pins, cowcatchers, and lately, crab rides, all have a huge role to play in modern BJJ. The countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD shed more light on one of these key wrestling tactics.
When you can’t get back in BJJ terms, you can still stay behind your opponent and control them, arguably even better than using the hooks/harness combo. The best part is that you can actually use the crab ride even in situations when the back is not exposed, just like the Countering with Crab Ride Anthony Budion DVD demonstrates. If you’ve never done this type of grappling, you’ll definitely benefit a lot from this instruction.
Craig Jones has another new guard to promote, but exactly what is new about it remains to be seen. If you’re interested in the contents of the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD, we did our best to deliver an inside scoop on what this instructional delivers.
Before you move on with the full review, let’s manage expectations. Will you learn something new? Sure! Will it be something nobody in the BJJ world apart from Craig has ever thought of, or done? Absolutely not. Wil you emerge on the other side of this DVD with a better closed-guard game? Yes, and then some. On to the review now.
Closet Guard?
What is this craziness now? Will it be as good as some of Craig Jones’ other brainfarts, or as bad as some of Craig Jones’ other brainfarts? With Craig, you never really know what you’re in for. This time around, it is just wordplay in terms of originality, but the entire system is right up there with his best work, in terms of effectiveness.
Craig’s closet guard is just a re-take on the classic closed guard – legs wrapped around the waist, arms doing other things to break posture and set up attacks. You know, just like in your very first class.
If you’re expecting the closed guard to end all closed guards, different than any other version, you’re in for a disappointment, However, if you are expecting a quick and effective way out of the closet via sweeps, submissions, and back takes, than the Craig Jones Closed Guard DVD is your ticket out.
Another Craig Jones Moment of Brilliance
Craig already has some catchphrases that are etched into the very essence of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. To shorten the suspense his Closet Guard is not even in the same universe as “Just Stand Up” or some of his other recognizable stuff.
That said, as far as actual BJJ goes, the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD is a very useful instructional, providing a very effective way of setting up a closed guard game. I am not sure if you remember (or know at all) but Craig was a prolific guard player (closed and Z-guard) before he became famous for leg locks, which was before he turned into the most known troll in Jiu-Jitsu.
In short, Craig has spent more time hunting for triangles in the closed guard than he has in Ashi, fighting women, or digging up mysterious guys to give him millions of dollars to put on crazy events and dress the likes. All in all, this instructional is arguably one of Craig’s best in terms of its technical worth.
Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD Review
The Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD has four volumes of No-Gi instructions on playing several different closed guard variations. Over the course of three and a half hours, Craig offers different ways to get sweeps and submissions, very successfully linking them all together into an easy system:
Part 1 – Must-Know Subs & Hand Fighting
Craig starts the instructional by explaining the Closet guard concept – it’s just a phrase that places the closed guard as your first position because ‘everyone starts in the closet’. Otherwise, it’s just plain old closed guar,d with a submission-heavy focus and a few game-changing details.
In the first part of the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD hand fighting gets a lot of attention setting the stage for a few (more precisely 3) must-know submissions that Craig spends a lot of time on.
He then launches into a deeper explanation of one of them, the Omoplata, offering a mini-system with entries, finishes, sweeping, and follow-ups.
Part 2 – Triangle & Armbar Chains
In part two of the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD Craig delivers a lot of information on triangles, so if you’re a triangle nut like me, you’re really going to enjoy this volume. It’s not just setups and finishing triangles but also details on troubleshooting and a way to connect them into submission chains with armbars, and not just a flash combo.
I love that the armbars that Craig shows here start in the closed guard, but all the finishing is done from the top – the only way to do them, in my opinion. Anti-stacking info also features here, solving the biggest problem you might run into when looking for armbar-triangle combos from the guard.
Part 3 – Overhook Closet Guard
The best possible version of the closed (okay, closet) guard is the one featuring an overhook. Unless you’re camping out in Williams Guard, the overhook should be your go-to. This part of the Craig Jones Closet Guard explains why, in the off-chance, you don’t already know.
Craig begins with posture break strategies, following up with key overhook attacks that come back to the three must-know subs. Two, out of the three, feature in this part, as Craig offers a new connection, this time between the Omoplata and the Triangle, off the overhook control position.
Part 4 – Arm Across Attacks
Arm across means armbars. This final part of the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD once again demonstrates that he is true, but also offers a few more different avenues of attack in addition to armbars.
Craig uses the arm across position to launch into a side-guard-type position, which allows him to sweep as well as set up armbars, and even open up back attacks. Lots of armbars appear in this portion, once again linked to the triangle, and through it, everything else covered in this instructional.
Thinking Outside the Closed Guard
If you’re aiming to use the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD to improve your closed guard, you can expect great results, fast. However, have you asked yourself what your closed-guard goals are?
You see, context matters, and the end goal of playing closed guard (or any other guard, for that matter) is to get out of the closed guard in a way that places you in a dominant top position, or in a position to finish a joint lock or a choke.
It is a general way of looking at things, yes, but when you begin thinking about the guard in this way, rather than as a guaranteed position that will deliver specific sequences of moves, you’ll find that you’ll have a lot more success with it. In other words, know what’s on the other side of the closet when you’re dead-set on getting out of it!
Time to get in the closet for a bit, and figure out how to set everything up so that your exit from it is going to be unforgettable. This, I think, is the analogy that caring was after with the Closet Closed Guard Craig Jones DVD. He might have missed the mark in terms of making this one crazy memorable, but he did deliver a super-effective way of organizing your closed guard.
Some people in the BJJ world really do blow my mind with the way they present material that we’ve all been working on for decades, but never really managed to present (or comprehend) it as concisely as they do. The last one to do so is Levi Jones-Leary and his very interesting approach to emphasizing the guard-back mount connection.
The Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD is a useful resource for those considering themselves backmount experts, but also for those suffering from these same ‘experts” and even those hoping to achieve this expertise one day. In short, it offers a perspective on back-taking that you had no idea ran so deep in BJJ.
What Are BJJ Camping Tactics?
The term ‘camping’ is becoming more and more prevalent these days in BJJ. For those not familiar with META tactics for FPS games, let me elaborate – camping referees to the patient waiting in a safe spot for your opponent to allow you to deliver the finishing blow (in the case of BJJ, a submission).
There are not many safe camping options in Jiu-Jitsu, and the best one you can get is the back mount. There are next to no submission dangers (I’m not even going to entertain the thought of the ‘crossed foot lock’), people tend to have a hard time getting out of it, and it is only a question of time when you’ll get the finish.
Lots of high-level grapplers are employing camping tactics lately. Apart from the back, you can also opt for the mount, or some passing or guarded positions, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous. For those looking for the risk-free version, the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD is your best bet.
Unity Jiu-Jitsu Competitor Levi Jones-Leary
Levi Jones-Leary is a black belt in BJJ under the legendary Murilo Santana. So far, he has a few big titles to his name, including the IBJJF Euros, the Pan Ams, and winning the ADCC trials in 2024. We never got to see him in the ADCC, as he chose CJI instead, where he lost to -88kg champion Kade Ruotolo.
Levi has been training for a long time, with his first introduction to BJJ dating back to his teenage days, when he first discovered MMA. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Jones-Leary entered combat sports with an already impressive set of athletic abilities he’d developed competing in track and field.
MMA didn’t quite keep the attention of Levi, but BJJ did, as he found his first base in teh Garage Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Sydney. Competing as much as he could, Levi perfected his trade with Cobrinha whenever he was in the US, eventually ending up in Unity Jiu-Jitsu in 2015.
Murilo gave Levi Jones-Leary his black belt in 2018 after he won just about everything at brown belt and proved he could easily hang with the best in the world. A huge fan of the Miayos, Levi made the back his go-to position from his early competitive days, resulting in a wealth of knowledge in the position, which is on display in the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD
Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD Review
The four-volume Levi Jones-Leary Xanadu Back Takes DVD really does a deep dive into the way you can use different guards to set up back exposure and conquer the back mount in the Gi. It takes Jones-Leary just over 2 hours to present all his thoughts on the subject:
Part 1 – Guard Retention Back Takes
The angle that the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD provides is an unusual one, as it looks into back-taking from the perspective of playing guard. Usually, DVDs focus on one or the other, but overall Levi manages to pull this one off.
First up are his concepts of guard retention and how you can use a defensive mindset (of sorts) to set up seamless transitions to the back. Levi uses retention tactics that actually expose the back, resulting in pass counters that put you on the opponent’s back without them realizing what you’re trying to do.
He covers passing threats like knee slice passes, double under, and the Тorreando, which means he covered three out of four possible passing directions with direct examples.
Part 2 – Otisde Open Guard Entries
Part two of the reminds me of the early back-taking game by Atos competitors and the Estima brothers. This portion of the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD goes over back taking from the De la Riva, something we don’t see as much these days, as a result of the inside guard dominance because of leg locks.
Jones-Leary offers several interesting DLR concepts that include exploding the back either via sweep threats or submissions like the Omoplata. He includes options against standing and kneeling opponents, focusing a lot on demonstrating the perfect angles for back attacks.
Part 3 – Berimbolos
I already said that Levi Jones-Leary is a big admirer of the Miyao brothers. Paired with the type of game played at Unity, the Beribmolo was bound to appear in the Levi Jones-Leary Back Takes DVD.
In its own dedicated volume, the Berimbolo is first introduced through some basic inverting motion, followed by an unusual endpoint – the mount. This serves as the optimal stage to launch a series of back takes in different directions, including top position setups featuring leg drags, which we often see in conjunction with Berimbolos.
The double pull X-Guard helps introduce a different dimension to open guard back takes, building on the Berimbolo options by addressing a level-changing opponent, and exploiting their innate weaknesses.
Part 4 – Xanadu Guard Crucifix Setups
As we reach teh final part of the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD, Levi goes over his signature Xanadu guard, and all the ways you can use it to get back. The guard retention concepts still apply, but the starting guard and ending position are a bit different here.
Much to my pleasure, back control of choice for ending this instructional is the crucifix, and Jones-Leary offers some very innovative ways of getting to this super-versatile position against standing and kneeling opponents alike.
The Back Mount – Guard Connection
What are your attacking options from guards? Most people would immediately say submissions and sweeps, and those people would not be wrong. However, that is not the complete answer.
Back takes are neither sweeps nor deliver an immediate submission reward. They are, however, a great way of getting 4 points, and are just as readily (kind of) available from most guards as sweeps and submissions are. The best part is that these tend to be easier to hide from your opponent, and thus, much more effective due to the surprise factor.
The original perspective on the back takes offered in the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD is one we should pay a lot more attention to when developing our game plans. Guards, coming on so many different forms, offer a lot more different directions to the back than any top position does. Just some food for thought as you start to implement what you’ve learned from Levi’s DVD.
Levi Jones-Leary demonstrated that you can become so good at getting the back from guards, that you can end up naming your own guard and use it to confuse people. However, even though this is covered in the Xanadu Back Takes Levi Jones-Leary DVD, this instructional offers the big picture as well, connecting all the key dots between guarded positions and the back mount.
Craig Jones has found himself at the center of controversy (again) after posting training photos alongside tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. Craig Jones and Zuckerberg caught everyone’s attention, with the official CJI financial benefactor still a matter of speculation.
The Australian grappling sensation, renowned for his skill on the mats as well as his outspoken personality, has inadvertently sparked intense debate within the global BJJ community.
Craig Jones, the most popular troll in BJJ, but also one of the most skillful grapplers and the man behind the highest-paying pro grappling event in history, recently shared images of himself training with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his Instagram account.
Zuckerberg, who made headlines for receiving his BJJ blue belt and was touted as contemplating a super fight with Elon Musk after winning a BJJ tournament recently, has increasingly become associated with the martial arts, drawing both curiosity and skepticism from longtime practitioners.
The photos quickly went viral, drawing attention from both fans and critics. While some viewed the training session as a positive step toward mainstream exposure for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, others were far less welcoming, accusing Jones of aligning himself with Zuckerberg for potential personal gain or increased exposure.
Craig Jones and Zuckerberg Training Session Surrounded by Buzz
Reactions to Jones’ association with Zuckerberg have been notably divided. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, many BJJ enthusiasts and fans voiced their disapproval vehemently.
Critical comments filled social media threads, with detractors labeling the partnership as “pathetic” and accusing Jones of seeking publicity. Critics questioned the authenticity of Zuckerberg’s commitment to BJJ, speculating that his interest might be more about personal branding than genuine passion for martial arts.
A particularly controversial viewpoint circulating among skeptics suggests that Jones may be pursuing personal or financial benefits by associating closely with Zuckerberg. Several comments sarcastically hinted that Jones might be looking for funding opportunities for his own projects or ventures within the grappling industry:
Jones, however, has yet to directly address these criticisms publicly. Known for his humorous yet provocative presence in the grappling community, the Australian competitor seems unbothered, continuing to focus on his training and professional development.
Zuckerberg’s Genuine Interest in BJJ?
Mark Zuckerberg’s journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began earnestly, marked by his promotion to blue belt and his recent impressive competitive performance.
Despite his consistent public displays of dedication—participating in competitions and regularly attending training sessions—his involvement continues to be met with some scrutiny from the broader martial arts community.
His recent training session with Craig Jones only amplifies the discussion surrounding his intentions and dedication.
Craig Jones: A Polarizing Figure
Craig Jones is no stranger to controversy within the grappling world. The Australian grappler, famous for his submission-oriented style and charismatic, sometimes brash demeanor, has always managed to attract attention both on and off the mats.
With all eyes don’t he second CJI edition, which is again promising millions of dollars in prize money, this time to be divided between a team of winners that also includes a selection of New Wave Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Craig has been milking the spotlight as much as possible lately.
Whether Craig Jones and Zuckerberg only shared a training session or had a ‘business meeting’ on the mats, Craig made sure everyone was aware. The biggest troll in BJJ is definitely enjoying his time in the spotlight, but as long as he’s making it worth it for pro grapplers, do we really care what his true intentions are?
The encounter between Craig Jones and Mark Zuckerberg signifies a potential turning point for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s visibility and integration into mainstream culture. Whether driven by genuine interest, strategic networking, or simple curiosity, the involvement of prominent individuals such as Zuckerberg undoubtedly elevates the sport’s profile.
As Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to grow in popularity, grappling fans and athletes alike will inevitably face more such moments of controversy and discussion. While reactions may be divided, this latest episode illustrates vividly how rapidly the sport’s landscape is evolving, fueled by intersections between traditional martial arts communities and broader societal trends.
If you want to learn a wrestling move, go to wrestlers. If you want to submit people using wrestling moves, go to catch wrestlers. if you want to learn everything about the front headlock from a BJJ black belt, who is also a catch wrestler and Luta Livre expert, then pick up the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD.
Simple, right? Go straight to the source when you want to figure things out but keep in mind that you’re trying to learn how to do stuff for BJJ, not for their original sports or martial arts. Not many coaches can transcend this border when they teach, but luckily, Joel is not one of them.
Grapplers Guide To Front Headlock
I use the front headlock in both Gi and No-Gi and find it to work incredibly well. Honestly, in No-Gi it is more of a must-use than a choice, given the lack of attachment points in the neck and shoulders area.
For the most part, people tend to find the front headlock intuitive, at least when it comes to controlling. This is open reason why I like to teach it to everyone in my gym, including in kids’ classes.
The problems people tend to have with it are when they try to get some attack going for the position. It may be a takedown, a direct submission (usually a choke), or a transition to the back or top-side control. What I’ve identified as the number one issue is that people forget what makes the front headlock work as they attempt to get to something else, effectively letting go of their controlling position.
Luckily, the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD addresses this concern and not just in one or two chapters. Control is the focus throughout it, and all three transitions are done with the headlock either having served its purpose completely or with a fallback option to get back into it.
‘Kru’ Joel Bane
The tile of Khru is not usually associated with grapplers, but you’d be surprised at how many great grappling minds actually despise the classic BJJ lineage and terms like ‘professor’. It is safe to say that Joel Bane is one of those brilliant people with a fight intelligence that can solve any puzzle.
In this particular instance, the puzzle is the front headlock, and the solutions come in the super-comprehensive No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD. The man of the moment, Joel, is a 3rd-degree black belt in BJJ under Rigan Machado, 5-th degree black belt in Luta Livre under Hugo Duarte, catch wrestling coach certified by Billy Robinson, boxing coach, and 13th Khan/Senior Kru ranked in Muay Thai.
Joel has also spent time training with CSW founder Erik Paulson and is currently the man at the helm of one of the best no-nonsense grappling and MMA gyms in the world – Snake Pit USA. Bane is also no stranger to putting together meaningful instructionals, as he is a full-time coach who is constantly innovating.
No-Gi Grapplers Guide To Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD Review
The No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD is a long one, consisting of 10 volumes, each lasting a considerable amount of time. All the instructions are delivered in No-Gi, amounting to a total of just over 8 hours of material.
Part 1 – Concepts
The headlock is as old as grappling and has so many options, that you could dedicate a whole year to studying nothing but it, and you’ll still have lots left to figure out. Luckily, you can cut through most of the needless stuff with the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD.
He starts off with essential concepts, talking about the highest percentage of positions that allow you to get to a front headlock with a high degree of certainty. Russian ties, inside ties, collar ties, and forcing sprawls all feature here, rounded off by an in-depth underhook and overhook overview.
Part 2 – Standing Submissions
Not something seen in BJJ often, especially in No-Gi. Hwoever, after seeing Jon Jones pull it off, many people went on trying to choke folks from standing, and several of the moves covered in this part of the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD might actually work in that regard.
Bane’s take on standing headlock submissions includes guillotine variations featuring the S-grip and power-punch guillotine. A few crank-choke options also follow, which I guess fall under the sanding submissions umbrella as long as you get a tap. The Tie Bar strangle, demonstrated toward the end, is a legit one I am itching to try out.
Part 3 – Front Headlock Takedowns
Venturing back into more familiar territory, Joel focuses on taking the fight to the ground in the third portion of the Joel Bane Front Headlock DVD. While refers to his Snake Pit drag-down system as the Front Headlock Salto, it is not at all athletically demanding, nor dangerous to your opponent.
Direct, rapid-fire, and submission chain FHL Salto options provide you with a different approach to taking people down with a front headlock. A few more neck cranks, and a neat cowcatcher, which is one of my favorite FHL moves, conclude this part of the DVD.
Part 4 – Snapdowns and Rolling Attacks
Those enjoying gator-roll style moves will really enjoy this volume of the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD. The focus is on a wrestling classic that’s very underutilized in BJJ – the cement mixer. It works, it scares the stuffing out of your opponents, and it’s fairly easy to master in a short amount of time.
Snapdowns also feature here, and I consider them to be the hardest straightforward thing you can do from a front headlock position. Bane’s mixed grappling background provides him with a great perspective on it, and he makes it simple, showing you how to directly go into a bunch of ground attacks, ranging from cement mixers to leg scissor chokes.
Part 5 – Leg Locks
No way a No-Gi, catch-wrestling-inspired instructional with a Luta Livre coach is not going to include leg locks. While they are not as plentiful as I expected, there is more than enough to provide versatility to your arsenal.
For the most part, this volume of the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD involves single leg transitions from an initial front headlock, that later leads to leg locks. Snake Pit’s signature W.A.R. system featuring throws and submissions makes its first appearance in this volume as well.
Speaking of W.A.R., part six of the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD is all about it. In over an hour, Joel covers plenty of different finishes that feature in the system, such as armbars, Kimuras (called by their old-school name ‘double wristlock’), and chokes.
The head and arm control provides the headlock element to the W.A.R. making it easy to apply stuff such as the Scythe armbar, Half Alch, Cowcatcher, and the Cement Mixer. it’s all coming together now.
Part 7 – Nelsons & Cow Catchers
Moving to bottom control, and essentially pinning by using the front headlock, Joel offers a few more cowcatcher options in this part of the instructional. He reinforces them with some strong and not-too-legal Nelson options as well, but you already know that this is not an IBJJF-friendly DVD.
I enjoyed the gut-wrench mat return, but I also have a strong affinity towards all the gator rolls, nelsons, and cowcatcher variations on display in this volume. Toward the end, Joel also covers how to finish the ten-finger guillotine and how to combine it with the bulldog choke.
Part 8 – Guillotine Options
Guillotine galore is the name of the game in the eighth part of the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD. Building on the ten-finger guillotine finish from the previous volume, Joel launches into other guillotine variations such as the slide-in, the crazy 3/4 hamstring guillotine, and the Chancery neck crank.
This portion also contains guillotine escape counters, helping you figure out how to still keep attacking with the front headlock even when people manage to stove off, or even fully escape your guillotine threat.
Part 9 – FHL Counters
After spending the better part of this instructional covering how to torture people from the front headlock position, just before he wraps things up, Joel explores some of the most effective counters you can execute against it. As expected, most of the moves in this part are rooted in wrestling and catch wrestling rather than traditional BJJ.
Sit outs, hip switches, knee taps, tilts and bridging all feature in this part of the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD. The best part is that each counter ends with you in a position already covered, such as the bulldog choke or some of the many cranks.
Part 10 – Transitions
As we get to the end of what was the longest instructional I’ve seen so far 9at least in terms of volumes), the focus is on moving in and out of the front headlock. The final set of instructions in the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD covers transitions to and from the back, and North-South featuring crazy moves such as the Dragon Sleeper and Corkscrew Headlock.
The Best Non-Scoring Position in Grappling?
The dice is between Ashi Garami and the Front Headlock here. As a leglocker, I still find the front headlock position to be a lot more useful for controlling people, especially in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu.
Rolling people from the front headlock, gator-style, and ending on top again actually gets you points in wrestling. Even though there are absolutely no rewards in terms of points in BJJ for playing the front headlock, the amount of control and a number of attacking options available from it makes it much more worthy than aiming for volatile point-scoring positions such as knee-on-belly.
No matter what your game is, a position that works from the top, bottom, and standing has to feature in your gameplan, even if it is by necessity rather than by choice. The No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD is definitely a long instructional, but it is the only one you’ll ever need on the subject.
No point in trying to figure out how to shoot across the mats or Judo throw people when you can grab a headlock from standing, get them on the mats, get a pin, and get a submission. If you play your cards right and use the blueprints provided in the No-Gi Front Headlock Joel Bane DVD, you might even execute this without changing your initial engagement grip. Tell me again that grappling is hard.
