In a startling turn of events, elite grappler and UFC veteran Vagner Rocha has been hospitalized with heart failure. The news has sent shockwaves through the grappling community, as Rocha, known for his resilience and competitive spirit, faces one of the toughest battles of his life.
Vagner Rocha “The Doctors Found Out I Have Heart Failure”
At 42 years old, Rocha has built a storied career in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, earning accolades and respect from peers and fans alike.
However, his recent diagnosis of heart failure has brought his journey to a sudden halt. As the news of Vagner Rocha’s hospitalization broke, we found out that he spent several days in the hospital undergoing tests, and doctors confirmed the severity of his condition.
Numerous achievements, including multiple ADCC World Championship medals and a successful run in the UFC mark Rocha’s career. His dedication to the sport and ability to remain competitive at the highest levels have made him a legend in the grappling world.
Despite his recent health scare, Rocha’s legacy inspires aspiring grapplers and fans alike. His positive outlook and determination to recover have resonated with many in the BJJ community.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Rocha shared his experience and expressed gratitude for the support he has received.
“Spent the last 5 days in the hospital undergoing tests, and the doctors found out I have heart failure. We don’t know how long this has been going on, but they said it could’ve been tragic if I had waited any longer to seek help.”
Resilience is the Mark of a Grappler
As Rocha embarks on his road to recovery, he remains optimistic and focused on taking each day as it comes. His journey serves as a reminder of the importance of health and the need to listen to one’s body.
The grappling community continues to rally around Rocha, offering support and encouragement as he navigates this difficult chapter.
Rocha himself credited his faith for providing him with peace during this challenging time and emphasized the importance of seeking help promptly.
“It’s been a serious situation, but through it all, I’ve experienced a deep sense of peace. I’m thankful for the care I’ve received and for the love and support from loved ones.”
“One thing I notice is if you can’t discern God’s time you won’t understand the process, you will fear, have doubts, and will be desperate. But when you understand the process, you have total trust that God is using people and situations to develop and equip you for what’s to come in the next chapters of your life”
The outcome of the Vagner Rocha heart failure scare is a testament to his courage and resilience. His story serves as an inspiration to all who face adversity, reminding us that with faith, support, and determination, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting challenges.
We wish the ADCC silver medalist a quick recovery!!!
Evandro Nunes, an ex-instructor in the Gracie University empire, has decided to go public with his experiences after becoming fed up with the brothers’ culty behavior. And, boy, does he have some saucy stories to share! Over a three-hour video, the Gracie black belt demonstrated the super cult-like practices that Rener and Ryron Gracie enforce at Gracie University, from crazy shame rituals to rowdy see parties involving Rayron and his spouse.
Evandro Nunes Blows the Whistle on the Gracie University
Evandro Nunes already opened up about the shady stuff happening over at Gracie University when he called Rener Gracie a ‘spineless rat’ a few weeks ago. The Gracies, of course (and by the Gracies I mean Rener and Ryron) fired back, offering long-winded explanations of why he was overreacting.
To be honest it all smelled like a bit too rehearsed from the Gracies (as with all their content) rather than sincere. Nunes, on the other hand, seemed more genuine, but that’s as far as we dare go in terms of gauging the trustworthiness of both parties.
At the end of the day, the lift was pretty much lifted on some practices behind the scenes of the Gracie University, which, to a point did not surprise most people in the BJJ World. A series of money grab systems, cult-like loyalty being fostered in members, mirky contracts that ended up benefiting the brother, etc.
We all know that the entire Gracie University empire is set as a men’s towards profit, with Jiu-Jitsu not even in the top ten priorities the brothers have set for themselves. That became apparent when they announced online belt tests for their paying members.
Gracie Polyamory Seanses
As it appears, though. there was a lot more happening behind the curtains than just trying to get more and more cash out of their members. Nunes revolted at Rener’s attempts to defend the Gracie University position and shared the full extent to which the shenanigans went.
As per his 3-hour-long stream, Nunes was invited to Ryron and Victoria Gracie’s relationship but asked to keep it private to protect the reputation (hmm) of Gracie University. The pretext for the invitation was that they were polyamorous.
Evandro goes on to be pretty detailed about what took place behind closed doors, both between him and Ryron’s wife, Victoria, as well as with the participation of Ryron himself.
Ryron and Nunes became friends after Ryron’s Metamoris performances, and over the years developed a deeper friendship, that Nunes did not expect to develop into Ryron Gracie’s threesomes.
Furthermore, he explained in his video that the tactic was used on several other ‘inner circle’ Gracie Univeristy members and gym members.
One such situation occurred in 2019 when Ryron asked Nunes, who was living in his house at the time, to ask a female student from the academy over, so she could join the sex parties.
In a weird twist of events, the trio of Nunes, Ryron, and Victoria even ended up seeing a couples therapist who specializes in polyamory.
Cult Vibes on Maximum: Violent Shame Rituals
Another shocking truth that Nunes shared in his marathon rant about Gracie University is the supposed Shame Rituals that the brothers enforced. They involved dress-ups in shocking costumes for supposed promotional purposes.
Evandro recalls a particular request issued to him about wearing a mountain lion costume, which he decided to refuse. The payback came in class when Ryron ended up being intentionally violent with him when using him as a Uke, to the point of injuries.
Other allegations, some corroborated with bits of proof like private communications, include the Gracie University’s tax evasion tactics which only encourage instructors to accept cash payments.
Delayed payments were also a common practice, with a barrage of excuses explaining to instructors why they weren’t getting paid on time, despite the instructors themselves carrying large amounts of cash for the brothers from classes.
Evandro mentions his own social Jiu-Jitsu project in Brazil, which started under the Gracie University umbrella, but ended up cut by the brothers because it was not profitable. We’re talking about a social project here.
The one accusation everyone was waiting to hear concerns the fake testing standards in the University. As per Nunes, all tests were set up so that paying members pass, regardless of their performance. At the same time, nobody got 100% even if they performed perfectly.
The full video series where Nunes uncovers the Gracie University secrets is available here.
Two Sies to Each Story
I expect the Gracies are going to have a lengthy explanation and response to all of the dark secrets and allegations shared by Nunes. After all, Rener did join the 3-hour stream at one point, prepared with a full-blown presentation to counter the claims that Nunes was sharing.
As always, the entertainment factor with Rener and Ryron Gracie is high, even though I doubt they’ll love this particular type of attention very much. Let’s see how this one unfolds.
I have to be the first to admit that it’s been a while since I played the spider guard. I don’t enjoy having my fingers dislocated from hanging on to sleeves, so it’s not my first choice. The lasso is a different story, as there are ways to mitigate the knuckle pressure and pull it off.
In fact, I did it just the other day and had lots of success preventing a huge and athletic purple belt from passing with ease. The lowdown on these classic Gi BJJ guard positions is that they are timeless in effectiveness. It’s a shame that instructionals such as the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD are few and far between, which leaves us with huge knowledge gaps in the application of these guards in modern Gi Jui-Jitsu.
Where Have Gi Guards Gone?
Gi guards are quite a specific subject. Please note that I am not using the phrase lapel guard, but rather Gi guards. There is a perhaps subtle, but very important difference between the two.
By Gi guards, I refer to guards that you can only play with the Gi on, but not necessarily guards that involve the lapel. The spider guard and lasso guard are the perfect examples. They both involve the use of sleeve grips which cannot be replicated in No-Gi, to begin with.
However, these guards do not require you to half-undress your opponent before you can start working. Instead, they offer efficiency from a position that’s easily attainable anytime you train or compete with the Gi.
So, why have these guards fallen behind in terms of their continued development and use? 15 years ago the spider guard was the hot new thing everyone knew about and was trying to figure out. These days, it’s rare to see someone using it at a high level, let alone build a competition game around it.
The lasso guard shares both the unfortunate fate and the high efficiency and potential of the spider guard. So, when I came across the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD I was both excited about what it rings, but also that someone is breathing a bit of fresh air into these BJJ guard classics.
Who is Jared Welman?
One answer to this question is that Jared Welman is the mobility guy who can fix your body so that it can do Jiu-Jitsu better. Another is that he is an instructor at Bernardo Faria’s academy who can also fix your Jiu-Jitsu game. I guess he is the guy who can fix all your troubles on the mat.
Jared got the huge honor of a BJJ black belt directly from Bernardo Faria. He also has a black belt in Taekwondo and is certified for Yoga. His approach to BJJ is twofold – being super technical by understanding movement and the human body.
To that extent, he has been dedicating a lot of time toward specific mobility for BJJ, from general drills to position-specific stuff. Speaking of positional specifics, Welman has introduced the mobility angle to guards, taking them to a whole new level. His Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD is all about that.
Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD Review
In the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD, you get the usual four-volume BJJ DVD format, with each part lasting a bit over 30 minutes. What’s different is that this Gi instructional has the same structure applied to each of the volumes with no adjustments of differences whatsoever. Check it out:
Part 1 – Spider Guard vs Kneeling Opponent
This instructional has one of the simplest and most sensible structures I’ve ever seen in a BJJ DVD. Jared addresses two guards and covers how to use each against a kneeling and against a standing opponent.
The Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD starts with an overview of the spider guard, and how to set it up against a kneeling opponent. Jared first discusses positional details and tips on tactics that will yield the best results.
He then moves on to explore the attacking opportunities from the guard, offering not just sweeps and submissions, but easy ways to connect them into chains as well. I loved that he also included the other side of the coin, by briefly but thoroughly covering how to pass the spider guard from kneeling.
Part 2 – Spider Guard vs Standing Opponent
Volume two of the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD follows the same structure as the previous part to a ‘t’. Welman starts with positioning again, this time using the spider guard against a much trickier standing opponent.
He lays out the tactical goals first, before offering ways to achieve them by linking together attacks that involve sweeps, submissions, and transitions. For the latter, he offers routes into other guards, leg lock, or that back. Passing rounds off the spider guard portion of this instructional, this time from a standing starting position.
Part 3 – Lasso Guard vs Kneeling Opponent
As we reach the halfway point of the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD, the focus is still on guard, albeit changing now to a completely different structure – the lasso guard. Seen as an advanced guard, this one seems to trouble lots of people, but Jaredd makes it seem really easy.
Once again, positional details and a tactical analysis precede the attacks. With the opponent on their knees, Jared offers a set of sweeps and submissions that are interchangeable and easily accessible from the guard. His take on passing, which makes the end of the volume is a method I haven’t seen before, and which seems very legit for the job.
Part 4 – Lasso Guard vs Standing Opponent
The final piece of the puzzle in the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD is addressing standing opponents when you’re dead set on playing the lasso guard. It’s way more difficult than executing it against a kneeling opponent, but Welman does a solid job again at drawing parallels between the two.
By now, you probably know what to expect – a positional strategy, an overview of key problems and goals, and all the submissions, sweeps, and transitions you need to achieve said goals and solve the problems. Let’s not forget the short, but highly important conclusion that offers passing options as well.
Taking the Arms Away
There is a very dumb-looking drill that perfectly captures the role of the arms in passing the guard in BJJ. Have a partner sit down on the mats, let them grab both your palms with their hands (grips don’t matter), and only focus on not letting them go. Then try to pass.
It doesn’t work, I know. Granted, the bottom person can’t achieve much either, but it helps to put things into perspective. The main thing to understand is that the top person needs to control their arms, in order to pass, and keep the position successfully.
That makes guards that target the arms an obvious choice when you want to retain your guard. They not only mimic the drill above but also place the legs against the arms, which brings the advantage to the bottom player, as well as opening up direct attacks.
The drawback is that the top person tends to be far away for a huge diversity of attacks, but you can definitely still sweep and submit. A key advantage is that you don’t have to change your guard configuration once the top person changes levels. Watch the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD and you’ll understand it all better.
What are fundamentals? A decade ago people thought of the spider guard as an advanced position. These says it’s fundamentals. Who cares. What matters is what you do with it, and that is where the Spider and Lasso Guard Jared Welman DVD fills a big gap. It’s not as if there is no information on the spider and lasso guards already, but there is not a lot of it in terms of modern BJJ. This instructional is here to fix that.
In an unprecedented move that’s shaking up the combat sports landscape, the UFC has pulled off a masterstroke by booking the highly anticipated Ffion Davies vs Adele Fornarino bout as the main event for UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10 (FPI 10). This isn’t just another matchup—it’s a historic convergence of two of the most formidable forces in women’s BJJ, and it’s all happening under the UFC banner.
Female BJJ Titans: Davies and Fornarino’s Rise to Stardom
Ffion Davies has been a relentless force on the mats. Hailing from Wales, she’s amassed a collection of world titles, including multiple ADCC World Championships. Her aggressive style, technical precision, and unyielding spirit have made her a fan favorite and a nightmare for opponents.
Adele Fornarino, on the other hand, has blazed her own trail through the competitive BJJ circuit. With a background steeped in traditional martial arts and a transition into grappling that seemed almost predestined, Fornarino’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric.
Her cerebral approach to the game and her ability to adapt mid-match have earned her accolades and respect across the grappling community.
UFC Outmaneuvering Traditional BJJ Organizations
By securing this bout, the UFC has effectively outpaced traditional BJJ organizations, demonstrating its commitment to diversifying its combat sports portfolio.
The UFC Fight Pass Invitational series has been a platform for showcasing elite grappling talent, but landing Davies vs Fornarino elevates FPI 10 to a whole new level.
This strategic move not only brings mainstream attention to the art of submission grappling but also provides a lucrative and highly visible platform for athletes who have long deserved the spotlight.
“If you’re going to talk about fair pay, who is suffering the most?” said Davies. “It’s the girls, and it’s not deserved. We bring the heat, we have brilliant Jiu-Jitsu, and people love to watch.”
UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10
Set to take place at the UFC Apex facility, FPI 10 promises a card stacked with top-tier talent. However, it’s the headlining matchup between Davies and Fornarino that’s capturing global attention.
This bout symbolizes more than just a contest between two athletes; it’s a celebration of skill, dedication, and the evolution of women’s roles in combat sports.
The Significance of The Bout for Women’s Grappling
Having two female grapplers headline a UFC event is a significant milestone. It reflects a shifting paradigm where women’s accomplishments in martial arts receive equal recognition and fanfare.
Both Davies and Fornarino have been trailblazers, not just in collecting titles but in inspiring a new generation of female athletes to pursue excellence on the mats.
Their matchup at FPI 10 isn’t just about personal glory; it’s a statement about the capabilities and appeal of women’s grappling at the highest levels.
A Clash of Styles and Wills
As we edge closer to the event, the buzz around this matchup intensifies. Davies brings an aggressive, pressure-heavy game, constantly seeking the submission and overwhelming her opponents with relentless attacks.
Fornarino, conversely, is known for her strategic brilliance and defensive prowess, often luring opponents into traps and capitalizing on the slightest mistakes.
The clash of these contrasting styles sets the stage for a captivating encounter. Will Davies’ relentless offense break through Fornarino’s defenses? Can Fornarino find a way to neutralize Davies’ aggression and implement her game plan?
Ffion Davies vs Adele Fornarino: A Must-Watch Event
UFC FPI 10, set for March 6, is shaping up to be a landmark event, not just for grappling fans but for the entire combat sports community. The Davies vs Fornarino headliner is the kind of matchup that transcends disciplines and appeals to anyone who appreciates athleticism, strategy, and heart.
The UFC’s commitment to bringing such high-caliber grappling matches to the forefront is a testament to the sport’s growth and the fans’ appetite for diverse forms of competition. If you’re a fan of high-level grappling or simply appreciate the artistry and dedication of elite athletes, mark your calendars for UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10.
Ffion Davies vs Adele Fornarino are poised to deliver a performance for the ages, and their clash is a testament to how far the sport has come—and where it’s headed next!
Adam Wardzinski and guard go together like beer and peanuts. For the most part, just like with the special brew and the salty aphrodisiacs, there is a go-to combination, which in the case of Adam is the butterfly guard. However, snacking on some cashews from time to time is a welcome change, so when Adam decides to talk about a different guard, it’s a great opportunity to learn for the rest of us.
The Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD has that ‘same but different’ factor, delivering yet another boat full of the BJJ World Champion’s knowledge bout guards. For anyone thinking the closed guard has no place in the top competitive circles these days, this DVD is going to be the slap in the face that you need.
Elevating the Closed Guard
I feel somewhat of a fraud when I talk about fundamentally basic positions like the closed guard. You see, I hated the position when I was a blue belt, which contributed to overusing it as a tiny white belt.
The thing is that once age, injuries, and most importantly, the experience gathered, I finally saw the value of the closed guard, and all the other fundamentals people love to ignore. I was a brown belt at the time, and my affection and appreciation for these positions have only grown since.
What I found out is that you don’t just have to play closed guard like you did when you were a white belt. As a more experienced grappler, you get to put your own flair to it, and make it fun and interesting just as much as any other guard can be.
In fact, you don’t even have to be that experienced – the same is true for anyone who decides to mess around with the closed guard, experiment, and gather data about it. You can do it yourself, through trial and error, or get some directions, like those provided in the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD.
Adam Wardzinski’s Guard Toolbox
Guard just comes naturally to mind when the name Adam Wardzinski is mentioned to anyone actively involved in BJJ. Adam is one of the few people who actively carry the flag for guards in modern BJJ, with a particular knack for using it in the Gi.
So far, Adam’s main playground has been the butterfly guard, which he took through trial and error a lot over the course of a decade, finally winning the worlds in 2024 with a very dominant performance, that was, as expected, very guard-oriented.
Many people often fail to see Adam’s prowess in a myriad of different guard positions, as they’re only looking at his butterfly guard. However, the butterfly would never work as well as it does without the Octopus, half, and closed guard, to name a few fallbacks that Wardzinski regularly uses.
So, instead of looking at his main weapon, today we’re looking at how Adam uses his guard sidearm, which more often than not, is the closed guard. As expected, the world champ does a stellar job presenting it in the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD.
Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD Review
This very information-packed, but logically constructed Adam Wardzinski Closed Guard comes with six volumes, each targeting a different aspect of playing closed guard intended for use in modern BJJ. Adam loves the Gi, so understandably, this is a Gi instructional. We get to enjoy more than 4 hours of Wardzinski teaching in this instructional:
Part 1 – Controlling the Closed Guard
Adam’s opening volume skips past the boring stuff, such as what is the closed guard, and immediately goes on to explore the key aspects of controlling people from it. What that means is that Wardzinski will show you exactly what to do with those irritating, struggling people who break your closed guard open.
Some of the key things you’ll pick up from the opening act of the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD include dealing with common hand positions, such as hips, biceps, or collars, and how to ensure you keep your upper body free from the top person’s control. My favorite part was the section on dealing with people who stall – perfect for any competitor.
Part 2 – Sweeps and Submissions
Attacks follow control in the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD, with sweeps first up for deconstruction. Adam covers the classics in this part of the DVD, with the flower, pendulum, and scissor sweep as his main focus. Lots of detail.
Once he comes to a point where he outlines common failing points for the sweeps, he uses it as a way to introduce submissions as the alternative. Again, the classics are up first, with Omoplatas, triangles, and armbars, done in different scenarios, dominating the second part of this volume. A sneaky Kimura is the cherry on top.
Part 3 – Dilemma Attacks
After the classics, it’s time to start connecting the dots. The third part of the Closed Guard Adam Wardzinski DVD goes a step further in teh land of closed guard opportunities, connecting at least two attacks together into mini systems.
Examples include lapel sweep threats to Omoplatas, dragging to open up the back with a bow and arrow finish on the other end, and a very cool traingle setup using Adam’s famous belt grip, usually seen as part of his butterfly guard. He builds on this last one with more shoulder lock alternatives.
Part 4 – Using the Lapels
For all those enjoying heavy use of the cloth, this is the portion of the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD to pay really close attention to. It starts with the shotgun armbar, which is done with no lapels, and for me, is the best part of this volume, but to each their own.
Adam’s lapel options revolve around chokes, with a lapel version of the cross collar choke coming on the back of a complete breakdown of the classic X choke setup. A sneaky Darce, or Brabo if you will, with the lapel also features here. Finally, Adam throws in an armbar to ensure you get a tap even from people who stubbornly defend chokes.
Part 5 – Answers to Common Scenarios
This portion of the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD contains a bunch of different tactics that are seemingly unrelated to each other. However, there is a lot of sense behind it, as they represent situations that usually occur in closed guard, especially if you attack using any of the means explored already in this instructional.
Stacking is the bane of my BJJ existence, as a result of a heavily herniated neck, so seeing Adam’s counter was super helpful. He also offers ways out of another common sticking spot, which is the hip bump sweep, complete with a triangle to wrap it up.
Part 6 – Back Exposure and More Sweeps
As we reach the end of this pretty impressive Closed Guard Adam Wardzinski DVD, a few back attacks appear through the cracks. Adam does an arm wrap to set them up, which I found to be a useful approach, especially for unathletic, aging grapplers like me.
Butterfly hooks finally appear (about time), ensuring you take stability away from the top person as you use Adam’s back-taking methods. In fact, even more sweeps feature in this part, most of which will help you get back exposure even if they fail. Wardzinski ends this DVD with my all-time favorite – the mermaid sweep. Style points right there!
The Ultimate Fallback Position
You’re tired. You’ve been scrambling for the better part of the match, and you somehow end up on the bottom. The good news is, you’re ahead. Before you even think, your body locks up the closed guard around your opponent’s waist. Now, you get to chill and see out the round, maybe ensuring the win by threatening a sub or two to stop the top from trying to pass.
This is a scenario where most of us have ended up, at one point or another, during a BJJ match. When we’re talking rolling, this is a 100% true scenario for anyone training longer than a year.
The problem is, that the outcome is rarely as the one above. While this optimal scenario is not difficult to achieve, the fact remains that you’ve forgotten all about the closed guard. Be honest, how much time have you dedicated to it since your white belt days?
The thing is, you somehow seem to end up there any time you’re under stress. That inverted K-guard with a quarter lapel that you do in the gym to annoy everyone simply doesn’t materialize in a match. I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count.
Going back to exploring the closed guard is the obvious solution here. You can still play your De La Spider Dead Bug Fake Worm Guard, but when stuff hits the fan, and you go to the ultimate fall back position, you’ll at least know how to see the match off. The Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD is what you need.
It’s as easy as closing a guard any time you want to bring the pace of a match down, and your opponent with it. As long as you understand and use the stuff from the Closed Guard Reintroduced Adam Wardzinski DVD, people won’t be able to stand up and pass, meaning you can do whatever you want with them. The choice of whether you’ll bore them to death by stalling, or submit them with trilemma attacks is completely down to you.
In the BJJ World, few names resonate as profoundly as Marcelo Garcia. Revered for his unparalleled skill and indomitable spirit, Garcia’s career has been a testament to resilience and excellence. But in 2024, Garcia faced an opponent more formidable than any he’d encountered on the mats: cancer.
His journey through this life-threatening battle and the imminent Marcelo Garcia comeback to competition is a story of courage, determination, and the unwavering power of the human spirit.
Life Upended: The Shocking Diagnosis
In early 2024, Garcia was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The news sent shockwaves through the BJJ community and left Garcia grappling with a fight for his life.
“I felt like my world had turned upside down,“ Garcia recounted in a heartfelt interview. The diagnosis was a devastating blow to the athlete who had built a legacy of strength and perseverance.
As Garcia began treatment, the challenges were immense. Chemotherapy sessions, surgeries, and the toll on his body were daunting. Yet, true to his warrior spirit, Garcia approached this fight against cancer with the same tenacity he displayed on the mats.
“Every day was a fight, but I refused to let it defeat me,” he said.
“Jiu-Jitsu has Always Been my Sanctuary”
Garcia’s recovery was a grueling process, marked by both physical and emotional hurdles. The support from his family, friends, and the BJJ community was instrumental in his journey.
Messages of encouragement poured in from all corners of the globe, reminding Garcia that he was not alone in his fight.
As he slowly regained his strength, Garcia found solace in returning to the mats, even if only for light training sessions.
“Jiu-Jitsu has always been my sanctuary,” he explained. “Being able to train again, even at a reduced intensity, gave me hope and a sense of normalcy.”
Garcia’s determination to overcome cancer and return to the mats became a source of inspiration for countless fans and fellow athletes. His story was a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up.
The Marcelo Garcia Comeback: Return of a Legend
In January 2025, just a year after his diagnosis, Garcia announced his return to competition at ONE 170, a prestigious event in the grappling world.
The news was met with widespread excitement and admiration. Garcia’s comeback was not just a personal triumph but a symbolic victory for everyone facing adversity.
Leading up to the event, Garcia’s training intensified. With the support of his coaches and training partners, he pushed his limits, determined to prove that he could still compete at the highest level.
“Every training session was a reminder of how far I’ve come,”Garcia said. “It was about proving to myself that I could overcome any obstacle.”
“My Life Changed in Ways I Never Imagined”
Garcia’s battle with cancer has profoundly changed his outlook on life and competition.
“My life changed in ways I never imagined,” he reflected. “The experience gave me a new perspective on what’s truly important. It’s not just about winning titles but appreciating every moment and the people around you.”
The atmosphere was electric as Garcia stepped onto the mats at ONE 170. Fans and competitors alike were in awe of his resilience and determination. The event marks a new chapter in Garcia’s illustrious career, defined not just by his skill but by his indomitable spirit.
Reasons to Watch ONE 170 on Jan. 24
ONE 170 is set to be an electrifying martial arts showcase, taking place on January 24. This event, despite the highly anticipated return of BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia, also features a series of high-stakes matchups, including three world title showdowns:
Three World Title Showdowns: The event features three monumental World Title bouts, including a highly anticipated rematch between Tawanchai and Superbon for the Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.
Exciting Flyweight Contest: Teenage prodigies Johan “Jojo” Ghazali and Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan face off in a thrilling flyweight contest, both known for their knockout power and fearless approaches.
Bantamweight MMA Title Defense: ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade defends his title against “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il in a rematch that promises high-intensity action.
We know that we’ll be tuning into the grappling part of the ONE 170 event, if not the whole thing!
The Legacy of Resilience
Marcelo Garcia’s journey through cancer and back to the competitive arena is a story of unwavering courage and resilience. His ability to face the greatest challenge of his life and emerge stronger is an inspiration to all. As he continues to compete and inspire others, Garcia’s legacy grows even more profound, reminding us all that with determination and support, we can overcome any obstacle!
One area that is full of myths and misconceptions is the subject of weight lifting for the purpose of improving your performance on the mats as a grappling athlete. There is more information than anyone can go through in a lifetime, most of which is useless. So, how can you make sense of the clutter and set up a program that will actually help you?
It takes someone who knows grappling (and not at a white or blue belt level) and who is an expert at sports performance to teach you what you need to know about weight training. That’s exactly what the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD does – it teaches you how to train, rather than give you a program of exercises and the sets and reps to follow it.
Personalize Weight Training for Grappling
What is the best way to lift weights for BJJ? If I had a penny for every time someone asked me this question on the mats. My answer is always the same – it comes down to you. There are no two athletes who can use the same training methods and yield the same results in the world.
If there is one thing you need to figure out when thinking about supplementing your BJJ training with weight lifting, it is personalization. The program must reflect your weaknesses, areas you want to improve in, and most importantly, your ability to stick to it.
Even the best program in the world, tailored to you, won’t work if you don’t follow it. Failing to factor in the aspect of scheduling and life obligations is where most people fail. Interestingly enough, this aspect is very much in the focus of the material presented in the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD.
Why Listen To Michael Israetel
The name Michael Israetel is probably one you know as a grappler if you like to lift weights and follow trends in high-performance training for combat sports. I’ve long claimed that the best people to provide training programs for grapplers are ones that profoundly understand grappling and Michael is exactly that.
Although we see him teach with a brown belt in the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD, Michael is actually a black belt, earning the promotion towards the end of 2024. His coach is Josh Vogel from The Jiu-Jitsu Company.
From the other perspective, Israetel holds a PhD in sports physiology and is the co-founder of RP Strength and author of the Renaissance Diet. He has spent a lifetime exploring the field of fitness for sports performance and has paired that knowledge beautifully with his love and understanding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD Review
This particular instructional has no volumes, as Michael delivers all the material in one highly conceptualized DVD. Don’t be fooled by the ‘lack’ of separation though – there’s still over 2 hours of super valuable material here.
Kicking the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD off is an overview of what weight training requirements are for grappling athletes, and how to adapt to the shared workload of technical training and supplemental lifting.
After making his intentions with the instructional clear, Mike moves on to explore movement patterns that grapplers should aim to improve. He follows that up with the optimal intensity and frequency of weight training to create a balanced program that will fit the different needs and schedules of different people.
In that regard, Israetel shares a way of devising weekly schedules that are very flexible and easy to adapt to a specific lifestyle. He uses sample programs to further provide clarity on his programming principles, but those are not meant to be used as follow-along templates.
Around the halfway point of the Michael Israetel Weight Training DVD, he covers how to progress by updating your training program, and shares the role of reloading at regular intervals. I found the information on adjusting training loads near a competition particularly helpful.
Towards the end of this instructional, Mike focuses on delivering advice based on decades of experience that most grapplers tend to overlook. He clears up some weight training myths in terms of BJJ-specific training and provides broad nutritional guidelines to follow.
Strength Matters
And then some! Whoever tells you that it doesn’t matter if you’re strong as long as you’re technical in BJJ, clearly hasn’t rolled with someone who possesses both. As it happens, those types of athletes are becoming the norm rather than the exception, so developing strength is a non-negotiable aspect of training BJJ, especially with longevity in mind.
Another key benefit of introducing weight training for grappling athletes that everyone overlooks until it is too late is injury prevention, PRehab is better than rehab, and that’s exactly what you’re getting with carefully organized and personalized weight training programs.
Plenty of resources out there claim to deliver the best programs for BJJ. Most will fail you. If you need to pick some of them, pick the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD. It will teach you how to organize weight training and put together programs yourself, rather than following someone with a camera as they lift.
Undeniably, you need to get stronger for BJJ. I don’t care how strong you are, or think you are at the moment – you need more. Bulletproofing yourself is not easy, and unless you have a personal coach at your disposal, to follow and adapt your training every 3-4 weeks, then the Weight Training For Grappling Michael Israetel DVD can assume that role. Actually, you’ll become your own coach once you go through the DVD and understand how weight lifting for grappling works.
Hello pressure my old friend. If you consider yourself to be a passer, but skip stacking, you need to reevaluate your priorities. Stacking is one of the best ways to kill BJJ guards, render flexibility useless, and encounter next to no resistance after you pass.
The catch is that you need to understand a few key things that make stacking such a formidable weapon to use in grappling. All the key points, broken down in extreme detail await in the Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. All that you need to do is pick it up.
The Worst Way to Pass (For the Bottom Player)
Stacking is a horrible invention and whoever came up with it should be punished. Preferably by getting stacked themselves, over and over again. That said, if a move feels so horrible on one side, then the other side must love it. And so they do.
Passers around the globe swear by the stack. Some even don’t like to pass – they just stack people up and slow-cook them until they give in. When I come to think about it, that’s exactly the point of the stack. It is intended to break your spirit and your guard, but the position itself is not a pass.
Why do I share this perspective of the stack in what’s obviously an article that is pro-stacking? So that you understand what your goals are. Every time your stack failed, is a time when you moved too fast. Remember, stacking is all about torturing the bottom person, and the longer you maintain it, the better your passing outcome will be.
Now that it is clear how you should use stacking for maximum efficiency, let’s see what The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD has to offer to build on this premise and make you a pressure passer from hell.
A Factory for BJJ Champions
Andre Galvao is a man who has really built an empire in BJJ. However, instead of having a bunch of schools all over the world (which he does), he actually managed to gain a name for himself in a different area of BJJ. Andre’s specialty is producing exciting talent that more often than not, ends up with world championships all across submission grappling and BJJ.
The Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy is definitely one of the hubs of high-level competitors in the world, with representatives who can give anyone a run for their money. In some ways, Galvao has been at it a lot longer than Danaher (at least on his own) and all the other popular competition gyms these days. With many of his contemporaries not even in the same league, such as Cobrinha, Estima, or Drysdale, Galvao is pretty well positioned to claim the title of the GOAT coach of top competitors.
I’ve never had the pleasure of training at Atos, but it is clear that if you want to succeed in Jiu-Jitsu, that’s the place to be. Galvao was a top competitor and world champion himself, but it is his teaching that I am a lot more impressed with than his competitive performances. The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD is a clear example of why.
Detailed Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD Review
Four volumes filled with long chapters that offer sequences mark this Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. The material is demonstrated with the Gi and lasts around two hours in total.
Part 1 – Essential Concepts
Andre Galvao has his own way of structuring BJJ instructionals, one which he sticks to in The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. He prefers to provide fewer chapters per volume, but what he lacks in quantity he definitely makes up in quality.
Galvao’s chapters are long and detailed, often including not just complete sequneces, but also alternatives and follow-ups. When explaining the foundations of stack passing, he spends almost half an hour talking about what a stack it, when the person is stacked and when inverted, how to stabilize the position, and how your body needs to align so that you maintain the pressure.
Wrapping up, he talks a lot about the role of posture, and how to stay wary, and more importantly, safe from a common counter which is the traingle choke.
Part 2 – Problem Solving
The second part of the Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD keeps going, sticking with the subject of problem-solving during stacking. He begins by offering posting solutions, which often end up creating just enough space to stop you from stacking the bottom person fully. Dealing with teh elbow push is also covered.
A few entries and useful control positions are the first technical examples Galvao uses to capture the essence of his concepts. He shares a slick way to stack a De la Riva guard player with no risks to yourself. What I liked the most was the baseball bat stack position he shows towards the end of this volume.
Part 3 – The Super Stack
This is the part of the Andre Galvao Stack Pass DVD that those already familiar with the position are going to enjoy the most. It is a brutal way to emphasize the stack, so a word of causing when using it against people who’ve never been stacked before.
Galvao’s super stack essentially removes any hope for the bottom person to shimmy into an inversion and launch into guard attacks by focusing on not just stacking the hips over the shoulders, but also folding your opponent, similar to what wrestlers do.
The jack stack pass is a very appropriately named option to pass using this method and represents the first full pass presented in this instructional. Andre follows up on it with yet another stack adjustment that leads past the guard.
Part 4 – Finishing Passes
Already touching upon the subject of finishing passes in the previous part, the final portion of The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD delivers what seems like the easiest part of the sequence, but is often the trickiest one.
Finishing passes against stacking means the opponent is far from a solid pin, so if you don’t force them into one as you’re passing, they’ll likely find a way back to guard. turtle or simply stand up. Galvao’s solutions are expected, but nonetheless effective: leg drags, twister hook back takes and staple passes.
Immobilizing Flexible Guard Players
Why would you consider using any version of stack passing in your game? For those of you who think they’ve got passing solved, wait till you meet a high-level gaurd player who is also crazy flexible. I know this is not the standard in your gym but it should be the santadar you measure your passing prowess against.
Not many passes in BJJ can help you deal with super flexible people. Dealing with guards is difficult enough without the added introduction of flexibility as yet another layer of defense you have to break through. One particularly annoying trait of flexible gaurd players is that they’re extremely adept at absorbing pressure.
However, not all pressure passes will fail against flexible, spinning, fidgety gaurd players. As it is probably clear by now the method outlined in The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD is a great way of rendering not just guards, but also flexibility useless.
Congratulations, you’ve now unlocked stacking as your next ability. Mastering it is going to take some time, which you can considerably shorten using the blueprint from the The Stack Pass Andre Galvao DVD. However, you’re not free to torture guard players of all sizes and levels, as you introduce a whole different concept of pressure to your top game.
In a recent video with MMA fans in stitches, Daniel Cormier proved he’s not just a former heavyweight champ but also a comedy king! During a sparring session with the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, DC took full control – physically and verbally! 💪
Khabib, famous for his relentless grappling that crushed opponents in the Octagon, tried every move in the book to finish Cormier… but with no success. DC, on the other hand, countered every attempt with hilarious commentary: “NO chance, no way! This is nothing! This is baby offensive skills!” 😅
As Khabib gave it his all, DC kept things light, roasting him in real-time and making the entire gym laugh. Even Khabib struggled to keep a straight face as his techniques fell flat against DC’s defense.
At one point, Cormier jokingly told Khabib: “Bro, if this is what you call an attack, what would you do if you were relaxing?” 😂
Dominating on the feet in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, if you don’t have a background in a grappling martial art like Judo, Sambo or wrestling is a very difficult skill set to develop. However, it is not impossible, and you won’t need to sign up for Judo or wrestling classes to become competitive in standing exchanges.
A very good, if not excellent resource to figure out how to set up takedowns for BJJ is the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD. This instructional will teach you a lot more than just takedown techniques – it offers a blueprint for dominating while standing to the point where takedowns start appearing on their own.
Greco Roman Wrestling for BJJ
When you sign up for BJJ, nobody tells you that you’ll most likely need to figure out your takedowns game using a different grappling sport. Many different people are going to recommend different stuff, with and without the Gi, and have their reason for it.
The one undeniable truth is that apart from catch-wrestling, none of the other grappling arts has even nearly as many submission options as BJJ. None of them feature the guard as well. These are huge aspects to consider when trying to B-line toward the best grappling source to master takedowns for BJJ quickly.
Based on my personal experience, extensive research, and countless hours of discussions with grappling minds, Greco-Roman is most likely the best base for developing a standing BJJ game. Focus on the word ‘base’ here, since once you figure out the key aspects of Greco, you can expand into whatever you want – Judo, Sambo, Glima, etc.
Greco-Roman wrestling works perfectly for BJJ for one particular reason – it emphasizes upper body control, gained through grip fighting. When submission threats await left, right, and center, and the exchange is still open once you reach the ground, this seems like the most logical, effective, and proven method to set up your takedowns.
I tend to take this a step further, as neck injuries have left me incapable of any wrestling exchange. So, my Greco base serves as a great way to pull guard and immediately start attacking. Instead of developing this base the hard way, like I did, using many sources and incomplete instructionals, you have everything you need in the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD. Use it!
Grappling Champion Brandon Ruiz
Not many people in the world have extensive experience in several different grappling arts. Even fewer were able to take all that knowledge and devise effective systems and concepts they could then teach to others.
One of the few that goes against the grain is Brandon Ruiz. A 4th-degree BJJ black belt under Rigan Machado, 4 time All American in Greco Roman as well as a silver medalist in the Pans. With titles in Grappler’s Quest, Pancrase, and Catch, there’s hardly anything in grappling that Brandon has not tried and excelled at.
Ruiz has transitioned better than most into high-level coaching after his competitive career came to a natural end. Apart from founding and heading the Ruiz Combat Grappling Academy, he has been taking his expertise to the Military and law enforcement as well.
Lots of Brandon’s students have won prestigious titles, be it in BJJ, wrestling, or Greco. Ruiz is a very sought-after coach, and you can see exactly why from his super-effective and simple takedown system, which is explained in the Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD.
Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD Review
The Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD consists of four volumes, each with a different running time. The combined length of the material is almost 4 hours, and every technique is demonstrated without a Gi.
Part 1 – Standing Basics
If you have spent any amount of time in any wrestling gym you’ve heard about and drilled stance, footwork, level changes, and grip fighting. This is exactly what the first part of the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD demonstrates, albeit in a much more concise matter than trying to learn this stuff live in a gym.
Ruiz begins with his philosophy of grappling, which is all about blending the most effective aspects of different grappling martial arts. He follows up with details on the best stances to use and alternate between, clearly emphasizing the differences in wrestling and grappling stances.
Motion, represented through footwork, and the geometry of movement is arguably the best chapter in this entire DVD, as it is applicable to all areas of grappling, not just standing exchanges. Distance management and purposeful grip placement bring this opening act to a close.
Part 2 – Creating Angles
The deciding factor between something working or failing, especially during standing, often has to do with the angle of approach. The second part of the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD breaks down the top angles for attacking, reducing the options down to 4 key ones.
Ruiz then uses examples of takedown finishes to make the application of these angles clearer to all. The front headlock, arm drag and over-the-top attacks feature here, with a very cool standing chokes chapter marking the halfway point of this instructional.
Part 3 – Counters and Re-counters
There are two key areas of resistance you’ll meet in any grappling exchange when you’re attacking – defense and/or counters. The latter is much more dangerous for you, so being aware of how to handle common counters, and re-countering them is the mark of an expert grappler.
In terms of takedowns, this Brandon Ruiz Takedown DVD makes it easy. Brandon’s 30+ years of grappling experience help him single out the key moves you’ll need to master to counter and re-counter common leg attacks. Plus he uses cool names such as the sword & shield position and the Rambo counter.
He also goes into defense a bit, demonstrating how to do damage control when you end up being taken down, and how to turn the tables. He also provides a very cool leg lock follow-up to the single-leg takedown that I’m itching to try.
Part 4 – Underhook Series
The final portion of the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD addresses underhooks, but does so by focusing only on the most effective positions available. I’m already aware of, and relying on the cowcatcher position in my own standing game, so I enjoyed learning even more about it.
On top of the cowcatcher, Ruiz offers a bunch of options to help you dominate the top underhook position and open up arm-locking submission finishes. He also shares a few catch wrestling-inspired attacks against the turtle position, which include heel hooks and a very cool Kimura.
Reducing The Clutter
One thing I used to love, and now am wary of about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the amount of information available. This often leads to confusion, as there are so many options to try, that you end up having no time to really dedicate to one of them and figure it out in detail. That leaves people frustrated with a lack of progress.
An obvious solution is reducing the clutter, but this is easier said than done. most people need someone to guide them through their thoughts. I am not at all a fan of giving people a mold to follow at any belt level, especially at white and blue belt.
So, one option you have is to book a private class or two to discuss this with a coach. Another is to use online resources to find out what the most effective aspects are across all lares of BJJ. Once you become effective in most exchanges (standing, top, bottom, submissions, defense) you can begin diversifying your interests.
For standing, the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD offers a solid base to build any type of game around. Even though the instructional is in No-Gi, everything works in Gi as well, and you can use it at any belt level too.
Dominating the match exchange is easy when you dictate where it goes, starting from standing exchanges. This requires practicing the high-percentage stuff over and over again until you’re confident you can’t mess them up. Use the Grappling Takedown Dominance Brandon Ruiz DVD to build your base for standing. Then, you can take any match or roll in any direction you want.
