Catch up

So I've been competing a lot recently and it's taken a bit of a toll on my body specifically my shoulder. Because of this I wanted to slow down my rolling and increase my drilling, this way I can make the most of my mat time and really implant some of my new moves I've been working on. This month during every practice I'm going to drill kimura from side control, and to get to this position I'm going to drill the classica/roger gracie sweep.

Regardless apparently I'm on some sort of weird footlock/toehold tear in competition. Maybe it's because of the people I'm competing against or just my game is opening up these moves but I've been grabbing them recently. I kinda don't want to be known as the "footlocker" guy, since I feel like there is a stigma that comes with it. Or that it would somehow impair my guard passing. However I think about my favorite grappler Cobrinha and see that he uses tons of leg locks to win, but isn't know as "that guy". Anyway enough of my personal whining, lets talk about cool ways to choke, sweep, and smash people.

Butterfly guard to reverse armbar. To be honest when we first started doing this I didn't have a lot of faith in the move, it felt like garbage. I had to have Jerry come over and do it on me to notice the fine details that make it work. So lesson learned, it gives me the idea that maybe some of the moves I thought were stupid previously just need more work.

1. With a deep underhook reach up and over their arm closer to the elbow so that it pinches near your ear. The secret to getting them to move and keeping their arm is to keep the reaching pressure.

2. Use your butterfly hooks under them to push them away. Remove your hook come over the top with your leg, pinch your shoulder.

3. Tuck your bottom elbow in, get on your shoulder, pressure down on the elbow or smash that bitch down and snap it off!

Bam! There it is!

Texas Open!

So went and competed in Austin at the Texas Open. It was great time, we went and weighted in early Friday and I found out I could've cut to 154lbs for the tournament but whatever. Me, Jeremy, Dave, and Joe stayed at Georgette's place (she's a ferocious blue belt from Relson Gracie Austin, check out her blog it's 10x better than mine). We went to compete at 11 which was nice since we got to sleep in a little. After the pre-tournament ritual of downing a 5 hour energy and a banana we headed off. During my first nogi match I tried to work some takedowns but no dice this guy was big and a wrestler. I pulled butterfly guard worked a sweep he grabbed my head I disengaged and came over the top for a triangle, switched to a belly down armbar. He turns out of it, and I hook his leg, snag the ankle lock and put it on hard for the finish.

I get a bye in my second match, watch a dude who looks like Carlos Newton submit his opponent with an anaconda choke, and his previous opponent with an ankle lock. It was us up in the finals.

I pull out the flying armbar once we lock up, but he slips out. He grabs my head, tries the anaconda but Jeremy has way tighter chokes. I sweep, pass, and escape to side. He starts to sit up I anticipate grab his head and show him my guillotine! First place by submission!

Next up gi. I go out pull guard, work all my sweeps and transitions, but nothing time runs out. In retrospect I just didn't commit to any of my attacks. So he gets takedown points and I lose in OT.

I decide later to compete in nogi absolute! I pull a veteran brown belt for my first opponent. I figure I've got nothing to lose. I go out with all intent and purpose believing I can win. I attempt an armdrag, try a flying guillotine, but both are shook off. I knew I didn't want to be in his guard so confident in mine I dive for deep half. I sweep to come up on top, he grabs my head trying to choke I dive back deep half, he bases and stands to pass. I swing my leg over try for the kneebar, switch to the toe hold. I think about letting it go, but hear Dave's voice, don't let go! I switch my grip and push tighter....tap! I thank him, get my hand raised and go off to get some water. Next up is a giant pro mma fighter. I attempt a flying guillotine after some hand fighting, and....it's sunk in flush! Except at the last moment before I can wrap him up I'm sent horizontal in the air. He sets me down in side, I shrimp out to guard. I throw up an armbar attempt, switch to a hip bump sweep, look for a kimura, and go for a guillotine. No dice this guy is just too strong. He grabs my arm pins it behind my back, moves from half into mount, I free my arm, move back to deep half. Sweep he tries a choke on top, I go back to deep half, trying to work my leg locks, he grabs a d'arce. I try to sweep to free myself, but hesitate and tap. No big deal tried my best.

Next up I fight for third place in nogi absolute. He sits guard, I look for an ankle lock he gets worried I use the hesitation to pass into side. Wrap up a kimura when he turtles, use it to take the back, sink in the RNC for the victory.

Over all great day!

Machado adventure!

Today was go over to the Machado gym here and train with their guys. We worked the classic butterfly sweep, Jerry pointed out some good details head positioning your head should be under and on the side you're sweeping to. As well as when you pull away their posting hand, make sure to put your elbow at the wrist. I've been kicking instead of lifting the hook when I sweep on my stupid side. After that we rolled some.

I'm competing this weekend in Austin, should be a good time.