Know The Basics!  One of the first techniques many grapplers learn when starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the Americana shoulder lock from mount. New grapplers are often surprised when they try the Americana or even a cross choke, they get thrown off their...

Exploring the bout... Gunnar Nelson submitted Alex Oliveira in the second round at UFC 231. Oliveira started the action with some violent kicks to Nelson’s lead leg. Gunnar tied up Oliveira setting up take down all the while eating elbows from the Brazilian....

Recapping the stacked card... One of the matches that I was most excited about at Polaris 8 was the bout between Nicky Ryan and leg lock legend Masakazu Imanari for the featherweight title. Nicky initially tested Imanari’s legs with several well placed attacks....

  One of the most controversial Brazilian JiuJitsu debates centers around the idea of training purely for self-defense or training to compete in tournaments with defined rules and whether the two are mutually exclusive. JiuJitsu great, Ryan Hall, was asked about the people...

Applications from the game of chess to human chess... In the previous article we discussed Bruce Lee’s quote, ““I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”  We then examined...

Lessons from the chess master and Jiu Jitsu black belt... Bruce Lee is famously quoted saying, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” Previously, we explored this...

With IBJJF No-Gi Worlds in one week, let's take a second and look at some of the most high profile competitors who will be trying to become a no-gi champion. Tim Spriggs The Numba One Stunna Tim Spriggs is fresh off punching his ticket...

With IBJJF No-Gi Worlds in one week, let's take a second and look at some of the most high profile competitors who will be trying to become a no-gi champion. Lucas Barbosa The #1 IBJJF ranked fighter in the world is back to...

      Brian "T-City" Ortega grew up in a section 8 housing project in San Pedro, California where his early years were filled with struggle and turmoil. In a recent interview, Brian said “I was active … I was on the street....

Jiu Jitsu and the common man... I realize that I am not a high level competitor. I do not have a video instructional coming out any time soon. However, one point of interest for me is of the story of the average practitioner....

Exploring nerdiness in gentle art... Before I started Jiu Jitsu, I didn’t know what to expect. I kind of pictured a gym full of young Chuck Liddells. I thought I would find a bunch of fighters and Special Forces guys trying to find...

Exploring the bout… Submission ace Brian Ortega is pitted against Max Holloway this Saturday night.  Brian has 13 wins and 1 no contest on his record. He has torn through the 145 pound division including Clay Guida, Cub Swanson and Frankie Edgar. Of...

With IBJJF No-Gi Worlds in one week, let's take a second and look at some of the most high profile competitors who will be trying to become a no-gi champion. Gordon Ryan The king is back, as Gordon Ryan looks to win his...

2 Judo Take Downs For BJJ by Rick Hawn Judo is an excellent martial art to cross training in order to improve your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. There are judo take downs which are effective both in gi and no gi competition. Much like...

Marcelo Cohen: Finishing the Kimura From Mount When it comes to kimuras, Brazilian Black Belt, IBJJF Pan American and American National champion Michael Cohen is no stranger to their effectiveness. The kimura is undoubtedly an important fundamental in any BJJ player’s grappling arsenal....