Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov: A Legacy of Fusion and Success in MMA

The realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has seen many legendary figures, but few have impacted the sport as deeply as Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani-born coach and father of undefeated MMA champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abdulmanap left an indelible mark on the fight world. But what was the secret behind his unmatched success?

1. Merging Martial Arts:

Abdulmanap's genius was in understanding that no single martial art holds all the answers in a real combat scenario. Born in Dagestan, a region known for its storied wrestling traditions, Abdulmanap was first introduced to freestyle wrestling where he held the title of Master of Sports. He later trained in judo and sambo in Ukraine, earning a black belt and becoming a national champion. His experience in these distinct but complementary disciplines formed the bedrock of his unique MMA teaching style. When speaking about Fedor Emelianenko he credited his judo and striking technique but noted that combining his upper body judo takedowns with free-style wrestling techniques and working with his team would have led to massive improvements in his technique.

2. A Distinct Style of MMA:

The "Nurmagomedov style" of MMA is a blend of Dagestani wrestling with judo and combat sambo. This fusion creates fighters who are not only adept at taking their opponents down but also at controlling and dominating them on the ground. Add in striking from boxing and Muay Thai, and the result is a fighter who is versatile, unpredictable, and dangerous in all facets of the game.

3. Success Stories:

While Khabib Nurmagomedov is the most renowned fighter from Abdulmanap's camp, boasting an unblemished record and multiple title defenses, there are others who have achieved great success under his tutelage:

• Islam Makhachev: With a grappling-centric style reminiscent of Khabib, Islam is making waves in the lightweight division.

• Usman Nurmagomedox: Undefeated Bellator Champion in the lightweight division that combines grappling heavy style of his camp with superb kicking techniques.

• Umar Nurmagomedov: Another family member climbing the ranks, Umar's game is characterized by his high fight IQ and versatility.

4. Work Ethic and Lifestyle:

Abdulmanap didn't just train fighters; he molded men. His camp was known for its grueling training sessions, pushing fighters to their limits to prepare them for any scenario inside the cage. Beyond physical conditioning, his teachings also emphasized mental fortitude, discipline, and humility.

Dagestan's harsh landscapes and challenging living conditions naturally instilled resilience and toughness. Abdulmanap harnessed these traits, integrating them into his training regimen. The fighters’ lifestyle — from mountain runs to training in sparse gyms — was a testament to their commitment and Abdulmanap's belief in hard work over all else.

In Conclusion:

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's success in MMA wasn't due to any single factor but a combination of his vast martial arts knowledge, his ability to integrate various disciplines, the work ethic he instilled in his students, and the conditions of the environment in which they trained. When speaking about MMA he would say that 80% of fighting is grappling but his distinct style also went far beyond the mat. He was a very strict coach and expected 100% dedication from his students not only in training discipline but also in life, committing to be in bed by 10pm, eating correctly, following his routine.

His legacy continues through the fighters he mentored, ensuring that his influence on the sport will be felt for generations to come. He will be very much missed and it is such a shame because he was a true inspiration with his fame rising and there was so much more that he could have accomplished given more time.

Joe Rogan: The Enthralling Journey of a Martial Arts Enthusiast, Focused on BJJ

 Joe Rogan, a renowned comedian, actor, and podcast host, has an undying fascination with martial arts, particularly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Beyond his illustrious career in entertainment, Rogan's dedication to BJJ has become an integral part of his life, influencing him both mentally and physically. In this article, we will explore Joe Rogan's deep-rooted passion for martial arts, focusing on his profound connection to BJJ and his background in the art.

The Birth of a Passion: Early Years in Martial Arts

Joe Rogan's fascination with martial arts began at a young age. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, he was exposed to various forms of combat sports through movies and television. Inspired by the likes of Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rogan's curiosity was piqued, and he ventured into Taekwondo as a teenager. The discipline and physicality of Taekwondo laid the foundation for his martial arts journey, setting him on a path that would eventually lead him to the world of BJJ.

The Evolution: Embracing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

As Rogan's passion for martial arts grew, he transitioned from Taekwondo to study other disciplines, including karate and kickboxing. However, it was when he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that his true calling emerged. Introduced to BJJ by a friend, Rogan was captivated by its effectiveness and the practicality of ground fighting techniques. The philosophy of BJJ, which emphasizes technique and leverage over raw strength, resonated deeply with him.

The Grind: Joe Rogan's Journey in BJJ

Joe Rogan's journey in BJJ has been marked by dedication and perseverance. He began training under the tutelage of Jean Jacques Machado, a highly respected BJJ practitioner and member of the famous Machado family, known for their contributions to the art. Rogan's commitment to the sport became evident as he tirelessly worked to improve his skills on the mats.

Over the years, Rogan has earned several belt promotions, and as of my last knowledge update in September 2021, he held a black belt in BJJ. The black belt is the pinnacle of achievement in BJJ and represents not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of the art's philosophy and principles.

The Impact: BJJ's Influence on Joe Rogan

BJJ has profoundly influenced Joe Rogan's life in various aspects. Apart from being a skilled practitioner, he often speaks about the mental and physical benefits he gains from training in BJJ. The art has instilled in him a sense of discipline, focus, and humility. Rogan frequently emphasizes the importance of regular training, the value of learning from both victories and defeats on the mats, and the constant pursuit of improvement.

Moreover, his love for BJJ has spilled over into his popular podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience." He often invites BJJ practitioners and experts on his show, discussing the intricacies of the art, its philosophies, and its impact on personal growth and self-development.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Love for BJJ

Joe Rogan's fascination with martial arts, particularly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has been a lifelong journey marked by passion, perseverance, and personal growth. From his early years in Taekwondo to discovering the world of BJJ, Rogan's dedication to the art has become an integral part of his identity. Through his journey in BJJ, Rogan continues to inspire countless individuals worldwide to embrace martial arts, fostering discipline, resilience, and a profound appreciation for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Accelerating Progress Towards the Blue Belt: Leveraging Seminars, Private Lessons, and Training Logs

 Attaining the blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) within a year is a commendable goal that requires dedication and strategic training. While consistent training forms the bedrock of progress, integrating additional learning opportunities such as seminars and private lessons, along with maintaining a training log, can significantly enhance your journey towards the coveted blue belt. In this article, we will explore how these practices can accelerate your progress and keep you motivated on your BJJ path.

1. Seminars: Immersion in Expert Knowledge

BJJ seminars led by renowned practitioners and black belts provide an immersive learning experience that can revolutionize your training. These seminars offer unique insights into advanced techniques, strategies, and concepts not often covered in regular classes. By expanding your repertoire and understanding of the art, seminars empower you to make significant strides in a relatively short time.

Furthermore, the camaraderie fostered during seminars can be incredibly motivating. Connecting with fellow practitioners from diverse backgrounds and schools creates a supportive network of like-minded individuals united by their passion for BJJ. Witnessing the progress of others and sharing experiences can inspire you to push beyond your limits and maintain your enthusiasm for consistent training.

2. Private Lessons: Personalized Guidance and Accelerated Learning

Private lessons with experienced instructors offer unmatched advantages in your journey to the blue belt. During one-on-one sessions, your instructor can provide personalized attention, focusing on your specific strengths, weaknesses, and goals. This tailored approach to training accelerates your learning curve, enabling you to refine techniques and address areas that require improvement more effectively.

Apart from technical guidance, private lessons can serve as a powerful motivational tool. Your instructor's encouragement and support can ignite your passion for BJJ and spur you on during challenging times. Their guidance can instill confidence in your abilities and inspire you to strive for excellence in every training session.

3. Logging Your Training: Tracking Progress and Identifying Growth

A training log is an indispensable tool for those aiming to attain the blue belt within a year. By consistently logging your training sessions, techniques learned, and progress made, you create a comprehensive record of your journey.

Regularly reviewing your training log provides invaluable insights into your progress over time. You can identify patterns of improvement, celebrate milestones, and observe the evolution of your skills. This reflective practice instills a sense of accomplishment and reinforces your dedication to achieving the blue belt.

Moreover, a training log helps you identify training gaps and areas for improvement. Analyzing your entries can reveal trends or recurring challenges, allowing you to adjust your training goals accordingly. The training log becomes a roadmap that guides your progress and informs your future training plans.

In conclusion, pursuing the blue belt in BJJ within a year demands a multifaceted approach that includes consistent training and leveraging opportunities such as seminars, private lessons, and training logs. Seminars provide exposure to expert knowledge and a supportive community, while private lessons offer personalized guidance and motivation. Meanwhile, logging your training sessions helps track progress, identify growth areas, and fuel your commitment to reaching your goal.

By integrating these practices into your BJJ journey, you can expedite your progress, stay motivated, and embrace the transformative power of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on your path towards earning the coveted blue belt.

How Long Does it Take to Gain Black Belt in BJJ (basic grading guide)

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is famed for being one of the martial arts where you truly have to earn your black belt on the mat with thousands of hours of drilling and sparring, showing the people around you that your skill in rolling is up to the level of black belt.

According to the IBJJF guide you have to be at least 19 years old to gain a black belt and should have spent a minimum of 4.5 years training at least 2 times a week. While this is clearly a minimum, there is no doubt that at the top-level competition academies, students train very often 2 times a day if not more combining all aspects of the sport from self defense and standing techniques such as judo throws, to gi and no-gi groundwork.

For example guys like Keenan Cornelius who clearly trained professionally at academies like Atos and Team Lloyd Irvin have dedicated themselves full-time to the sport and still only managed to reach the black belt after 8 years. 

Others such as BJ Penn and Caio Terra have been promoted much more rapidly and without a doubt remain one of the top brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners having won the world championships (IBJJF) at black belt level.

I think you would typically see a lot of practitioners reach black belt in around 10-15 years of consistent training. I think this should refer more to black belt level rather than the black belt itself as unfortunately today with the rise of the popularity of the sport, some instructors have started to bend the rules and gradually bring down the quality of the sport.

For example there is no denying that the level of intensity and general quality of the sparring partners varies significantly between academies. I personally have found that "family" style academies such as Gracie Barra have a much lower quality of practitioners with many blue belts corresponding more to white belt level and purple belts to blue belt level. Even though the instructors may be the top world class competitors, sometimes you will find that the academy as a whole and the head instructor will choose to promote some of his senior purple belts faster than he really should in order to show that his academy has a big group of senior grades and not just blue and white belts.

There is just no real escape from mat time and dedication required and I think to a great extent the quality of the teaching is very important. The student teacher bond whereby the instructor is really investing time into the student is necessary in order to achieve great results.

Overall I think the time required to achieve the technical ability to reach belt differs but I would say that one needs to be training for at least 2-3 years in each belt to attain a certain level of understanding of the techniques and develop the game. This fact is also supported by the polls I have held on this blog for a while now. I think 2 years per belt is something that is achievable with a minimum of 4-5 training sessions a week schedule and 3 years per belt at 3-4 sessions. 

That makes for around 4 trainings*50 weeks*3 years * 4 belts = 2400 training sessions overall to achieve the grade and 12 years of training required. 

2400/ (50 weeks) / 2 years / 4 belts = 6 trainings per week to achieve the black belt in 8 years

Based on the above you should spend 12 years * 12 months / 4 belts / 5 (since you can also have no stripes) = 7.2 months per stripe! (with 4 training per week)

Of course my calculation is probably a little more strict than reality. I think in reality most people will reach purple belt in 500 sessions and black in 1000 sessions.

It is of course a question of motivation.

Training 6 times a week you should spend 8 years * 12 months / 4 belts / 5 = 4.8 months per stripe

How Often Do You Train BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a sport where hard work and dedication matters a lot more than talent. While from time to time you will see guys that have a background in grappling and will come in doing well as white belts, as time goes by if they are not putting in the mat time hours, you will see their abilities relative to you reduce somewhat.

This is what happened from my experience. When I was starting out as a fresh white belt, I trained at most 3-4 times per week, often missing sessions due to work obligations and I think in reality achieving perhaps 3 sessions on average per week.

I would slowly progress, starting out right at the bottom of the food chain. Bigger white belts would have trouble with me and blue belts would really have me for breakfast most of the time, either submitting me or at the very least passing my guard and dominating me.

I really looked up to some of the purples though. We had some very good ones (or it seemed to me so) that had some other grappling style background and who seemed to me invincible at the time.

A few years went by. Got my blue belt but really did not make much of it at the time. Yes I could do ok against most beginners but when you had someone who knew what to do, I continued to have a lot of trouble.

Nowadays as I continue to mature as a blue belt the situation is starting to change and it amazes me how vastly different the improvement is for each bjj student. Some guys who I started out training with and who were a lot more experienced than me at the time seem considerably weaker, with their game no longer as solid as I remember it.

I remember I trained with two blue belts in the beginning that from time to time submitted me even though I would give it my all just to make life hard for them. Nowadays however these same guys, because they did not train regularly would be happy if they can score anything on me at all.

The purples however is a different story. Some of the guys that progressed to purple long ago or were purples when I started now seem tough but in a different way. For me they have lost their invicibility aura somehow. For sure they are still very good, but now as I continue to train I feel they are beatable.

Jiu Jitsu is all about investing mat time to improve. You have to spend the time and you have to train with the best at what they do. You will improve and when you do it will be the best feeling. Training is what gets you from struggling against your sparring partners to anhilitating them and tearing through the comps. It also makes jiu jitsu more fun for sure especially if you are a lighter guy :) there is just that element of enjoy when you can dominate a bigger or stronger dude especially if he has been training longer than you have.

BJJ and Your Girlfriend: Five Tips How to Get More Training In

1. Try to avoid talking BJJ/UFC/Grappling related to her and NEVER do grappling moves on her. That will make her either MAD or BORED!!

2. If you want to get some training in, you've got to make sure that your girlfriend is busy with something that she enjoys - and the important thing is that you are not needed for this. It can be anything, whether horse back riding with girlfriends, taking her parents out or travelling with them, or just very simple things like financing some girl time for her, like manicures, etc

3. If she has something special planned or is going away, that day, DONT schedule a bjj session the day before or on that morning. It will make her MAD. Instead take her out for nice dinner, buy her some Flowers!! and train when she is gone.

4. You need to make sure you work around her schedule. That means if she is working late that day - BAM!! BJJ Training Session that evening or if she is going out with some girl friends BAM!! BJJ that evening. You need to get the timing right and perfect this.

5. Training In the Morning. Yes! this works very well if you have a day job and can't be just away at the gym every evening. Do Mon-Wed-Friday training early in the morning when she is asleep (say 7am) and then Tues-Thursday you can do in the evening. Some of us have to work for a living!! but in order to get to do what we love, we have to plan our lives the smart way.

Any Comments Very Welcome and if you still get into a fight over BJJ just make up and do something nice. There is no point in fighting. All you really have to do is find some time and clean the house and cook a little. When she comes back from work tired - you surprise her!

Training BJJ to Improve, some experience

I am a second year blue belt at the moment. Up until a few months ago, I used to train around 3 times per week as the norm which I think is how much most guys train at my academy. Recently however the owners introduced a new time table with classes in the mornings and also on Saturdays. As a result I have found myself training 6x per week instead of 3 and I have to say that I feel much more rapid improvement in my technique as well as overall fitness level as well.

I feel that training more regularly has allowed me to spend more time working techniques where I was missing important details and also one of the new classes is dedicated to stand up which I think will help me much more for competitions. I think I do much better from the top, passing the guard and I plan to in the future focus on throwing with judo or using wrestling takedowns and then end up on top of my opponent. If I lose out on top, then I can still pull guard and work from the bottom but if I can gain points standing than why not spend a little time on this as well.

I also am a big believer in private lessons. Been to the Roger Gracie Academy in London a few times and definitely every time I get a private there, I learn a lot of new details which I was missing before. It is important who your teacher is however but almost always if you have some specific questions, you can get help.

I have also read that you need at least 360 classes for purple belt. I really want to reach purple belt level but then focus on competitions first as I want some trophies at blue belt. Gonna need to train more for that of course. I think if I train hard all year, then perhaps I have a good chance at the end of the year.

Draculino BJJ Training for iPad:2/5 for Drac iPad App!

Got the iPad recently, great product well done Steve Jobs, but in terms of content for brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts, the UFC (they don't offer anything!!) and Apple should have done a lot more.

Basically there really is little content to actually choose from in my opinion. I downloaded the Draculino BJJ Training application with the video library for the blue belt that includes over 50 techniques to watch, but to be honest for the 23 pound sterling they charge, its not really worth it I think. If they want people to pay this much money for an app, not only does Draculino's teaching that has to be top notch (which it is) but the app itself must be awesome as a product.

There is basically only one feature which is the video library and the video quality and size was small and it seems like a product done in a rush that could have been done much better.

I did not see neither the technique search bar, nor the 3-angle video where you can see the technique demonstration and choose the angle. A lot to improve here. Training is fun, but if you pay money for a product, it should be high quality.

2/5 for Drac iPad app!

Train As You Can For As Long As You Can

Training I feel is the only way to become a great BJJ player. Romullo Barral is famous for training an enormous amount and is truly one of the most incredible BJJ players out there.

You have to put the mat hours no matter how productive your sessions may be. It was often that I said to myself that by studying 2-3 times per week in private sessions that it was thesame as 20 ordinary classes. While this may sometimes be true, you have to really do both I feel to improve.

Train with fighters that are better then you technically and weaker and practice different things. Practice what you are bad at. Over and over I practice now a few things that I am not good at. Butterfly guard, spider guard, open guard with one foot in. You basically have to practice the positions you are bad at.

Competing really helps though. By competing you really test yourself and at the same time learn from your mistakes. I went to a competition last weekend and have learnt a lot since then by going through my mistakes in a private class thereafter.

You benefit a lot from your losses and I think while you practice new moves on beginners, you definitely should train as much as you can with fighters that are better then you. You pick up new things and it gets your head working on how you should improve even though your ego may suffer.

Of course from time to time you do go and train with someone weaker and you feel good, but it is better to improve then just stall your progress.

Practice your techniques, don't just sparr. Share with you partners the techniques that you have learnt and they will share their moves that work for them. This exchange I think is very useful and you develop. Not always do you have a teacher at your side and everyone has a different game. There is a lot to learn in jiu jitsu, and the sky is the limit!

Jiu Jitsu - Don't Stop Training If You Can

The one thing you need to do to get better I think is to be unstoppable and I don't mean unstoppable on the mats, no. You need to be unstoppable in you jiu jitsu attendance.

Jiu Jitsu is not about who is faster, stronger or any of that. It is really about how regularly you train, how attentive you are in class and how dedicated your our to your progress. Training is the only thing you need to do and in order to progress you just need to do the hours.

There is always something that is going to bother you whether it is your knee, shoulder, neck or something else. You just need to continue training and improving and one day you will get a little better.

I think of it in terms of 100 hours actually. Every one hundred hours you get a little better. You should of course try to take something away every class but every one hundred hours you should really see a little improvement, like a technique that you did not use much now becomes more usable or effective or you learn some new transition which you know like to incorporate in your game.

The first 100 hours you will see a lot of improvement and while the next 100 the improvement is not as dramatic, it is still there. You get tigher and crisper in certain positions and you learn new techniques. The other guys you are training with are also getting better and so it is difficult to see progress sometimes but it is there. Often you won't even know what level you are until you try to sparr with someone like a fresh blue belt only to find out that you as a white have the skill level to match him.

Explore the world of jiu jitsu and just try to make as much as you can out of every lesson. Try visiting a different academy for perspective, when you go on vacation take a private lesson and you just might begin to see things differently and this is the key to improvement.

Academy Life

BJJ is a life long pursuit for sure. Of course the turnover in the academy is great at the beginner level but over time you develop a relationship with the core team in the academy.

What I want to say is that of course you must treat your team mates with the same respect that you also expect from your partners. It will take something like ten years to get your black belt before you might decide to setup your own academy and therefore you should develop a relationship with the guys and of course your instructor who will show you the way forward and help you achieve the progress that your seek.

Everyone is different of course. Most of us have a background in some martial art. At my academy where our instructor is very keen on no-gi grappling, there are many guys who have a background in Greco-roman wrestling or freestyle wrestling. These guys tend to be very hard working and also well conditioned and there are of course a lot of things that you can pick up from guys like this especially in the takedown department.

Since I train at a Gracie Barra academy in Russia, there are plenty of guys with a Judo and Sambo background. Since both of these martial arts are very closely interrelated, many have cross trained in both.

These guys have a lot of judo throwing experience and in the case of sambo pracitioners the thing to watch out is leg locks and in particular straight ankle locks and heel hooks.

Many BJJ guys, blue belt and below in other countries don't even come across leg locks until purple, but in Russia the situation is quite a bit different. You constantly have guys coming over to train or sparr who are extremely proficient in leg locks and therefore a part our training is devoted to leg locks and especially defense.

Jiu jitsu makes you comfortable from working from you back and I think that is what BJJ pracitioners should take advantage of of course.

The Academy is a place where you will spend many many thousands of hours training with your partners so it is good to make friends. This I think also helps motivate you to come. You come to meet your friends and practice the sport you love.

Training Regularly - Difficult to Do When You Don't Feel So Good

Training regularly is the only way to achieve results in jiu jitsu and that is why I make every effort to come to training on time unless there is something extremely important that needs attending.

Sadly I caught the flu or some nasty infection that keeps reoccurring which is a real shame. Although I do everything possible it is just sad to miss training.

Well, at least Fedor vs Werdum Strikeforce event is coming up this weekend which always promises to be an exciting night. Since Fedor is fighting, the event will be on pay-per-view in Russia, something that never happens here since MMA is misunderstood by the majority of the public. BJJ vs Combat Sambo here we go, great fighters, poor commentary, I am looking forward to it!

How long to get a BJJ Blue Belt?

Enjoy the grade you are at, and be the best! train hard, and if you are that good, go compete and bring back the gold. worry about improving your game, not about the colour of your belt. You will attain respect by showing great technique


















Brazilian jiu jitsu is a martial art that takes a lot of practice and a lot of dedication. Unlike many other martial arts where you go to a grading and just display some techniques, in jiu jitsu you really have to earn your belt with plenty of hours on the mat.

The more often you train the faster you will likely progress. With 2 sessions a week it will probably take you over two years to get it but if you train say 4-5 times a week, you progress will be much faster.

BJJ blue belts vary in skill level enormously. Some guys on the mat will be the newly graduated, 2-years into jiu jitsu guys with plenty of holes still to get rid of.

On the other hand there are some guys who have spent years and years as blue belts, perfecting their technique, competing regularly and training intensively in order to perfect the skills. Some of these guys may already be at a purple belt level but are still training and competing under blue.

Draculino talks a bit about this. When he was winning and competing with his blue belt, he was already beating brown belts in his academy and I think this just shows how varied the skills levels can be.

There are two other things I wanted to mention about promotion:

1. Being a Fresh Blue Belt - Basically means you are a Target!

When you do get the next belt, especially blue belt, it becomes a time when all the white belts focus on you, focus on beating you. Yesterday I went to a different BJJ club and literally there were 30 or 35 white belts and no one else. I was the only blue belt there and since no one knew me, they all wanted to try sparring with me.

When you become blue belt, every white belt wants to try and win in sparring so I think it changes everything for you. When I was a white belt, I loved sparring with blue belts and submitting them. When I became the blue belt, I became the target of the white belts.

2. Competing sucks if you've just been promoted, because really you are no longer that good for your grade!

When you become a great white belt, this is the time for competition. Any time soon you are going to be promoted to blue belt and once you get the blue belt, its going to be much harder for you to compete because the blue belts competing have years and years of experience and likely far more technical skill than you at this point. So take your time with each belt, first enjoy sparring in class, sparring against guys your level now, above and below and once you feel that you are up for promotion again, go compete and prove your are great at the belt you are at before you go up!

Enjoy the belt you have and your time will eventually come when you will be promoted. In the end, it is your skills that matter so focus on perfecting them but investing in mat time.

BJJ Training Injuries

When you start training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you feel like you can sprint it. I am sure that some of us really can do it. I tried to do it myself. Training six-seven times a week will benefit your skills no doubt and there is nothing that will improve your technique more than mat time.

Neverthless I recommend to all to supplmenent your jiu jitsu with weight training and rest. Your body (at least mine) cannot take so much exercise without take risk of injury and injury can really hurt.

I had surgery on my shoulder. The total time away from training was about 10-11 months. If only I did more exercises and strengthened my shoulders, I feel that there was no need for this injury to happen in the first place.

If you are in pain, don't go training. Rest, take time off. If the pain stops, go to the gym and do some passive exercises to strengthen areas of your body. If you shoulder is in pain, the worst thing you can do to it is to go training and tear something in a sparring match. There is no need for this. If you have to train and the pain is minimal, train gently, focus on technique. If you have to do sparring, do it in a controlled manner, lose if you have to but don't use your strength.

There are some exercises like the omoplata and kimura that can get your shoulder injured if it was in pain before you even came to training. Be aware of this. Injury is something that can be avoided.

There are also some creams that I can recommend you use. They basically warm up the muscles of your body and help prevent injury.

The only person that can help prevent injury is you. Wear knee pads when training. I wear gum shield as well. You don't want to go to the dentist and it is expensive. It is no likely that you will hurt your teeth but it can happen.

Balancing Your Time

When my Girlfriend/Wife/Partner insists that you make a choice between training 5 times a week or her what is a good way to break the bad news to her?

"Make her feel special when you do it. Let know that she is still the most special thing in your life but tell her you're doing it for her so that she gets the benefits of a tight and tort body, a man who can protect her should the need arise, and that the time you spend away from each other will only serve to show just how much you love her and that you can appreciate the time together more." - Gracie Barra UK Forum

The Fightworks Podcast guys have done really well to cover this subject. Here are some of the relevant links:

http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2009/04/19/161-the-mighty-significant-others-bjj-spouses/

http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2009/11/21/spouse-support-bjj/

Most of us face this problem during some point in your jiu jitsu career. Many of us find it difficult and frustrating, trying to explain why we have to train so much and develop all the time. BJJ is a demanding activity particularly in terms of time. Some of us train a lot but also have other things in life like a full time job and a family and it can be tricky to balance the three.

In my opinion you have to do your best to explain that this is an integral part of your life. The only way to fix the problem is to make compromises. You and your partner may have a lot in common but at the same time there are a lot of interesting things that you may want to do apart.

Both of you will have to make compromises. If you have to go to a competition while on holiday, then pick a good location and take her to the ballet which she would really enjoy too. If you have to go somewhere for BJJ reasons, if you have the option, choose a good location that she would like to visit, in Europe if you don't know they are Paris, Lisabon, Barcelona, London etc ( in this order).

ADCC 2009 in Barcelona was the kind of event which you could go with your family and enjoy the weather, the beach and the attractions. Something for everyone but at the same time you got to see guys like Robert Drysdale, Jacare and Marcelo Garcia in action.

Back to Training

There is nothing more exciting and enjoyable than getting back into training after a long break. Myself, I have been out due to injury for over nine months and its been a real shame to miss so much training.

BJJ is not a rough sport and is good on your body if you take care. Judo I think is more rough and injuries can occur from standing in my opinion of course depending on your sparring partner.

One injury that I got in Judo was from a throw which made be land incorrectly and hit my head on the mat. That was some years ago but I think if you know how to breakfall it is not guaranteed what can happen if your partner does something different. Some throws can cause injury and I have seen it happen over and over again.

I enjoy training. Learning new techniques and getting myself fitter for competition. Hard training and light training are both great and actually have their advantages and disadvantages.

At some point I was training around 5-6 times a week and it is then that I got my shoulders injured. Slowly this deteriorated into more and more pain especially at night and in the morning when you can't sleep on either side.

I took some breaks to let it heal but it did not seem to do anything. I wait a week and then train and it is back to where I started. The more I trained the worse it got and it seemed like nothing can be done.

First of course I took a more conservative approach, physiotherapy, so pills they game me, hot water and compressors. Nothing like this helped.

After some injections did not help surgery turned out to be the only option. SLAP lesion was diagnosed and basically this put me out of training for another seven months unfortunately as it takes a lot of time to heal up and rehabilitation can last upto a year.

Certainly this is something you never wish that will happen again. After a few months I started to go to the local fitness gym. Training my back, stomach muscles and the shoulders of course. Unfortunately I also managed to catch mononucleosis, something Brock Lesnar actually got I understand which put me out of the sports world for another two months with severe fever and endless headeaches as well as a feeling of complete exhaustion.

Finally today I am back training. With my second training session behind me and the first sparring session for so long, I feel unfit but getting ready for Monday's session once some of the muscles I have no used for for so long have recovered.

Some pain is still there of course but you try to get over it and train with care. After all for me it is all about technique and learning to be a better jiu jitsu fighter and grappler.

It is great to be on the mats with the guys though. Sparring was great and I even had a chance to do some submissions myself as well as playing for positions. We are currently practicing for the upcoming no-gi contest and it is great to practice some takedowns for this that can really improve the stand up game and help you put your opponent on his back.

Watching a lot of tapes, I have really become a great fan of the wrestling part. I prefer to put my opponent on his back and pass his guard. If I can't I will play guard and I prefer to win the takedown and I believe I should be able to do this in most cases unless the guy has a strong wrestling background himself.

Jiu jitsu is truly a beautiful sport. Really enjoy it. Keep training and check out some of the fightworks podcasts on Itunes. Check it out.

Train Hard and Be Persistent

Hard training and being persistent is important to grow in jiu jitsu. You cannot train 20 hours in one week and then not train for two weeks. You have to train regularly and focus on technique.

I believe time and time again that the guy with the better technique will always defeat the strong and bigger guy unless the weight difference is more than 15 pounds. 15 pounds does not make a big difference and even at 30 pounds, you can still defeat your opponents if your skills are substantially higher.

Focus on all the positions and my personal view is to grow from submission defense and into to getting skilled at winning a good position. Only once you can escape every submission of your opponent should you focus on winning good positions such as the side mount and the mount.

Once you can do this easily, then I believe you should focus on submitting your opponent yourself. This is the way Saulo suggests to progress. You can't just attack all the time but you should also be focused on having a good submission defense.

I think it is better to lose some of the positions but escape every submission then winning a bunch of positions and then get submitted several times in a row.

It takes many years to master bjj and you should not think about the time but the development. Focus on who you are fighting in training and practice with different people at your academy, people of different skill level, size and also style.

At my academy I think there are two major styles at work. Those that started from BJJ or from Judo, focus on playing the guard, on sweeps and passing the guard and on the mount.

Others however are very focused on leg locks and winning by submission without valuing the positions they achieve.

Both of these styles I believe I have to get used to and learn how to fight. I have to be able to escape any leg lock attempt they make and then pass their guard. Before trying any submission.

I try to be as relaxed as possible during sparring in my Academy. It does not make sense using strength as many say but I also try to be calm. I think about what submission my opponent is trying to do. As soon as he tries to secure the guillotine choke, I already have my chin down and my shoulder up to make sure he does not get it.

It does not make sense to use so much energy if you can wait, assess the situation, look for an opening in the opponents game and then take advantage of it at the precise moment when he makes the mistake.

I believe this is the essence of jiu jitsu. The youtube match between Bruno Bastos and Lagarto Rodriguez I think best illustrates my point. Rodriguez is calm, looking for the mistake and not spending energy trying to do some fancy techniques.

brazilian jiu jitsu for girls

Girls in brazilian jiu jitsu and for than matter judo is an interesting topic that keeps coming to my attention. Today I think no one will doubt that this is a male dominated sport for a number of reasons.

Let me see what factors are at play here:

1. Girls are weaker.

Yes, girls are definitely weaker. Men can normally over-power girls by using there upper body and I remember myself when I started learning judo, doing newaza with a much smaller brown-belt girl. I don't know what I was doing but simply used brute strength until I got tired. She defended and yet could not submit me simply because I just powered my way out of everything. (some girls can be very tough though!!)

Here girls are at a disadvantage but this should not prevent them from learning the art. I can see that it is perhaps demotivating at first, losing over and over again to guys who just can't bare losing and don't want to give the girl even a chance. With time however, those that survive at least the first six months of training find out that it is possible to give a complete beginner boy a hard time.

I just hope girls that do decide to train and are not intimidated by this factor get the best out of being the weaker player. They can focus on becoming technical and of course their flexibility.

Getting fitter though helps. Some clubs have tough training and you need to get fit for it.

     2. Girls are smaller

Yes, girls do tend to be smaller than guys. I don't think this is as relevant as the first point. Yes girls tend to be shorter and lighter than guys, but then I myself have sparred with guys twice the size of me. When I do this, I focus on my technique. I don't even try to muscle them and I only use my strength at the point when I am focusing on my submission.

You are who you are. If the guys is bigger than you, there is nothing you can do to change that. Many big guys have bad cardio, so here you may even have an advantage. This is a universal factor for both sexes.

     3. BJJ and Judo are rough sports

I think this one is a major factor. When guys get bruises or cuts, they feel kind of proud. When girls get them, they are unhappy. If you are a girl, I guess it is just not right to walk around with a black eye.

     4. Its a male dominated sport

BJJ and judo are male dominated sports. Thats just a fact. I don't have any empirical data on this, but I imagine its 1%-3% at the most.
It also depends on the club of course. Guys with tough training and "special" attitude are just not a great place for a girl to spend 5-15 hours a week.
Some girls feel more comfortable going in groups but it is certainly hard to find a friend to come with for this. The girls there if there are any may be far more advanced or you may not get along all that well. I can really see how difficult it may be.

     5. Guys dont like to train with girls

There are some guys that love to train with girls. Others don't like it at all and I think there are more of these. They somehow are threatened by the fact that they might lose. There are also those that just feel uncomfortable touching/holding a woman's body.

I can understand the last one. I don't really mind training with them but sometimes it is a bit uncomfortable. I start thinking what they might be thinking when I grab them a little rough or in a particularly delicate area.

     6. Contact

Some girls feel uncomfortable of making such close physical contact. Getting man-handled for an hour may not appeal to every girl. There are of course positions like the guard where you spread your legs and the guy must push near the groin area to open the guard. This may not be the favourite thing a girl does on a thursday night!


     7. Perception

This is a martial art and a sport. Many girls just prefer to go dancing or yoga. Many just don't want to be a good submission wrestler and they don't want to devote so much time to this pursuit therefore. It not that cool especially for a girl no matter what we brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners think.

The perception is that it is a man's sport just like boxing and therefore it is hard to get into it and stay in it for a long enough time.


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There are so many different things to say on this subject and I look forward to hearing other people's views on the subject.