MMA Forum - UFC Forums - UFC Results - MMA Videos - Blogs http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php en Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:37:27 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.mmaforum.com/images/MMAForum/misc/rss.jpg MMA Forum - UFC Forums - UFC Results - MMA Videos - Blogs http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php STRIKEFORCE vs. UFC http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=314 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:41:17 GMT ARM*BAR Athletics MMA NEWS & INFO
Today we will se a battle for ratings, as yet again the UFC and Spike TV will air an UFC event at the same time as STRIKFORCE'S FEDOR vs. ROGERS.
Last time the two went head to head, the UFC had 2 million people tune in, versus STRIKEFORCE'S 500 thousand. However i think it will be a little bit closer this time, as the depth of the STRIKEFORCE fight card is much greater then the last time.
For more info visit our website

http://www.armbarathletics.net ]]> ARM*BAR http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=314 Fans Are Focusing On The Wrong Things http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=313 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:33:34 GMT When an amazing fight takes place between two elite fighters, it can be an extremely exciting event. What makes it even more exciting is when the fights are so close and competitive that fans cant tell who the clear cut winner was. One of the more exciting fights that took place very recently was the Light Heavyweight title bout between Lyoto Machida, and Shogun Rua. This fight was a fantastic battle from start to finish. It was an extremely close fight. Many fans disagree but the fact of the matter is, the reason there is such a big dispute going on right now, is because of how close that fight actually was. I find myself wondering why so many fans are becoming so angry with the outcome of this fight. I completely understand being a loyal fan and wanting your fighter to do great. We all feel that way towards our favorite fighters. But this should not prevent us fans from appreciating what a tremendous show was put on by two great warriors. Instead of becoming so angry with other people, fans should rather be looking foward to the future rematch of these two fighters that will hopefully be just as exciting as their first meeting. MMA fans need to find the middle ground where they can be disappointed because of their fighter losing, but also be appreciative of the tremendous show that they watched. Even when a controversial decision is given, it does not change that fact that those two fighters were out there fighting for their fans, and they did not disappoint. These fighters left everything in the cage, and they are definitely warriors in my book. -HitOrGetHit When an amazing fight takes place between two elite fighters, it can be an extremely exciting event. What makes it even more exciting is when the fights are so close and competitive that fans cant tell who the clear cut winner was. One of the more exciting fights that took place very recently was the Light Heavyweight title bout between Lyoto Machida, and Shogun Rua.

This fight was a fantastic battle from start to finish. It was an extremely close fight. Many fans disagree but the fact of the matter is, the reason there is such a big dispute going on right now, is because of how close that fight actually was.

I find myself wondering why so many fans are becoming so angry with the outcome of this fight. I completely understand being a loyal fan and wanting your fighter to do great. We all feel that way towards our favorite fighters. But this should not prevent us fans from appreciating what a tremendous show was put on by two great warriors. Instead of becoming so angry with other people, fans should rather be looking foward to the future rematch of these two fighters that will hopefully be just as exciting as their first meeting.

MMA fans need to find the middle ground where they can be disappointed because of their fighter losing, but also be appreciative of the tremendous show that they watched. Even when a controversial decision is given, it does not change that fact that those two fighters were out there fighting for their fans, and they did not disappoint. These fighters left everything in the cage, and they are definitely warriors in my book.

-HitOrGetHit ]]> HitOrGetHit http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=313 Jealousy http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=312 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:32:56 GMT Wow...it is amazing how badly past experiences can distort the view of an otherwise mentally healthy man in a relationship. I know exactly how much my wife loves and adores me, but because of an infidelity that she had early on in our relationship my mind gets stampeded with thoughts that can be consuming and ridiculous. Yet, I cannot convince myself that they are untrue. There have been recent developments that could be explained as suspicious, but when the reasoning is laid out it makes sense. This is the most powerful emotion to me because it has the ability to override what I thought was the most powerful feeling I could experience and that is the love for my wife. Everything is okay with us in case you were wondering and read this, but I fear that I will push her away if I am not able to control this emotion. Anyways...what I am trying to say is **** you jealousy...**** you. Wow...it is amazing how badly past experiences can distort the view of an otherwise mentally healthy man in a relationship. I know exactly how much my wife loves and adores me, but because of an infidelity that she had early on in our relationship my mind gets stampeded with thoughts that can be consuming and ridiculous. Yet, I cannot convince myself that they are untrue.

There have been recent developments that could be explained as suspicious, but when the reasoning is laid out it makes sense. This is the most powerful emotion to me because it has the ability to override what I thought was the most powerful feeling I could experience and that is the love for my wife.

Everything is okay with us in case you were wondering and read this, but I fear that I will push her away if I am not able to control this emotion.

Anyways...what I am trying to say is **** you jealousy...**** you. ]]> ZZtigerZZ81 http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=312 Should i focus on one martial art? http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=311 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:15:38 GMT Should i focus on one martial art or and one grappling or should i just learn from all of them? Should i focus on one martial art or and one grappling or should i just learn from all of them? ]]> ufclover01 http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=311 Any good mma training gyms in michigan? http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=310 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:12:44 GMT Hello i was just wondering if there were any good mma gyms in michigan that also compete Hello i was just wondering if there were any good mma gyms in michigan that also compete ]]> ufclover01 http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=310 By What Year Will MMA Be Legal In All States? http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=309 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:21:10 GMT There are many fans that would love to go to a UFC event. For example [I]New York[/I], but since we all know that MMA Events are legal in NY and several other cities then these MMA Fans must [B]BUY[/B] airplane tickets and travel to other events.

By what year do you think the [SIZE="5"][COLOR="Red"]UFC[/COLOR][/SIZE] (MMA) will be allowed to host events in all [U]50 states[/U]? :confused02:

[url]www.youtube.com/TheChannel121[/url] ]]> TheChannel121 http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=309 Who should Kimbo Slice fight first when he gets in the UFC? http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=308 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:11:33 GMT give me you guys ideas. give me you guys ideas. ]]> MVP1 http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=308 Up coming bouts. My thoughts. http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=307 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:02:47 GMT There are several fights of note coming up I want to give my thoughts on.

Strikeforce / M-1 Global - Saturday Nov. 7th

The first fight i want to talk about is is Gegard "The Dreamcatcher" Mousasi (26-2-1) vs. Rameau Thierry "The African Assassin" Sokoudjou (7-4). Now Sokoudjou is an underdog in this fight even though 6 of his 7 wins are by T/KO, all in the first round, and his losses one being to the current UFC LHW champ Lyoto Machida. Still makes him an underdog. Gegard, who is a training partner of Fedor, is on a fairly impressive 13 win streak. his last loss being to none other then Akihiro Gono to end his previous 8 straight win streak. His wins coming by a mixtures of Submisisons, KO's and TKO's having only failed to finish 5 opponets including his 2 losses and one draw. While it is obvious Rameau has some power and can finish a fight with a KO. I do not think his arsenal of weapons is as deep as that of Gegard.

My Prediction - Gegard Rd 2 T/KO.

Next comes JAKE SHIELDS (23-4-1) vs. JASON "MAYHEM" MILLER (22-6). Now I will be honest here I am a bit biased towards sheilds. I been a fan of his for awhile now. Plus my BJJ instructor is a good friend of Jakes and has trained alot with him. Now both of these guys have some Ultra slick Jiu Jitsu both holding many titles in various Jiu jitsu competitions. Jake has been very impressive as of late with miller more known for his hosting role on MTV's Bully Beatdown. Jake is on a 12 straight win streak, his last 7 wins were by submisison 6 of those in the first round, most notablely being Robbie lawler, who jake being a LW fighter moved up to middle weight for the challenge. Which is where this fight with miller will be for the recently vacated Strikeforce title. (The title was recently Vacated by Cung Lee who is currently persuing an acting carear, and hopes to return to fighting in the future). I think the deciding factor in the fight might be the underrated stand up skills of Jake Shields. if it goes to the ground I think it could be anybodys contest. Miller just seems to have had a string of bad luck in matches lately. going 1-1-1 in his last 3 though his loss was an incredible match against Ronaldo Souza but his most recent match... a rematch against the same ended in a NC. This has the makings of being a fight for the ages. Neither has had to go 5 rounds in awhile, or rather had an opponent able to push them that far. This could be a possibility. Neither fighter is known for KO power and have 7 TKO's and no KO's between them, but I feel it is stand up that will decide this. Many say Jake looks very stiff in the ring and as I stated many feel his striking is sub par. If miller takes jakes stand up lightly and hopes to keep this standing he might be in for a surprise. FRom a recent interview and reading his facebook posts I know Jake is not taking miller lightly in any aspect of this fight. For the outcome of this fight I am having mixed thoughts. It could be a long drawn out decision and a stand up battle going into the late rounds. But if weither fighter makes a mistake both are capable of picking up a quick win by a slick submission.

My prediction - Shields Rd 3 TKO

Lastly on this card...

FEDOR "THE LAST EMPEROR" EMELIANENKO (30-1*-0 1NC) vs. BRETT "THE GRIM" ROGERS (10-0). Now its rare for a man who is 10-0, 9 of which are KO's or TKO's to be an underdog, but you would have a hard time finding anyone who gives Rogers more then a punchers chance. Fedors last loss was 9 years ago (read early entry about Fedor for futher explination) 6 years before Rogers first Pro fight. Rogers most notable win was over Andrei Arlovski in :22 seconds by TKO who 5 months earlier Fedor defeated by KO in 3:14 of the first round. Both men have punching power. but many who haved stepped into the ring with Fedor claim no one has ever hitten them harder. Fedor has survived many tough situations and over come many opponents who were bigger stonger or supposedly better, with wins over several former UFC champions, including 2 wins over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Now Rogers is not known for having much of a ground game. Where Fedor has out Grappled Grapplers, and out struck, strikers. Fedor is known for his robot like mentality in the ring showing no emotion even when he wins. His sportsmanship is unparralled, but to look into his eyes before a fight looks as if you are looking into teh eyes of your executioner, and I think mentally he has most opponents beaten before the opening bell. Watch the eyes of Hong Man Choi even Tim Sylvia before the opening bell, weather they will admit it or not they have the look of someone who just got locked in a cage with a hungry dragon. Now one thing going for Rogers in this fight is it is Fedors first time in a cage. Many previous Pride fighters who have come over to the UFC and other groups have not always faired well in a cage. Though I do not feel that this will be a big deal for Fedor. I do not think Rogers really brings anything to the table Fedor really has to worry about. He has fought people who hit harder, are better strikers, better grapplers and has weathered them all.

My Prediction - Fedor 1st rd Ko (utter destruction)


UFC 104 Oct 24th

Only one real fight I want to talk about on this card.

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (15-0) vs . Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (18-3) for the UFC LHW title. On 2/3/07 Lyoto made his UFC debut and put together a string of what some called un-exciting Unamious Decision wins. He came into the UFC with an 8-0 record with wins over BJ Penn, Rich Franklin and Stephen Bonnar to his resume. He started to put detractors to rest when he submitted Rameau Thierry "The African Assassin" Sokoudjou then picked apart Tito Ortiz in a 3 round battle where only once was Lyoto in any trouble then he KO'ed Thiago Silva and then Rashad Evans to win the title. Rua on the other hand boasts 15 T/KO wins and has a who's who list of wins to Rival Fedor, including several that match Fedor, Big Nog and Kevin Randleman. Rua is known as a game striker who likes to take it to his opponents a style that has so far utterly failed against the likes of Machida. In fact so far no one has been able to figure out the puzzle machida represents. His striking is on par with the best and his ground game is on the same level. he has incredible take down defense. It leaves me wondering what Rua is going to try that no one else has, and is it going to work. being a fan of both fighters it is hard to pick. Rarely do I choose against Rua. I just don't think though he is going to be the one to defeat Lyoto.

My Decision - Machida Rd 2 TKO.


Well these are just some coming up that I wanted to comment on.. there are more to come.


My personal blog can be read here.

http://thedonsmmabjj.blogspot.com/20...ghts_3974.html ]]> The Don http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=307 Why do I train? http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=306 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:46:19 GMT It is a simple question and a post by a fellow blogger Onganju, His post here . http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=304 got me thinking.
Why do "I" really train. now in Onganju's post he breaks down the reasons people train. He lists Inspiration and Aspiration. so I started thinking why do I train.

To put things into contest I just recently turned 32 years old. I have a wife, 3 kids and a full time job. I am the oldest guy in my school. So what is the reason I go back. Most likely at this point in my life the chances of me having a shot at going Pro in MMA while not impossible are more then likely improbable. Becoming a world class BJJ players also the same chances. Yet I find myself in the gym every chance I get.

Now growing up I was always very competitive and in some ways this has pushed me further and harder into my training. When I first started I could barely roll 2 minutes without being gassed.. I weighed in barely south of 300 pounds. When I would play with my kids it was hard to do a lot of physical things. And for me it was frustrating.. I was an above average athlete growing up and could play most sports well. After classes I was sore bruised and could barely roll out of bed most mornings following class. But I was the old guy and I hate losing. So I would drag my but back into class. now the company I work for has a full service gym. I signed up when I first started working and went for like 3 weeks but then just stopped.. and when I got back into BJJ the competitive edge started to kick back in and I been hitting the gym on a regular basis and been training hard.
I look at my kids now that it has been close to a year I have been training and I can actually play with them and not get winded. I am not sore I can get down on the floor and get up again easily. I can roll in class for a solid 5 minutes and take a short 30 second break and go another 5 and I can do this multiple times. I now weigh in about 267 and feel much better. I can actually run 2 and a half miles and not pass out.. heck I can run 2 and a half miles and enjoy it.

I did not really know why I started training but I now know why I keep training. I want to be able to do things with my kids as they grow older. I want to compete and have fun. and I hope before all is said and done I want to look in the mirror and see a black belt around my waist one day and take those skills I have learned and pass them onto others. If you would like to follow me on my journey you can check out my blog at http://thedonsmmabjj.blogspot.com/ ]]> The Don http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=306 Basic Striking Defense Theorem http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=305 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:58:54 GMT An earlier instructional post from a while back. I heard a few posters would like to have all my instructional posts in one easy to find section. Well here it is...

As is usually the case in the Training Section of the forum, it is very common that posts tend to be of the “Offensive-mindset.” But what of those times where one is on the defensive side of the Stand up battle? While it is true that the “best defense is a great offense” in most accounts, one cannot expect that the live, resisting and trained opponent in front of them will willingly allow them to attack unabated and uninterrupted. The most competitive fights are always between two trained opponent’s steeped in the proverbial “human chess match;” wherein the participants take turns imposing their wills upon one another. This in turn continues until one hits that critical attack, or reversal, or hooks that critical hold that brings upon the end of the match. It is in those moments that fighters usually figure out why they fight. As taken many times from Chuck Palahniuk’s novel “Fight Club,” it is when you’re fighting that you feel most alive. “When it’s on… It’s on… And nothing else matters.”

But I digress… I’m not here to provide reviews on literature that I haven’t fully read. I am here to talk about defense. The reason why defense is a key component to fighting can be summarized very succinctly:

If you have dynamite in each fist, or swing kicks that mow down humanity like the reaper's blade, it will not matter in a fight if you are struck down first by your opponent.

Likewise, if you are carrying on through a fight where you are taking two for every one shot you throw, you are most likely (unless you are grossly more powerful or tougher in comparison to your opponent) going to lose that fight. Let’s face it: It is unrealistic to expect to fight against trained opponents never to find out what it is like to get hit. MMA is a sport/competition based in reality. Unlike the movies, none of the competitors in MMA prescribe to the “Black Ninja” school of Martial Arts. If you choose to get into a fight, you can expect to get hit.

Just as Sugar Ray Leonard would say, “Fighters get hit. Good fighters don’t get hit as much.” As plain as that is, its merit in truth cannot be denied. In that end, what seems as a given in the eyes of many seems to go understated by many MMA competitors and Fans. I would think that many fighters would like to train their defensive acumen and fall into the “Good fighter” category.

Before I get too far, let me state that I do not prescribe to the “tough guy” mentality of taking one and returning in kind. Why test your chin when it will lend itself better to test the chin of your opponent? If you take that into perspective, testing your chin and losing in the ring can be bad. However, testing your chin and losing in a self-defense situation on the street can be fatal. It is bad enough to lose in a match, at least you can gain experience and return better trained and prepared. However, the world outside the ring or cage tends to be a lot less forgiving. That is why I think it is worth while to post this up.

Before I get too preachy, let’s get into the basic methodology of stand-up/striking defense. I will not get into specific techniques at this time, but rather let me state what I’ve found through research and application as to what works. For the sake of those who have not had any training in striking arts, I will keep everything as simple as possible.

In the training of defense, it is found that training defensive techniques with the fewest steps work best and are the most reliable. Many striking schools may teach multi-step defensive techniques that might possibly be effective in an actual fight. However, I don’t prescribe to them because of two reasons: 1) What if the fighter doesn’t attack exactly as the technique describes? 2) In stressful situations, you cannot reliably expect that longer, drawn-out technique sequences will be recognized by the fighter trying to utilize it. On that end the techniques that I will post here follow a very simple, 1-2, “Defend and then counter” pattern. These are the easiest to learn, and usually the easiest to utilize. Besides, why wait for the 5th or 6th punch or kick thrown by your opponent when you can stop them after (or even before) the first attack is thrown?

All defensive technique should be followed with a counter attack. If you are against an aggressive opponent, or any opponent who is trying to win, you cannot realistically expect them to finish their attack and politely allow you your own salvo afterwards. With an aggressive opponent, they will simply continue to attack until they are stopped or they have completely overwhelmed and finished you. So every defense should be followed with a counter.

In my research, Striking defense can be broken down into four (4) different methods. This is what they are, and this is how they differ:

Interrupt/Faster/Pre-Emptive Attack: This is simply hitting the opponent with a faster attack while they are in the midst of attacking you. This can be a straight punch as your opponent winds up their overhand right, a pushing kick as your opponent chambers their own kick, or a knee to the opponent’s head as they try to shoot. This is the “Intercepting fist” of Jeet Kune Do. In this method, you strike the opponent when you first recognize that they are attacking. In this method, the counter attack is already included as it occurs at the moment of defense.

Dodging/Evasion: As Mr. Miyagi would say, “Best defense… You no be there!” This requires trained body movement (both upper body and foot work) to stymie your opponent’s attack by causing it to miss. Now, this is not any intricate or acrobatic type movement. Nope, no Matrix bridges here. Rather these are economic movements that will cause your opponents to miss while you move into a position to attack them while they are out of position to defend. Ducking, slipping, side-stepping, back-pedaling and retreating all fall into this type of defense.

Deflect/Catch: Not a true block, but a simple push, pull or cutting into the strike angle of the attacking limb while moving into an angle that gives you an advantage for countering with strikes. Likewise, catching the limb of the attacker in order to control them as you counter with a strike or grapple also falls into this category of defense. This method of defense is usually the hardest to master, but can make a competitor dangerous to aggressive opponents. By using the energy of an opponent’s attack to pull them into position for a counter, or to create an opening for attack, more effective counter attacks can be made.

Cover Up/Blocking: Many times attacks can be so sudden, or occur in such close quarters that dodging or catching them are not possible. In that case, one may only be able to defend themselves by bring up a barrier to block the attack. This may be your arm, your legs, your shoulders, knees or elbows. As long as the attacking limb does not effectively hit a vital point, the block goes a long way to mitigate the force of your opponent’s attacks. This is the simplest type of defense to learn, as it is the most instinctive. However, as a rule one should always implement the other defensive methods first. With a block, you always end up absorbing the brunt of your opponent’s attack which can result in cumulative damage to your fighting limbs.

With that in mind, I’ll post up your standard punch defense in my next post. Hopefully that won’t be too long in coming.

Sources:
• Muay Thai Basics by, Christoph Delp
• Savage Strikes by, Mark Hatmaker
• Tao of Jeet Kune Do by, Bruce Lee ]]> Onganju http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=305 Why do you Train? http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=304 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:31:20 GMT Hello All… I posted this up before, and I'm digging it up to put it in a place that is more accessible for retro-active reading. In any case, if this stirs any thoughts or feedback, please feel free to contribute.

I simply propose you ask yourself the question: “Why do I train?”

It can be generally surmised that a part of the posters that frequent a MMA forum may have trained in the Martial Arts or are aspiring to. In either case, you have probably asked yourself the question, “Why do I train?” or “Why do I want to train?”

As simple as it may seem, with a moment or two of reflection this question becomes more and more relevant with regards to how you train. When you begin to put together an answer for the proposed query, you will probably find that those answers fall into one of two categories: Inspirations and Aspirations. Figuring out what category your answer falls into can go a long way in exposing the impetus behind what we do and forecasting what path our future actions will take.

The American Heritage Dictionary (according to Dictionary.com [http://dictionary.reference.com/brow...ation])defines inspiration as:
1.
a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
b. The condition of being so stimulated.
2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.

On that end, we all have things, people, places or events that have come to inspire us to do things. For example: One of my greatest sources of inspiration in regards to the martial arts is Bruce Lee. Like many people I was first exposed to him via his movies. Through those movies he was able to convey a pure unadulterated energy and passion for the martial arts. The entirety of his relatively small stature was explosive and overflowing with athleticism and grace. In reality, the only thing that I had in common with the man was the fact that I was also short. However, it dawned on me that by training in the martial arts I could possibly (although at a very slight chance) come to a point in my life that I could do what he did on screen. Even when I had learned that his death had predated my birth by around 3 years, and that many of the moments he had on screen was due to “the magic of movies,” being exposed to that first late night glimpse of Enter the Dragon had sowed the seeds of interest in the martial arts.

That was probably my single biggest inspiration. If you are in the position of wanting to train, or if you’ve barely started, your inspirations are most likely at the forefront of your mind. That’s good. That’s where they should be. In fact, your inspiration(s) are probably different than mine, and that’s fine. Inspirations are as numerous and varied as those who have them. When one gets deeply entrenched in their own training, it becomes hard to see those inspirations in the same light.

As we all know, time passes and the act of training starts to become challenging; it becomes more of a challenge to find the volition just to make it to the gym. Sometimes it seems a lot easier to find worthwhile “alternatives” to getting worn out, sore, whilst avoiding big sweaty opponents who try to hit you in the face or twist your extremities into odd and painful shapes or positions. Other times injuries and other parts of our life create situations where change appears imminent, and the accompanying aches, pains, scrapes and bruises (and their resulting bills) make us pause and re-evaluate whether such activities are worth it. At this point, the question as to why we train becomes even more important than before and reflection upon our aspirations is tantamount.

Dictionary.com ([http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aspiration]) defines aspiration as:
1. strong desire, longing, or aim; ambition
2. a goal or objective desired

Many times we are forced to re-evaluate what goals we aspire to attain through our training. What I find frightening is that at many times we may not even have those aspirations defined, and answering the question of “Why do I train?” becomes such a depressing challenge to address that training becomes meaningless, and quitting seems the only inevitability that can be logically reached.

Like inspirations, aspirations are as varied and different as there are people who choose to follow them. Some of us train with aspirations of competing in the professional realm of MMA. Some of us train with aspirations of getting a black belt in our respective arts. Some of us train with aspirations to be able to defend ourselves if a situation arises that merits the use of our trained skills. Some of us train with aspirations to get in better shape or to lose that extra layer of “winter fat” that started to cling on many winters ago (yes that same layer of winter fat that has apparently asked its friends and family to visit and never kicked them out of the house). Regardless of the specifics, our aspirations are what drive us on through the more difficult periods of training. Whether it be fiscal difficulty, injury, or a sudden sweeping change in our lives, the strength of our aspirations will determine whether or not we continue to lace up our wrestling shoes, tie the belt on our gis, take that next breakfall, shrimp across the mat one more time, go another round, strap our gloves on one more time, or even choose to train that day or the next. What we aspire to do or become is the single biggest reason why we choose to train or to continue training. It what makes all of bumps, bruises, scrapes, aches and pains “worth it.”

So ask yourself, “Why do I train?” I ask this not only in the hopes that you can identify your own inspirations and aspirations, but also in the hopes that you can understand the inspirations and aspirations of those around you (inside and outside of the forum). I do this because I hope it will help you come to a deeper understanding of yourself, and also to help you steer clear of tearing down the aspirations of those around you.

I see all too often (on and off the forums) the scenario of a person asking another, “Why would you train that? It’s been proven not to work in the UFC/Ring/Cage, etc.” It is all too often stated in such condescending tones that one’s choice of martial art is “useless.” Many times styles are labeled as “TMA garbage” or “crap” if one chooses to expound that they don’t train in the nuveau holy trinity of MMA styles of BJJ, MT/Boxing, and wrestling. Does the aspiration of competing in a professional MMA bout hold itself in a higher light than someone who wants to lower their weight in order to avoid health complications so they could live to see their grandchildren being born? Is it any nobler to know that your shins are conditioned or that an asthmatic kid can actually move around and be active due to their involvement in more “traditional” styles of martial arts? Does it make ones training any less important because they do it primarily for their cardiovascular well-being instead of doing it in hopes to of submitting an opponent in a tournament?

All things considered, when you put things in context to each individual person, I think not. What may be relevant to you may be completely irrelevant to someone else. I bring this up not to dissolve any objective stance or to abscond any remnants of common sense of ethics within our martial experiences. Rather I do this in hopes to promote a level of understanding with each other at the least as human beings, if not with the deference and respect I would hope we reserve for each other as martial artists.

In an interview that Bruce Lee had the Pierre Berton Show on December 9th, 1971 he was asked why anyone would want “to learn a Chinese martial art?” This was asked in reference to Lee’s school in Hollywood where he had taught James Garner, Steve McQueen and other Hollywood alumni. The answer to which Lee had responded, “…the way that I teach it, all types of knowledge ultimately mean self-knowledge. [It] is, therefore, these people are coming in and asking me to teach them, not so much how to defend themselves, or how to do somebody in. Rather, they want to learn to express themselves through some movement, be it anger, be it determination or whatever. So, in other words, what I'm saying therefore, is that they're paying me to show them, in combative form, the art of expressing the human body.”

Lee had come to an understanding beforehand that his students had varying inspirations in mind when they came to him. Based off of that their aspirations were just as diverse. However, he treated all his students the same because in the end they would learn how to reach their aspirations via their individual means of expression. Regardless of that form of expression, each student (even Lee himself) had at some time or another answered for themselves the same question…

“Why do I train?” ]]> Onganju http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=304 So I Signed up for Facebook... http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=303 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:29:58 GMT I did this because I was reminded recently that a lot of my old High School buddies were on it. Well, low and behold it was true. A lot of people I have not heard here nor there of was on it.

Now I know the social networking sites are old news. In fact, many of those online would probably think I was living as a hermit, under a rock, in a cave, separated from a majority of the developed world for not subscribing to one. While I may want to put forward the legible trappings of a Zen Monk, I definitely am not. So get your yucks, giggles, or chuckles out now.

Go on. I'll wait for you.

So all that remains is the question of why didn't I create a Facebook account sooner? Well, the answer in short is because of a bit of trepidation on my part. Yep, I was scared.

I can only explain it as the sort of anxiety that you would get from preparing to go to a 10-year anniversary (which our graduating class did not have). However, the breadth of it would go back quite farther than 1994 in concerns for some folks. Let me be honest...

Potentially I was going to re-announce my existence to many people, and I did not know how they would react. Was my short time around them during school something significant enough that their memories would produce a feeling of pleasant surprise, fond reminiscing, deep sullen loathing or simple apathy? Dealing with people is always a mixed bag. Trying to be sociable with those you haven't dealt with in a long time doesn't make things easier.

Sure, there were definitely those I fervently sought out, like someone inquisitively mulling through a crowd trying to make out names on name tags while trying to match current faces to those locked away in your memories. There were those that popped up that rang bells in the annals of my conscious mind, some in surprise, some not so. Yes, there was also those that I remember having wet dreams about. Even those I still have wet dreams about...

Uhhh... Give me a moment...

[Back on track] In that same vein, did these folks feel the same? I mean, separation and time does a lot to change people. Folks have kids, careers, and life changes of various degrees. Was my simple life still interesting enough to contribute to a conversation?

And then there's the way you look... You know what the first question a lot of people wonder about: "How does ____ look now?" You all want to know who looks the same, who looks better, and who fell off.

Damn I think I fall in the third category. F-it... People love me regardless. ]]> Onganju http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=303 Nogueira shatters expectations (at least mine), dominates everywhere! http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=302 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:04:34 GMT

(Is the old Nogueira back?)

Earlier, i expected Randy Couture to dominate Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira everywhere, i really couldn't imagine a scenario where Nogueira would win. Well, he sure did show everybody that he is not done just yet. As a follow-up to the prediction post here is my take on the fight.

Standing up
  • Just like the Lesnar fight, Couture's head movement didn't work with Nogueira like it did with Tim Sylvia.
  • Nogueira caught Couture in the first round with a right hand to the temple that sent him to the mat (the same punch Lesnar caught him with) but unlike Lesnar, Nogueira couldn't finish the fight and Couture survived.
  • It was not the only time Couture was knocked down in the fight though, as he also survived a second knockdown in the third round.
  • Nogueira's chin looked great as Couture landed a bunch of solid shots throughout the fight that didn't seem to bother Nogueira.
In the clinch
  • Surprisingly, Nogueira went blow by blow with Couture in the clinch.
  • Interestingly, Couture -behind in the scorecards- didn't shoot for a takedown, not once.
On the ground
  • Nogueira swept Couture just like he did Fedor but he was able to hold Couture down way longer.
  • Couture -As expected- showed textbook submission defence as he defended a very tight D'Arce choke, a similarly tight Arm Triangle and a Rear Naked Choke.
  • While on top in Nogueira's guard, Couture's GNP was not as violent as his submission coach Neil Melanson said it would be.

MMAstaredown.com ]]> yehia http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=302 Why Couture will dominate Nogueira Everywhere http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=301 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:24:32 GMT

(Randy Couture pounding on Gabreial Gonzaga with
his BROKEN left arm).
Standing up
  • Couture dominated Tim Sylvia standing up (he knocked him down with the first punch).
  • If outboxed, Couture can take the fight to the ground at will.
In the clinch
  • Couture is great at dirty boxing and holding fighters against the fence.
  • Nogueira doesn't have the wrestling ability to take Couture down.
  • Nogueira doesn't mind getting taken down so much.
On the ground
  • Two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu absolute world champion Jacare didn't even score in a grappling bout with Couture (Couture outweighed Jacare with 30-40 lbs but he didn't come to the bout 100% and he wasn't pounding on Jacare either).
  • Fedor GnP'ed Nogueira from his guard for the most part of thier first fight, so it's not that impossible to do.
  • Elbow srikes which Couture can use were banned in Pride.
  • Brock Lesnar couldn't hold Couture down.

P.S. Lesnar is next.

MMAstaredown.com ]]> yehia http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=301 The UFC cannot put Bruce Buffer on network TV http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=300 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:23:33 GMT This guy is a clown. Like his brother he thinks he is the show and any non fanatical UFC fan will laugh at him and the product he represents. Bring him out behind the barn and shoot him. Please Dana This guy is a clown. Like his brother he thinks he is the show and any non fanatical UFC fan will laugh at him and the product he represents. Bring him out behind the barn and shoot him. Please Dana ]]> GrabthemCakes http://www.mmaforum.com/blog.php?b=300