Cool article from my student Kevin about my gym Precision MMA
http://mygenerallyfunnyblog.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/wappingers-falls-mma/
Golden Gloves!
It’s that time again, the birds are chirping and bees are buzzing, but it’s boxing that’s in the air for Precision MMA. Two of my Poughkeepsie pugilists are headed to the third round of the New York State Golden Gloves. Dan “T-1000” Power and Paul “The Small” Maley have been tearing it up inside the squared circle and are looking to bring home that title. Although these guys are still amateurs they work harder than most professional fighters, I can’t wait to seeall their hard work pay off!
Get Excited!
A new study suggests that re-framing nervous energy energy into excitement can actually improve performance. I’ve been one to try and calm myself before stressful events, but this research suggests that the opposite may actually be more beneficial.
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-12-anxiety-calm.html
“people should try to focus on the potential opportunities. It really does pay to be positive, and people should say they are excited. Even if they don’t believe it”
My old coach (Tampa Gracie) used to always put positive thoughts in my head prior to competition, but I always tried to block the stress of the event out of my mind rather than absorbing it into excitement. I did notice that no matter how much relaxation I attempted I always felt incredibly on edge. Maybe I was setting myself back all along.
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Success in martial arts
Check out this article
Precision MMA at UFC 168 – It’s Miller Time
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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I first met Jim and Dan Miller – it was around 2005 at “Planet Jiu-jitsu” (the name of the gym where the Miller’s began their training). Planet was an affiliate of my coach Rob Kahn and he brought me along to roll with these two blue belts everyone was talking about. I knew they both were standout wrestlers, but knowing these prodigies hadn’t been training very long I didn’t expect much. Despite their limited mat time Jim and Dan gave me all I could handle – the only reason I was able to come out on top at all was because I used submissions they hadn’t seen yet. Afterwards we all went out to eat and they told me how they were training for their first MMA fights in a few weeks. I immediately knew they would quickly be making a name for themselves.
Eventually Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella started asking me to work with him. He took to my teaching well and began singing my praises enough that a few other fighters started trying me on for size – eventually I wound up working with the Millers. Jim and Dan are special athletes. For most people, they’ll learn a new move or concept and it will take a serious amount of repetition along with trial and error before they make it their own. With the Millers, I could show them a technique on Monday and they’d tap me out with it by Wednesday. Jim and Dan are submission hunters, we used to joke that they had a “submission before position” style of fighting. This sort of approach has earned them more than a few bonus checks and some amazing highlight reel finishes, but from time to time it could backfire.
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In Jim’s bouts against Joe Lauzon and Pat Healy he went full seek and destroy mode right out the gate. He left Lauzon covered in blood and had Healy nearly unconscious at the end of the first round. However, as the fights played out both turned into back and forth wars – while the FOTN bonus checks were nice it was becoming apparent that a more tactical approach might result in a longer and more fruitful career. Going into this fight camp all coaches were in agreement about being efficient and calculating; hitting single and doubles rather than constantly swinging for the fences. The ground attack for based around safety first, making sure to avoid unnecessary damage and allowing the opponent to give us the opening rather than forcing it. Jim’s opponent Fabricio Camoes was a 3rd degree BJJ black belt so we had our work cut out for us.
This was my first time cornering a fight in Vegas. I didn’t realize how intense the fight fans were. Jim was a full-fledged celebrity, every step he took he was shaking hands, signing autographs or kissing babies. More people knew Jim here than if he was at his high school reunion. The interesting thing I noticed though was how short the fan’s memories were. After leaving a fighter meeting I walked ahead while Jim was meeting with fans. Standing next to me the entire time was former world champion Mike Brown. To me Brown is an MMA legend; he finished Urijah Faber when many thought he was untouchable. Before Jose Aldo came along he had won 10 straight and was a two time defending WEC champion. Still and active fighter, he had won 2 of his last 3 UFC fights. Yet he walked through the crowded sea of fans without recognition. I came to realize that MMA is very much about “what have you done lately”.
Team Miller passed the time telling stories about youthful hijinks, gardening and brewing strategies and the many misadventures of their precocious children. Aside from briefly discussing strategy you’d have no idea we would be entering a fist fight on pay per view.
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I’m generally very nervous before fights. Regardless of how prepared a fighter happens to be I can’t keep my mind from running through doomsday scenarios. I generally try to conceal my uncertainty through a combination of binge eating and bad jokes. For this fight I felt abnormally at ease. I was certain Jim would be successful and his confident disposition calmed my normally alert nerves. However, for a moment all that changed. While at weigh-ins I saw Royler Gracie stroll by and thought to myself, “I wonder who he’s cornering”. Then I remembered that he was there for Camoes, Jim’s opponent. I had a sudden bout of self-doubt. I grew up on legends of the Gracie family. When I was 16 you could have convinced me that Helio and his sons hung the moon. I remember Royler was hand-picked to corner Rickson in Japan years before I even knew how to spell jiu-jitsu. I thought he had likely forgotten more than I’d ever know about jiu-jitsu. However, for the past two months I was tasked with devising a jiu-jitsu strategy that would overwhelm Royler’s top fighter. My dormant neurosis was now alive and well. I reminded myself that it was Jim vs Camoes, not Brian vs Royler and tried my best to focus on the task at hand.
This fight camp there was a new approach. Jim took a more analytical approach to his preparation and really put himself under the microscope. He realized that while he had elite technique and conditioning, he would occasionally get himself into hot water by being overly aggressive. Trying to KO his opponent with every strike earned him some hefty bonuses, but may have cost him some key victories as well. Patience and relaxation were the theme of this fight camp. Attack when the moment is right rather than forcing the issue. Warming up Jim looked fluid and focused. When the first note of “Long Cool Woman” filled the arena Jim marched towards the octagon with unshakable composure.
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The bell sounded and Camoes rushed towards Jim. While our approach was slow and steady, Camoes was in seek and destroy mode. The first few exchanges saw Camoes landing hard strikes that were starting to find their mark. He was loading up on hooks and head kicks, trying to end the bout quickly. This was not what we expected. A wrestling and jiu-jitsu attack was what we assumed Camoes, a third degree BJJ black belt, would bring to the table. This straight ahead striking attack took us by surprise. Jim shifted gears and looked for the takedown, which presented itself when Camoes attempted a high kick. Immediately Camoes attempted to spring back to his feet and in the process exposed his back. Jim got a little overanxious and slid off the back though, ending up on the bottom in guard. Instantly, he began breaking Camoes’ posture in order to control the distance and limit any strikes. I called out for him to swim his arm to the mat. Jim responded, but Camoes countered and kept his arm on the torso. Jim cleared the head and immediately swung into the armbar. He clamped his legs into position and synched a tight grip across the wrist while hooking the leg to prevent a slam. Then he waited. Rather than forcing the issue he was biding his time and waiting for the ideal opportunity. Camoes for a moment pulled his weight back; Jim now had his opportunity and powerfully arched his hips. Dan saw Camoes wince in pain and instructed his brother to give it everything he had. Jim obliged him and Camoes was forced to submit.
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Immediate exaltation spread throughout our corner. A first round submission without taking serious damage, by all accounts a near perfect performance. Camoes stormed off, punching the cage in anger. In that moment I felt for him. He had obviously made substantial improvements for this fight. He had hoped to put the new and improved Fabricio Camoes on display and for a few moments looked like he might enjoy his day in the sunshine. However, MMA is a winner-take-all system and despite his diligence he would suffer the slings and arrows of defeat. Following his cathartic fence stomping Camoes shook Jim’s hand.
-During his post-fight interview Jim surprised me. It isn’t often that a fighter gets a captive audience, victory speeches are often opportunities to bolster their accomplishment, proclaim their title worthiness, or call out rival fighters. Instead when Joe Rogan asked Jim about his victory he took his moment to tell the world that I was a quality trainer, a truly selfless act that reminded me that every long drive to New Jersey was well worth the trip.
Looking for elite mixed martial arts, boxing or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near Poughkeepsie, NY? Check out Precision MMA for 30 Days Free visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com or call 845-392-8495
845-392-8495 to get started
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Apartment kicking practice
An unfortunate reality of life in the Hudson Valley is snow…lots and lots of snow. Today I was supposed to have a great day of teaching and training BJJ and Boxing, but instead I was stuck inside all day. Rather than simply rearranging my socks, I decided to get a workout out in. I’ve never been a big fan of exercising for the sake of exercising so I try and incorporate practical martial arts skills into my workouts whenever possible.
Today I worked on my flexibility and kicking, by throwing round and hook kicks over the computer chair in my apartment. After a few rounds I figured I’d make a short video so you too could have fun on your snow day – Enjoy!
Slipping and sliding
There is nothing better than making someone miss when they’re trying to take your head off. The ultimate statement of self defense skill is evading an incoming bomb. When I watch boxing it isn’t the knockout that wows me, it’s slick head movement.
GSP Impression
If GSP does indeed call it quits I will miss his wonderful accent
Brought to you by Tampa martial arts coach Matt Arroyo
Ultimate Amateur Hour – Could TUF’s Debacle Improve The UFC?
The Ultimate Fighter has become the UFC’s farm system for finding top undiscovered talent for mixed martial arts. The reality show has produced multiple world champions and countless contenders over it tenure on the air. The tournament format of the show is grueling. Three fights in a 6 week period while completely cut off from friends, family and the support structure that usually guides a fighter through troubled waters. Fighters must compete through injuries and literally live side by side with the very people training to knock them out. They are robbed of their privacy and all their eccentricities are broadcast worldwide for public scrutiny. Fighters who persevere to the finale possess an extraordinary amount of mental and physical fortitude; steadfast discipline and devotion to their craft make them the benchmark for aspiring combatants across the globe. However, juxtaposed alongside these marvels of martial excellence is a motley crew of self sabotaging underachievers with a surplus of hubris and a deficit of commitment. These self-proclaimed “professional fighters” forgo hard work and dedication in favor of binge drinking, street fighting, fraternity styled pranks and gluttonous overeating.
Aside from perhaps quitting on the stool, the most visible external sign of a fighter’s lack of heart is failure to make weight – a behavior that has plagued The Ultimate Fighter since its inception (I briefly discussed my first hand experience with a TUF cast member falling short on the scales HERE). Making weight on the show is much more difficult than other fights mainly due to the fact that the weight cuts are so frequent. Often times the fighters who do best on the show are those who compete above their natural fighting weight. Joe Stevenson, Mac Danzig and Kevin Gastelum are prime examples of this phenomenon. Mitigating circumstances aside, all fighters know what they are getting themselves into when they sign on the dotted line. The weight cuts are not a surprise and the fighters have access to the best food money can buy at zero cost for the duration of the show. This season, Cody Bollinger was the first to fall victim to the scale. He suffered embarrassment on the grandest scale and became the recipient of untold amounts of ridicule and disdain. In spite of this public crucifixion, his opponent to be Anthony Gutierrez suffered the same fate. Gutierrez is stable mates with numerous UFC veterans. He has seen how professionals conduct themselves at the highest level. Additionally, his coaches and teammates pointed out the recklessness of his “nutritional regimen”. Gutierrez simply arrogantly assumed he could cut 20 pounds in a week’s time and failed…miserably. David Grant was Gutierrez’s opponent and was the perfect foil, a consummate professional. Rather than enjoying an easy route to the finals, Grant was devastated that he earned his spot by forfeit. It was as if he considered his entry to the finals an unjust enrichment. He yearned for the crucible of competition and felt betrayed that he was denied his opportunity to demonstrate his worth. I actually believe he would rather have fought and lost than receive advancement via weight cut.
This turn of events holds many consequences for the sport. On the one hand, it plays to the sport’s critics by portraying the athletes as amateurish, weak minded children who can’t fulfill the most pedestrian of obligations. The title of “Ultimate Fighter” is forever weakened as the public now realizes that simply being on weight is enough to secure a spot in the finals.
The UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts should take this occurrence as an opportunity for some self assessment. Fighters routinely miss weight. There is one astronomical difference between a fighter missing weight on TUF as opposed to a regular UFC event – the fight doesn’t occur. There is no negotiation, no financial compensation to make up for the infraction, the penalty for missing weight is simple; you are not entitled to compete. At almost every UFC event someone misses weight. John Lineker has missed the mark a staggering three times yet for some reason he is still allowed to compete in the same division. Weight classes are in place to create a level playing field, to ensure that skill, athleticism and determination determine the victor rather than simply size. Violating weight class restrictions is the most blatant form of cheating. You don’t miss weight in the heat of the moment. There was no moment of confusion or anger that made you forget the weight class you signed up for. The competitor was aware of the rules and blatantly disregarded them. Allowing a bout to continue by simply instituting a financial penalty would be equivalent to allowing a fighter to openly take steroids if they sacrificed 20% of their purse. If athletic commissions scrapped a fight whenever a fighter missed weight then the UFC would likely cut fighters after their first infraction, or at the very least require them to move up a weight class for future fights. Additionally, if the threat of a fight falling through was real then coaches and promoters alike would check the progress of their fighters on the path to weigh-ins. A fighter competing at 135 pounds should not be 150 the week of the fight. The fighter didn’t mentally quit during the weight cut, they were far too heavy.
If the UFC adopted this model it would result in short term chaos followed by long term improvement. For the first year fights would be called off regularly, but once cuts were doled out fighters would wise up. They would stop trying to drop a weight class after every defeat. They would refrain from taking bouts on 7 days notice. They would stop assuming they could sweat out 20 pounds in a matter of days and instead make sensible weight loss decisions. Sadly, I doubt the UFC will adopt this policy. Instead we will continue to scold the TUF combatants who miss weight and reward the cheaters in the UFC who do the same.
Want to train with an Ultimate Fighter Veteran? Check out Tampa Gracie specializing in BJJ Tampa and Kids Martial Arts Tampa