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Home» martial arts (Page 2)

The Game Theory of Palhares…or lack there of

Posted on October 10, 2013 by fighter in martial arts

paul harris

When looking at the fight antics of Rousimar Palhares it’s quite easy to arrive at the conclusion that he is just a mentally unstable sadist.  Many think he simply wants to hurt people based on his ADCC and MMA habit of having a “delayed reaction” when releasing submissions (especially heel hooks).  Sure, it is possible that the guy is just an evil grappler Hell bent on destroying the lives of all that oppose him.  However, I strongly believe there are two alternate hypotheses which warrant investigation.

#1 – Holding submissions makes future victories easier

Professional MMA is a dangerous profession.  Surgeries, stitches and concussions are unfortunate occupational hazards in mixed martial arts.  When a fighter earns a living fighting winning is not their only concern, staying healthy enough to continue fighting enters the equation as well.  When Palhares and others hold submissions fighters in the division take notice.  Now if a choke is held too long and a fighter passes out, as with Babalu vs David Heath, the repercussions are minimal.  However, moments of extra torque on a heel hook can mean a torn ACL or worse. Requiring reconstructive surgery and possibly the  end of a fighter’s career. 

In MMA fighters generally wait until the last possible moment to tap.  The combination of adrenaline and financial incentive makes fighters hold off on tapping for as long as possible.  This makes earning a submission victory in MMA much more difficult than in training.  Tapping is the emergency shut off valve, the safety word, the thing that keeps them in one piece.  Fighters will push the envelope, but once it’s time to tap they rely on their opponent abiding by the rules and immediately releasing the hold. 

In the case of Palhares, fighters KNOW he won’t release the hold.  If they choose to push the envelope the risk is not worth the reward.  As a result the second a submission is applied they tap, even if there was a chance they could have escaped…a chance they might be willing to take against a more sportsmanlike opponent.  Palhares could send the message to his future opponents – tap early, tap often…or else. 

Submissions in the UFC don’t simply mean a “W”, they often times result in big time payouts.  Palhares took home 65K when he hit a heel hook on Mike Massenzio.  Massenzio is a fighter who has had major knee surgery in the past.  He may have thought to himself, “If he gets my leg I can’t take the risk”.  There is a chance that Palhares’ actions are not motivated by malice alone, but as a calculated act of Machiavellian self -interest.  

If this theory is correct, then it just hit a speed bump. The UFC took away Palhares’ submission of the night bonus, costing him tens of thousands of dollars due to unsportsmanlike conduct.  If this was a deliberate action for professional and financial gain, he may be forced to reconsider his tactics.

2 – Palhares is not sadistic, but mentally challenged. After watching footage on Palhares I truly believe he may not know when a fight is over.  In his match with Dan Miller he stopped punching, walked away, and jumped up on the octagon fence in celebration…despite the fact that the bout had not ended.

 

During a restart in his ADCC match with David Avellan he also began celebrating despite the fact that the ref was simply restarting them for rolling off the mat. Again, a premature celebration ensued. 

In other fights Palhares will not simply hold the submission, he will release it only to quickly re-crank it. It is as if he thinks the fight is over, but then quickly reconsiders believing he may have made a mistake.  If he simply wanted to hurt his opponent then why not just continue cranking.  By releasing the hold, he is taking away some of the bone crushing force.  Maybe the ref having the pry him off is the only sure way that Palhares can be certain the fight is over.

 

Rather than going to school as a small child, Palhares did intense child labor in the fields of Brazil and later as a garbage collector.  Working at the age of 7 he may have missed out on much of the necessary development and enrichment, leading him to be less aware of things everyday people see as obvious. I’ve ever heard rumors that he was homeless when he began training BJJ.  In the US we have special education programs and training for people with mental handicaps, if Palhares does suffer from a mental handicap he may not have had the benefit of those resources and as a result he lacks the ability to react properly under the stress of the fight.

Palhares released this tweet following the fight:

Rousimar Palhares ‏@ToquinhoMMA 4h

I never meant to hurt anyone, as a jiu-jitsu fighter I always seek for the submission, but I would never be evil to any athlete.

I always respect the @UFC decisions, but most of most I respect a lot Mike Pierce, so again I never meant to hurt him, just finish the fight

Regardless of the cause of his behavior one thing is certain, it must be rectified.  Hopefully his coaching staff either explains why his devilish behavior is cruel and hurting his career or they help him overcome his handicap and work scenarios so he is prepared to release holds at the proper time.

About the author:

Hudson valley martial arts

Brian McLaughlin is a former professional MMA fighter currently training MMA in Morris County at the AMA Fight Club he also runs a Poughkeepsie MMA Gym Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY.  He holds the rank of Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under BJJ Tampa coach Rob Kahn of Tampa Gracie

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Armbars!

Posted on September 2, 2013 by fighter in martial arts, Poughkeepsie martial arts

Want to hit armlocks like Anthony Pettis?  Click here

Poughkeepsie BJJ

Poughkeepsie BJJ

to learn more cool techniques train with me!

Anthony Pettis armbars, armbars, Poughkeepsie BJJ, Poughkeepsie martial arts, Poughkeepsie MMA, submissions, UFC armbars No Comments Read More

The top kids martial arts classes in LaGrange, NY

Posted on July 19, 2013 by fighter in martial arts

If you live in the Hudson Valley and have a young child you’d like to give the gift of martial arts then be sure to check out my school Precision Mixed Martial Arts in LaGrange, NY.  Precision teaches real world martial arts in a positive, safe and encouraging environment.  More than just martial arts techniques, Precision builds life skills for all it’s young martial artists.

So check out the number 1 kids Hudson Valley martial arts school visit http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com

Hudson Valley Karate, Hudson valley kids martial arts, Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Hudson Valley MMA, martial arts for children No Comments Read More

Triangle Chokes!

Posted on July 11, 2013 by fighter in Hudson Valley MMA, martial arts

Here’s a post I did for BJJ.org where I showed all my favorite triangle chokes

Enjoy!

http://www.bjj.org/hudsonvalleymartialartsgym

\ Hudson Valley martial arts

Brian McLaughlin, Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Hudson Valley MMA, New York, NY, Poughkeepsie martial arts, Precision MMa (LaGrange), Precision MMA LaGrangeville No Comments Read More

Precision students shine at AMA Fight Club Tournament – Hudson Valley martial arts

Posted on July 8, 2013 by fighter in Hudson Valley MMA, martial arts, Poughkeepsie martial arts

A handful of Precision MMA students made the trip from their Hudson Valley martial arts gym in LaGrange, NY down to Whippany, NJ for the American Martial Arts Invitational Tournament.

Hudson Valley martial arts

Hudson Valley martial arts

The tournament was well run and everyone had fun competing amongst friends.  Big victories were earned by Erik Andren, Johnny Miranda, Andrew Colombos and Mike Crawford.  I have mixed feelings about tournament jiu-jitsu.  On the one hand competition has many positive martial arts benefits.  It forces the student to call upon their skills in any unfamiliar environment against an opponent who is offering up 100% resistance.  Often times this will highlight technical mistakes and give the student a more realistic view of how their body will operate under stress.  For many, the stress of competition is the closest to a simulated street fight.  Also, competition can motivate a student to strive for higher achievement and lead to them making positive life changes such as improving their diet, losing weight or simply making martial arts a greater priority.  The thrill of victory can snap people out of their complacency in training and force them to take a more critical look at their practice routines.

Hudson Valley martial arts

Hudson Valley martial arts

However, there are a number of drawbacks to tournament centered jiu-jitsu.  Jiu-jitsu is supposed to be the weak man’s art.  A gentle style that uses yielding and pliancy to overcome strength and power.  Minimum effort for maximum result is the beauty of jiu-jitsu.  In order for someone to properly harness the power of jiu-jitsu they cannot force things on their adversary, but be patient and weight for opportunities.  They must utilize timing to displace their opponent rather than powering through.  However, with an artificial time limit competitors are pushed into forcing things, making things happen rather than allowing them to occur organically.  Also they are made to use as much of their energy and effort as possible rather than conserving and using the minimum necessary to be safe. 

Another drawback is the mindset of tournament jiu-jitsu.  Tournament competitors must train to be bigger, faster and stronger than their opponents.  However, I teach my students to always assume they have an attribute disadvantage.  Do not try to match speed or strength, but rather find the path of least resistance.  The calculating gentle style of jiu-jitsu may result in being placed in inferior position and giving away “points” but it means they will not succumb to fatigue or make a careless mistake.  Real fights could last indefinitely in theory therefore a self defense minded practitioner must conserve.  The Gracie philosophy of not moving faster than your opponent, but exhausting more slowly than them.  This training methodology will not necessarily lead to success in a points based system.  Tournament jiu-jitsu, in my estimation, breeds athletes more so than martial artists.

Finally, the “safety first” mindset of self defense is often lost in the tournament approach.  Students embrace positions in sport settings that would get them in hot water for self defense.  For example, sport guard passers standing bent over leading with their heads is asking to be kicked in the face, however it can be very successful for tournament jiu-jitsu.  Students jumping to their backs rather than looking for a takedown and top position is perfectly fine for tournaments, but disastrous if fighting an opponent on an unforgiving surface in real life.

In a way my musings about competition centered training is hypocritical since I was an avid competitor for a considerable amount of time and my competition accolades are often what draws people to my schools.  However, I never forget that the reason I started training martial arts was to defend myself when I was a weak and frightened teenager.  I looked to jiu-jistu because I was certain it could allow me to survive an attack against someone bigger, faster and stronger and that power is worth more than any tournament medal.

Hudson Valley MMA

Hudson Valley Martial arts

Interested in training Hudson Valley martial arts?  Check out Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY call 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com

Hudson Valley martial arts

Hudson Valley BJJ, Hudson Valley jiu-jitsu, Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Hudson Valley MMA, LaGrange jiu-jitsu, LaGrange martial arts, LaGrange MMA No Comments Read More

Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Spider Guard Bicep Lock

Posted on June 29, 2013 by fighter in Hudson Valley MMA, martial arts

Check out the latest from www.learntograpple.com the best source for Hudson Valley martial arts techniques

Want to train Hudson Valley martial arts for 30 Days Free check out http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com or call 845-392-8495

Hudson Valley MMA

Hudson Valley Martial arts

Hudson Valley BJJ, Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Hudson Valley Mixed Martial Arts, Hudson Valley MMA, Poughkeepsie martial arts No Comments Read More

Precision MMA Students Travel to Compete

Posted on June 29, 2013 by fighter in Hudson Valley MMA, martial arts

Hudson Valley martial arts competitors will invade Whippany New Jersey for the AMA Invitational Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament tomorrow.  Garden State bragging rites are on the line!

Hudson Valley martial arts

Hudson Valley martial arts

Poughkeepsie MMA

Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Hudson Valley MMA, Poughkeepsie MMA No Comments Read More

Flower Sweep – Hudson Valley Martial Arts

Posted on June 19, 2013 by fighter in Hudson Valley MMA, martial arts

My favorite sweep of all time is the flower sweep.  Regardless of what genre you are dealing with – gi, no-gi or MMA, the flower sweep is a must know

Hudson Valley martial arts

Hudson Valley MMA

Hudson Valley Martial arts

Hudson Valley BJJ, Hudson Valley brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Hudson Valley grappling, Hudson Valley jiu-jitsu, Hudson Valley Martial Arts, Hudson Valley MMA No Comments Read More
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