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The combative art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a deep and complex fighting system that spawned the, now legendary, Vale Tudo matches in Brazil. The phrase Vale Tudo literally translated from the Portuguese means “everything is valid” or as you may know it ‘No Holds Barred’. This particular form of competition was the forerunner for what is now termed Mixed Martial Arts or Cagefighting as popularised by the Ultimate Fighting Championships held in the USA since 1993.
The idea was simple; the Jiu Jitsu practitioner would fight any other style of martial art to prove the efficiency of their system in a match that had few rules and no time limits. The vastness of this ever evolving martial art is such that there has only ever been 20 British born black belts so far, now meet #21 our very own Darren Currie.
So you just got your black belt, how does it feel?
It feels kind of strange to be honest; the belt feels ‘heavy’ as they say but I’m growing into it.
When I first started training you were lucky getting to train with a black belt at all, the prospect of home grown UK black belts was a long way off. The only time I got to train with a black belt was when there was a seminar with someone who had travelled in specifically from Brazil or USA. I guess we are indebted to these guys for doing what they did and laying a foundation for the UK scene to be built allowing the level of home grown Jiu Jitsu to flourish to the point that we have our own black belts now. We have really come a long way in 10 years or so.
It is also a privilege to be part of the 1st generation of UK Jiu Jitsu instructors, there are some very talented people passing on our art to the next generation but I guess that is our responsibility to keep the art flowing and passing it down teaching others as we ourselves were taught.
Does it change things at all?
Yes I think it does change things, with greater reward comes greater responsibility. I have black belts in other martial arts but the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt feels like there is more responsibility with it. Maybe because there are not that many of us in the UK compared to something like Taekwondo for example, I trained Taekwondo for about 10 years and saw some really good black belts and some pretty poor black belts too whereas I have NEVER seen a poor Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.
I would also say that being a black belt brings a much higher level of expectation, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts across the board will strive to meet this high level whereas, in my experience, some black belts from other arts fall a little short.
Again maybe because there are a relatively small amount of black belts in the country that the expectation from them is so high providing some extra motivation to keep improving all the time, not just in your own personal training but also in the coaching and just as you are as a person.
I also think that there are some brown belts in this country that are black belt standard and have just not yet been promoted for whatever reason. We are at a stage where there are quite a few of us who have trained 10+ years so I would imagine more black belts will be imminent.
How did it come about and what did you have to do for it?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very informal compared to the majority of martial arts so there is no pomp and ceremony to my promotion. I was grappling some big guy who pulled up my gi top, my coach ran over and whipped me across the back with a belt, threw the belt to me and said ‘congratulations, you’re a black belt now’ then just went back to training.
What did I have to do for it? Quite simple, I had to dedicate myself to training for about 14 or 15 years, make a lot of sacrifices, competed to test myself under pressure, taught to help spread the art and travelled to get some instruction/practice with some top guys. Reduced my hours at work to enable me to train more for the last 3 years and spend countless amounts of money to travel to train abroad a bunch of times.
My friend Simon Hayes, himself a black belt & instructor with the Carlson Gracie Revolution Team, sent me a message when I just got promoted that included “Many years of dedication, time, patience and injuries have been duly recognised”.
This sums it up for me perfectly
I believe your wife is a black belt too, how is it being a black belt couple?
I guess it’s pretty good most of the time; we wear matching outfits for training.
It’s good always having an experienced partner to bounce ideas off and work on new stuff with before we introduce it into the classes. She doesn’t moan at me taking over the TV for hours to watch fight footage because she would rather watch that with me than some crap reality show instead.
She has been a black belt for a couple of years now, the first and only female black belt in the UK, there only being one other female black belt in Europe I believe. She is pretty awesome.
It’s a pity that she got a competition career ending injury (sacral iliac joint) because I’m sure that she could have been world champion. Watching her spar with some of the world’s best was amazing.
On top of that she is 50kg and will train with anyone; the closest guy in weight at our gym is still 68/70kg that is a massive +40% body weight difference. Imagine if everyone in the gym was way stronger than you and everyone outweighed you by at least 40% of your bodyweight, how would you do every session.
She exemplifies Jiu Jitsu, the smaller guy beating the bigger guy and that is why she is a black belt!!
Whilst all this sounds awesome and most guys think it is great that your wife would train with you so you don’t get grief for being at the gym all the time, there is a downside. Imagine if you argue with your wife who doesn’t train, you escape to the gym for a couple of hours for some “rolling Zen” and forget about her. I don’t have that luxury!!
In what way does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu differ from other martial arts?
It differs from most other martial arts because of the training methodology but it is not unique, it shares this kind of training with other ‘alive’ arts and combat sports such as Judo and Sombo to name but a few. This is why I believe that these 2 examples make perfect add-ons to your Jiu Jitsu base.
With an awful lot of other martial arts there is usually one person doing something and their partner being compliant so the thing they are trying ‘works’.
With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, more often that not, you have resistance. You start off trying to apply your technique on a partner offering some resistance then the better you get at applying the technique the more resistance you get in return until you can work the technique correctly against 100% resistance.
Another thing is about belt promotions. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all based on performance, if you can do it then you are good enough, most other martial arts just have a syllabus that you have to complete which usually involves some kind of kata or pre-determined moves then you can get your next belt. I went from being an absolute beginner in martial arts to black belt in Taekwondo in 3 years with no prior experience; it took me longer than that to get my first belt in Jiu Jitsu.
Have you competed at all? Who was your toughest opponent?
Yes I have competed in every different style I have done. I think it is crucial to try competition even if it is only once just for the experience of the pressure and having to perform efficiently under stressful situations.
Competing has many benefits but one of the main things for me is that it helps you to overcome yourself. To hear the voice inside your head telling you that you will lose, you will be embarrassed and everyone on the internet will think you are no good, then over-ride that and still compete anyway regardless of the outcome, that’s the healthy way. Whether you win or lose the sporting contest has no real world consequence and changes nothing, when you wake up the morning after, you are still you, you just hurt less if you won ;0)
Competition helps you overcome that fear because as long as you try then you never really lose.
I love this quote from Rafael Mendes, one of the best BJJ competitors around at the moment “You learn more from defeat than from victory because winning makes you celebrate and think the mistakes you made were not enough to harm you. Now in defeat you analyze every second and it makes you reflect more".
Everything is Jiu Jitsu is always a lesson learned.
I tell my students to try competition and have these 4 rules for competing;
I fought some very tough opponents and even though it’s obvious and maybe even a little clichéd but my toughest opponent was always my wife............just kidding, the toughest opponent is always yourself for reasons including but not limited to the reasons as above.
Any time I got worried about the small stuff I would read Man In The Arena etc, the most inspirational quote I ever read.
You have your own gym?
Yes, we are based in Pontefract in West Yorkshire but we also have other gyms affiliated to us for Jiu Jitsu although that wasn’t always the case.
When we first started the gym it was purely through necessity, we needed somewhere to train and people to train with so we had to form our own team and take it from there. I had no intention of becoming a coach again but that’s how it worked out.
There was only me and my wife so someone had to be the coach, I lost the rock, paper, scissors so I became coach.
The building itself is pretty basic and not what you would imagine of a gym, certainly nothing like the purpose built martial arts gyms that are available now. I call it a gym rather than an academy, school, dojo or something else more martial arts related because it’s where people train hard in an athletic activity. I have been to martial arts schools where there has been no energy, no sweat flying, no anything yet they still call it training. That’s not my idea of training.
Even though it is a very modest little place we have still produced some excellent competitors, with people training at the gym for everything from local tournaments right up to European and World Championships as well as the guys that we have fighting Mixed Martial Arts too.
Which role do you prefer competitor or coach?
I was kind of forced into the role of coach that I grew into so that is the role I prefer, I guess it’s what you get used to.
The feeling that you get from seeing someone who came in to train with no prior athletic training, was overweight, no confidence or anything become a competitive athlete, to see them improve their lives, improve their confidence and grow.
This has happened so many times but the feeling is always awesome. Helping people goes way beyond the feeling I get from personal achievement. Seeing my wife get her black belt and knowing that I had helped her and coached her all the way was more satisfying than getting my own.
One of my favourite students was Gloria. She turned up training one day, a woman with no confidence, no self worth and the victim of domestic violence when her bouncer boyfriend had too much to drink. I worked some stuff exclusively to prepare her for the day in which she would stand her ground. That day came after around 6 months of regular training. He came home after a few beers, one thing led to another and he went to pin her against the wall, she deflected his force, kneed him in the balls then dropped him to his knees by a right hook to his jaw. As he looked up in disbelief she smashed him in the head with a vase and knocked him out. When he came around, she drove him to A&E to get stitches, after which he treated her with much more respect.
Isn’t attitude adjustment awesome?
Saying this I looked into doing the Europeans in Portugal this year but was going to be too damn expensive. Was going to cost around the same money for me and Helen to go for a couple of days as it would to fly to LA for a week and stay at our coach’s house, train every day, go to the beach every day and get some sun. Not much of a choice for me.
How do you view training as a ‘senior’ athlete?
For me personally the keys are quality training, rest and recovery, this has been at any point in my martial arts career but especially as a senior.
I started working full time again at the beginning of this year and so far had not had much of an injury, a few strains but not real injury and feel that I have improved, I guess by getting the recent promotion, this is validated. Last year when I was training everyday, I seemed to always be carrying an injury so I was getting more training time but less quality.
What I will do now is get quality, intense training time with our team. Gone are the days of training all day, now it’s 2 hours short, sharp, shock. Get the work done then get the hell out of there. I have a great bunch of guys to train with no matter what we are doing - gi, no gi, Judo, MMA, whatever it is they are pushing me all the time.
Immediately after training I get my Aminoload advanced drink to get my recovery started immediately. After the drink I stretch a little to try to dispel the lactic acid build up. Whenever I get chance I will use the foam roller (self myofacial massage) to iron the muscles out again but more often than not I will pester my wife for a massage. She is a qualified masseuse currently studying sports massage so I am her guinea pig anyway but if you are an athlete and you don’t get massaged then you are really missing out.
If I am hurting I will use heat/cold treatment if I have to but really dislike this, it’s just necessary sometimes.
Correct nutritional is crucial pre and post workout to achieve your maximum potential.
I try to get in the occasional session of weight training, just a little strength training to help support my joints. I had a lot of trouble with my knee last year, I had a MCL partial tear with some bursitis and some tissue damage so after missing 4 weeks of training, have been doing some superslow leg extensions and leg curls to take care of that for the future
I have an exceptional personal trainer named Gaz Vause, anything I need to know he is the man to ask. I try and get some sessions in with Gaz whenever I can, I am trying to persuade him to write for our website to share his talent with the world so keep an eye out www.combatsport.co.uk
If you want to be a competitive athlete as a senior then Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is perfect for you, they have divisions for age and weight. Between 35 and 40 years old you are considered Senior 1, 40 to 45 years Senior 2, 45 to 50 years Senior 3 and so on. You can just keep competing forever.
We have some great senior competitors in the UK, guys who have won gold medals at the International Master and Seniors tournament held in Brazil each year, guys like Dave Coles and Nick Brooks to name but a few who have won world titles despite being over the dreaded 40.
My own coach, Chris Haueter, just won his division at the Pan Ams in the USA and he is a little older than I am. My good friend Leo Kirby won his weight group and the open weight too at the Pan Ams and he is a little older than Chris.
In conclusion, train smart and you can continue while ever you have your health.
Where do you get your inspiration/motivation to train?
Inspiration comes in many forms; it could be watching my wife beating way bigger guys showing exactly what Jiu Jitsu should be like.
It could be watching my coach and the way he lives and breathes Jiu Jitsu, so excited about training all the time.
Seeing my friend Leo still winning titles at 46 years of age.
Knowing that I am helping people to improve the athletic ability, confidence and lives in general of my students, knowing they will benefit the way I did.
Watching my students applying things that I have taught them, helping them win matches and win titles. That inspires me to train harder to try to stay ahead of these guys so I can continue to help.
Just came back from Barcelona watching the ADCC World Submission Fighting Championships, seeing the absolute best in the world and knowing that my journey has barely started, there will always be something new to learn, it really is a life long journey.
My motivation to train is my desire to improve my own performance, to improve my ability to coach and getting a good work out. I can’t stand running, don’t like lifting weights that much and don’t want to join a fitness gym, so Jiu Jitsu is my work out too.
The extra pressure now of being a black belt gives me the motivation to train as no one wants to be a ‘weak’ belt, like I said earlier there is a certain level of expectancy with the belt so I have to hit at least that minimum criteria.
How can people get to train with you?
Email me at combatbase@hotmail.com to let me know what you are looking for and we’ll work something out from there. We have other Combat Base affiliated gyms too.
What next for you, any ambitions left?
I am not really an ambitious person, I don’t tend to look too far ahead, I don’t want to miss what is happening now for something that might not even happen in the future.
I’d like to bring through some more coaches so I have someone to leave my legacy to, keep expanding the Combat Base group with the right people.
Keep helping my students improve and watch them grow.
If I stay healthy I’ll probably do a major competition as a black belt, maybe in USA, which would be cool. Keep travelling and training, great way to meet new people and pick up new ideas.
I guess I just want to keep doing what I am doing, only better.
Jittis Gym, Bangkok – the Fighting Photographer drops in for a taste of authentic Thai training.
Way, way back in the early days of my martial arts training, when I had just started in Karate, I read an article in a martial arts magazine, about a guy who travelled to Bangkok and trained at Jittis Gym. After reading the article, I wrote a letter to Jittis Gym, asking about the training and was very surprised to receive a reply and an open invitation from Jitti to train at the gym.
I wrote that letter almost twenty years ago and I still have Jitti’s return letter and finally after all these years, I managed to honour Jitti’s kind invitation and took part in an afternoon class. I was over in Thailand on a six weeks training vacation and for the first week, I was training at Bangkok BJJ with black belt Adam Kayoom; Adam was busy preparing for a Thai fight in Bangkok and was already training at the gym, so I made my way with Adam and took my first real Muay Thai class.
The journey to the gym was an adventure in itself, as we took a scooter taxi to the train station, weaving in and out of the heavy traffic on the Suhkumvit Road, before getting off and catching the underground to Ratchadapisek station. A five minute walk from the station brings you to Jittis Gym, a very non descript back street indeed, nothing like I envisioned it to be.
To be fair, the place should be called Jittis Outdoor Thai Boxing Gym, as that was the general lay out of the place, everything is covered by a tin roof; there is a small kitchen and eating area, dorms for the fighters and then the gym itself. Walking in to the gym, on the left is the boxing ring and warm up area, to the right a matted area and a small weights section and that’s your lot. Being at the nucleus of Thai boxing, you do not get more authentic than this and all over the walls, fight posters and pictures of stadium champions jostled with UFC and Pride posters and I spotted a Caged Steel poster on the wall too.
First things first, the warm up; even though the weather was stiflingly hot, I was handed a heavy set of tube skipping ropes and started to warm up and dispense almost fifty per cent of my body weight in sweat onto the mats. Hydration is paramount when training in Thailand, the last thing you need is the cramps or even worse, passing out from dehydration.
As the saying goes, ‘it’s a small world’ and it was certainly the case for me at the gym, as I bumped into a few guys from the UK, Darren O’ Connor from Liverpool and Jamie Lee, who trains with Ozzy Haluk at Manchester Ground and Pound. Both fighters had recently fought at the stadiums in Bangkok and were on light training for the afternoon.
Shadow boxing followed the ropes, with plenty of sit ups and leg raises and other conditioning exercises and then I was summoned in to the ring by one of the trainers; not being one of the most skilful of strikers, I was pretty nervous not to make a complete fool of myself, but after a minute with the pad man, I was made to feel like a seasoned pro. They shouted out punching combos, always finishing with a kick, followed by elbow and knee combos and then mixing everything up in the last minute, bringing to an end a five minute round. Walking back to the corner, another trainer was at hand to pour ice-cold water over your head and give you a quick massage and stretch and then it was back in the ring for another five minute round.
In total, I managed eight rounds and was ready to collapse and die in the ring, but the session was far from over; climbing out of the ring, I went onto the other mats and went through half a dozen rounds of shadow boxing and twenty minutes clinch work, before completing another six rounds on the focus mitts with another trainer, once again hitting the pads like a pro, thanks to their skills.
More conditioning followed and finally the session was at an end and twenty minutes of stretching and massaging ended the session and when I looked at the clock, three and half hours had passed in the blink of an eye and another box ticked off from my Bucket List.
I can honestly say I have never ever sweated as much in my entire life in a training session like I did that afternoon in Bangkok and I had another six weeks of training like this to look forward to, both in Bangkok and Phuket. The Thai trainers are unbelievable in their skills on the pads, even more so in making me look like a Lumpini veteran in less than five minutes; I learned so much in such a short a space of time from the trainers, all their tips and advice coming with a large friendly smile.
I was in the homeland of Thai Boxing training and felt privileged and honoured to take part and experience a training session alongside pro fighters who were all hard at it preparing for upcoming fights at the stadiums; I even met Jitti and explained to him about me sending the letter to him many years and he flashed a big wide smile and shook my hand said I was very welcome to come and train there again.
Wringing out my training shorts and t shirt, I headed back to the train station with Adam and went back to the hotel, via the underground and Sky Train, looking forward to a nice meal of noodles and chicken before joining in the BJJ session later in the evening. BJJ and MMA in the Far East is gaining fast in popularity and when you have the best Thai Boxing gyms in the world to hone your skills and compliment your MMA arsenal, you’re well on your way to becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Jittis Gym – 12 Ratchadapisek Soi 19, Dindang, Huay-Kwang, Bangkok, 10320
One off drop in training fee – 400 Baht (less than £10 sterling).
Interview with Helen Currie from Kombat Clinic
KombatClinic.com: Helen, thank you for taking time out to do this interview for KombatClinic.com for those of our readers that do not know anything about you or your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu career can we start with a little background to you, your martial arts and how you found yourself practicing BJJ?
Helen Currie: I started training Taekwondo initially when my son started, I just thought as I was there I might as well join in and whilst I enjoyed it at the time, I realised that there was a lot of things that needed to be addressed, what if I was grabbed? What if I ended on the ground? So I competed for a while, got my black belt then moved on. I ended up training in Darren’s (Helen’s husband)Taekwondo class, which was different from the other class that I started at; he had (unofficially) integrated some kickboxing and Thai techniques into the class along with some Hapkido that he was working at the time, which made the class much more rounded. However, after class we used to have open session for about 6 of the guys where we taught ourselves grappling from watching some instructional tapes, the likes of Renzo (Gracie), Kazeka Muniz and others. So were rolling even at that early stage and although it can’t have been technically very good, it was excellent training.
The downside? At that point we didn’t have mats so had to use a big carpet rolled out onto a solid wood floor and train on that even the takedowns. Then we met Ross Iannacarro who was a really nice guy so we trained in the NJJKC competition format, which was awesome because it allowed everything that we had trained separately to be trained together. Really enjoyed this training and the competitions, won some titles, which validated our training methods and shows that we were on the right track. So already having some standing skills and some groundwork I needed better takedown skills so I headed to Judo, got to top brown belt, had some tough matches and eventually got injured quite bad which just about put an end to my competitive career. Then one day completely out of the blue, we get a phone call from Andy Norman of Keysi Fighting Method saying he had been training BJJ in the States and met some guy called Chris Haueter who was going to come over and do a seminar, were we interested? And I guess the rest is history.
KC: Cool, I understand that between you and your husband, Darren, you run the ‘Combat Base Academy’ in Pontefract, W Yorkshire. Would you care to tell us a little about this, the ethos behind the academy and what people can expect from a session at Combat Base?
HC: The Combat Base philosophy is quite simple, we are a team and we all strive to help each other improve in all areas. Anyone who doesn’t share this doesn’t stick around. Our students are our friends, we are equally comfortable training with them at the gym, going out for a meal together or all crashing round at Mark’s to watch the UFC. What to expect? Hard work, there’s no substitute for that, not only training hard but training smart. Our classes are always conducted in a friendly atmosphere. Get the work done, no messing around then just hang out together. It really is a great way to promote the team aspect. Darren says the gym ethos is “The Man In The Arena” (Ed. note: ”The Man in the Arena” is the title of a speech given by former US president T. Roosevelt at the Sorbonne in Paris, on April 23, 1910. It was subsequently re-printed in his book Citizenship in a Republic. It has been made famous most recently due a segment in the Renzo Gracie ‘Legacy’ movie where Renzo uses a transcript for his inspration) although I think he means woman. He put the full quote on the front page of our web site and uses it as a motivational tool with all the guys that want to compete.
KC: And is the academy pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or do you have a curriculum based around your own eclectic mix of fighting arts?
HC: For seniors, just BJJ really, some Judo, some wrestling which could be argued that is part of the BJJ syllabus anyway. [Chris] Haueter wrestled in USA anyway so always worked standing & clinch with us. Chris coming from the Machado’s too was exposed to all the stuff they were up to, the wrestling, Judo, Sombo, no Gi etc so passed that mentality on too. Testament to this is that some of our students have medalled in big BJJ tournaments, Judo tournaments, Sombo National Championships, multi style grappling competitions, both Gi and no Gi, and MMA.
For the juniors, it is covering all bases: standing, clinch and ground. We like to know that the juniors are as well prepared for most things that they will encounter at school and whilst they are out and about with their friends and peers. They work striking, clinch and takedowns plus groundwork so they should be able to offer offence and defence in all areas.
KC: Speaking of ‘eclectic mixes’ of fighting arts, nowadays there are hundreds of styles of martial arts all over the world and more and more are cropping up as hybrids of styles/arts that already exist, you only have to flick through one of the lower end magazines to see this. Many instructors seem to be jumping on the bandwagon of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – a practice they once labelled a fad. The ‘BJJ police’ have uncovered some rather dubious credentials along the way. In the main, however, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners are pretty lucky due to the apparent genuine attempt by instructors to preserve the sports credentials as an effective fighting art. I know you like to refer to the martial arts as ‘combat athletics’ but could you take a little time to explain to our readers what BJJ means to you personally and in your opinion where it stands in comparison to all other martial arts?
HC: There will always be cowboys in anything that is successful; luckily MMA has taken care of a lot of the charlatans, who wants to wear a Gi when you can go out in your favourite MMA t-shirt that proclaims that you are a cage fighter? The BJJ community is close knit so everyone pretty much knows who everyone else is. Any new team or new club appear and it is clear whether they are legit or not. MMA is a different thing altogether.
Coming to BJJ from a ‘traditional’ background I loved the practicality of it, the honesty of the art. If you try to make out to be something that you are not then you will quickly be found out on the mats. As I have said numerous times before I love the training and coaching methodology, it is not just collect a bunch of techniques that you train theoretically against a non resisting opponent, it is a combat sport to a point but I also think it is a great method of self protection too especially for women. I qualify this by saying not just the techniques of BJJ but the close proximity of a big guy, someone trying to pin you to the floor, the ability for you to think and act under pressure. It is claustrophobic to start with but with a little tenacity it really starts to build you mentally. If you ever need to protect yourself you better be mentally resilient or you are going to be in big trouble.
From a physical stand point Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has movement and energy, there are no predetermined patterns so you learn to be proactive and reactive, fighting from your back, using leverage and movement in place of strength, gives you a better chance I think. If it is against someone my own size I can get the takedown, take top and fight from there.
How does it compare to other martial arts? I guess it depends on what you are looking for; people have different motivation to train. As for me I want to be as good as I can be, to improve my Jiu Jitsu as far as I can. Darren always encouraged people to take part in multistyle grappling tournaments to test our Jiu Jitsu against the other grappling arts, as he said he started BJJ as he thought it was the most efficient art/sport so wanted to keep testing it to make sure it stayed that. That way we were being subject to things outside of our comfort zone and had to adapt.
KC: As a female training BJJ in the United Kingdom back in the early days you would have had literally only a handful of peers doing the same (if any), dotted around the country. Because of this was there any one specific female Jiu Jitsoka that you looked to for inspiration outside of the UK or was it that because of a lack of coverage online and in magazines, inspiration came from the good old VHS like so many others?
HC: I didn’t really know any females when we started so inspiration came really from when we met our coach Chris Haueter and that really inspired me with the things he could do. He was around 150lbs at the time yet he easily handled everyone that he rolled with, seeing a smaller guy beating the bigger guys live was amazing, obviously we had watched UFC from the start with Royce [Gracie] beating the big guys but I had never seen anything like Chris before.
KC: Has this inspiration changed now female grappling, as a whole, is getting more popular having some great champions in Luka Diaz, Hannette Staak, Penny Thomas, Leticia Ribeiro, Megumi Fujii, Emily Kwok, Valerie Worthington, Lana Stefanac, Kyra Gracie and Felicia Oh?
HC: No, it hasn’t changed my inspiration but just shows how far things have come, we went to ADCC Barcelona as I particularly wanted to watch the women’s divisions, it wasn’t too long ago that there wouldn’t have even been a women’s division there but the quality was there for all to see. Now I understand that there will be women’s divisions at ADCC Pro Gi too. I have been fortunate to train with Felicia Oh and Cindy Omatsu at the Machado’s school in LA when we were over visiting the Haueter’s. Got to train with Megumi when she came over to our gym although I have trained most with Melissa Haueter who herself is a formidable competitor and was 2008 no Gi world champion amongst other things.
We also just spent the weekend over with the Factory BJJ guys who were hosting Megaton Diaz, I was really hoping that Luka would come with him but unfortunately she didn’t. Also just missed Penny Thomas over here too, I just couldn’t get down to London on a Wednesday evening but would loved to have gone. It would be awesome to have more female black belts come over to teach seminars, I think everyone regardless of gender would benefit from that.
KC: And I am lead to believe that whilst training alongside Felicia Oh and other world-class female Black Belts you held your own pretty well. What was this like?
HC: It was excellent training although very tough, I was really pleased to have some outstanding female black belts to roll with, as for performance you have to remember that it is only training not a real competition. Darren said that I held my own but whatever.
KC: According to Seymour Yang’s blog, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is approximately 10 years old in the UK; I believe I am correct in saying at present (04.11.09) we have 22 British born BJJ black belts. Being the only women in the UK and the second in the whole of Europe to achieve such a rank it must be a great feeling knowing that you are literally part of the first generation of female Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts in Europe. I read an account in an interview with you a while ago where you mentioned that at a Jiu Jitsu/grappling event the judge didn’t believe you were matside to coach your husband and indeed needed some persuading! How much do you think perceptions towards women in BJJ has moved on since you first stepped onto the mats?
HC: That guy was funny, they weren’t going to start the match until I left, the ref was an old guy though so maybe he didn’t realise women did stuff like that, his wife was probably at home working on her loom or playing the harp. People over here who know who I am acknowledge what I have achieved although they still want to rip my head off but Ill save that for later. The US seems to be much more acceptable for women to train and I had some phenomenal training in the US. I think perceptions towards any female in a male oriented sport are still a little behind in the UK, not just BJJ but MMA too.
There are some really good female fighters in/from this country who are regarded as such Rosi Sexton, Rachael Wheatley, Diane Berry, Kathy Gifford, all of whom I have had the pleasure of training with on occasion and have excelled in their own fields. I haven’t seen Pippa Grainger or Lisa Newton compete in BJJ but have heard nothing but good things about both, I think the females have more opportunities now so hopefully more will become interested in BJJ. If I can be pedantic I would say that BJJ in the UK is a little older, we trained with Carley Gracie back in 1997 and I think Bob Breen might have had someone here even before that.
KC: I would imagine that being a female black belt carries its own responsibilities in that many aspiring youngsters [and older female practitioners] may use your example as an inspiration and goal for achievement along their own path. I know there is an issue with retention of female Judoka at any age and as a result many National Governing Bodies (NGB) have implemented strategies to get females back onto the mats. In your experience what is the uptake like in female Jiu Jitsoka’s and do you find it harder to keep girls/women interested and passionate about BJJ that boys/men?
HC: Yes, women seem to come for a few weeks say they love it then don’t come back. They will buy insurance, maybe buy a Gi too then don’t come back. I train with the women myself, they do not have to train with men if they don’t want to, its personal choice. Grappling is so physical it can be quite intimidating so I never force them to do it but still very few women want to stick around. The women that do stick it out tend to become very good, one of my original students Cheryl Williams jumped right in and trained with the guys, got her blue belt then ended up doing some MMA matches too. She was tough. Got someone at the moment, Charlotte, coming over from York who has tons of potential. She again jumps in with the guys and trains, now considering some of the guys are not sexist and will try as hard against a woman as they do other men, this is very much to the women’s credit that they hang in there.
I know some women will never feel comfortable with someone that is so much bigger and stronger but beggars can’t be choosers, sometimes you have no choice. Darren always says that I should be more selective in my rolling partners but I can’t help it. I don’t like to see someone without a partner so I just jump in this does have crossover though, if I can survive against the strongest guys in our gym then I would feel pretty confident if I had to protect myself outside the gym.
KC: In doing this issue of KombatClinic.com I have spoken with many female players from BJJ and Judo and all have commented on rolling (doing randori) with male counterparts where the males tended to use rather more strength than necessary simply to ‘keep face’ during training and in most cases the women have gotten injured. Firstly, have you ever experienced this? And do you think this is likely to feature more or less for women in the higher or lower belt rankings?
HC: Have I experienced males using strength to save face? Lol, every week, man, every week. Darren says I should be more selective in who I roll with but I just kind of roll with whoever is there. Yes I have been injured several times and by people who should have known better, it is not only the newer guys rolling with strength and not realising what a good female can do but even at higher grades you still get it.
In fact maybe worse at higher grades, imagine if a white belt guy could tap a black belt woman? Imagine how pleased he must be with himself if he can use all his strength against someone half his size and risk injuring them so he feels like a real man on the ride home? 2 quick examples, one of my Judo coaches from back in the day bust my elbow dropping his weight through my arm when he was attempting a Waki Gatame arm lock; he was only supposed to be demonstrating the move too. A well-known BJJ black belt broke my wrist and one of my fingers by ragging on wristlocks when we were rolling, instead of recognising that he had significant weight and experience advantage he went out of his way to prove a point I guess. Don’t get that mentality. I once rolled with John Machado in front of 50 guys and because I got good position he let me finish off the arm lock and he tapped. He then proceeded to tell everyone how much better I was than them because I was the only one doing real Jiu Jitsu and they could learn from me. It would have been easy for John to smash me around but he didn’t, I guess he is comfortable with himself.
The weird thing is when we go over to train with Chris Haueter it is almost the exact opposite, the brown belts and black belts always roll and play the BJJ game, they don’t seem to care if I catch them or get good positions on them, they can differentiate between training and competing. Last time we were over in US I trained with 2 of Hauteur’s black belts, Danny Suarez and Michio Grubbs, who were both outstanding and could have easily just outstrengthed me but they made a real match of it. I wish that attitude would filter throughout the rest of the world. If anyone is visiting San Diego you ought to look these guys up, be well worth your while.
KC: I read an interview that you did with Carl Fisher the other day where you said Purple belt is the most enjoyable of the ranks in BJJ as you begin to develop your own game by omitting certain features and drilling other aspects more depending on what you want to achieve. I was speaking with a BJJ black belt the other day and he said watching lower grades competing still inspires. White belts for their sheer tenacity and thirst for all things BJJ related, blue belts for their desire and motivation to impress [their eagerness to progress] and purples for their expansive means and methods [that most have developed themselves]. Are you the same and are the lower grades a big reason that you stay motivated to train?
HC: As a student, I train because I enjoy it; I train for myself to keep me fit, healthy and to relieve stress as I have a relatively difficult job at times.
As a coach it is always motivating to see the guys at each level improving, the first time the light goes on with a white belt and he ‘gets’ it is always a good time. Then the transformation from white belt to blue belt, in my opinion, is one of the most significant. Technically they are picking up more and more, starting to develop a little of their own style and start to give you a few more problems when you roll with them. That is a repetitive process through all the belts and really gives me a good feeling knowing that I am helping to shape that. So as these guys are getting better I always have to stay a step ahead so that helps to keep me motivated too.
KC: I expect a lot of your time is involved with coaching, even though your husband Darren is the main coach at the Combat Base Academy do you still find time to train in the same manner as you did before being promoted to black belt?
HC: Yes, I train every session and leave the bulk of coaching to Darren, he usually leaves the warm ups to me then takes over the technical aspect. I think that the guys like my warm ups. When we started we decided that Darren would be the main gym coach, check the blog post but I would be the children’s instructor and coach. Teaching the children’s class and watching them compete fills me with pride, watching them succeed at something they had previously struggled with is a great feeling and a good lesson for life. If at first you don’t succeed try again.
KC: Being a Black belt under Chris Haueter and many of your BJJ graded students being graded by Matt Thornton does your academy have an affiliation with the Straight Blast Gym?
HC: No not really, we got to train with Matt some times when he came over but the affiliation has always been to Haueter, he was my first real coach and will be until I quit BJJ.
We got to train with Matt because Chris didn’t come over for a while. The story as I remember it was someone basically lied to Darren and me about Chris and lied to Chris about us so we were kind of out on a limb for a while. Matt wanted to come over so Haueter suggested that he look us up. Being one of Chris’s top brown belts at the time we knew Matt would provide a great environment in which to train so took the opportunity.
KC: Could you take a moment to explain what it must be like to have received your Black Belt in BJJ from someone like Chris Haueter, a Machado Black Belt and the first American black belt to compete in the Mundial de Jiu-jitsu?
HC: I felt very privileged to not only get my black belt but also be Chris’s first female black belt. He is an exceptional coach and instructor, his knowledge is unbelievable. Every seminar he teaches runs over because he gives people so much. Right from the very first time I trained with him when he did iron man, taking the time to roll with everyone who took the time to attend the seminar; I knew this guy was really something.
He is also nuts so every time we get to train with him we have a good laugh too. Ask any of our guys about Chris and they all have their own favourite Chris stories.
KC: I understand both you and your husband have travelled a fair bit to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and in particular under your instructor – Chris Haueter. I have a few of the SBGI Camp DVD’s where Chris appears in his capacity as Matt Thornton’s BJJ instructor. The SBGi camps seem to be very good and the DVD’s are fantastic with some truly great concepts being shared from the likes of Matt Thornton, Chris Haueter, Karl Tanswell, Luis Gutierrez, John Frankl, Tom Oberhue and John Kavanagh, have you ever attended any of these camps? And or have you been invited to instruct on any?
HC: No unfortunately we never got to go to camp; obviously we were invited and would have loved to have gone but we have family ties here that can be a little restrictive sometimes. They actually filmed some of the European Tour DVD at our gym so that is probably as close as we got. Other than Luis, I think we got to train with everyone on that list anyway here in the UK; there is some real talent on that list. Add to that list Mike Chapman too who came over to our gym with Matt one time, Mike was cool, had some good ideas.
Darren has been around with Chris a little and helped teach seminars earlier this year when they went to South Africa. One of the seminars was sponsored by Bad Boy and was aired on South African national TV, it must have taken a lot of editing :0) There is an account of that on our website www.combatsport.co.uk
KC: Helen, it has been great reading about you and researching some of the questions herein but before we wrap up this interview I was wondering if you had anything you would like to talk about that has not been covered? Any messages for aspiring Jiu Jitsoka (male or female)?
HC: My message is to everyone, don’t put anything off just do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Start Jiu Jitsu now if that’s what you want. You are never too old, too overweight or too out of shape to start. Jiu Jitsu will change your life for the better. There are so many more opportunities for competing now, for men and women, everyone ought to try competition and make the most of the opportunity now because you might never get another chance.
KC: Thanks Helen!
HC: My pleasure
I had read prior to my trip that the kind South Africans anticipated me being homesick so duly obliged with reminders of home; an apartment block called Ponte City and the Kaiser Chiefs in Johannesburg whilst Durban hosts the Currie Cup and is even twinned with Leeds.
Following a smooth, traffic free drive down to Heathrow, some awful yet expensive service station food, a quick farewell to Helen and a successful negotiation of the Krusty Kreme stand, I started in my quest to track down my coach and travel companion, the elusive Mr Chris Haueter. He had just returned from taking gold at the Pan Ams so I figured that I would hang out with him and get some reflected glory, success by association. Unfortunately no one recognised him, damn minority sports.
I checked in without getting stopped and searched for the first time ever then spent the next hour trying to find Chris. He wasn’t answering his phone and wasn’t returning email so I would have to do this the old fashioned way; walking and looking.
I spotted what looked like an old tramp lying across 3 seats sleeping soundly and upon further investigating turned out to be Haueter; I left him to his much needed beauty sleep and went to grab a coffee.
After killing another hour or so, we boarded the plane and settled down for an 11 hour flight. I got a great window seat next to a guy that didn’t fit my racial profile of being a terrorist so my journey was going to be effortless.
Once in the air I went to check Haueter’s whereabouts and found him sandwiched in his seat by his 150kg flight mate, the guy was so big that he spilled into Chris’s seat so much that they couldn’t put the arm rest down properly. His flight was going to be hell, quality.
Arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (aka Joburg and Jozi) the largest and busiest airport in Africa, sampled some of the local cuisine then headed over to check in for the last leg of the journey to Durban.
We were flying Mango Airlines who have bright orange coloured ‘planes, I wondered if it was tomake it easierfor the crash investigators to spot them, at this point I couldn’t have cared less as it would mean an end to 26 hours of travelling and waiting.
As soon as we departed the ‘plane at Durban, the increase in temperature was ridiculous, I knew right away that training in this heat was going to be a test in itself, at least it was all no gi.
Our host for the trip, Morne Swanepoel, met us and whisked us away in his 'bakkie' which was proper 'lekker'. A brief stop at his place to quickly dump our stuff then immediately down to the beach for a rejuvenating swim in the ocean with it’s subtropical climate. Perfect.
All too soon it was time for our first training session. A short drive delivered us to the Muscle and Fitness Gym in Pinetown, the headquarters for Morne’s Association, where we entered the gym to a heat that I was just not used to, anyone who has trained at our gym knows that heat is not usually a problem; this atmosphere was even hotter than training in LA which is saying something.
Thankfully we didn’t do an intense warm up otherwise that may have been my demise right there and then. We progressively worked through side control drills and escapes which linked nicely into the ½ guard section that I would teach. The first workshop was completed with rolling as always and a brief Q & A session to iron out any queries the guys may have had along the way, all in all a great session for this very warm and weary traveller.
Everyone congregated outside for a while in an attempt to cool down, awesome that after training you can stand around outside wearing only shorts, might try that when I get home.
Need food and sleep.
Today was our day off so we set off to do some sightseeing whilst trying not to look like a tourist.
KwaZulu Natal is said to be “South Africa’s most African province” and has everything the country is known for; beaches, wildlife, the melting pot of cultures and, of course, crime. Also with this province are the famous battlegrounds of Isandlwana and Rourke’s Drift (as seen in the movie Zulu), coming off an upset victory at Isandlwana where the Zulu masses obliterated 1200 British soldiers, between 3000 and 4000 Zulus (against the wishes of their King) were repeatedly repulsed for 12 hours by only 100 British veterans, many of them ill, protecting the field hospital restoring British “honour”
KwaZulu Natal’s principal city, Durban reflects the melting pot culture perfectly , the European architecture alongside Zulu and Indian influences, Hindus being the second largest ethnic group in Durban (making it a great curry district). There are many fine (and not so fine) things to see in Durban; Francis Farewell Square, for example, is the site of the first white camp set up by British adventurers to trade with the natives even though these days it is populated by the down-and-outs. This is sadly echoed throughout the city, history being swamped 
by over population and general disregard.
Onto the beaches, the obvious choice is to head to Beachfront traditionally called The Golden Mile due to it’s outstanding beaches, restaurants and entertainment (yes, even better than Blackpool’s Golden Mile) although it is known as ‘Muggers Mile’ these days, as discovered by one of my friends as he was robbed at gun point when he stayed here. Where tourists are, criminals are. Who better than someone who doesn’t really know the area, carries cash and has cameras & other cool stuff with them, you can’t blame anyone for not suspecting some inoffensive little child but these kids are master pickpockets and bag snatchers.
Armed with this knowledge and packing nothing worth stealing, we go for a much needed walk on the beach. My friend, Jase, said I had to try a bacon and avocado burger from Steers whilst here, I spot a Steers too late as we had just literally eaten but consider bringing him one back. I doubted I would get it through customs so don’t bother (it turns out I could have got it through after all)
Back to the car to continue our trip saw us taking a quick tour down Marine Parade which looked like a quaint old British seaside town but turns out to be just as dangerous as anywhere, no wonder people wander into these areas especially with the plentiful stalls supplying all your touristy souvenir needs (some may call it tack)
As it's starting to get dark we decide to leave the sea front all together to head home, stopping only for Haueter to get a photograph with a shotgun-toting security guard.
Another meal and another early night ensued.
Saturday arrived with a temperature of mid 80s so a beach session was the order of the day before the gruelling seminar in this heat. The locals were still telling me it wasn’t a great beach day, they don’t realise we would call this a heat wave. Having the benefit of local knowledge meant we avoided the main tourist (crime) areas and found the perfect beach spot for plenty of boogie boarding, swimming and sun. Again it was over too soon as we had to head to the gym, I had to keep reminding myself that the main purpose for the visit was to train.
Met a local fighter, and cool guy as it turned out, named Victor who gave me a lift to the gym. Got into a conversation about the fight game straightaway so made the journey more interesting and much quicker.
Arriving back at the Muscle And Fitness Gym, the heat was there already waiting for me, we had a quick introduction then straight into the warm up. I taught some sport specific movement drills which seemed really easy being so warm as was the stretching then Haueter took over for the first section which was to be controlling and escaping side control following on from his previous session, finishing with ½ guard retrieval which led nicely into my ½ guard section.
Again everything seemed to be well received as evidenced in the sparring as someone pulled Z guard on me (1/2 guard with shin across stomach). When I enquired how long they had been doing that, they said that they learned it that day. As a coach it is awesome when someone uses something against you that you have taught them.
We then split into 2 groups, I got to work with the Fight Team whilst Haueter took everyone else. We worked through some more continuous passing versus sweeping and submission drills where winner stays on. This is probably my most favourite of all the training drills.
I explained my philosophy on passing guard for mma; I personally feel that some people try to punch their way through the hole in their game or are even happy to sit in guard whereas if they put the time in to learn to pass properly it would open up a whole new world to them. When they can pass without striking then they can pass with striking. Just my opinion.
Finished with the rolling and another Q&A, again I really think these are worthwhile just to clarify a little (or large) detail that you might not have got right away.
I had a great time training with these guys, everyone was really cool and would have fit perfectly into my own gym. It is always a pleasure to train in that sort of atmosphere where there are no egos, everyone shares a joke and we all benefit from each other.
Yes, 3:00am!! Needed to be up early to set off on the long drive to Joburg, unable to get a flight in time for the seminar which was an important one so had to drive or rather Morne had to drive, I needed to try to sleep.
Being the seasoned traveller Haueter was asleep almost as soon as we left; the guy can sleep anywhere. He awoke just in time to see the most awesome African sunrise which kind of rejuvenates you as we pulled into the services for breakfast and his coffee fix. (Anyone who has ever been anywhere with Chris knows how important the ‘proper’ coffee is).
Being bright daylight from 6:30am onwards getting back to sleep was not an option so spent the rest of the journey taking in the countryside as we passed it by reinforcing what a truly beautiful country it is. Finally we hit Joburg about 10:00am and got to see the other side.
We got to temporary home and as the security gate rolled back I got the first glimpse of what Paradise must be like. The property was amazing; tennis courts, swimming pool, mini nature reserve and more, this was going to be an awesome few days.
After a more than generous traditional South African breakfast, Morne and Chris decided to catch up on their sleep whilst I went for a wander round, deciding that a swim would be the better option for waking me up as we were due to teach a big seminar at 1:00pm. I got warning from the locals that the pool temperature may be less than 20 degrees C therefore much too cold to go in. They can’t believe that their average winter day is as good as our best summer day. So I am quite happily swimming around with everyone giving me the same look that British tourists get everywhere they go in the world that has weather better than ours, the disbelieving ‘it’s not even warm’ look.
Afternoon approached so we headed to Oakdene to the Box Office Gym for another outrageously warm training session. Morne has sponsorship from Bad Boy to film the seminar and have it aired on national TV so this would be an important seminar to see if we ever get invited back ;0)
Chris started off the seminar with some clinch work, starting right back at the pummelling basics then building up to single and double leg takedowns followed by attacking the quarter position when they managed to sprawl.
He then disappeared to his usual Hollywood lifestyle of doing interviews and photo shoots while I got to take over the seminar. Starting off with taking the back then progressing to establishing correct over/under back control and eventually how to finish the RNC, we moved onto the arm bar from back control. I was guessing that not many of guys had trained that before because there was then a kind of feverish drilling associated with trying something new.
Finally I showed my favourite 3 ways to break the grip of someone defending having their arm locked out from the arm bar position, I like this bit as there is always pain involved with #3 – the biceps crush.
Haueter returned from his celebrity duties to complete the technical part of the seminar with further options of attacking the back. As always with Chris I picked up new details that I hadn’t seen before, his approach is not always a ‘typical’ game and can be quite unorthodox but effective. When he is attacking your back he was constantly trying to kill my base so no movement was really possible; most other guys teach you to make space, get the hooks and go from there. Chris seems to give you so much pressure you almost put yourself in a bad position by being steered into the direction he wants you to go, all without realising it. You know to defend hooks so as you are spending your time doing that you are twisted and turned without mercy, knowing he can still get hooks any time he wants. Not a great description but you have to feel it to fully know what I mean.
The rolling part concluded the seminar as always and, as mentioned before, it is always gratifying to see people trying to implement in sparring techniques you had just taught that day rather than just going back to the ego fueled win at all costs, try nothing new mentality.
A brilliant session today even if I do say so myself, a room full of happy people and I thought I was starting to get used to the heat (man, would I be proved wrong tomorrow)
Now for food and what better way to finish off a great day than with the South African version of our humble barbeque called a “braai”. The braai is central to the Afrikaans culture, being an abbreviation of the Afrikaans word “braaivleis” literally meaning meat grill.
After consuming my own body weight in delicious food, an early night was in order so retired back to our "rondavel" a circular building based on the traditional African hut complete with a thatched roof although to be honest I was so tired I would have risked the mosquito attacks and slept on the grass if I had to.
Awesome day all round!!
I am so getting used to these big traditional breakfasts, a little different to the bran flakes and toast I have back home.
We are not due to train until 7:00pm so we have another day to sight see, this time Joburg, ‘the murder capital of the world’ let’s see if the title is justified.
Joburg lies in the province of Gauteng which means “Place Of Gold” so it is no surprise that Joburg’s origins lie in the exploitation of the country’s gold, of which there is still rumoured to be masses of un-mined gold. From these beginnings it has, in just over a century, rapidly become the richest metropolis in Africa although these days seems to be more renowned for being a place to avoid at all costs. From what I have seen in the city centre, this is good advice. The city centre is a kind of ‘Escape from New York’ meets ‘Zulu’; the stories I have heard just reinforce this view.
The extremes of riches and poverty are also well exampled in Jozi, sitting atop a hill stands a collection of mansions with Hollywood style houses on stilts working their way down the hillside to meet a corrugated steel shack at the foot of the hill that someone calls home; the huge houses sitting behind solid concrete walls and electric fences barely a ½ mile away from the sprawling shanty towns, certainly two extremes.
The local newspapers report though that was the old Jozi, the new Jozi is being born with falling crime rates and shrewd property developers pumping money into the area. A CCTV system has been installed on every street corner in Johannesburg central which is operated by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), which can also detect stolen or hijacked vehicles by scanning the number plates of everyone travelling through the Central Business District, then comparing them to the eNaTIS database. The CCTV system has proved it’s worth with the average response time by police for crimes committed in the CBD is under 60 seconds. Rumour has it that former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani had been enlisted to help bring down the crime rate especially in preparation for the World Cup finals.
I truly hope this is the case as Joburg, very much like Durban, is an awesome city that is over-populated and in need of some renovation.
As with any city though having some awareness and not looking like an easy target will help you avoid a lot of trouble. Joburg was known as being a hot bed of carjackings, particularly if you drove a German car for some reason but general rules apply again; keep the doors locked, keep windows up, don’t get too close to the car in front to avoid being boxed in etc although a previous car attachment is by far my favourite, the flamethrower!! Anyone who came near your car became toast; I believe they are outlawed now but how cool to have a flamethrower attachment.
Now to the last training session of the trip, back to the Box Office Gym. Rather than do a seminar/workshop we were to just do a regular training session and focus primarily on passing the guard. Just what I needed, the heat was oppressive, the open windows were letting heat in from outside rather than letting warm air out and this was going to be the hottest and hardest session of the trip. After a brief warm up I was struggling already.
Chris had everyone pair up and just start working passing guard in the way you normally would whilst he observed and made mental notes of points to review and correct in the technical section. I worked with Victor again so couldn’t even slacken off a little as the guy is pretty good.
Haueter then ran through the principals of passing guard, posture, how to break the guard open, control, passing hips, etc then sent us back to practice these areas. The heat was really getting to me and even though I was consuming copious amounts of water couldn’t cool down.
We then moved onto the line drills, passing versus sweeping, winner stays on. I had pretty much had enough as my body was rebelling and just wanted to leave but these are the times you have to dig deep. I had just watched the Renzo Gracie ‘Legacy’ documentary where he says when his body wants to quit he hits it harder to let it know that brain is in charge not body.
What the hell, I thought, it’s my last night, I am going to try that so told Haueter I was going to do iron man for a while, take on one guy after the other. Damn, what a mistake that was, by the 4th match my left calf was cramping badly. I pushed on a little more and by the 8th match I was done, my calf completely cramped beyond anything I had felt before, I had anaconda body lock around my partner’s body but had to let it go as the cramp was that bad. It was one of those where it looks like there is something under your skin running up and down. There was only 2 guys left to spar and I couldn’t continue, I was gutted.
I had someone grab my leg and start stretching me out, I kept stretching all the time through the Q&A and tried to get some fluids back in. I was cursing the fact that we had gone to the pharmacy that day where I was going to buy some electrolyte/mineral replacement drink and got sidetracked by biltong (sun dried, salted strips of meat) instead. Oh well, trying biltong was on my ‘to do’ list anyway.
Turns out that it took about 3 days for my calf to start feeling better but that was the only down side as again I had a great time training here and got to spoke to like minded people who were serious about training but light hearted enough to have fun at the same time.
As far as the Q&A sessions go, unfortunately most people (everywhere) don’t take advantage of this time for fear of looking dumb in front of everyone. I know I have done the same but not any more.
The first time I trained with John Machado he asked us what we were struggling with and no one replied so he took his belt off, threw it into the middle of us then said “congratulations, you guys are all black belts. If you aren’t struggling with anything you guys must all be black belts” He then asked again what we were struggling with so I asked him how to counter being stacked when applying arm bar and/or triangle and he produced one of the best sessions I have ever been to, still using the material today.
If you never ask, you never know!!
Back to our hosts’ place where I had a ½ chicken, pumpkin fritters and roast potatoes which raised my spirits then straight back to the rondavel for our last night in South Africa which turned out to be the scariest/funniest night of the whole trip.
We had heard tales of gangs of guys armed with AK47s doing home invasions pillaging and murdering anything in the way. A gang of 6 guys had invaded a house down the road from us previously and slaughtered everyone. We actually encountered a couple of guys outside our property on the way home who may have been drunk or may have been pretending, playing some rope-a-dope.
As I laid there I realise that our building is the only one with no bars so would make an ideal target for a gang invasion, we then start philosophising about how unprepared we are with only our Jiu Jitsu against 6 Aks to save us, This is the point where everything gets crazy, I guess it’s gallows humour, but I found a stick for my protection so Haueter went off to search for a weapon too. He found a brush. I never felt so safe, 2 guys in shorts armed with a stick and a brush against a gang with automatic weapons. Man, would I sleep sound tonight! I guess it’s one of those times when you just had to be there but I just laughed myself to sleep especially after Haueter got a text from his wife, Melissa, asking him why we were laughing. She makes a good point.
Awoke to a face outside our door which turned out to be the gardener, I’m sure glad he didn’t come around last night otherwise he may have been beaten to death with a brush. Haueter received another text from Melissa who asked if we had survived the night. Do you know what? I think we did.
With everything packed up we set off early to again take in some sights on our way back to the international airport in Johannesburg which is not called Johannesburg International Airport any more but O.R. Tambo International Airport under the new regime of renaming everything.
As we started to get into the more built up areas there were more and more adverts for FIFA Football World Cup 2010, everything about it has disaster written all over it. If South Africa could get any more dangerous the World Cup could well be the catalyst; the football supporters spill out of the airport to find transport a major problem, the buses are unreliable, the train system has a poor reputation, the minibus taxis are dangerous with the ‘turf wars’ still raging which has even seen shoot outs on the roads between rival drivers and the taxi ranks are a hot bed for petty criminals.
If you are thinking of getting around on foot, make sure you have up to date everything otherwise you will end up screwed with all the name changes of the roads. The last thing you want is to wander into a tourist ‘no go’ area such as Joubet Park or Hillbrow. Maybe there will be safety in numbers but imagine all the nationally proud football supporters combined with cheap and plentiful booze in one of the most violent cities on earth where the majority of locals are armed, some with automatic weapons and violent crime is a way of life for some.
Let’s hope everything works out ok because the authorities are putting a lot of effort into this sporting event that will have the eyes of the world on it and from what I have seen, the nee stadia look awesome.
We arrive at the airport, say our farewells to Morne, who has been a great host and head straight to Nandos. Whilst waiting in the queue, a big local guy walks to the front of the queue where the manager comes flying out to greet him and starts making a fuss of him. Not being in the country very long I wasn’t sure but it looked a lot like Jacob Zuma, SA’s Deputy (but soon to be) President, he was in Joburg to see charges of bribery, corruption and more against him dropped. He had probably followed us to the airport to make sure Haueter left the country!
After a bizarre experience with a guy asking us how tall we thought he was, Chris took off to get a massage (what an airport) whilst I wandered around aimlessly killing time which led me to food again. After being served by a local African girl I tipped her 10 rand and saw her face light up as though she had just won the lottery, it equates to about 70p so you realise how cheap life is over there.
We landed back in Heathrow and saw the ‘Welcome To Britain’ sign so I knew I was home, reinforcing this was the obscene amount I had to pay for breakfast, I was home indeed.
Maybe I can get to go back one day and do the things I missed this time, going to one of the many safari parks, swim with the sharks, visit Table Mountain, the usual tourist stuff, it really is a beautiful place but unfortunately I can see it getting worse before it gets better.
Synergy and the anatomy of a game plan
“Synergy - The potential ability for individuals to be more successful working together than on their own”
Saturday 22nd November 2008 saw the culmination of months of hard work in the form of Andy Krlic’s foray into the world of MMA @ The Champions III show in Bradford.
Knowing he would be facing unbeaten fighter Paul Durber from Caged Steel, a guy who can hit hard as witnessed by his KO victory in his first outing then followed with a submission victory in his last fight after using his striking to good avail, Andy’s match perfectly demonstrated good preparation, the execution of a good game plan, good team work and a whole lot of heart.
It all started months ago with the match being agreed upon (which is weird in itself as Paul is a great guy and we have a good relationship with Caged Steel, me and Neil go waaaaaaaaaay back)
Paul was going to be a good test for Andy as Paul is bigger, stronger and can bang so we need to start right at the beginning and make sure everything is in place to give Andy the best chance of winning possible.
We assembled a good team to help Andy through all ranges, Andy sought out a good boxing coach to work his hands, had personal trainer Gaz Vause build a sick conditioning regime, whilst Pete Hill, Ben Mallows, Rob Lawlor and I took care of the sparring, clinch and ground.
Assessing Paul’s attributes and likely game plan we started working the counter game plan to help put us where we needed to be, we felt this would be the clinch game. Right from day 1, everything was geared around clinch as I feel that the key to MMA is clinch range. If you are mainly a striker you need clinch and takedown defence to keep you on your feet, if you are mainly a grappler you need clinch to take the fight to ground. A simple strategy that is so often overlooked in my opinion.
I anticipated that Paul’s team would be telling him to watch out for Andy to shoot, break the clinch and take the fight to his comfort zone, his striking, so we worked on an upper body clinch game where Andy could get the takedown inside rather than shooting from the outside.
Also paying close attention to the very real possibility of a guillotine, Paul has long limbs and a height advantage so if Andy is not careful he could get caught. The guillotine defence and takedowns from the guillotine were drilled until they no longer represented a threat, if one came we would use it to our advantage.
So as you know, then the hours and hours of drilling began, implementing our A game and working a few “what if” scenarios along the way. The work was really paying off as Andy was feeling more and more comfortable all the time.
Rob helped develop Andy’s ‘box to clinch’ game, really conceptualising it even putting it down in writing so Andy had it with him all the time, to constantly read and get into his psyche until it was second nature.
Taking a little time away from our gym he decided to go to the Quannum Training Camp weekend to get a little extra help from the Butlins, who are quality MMA coaches in their own right. Andy came back with a few more tricks in his bag of boxing to clinch; anything that helps is always gratefully accepted.
Fast forward to fight day, Andy made weight easily (there’s a story behind that too, maybe another time) then got some down time to focus on the task ahead.
Onto the worst bit of any competition, the waiting and the anticipation. So we are in the dressing room, waiting, watching other guys go down to the fight area and come back up either elated or dejected, just waiting for our turn. Spenna wraps Andy’s hands real well, we warm up, Andy gets a massage then a last minute talk, keep him calm, keep him focussed and don’t expend any unnecessary energy now. I try to convince Ben to carry Andy down to the ring but …………..
Some guys like to get really pumped up, really aggressive but I feel that can be counter productive, I would much rather see our fighter calm and collected but each to their own.
Finally the runner is here and we are on next.
We get to the entrance and wait for our music, it didn’t come, damn they are playing the wrong song. Oh well, lets get in and get it over with, we didn’t come for the music. We get into the ring first and wait for the opponent, an eternity later the crowd roars and Paul is making his way to the ring, now it’s very real.
The crowd are singing and chanting for the “Durbanator”, I have to remind Andy of Leo’s Law number 7 “Keep out the white noise” Don’t listen to how popular he is, how many supporters he has, just let it go. Andy remains calm.
Paul and his team face us from the other side of the ring, surreal to see guys that I sometimes train with and always friends with looking back across. Paul looks huge, way bigger and stronger than Andy. I hope the game plan is good enough!!
After a few last words of encouragement and reminding Andy of plan A, hands up, chin down, he meets Paul in the middle of the ring and it’s on.
A tentative start as both guys throw out some jabs then the inevitable clinch happens, Andy fighting to stay close and Paul trying to make some distance to strike with both guys having some success in a back and forth battle. Paul lands a couple of hard shots, Andy replies with a couple of his own as he works back to upper body clinch.
The round was getting into the later stages when Paul, using his height advantage, reached around Andy’s neck to take a guillotine as they went to ground. Andy pulled his head free, passed guard and took mount. From there he threw down some shots, keeping his position despite my best efforts screaming at Andy to take an arm as there was only 20 seconds left to go but he didn’t hear me over the crowd which was deafening. End of round 1.
Close round, too close from my point of view, depending on the judge, it could go either way. We need to stamp some authority on round 2.
Round 2 starts off as round 1 did, Paul throws some shots, a nice leg kick, then goes straight to clinch again. Both guys now start to turn on the pressure, Paul, again with the height advantage, reached around for the guillotine as they went to ground. For the second time, Andy pulled his head free, passed guard and took mount. This time he was close enough to hear me shouting for the Americana which he took, getting the submission win half way through the second round.
A really good match and, as I thought, was a real test for Andy. He was understandably concerned about taking a shot from the MMA gloves but he passed the test admirably because Paul does hit hard and landed some clean shots.
Down to the bar for Andy to get a celebratory Coke (although other cola beverages are available) then out to watch the final couple of matches, finally being able to relax a little and enjoy the rest of the evening, especially Helen pointing out to a guy that just got subbed that he really isn’t a good grappler despite what he thought and Pete Hill..….well, Pete is just Pete and is really funny.
In conclusion, this game is hard and you should only enter into a match if you seriously want to test yourself, be prepared to make sacrifices, all the bases have to be covered, your weight management has to be disciplined and your all round game has to be tight. Get yourself a good team, structure a good plan and stick to it. Oh, and be prepared to get hit. Hard.
The key to the success, in my opinion, is the psychology that we used every step of the way. It’s true to say that the mental aspect of a fight is the most important to master but that would take a whole other article to explain.
As a footnote, I would just like to add that I really like Paul, he is an ‘older’ guy willing to fight whoever in the ring or cage, just doing what he wants to do and for that we salute you. So many people make excuses about how they would do it if only [insert your favourite excuse] but he is in there and win lose or draw, you can bet he will be in there for as long as he possibly can.
Taken from Felicia Oh's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Submission Grappling Kettlebell Blog
Starting Over
There is a process that will continually bring us to the point of starting over...again and again. When you get a belt promotion, it's an acknowledgment of the many, many, many small steps that you have taken. It's a chance to look back to see where you came from and how far you have gone. In taking so many small steps, sometimes you lose site of your progress but now the belt shows the culmination of all your hard work. The belt also brings you back to the beginning...the beginning of the next level. I never felt more like a whilte belt than after I got my black belt! This process can also happen within your personal game and understanding of jiu-jitsu. You learn a move and start to get it in training. After a while, people start to catch on and start to counter your move. Now you have to go back and work on a new move or a counter to the counter. It's going back and regrouping, re-evaluating...but now you have more information, more knowledge and experience plus the ability to execute more moves. There is a continual process of growing and expanding your game...and part of that process includes starting over.
Learning
Imagine teaching a first grader calculus. A first grader isn't ready to learn calculus until he learns all the other basic foundations of mathamatics. You can tell him every detail about calculus, but there isn't going to be any learning or understanding.
I remember learning basic techniques as a white and blue belt. Then as I progressed, I would watch as it was taught again. Each time I learned more and I noticed that the teacher had included some new details to the technique. Details that he hadn't mentioned before and only now, after having needed that information so many times in rolling, was he sharing that new information. After I noticed this happening several times, I finally realized that it wasn't him neglecting details, but me not hearing or understanding the details. I was not ready for it. He may or may not have mentioned them, but what it was is that I wasn't ready to understand and utilize the information.
When you start out, you learn a large movement, the basic mechanics, the big concept...i.e. what an armbar is - where to hold, where to put your foot, how to push and turn, swing the leg over, etc. As you progress, you add more and more details to make it better, tighter, more successful. You learn how to deal with more and different responses/defenses. And while I have heard that there are some instructors that leave out stuff on purpose, my experience has been that either I wasn't ready and didn't hear it or the instructor, only being human, may have forgotten something. At the higher levels, it's about details and there are a lot them. Which detail is important to you is an individual thing.
For one person, a specific detail may be the difference between a submission and a escape while for another person, they may automatically do it without even thinking.
Read more about Felicia on her web site
How to get the most out of Competitions by Nick Gregoriades
I remember the first grappling competition I fought in - almost 8 years ago. The fear and anxiety almost completely consumed me.
Amazingly, despite a horrible performance, I managed to win one of my matches through brute strength and sheer will. What I noticed was that all the training I had done and all the techniques I had learned up until that point went out the window the moment the fight began. My fear, anxiety and anger had come between me and modest amount of technical knowledge I had acquired.
Over the years, although I have managed to gain some control over my emotions prior to competitions, and hence I have greater access to my techniques and skills, the fear and anxiety are always there - and they always will be. But my degree of control over them continues you grow, and they become more manageable. This only comes with experience however.
I always urge the beginners at our academy to enter upcoming competitions. The sense of achievement gained from competition cannot be overestimated. By my own estimation, 1 minute of competition is equivalent to approximately 30 to 40 mins of regular sparring/mat time with regard to the expansion of self-awareness it allows.
Below are some tips and insights that I have found to have helped me gain the most from my competition experiences:
You will never be 100% ready.
If you wait until you are 100% ready before competing, then you will never compete. You can always be fitter, more technical or more composed. Feeling follows action - not the other way around. It is never as hard as it is the first time. You will be nervous, you will will be scared and you will doubt yourself before your first competition. But I can promise you that you will grow more than you ever have during regular classes and lessons.
Allow for adequate rest beforehand.
The last week to ten days of before a competition should see you tapering down the scale and frequency of your training. Physically, your muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments will appreciate the break and will be fresh for the contest. Your central nervous system will also benefit - too much competitive training in the final days before an event and you will find that your reactions will be slower than usual and your game will be stagnant. In athletics there is a saying - "Do not leave your best performance on the practice track" and the same can be said for grappling.
Don't make excuses beforehand.
He who makes an excuse before a fight is going to need it. Don't be one of those guys who tells all his friends and teammates that he hasn't trained properly, is underweight or recovering from an injury. You are just trying to cover your bases should you lose. This is an unsporting and undignified practice. If you don't feel up to the standard of the event you are participating in but choose to compete anyway, then you must face the consequences.
Get to know the venue beforehand.
Although this is not always possible, if you can try to inspect the venue the day before the competition. This will greatly diminish your nervousness on the day because it will be a place you have become familiar with as opposed to something foreign and intimidating.
Conserve your energy.
On the day of the event your should be aiming to expend as little energy as possible. Try to remain off your feet. Most of the time you should be spent sitting, or even better, lying down. Try to avoid viewing the matches prior to yours, unless you are watching your potential opponents and formulating your strategy. Watching your teammates compete and screaming advice to them is almost as draining as competing itself.
Regulate your breathing.
Whether you notice it or not, the moment you enter the venue (and perhaps even before) your body begins its release of adrenalin. Although adrenalin has many benefits for the fighter one of the disadvantages is that it causes your breathing to become shallow. This robs your organs and tissues of much needed oxygen and hence leads to fatigue. By concentrating and ensuring your breathing is deep and rhythmic you not only negate this effect but also help still your mind and alleviate much of the pre-match anxiety.
Let go of the outcome.
Do not be focused solely on winning, nor afraid to lose. These are both outcomes. All fighters, even the greats, lose at some point. There is just too much of a random element in grappling / BJJ competition to allow anyone to achieve a 100% win rate. Try instead, to focus on the process. If you learn something from your competition experience, then win or lose, you have have gained. Some of my most important and enjoyable matches have been ones in which I have lost the fight, but gained valuable insight.
Be gracious in victory and defeat.
Never, I repeat, never make excuses for a loss. I have been guilty of this in the past and I will never allow it to happen again. When asked about the match always say "he beat me fair and square" regardless of whether or not you performed your best or you feel that the referee robbed you etc. By the same token, should you be fortunate enough to win, make sure you acknowledge your opponents' skill and heart.
I look forward to hearing your experiences and insights.
Read more at Nicolas Gregoriades' Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood Blog
Approaching competition by Felicia Oh
Training is training. You're in the academy, you learn techniques and then you roll and try to execute the techniques you've learned against your teammates who're (generally) trying NOT to let you do the techniques because they're trying to execute their techniques on you! For some people, this is where they live. They go to the academy and train and look forward to the familiarity of their training partners and their respective games. For other people, they are looking for something else. They might be looking to test themself in a different environment against different, unfamiliar opponents. They might be looking for a different competitive experience. Neither is better than the other. They are just two different things. One can be a great academy grappler but that doesn't necessarily mean that the same grappler will have the same experience in a tournament. There are different skills that are needed to compete successfully in a competitive environment. As with jiu-jitsu or anything, some people will have more natural abilities in certain areas than others. In either case, those abilities can be practiced, developed and improved on.
Competing brings with it several different components than academy grappling. When you first start out, you'll most likely be facing someone you don't know or know nothing about. Of course, if you chose to continue to compete, you will become more familiar with the other people in your division and will likely encounter them again in your jiu-jitsu journey. But until you do it regularly, everyone will be new to you.
Almost all tournaments will have time limits or point limits. You will only have a limited amount of time to finish your opponent or get ahead on points. You can't just go another round or wait until you're in a better mood tomorrow. And unless it's double elimination, if you lose, you're done for that tournament (not counting any Open division).
There is a referee involved. You are not only fighting your opponent, you are fighting the referee too! Referees are like your parents. You have to make sure they notice when you do something good so you get rewarded for it. Sure people always say "Submit everyone so you don't leave it to the ref". Well, if it were that easy..... I don't know if anyone tries to NOT win. I think most people try as hard as they can. If they don't, then they need to work on that skill.
Conditioning for a tournament is different than academy rolling. Some people can roll for an extended amount of time at the academy. Competition brings a whole different level of adrenaline, anxiety, anticipation, excitement and exhaustion! The adrenaline dump you get from competition is different than anything you will ever feel at the academy. The anticipation of competing extended over an unknown period of time (typically lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 4-6 hours) is very different than getting to class, warming up, learning techniques and then rolling. Trying to stay warm and prepared with no idea of when your turn will be is akin to some sort of Geneva Convention-breaking torture.
Mental conditioning is the least addressed part of competition training. Sport psychologists are used by many high level athletes. As this sport continues to grow, so will the importance of mental conditioning.
If you're just starting out on your competition journey, the first thing to do is to just go do it. See how it feels. Establish a baseline of what you experience and how you handle it. Now you'll have a starting point. Then each time, you'll develop and refine your process, your preparation and your execution. And as for your gameplan, just go do what you do. Afterall, that's what you do best!
Taken from Felicia Oh's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Submission Grappling Kettlebell Blog
Check out her web site
Excerpt from Helen’s soon to be published interviews
I heard you just got your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, congratulations. You are the first woman in the UK to get the coveted black belt and, I believe, only the second one in Europe, how does it feel?
HC: Unbelievable, shocked. When we first started training in BJJ about 10 years ago having a blue belt was awesome so being a black belt seemed like an impossible dream. Guess it shows how much we have all come on to the point that the UK has it’s own home grown legitimate black belts.
Chris tells me that you are the first ever female he has promoted to black belt, that is quite an achievement in itself coming from a guy who travels the world teaching BJJ.
HC: I feel very privileged to be Chris’s first female black belt, he is an outstanding instructor and his knowledge of BJJ is phenomenal. I first met him back in 1998 and was really impressed with his entire attitude, knowledge and ability. I knew immediately he was the real deal so made a point of training with him whenever I could. Chris was the first person I saw do iron man, take on a whole bunch of guys and beating everyone without any effort at all, considering he was only just over 150 pounds at the time, this is quite a feat.
There are only the 5 belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu including the white belt, how did you view each belt you were promoted to?
HC: Well white belt is cool because you have no pressure on you to perform at all. You learn your basics and start to develop a bit of an idea what you are doing.
Then you get your blue belt and you turn into a technique collector. You want to learn new, cool things. As you spend time in the belt you may catch a purple or 2 now and again when sparring but still not much is expected of you. It’s great being a blue belt.
Next is the purple, this is where you really start to improve as you train your butt off. You start to discard a lot of things you were taught as you are discovering your individual style; purple belt is probably the best belt.
After being a purple belt for a few years we went to LA to train at the Machado Academy where I sparred with some of the best black belts around and did pretty well, it was there I got my brown belt from Chris Haueter. At brown belt I had about 8 years of training behind me so obviously things started coming together.
Then the unthinkable happened and I got the black belt, I can’t comment on being a black belt because I haven’t been one long enough.
I’ll quickly mention this as I don’t want him to take over but what do you think of your husband’s ability to coach people to a higher grade than he is? I wonder how many coaches have produced a black belt without being a black belt themselves, must be rare?
HC: Might be rare for BJJ but equated to other sports it is nothing new. Every athlete has a coach, the coach may not be able to compete with the athlete but it does not mean that he can’t help improve the athlete. Pick any world champion from any sport and behind them is a good coach.
A good BJJ coach can improve anyone regardless of the colour belt they wear, if you can coach then you can coach, simple as that. My husband, Darren, knows his subject very well, can teach it very well and then is able to coach you to a point where you must improve. As a blue belt he taught/coached people to purple and as a purple he taught/coached people to brown so he has been doing this a while.
He is amused by it though, that he has some sort of novelty value as he calls it.
Did you have a competitive career?
HC: I have competed in everything I have ever trained in. Taekwondo, Ju Jutsu Kumite, Judo, submission grappling, Jiu Jitsu and even an MMA match. I think you really need to pressure test what you are doing, I just wish there had been more women competing when I was. Saying that I did quite well, didn’t lose very often, won some titles, screwed my back so I had to retire from competition.
Is that why you don’t compete now?
HC: Yes unfortunately, my sacral iliac joint just about dissolved fighting a big girl in the open weight division of a Judo tournament, which is not smart when you weigh less than 100 pounds. It is a real pity too because there are so much more opportunities for women now competition wise, can you believe the poor turnouts for some of the big events, how many women were at SENI? They ought to make the most of the opportunity because if you don’t take advantage of it now you made never get another chance.
You say you fought an MMA match? Where and when? How do you feel generally about woman fighting?
HC: As you know, we used to promote small events, interclubs, that sort of thing. I think about 6 or 7 years ago, I fought a girlfrom Doncaster named Cheryl Williams who becamea good friend of mine after the event, we still train together to this day. Cheryl went on to fight a number of times and did very well.
I think it’s great that women fight, if that’s what they want to do then why not? We also have some good fighters in this country, to name but a few; Rosi Sexton has excelled in MMA so far, beating some tough opposition and doing Bodog at the moment, I think she’s still there.
Rachael Wheatley has just competed in ADCC, losing only to a world-class fighter in Megumi Fuji. I trained with Megumi so I know how good she is.
From our own gym, we have always encouraged people to compete regardless of their gender and have had many women and girls compete, it’s a great confidence booster.
So instead of competing you focus mainly on coaching, that has it’s highs and lows too don’t you think?
HC: Definitely, especially when our kids were competing too, not great watching your kids do something that you have no control over but when they put in an excellent performance or pull off something that you have been working on then it’s awesome, no better feeling but then the downside is when they under perform or they are lazy, that’s a low.
Coaching the guys at tourneys is fun too. My husband, Darren, was on the mat one time waiting to start a match when the referee told me to leave the side of the mat. Darren told him that I was his coach but he didn’t believe it and told me to move again. We had to tell him again that I really was the coach, I guess in his day you didn’t get a lot of women coaches.
How do the guys feel about a woman coaching them? Are there any fragile egos or people who won’t toe the line?
HC: I think they are cool about it; they wouldn’t come back if they didn’t like it. I don’t think we have any prejudices at our gym, everyone is treated the same regardless.
I have done personally everything that I ask of them, I wouldn’t ask anyone to do anything I wasn’t prepared to do.
I have promoted several people in our gym and within our group, so far no one has complained, in fact one guy said that he would rather get belts from me as I am there week in and week out so I know them better than anyone. Plus I have been told that I am difficult to get belts from, my standards are very high. I sometimes think someone is ready to be promoted then they do something silly so I don’t promote them.
So finally, where do you go from here? Any training ambitions left to fulfil?
HC: Just keep training, stay healthy and keep doing what I’m doing.
Thanks for the interview Helen, let me just congratulate you again on your awesome achievement.
HC: Thanks
The Belt Contract by John Kavanagh SBG Ireland
White belt – enjoy this time. You have the right to 'spaz out' all the time and nobody can get pissed with you coz you're a white belt. Nothing expected of you except you get tapped out by everyone. its in your contract that you must ignore all advice to 'relax' when rolling, you must instead contract all your muscle groups 100% and then flip out.
Blue belt – start getting used to expectation. You are expected to be able to control and tap every white belt you go with or else you're a 'weak blue'. This is in your contract, read it carefully. Blue belt is also known as the 'accumulation belt'. According to your contract you must accumulate any and all techniques from any and all sources; you may even believe you are coming up with your own stuff – until you see it in some old judo book of course. It's also in your contract that when rolling with higher belts you must time your roll and then discuss with other blue belters how long you lasted and attempt to compare them with other higher belts. You must also practice certain phrases now, such as when that judo BB grinds you into the mat you can comfort yourself he was just 'using attributes'. According to your contract you must also begin working on your 'contradiction skillz' (perfected at purple belt). So when you see a technique demonstrated you immediately scan through your database of stored moves and come up with the counter (its important to ignore the fact that EVERY move has a counter). When it comes to practice time you must show your white belt partner the counter or better yet the variation on that same technique you were shown by a BJJ-celebrity (this theme is concentrated on at purple belt but important to introduce it now).
Purple belt – as with all belts you must be able to control and submit, regardless of weight etc, any and all belts below you or you're a 'weak purple'. According to your contract you must develop a slight Brazilian accent when teaching or talking at white belts (purple belts should never talk 'to' a white belt). Its important to know the name of every technique and every mundial champ, work on having some anecdotes that place you and said mundial champ in funny situations together – "haha then he turns to me and says 'that's not my camel' oh we laughed for hours".
Brown belt – read the fine print of this contract. By signing this you are agreeing to remain in a certain physical condition for the rest of your training life. The excuse 'oh I'm way out of shape' just will not fly anymore. Regardless of injury/sickness etc you MUST be able to control and submit all lower belts, even that mundial blue belt stud gunning for yah after you've been on the beer the night before. So before you sign that contract, think about it!
Black belt contract – are you really sure you want to sign this? Seriously have your lawyer check it with you, you may decide against it! Here are just a couple of things in it
1- You must develop this magical quality that when you roll with a blue/purple and they inevitably ask you 'so what should I do to improve' you must be able to dramatically improve their game by showing them an exact certain technique. Any response like 'you just
need more mat time', or 'relax more when rolling' i.e. 'real answers' just will not do!
2- You must have a stunt speech at the ready for 'black belt' questions like "gi or no-gi?", "could rickson beat sakuraba", "attributes or technique", "leglocks?" and so on.
3- According to your contract you must also remain in physical shape to be able to beat all lower belts plus any belt from any other system
so before agreeing to your next promotion read that contract carefully and ask yourself is it really worth the hassle?
Interview with Darren Currie from On The Mat by Carl Fisher
It’s been a fair while since we had a good chat together and I believe your academy is in new premises? When did you move there?
New premises? We have been there 3 years, man, is it that long since you came over? We decided to have a seminar at the new place as a special opening night so arranged for SBGi’s Matt Thornton and Mike Chapman to come over as they were in the country anyway. As I went to meet them, my wife was putting the finishing touches to the gym. People turned up to train not realising that we had only finished doing the mat 30 minutes earlier.
Turned out to be a great session though, Matt always brings new stuff with him every time he visits and we had a bunch of guys promoted too.
What’s your current timetable at the club?
We have MMA classes for the kids so they get to work striking, takedowns and ground whereas the adults have BJJ classes only. On top of this we have an open mat session every week for people to train what they like. We give privates, do workshops and seminars too when time allows.
One of my training partners, ‘Ruthless’ Rob Lawlor, has just opened a new class too teaching BJJ, it’s always nice to have someone else teach because the students get training from a different perspective. Plus I’m lazy too so having someone else teach is great. Rob came to us from Carlson Gracie team, who I believe you know Carl, so you know he is a tough guy. Thank God for weight advantages!
I also think that is essential to have open mat sessions so people can experiment or work on what they specifically want to. People have their own ideas of what BJJ should be which are not always necessarily the views of the instructor so it’s good the students can experiment and be creative, Open mat means everyone teaches and coaches everyone else and really instills the team mentality.
Are you still teaching children?
Not personally. I outsourced that particular pleasure to my wife who is better with the kids than I am anyway. She has way more patience than I have and really communicates with them, being a mother too I guess she is used to that. The kids all train MMA and I only teach BJJ, if adults want to train MMA then we use the open sessions or they go to someone else in our group, e have guys who are actively coaching and participating in MMA.
The kids don’t have a choice they have to do it all. We put together our own CHAOS system for the kids. Check out our site www.combatsport.co.uk/articles.html titled Mixed Martial Arts For Kids
What areas of jiu jitsu interest you the most?
That’s a good question. I love the politics. I love how you are frowned upon if you train at different gyms. I love all the backbiting and infighting between members of the same group or between clubs from the same group. I really think this is helping to promote BJJ in a country where it is never going to be that popular anyway. Didn’t you get slated by people you know for being promoted to purple, Carl? You have promoted BJJ more than anyone else in the UK but people get upset because you get a different coloured belt. I love the politics, it makes it all worthwhile!
Who do you look up to in terms of good role models for BJJ?
I look up to anyone who is truly open and honest, not just in BJJ but in life too. I admire people who will train with anyone regardless of win, lose or draw. I admire the people that are out there not the ones who criticise but don’t do anything themselves. I like the people that Theodore Roosevelt’s "Citizenship in a Republic" speech was about, the Man In The Arena although it should really be the “Person In The Arena”
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. ….etc
I guess I have Chris Haueter to thank for my attitude towards BJJ, as well as being an exceptional guy I am lucky to call him my friend too. He has influenced my Jiu Jitsu so much.
I also really liked Eddie Bravo a lot when I trained at a couple of his seminars, don’t know if he is a good role model though (especially after his interview at Cagewarriors when he came to the UK), I like the fact that he has created a whole new side to BJJ that us little guys can use. His drill sergeant method of teaching is outstanding and really helpful at the Introduction/teaching phase of training.
You’re affiliated under Chris Hauteur from LA; when did you train with him last in the UK and have you been out to LA yet?
What do you mean “under?” Don’t you mean “we are affiliated to each other?”
Chris came out here last year and is due back in May. I first trained with him way back in the late 1990’s on his first trip to the UK and I was blown away. Since then I have trained with him as much as I can.
Yeah we have been over to house in LA, we also trained at the Machado Academy while we were there. I must admit that driving over to the Machados I expected a big training facility based on the success that the Machados and their students have, something like a sports centre. I was amazed to see it wasn’t much bigger than our gym, although a lot warmer. Got to train with some quality people there.
The kind of guy Chris is was highlighted when we were just hanging out at my brother-in-law’s house. My club is called Combat Base which was a phrase I actually stole from Chris but he told me he wanted to use that name for his group in the US and did I actually mind.
How many times is Chris over in the UK?
We try to get him over a couple of times per year but it is difficult to achieve sometimes with his wife, Melissa’s schedule and my wife’s schedule too. When he is here though he gives so much information that I have everything put onto DVD that Chris teaches and still have 6 DVDs I haven’t watched yet from his last visit.
Although still a purple belt, you have a higher graded member at your club, your wife Helen. Can you tell us how she got the brown belt and from whom? Was she the first woman to get a brown belt in the UK?
Yes you’re correct, my wife is my sensei. Helen got her brown belt from Haueter whilst we were at the Machado Academy. She rolled with 2 very tough lady black belts first, Cindy Omatsu and Felicia Oh, then went on to face the purple belts then rolled with Chris after that. She rolled for over an hour straight with people of her own grade or higher, with people that outweighed her considerably and gave a very good account of herself. She so deserved to get promoted and I am very proud of her achievement. I think she was the first female brown belt in Europe, but she was definitely the first in the UK and perhaps still the only one.
I have my novelty status back as being a coach who can take someone higher than I am, this happened before when I coached 3 guys to purple whilst still a blue. Hmmmm reflected glory, is there any better kind?
So it’s safe to say she has the last say when it’s time for the washing up then?
Listen, I am the boss in my house, what I say……….(hold on a minute she’s come into the room. She’s gone again now) where was I? Oh yes, what I say goes, period.
You had purple belts when you were still a blue belt; does this bother you that your students were getting the belts before you?
Too right it does!! Just kidding, it’s not Taekwondo, it doesn’t matter. I think it shows that I am doing my job well enough. If I teach and coach correctly then there is no reason why they can’t all overtake me. I am extremely proud of the ones that did; they are all excellent in their own right and fully deserved to be promoted before me. My wife who I previously mentioned is outstanding, Pete Guest who was my first purple has a ridiculous guard, one of the best I have trained against and Varqa Abyaneh who has a great all round game.
These guys have proved themselves in a variety of tournament formats and are good friends too.
How is your current training going; are your injuries giving you any hassle?
Training is a bit stop start at the moment. I have a neck/shoulder problem that is not helping. It is sometimes difficult training yourself when you are teaching so much and not able to travel around as much as I would like. I have a friend over in Florida named Leo Kirby who has become my E-sensei sending me all sorts of training info, techniques, strategies and such. He is training with Edson Diniz regularly as well as training with Marcelo Garcia every chance he gets so the stuff he sends is gold. If I am stuck with something I email Leo and he usually points me in the right direction.
I have just added ‘Leo’s Page’ to my website so he can post everything there to share with everyone else and hope they benefit as much as I have. I also count him as a very good friend too.
I would email Chris too but he is not as good with emails as Leo, LOL.
What are your views on what makes a good BJJ instructor/coach?
As I see things an instructor is someone who teaches you something specific and a coach is someone who helps you to integrate it into your overall game and make it work. An instructor can be a coach and a coach can be an instructor but being able to do one doesn’t necessarily mean you can do the other.
With that distinction made, a good instructor is someone who knows the specifics, the mechanics, the little details. In other words they should know “how to”. One of my old BJJ coaches was an excellent teacher, he taught me loads of techniques but we didn’t drill them under pressure and didn’t spar very often. I started Judo to test the techniques under fire against people I didn’t know, as most Judo matches even in practice were real wars.
A good coach should be able to help you develop your overall game by breaking it down, helping with specific areas, strategies etc. A good coach should have some competitive experience; they can then answer anything then from experience and not from theory only. If you have been there it is easier to advise people who want to do what you have done.
I like the SBGi “I Method” of instruction/coaching. That is Introduction, Isolation, Integration. The Introduction stage is the teaching of the technique, the Isolation is the drilling part to make it work against progressive resistance and Integration is putting it into your overall game. This is a mixture of 1 part teaching and 2 parts coaching which works well, in my opinion.
Both the instructor and the coach should be approachable, be open to suggestion and be honest.
How do you keep your students motivated and more importantly yourself?
There are 2 types of students; the ones that are self-motivated and the ones that are not.
The self-motivated guys just need quality training/coaching, provision of a good atmosphere in which to train and people to train with. Easy.
The guys that need extrinsic motivation may need a goal or a whole series of goals to keep them motivated; competition, fights, seminars etc all provide a target to aim for. We may give them a topic to work on for a couple of months, again something specific to aim for, something you can write down and measure your progress towards.
In John Whitmore’s book ‘Coaching For Performance’ he says the coaches‘ ultimate aim is to make the athlete being coached take responsibility for their own actions. Make them aware that their performance is ultimately down to themselves but this doesn’t work for everyone either I have found.
Unfortunately one solution doesn’t fit all.
As for myself, I have limited time to train so getting motivated to train is fairly easy however getting motivated to teach is not. I have a real love/hate relationship with teaching. I often think I would quit teaching altogether if someone decent moved into my area to open a class.
Coaching is still cool but teaching can be a pain.
How did you get into BJJ?
I got into BJJ the same way as everyone else, from watching the early UFCs. I first saw UFC2 and saw some Brazilian guy whipping everyone’s butts which was unfortunate because I didn’t want him to win.
At the time I was training Taekwondo, Hapkido and some kickboxing so I obviously wanted Pat Smith to win as this was his background too. I guess I was looking for validation that I had picked the right things to train in. Pat Smith tapped and the rest is history.
If Pat Smith had won I would still be running my mega successful Taekwondo schools and wouldn’t be rolling around on the floor with sweaty men. Thanks Pat.
I participated in many of your BJJ/MMA interclubs since back in 2000 and they have always been well attended and I have forged many good friendships since those days; do you still keep in touch with any of the ‘Old Guard’?
I try to keep in touch with all my old friends, yeah. I see the old Keysi guys when Haueter comes over and they come to train with him. Guys like Jim Burman, Jimmy Wong and Andy Pyle. Andy got his purple from Chris last year, which was excellent, because is a very talented grappler (not saying that the others aren’t but you know what I mean).
I still see Spenna and Neil Hall regularly as they continue to support me in everything as well as being founder members of the Yorkshire Alliance group, two more great friends I have made through combat sports.
Any plans to arrange any more events or do you feel like they’re more trouble than they are worth?
We wanted competitions to participate in but there were very few, even fewer fair and impartial ones so we decided to do our own.
“You either find a way or make one” Hannibal
They were no trouble at all as I only invited people that were on the same page as me when it came to training. We simply organise matches for fighters to gain experience in the ring or on the mats, simple as that. If people like what we are doing and enjoy our shows that's great, if we never attracted another spectator again I wouldn't care. It's all about experience. We are trying to promote fighters, not trying to be entertainers. We don't make money from our shows, we don't need to make money from our shows therefore we don't need to lower our standards to appeal to Joe Public. The bigger shows may have to incorporate things they don't particularly like but we certainly don't!! I love doing smaller competitions, loads of like minded people crammed into someone's gym just doing it for the sheer love of doing it. The last one we did at Kickers Academy, man what an atmosphere and what fights!!
The tourneys themselves provided an entry level on which people could build, some of them going to much bigger and better things, winning titles at all levels along the way.
Our grappling competitions were open, and I mean open. We had teams from all over, each representing different academies, clubs, gyms, whatever, representing different styles. No big deal now but back then it was a big thing. I got a lot of great feedback and made some good friends along the way.
We had over 120 competitors one time that made it way bigger than the Nationals.
We have replaced interclubs with training days, we have a few clubs train together under the banner “The Yorkshire Alliance” that is us, Team Fulinkazan, Combat Base North East, Fighting Chance, Combat Base Doncaster and Sprawl Academy. A day of exchanging ideas, rolling with different people and sparring in the ring if that is your thing.
Have any of your guys competed in MMA this year?
Yes we still have people competing; we just had a successful return to MMA for one of our guys recently, Pete Hill, who trains between Combat Base Doncaster and ourselves. Eddie Howarth from Fighting Chance also fought on the same card. James ‘Scraps’ Saville from Team Fulinkazan fought the night before and won the British Title. Head coaches Spenna from Team Fulinkazan and Danny Mitchell from Combat Base Doncaster have fights lined up at the next Ultimate Force show and so it continues.
All the clubs within Yorkshire Alliance have produced fighters for MMA competition, Fulinkazan and Fighting Chance have a non-stop conveyor belt of guys fighting or wanting to fight. It is just an ongoing process.
We are lucky to also have a major promotion, Paul Murphy’s Ultimate Force show as well as smaller feeder shows within a 30 minutes drive so the days of having to travel to London are over, thank God.
What do you think about SENI being in London this year? Are you going to enter any of your students?
London is as easy to get to as anywhere I guess. My students have attended before, some were impressed, some weren’t but they all did well. We usually win some medals from it. Whether anyone wants to enter or not is up to them, if not there are plenty of other tourneys to compete at.
You have always managed to steer away from fully joining up with the big name BJJ organisations that operate in the UK and maintain a fair degree of independence; has this decision impacted upon your club in any way?
Most of my guys and gals don’t have a clue that politics in BJJ exist and I’m proud of that. Only the internet surfers know how it is elsewhere and the crap some people put up with. I have told a few horror stories in class about certain groups and they are amazed that things like that happen. Refer back to your earlier question “What areas of jiu jitsu interest you the most”?
Because of my independence we have attended/hosted seminars and training sessions with Machados, Eddie Bravo, SBGi, Erik Paulson, Gracies, Alliance, Master Team, Gracie Barra, Royce Gracie Network amongst others. If I were with certain groups I would not have been ‘allowed’ to attend all these.
The downside is not having a regular instructor has slowed my progress and guys at our gym were seriously under promoted in some cases which has been remedied now.
The whole having an instructor thing would have improved my game twice as much in half the time. I have trained about 10 years now and am probably on par with people that have trained 5 years. I have had to try and put things together myself, with a little help from my friends, of course.
When I think about it, I don't know if I am complaining or boasting. On one hand I am moaning saying 'I have had to teach myself' on the other hand I am proud to say 'hey I taught myself'
I am in no rush to get anywhere, I don't have much competition left in me, I am sparring will all the young, competitive guys in the gym so that's my Pan Ams and ADCC qualifiers these days.
How has BJJ evolved since the old days back in 2000? Are there more clubs operating and what do you think of the standard in the UK as a whole?
Evolved? Not sure it has to be honest. There are more clubs for sure but I think quantity over quality. The “have blue belt, can coach” mentality is vague to say the least. Some blue belts are excellent, some are not. Some can teach, some are garbage. Some have 5 or 6 years training, some have trained a couple of months and have seminar belts. I know of guys who got belts after a few private lessons or went to a seminar or two and were encouraged to set up clubs.
I think it is difficult to gauge the standard in the UK to be honest but there are way more people at all belt levels that some are bound to be better than others. Some people are sandbagged too as we all know and shouldn’t be the grade they are but that’s politics again for you.
A good example, Gracie Barra in Birmingham was perhaps the best BJJ school in the UK at one point and was run by blue belts but they were awesome blue belts like Ande Roberts, Baz Foley, Rachael Wheatley and so on. If you met any GB Brum people in a tourney you were in for a hard time. Are there any blue belts that good now that aren’t sandbagged purples or browns? I don’t honestly know or care.
I definitely know of clubs that are being run by people who are not of a high standard shall we say.
But do you know what? Listen carefully, this is really important. It doesn’t matter because none of it is real. For most people it is a hobby where you roll around with your friends a few times per week. It’s all just good fun.
Finally a big shout out to who?
I’d like to thank my stylist, my hairdresser……
In no particular order;
Wife, obviously!!
Chris Haueter, you know why.
Leo, for imparting the gospel according to Marcelo
All my training partners for beating me up and keeping me honest
My sponsors Allsports International Limited for all their support over the last 10 years
Ross Iannocarro and the NJJKC for all their support over the last 10 years too
And finally Carl, you, because every time we stand side by side it makes me seem even better looking, if there could ever be such a thing
Exploring the Map . . . Matt Thornton SBGI
One of the most common questions I am asked when I travel and teach is this. . .”what do I need to work on?” As a coach you will need to get used to being asked this, it is part of the job.
The answer to this question will of course be individualized to a great degree. But over the last Ten Years of Coaching BJJ I have also become aware of certain patterns that most athletes will follow in one form or another. It’s the journey all BJJ players undertake, and to explain my own personal vision of it as a Coach and teacher I often use a map analogy.
Imagine for a moment that the Art and science of BJJ is all diagramed out on a large map. Your job as a teacher and Coach is to help the student to first be able to read and navigate on the map, and then to begin to explore the map. As the individual becomes more adept at traveling the territory of the map, they begin to gain greater degrees of performance skill and understanding of the Art of BJJ.
Using that metaphor, here are some of the major steps I often see. . .
The journey of white belt to blue belt in BJJ is one of familiarization.
Using the map analogy, its where you learn to read the map, this is north, south, east, west, etc. And also, where you learn what the major areas of the map are (neighborhoods). The combination of the two in BJJ terms is that you need to learn what and where all the major positions are (neighborhoods), and what the major routes are that connect those positions/neighborhoods, those major roads are the fundamental objectives. As an example, the five point passing game that we teach covers the basic objectives you are looking to accomplish as you try and pass the guard.
In short the journey from white to blue is where the athlete learns to basic rules of the road, learns to play the game.
As a teacher your major focus is best spent on the basic positions, principles, and objectives of BJJ. You want the athlete to first be able to recognize what the major positions are, and secondly to understand what their major objectives are when they find themselves in these positions. The sooner the student learns these two things the sooner they can begin to play the game, ie: explore the map. So a good teacher will keep it basic, clear, and concise, and create an environment where a newbie can start to roll on day one without feeling overwhelmed or confused by the tasks at hand.
As a student at this level your major objectives are simple, familiarize yourself with the major positions and fundamental movements. And secondly, relax.
Keeping it very simple and staying very relaxed will accelerate your game faster then any piece of advise I could offer a white belt. Who taps you out or doesn’t tap you out is completely irrelevant at this level. What’s important is that you enjoy yourself, and allow your body the time to familiarize itself with the mechanics of a roll.
As a Coach the major errors at this stage involve two things. The first is straying too far from solid fundamental movements/ positions. Teaching lock flows, elaborate submission set ups, or too many techniques in a single class will only confuse and slow down the progress of most white belts.
The second is straying too far from solid Coaching methods, the ‘here is a few new techniques, now lets roll method’. . .or the ’lets do 500 dead repetitions of this move’, are sure fire ways to slow down the learning curve of any new athlete.
These mistakes remain a constant throughout the athlete’s progress, and solid fundamentals combined with good ‘I’ method classes are a must throughout the athlete’s career. But they are an absolute deal breaker at the white belt level. Intermediate or advance BJJ athletes can still learn and grow even from poor Coaches who don’t really know how to run a proper class, or workout. But beginners will find themselves completely lost, and may eventually become turned off to the entire activity in that kind of environment.
As an athlete the thing to watch out for at this level is frustration. Because you may often find yourself in an unfamiliar position when rolling, and be unsure of exactly what you should even be trying to do, frustration can often get the best of you. The single best piece of advice I can offer at this level is this. . . .just relax. BJJ takes time, so just enjoy yourself as much as possible. It’s not a race.
The journey of blue to purple is one of detail.
If an individual has no previous background in wrestling, then a lot of BJJ can seem like magic when you first learn it. There is a stage as a beginner where knowledge of a new technique can become that crucial edge that allows you to survive or even beat, a large, strong peer who may have previously smashed you on the mat. So it’s normal that as one comes out of that white belt stage and begins to play the game as an early blue belt, the idea that accumulation of technique equals learning becomes a natural assumption. This is why the blue belt stage is where you gather your instructional DVD collection. It’s also one of the traps of the blue belt. We will talk more about this further down.
Using the map analogy, it’s where you really start to explore the different neighborhoods. You are past the stage of learning to identify north, south, east, west, and the major neighborhoods/ positions, and you’re fully engaged in exploring these areas. No matter what position a Coach calls out, a solid blue belt should have no problem identifying it, and having a good basic idea of what they should be doing from there. Becoming ‘good’ at playing in those different positions is what the stage of blue belt is all about...
As a teacher your major focus is best spent on drilling positions. Submission should be kept to the minimum solid core moves, but the emphasis should always be kept on holding, controlling and escaping from positions. This is of course the case for all levels of athlete. But I think this rule becomes particularly important at the blue belt phase, because the Coach needs to bring the student out of the technique based mode, into a broader positional perspective.
I also believe that blue belt is the where the open guard should really start to be fleshed out. Open guard is the heart and soul of BJJ, and by starting people with the open guard, as opposed to the closed guard, you encourage the development of excellent hip movement. And no-thing in BJJ is more important then that.
As a student work your open guard! Learn to play an active and aggressive guard game. Treat it as an offensive position, with the mindset that regardless of who they are. . .they will not pass your guard. Work your escapes from bottom game. Your emphasis on open guard will help here, as you will be developing solid hip movement. And as always, stick to developing your positional skills and thinking in broader concepts.
Why does BJJ work the way it does?
What are the top three things you are trying to accomplish in any given position?
What is the best priority for those things?
Find the answers for yourself to questions like this. Now that you can play the game it’s time to begin that lifelong process of simplifying the principles and concepts that the game is composed of.
As a Coach the biggest thing to remember when coaching blue belts is patience. Patience is always important no matter who you are coaching, but it can be particularly trying with blue belts because as mentioned previously, they may still be caught in that accumulation phase. The belief that getting better must mean learning a new submission, or a new move, is a phase that many blue belts go through. And as a good coach you need to be patient with them and create an environment where they are guided towards a bigger picture perspective.
As always, sticking with core fundamentals in every class helps facilitate this process.
As an athlete the thing to watch for as a blue belt is the tendency to be distracted from the fundamentals by some flash, or an overly complicated game plan. Learning to differentiate between movements which really are core fundamentals and those that are not, is a skill which may not be fully developed yet. Just because you see a very good competitor or black belt execute that movement or game doesn’t mean it’s something you need to be working on right now.
How is your elbow escape?
Head and arm escapes?
Cross sides escapes?
Base & posture in the closed guard?
By sticking to core fundamentals you will grow much faster.
The journey of purple to brown is one of intense refinement.
There are two belts in BJJ that are the hardest to get. The second hardest belt to achieve is, the purple belt.
Most people that study BJJ for more then a few Years will at some point receive a blue belt. But a purple belt is a different matter. A purple belt means that not only can you play the game (a blue belt) but you can play it really well. Many people will quit BJJ before receiving their purple belt.
But, the hardest belt to achieve is without a doubt, the brown belt. A brown belt doesn’t just play the game well, they play it so well that they are dangerous to everyone they roll with, black belt, world champion, everyone. The step from brown to black (if the brown belt was legitimate to begin with) is always a short hop. So although most people will be purple belts for many Years, the brown belt stage is often quite shorter. This is what makes the brown belt so hard to achieve, and this is why you will most likely be a purple belt longer then you will a white, blue, or brown.
Purple belt is your hump belt, it’s the belt where you put it all the hard work. The time for learning a lot of new technique has passed. There will always be new movements to learn. There is no end to the amount of techniques and counters that will develop in an Alive Art like BJJ. BJJ evolves, like everything else living. But for the most part these things will be variations of root movements you are already familiar with. By now you will know full well that being good at BJJ is not a process of accumulation, but rather one of timing. And that timing is only acquired when you roll and drill Alive. You will have to have thousands of matches. Spend thousands of hours drilling positions, working escapes, working guard passing, playing guard, playing top, and fleshing out your entire game.
As a purple belt no position can go unlearned. It is impossible to be a legitimate brown belt and have a “poor guard”, or “bad escape game”. You need to be good in every position, top, bottom, guard, half guard, and quarter positions. And all this takes time.
Going back to our map analogy, if the journey from white to blue was about learning to read the map and travel along the main routes, and the journey from blue to purple was about becoming familiar with all the neighborhoods, then the journey from purple to brown is one of deep refinement.
You are learning to ‘google earth’ at this stage.
Not only can you get around the map and know all the major neighborhoods well, but you are fleshing out all the streets in each and every separate square block. It’s tiring work because nobody can give you a short cut here. If you really want to develop that true understanding of the entire game of BJJ (and I know you do because you are smart enough to be reading this) then you have to get out onto the mat and walk every single city block on the map. Getting better as a purple belt is about rolling, and drilling positions Alive. . . .over and over again.
As a teacher your major focus is on helping this athlete flesh out his/her game. This means they need to be exposed to athletes of different shapes, sizes, and styles of play. If you have done a good job as a head Coach then you have already created an environment where that can occur. By focusing always on fundamentals you have allowed an entire room of athletes to develop their own unique games, while at the same time making sure they are all highly technical and skilled. Now it’s time to let that room do its work.
You have to honor the process, and you do that by guiding purple belts through the ups and downs of being a competitive athlete.
(Whether they compete publicly or not doesn’t matter here. All purples belts will be constantly matching their game against others in daily, competitive matches within the Gym. And as such they will experience the highs and lows that come with these types of performance activities).
Having specific classes and times where the purple belts and more competitive athletes in your gym can train together and drill at a more intense and aggressive pace, is one of the single most important thing you can do to help as their Coach.
As a student don’t become too attached to any specific position or game. If you have a good Coach who really cares about you, then you will be a purple belt for a long time. And over those Years you will have a certain set of positions and routes that you will prefer over others. A type of game you may feel suits you best. But understand this, as a purple belt that game is not only subject to change, it’s guaranteed to!
You have a lot of work ahead of you at this belt. You have to flesh out the details of every single position that can occur on the mat. It’s not enough to just be ‘ok’ at certain positions anymore, while being ‘good’ at others. You now have to learn to be good at all the positions. And as your body goes through this process, it will of its own accord discover exactly what positions it favors, and those it doesn’t. But you won’t exactly know until the entire map is fleshed out what that game may be like in its final phases. You may spend a few Years being known primarily as a ‘guard guy’. And then within the span of a few days switch completely to playing more of a passing and top game style. You may discover that your left butterfly hook completely changes how you work your old half guard. Or that your ever developing top game also tends to change your preferred guard passing method.
All these changes are positive. It’s completely natural to play one type of game for a few Years, and another for a few more after that. That is how your body learns. You have to go through this process in order to develop that completely fleshed out, well rounded, game. That google earth map. It’s the purple belt process. Just go with it, and let your body play.
As a Coach Just as with blue belts, being very patient with purple belts will become a needed skill. It’s a slightly different thing though. Where as blue belts tend to become attached to learning new ‘moves’, purple belts tend to become attached to playing certain types of games, or ‘styles’.
As I have stated above, most people will be purple belts for a long time. Because of that there can be a huge difference between a brand new purple belt, and an athlete that has been a purple belt for five or six Years. As a beginner purple belt, style can make a massive difference in certain matches. One purple belt may meet another one and completely dominate, not because they are so much better then the other athlete, but more so because the two styles of the athletes just didn’t match up well. Likewise, they may find themselves smashed when working against a particular individual, and become very discouraged. This is because although they are good, there are still parts of the map that need a lot of detailing out as a young purple belt. And if they get caught on one of those blocks that has not been fleshed out yet, and that happens to be a neighborhood their opponents knows well, they can find themselves tapping much faster then expected.
An advanced purple belt won’t experience such a drastic change in performance based solely on their opponent’s style of play. That’s because they have filled in the detail on the majority of the map. So no matter where their opponent may take them, they can still usually put up a decent fight. Understanding this as a coach allows you to witness when an athlete may be moving out of the purple belt phase, and into a brown belt. And until that occurs, you as a Coach have to maintain the patience required to continually remind the athlete that although the game they are playing now is really good, don’t they still have a few positions, or neighborhoods that they could be detailing out a bit more?
The single best question you can ask a purple belt is this, where are you weakest? You have to create an environment where the athlete is forced to work their weak positions, while at the same time they are still able to play competitively and develop their strengths.
And when the purple belt comes to you sure that they have sorted out their own style, be patient, smile, and send them back onto the mat for more work.
As an athlete The thing to watch for as a purple belt is exactly what I described above, your attachment to any single game, or style of play. Understand that your job at this belt is to really learn to play well at every single position that occurs within BJJ. This doesn’t just take time, it also means that as your body is given time to work from these positions your own personal game and style of play will change. Its okay to work on developing you’re ‘A’ game, just remember that today’s A game may become tomorrows B game, and enjoy the process along the way.
The journey of brown to black is one of simplification.
If the process described above was fully traveled, and the athlete had a Coach who cared enough about them to keep them at each belt until they were ready, then by the time you reach the stage of a legitimate brown belt you will pose a threat to ever person you touch hands with.
You won’t have any holes in your game. As I mentioned above, it’s impossible to be a legitimate brown belt and have a “poor guard”, or “bad escape game”. You won’t just know every position on the mat; you will be good at every position. “Style” will still make a difference when you roll, but it won’t play nearly as large a part as it does when you are a brand new purple belt. By this stage of learning, even if you are taken out of the positions you prefer to play in, you will still bring plenty of game.
If you read the description above and wonder what the difference is between a brown belt and a black belt, the answer is this. As a good purple belt you had begun the process of developing your own “style”. As I mentioned above, this style is not only subject to change as a purple belt, it’s guaranteed to. But, by the time you reach brown belt that individual style of play has become more solidified. It is identifiable, and it will be a direct reflection of your own personality, build, strengths, weakness, and mindset.
Your task at brown belt is simple; it’s time to perfect your routes.
Using the map analogy, you learned the read and explore the major areas of the map as you went from white to blue. You gained experience and time in the various neighborhoods on the path from blue to purple. And you filled in a lot of detail regarding the entire city on the journey from purple to brown. Along the way you began to figure out what sections of a particular neighborhood, city blocks, specific streets and even ally ways that you prefer to travel. That process of discovering your own preferred routes. . . .that is the process of discovering your own “style”. By the end of the purple belt stage, those particular pathways have been carved out. Now that you are a brown belt, it’s time to perfect those routes.
At brown belt the answer to this should be very simple. It’s now time to be very competitive. It’s time to get in shape, push your body, and push your game. The only way to sharpen those routes, to test those specific directions you have for the map is to wrestle competitively against as many people as possible. You need to spend sometime matching your “style” against other styles. You need to pressure test your game.
As a brown belt you need to be willing to roll with anyone that walks into the Gym. And you have to enter the roll expecting to win.
In order to do this you will need to be an athlete. You will never know how your game works under pressure unless you’re capable of pushing yourself past the point where most people tire out. If you don’t ever experience that level of conditioning, then you may never reach those points where your game becomes tested the way it should be.
You have mastered the fundamentals already. You know the technique. Now it is time to see just how good your body can perform those mechanics. Just how can you be?
As a teacher:
When you’re working with brown belts you have for the most part gone past the point of being a ‘teacher’. Offering new tips or techniques is not what a brown belt needs. To work well with brown belts you need to be a Coach. Your council will revolve more around specific strategies. As one brown belt pits his style against a worthy opponent, advice on how to approach the match, deal with conditioning, and handle pressure all become key areas to work on.
You also have to be willing to let the brown belts go. In other words, let them be a very competitive animal, let them make their mistakes, gain their confidence and fine tune their game. Sometimes the best thing you can do for BJJ athletes at this stage is to get out of their way, give them space, and be their only if asked. A good coach at this stage is a lot like a good butler. You may never notice they are there, but if they are needed they are available right away.
As a student it’s time to push yourself more then you ever have before in BJJ. And if you have never played a serious competitive sport before, then you may be pushing yourself more then you ever have in your lifetime. It’s only in that pressure cooker that your game will finely condense into a working reflection of your own unique self. And that is perfect.
Things to avoid:
As a Coach you need to avoid the trap of needing to always be the ‘expert’. By this time you have probably spent a number of Years being the primary person this athlete has turned to for advise, information, and direction. Now you have to be willing to let go of that role and begin to acknowledge the athlete as more of an equal. Your relationship with them will change, and you can serve as a useful guide in matters of belt evaluations, teaching, and overall thoughts regarding the game. But, you can’t try and hold onto to the same teacher – student dynamic you may have had when this athlete was a white or blue belt.
For the Coach this stage brings up all kinds of issues regarding attachment to self image. And that’s perfect as well.
As an athlete don’t burn out. Be competitive, but keep it fun. Take care of your body, your health, and your overall well being. Make sure you don’t over train, or find yourself mentally drained.
The confidence you gain as a brown belt is invaluable, and it can’t be faked.
No amount of pop psychology nonsense, self hypnosis, or Tony Robbins car salesman insincerity will ever serve as a useful substitute for the true development that takes place when you fully honor the process.
Authenticity can’t be bought, sold, or even taught. It’s only ever found. And you can only ever do it for yourself.
The brown belt stage shouldn’t last more then a couple Years. If your Coach did his job regarding measurement, then you developed the meat of your game as a purple belt. Being a brown belt was a formality of refinement, testing, and self knowledge.
By the end of that time you will have a solid understanding of the entire map. And you will also have your own specific routes, details, “style”, which will be a direct reflection of your own unique persona. And this means you are now a black belt.
This is a broad topic. There are many issues that arise after the black belt. You will have to deal with things like measurement, coaching and teaching (see the post on belts below). As well a lifelong process of simplicity that never stops evolving. You will learn to get heavier, and intangibles like base, timing, and transitional skills continue to be honed.
I will deal with many of these subjects in future articles. But for now, the single most important thing I can say regards being a black belt is this:
When it comes time for you to help guide others through this same process, you need to make sure you go back to teaching the entire map, and guiding your own future students through their own exploration of that map.
You must avoid the pitfall of teaching your own specific routes.
This doesn’t mean you need to keep secrets, far from it. But, by focusing only on the fundamentals you allow athletes the needed space and information required so they can develop their own unique games. While also making sure they are all highly technical and skilled. When you teach just your own style, you rob them of that same process.
The Process of BJJ itself is a very powerful form of Yoga. And when I use Yoga in this context I am referring to it in the older, original sense of the word. All of us involved in this process can feel a deep sense of gratitude for it. It’s a real blessing, privilege, and joy.
"Religions are founded by what mystics say when they come back; but what the mystics say is not the same as what happened to them."
Carve your own path
Taken from Matt Thornton’s Aliveness Blog
TIP OF THE WEEK - TRAINING WITH INJURIES
courtesy of Stephan Kesting www.grapplearts.com
Injuries suck. They hurt, they take a long time to heal, and most importantly,
they prevent you from training. Knowing how to train around injuries is an
important part of getting better at any sport, and this is especially true in
grappling.
In the past I have often used tape, braces and other gear to protect minor injuries and stop them from turning into major ones (as discussed in www.grapplearts.com/Grappling-Gear.html, for example).
Major injuries are more tricky, because your number one priority should be not to make that injury worse. However, often there is still some limited training you can do. For hand, arm and shoulder injuries, for example, you can tuck that arm into your belt (or grab your waistband) and work your open guard using just your legs and one arm. If your opponent passes your guard then STOP, let your opponent go back into your guard, and then start again. I have done this exercise safely with a cast on a fractured arm, and when that cast came off I found that I had really improved my open guard game.
As you may know, I recently injured my neck. A pinched nerve root at the base of the cervical spine has resulted in weakness and numbness down my left arm. A neurologist tells me that these injuries typically take 3 to 6 months to heal. Furthermore I'm not supposed to do any grappling nor lift any heavy weights until it heals.
Now being stubborn and foolish I'm going to partially ignore my doctors. I intend to continue grappling until this heals, albeit with several important caveats:
1. I'm only going to do light rolling
2. I'm only going to roll with people who have good physical (and emotional)
control.
3. I'm going to avoid any and all positions or techniques that put strain on
my neck
4. It's going to be ridiculously easy to tap me out: just grab my head or
neck and I'm going to tap right away
I also intend to do a lot of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning during my recovery, since running on flats, hills and stairs doesn't seem to irritate the injury at this point. I'm going to do some light weights, just to maintain some muscle tone in my upper body, but definitely nothing heavy or extreme. Finally I have used this injury as an excuse to buy a couple of jiu-jitsu books and DVDs that I've been wanting to look at for a while now.
When I heal up I'll still be in the grappling mindset, have great cardio, and Be ready to go!
THE AGING GRAPPLER by Stephan Kesting
Taken from a Q&A from Stephan's excellent web site www.grapplearts.com
Q: What are your views on the 'aging grappler' who tries to keep rolling into his thirties and forties? What are some limitations and injuries to watch out for?
A: As an 'aging grappler' myself (at thirty seven years old) this is a topic near to my heart. I have found that I can work out just as hard as when I was young, but that it takes longer to recover from a tough workout. Recovery is heavily affected by hormones, and an older grappler just doesn't have as high levels of testosterone, growth hormone and other hormonal factors to recover as fast as some twenty-year-old punk.
So what is a thirty, forty or fifty-something grappler to do? As I prepare to rattle off some suggestions I am reminded of the old joke which goes: "take my advice, I'm not using it". If I followed my own advice rigorously then I'd be in bed right now preparing for tomorrow's training session rather than typing this newsletter...
1 - Don't train hard every class, especially if you are training often. If each sparring session is a battle to the death then you won't recover in time for your next class. If you are always compounding incomplete recovery with more incomplete recovery, then overtraining, injury and illness become certainties, not possibilities (see www.grapplearts.com/Overtraining-Article.htm for more information about overtraining).
2 - Pay attention to recovery, especially after harder training sessions. One reason that pro fighters and other young whelps can train so much is that they usually have the luxury of sleeping in, as well as taking naps during the day. This added sleep is a surefire way to recovering faster from workouts.
Now I realize that people with full time jobs and/or family obligations are unlikely to be able to sleep 9+ hours a night, and take naps whenever they are tired. At the very least try to get somewhere around 8 hours of sleep when you are training hard.
Pre and post exercise nutrition is also a huge factor in muscle recovery. A sportsdrink right before you work out, and a protein-carb drink immediately afterwards, willhelp you recover faster.
3 - Accept that you are in it for the long haul, and that there will be good days and bad days, hard days and easy days. The performance of older athletes isn't determined by how hard they train on a given day, but rather by the cumulative results of years of training.
4 - Consider doing some weight training once or twice a week, IF you can do it without overtraining (see www.grapplearts.com/Basic-Weight-Lifting.htm for some
basic weightlifting advice). Careful weightlifting can help prevent injuries by strengthening muscles, ligaments and bones, and less injuries mean faster improvement on the mat.
5 - Take inspiration from the athletes who have performed at incredibly high levels at age 40+. Randy Couture is an obvious example, becoming the UFC's Light-Heavyweight Champion at age 40. Fred Hatfield was the first man to squat a mind-boggling 1000 pounds, and he did it at fourty-five years of age!
6 - Remember that strength and endurance are finite, but that there is no end to technique. High levels of technique CAN overcome youthful energy and enthusiasm, so ask questions, analyze deeply and study hard.
Dont' Spray The Apes
(A little story to encourage you to question things)
Start with a cage containing five apes.
In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long an ape will go up the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as the ape touches the banana, spray all apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes an attempt with the same result - all the apes are sprayed with cold water. Then turn off the cold water.
Now if another ape tries to climb the stairs for the banana the other apes will try to prevent it even though no water sprays them. Now remove one of the five apes from the cage and replace with a new one. The new ape sees the banana and tries to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the apes attack him. After another attempt he is again attacked. He knows now that if he attempts to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Again, replace a third of the original five apes with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four apes that beat him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape. After replacing the fourth and fifth of the original apes there are no longer any apes that have been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the banana. Why not ??
"Because that's the way it's always been around here."
Mixed Martial Arts For Kids by Darren Currie
Updated 2004
Darren Currie talks to John Hopton about his successful mixed martial arts programme for children and young people
The following article was originally intended to appear in the KSBO pages in the British martial arts magazine “Fighters”. However, during the Summer of 2004 “Fighters” magazine disappeared without trace and is believed to have ceased publication. With the demise of “Fighters” Darren Currie has kindly given KSBO permission to publish the article on the internet.
1. Could you briefly describe the format of CHAOS rules training and what ages it's for?
CHAOS is an acronym for Children’s All Out Sparring. It was designed specifically to enable juniors to train realistically or ‘Alive’ but safely at the same time, developing some real skills that lend to defending yourself should the need arise. All the children are taught, "stand up, clinch and ground" to coin a phrase, so they have tools that help them defend against situations on whichever level they occur. Younger children may need to defend against grabbing, pulling, pushing type attacks whereas older children may be attacked with striking i.e. punches, kicks etc. You have to provide a response that is relevant to the attack. For example, in one martial art that I trained in, you were taught striking against grabs but if a child is grabbed at school and the child retaliates by elbowing his attacker in the nose, who will get into trouble? You cannot hit everyone who grabs you; this is where you need clinch and grappling skills. Should the attack come in the form of a strike, then we can defend and retaliate with strikes.
If you take this training and also put it into scenarios that are considered common whilst fighting i.e. head lock position, bear hugs etc the juniors become prepared for the ‘real’ fight, and as such, become better conditioned to deal a suitable response.
On a side note, the Ladies Self Protection class also trains this way on a fairly regular basis and even the seniors have found this to be rewarding training. For men and women who are professionals and therefore unable to attend work with bumps and bruises, the cage head guards work perfectly allowing realistic training with absolute protection.
In a nutshell, CHAOS is Mixed Martial Arts for juniors and does not include anything that we deem unnecessary.
2. Is CHAOS something that you devised yourself (If not where does it come from?)
We coined the phrase “Chaos” but it is nothing new really, it is more a concept of training rather than a bunch of stuff thrown together. It is training realistically or ‘Alive’ whilst being fully protected.
As for why we chose this way to train the juniors, we tend to use the term ‘combat sports’ for what we do (hence the web site address www.combatsport.co.uk) rather than martial arts, so if you look at combat sports in general there is all manner of protection available. I simply cannot understand people these days still training katas/forms/poomse, whatever, when there is absolutely no need. In days gone by when protection wasn’t readily available maybe you had to train your ‘killer’ techniques against an imaginary opponent but now it is a waste of time.
The actual technical side of Chaos came directly from the various systems we studied then simply took all the best bits and put it together into one format.
Up until this point children’s training and competition was way too unrealistic with people spouting the same nonsense over and over. Most kids are pretty resilient and tend to like the rough and tumble of fighting each other. The detractors, depending on their background, display a faulty logic. We met with some resistance when trying to explain that we teach joint locks to certain age kids.
Faulty logic #1 from a striking based instructor of a Olympic sport “Children shouldn’t do arm locks because their bones aren’t fully developed yet” but quite happily teach children to kick each other, full power, in the face.
Faulty logic #2 from an instructor of a grappling based Olympic sport “children shouldn’t even be hitting each other” but happily teaches children to throw someone on the floor.
Do you start to get the picture?
3. What's the balance between boys and girls who participate?
Actually in our gym, at the moment, a third of the overall club membership are female and are making some very good fighters. I know it is harder to watch your young daughter fighting this way than your son, certainly from an over-protective fathers point of view (me, for example) but to prepare the children fully you need to train this way. Before the kids train with us in this format, parents will have seen other kids doing it so they know what to expect.
I wouldn’t want any of my children to train in anything else but this format; I want them to have a chance!
What I have noticed at a number of other clubs where female “self defence” is taught, training assumes a larger, stronger male will attack you. Whilst this is certainly a possibility (which is why clinch and ground are so important) there is also a major possibility that, especially at school, it may well be another female that attacks them. Hence the need for striking skills too and the ability to choose which skills are required at the time.
4. What is the format of CHAOS rules tournaments and how many have you had?
First and foremost, whenever we have done tournaments or competitions we have always included children’s matches. We have structured things so that every single competitor receives a medal. Therefore, regardless of the outcome of their matches, the children have some sort of reward for their efforts. The children initially see this extrinsic motivation and compete just to get a medal. This removes the emphasis from winning to that of just competing. It has become a bit of a cliché but whoever steps out onto the mat is a winner anyway. Remember Roosevelt’s Man In The Arena "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena etc, etc……..
I emphatically believe this! So therefore the kids are rewarded with a medal for having the nerve to try.
There are a lot of combat sports open to kids but many are single styles or are very limited technique wise. Due to the fact that the kids train all ranges they have been able to compete successfully in such diverse disciplines such as TKD, Judo, Amateur Vale Tudo, Sport Ju Jutsu, Submission Grappling as well as our own CHAOS and BJJ. This shows the unlimited potential that these kids have for a variety of combat sports as we have had numerous medal winners and champions from our gym.
Rules of the game are very important and a progression must be made. You can’t just jump in at an all out level. An example of this would be children up to a certain age will only play for positional control, then as they get older and more experienced you start to add things onto that base.
5) What extra safety measures do you have to have in place for kids MMA? In terms of what techniques to avoid, the sport of protective equipment to use etc?
First of all the juniors always wear a cage head guard, body armour and groin box. Then we have a rule that whatever you are striking with must
be padded. Quite simple really;
• If you want to punch you wear well padded MMA gloves
• If you want to elbow you wear elbow pads
• If you want to knee you wear knee pads
• If you want to kick you wear shin and instep protection
If we are playing a scenario where one person can not strike, then that person doesn’t need gloves and so on.
The head guards MUST be the cage type because they offer protection against linear attacks, I have personally seen young children doing Tae Kwon Do be kicked full in the face having noses and lips bust and have seen ‘semi-contact’ matches where a young child gets hit square in the face, for what reason? This is absolutely unnecessary. If kids wore an open face type head guard when they were working Ground ‘N’ Pound techniques…there would be little point wearing it.
The gloves must be well padded to prevent any hand trauma in case of one of the juniors punching incorrectly or punching a piece of hard protective equipment. Remember this is why gloves were initially introduced into boxing, to protect hands not heads!!
The next thing is the officials. All officials that we use have my complete trust as they themselves are/have been competitive fighters of a good standard. If they think someone is taking too many shots or have been put into a submission position but they refuse to tap, the official will stop the match. No question, it is always SAFETY FIRST! Period.
I am extremely proud to say that due to a concerted team effort, an excellent training concept and an abundance of protective equipment we have NEVER had a single injury.
6) Parents can sometimes be a bit of a problems with kids doing sport. A mate of mine used to take his lads to play football and used to get really annoyed about other dads encouraging deliberate fouls, and bawling out their kids for not doing well enough but never giving any positive encouragement. What strategies do you have for dealing with the pushy competitive dad (and mum) types that you sometimes come across?
Some parents can be a problem, in fact I could write a book about experiences of this nature.
I remember when the mother of the National TKD Champion came onto the mats when her son lost a match, only to meet his opponent’s mother coming the other way. A fairly large argument ensued and the police had to be called. So funny! The sons in question were both in their 20s!
From our point of view I believe education and inclusion are key. From day one we are completely honest with everyone as to what we expect of people, both students and parents. What we do and why we do it are explained in detail if necessary. We let it be known that we wont take any nonsense, from children or parents. If they cannot accept that, they go elsewhere. That is the education part; the inclusion part has parents helping out with things regarding the gym and the events we run from the gym. They are invited to go wherever we go therefore from our end, this is easy to control.
The only people in combat sports/martial arts that I associate with are people that have the same outlook on things as I do, so they can pretty much guarantee the behaviour of everyone from their end.
The problem arises when it is an open competition and we do not know what other clubs coaches/parents are like. This is where have strong officials who will not be intimidated and can handle whatever comes their way.
We have in our rules that a competitor can and will be disqualified if his corner (coaches or parents) act inappropriately be it physical or just verbal.
Some coaches, generally speaking, have to be more responsible. They can’t realise how much influence they have over the young athletes. The coaches that purposely encourage cheating are a disgrace and should address the serious issues they obviously have. If a coach encourages cheating, he is not a worthy coach, what message does that send to the kids? I know for a fact that this happens because I have seen it.
The absolute worst are the coaches/parents that have never really achieved anything in life and want reflected glory trying to live their lives through their students/son/daughter.
I have personally seen in a TKD match 2 children crying because their respective fathers are bawling at them to beat the other one. These parents are an absolute disgrace and ought to get onto the mats themselves and give it a go. Playing chess using your children is as low as it gets.
Then there are the negative parents, the ones that have never done anything therefore assume that their offspring will never do anything either. We manage to counter this quite well with our constructive, positive advice. I believe this is what determines what sort of coach you are, how you deal with this kind of situation. Whilst I do not advocate fighting as a front line solution it is sometimes necessary. We have had children with initially no confidence now able to stand up to the bullies who had been making their young lives a misery and sort things out. I have seen this numerous times so I believe the coaches positive reinforcement can outweigh the parents negative attitude.
Generally we have had very little difficulties at any of our events because, I have said previously, we only seem to associate with people of a similar attitude. On the odd occasion that we have had a minor disagreement the officials have sorted it out amicably, such as the last junior competition that we hosted, one coach had a hard time accepting a judges decision and was becoming a little heated but the officials stepped in and sorted it out. If he doesn’t like it, he won’t come back. I don’t care because if you can’t accept a decision, you are in the wrong sport, my friend.
7. Why do you emphasize the” combat sport” aspect of martial arts?
This is an area that has been addressed many times and where agreeing to disagree is usually the conclusion. I see it this way.
Combat sports involve a lot of drilling against progressive resistance and sparring. Nothing is left to theory. You can practice your full repertoire of techniques but everything is done with “aliveness” (for a full explanation of aliveness please refer to www.straightblastgym.com) in other words it has Timing, Energy and Motion.
If you look at ‘martial arts’ then there are things like one step sparring, one step self defence etc where an opponent takes a contrived step towards you and punches/strikes/stabs you with a fully extended arm and waits for your defence and counter attack. Looks great but No timing, No energy, No motion! Even worse where you are practicing some form of pre-arranged movements against someone imaginary. I wonder how many children have been put off by this uninspiring approach?
If you took 2 people of similar size and strength then trained one of them in the combat sports as described above and the other one in a ‘traditional’ way, then had them fight, who do you think would win?
If you personally were preparing for a match/fight which way would you want to train? I know which I would prefer!
Conclusion
If I have offended anyone by these statements I apologise, as it was not my intention but let me finish by asking you a question “Why were you offended?” If you wish to raise any points or to put forward your perspective, please email me on combatbase@hotmail.com
Man in the Arena
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
...
MATT THORNTON OCTOBER 2003 by Carl Fisher
CF: So you've just completed another successful tour of the UK, you must be getting to like it over here by now?
MT: I always enjoy visiting the UK
CF: How did you get involved in the UK scene initially?
MT: I was invited to do some seminars for Andy Norman and Karl Tanswell. My friend Chris Haueter had visited first, and highly suggested I make the trip for a number of reasons.
CF: A lot of people have been associating to you from the UK, are you providing something that we were missing before?
MT: I don't know what was, or was not missing before. But in general the SBGi is great because it's 100% honest, and there is nothing but integrity with the Organization. I cannot be bought, and all our belts, and Instructorships are strictly PERFORMANCE based. That is, they must be able to perform the material, and pass that material on to others logically, and with Aliveness. When those standards are kept then what tends to happen is that the people that find themselves attracted to SBGi tend to be down to earth, honest, funny, and good hearted. And as such, the training environment is always a lot of fun to be in. I think that, more then anything else, is what draws people to the Gym. There is no attitude with us.
CF: You have quite a few graded members over here now so I guess the standard is improving?
MT: It's improving greatly. When I first visited the standard for BJJ was pretty low, and a lot of the basics where being done poorly, or simply incorrectly. Perhaps they where taught that way. But that's all changing. I gave out our first three purple belts ever this year to Pete Guest, Karl Tanswell and Helen Smith, all are well deserved and would easily be able to compete in Brazil or CA in their respective divisions and do very well. Also, they all clearly understand how and why training Alive is vital and they can Coach. There are also a ton of tough young blue belts that are right on the verge of purple. And John Kavanagh in Ireland is approaching brown belt fast. It wont be long before there are a lot of legit brown and black belts in the UK that have a real understanding of the Art, how to train, and what it's all about on a larger scale.
CF: I've read the 'street V sport' a number of times on your website, why don't people get it? How would you recommend people train for self-defence?
MT: Why don't people get it, the answer is fear and ego. They are more motivated by image then they are by performance. If they where performance based then they would step on the mat and train and roll with anyone, in front of their students, and on a daily basis. If someone was better then they were, they would seek that someone out. Even, and especially if it means tapping out in public. That is HOW you get better. Someone motivated by image will never do that. They are to controlled by their own internal fears of looking bad, or looking the fool. As a consequence they will cultivate a tough guy image, but they certainly won’t train with Aliveness. This of course leads to more fear, and in the end that is okay but they will crash hard eventually, and realize the futility of the path they have chosen. The universe is perfect that way.
How do you train for self defense? You train with 100% Aliveness. Using the "I" method, and having fun. Circumstances will dictate tactics, and plans will always change upon contact, but the DELIVERY SYSTEMS of stand up, clinch, and ground will ALWAYS remain the same. And the TRAINING METHODS for those delivery systems also remains and obvious constant.
CF: You don't put a lot of emphasis on who you trained with, who certified you etc. but people still ask about your credentials on forums. Don't you have days where you feel like becoming insular and stop spreading the "aliveness" message?
MT: Well what you have to understand is that online, and via e-mails it can sometimes be a pain in the ass. This is true. But in real day-to-day life my experiences are pretty joyful. Wherever I travel around the world I am always around true friends, and quality human beings. See that is the great side effect of the Alive paradigm; it only attracts great human beings. So in reality my life is a really good one.
CF: Back to the seminar tours, you visited Denmark recently. I've been all over Scandinavia and found there are some excellent BJJ players.
MT: They are getting there. They certainly have the training ethics, and attributes. I think Denmark will be a force in MMA and BJJ in about 3-5 Years.
CF: I read on a forum the guy following you round everywhere with a camcorder is making a behind-the-scenes documentary. Confirm?
MT: Yep, true story.
(NOTE there is a highlight clip posted on the SBGi web site and some other MMA forums including SFUK)
CF: I love the recent crop of MMA documentaries, what did you think of Smashing Machine?
MT: I only watched part of it, it was very sad. It's one example of someone that has not looked deep enough within themselves to understand why they are doing what they are doing. Everyone says they want to be a "champion", or they want to "fight", and many, many young kids do now. There are thousands of them, it's no big deal anymore. But very few are introspective enough to meditate on WHY they want to do that. It's the WHY that keeps you on course, and mentally and emotionally healthy. Most humans wont go that deep though. It's easier just to watch TV, or talk about sports. It's also simply part of maturing. Learning to understand why you find yourself attracted to certain things, people, images, and what it is you are really seeking. Some people are not mature enough to go there. Others may never get there in this lifetime. But you will never be truly happy, or healthy, until you begin that process.
CF: I see SBG Productions are still making instructional videos, what's in the pipeline?
MT: Many good things. Rodney King's videos are out, and I believe honestly that they will in many ways revolutionize how people do stand up training. We also have a second series from Bob Bass and Rick Williams that will be breaking soon. As well as a tape on MMA training from SBGi Coaches the Singer brothers. A new DVD set that will be coming out of FLA on BJJ fundamentals that I shot. And I will be filming series three in Sept 2004 along with the other SBGi Coaches including hopefully Karl and John. That series is where much of my energy and information will go.
CF: Finally, any ambitions left to fulfil?
MT: Yes, to be free of all ambitions, all the time, which of course means now doesn’t it?
CF: Thanks for your time.
MT: Pleasure.
SPENNA FOLLOWING HIS FIRST ROUND VICTORY AT SPRAWL ‘N’ BRAWL
Another good win for you, how does that feel?
Pretty good, I only trained correctly for the fight for about 2 weeks. Neil worked his ass off to get me a fight, but a couple of guys who I wanted to fight would not fight me. John Jameson agreed to fight me.
We had the same time training in Martial Arts, but he was a better striker than me. I had been working my submissions and takedowns more than my striking and it paid off.
You are becoming a bit of a submission specialist; even the guys you have been training have good sub skills. What's your secret?
Not sure about "submission specialist", I have been doing ok in different formats and picked up a couple of submissions. There is no real secret just lots of sparring and breaking tech techniques down and working on them.
For 6 months I just work one submission only, now I seem to pull it off at will. Lots of time on the mat, there are no short cuts.
Is submission your preferred way to win a match or do you look for the KO as well?
At the moment I am better suited to submissions, I have been fighting a lot of kicker boxers/strikers and I don't see the point of risking the chance been knocked out when I can take them down and beat them. Plus I train with some really good Jui Jitsu guys at Combat Base; there are half a dozen BJJ Blue Belts and some really good White belts. Darren and Helen are both excellent teachers.
My striking has some gaps but it is something I am working on. I have Ian Butlin and his bros helping me out with my hands. The Butlins are very good boxers so I am in safe hands there. Neil Hall has been helping me with my kicks and showing me some nice body shots. So with these guys helping me out, you might see a KO soon.
Who trains you?
Darren Currie, Neil Hall and Ian Butlin are the main guys but there are others.
What is a typical week's training?
Monday - MMA at Fighting Chance
Tuesday - Wrestling then Jiu Jitsu at Kickers BBA
Wednesday - MMA at Fighting Chance
Thursday - Wrestling then Jiu Jitsu at Kickers BBA
Friday - Jiu Jitsu and Boxing at Quannam
Saturday - Jiu Jitsu at Combat Base
Sunday - Rest or MMA
I do weights and running as well in the morning and when I have a free moment I train with Tom Harris at Kickers.
How do you prepare for an event like Sprawl N Brawl?
I was fighting Semi-Pro so when sparring I didn’t bother with headshots on the floor, just lots of wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. It’s hard to say I should of worked my striking more, because I won. But I will be working on it for my next fight.
Any more fights planned this year?
Yes, I am going to do Ultimate Combat 7. I had a bad time at UC2, but I am going to give them the benefit of a doubt and fight. One of the main reasons I have said yes to this is because I have agreed to fight on UC7 is because I am fighting on the Cage Warriors show on Nov 2nd and I don't like to have too big a gap when fighting.
I know you run some successful classes, will you be moving to coaching once you are done competing?
Classes are going really well at the moment I am getting between 8 to 15 guys at a time, 10 months ago I could not get any one to train with me. I am going to stick to my regular classes at the moment and just train. When I hang up my gloves I will look to open a fighters gym and train fighters!
Finally, what is most important, the winning or the taking part?
That’s a hard one, taking part is really important it is easy to just talk and not back up you words. I always tell my guys that "if you lose we know what we need to work on", I think it takes some of the pressure off. But on the other hand I train and fight to win!
For more information check www.combatbasemma.co.uk www.combatsport.co.uk or email mark_b_spencer@hotmail.com
CHRIS HAUETER, September 30th 2002, Pontefract, UK by Carl Fisher
BJJ black belt Chris Haueter talks to Carl Fisher at Darren Currie’s Combat Base Academy, Pontefract, Yorkshire, UK, February 13th 2003.
It’s been four years since we last saw each other Chris how the hell are you?
I’m fine Carl, in great shape. I can’t believe it’s been so long since we last saw each other. I’ve been working as a cop up in LA and am still training a lot and travelling as much as possible. Lately I have been travelling up to Portland, Oregon training with all t Straight Blast Gym guys, it’s really great out there.
When did you start training in Oregon Chris?
In 1996 I was going up there on a regular basis, as it was a very innovative gym at the time and it helped my own training enormously.
In what way have they helped you develop?
The guys were kind of isolated from the rest of the quote unquote BJJ community, so a lot of times I could go up there and show them techniques and upon my return in four months, they’d have developed their own counters and modified and adapted what I’d shown them to suit their own needs.
How often do you get to train with Matt?
Around two to four times a year
What have you been showing the students here tonight?
It’s mainly been Matt’s show, I’ve come along to assist Matt; we’ve worked a lot on the bottom positions to include the cross side position and the various escapes from these positions. We talked about the philosophy of working with and without the gi, to gi or not to gi as I like to say and my answer is to train them both, as they both in turn help the other game.
Do you still see John and Rigan in Torrance?
I still call it my home school, but I have a load of mats in my garage and have a bunch of students who work out with me and I get over to see Ryan Greg and Bob Bass whenever I can.
How has the garage developed, as I recall I helped you concrete the garage base when I was in LA in 99, nursing a bad hangover?
(Laughs) I remember that man, you were destroyed! Yes the garage is going great we work out and I teach the classes and when I am away I usually send them on to either Ryan’s or Bob’s for their training, as well as Rigan’s.
I still have the copy of Grappling magazine where they ran a feature of the Machado black belts and you were among them; the article also included guys like Dave Meyer, Bob Bass and Fernando Vasconceles. Do you still keep in touch with them?
Most of them yes, we are all still friends, but just like everything when people start to grow, they tend to move on and you see them less and less. At Bob’s school on a Wednesday it’s kind of a black belt night where a lot of the old faces show up.
Are you still training yourself or concentrating on your students?
I would say at this point of my life, being thirty-eight, I plan on grappling the rest of my life, but I look at myself as more of an instructor/coach, rather than a competitor anymore. My last competition fight was against Andre Pedenairas and we fought to a draw, no points, but they raised his hand, some people cheered some of them booed. What I realised half way through the fight was that I didn’t have that drive in me to put the energy into the pre training homework that makes up a competitive fighter.
Do you do your own gradings?
I do them all yes; Matt is my first black belt and Matt is the first black belt from any other Machado black belts. Not only do I rank the person’s ability to hold his or her own against a higher grade, I also rank the ability to understand the art as well. Matt is well over six foot six and about 220, well I can roll with him and he doesn’t have to use his strength, it’s game on game and that to me is the essence of the art of Jiu Jitsu. You have your attributes, your mental will power and your skill and the art is in the skill; your attributes, conditioning, your size, age, speed and strength are all perishable skills but the actual technical training and understanding of the art, those always grow.
Which students are graded in your garage?
I have a few good blue belts, some guys close to the purple belts and to me the jump from blue to purple is a pretty big one, so I like the purple belt to be a skilled purple instead of an attribute purple belt.
When were you awarded your black belt?
1996 from Rigan Machado and it was after a lot of training; at the time when I received my brown belt I felt like I’d deserved it after all the work I’d done, yet the black belt sat kind of heavy on me in the beginning and that was true with a lot of guys. I had my first match as a black belt and I won it, so I realised, yes I am a black belt and at that time in the American BJJ scene it was difficult to gauge if we were black belts, as the black belts we knew were very skilled black belts and they still killed us on the mats. Then there was a time when me and the original six Machado black belts, Mark Eccard, Chris Brennan and a few others, we were at the top of the US students and our coaches in turn cream us, so it was difficult to know if we were really black belt level until we actually got to compete against other black belts.
You were the first US black belt to compete in the Mundials?
Yes that was in 1996 or 1997, I lost my first match, he pretty much killed me and he went on to take third place, he was pretty damn good.
What do you think of the level of BJJ in the US now; has it exploded as predicted in the magazines?
It’s definitely exploded, there are a lot of different Brazilian black belts running schools and a lot of American black belts running schools and the tournaments now are just huge out here. A lot of the Brazilian black belts think the US scene has exploded as well and I think the American influence on BJJ has been one of the wrestling background, collegiate and Greco and I think it has added a new dimension to the strategies and techniques of BJJ. The stalling that you see in the American game comes from the wrestling, to score points and hold and that negates the art and the only other thing I’d say I don’t like about the American BJJ scene is the lack of the spiritual side of things, it’s something felt not taught. With the NHB now, it’s kinda like the WWF, people come in and talk a bunch of shit and the art gets lost along the way. You get to think it’s all about you rather than the art.
I will never forget the time in LA after a session when you likened rolling to moving Zen; can you explain this concept?
I remember being a purple belt and I was married at the time and it was on the rocks; I lived in Imperial Beach and had to drive up north to Nelson Monteiro’s house to train. I was always stressed about the bills, etc and I was still stressed when I got to training. However when I got back to my car after training and was driving home I realised that for ninety minutes none of those things existed and when your grappling in that mode, nothing exists but the game and that’s the meditative state of Jiu Jitsu that’s so addicting.
Chris, great explanation and great interview, great to see you again.
Thank you Carl, great to see you too.
STRAIGHT BLAST GYM PIONEER MATT THORNTON, September 30th 2002, Pontefract, UK by Carl Fisher
Back in the UK again Matt, how are you liking it?
I always enjoy visiting the UK. Everyone is always very nice, and I like the British sense of humour, plus British women are beautiful and brilliant. . .so it's all good.
Let me get this question out of the way because you must have been asked it a million times, your JKD isn't anything like the JKD we have become used to seeing. Why keep the name as opposed to Matt Thornton's Freestyle or something?
That is a good question. At my Gym nobody that walks into the door asks, or really cares about JKD. The clients that walk into the Gym are interested in self defence, getting in shape, having fun, things like that. The subject of Jeet Kune Do just doesn't come up.
However, when it comes to the seminar circuit, there are a lot of people who come through JKD and eventually find their way to our Gym. I think this is because people believe what they read about the theory of JKD, that you should train all ranges of fighting, and use what works. But often they find the reality of it to be just another traditional Martial Art. Complete with ritual, hierarchy, titles, forms, katas, and tons of two person forms, and one or two step sparring. Those people tend get tired of the nonsense and politics, and give up on the idea of JKD. Then they hear about us, attend a seminar, and realise we are all working towards the same goal. So they find their way to our Gym. That's why we continue to use the name JKD. I believe absolutely that the SBG represents what JKD is supposed to be.
For the benefit of people in the UK that are not familiar with the Straight Blast Gym's training philosophy, give them an overview of Aliveness.
That's easy. . .timing, which cannot be found in a two person form, kata, djuru, or anything that follows a script. Energy, by which I mean progressive resistance. And motion, that is footwork, hip movement, just plain un-patterned, non re-rehearsed footwork. It's LIVE. . .it's ALIVE, it's not a choreographed demonstration.
It's funny, in a recent interview someone asked Burton Richardson what the biggest thing was as far as his turning towards all Alive training. Burt's advice was that when it comes to training stick…..NEVER have your partner swing it, and lock it out so you can perform your movement, disarm, or technique. Never do that! Just always pull through, always swing with some realistic energy. It's funny, but something as completely simple as that, can totally change the way someone practices an Art like Kali. That is Aliveness.
Why do people then find the Aliveness concept so difficult to accept?
I think that is because when you train Alive, and expose your students to alive training, you have to throw out a major portion of the JKD curriculum, as well as most traditional Martial Arts curriculum. This is because they simply don't work well when applied against a resisting opponent.
All of the sudden the premium is placed on performance. And Arts that perform well. . .boxing, wrestling, Judo, Muay Thai, BJJ, and others, become the base. You can't pretend to be a Sifu, with all the mystical powers. You have to spar, roll, and lay it on the line. That is VERY different.
Would you say that your honesty and opinion has caused offence to some people?
Because they are worried that their audience will discover they have been teaching them bollocks for the last decade, and their self image will be blown.
There are many traditional martial arts schools over here claiming their art is for self defence only with no sporting application? Is there such a thing?
If it's trained Alive, it will be by it's very nature 'Athletic'. If it's not trained Alive. . .it won't matter how supposedly 'deadly' the move is. . .under pressure you will be able to apply it. It's really that simple.
That's why Judo athletes can actually throw people, and most traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, or Aikido people cannot (unless they have trained Judo or wrestling themselves). Everything they do is choreographed. It's not real.
A lot of these martial arts still use forms, kata, whatever as well as traditional methods such as one step sparring, do you think there is any value in this type of training?
None, in fact it's actually very counter-productive. It all needs to be thrown away for the real growth to begin.
Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration in the martial arts world? Why?
No one particular person. I admire many people. The one individual I probably find myself drawing from the most would be Krishnamurti. He was not a Martial Artist. But never the less, he has been a big inspiration to me. As is Alan Watts, Aldous Huxley, and Joseph Campbell. As far as Martial artists go I would have to say Rickson. He has the most presence, and his timing is out of this world.
Whilst I was in the States I met Chris Haueter at the Machado place, I believe he is a good friend of yours. A very talented guy wouldn't you say?
Chris is a fantastic guy. Very laid back, very intelligent Coach. He is also a superb BJJ player.
You have hooked up with a good set of people over here in the UK, how did that come about?
I have to thank Chris for that. He hooked me up with Andy Norman's group, and I have been doing workshops for them. Also, I met Karl Tanswell, and Karl and I have been training since.
Are we going to see a Straight Blast Gym over here?
Yep, Karl Tanswell is our first UK Coach. He has all the qualities we look for. A good well rounded game, stand up, clinch, and ground. Trains Alive, and understands how to Coach athletes who are just starting in an Alive manner. He also has the best knife defence program I have ever seen. Karl just spent a few weeks over here. He met and worked out with all the SBG Coaches from around the USA. He fits right in, and we are all proud to have him represent SBG.
How does the level of guys in the UK compare to the level in USA?
The level is good. The heart, and skill of the UK Athletes is just as good as the USA. The BJJ level is a little behind the west coast of the USA, but it wont take long to catch up. I think the biggest problem UK fighters will face is the fact that they don't have wrestling in schools in the UK. A lot of the American athletes come from a background of wrestling since they where little kids, and that's a big advantage.
Your gym seems to be doing well in competition, did you have a competitive career?
Yes, I still like to actively compete in BJJ, and Submission wrestling when I can, and when my body is healthy and injury free.
The Straight Blast Gym has produced some of the best training videos on the market today, Haueter, Henderson, Bass & Williams, Inoue, yourself. What's next?
Right now I have a series by Rodney King that I think will rock the Martial arts world as far as stand up fighting is concerned. I also have another series by the Singer Brothers that I think will be great, and a second series on BJJ by Bob Bass and Rick Williams. All that stuff is sitting on the drawing board, waiting to be edited, and released within the next 12 Months or so.
Plans for the future?
Always, but they are secret! Just kidding. If you plan ahead, you cannot go with the flow. All I ever have is a broad vision. . .I will leave the day to day goal setting to Tony Robbins.
One final question Matt; Darren Currie asked me to ask you, how can you consider yourself the most handsome martial arts instructor when he clearly is?
Wow, I have heard that Karl Tanswell bills himself as the best looking UK Martial arts Instructor. But it really doesn't matter when I step off the plane in the UK does it? The ladies know what's up.
Thanks very much for the interview; I hope to see you on your next visit.
Absolutely! Thanks much.
Karl Tanswell by Carl Fisher
It’s been a while since we last spoke, so let’s start with your eagerly awaited Submission League event that got under way last weekend.
Thanks Carl; It took so long as we wanted to get it bang on with as little hiccups as possible and the league format is quite hard to arrange and we had to work out the right formula that ensured all the fighters had at least a couple of fights on the day. We had 160 fights on the day and everything ran like clockwork, the fighters knew what they were doing and who they were fighting well in advance and after the fight tonight with Rosi, my student, we are going to work out six more dates and announce them in the not too distant future.
How does the league work Karl?
We got sick of going round arguing about decision in matches, so there are no decisions in the matches in the league; a lot of people were confused last time as decisions were given for gold silver and bronze places but it does not affect the league. You get three points for a win, one point for a draw and nothing for a loss, so if you win all day and rack up a few points we average them out and if you miss a few events you can drop two scores a year and we do an average system on the scores and that’s how the league works and then there will be a champion at the end of the year and we’ll start to build on that over the next few years.
What was the level like at the event?
It was superb, we had guys who’d been training for only a few months right up to the likes of Braulio from Gracie Birmingham and there was not one injury on the day and respect was shown throughout the day and I have received a lot of encouraging feed back from the competitors.
What have you learned along the way, in setting up something as big as this?
Never to follow up any of my big stupid daft ideas again (laughs), it burnt me out. I respect anyone who promotes anything in martial arts, it can and is very difficult and at times a very thankless task. Hopefully the league will be there for a while and become an established event in the MMA calendar.
How is the academy and your fight team progressing? We are well and truly flying high at the minute; I’m now the regional UK director for SBG and am back and forwards between here and the States; Rosi takes a few classes as does Gavin Boardman and I still teach one class a day when I’m in the country.
How did you get involved with Matt Thornton?
I just liked what he was doing you know, I’d read some of his stuff and it rang true to what I was teaching and thinking and I went over to train with him and he was at the point of expanding and he asked me if I’d look after the UK region and Europe. I organise the seminars in the UK and get people to train in the aliveness side of things.
It’s picking up now in the UK isn’t it? Darren Currie is now on board?
Yes that’s right, Darren is concentrating on the jits side and it’s picking up nicely. We have Matt over again and myself and John Kavanagh are doing some seminars and we’ll be arranging some weekend camps and anyone interested in training with us can do through the Affiliated Training Groups programme.
Can you talks out your new STAB program? How has it been received?
It’s doing well in the States and Burton Richardson has been testing out and he’s saying that some of it does not work, which is what it was all about in the first place, as I didn’t profess it to be the be all and end all of knife instruction. Once you train it you’ll know for yourself whether or not it works and that’s what it’s about.
Getting back to tonight, you have Rosi fighting tonight?
That’s right, she’s fighting Carla O Sullivan, we know nothing about her, but everyone knows how Rosi fights as she’s a regular fighter, but she’s ready to rock and roll and I’m looking forward to the fight.
Rosi is the lady to beat in UK MMA; does this place any additional pressure on her?
I think it does yes hopefully not too much but she’s a clever girl and she gets her head down and trains hard, like a professional athlete and does what’s required. She started in the sport ju jitsu arena and became the world champion in 2001 I think and from there she’d had enough of the points scoring and began sparring in Vale Tudo at the gym and she was offered a semi pro match and she’s been fighting ever since.
Well Karl thanks a lot for the time and best of luck to Rosi tonight? Thanks Carl.
INTERVIEW WITH CARL FISHER by Mark Spencer
How does it feel to have your first interview?
Carl Fisher : Rather strange as I’m the one that’s normally asking the questions (laughs)
When did you first start in Martial arts?
Carl Fisher : Back in 1988, aged 18, after receiving the beating of my life in the local taxi rank, courtesy of 3 meat heads much bigger than I was; two guys pinned me against the wall whilst the other went from top to toe with his fists and feet; I was off work for a week.
What styles have you trained in?
Carl Fisher : I started in Wado Ryu karate, after my mate Jason Fenemore from Bolton took one look at my bruises after the beating and told me to join the karate club where he trained. The teacher was Steven Costello and I trained there for about 4-5 years and got my black belt; however, I was starting to experiment in Ju Jitsu with Trevor Roberts in Bolton and found I was missing about 50 per cent of the jigsaw, as I was only competent in the striking and blocking aspects of karate. This was before the term cross training was in vogue and I felt that practicing both styles complemented each other; this opinion and attitude was not held by my teacher and both my brother and I were kicked out of the karate club for ‘political’ reasons and I carried on training with Trevor and have been with Trev since ’94 and hold a 2nd Dan in Applied Ju Jitsu. I’ve never looked back since, really, it was the best thing that happened to me being kicked out of the karate club, as Trevor opened my eyes to a much wider aspect of training, travelling and competing as well pointing out all the cowboy instructors that thrive out there. I’ve dabbled in Thai boxing but I can’t take the shin blocks (laughs) and also train in Sambo with Alan Carlisle, Trevor and Matt Clempner in Manchester, as well as having a go at Judo throughout the years and now I’m bitten by the BJJ bug.
When was the first time you trained in BJJ?
Carl Fisher : Back in ’99; I attended a Machado seminar at Andy Norman’s gym in Hull and from that visit I went out to LA a few months later; after travelling all over the place I am now with Gracie Barra UK.
When did you first compete?
Carl Fisher : Way back in 1995, I took Bronze in the UK championships run by Martin Clarke, there were only 3 of us (laughs) John Clarke was in my group, a monster and the guy that won was a World Champion, so I was in good company. We only had 3 weeks notice from Martin, which wasn’t a surprise, but we took a team down and came away with a healthy haul of medals and hangovers. I next competed in 97 at the KSBO which was my first taste of amateur VT; I nearly bottled the event but I’d hired a 57 seater coach with all my mates for support, so I had no choice to fight (laughs) I won two and lost two and my mates screamed the place down and we all had a good day of fighting and drinking. Since then I have entered loads of comps, BJJ, VT SW all over the UK and the SW comps in Finland and Norway, where I have a 0-11 record of which I’m proud of (laughs). They’re a tough bunch out there and many of the guys are State champs in Greco or freestyle; in one comp in Oslo I was belly to back suplexed three times by a guy who was 68K and a State champion, but I scored a takedown on him, so it wasn’t all that bad. I’ve probably lost more matches than I’ve won but at the end of the day it’s all about getting out there and conquering your fears and if you win you win and you lose you lose no big deal.
Tell us about your time in LA?
Carl Fisher : That was after the Machado seminar in 99; I spoke to John Machado after the class and he invited me out to LA to train, so I worked the doors 5 nights a week plus my day job. sold my car, CD’s videos, everything I had and moved out there for four and half months. It was the best thing I ever did and the reason I’m probably here today writing and reporting; it really opened my eyes to what training was all about. I stayed at the infamous Surf City Hostel where every night was Saturday night packed out with fellow BJJ’ers and loads of young girls en route to the Summer Camps — heaven. I met Scott Goddard out there and we roomed together and he battered me every day on the mats and Chris Haueter looked after the two of us as well, he taught me a lot. I also trained with Erik Paulson, Jean Jacques came over shortly after winning the ADCC tournament and I got to hang out with the Dog Brothers and Dan Inosanto every day at the morning sessions. One of my best memories was waiting for the gym to open and Dan arrived and he just sat down next to me, passed me a Gatorade and asked me where I was from and talked about the UK guys he knew and the guys that I knew and I’m thinking ‘hell, Dan the man talking to me, a nobody from Bolton Lancashire, it blew my mind' (laughs).
I also rolled trained with Ricco Rodriguez when he was a purple belt and black belts Dave Meyer, Bob Bass, Vasconcles and a host of other blues, browns and blacks from all over the place and I also met Todd Hester from Grappling magazine; I also competed there in a Machado comp in the white belt division and lost two but more importantly won one via kimura, that was my first international win (laughs). That trip was a make or break situation for me; I first arrived there on Labour Day, a public holiday, so nothing was open, I had no idea where the academy was and the academy was shut when I got there. It was three days before I got to train and I knew nobody and I found myself on a bench on the beach thinking ‘what am I doing out here, all on my own, thousands of miles away from home’ and that day I nearly bottled it and came home. I was going to say I got mugged, but then I thought of all the hard work and sacrifices I’d made to get there and saw there were people there much younger than I was, so I carried on and eventually I made it to the academy and John immediately recognized me and made a fuss over me, so I stayed and I knew I’d made the right choice. To anyone out there reading this, if you ever get the chance to train abroad, do it, it will change your life forever and for the better.
You have just got your Blue Belt, how does it feel?
Carl Fisher : It still hasn’t sunk in as I tend to have a low opinion of my talents, probably due to the fact that I’ve rolled with so many top guys in Europe over the years; Mauricao gave me the belt in Jersey the other week, right out of the blue, no pun intended, he asked me where I was training and I said Birmingham and then he said ‘next time wear a blue belt’. I thought ‘no way’ I was shaking all over and had a daft grin on my face all weekend after that.
You’re well known for your ‘have gi will travel’ approach; how did this come about?
Carl Fisher : There’s not many good places to train Bolton for BJJ or VT, so I used to train in Atherton with Shane Rigby and Darren Morris, but the guys there are too big for me and I was always getting injured; since then I’ve trained with Tom Blackledge, Danny Wallace, Mike Gregory, Karl Tanswell, Alan Carlisle, Matt Clempner, Darren Currie, Darren Good, Les Allen, Gracie Barra all on a regular basis. In the last year I’ve concentrated on Danny and Mike’s classes in the week and Darren Currie and the Gracie guys at the weekend.
You’ve rolled with some of the best in the world; who are your favourites?
Carl Fisher : Good question; Remco Pardoel is a steamroller (laughs); all the Machados in the States; Mauricao’s knee ride defies description; too many to list really.
Tell us about your up coming trip?
Carl Fisher : I’m off to Sweden on 15th April to train with Richard Bohlenius at his gym in Stockholm; their chief instructor is also over that month, Marcelo Yogui and we’ll be sharing room at the academy so great timing; I’ll also be training with August Wallen in Gothenburg, Rickard Anderssen and Omar Bouiche in Stockholm and I’ll be out in Turku to train at the Finnfighters Gym. I’ll also be reporting and competing whilst I’m there and I hope to stay there for the summer, where it hits 30-35C all summer.
Why do you like Scandinavia so much?
Carl Fisher : It’s all so clean out there; the UK’s a dump at the minute, the whole’s society is going down the tubes, it depresses me a lot being here. The guys really look after me out there and the training is second to none, they’re very technical and strong and they make me feel very welcome. I met the main guys at ADCC 2001 and I’ve done a lot of work to promote Scandinavian MMA, so they return the favour whenever I go out there.
Where are the best clubs to train out there?
Carl Fisher : Richard’s place; Rickard’s Hilti academy, he’s a brown belt with Bustamante. Omar’s academy, he’s frightening, trained a lot with Erik Paulson and August Wallen’s a great coach and very technical and fun to train with. Then you have Jon Olav Einemo, Joachim Hansen in Oslo and Marko Leisten’s guys in Finland.
What are your plans when you return to the UK; open a club perhaps?
Carl Fisher : It all depends if I come back really (laughs) I’d like to open a BJJ club but Gracie Barra Bolton doesn’t have a good ring to it does it (laugh).
What motivates you to keep on travelling all over the UK and Europe?
Carl Fisher : The fact that MMA is slowly starting to gather momentum and I want to continue to play a small part in making MMA a mainstream sport and to educate the world about European MMA
Do you think you’ll ever pack it all in?
Carl Fisher : (laughs) I’ve been close many many times believe me; last year I went up my own arse a bit and moaned and moaned as many will testify and I was a pain in the arse for some time, but most of it was because all I wanted to do is report on MMA and make it my full time job. It was very frustrating having to miss many shows through lack of money and bosses not giving me time off. I like to think I’m more chilled out now and what will be will be, but I hope to be in this for many more years to come. I’ve still a lot to offer.
You’ve done a lot of travelling in the last three years; is there anywhere else left you’d like to go?
Carl Fisher : Many places; Brazil for one, now I’m a Barra blue belt. Marcio Feitsoa invited me out there last year and I intend to honour the invitation. Japan is also on my list as is Australia, train with John Donehue and John Will. You only live once so I want to travel as much as possible, before I get too old (laughs).
You have seen a lot of British events over the last couple of years, which fighter’s have caught your eye?
Carl Fisher : Paul Jenkins first and foremost; the guy’s born to fight and is one of the most dedicated fighters out there; he doesn’t care who he fights and doesn’t hide behind any bullshit, he lays it on the line and walks the walk. Paul Sutherland is a gutsy fighter who is exciting to watch as is Jean Silva and the Schiavo brothers from France. Chris Bacon and Danny Rushton are in a league of their own and Andy Cooper is one of the most under rated fighters in the UK. Ricky Salhan and Danny Batten are always good to watch in the lighter divisions, Lee Murray, Ian Freeman, James Zikic, Scott Goddard, Mark Weir, the list is endless (laughs)
What has been your favourite show?
Carl Fisher : 2H2H without a doubt; I was there when Ian Freeman was fighting and the crowd was 10000 capacity and I’m sat VIP ringside next to Ron Nykvist at one stage and talking with Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros the next and then out on the piss with them all after the event. In the UK I’ve enjoyed all the big shows, XFC, Ultimate Combat, Rings Millennium Brawl, Cagewarriors, Darren Currie’s shows, the lot of them — apologies if I have missed any out.
What was it like being at the ADCC 2001 Finals?
Carl Fisher : Awesome, that was the highlight of my life as a writer and one I doubt I’ll surpass. I spent a week out there and all the time I had guys like Renzo, Vitor, Bruce Buffer, Royce and Saulo coming up to me and saying ‘hey you’re Carl Fisher I read your reports’ and that blew me away, it should have been the other way round (laughs) I was walking around in a daze, with all these guys, many my heroes all in the same hotel and I’m chilling out with them in their rooms and watching them fight, it was brilliant.
Any up coming fighters we should look out for?
Carl Fisher : Ryan Hunter for one; the guys going to be huge; all the guys at Team Colleseum, they’re making waves in all the events they enter. The North East have many fighters, such as Terry Mc Dougall and Lee Shone; Mark Chen from Hull and Paul Sutherland keep on maturing as fighters; Cambridge Free fight guys; Ozzy Haluk and his crew from Manchester and many others who’ll I’ll remember after this interview (laughs)
Dougie at Cage warriors has been shaking things up of late, setting the standard with his show and now forming (with the help of many top promoters) an MMA Governing body. What are your thoughts on a Governing body for MMA?
Carl Fisher : About bloody time (laughs) whether or not all the promoters can iron out all the small print remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction. The Body needs to be run along the lines of the Sports Council way of things, but it’s early days yet.
When did you start reporting on MMA?
Carl Fisher : After pestering Cal Cooper at ADCC in 1998 for months; he emailed me and asked me to contribute to the site and I knew nobody in Europe at the time. I had to email all the guys I know today for their results and then in 2000 I went out to Holland for my first gig with Remco Pardoel and the rest is history.
Do you want to comment on the ADCC situation?
Carl Fisher : I felt it was a shitty way to treat me after 3 years loyalty and all by email; Miguel had to follow orders from Guy and the Arab sponsors, it’s not as though they’re short of a few quid, but they’re taking the site in a new direction and I’m not part of it so it's their loss, time to move on.
Any more funny stories you would like to share?
Carl Fisher : I’m sworn to secrecy for most of them (laughs) but I’ll tell you a funny story about my first lesson in LA. Talk about in at the deep end (laughs). I didn’t have a clue what to take with me and I’d never heard of an Atama gi and that bollocks, so I ends up on the mats in my wrestling boots, knee pads, black cycling shorts and a Sambo jacket and black belt. I must have looked a proper…! Everyone just stared at me and looking back there was Rigan, John and JJ there and all the top guys and little old me from Bolton and they must have thought ‘who’s this knob?’. Well I got through the class and my first roll was with a blue belt Brazilian 95K and he choked me out first roll with a clock choke; I opened my eyes and there’s John and Rigan staring down at me and they said ‘welcome to LA man’ and everyone pissed their sides laughing. I got hammered that night off everyone in the academy, but I stayed til the end of the session and John came over shook my hand, said ‘you’ve got balls’ and kitted me out with a spare gi until I bought one for myself; I didn’t get a tap until six weeks of training twice a day, it was a steep learning curve.
Pepsi or Coca Cola?
Carl Fisher : It has to be Coca Cola; filled with ice and Bacardi
KFC or Mc D’s?
Carl Fisher : Mc D’s; in Bradford on a Sunday afternoon
DARREN CURRIE 08/26/2002 by Carl Fisher
A top day today Darren, wouldn't you say?
Absolutely. Roger was cool. The guys that came to train are mainly from our club anyway but a couple of their friends came too so it was an excellent atmosphere. No ego, no BS!
What did you enjoy about the seminar?
Getting my butt kicked easily by Roger. In class sometimes you can get lazy but when you roll with a black belt, you get pressure all the way so you have got to work.
What are your thoughts on the man himself?
Roger certainly knows his stuff. I have every respect for the black belts that get on the mats and spar with whomever. Some people I've seen hand picked the guys they sparred but Roger rolled with all the blues regardless. Plus if the seminar host can use the techniques he is teaching whilst sparring with everyone it proves to you the validity of the guy's teaching.
How does his BJJ and teaching methodology compare with your way of things?
I think we all pretty much train the same. Learn the technique, drill it with increasing resistance then spar with it to test it under pressure. I have been to a couple of seminars where the host showed all bits and pieces that didn't really flow but looked good. I'd rather have good basic techniques that you can rely on than fancy techniques that look cool but are crap under pressure.
When did you first meet Roger?
I had been in touch with Roger by telephone and email but I actually met him in person earlier this year when Neil Owen brought him up to Doncaster. A couple of us went over to train and the first thing I noticed was structure. He was showing techniques that had a natural progression. This gives you options in your game immediately.
You planning to have him back in the future?
Yes I hope so. Unfortunately most of the Brazilians we have had over here haven't stayed that long so I hope to get as many seminars as possible before he gets sick of England too.
Are you still affiliated with the Machados?
I still train MJJ with UK rep Andy Norman every opportunity I get. Saying that, I haven't trained with him as much as I would like of late due to work and family commitments.
You did a lot of work with Chris Hauteur in the past; what is he up to these days?
I believe Chris joined LAPD. I sincerely hope he can get back over to the UK again soon. He was the first guy I trained with who actually rolled with everyone at his seminar. There were about 40 of us, some big guys too but he went through everyone easily. Until I saw Chris I didn't know people could do this. Awesome grappler, cool sense of humour.
If not who would you like to affiliate with?
In the UK there aren't that many good schools around so I like to be able to train where ever I want. If an affiliation doesn't allow this then I wouldn't be interested. The first martial art I studied was Tae Kwon Do but with all the politics you were expected to train at the one school and that was it. When I started studying other arts too the teacher took this to be disrespectful and I had to leave. I would hate to think I was ever subject that sort of negative attitude again.
You attended the recent Matt Thornton seminars in the UK; what are your thoughts on him?
Matt seems to be an open minded guy. The training methods and principles of 'Aliveness' he uses are superb. To be honest, I have never been bothered about all the 'lethal street fighting stuff that you can't spar with because it's too deadly' I have always preferred combat sports (hence our web site address www.combatsport.co.uk) and training this way is something that Matt advocates. In the same way, I consider myself a combat sportsman as opposed to a martial artist. The Straight Blast Gym web site is well worth a read, the Q & A Section is required reading besides it's really easy to like someone's philosophy of training when it's of the same opinion as yours.
Would you like to arrange a seminar with Matt one day?
Yes I would. I think he could really relate to our class because alive training is what we do. Most of the guys that train with us successfully compete in BJJ, Submission Wrestling even Vale Tudo and you can't do that by pretending to train. By that I mean, when we do Jiu Jitsu we always roll, when we do Vale Tudo we always spar and when we fight all out we put on head guards and gloves and fight. We train the kids this way from their very first day and they love it. We even formulated our own CHAOS rules (Children's All Out Striking) for junior competition. You really have to see the kids in action to appreciate this format.
If you had the choice and the money who would you like to invite over the most?
Rickson Gracie, without a doubt. So many people can't be wrong. The things I have read about him are phenomenal.
How are the competition arrangements progressing for September 1st?
Coming along nicely, plenty of fighters. Nice mix of men, women and kids matches.
Ross Pettifer is a fighter who has passed through your competitions and he is the reigning Heavyweight champion; any takers for him yet?
One or two guys that might give him a bit of trouble in the near future but Ross has done superb so far and will continue to do so.
What are your thoughts on Ross?
From a professional point of view, I've enjoyed his Vale Tudo matches especially the first ones I saw. He went from striking to takedown to submission. He won the 8 man tournament all by submission, impressive on his debut don't you think? One of the most impressive things I've heard in a long time, from anyone, came from Ross. He said he would not fight in a particular professional match if I wanted him to fight in our amateur show. He said he wouldn't forget the opportunity we had given him to start competing, that's class. I sincerely hope he goes as far as he wants to. From a personal point of view the guy has a ton of talent but has kept his feet on the ground when it could have been so easy to get carried away with the hype. He has a wicked sense of humour too.
What can fans expect from your shows?
I don't really care about fans. I don't need fans to justify what I am doing. I don't need the acceptance, we organise matches for fighters to gain experience in the ring or on the mats, simple as that. If people like what we are doing and enjoy our shows that's great, if we never attracted another spectator again I wouldn't care. It's all about experience. We are trying to promote fighters, not trying to be entertainers. We don't make money from our shows, we don't need to make money from our shows therefore we don't need to lower our standards to appeal to Joe Public. The bigger shows may have to incorporate things they don't particularly like but we certainly don't!! I love doing smaller competitions, loads of like minded people crammed into someone's gym just doing it for the sheer love of doing it. The last one we did at Kickers Academy, man what an atmosphere and what fights!!
Any plans for any more events after September 1st?
We always have something going on. I have briefly talked to Ande Roberts from Gracie Barra UK about doing a combined grappling competition having gi and no gi divisions. Ande is a well-respected coach so if we pull all our contacts together we can make the biggest grappling event the UK has seen. Our last grappling comp brought in 120 competitors so with Ande's contribution, it should be a huge competition, a true national championship. There are other things I am in negotiation about too but way too early to say yet.
You recently taught at Neil Hall's academy the other week; a good day out wasn't it?
Yes, excellent day. I thought we worked it really well together. Myself with the ground work, Spenna with the clinch to takedown and your good self fusing them together. Superb turn out too, big thanks to Neil. To be honest with either seminars or classes I am really honoured that anyone would want to learn from and train with us. I guess it shows we are doing something right.
Plans to get back there again?
I do hope so. I've spoken to Neil and everyone seemed happy enough with it. I think it is important to network. I spoke to Neil about doing an open mat session at his place to get as many people in as possible. I feel we should all be supporting each other. Funnily enough he didn't mention inviting you back, just me and Spenna……(laughs)
Do you feel UK teachers should get their chances to teach the art in the UK? Do we rely too much on outside influences?
From my own personal point of view, we don't get to train with outside influences enough in Jiu Jitsu. The highest grade at our classes is blue belt so the rest of the class catches them up so we are all blue belt level. We then need someone that will take us to the next level otherwise we will be blue belts forever. From a non Jiu Jitsu point of view then the UK instructors will get to teach their arts anyway. We have traditions steeped in Wrestling and boxing where people will always need instruction but especially from a self defence perspective, outside influences may not appreciate the cultural, environmental and psychological differences between their own country and the UK. Working as a doorman yourself in a place like Bolton how many times have you passed a beer monster's guard as opposed to using your right cross? Different cultures, different situations. I believe there is room for everyone.
Anything else?
Yeah, thanks to everyone who supports us in whatever it is we do. Thanks to our sponsors www.allsports-int.co.uk, to yourself Mr Fisher for getting my name in everyone else's interviews and finally to all the guys and gals at our clubs, a really cool bunch of misfits….sorry, I meant people. Thanks a lot guys.
Darren, a pleasure as always. Thank you
INTERVIEW WITH MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER MARK SPENCER
"but the most agonising fight was in the first match up between Mark 'Spenna' Spencer against Robbie Miller; In a cruel twist of fate and some mind boggling logic from the judges, a mistake was made and the match was in fact a victory for Miller, much to the crowd and Spenna's disapproval. To his credit, Spenna took the decision like a true sportsman and vowed to be back again in the future, where you can be sure there'll be no cause for decisions"
DC: Congratulations man, you dominated the match. You must have been pretty distraught with the result.
MS: I have no idea why the decision went the way it did. I have seen the tape and I am confident that I won that fight, there was some crap on the net about why he won, by one of the officials of UC2. But after the fight a lot of people came up to me, there was a lot of members of the crowd and fighters/trainers and they all said that I won the fight. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of improvement needed.
DC: Does the result of a match matter that much to you?
MS: Yes, I can't watch the tape. If some one wants to see it, I have to leave the room.
DC: I know it's tough training for MMA competition, what's your training schedule like?
MS: When I am not training for a fight it is usually between 3 - 6 times a week, When I have a fight coming up it is usually 6 - 10 per week. This is usually in BJJ, Vale Tudo, Thai Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, weights and cardio.
DC: What inspires you to train so hard?
MS: I enjoy it! I like to train in different "arts" to have a variety. My work schedule at the moment is pretty mad. When I have finished my 2nd Job, I have to rush over to whatever class is on at the time.
DC: Apart from me obviously, who's your hero, your role model?
MS: I like watching Sakuraba, Newton, Silva, Sato, Genki and Pulver because they are always busy when they fight. I have met Chris Brennan, he is a very cool guy. I also like Matt Thornton. The UK's own Les Allen is also a good technical fighter.
DC: The majority of fighters now take supplements, do you feel they benefit you?
MS: Yes. Before the UC2 Fight I had to drop a lot of weight, so after I weighed in I had to carb-up. I used the SR3 drink and Amino Load. I have also started using DP90 protein drinks from Allsports International.
DC: The general opinion of the media, especially the tabloid press, is that all fighters are mentally challenged thugs with blood lust. Would you say that describes you pretty well?
MS: The press don't care about the time, effort and sacrifice people put into the sport. They want a quick story that will sell papers. It is much easier for them to find out the worse and make the rest up.
DC: Why are 'real' combat sports not more popular with the general public or even he martial arts public?
MS: The English don't care about any other sport than Football. Every other sport in this county struggles to get coverage. The Martial arts public is a little different, I think a lot of it is too do with them not wanting to believe what they have been doing for the last 20 years is rubbish.
DC: Do you think that training in combat sports would prepare you if you need to defend yourself for real?
MS: I think more than it would if I didn't do any thing. I used to think I could fight when I played rugby. I have been proved wrong every day since.
DC: I understand you have moved onto the seminar circuit, how does that feel?
MS: Yeah, it was pretty cool. I know that there are people out there who know more than me. I don't kid myself I have still a long way to go.
DC: Finally if anyone reading this wants to start martial arts training what advice would you offer?
MS: Just do it! Don't think about it, Just Do it.
DC: I understand you've become a bit of an icon.
MS: (Quickly interrupting) This interview is over !!!
INTERVIEW WITH ALLIANCE BLACK BELT ROGER BROOKING by Carl Fisher
Enjoying the day so far Roger?
RB: Oh yes, more than I expected; I'm having a lot of fun teaching here today.
The content of the seminar is quite different compared to the last seminar you held in Doncaster, wouldn't you agree?
RB: Yes, I try to show some variation of my game and I said to Darren I wanted to see the standard of the guys on the mats today, before covering the techniques and positions. I have not trained with any of the guys before, but looking at some of the guys they have natural ability; we'll find out when I get to roll with them (laughs).
How is your own academy in London progressing?
RB: It's gone pretty quiet at the moment, I think with most of the guys on holidays; the academy is at Seymour Leisure Centre, with the nearest tube station being Edgware Road and Marble Arch. I run the academy five days a week as well as teaching private classes during the day; most of the guys there are beginners and have been with me for about eighteen months, but they are doing well.
How did you get to be in the UK?
RB: I was actually born in England and my grandfather is an immigrant and is British and we have British culture; I lived here for a year and a half before moving to Rio.
When did you start training?
RB: When I was seventeen and I trained with Jacare and Fabio Gurgel.
Why these two guys?
RB: At the time I knew Soneca at Gracie Barra and asked him where can I train, and he said his academy was too far away to train, but he knew some guys that I could train with and they treated me very well and I have been with them ever since.
When did you get your black belt?
RB: Last year, it was awarded from competition and knowledge. It was a nice feeling to receive the belt, but the higher the belt the higher the responsibility.
Where did you go to after Brazil?
RB: I went to California for a year and a half and trained with Fabio Santos in San Diego and also gave private lessons to Chris Brennan in his run up to the UFC 17 I think it was and won the alternate and lost to Pat Miletitch.
Who else did you meet in the States?
RB: Loads man; Royce, Caique, Rickson, Cleber Luciano, Alan Goes, Kid Peligro, Joe Moreira and many many others.
So quite a close knit community then in the US?
RB: Oh yes without a doubt, everybody knows each other.
Do you still keep in touch with the guys back home?
RB: I plan to go back to Brazil next month for a week, as I have been here now for over a year and a half.
Can you tell us about your competition background?
RB: I was very good in the blue and purple belt divisions, winning the State Championships at that level. In the brown belts I also did very well in many competitions, the big and not so big, like local tournaments as you have in the UK. I won a Rickson Gracie competition in the US at brown belt and one submission fighting tournament. I have won two tournaments for the Alliance cup and I got third place at the Worlds and that was when I received my black belt.
Who was your toughest opponent?
RB: There were many tough guys in all the competitions; Alexandre Ribeiro. Saulo's brother was a tough guy, as was Pe de Pano, who I lost to at the Worlds when I came third.
What's your favoured way of fighting?
RB: I just go with the flow and see what happens, but I always try to play on top.
Is your own training and progression suffering whilst being here in the UK?
RB: It's hard for me to stay in shape and there are some very good Iranian wrestlers in London, but they train at the same time that I teach my classes.
Would we ever see Jacare over here in the UK?
RB: He's not too busy but it would be hard to arrange a seminar, as I think most of the guys here in the UK want to see Vale Tudo champions.
Who were your role models when you were training?
RB: Fabio Gurgel and Leozhino; Fabio is a very determined guy and I like Roberta Traven, he's trains hard and a top athlete. Leozhino is an acrobatic; he doesn't do Jiu Jitsu he does other things that are magical to watch, he's top class.
Any plans for more seminars?
RB: Not just yet, but you know me, always ready and open to suggestions (laughs)
Nice one Roger, I'll leave it there and we can carry on with the second half of the seminar.
RB: A pleasure.
RYAN HUNTER by Carl Fisher
How did you first get started in martial arts?
I prefer the term combat sports to martial arts, we train in combat sports. When people ask me if I do martial arts, I say no otherwise they start making Bruce Lee noises and chopping thin air and that is NOT what we do.
How do Combat Sports differ from martial arts?
Sport, no matter what type, is competitive. You try and beat someone and vice versa. When I box someone hits me back, when we wrestle someone tries to throw me and when we do Jiu Jitsu someone tries to make me submit. I tried Tae Kwon Do as a young kid and we were punching and kicking into thin air, it just wasn't real. I started in Judo when I was about 7 or 8 years old and have been training and competing ever since.
So you started competing straight away?
Pretty much straight away. The Judo coach pushed everyone to compete. I competed in Judo for about 8 years and I feel that it gave me a great base on which to build.
Any success in Judo competition?
Yeah, I won some tournaments and won plenty of medals.
When did you, and more importantly, why did you start cross training?
When I was about 15 years old I starting to get bored with Judo when I met Darren Currie at the Judo club. He started showing me some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu groundwork that would complement what I was doing already. When I saw Jiu Jitsu I was hooked so I went to train with his team. It improved my ground game no end.
What are you training now?
I am settled into my training routine concentrating on striking, working the clinch and groundwork. I train western boxing, submission wrestling and BJJ specifically for Vale Tudo but we also train quite a bit with the gi because I still compete in gi matches too. I've been looking to do some Thai boxing too but time is limited and kicking is the skill I prefer least. The main thing is, to paraphrase Matt Thornton, 'train with aliveness' regardless of whatever it is you are doing. Everything can be beneficial if trained against someone who is giving you resistance.
You trained with Matt Thornton?
Yeah, the principles he recommends for training are the same principles we use in training so I can really appreciate what he is saying. I train with him when he comes over to the UK and learned some nice stuff from him last time he was over. I enjoyed the 'Street Vs Sport' article he wrote as I have experience of using my 'sport' skill for real.
Are you saying that combat sports training can help you defend yourself in the 'street'?
Yes, that's what I am saying, in my experience it can help. When we spar, my partner really tries to hit me so I have to deal with it. If someone attacks me in a club then I have to deal with that. The guy won't lunge in to punch me and leave his arm out while I do some fancy lock, it's not like that at all. If you are not used to the energy and aggression that you get with live training, if you are ever attacked really......it's going to be a long day.
Have you trained with any other famous fighters or coaches?
Yes but I'd rather not offer any opinions. I would love to train with Chris Haueter though, the guys who trained with him from our gym said he was awesome. The BJJ coaches, Darren & Helen, got their blue belts under Chris and said he was out of this world. I hope he comes back to UK one day soon.
Have you had much success have you had in competition?
Competed in Judo and won a stack of medals, moved on to Jiu Jitsu and won a couple of tourneys. Did some submission wrestling matches, got some more trophies then moved on to Vale Tudo where I have not yet lost a match. This was not under full professional rules though as I have only just turned 18. I have just agreed to enter a Sambo competition in December because I haven't tried that yet. Two trophies I was really proud to win were the Fighter of the Day and Best Technique, they meant a lot to me that day; notice I say that day because after the day of the tournament is over, it's history. You have to then prepare for the next one.
That's quite a few different formats, why not stick to just one?
Every format has strength and weakness. I don't want any weakness. Whoever it is I am fighting I want to know their game so I can beat them. If I know their game but they don't know mine I win. If they don't know my game I can maybe beat them with something they don't know or maybe just something they are not expecting.
You've excelled in you amateur career so far, are you looking to get into professional rules Vale Tudo?
Yes that is definitely the way I am heading. It has long since been my dream of fighting Vale Tudo especially now they have introduced the cages into the UK. Next year, I'm there.
To what do you attribute this success?
First and foremost we have a really good team. I get to train, roll, wrestle and spar with people that have done it all before. We have access to a ring where we work our stand up sparring and ring craft. I work one on one with a boxing coach. Great team effort.
Pound for pound, you are one of the strongest guys I know (apart from your dad!) You must think it gives you an edge?
Definitely gives me an edge, nobody at my weight can throw me around. If skill level and experience levels are equal strength plays a major part. Saying that, I don't rely on strength but it's nice to have it if required. After weight training, I make sure I eat right, rest and take supplements to aid growth and recovery.
What sort of supplements?
I pretty much leave that to Robin Story, the MD of Allsports International Limited. They sponsor me and handle whatever they think I need at different times of my training. My favourite though is Amino Load, check it out on their site (www.allsports-int.co.uk) I didn't realise it at first but supplements can make a massive difference to your training. Most of our team has used these supplements and Allsports have helped sponsor some of our events in addition to sponsoring Darren and myself.
What does the future hold for Ryan Hunter?
I don't have any fixed plans or a fixed time scale. I want to compete professionally now, I would like to train in the USA some day and really just continue to improve. I would love to do the UFC in a few years, I don't know when or how but I'll get there one day.
Any final comments?
Thanks to all my friends, family, training partners, sponsor and coaches that have put so much time and effort into me achieving my goals. I know one day it will all be worth it. Thanks guys.
Thanks for the interview!
You're welcome.
MARK CHEN by Carl Fisher
Congratulations on your UC4 victory, did everything go to plan?
Mark: Yes, my strategy could not have worked out better. I knew I was a better stand-up fighter than he was and I knew how to defend on the ground.
Do you work out a strategy beforehand or just see what the opponent gives you?
Mark: A bit of both. I will be aware of the opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Having a strategy helps me anticipate my opponent's actions and execute my own, but I also have to monitor him correctly to get the timing right.
What is your typical preparation for a match?
Mark: A few days before, lots of rest, plenty of fluids and carbs, and then on the day about an hour before the match a medium/light warm up followed by specific drills with a partner. The content of the partner drills depends on my strategy and whom I'm fighting.
You succeeded in your amateur career, stepped up to professional and it looks as though you could be Lightweight Champion in a couple of months, where do you go from there?
Mark: To fight on as many UK shows as possible against the top lightweight fighters.
The UK now has 'cage fights' but Ultimate Combat still uses a ring. Do you have a preference or do you think that fighting in both rounds off your skill so you are comfortable in any environment?
Mark: I've never fought in a cage so I'd like the experience. Yes I think it’s good to do both.
Something that has been mentioned before but wouldn't a uniform set of rules and procedures help unite the various promotions in the UK?
Mark: Maybe make it a bit more spectator friendly especially to someone just getting into the fight game. I think that unification between the different organisations is essential so that there can be a proper ranking system and champions that everyone agrees on. Also it would be less confusing for beginners and give them something to aim for.
Once you've conquered the UK, I assume you would like to fight abroad?
Mark: Yes.
USA? Japan? Europe?
Mark: I think USA and Japan would be my priority and I like the Far East anyway.
I particularly like the natural progression of the feeder shows in the USA leading to the UFC. Will there come a time when the UK can be that structured or is there not enough interest over here to warrant that?
Mark: I think we already have a certain amount of progression from amateur shows to professional shows here. Obviously, some people will go straight into pro and others will stick with amateur for a while before making the step to pro.
Backing up a bit, how did you get started in martial arts?
Mark: I was a tearaway at school and I wanted to become a better fighter, but the philosophy of traditional martial arts attracted me and also as I needed the discipline.
What styles have you studied?
Mark: In ascending order of importance - Karate (wado-ryu), Judo, Thai-boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling. What I do now is based on what I learnt when I trained with Steve Morris whom I first started cross training with. He called it 'Original Form Boxing'. My stand-up is based on this and not Thai-boxing although they look similar.
So you were cross training right from the start?
Mark: I started cross training in 1996. I didn't want to be restricted by any antiquated traditions and I didn't like people always telling me what to do. I wanted to find things out for myself. So, I started cross training because I wanted to become proficient at all ranges and have a wide range of skills and understanding of combat. Also cross training allows an individual to get information from lots of different sources and put it together to meet the criteria they have set themselves. I believe it is the MOST efficient way an individual can empower themselves and become their own master. I was heavily influenced by Steve Morris who helped me with a training methodology and theoretical base for how to do cross training properly.
When did you start competing?
Mark: I started competing in karate in 1987 and I've been doing different things ever since. I've competed in Judo, BJJ and now Ultimate Fighting (MMA).
You have been quite successful in competition.
Mark: The last 18 months have been very good to me. Last year I competed in amateur Submission Grappling and Vale Tudo tournaments gaining a 2nd and 1st position respectively. I decided in 2002 I would start as a pro. I had one more BJJ tournament where I finished 3rd, then for the rest of the year I had 5 professional and semi-professional limited rules fights. My record is 3-2 with 1 K0 and one submission.
What is your training schedule like now?
Mark: When I'm off-peak (with no fights imminent) I do running and some light wrestling and some bag work. When the fight is close I stop running and concentrate on anaerobic conditioning and the Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, bag-work and partner drills get more intense and specific.
You must have a good team to train with?
Mark: Yea, I have lots of people to help me. In Yorkshire I train in BJJ at Knottingley and when I go to London I train at London Shootfighters and HSD combat in Middlesex. I also have my regular training partners in Hull - Jimmy Wong and Jim Burman.
If you could train with anyone, anywhere, who would it be? Why?
Mark: Alexis at London Shootfighters would be great to do a private with. He is very knowledgeable and detailed in his instruction plus his speciality is wrestling which is important to my personal Vale Tudo style and he's about my size.
You're a powerful guy for your weight, do you weight train?
Mark: Yea I do and I also do some plyometric drills that Steve Morris showed me which I've modified slightly. I do internal breathing drills also.
How important to you is diet? Do you use supplements?
Mark: I stick to about 60% carbs and 20% protein and fats, generally. I use protein and vitamin drinks leading up to and on the day of the fight. I generally fight at 65-66kg, but I might be looking to get to 68kg for my next fight so I might be looking into some more products.
What are your immediate plans?
Mark: Next year I'm gonna take the Ultimate Combat title and fight abroad!!
Anything you want to add?
Mark: Yea, martial arts should be about empowerment, not about instructors always telling students what to do. There is no truth without experience!!
Thanks for the time Mark.
Mark: Cheers mate.
THE NORTHERN CARTEL All articles courtesy of Carl Fisher 2003
The Northern Cartel - MMA Mafia and mayhem.
After training with the Don on July 10, the unrefusable offer to train was once again extended to the travelling trio the following week and another hard training session ensued. The following day, Cartel members descended on the Quannum gym for another three hour session of grappling and striking; since the first article appeared on SFUK, many people are asking the question ‘who or what is The Northern Cartel?
The Northern Cartel are a collection of clubs who are regularly cross training together and travel around the Manchester/Yorkshire area every week; although originally tongue in cheek, the name sprung up after the christening of the Mighty Spenna who now travels under the name of the Godfather of Northern MMA. Cartel members fight in MMA events as well as BJJ and SW events all over the UK and are rising through the ranks of amateur and semi pro before hitting the pro scene and will soon be fighting outside the UK in many top name events.
The clubs involved in the Cartel are Neil Hall’s Fighting Chance Academy, Darren Currie’s Combat Base Gym, Gracie Barra Manchester, Ian Butlin’s Quannum Gym, Danny Wallace’s Team Colleseum, Kickers Academy and the Don himself. The thirst to cross train and explore other areas of training have lead some of the members into the freestyle wrestling arena, regularly training in Shipley and at Apsull under the tutelage of the legendary Roy Wood, the last night watchman of the Snake Pit in Wigan.
The Cartel is a shining example of what can be achieved when ego and attitude are left outside the gym and everyone trains together regardless of association; strikers are learning the ground game and like wise grapplers are stepping into the boxing ring and with all areas of cross training covered, the Cartel fighters are emerging as some of the most well rounded fighters in the UK.
For more info on the Cartel clubs, check the SFUK club directory, as the Don is a very busy man - keep your eyes peeled for future reports and fighter profiles.
Training with The Godfather
Life was about to change for three young grapplers one innocent Thursday up North; for out of the blue they were summoned to attend a triple training session by the one they call The Godfather. Carl Fisher, Ian Butlin and Quashi received the news the day before that The Don was looking to train and true to form, it was an offer they could not refuse - three hard-core MMA training sessions in one day; countless others had accepted this offer and had never been seen again, would the same thing happen again?
The first session took place in the heart of the Don’s territory at Kickers Black Belt Academy in Bradford, behind closed doors; the Don had requested a striking session and a striking session he received in the capable hands of Ian Butlin. On what was one of the hottest days of the year, it was clear that stamina and endurance would be needed if there was to be any chance of survival, so with Ian Butlin in control, a technical session in the finer points of striking was offered to the Don. Ring work and footwork were studied in great detail as well as striking drills and shadow boxing; with the session in full swing Ian went on to show how the grappler can take advantage of the striker by slipping jabs and crosses and move in for the takedowns, all of which seemed to please the Great Man Himself. First session over and still alive.
After the first session, the three were taken on a tour of the Don’s territory before heading back to his headquarters (all in blindfold) where the three were allowed food and water, before heading off to the next session, freestyle wrestling in Shipley. The class lasted just over an hour and was very intense, just a few techniques shown and straight into the sparring. For all three it was their first taste of a proper wrestling class and hopefully not the last, they just had one more session to get through.
However, the last session was the hardest, as the Don isn’t the Godfather for nothing; the session was held back at the Kickers Academy and was taken by the Don himself. Many lesser men had crumbled before this point and begged the Don for a pass out, only to be denied and ground into dust as an example to others — it was now or never. After a thorough warm up, striking drills followed and from then on the rest of the class was a blur. Demanding nothing less than one hundred per cent, all three were pushed to the limit by the Don, drilling ground positions and sparring from set pieces, before moving on to takedowns and defences in the boxing ring. Ian Butlin was kept in the boxing ring and was fed a never ending succession of fighters who worked the takedowns, whilst Carl and Quashi were kept on the mats sparring a never ending sea of grapplers and then it was over. With one click of the fingers The Don had seen enough and ended the day’s training — three intense training sessions had been completed and all three had impressed the Don with their stamina and endurance and were now allowed into the inner sanctum of the Godfather’s empire. With their newfound status, these three survivors are recruiting new comers to try the triple training session and will be spreading the word on the street very soon.
Postscript
The Fighting Photographer smuggled this report out, after being involved in a terrifying situation with the Don; at the wrestling session, the unthinkable occurred and the Don was pinned by the Photographer in sparring and he now lives in fear of reprisals at a secret location in Bolton………..
Fisher tackles the Pontefract Pitbull
The tentacles of the Northern Cartel spread far and wide over the M62 corridor and at it’s furthest point, lies the lair of the Pontefract Pitbull, none other than ‘Dangerous’ Darren Currie; Darren and partner ‘Halcyon’ Helen have now moved from Knottingley Sports Centre, with it’s friendly and helpful staff and have set up their own den of destruction a mile and a half away from the sports centre. When coming off the A1 and taking a left to the sports centre, simply hang right and drive down to the Fox pub, take the next left and turn right onto an industrial estate; from there take the first left and the Combat Base Gym is the last building on the right.
The gym comprises of two matted areas and is the permanent base for Darren and his band of merry men; this was to be the first visit since my trip to Scandinavia and of course, I was under orders of The Don to go to the club and make a report. The Monday night session consisted of Jiu Jitsu tuition according to the gospel of Matt Thornton and Chris Haueter, together with Darren’s own interpretations, which all adds up to a stimulating and thought provoking class. After a brief warm up, Darren took the class through the setting up of a gi choke and from this position on the ground, students worked defences and escapes and covered a number of ‘what if’ scenarios; after practicing on a compliant partner, the theory of Matt’s Aliveness came into being, with one student attacking and one defending. Upon completion, only sparring remained — would the Iron Man should it’s face tonight? Fortunately for myself and Iron Man virgins, the Pitbull was in a kind mood and the sparring began, with blue belts and above being handicapped and only allowed to choke opponents with the techniques as taught that night.
And that was it — another hardcore training session with yet another Cartel member. Combat Base Gym is well worth the visit, with classes on Monday and Thursday evenings and the infamous Saturday morning sessions, a class that has in the past, attracted the likes of The Don Himself, Mark Chen, Pud, Steve Muckle, Jim Burman, Andy Pyle, Jimmy Welsh, Chris Eastwood and a host of other ear maulers and neck twisters. Ladies self protection classes, weekend team training and privates also take place at the gym, something for everything it seems and all under one roof, with no leisure centre interference — bliss!
Quannum Gym, Diggle — progress report.
As the Northern Cartel continues to expand, the need for a full time MMA academy for the members has become of paramount importance; with this in mind, Ian Butlin, Stephen Quashie and Matt Lodge have teamed together and obtained 7500 square feet of prime warehouse space and are in the middle of changing it into one of the biggest MMA academies in the UK.
Set in the picturesque village of Diggle, inches away from the Yorkshire border, just off the main Huddersfield Road, the academy boasts a separate BJJ room, a boxing ring, a cage, provided by Aquatech Hydroponics of Huddersfield, chill out area, reception, VT area and a huge area dedicated to weights and CV equipment; in addition, the gym will be providing accommodation for travelling instructor’s and friends, ensuring a steady stream of top MMA talent, both here in the UK and Europe and beyond.
Work is ongoing and Cartel members have been hard at work, getting the gym ready for it’s imminent opening day at the start of September — the pictures accompanying the article show the gym at the mid way stage, with more progress pictures as they occur.
By the way, the academy also sports it’s very own Gimp Pit — you’ve been warned!
Team Colosseum - Leigh’s MMA Gladiators
Wherever you travel in the MMA world, each country has it’s own concentration of gyms and academies — in the States, you can’t walk around anywhere in LA without failing to spot a gym, like wise in Tokyo, Japan and the same goes for many European countries; the UK also boasts it’s very own Mecca of MMA, right here along the Manchester/Yorkshire corridor of the M62 — drive anywhere along the length of the motorway and within ten minutes of turning off any junction, one will find an academy for all seasons. Darren Currie, Neil Hall, Karl Tanswell, Ozzy Haluk, Ronnie Green, Mark Spencer are just a few of the names on the circuit, but if you want to find the epicentre of MMA mayhem in the North then look no further than the thriving metropolis of Wigan.
In it’s satellite town’s one can find Darren Morris’s gym in Atherton, Roy Wood’s club in Aspull, Tom Blackledge’s in Wigan, Mike Gregory’s in Leigh and last but not least and topic of this report, The Colleseum gym; five major clubs within a five mile radius of each other, makes this the grapplers dream and the strikers Nirvana.
The Colosseum Gym’s roots began way back in 1996, when Dangerous Danny Rushton, the club’s founder, alongside the Colosseum Colossus, Danny ‘The Mangler’ Wallace, were teaching the usual mainstream martial arts on Gas St, in Leigh town centre; from there, according to Rushton the name Colleseum evolved around 97/98 just as what is now known as MMA was evolving, with Rushton competing around this time in Rings amateur events, Night of Samurai 2 and 3, Millennium Brawl, Rings Free Fight, trading leather with the mighty Dave van de Veen, AFC 7 in Russia and even tangling with Lee Murray, rounding all this off by winning the European Pancrase Championship in the 95+ division, although only weighing 88K himself.
With the gym firmly established as a fighter’s gym, its reputation continues to grow and is now home to some of the most recognisable names on the UK circuit — Aaron ‘The Snake Charmer’ Chatfield, Matt ‘Beanpole’ Thorpe, ‘Razors’ Richard Westwell, Steve ‘Heavyweight’ Milward, Jenny ‘The Animal’ Taylor and the Colleseum’s secret weapon John ‘Bullet’ Hopton — don’t let his calm, academic exterior fool you, as when the whistle blows for sparring, Hopton changes into a one man wrecking machine, as Aaron and Matt can testify.
In addition to being a top flight gym, the Colleseum is part of the Northern Cartel and being their Press Officer, attendance was mandatory at the behest of The Don, so off I toddled to the gym last night for a Tuesday session; I was in luck as the Two Dans were in attendance and after a warm up from MLSports poster boy Aaron Chatfield, Danny Rushton held court. Danny took the class through a number of striking drills and ended the technical session with takedowns and sprawls, before flowing into the crucifix submission — time for sparring.
Owing to my absence from the gym with travel commitments, the Leviathan, Danny Wallace, picked me out for sparring and I was re-introduced to Wallace’s deadly jabbing front kick, puncturing my abdomen at will, before dropping in and taking me out with a rear choke on the ground; five minutes is more than enough of this madness and then it was time for the last part of the class, body boxing. One minute quick fire rounds of all out body shots, the aim to try and stay in the area and stay alive. First in the ring saw me up against The Charmer Chatfield and after having my kidneys tenderised, I was face to face with Rushton and all I can say is thankfully he wasn’t wearing Harbingers!
Another session done, another Cartel report in the bag — the Colleseum fighters are in events up and down the UK and as ever, an open invitation is extended by the Two Dans — be sure to take the offer up, you won’t be disappointed.
Neil Hall’s Monday Night Sweatathon
While the more sensible amongst us would have been happily idling away the rare phenomenon of Monday night’s tropical style weather outside in a beer garden or in the back garden with a barbecue in full swing, it was business as usual for the Northern Cartel; record breaking temperatures aside, The Don expects and of course receives nothing less than one hundred per cent effort and Cartel members Aaron C, Matt Thorpe and the Fighting Photographer found them deep in the badlands of Batley, training at Fighting Chance Academy, under the watchful eye of the Batley Bonecrusher, Neil Hall.
The academy has to be one of the best in the Northern area, boasting one of the largest open matted spaces around, together with separate bag area and weights equipment situated at each end of the gym — it was also the most humid place to train, as the sweat poured out just through walking up the stairs. Owing to the fine weather, the attendance was better than expected and the evening was graced with The Don’s presence, resplendent in eye-catching Thai shorts and grapple top. A stickler for cardio and conditioning, Neil took the class through one of the hardest hour’s training this side of the M62, a session designed to take you to the edge and keep you there for an hour, with no rest and nowhere to hide. In scene’s reminiscent of the Keystone Cops, ten sweat drenched grapplers struggled to stay in one place with their partner and the less said about the knee ride drill the better. Striking drills, kicking drills, ground and pound drills and a combination of all three were the order of that killer hour and rightly so, as Neil bluntly comment’s ‘you can have all the techniques in the world, but run out of gas and you’re f***ed.’
With the conditioning thankfully over, a short rest was in order and the mopping up of sweat and changing of tops preceded the next stage of the evening, which was groundwork; The Don Himself and the Fighting Photographer took over for the next hour and covered a number of sweeps and submissions, before the obligatory roll and after two and a half hours hard graft, time was called. Another ball breaking session over, another Cartel member visited and another three kilos lost in body weight — one thing for certain, nobody trains as hard as the Cartel members, so if you find yourself facing any of these guys in the ring, make sure you’ve put the hours in at the gym, or taste the pain.
Upon leaving the academy at nightfall, one can be forgiven for thinking that you’re driving in downtown LA — across the road from the gym lies a splendid pub with it’s own Hollywood lettering in the beer garden and looking left down the main drag, in all it’s shining Technicolor glory, lies the infamous Frontier nightspot, made famous in Viz magazine’s Profanisauras (Pink Flamingo entry), where the chances of getting your fingers and tops with the local girls are vastly increased via a purchase of WKD — MMA training and back street post nightclub ‘grappling’ — you can’t beat it in Batley.