I picked 6 of the 8 first round match-ups correctly. Called Calestine cruising through to the win. I doubt Geo does 145 again and I def don't think he wins it again. He had the easier side of the bracket and still seemed to struggle to get to the final. He's tough to finish and has some solid parts to his game with the leg drag/truck entry style back take position but would have really struggled on the opposite side of the bracket. Yet again, guys (Domingos and Honstein) lost matches by not preparing for the arm crush/leg lace bicep armbar position that Geo popularized against Eddie Cummings in his win at 135.
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Several cannon fodder matches in the first round for some very slick leg lock finishes but for anyone who trains at RGA, honestly, not very high end. That sounds condescending but it's the cold, hard truth. Guys spinning the wrong way to get out or basically falling directly into the leg lace position. It was another event that seemed to suggest that very few squads have benefitted much if at all from the dearth of Internet experts breaking down RGA squad footage and various tournaments. This arms race is still not even competitive for the most part. The leg lock entries and finishes were not spectacular instances of breaking through smart resistance, but rather first or second wave responses. Keep studying that footage guys, a long way to go. Calestine made it look easy. Having trained with the guy and seen the work and time he's put in through injury, letdown, and otherwise, my hat off to him.
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