Need More Hype to Force You to Order Metamoris 3?

Up first, from the folks at Metamoris, the official countdown piece: Next, we have an extended version from Eddie Bravo:

The Proof is in the Results

Wrap your brain around that picture.

Jose Aldo, buzzsaw in WEC, world champion in the UFC at 145 lbs.

Renan Barao, undefeated in 30+ MMA contests at the professional level, UFC world champion at 135 lbs.

Eduardo Dantas has the bellator belt at 135 lbs.

Not pictured is Marlon Sandro, the King of Pancrase at 135 lbs.

Whatever is in the water, it is working.
Unlike some teams marred by positive steroid tests of its fighters and fake urine (*ahem* American Top Team), I'm unaware of any such problems with Nova Uniao.

The proof is in the results.

Rafa Mendes Guard Passing Study - The Grappler's Guide

BJJ Scout has inspired a new wave of such breakdowns.
Watch and digest.

The leg wiper and the stapling the legs in particular are the easier parts to adopt and implement if you don't do them already.

 

Fighter 3,453 Blames Rehydration Snafu not Weightcutting Extremes for Loss

Yep. It wasn't the cutting 20 lb's of weight in a short amount of time.
It wasn't the process by which you forcibly dehydrate your body after a strenuous training camp.
It was the IV or lack thereof.

If you weren't cutting 20 lb's it never would have happened:
"Brunson told MMAjunkie that one small change in his post-weigh-in routine set everything spiraling over the next 24 hours, and left him in a bad spot come fight time. Gassing out in the third was inevitable, he believes, and all started after making weight."

"“I’ll be working with a nutritionist to find out how to rehydrate properly, because whatever I’m doing isn’t working. I’ll get a good meal plan and a good way to rehydrate, and never forget that IV."

Yeah, now that you're in the UFC, that would be a good idea.

Like it or Not, You Will Order Metamoris 3: Thanks Stuart Cooper

I have oft been a vocal critic of the Metamoris. Like all great ideas, it has been marred by poor execution, agenda, promotion, self-serving...but, it is one of the highest profile invite only professional level grappling events, so.....

 

Monday's Multimedia Mailbag: UFC 169 Anti-Climax Edition

Well, I was pretty excited about this card when it was announced. Dominic Cruz's return, Renan  Barao facing him, Jose Aldo dispatching another challenger with ease.....Frank Mir vs Alistair might be entertaining if it lasted a round.

But as with human plans and expectations gone awry, I was left with a sour taste in my mouth.

As for my picks, I saw Lineker plod forward barely throwing punches and get out grappled over 3 rounds. Jamie Varner get into an extended firefight and get KTFO.

I correctly had Barao, Aldo and Overeem but that's about it.

I built myself up for letdown with this one and all I can really do at this point is look forward to the February 22nd card, but I'll be working at my other job that weekend. Stylistically, there are some great match-ups on that card with Cormier vs Evans, Rivera vs Assuncao, Oliveira vs Koch, Dos Anjos fighting, and McDonald vs Maia. Sometimes these cards with mid-level guys needing the "W" to move up the ladder prove better than a champ fighting to win a decision ala Ben Henderson or even Jose Aldo as of late.

On to the highlights or lowlights as the case may be:

Purple Belt Debut/Hectic Jiu-Jitsu Weekend/No Rest for the Weary

2nd place, purple belt combined -162 lbs

Busy weekend spent helping set up and do some referee training with the awesome folks at US Grappling for their Submission Only Greensboro. I won my first match at purple belt, lost to a teammate in the next round of a round robin bracket combining the 3 guys under 162 lbs.
I got to see a number of good matches while working a table between a good number of black belts as well.

Sunday morning was back at Judo practice then some hard rolling at another Jiu-Jitsu Open Mat because the Virginia Judo Open is in 2 weeks.
I plan to do the ADCC Nationals in Virginia Beach the following weekend.
Then, schedule permitting, US Grappling's Virginia Beach Tournament mid-March.

 Thought I may have injured my knee in the absolute when the guy jumped guard very low and hit my knee from the outside/going in, but my knee is okay. I got caught in a triangle/armbar by worrying about my knee rather than staying in the present but I relearned an old axiom that the guy who gets to where he wants to be first usually wins (Thanks Justin Rader).




I was undecided if I should sit to open guard or fight for the takedown, and every time I've done that in a match I've lost.

Lesson (re)learned.

I also got a sweet Jeff Shaw designed Gracies in Action inspired T-shirt from Cageside MMA's vendor booth.