Muniz vs Jacare/Anders - armpit grip armbar response to opponent going to 4 points/back escape

Kneebar Bonanza Part 6 - leg triangle defense untie to toe hold/Allen Wrench/Kneebar

Inside heel hook from Naga -149 Advanced 30+

Aoki footlock from Naga -149 Adult Advanced

North South passing + bodylock assisted rolling backtake (AKA Ancient Aliens)

Leglock PSA: Puelles/Greutzemacher Kneebar Breakdown

UFC 269: Picks & Prognostications

 I haven't done any sports betting in ages due to being overwhelmingly busy teaching classes, competing, and now teaching add'l classes at another gym in NYC, but here goes my off the cuff reads for this weekend's amazing PPV lineup:

Oliveira has been hurt in more fights than I'd like to see if I was going to bed actual money on him, but he has that Fedor ability to right after getting hurt turn on the finish at the drop of a dime. Despite nearly getting finished by Chandler, he then dropped and finished him. 

I find it hard to believe Pena does to Nunes what no one else has done in years. Nunes by comfortable decision. 

Ponzinibbio by stoppage in round 3/punches. 

Kai does a repeat of Cody's last losing decision by being more active, combining wrestling with punches and more aggression. 

O'Malley by HL reel finish because that's why this fight was booked to open up the main card. 

Prelims:

I'm SUPER excited for Ige vs Emmett, as both guys are exciting every time out. I think Emmett edges Ige just a bit and takes a very close split decision. 

Cruz vs Munhoz: it's hard to think anyone other than the very very best beat Cruz but the gameplan to beat him has been laid out having had his traps and footwork nullified by fighters with the right gameplan. I don't think Munhoz has the savvy to adjust in the Octagon to Cruz and Cruz takes a lopsided decision. 

Sakai vs Tuivasa: active HW's who both look to put guys away over the course of the fight. Tuivasa has a bit more mileage on him but I also think he's faced stiffer competition on a more regular basis than Sakai. Tuivasa by decision. 

Ryan Hall by heel hook. 

UFC 269: Oliveira vs Poirier, Nunes vs Pena et al

Inside heel hook: -145 Advanced Adult

1st match of the day, going 4-0 with 4 leg/foot lock finishes. 

-1 Min Outside heel hook: -145 Advanced Adult

-1 Min Inside heel hook: -145 Advanced Adult

 3rd match of the day from last weekend:

Aoki foot lock -145 Advanced

 Started working on this at the start of the Pandemic, having seen the success Isaac Doederlein had with it in the Gi. Big thanks to Jon Calestine and Matt Kaplan who proved invaluable in helping me keep sharpening it. I went 4-0 for the day with 2 inside heel hooks, an outside heel hook, and this Aoki lock. 

UFC 267 Countdown Episode: Blachowicz vs Teixeira, Yan vs Sandhagen, et al

 

Renato Canuto Passing Chain to Backtake: Part 2

Leglock PSA: don't bring a knife to a gunfight = attacking the free leg while in a heel hook

Renato Canuto Inspired Guard Passing Chain for the Gi

Overhook guard overview: sweep, upper body submission threat, expose the leg

 

UFC 266 Countdown Special: Volkanovski vs Ortega, Diaz vs Lawler 2, et al

Leg attack - wrestle up - crab ride - backtake to body triangle

Dragon Sleeper/Reverse Guillotine backtake

Introducing the ankle pick: setup, mechanics, movement, and grip

Footage of folks I coach hitting it in competiion, then breakdown:

Shoulder lock/Thunder lock from back triangle

Kneebar from heel hook defensive reactions

UFC 265 Countdown: Lewis vs Gane

Outside heel hook - 149 Naga

Inside heel hook -149 Naga (passing chains to set up entry included)

following the heel hook, I included footage of the passing chains and dragon sleeper/reverse guillotine attempt I used to create an opening to entangle the legs.

Kneebar -149 Naga

11 sec Shoulder lock/Thunder lock EBI OT win - Finishers Sub Only 6: Eme...

Fix your figure 4 armbar defense

UFC 264 Countdown: Full Episode

NoGi Merch Order

Doing our 2nd run of pre-orders for NoGi gear for the next 2 weeks. If you’re a fan of the blog, the content et cetera, place an order and we can ship to you: https://www.vagabondbjjbrooklyn.com/merch

Paul Craig/Jamahal Hill: Mir lock + Overhook armbar

The Road To Who's Number One | Craig Jones vs. Tye Ruotolo

Leglock PSA: Palhares & handfighting false truth

Finishers Sub Only: EBI OT - RNC

UFC 263 Inside the Octagon: Adesanya vs Vettori 2

UFC 263 Countdown: Full Episode

The Road To WNO: Mikey Musumeci vs. Lucas Pinheiro | May 28

Meerschaert McKenzie-tine Guillotine finish

Inside heel hook -149 Naga Adv Adult

Straight Ankle lock - under 149 Naga Advanced Adult

Ufc 262 picks

 Barbosa - Enough kicks and weapons plus deeper resume than Burgos. 

 Dariush - Ferguson getting ragdolled and outgrappled by Oliveira has me thinking the striking of Dariush + grappling will look similar. 

Oliveira - I’m still not sold on Chandler. The KO was the kinda of debut you would want but one quick KO against a guy backpedaling isn’t enough to convince me that Chandler will do the same to the guys in the top 5 of this division. I could be wrong, glad to find out which it is tonight. 

Overhook guard submission options

UFC 262 Countdown: Full Episode

Takedown + backstep leg entry + inside heel hook

Took 1st, adult advanced -145, going 3-0 for the day.

4D Backtake - leg attacks + wrestle up + backtake from crab ride

Overhook guard to reverse triangle + Kimura

Straight armbar - climbing grips + posture control

Went 5-0 for the day, winning Adult Advanced -145 lbs.

The Road to WNO: Gilbert Burns vs Rafael Lovato Jr

UFC 261 Countdown: Zhang vs Namajunas

UFC 261 Inside the Octagon: Usman vs Masvidal 2

UFC 261 Countdown: Usman vs Masvidal 2

Bad Blood: Dake Burroughs

Great rivalries are years in the making.

Rolling Backtake Handwalk Counter -

Emerald City 170 Pro Bracket Predictions:

Ronan takes the whole thing. I’ve got the semi-finals as Combs vs PJ Barch & Ronan vs Sanchez. 

Finals: PJ vs Ronan

Kimura-less single leg counter

BJJ Scout: UFC 260 Post Fight Study: Technique Recap

Spicy Kimura single leg counter

SoGi Men’s middleweight & Women’s absolute underway

 Taking place as we speak, streaming live on Facebook

The Road To Who's Number One | Gordon Ryan vs. Vagner Rocha

Gordon Ryan signs with One Championship

 Confirmed by Chatri Sityodtong

“ BREAKING NEWS: Gordon Ryan has signed with ONE Championship for both mixed martial arts and submission grappling!

— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri)”

UFC 260 Inside the Octagon: Miocic vs Ngannou 2

UFC 260 Countdown: Miocic vs Ngannou 2

4D backtakes with competition examples

Leglock PSA: Joe Soto knee pull thru heel hook

UFC 259: Inside the Octagon - Blachowicz vs Adesanya

Leglock PSA: Ciryl Gane Outside Heel Hook

UFC 259 Countdown: Blachowicz vs Adesanya

BJJ Scout: UFC 258 Post Fight Study: Usman Unstoppable?

Kneebar Bonanza Part 4 - toe hold/kneebar twist trifecta

UFC 258 Countdown: Usman vs Burns

BJJ Scout: Kamaru Usman v Gilbert Burns Preview - Gameplan Leaked?

Leglock PSA: Lipski Kneebar-calf-slice counter

BJJ Scout Breaks down Usman vs Burns

 

BJJ Scout Breaks Down McGregor vs Poirier 2

 

-149 Naga adult expert finals: outside heel hook

from yesterday:

Upcoming February UFC Bouts : Numerous title fights & other match-ups of note

 Now that the air has left the balloon that is McGregor vs Poirier 2, and the likelihood that Khabib is not returning seems even more certain, we can look ahead:

In 2 weeks we've got Overeem vs Volkov. Both guys are always just on the cusp of fighting for the title, as is anyone who can string together 3-5 wins in the UFC HW division. Franke Edgar fights Corey Sandhagen on the same card. Edgar is coming off a split decision win over Pedro Munhoz, and prior to that 2 losses to Chan Sung Jung and Max Holloway. Sandhagen hopes the win over Edgar proves he is among the elite as he has wins over the likes of Assuncao, Lineker, and Moraes but is in waiting mode as title shots take forever to come around in the bantamweight division. He lost what was likely a title challenger eliminator in a quick loss to Aljamain Sterling who himself is now waiting on Petr Yan to face him after beating Jose Aldo. 

The week after that, we've got Usman vs Burns. I think Burns puts his striking, takedowns, and submissions together too dynamically to be stifled by Usman. Tho', Usman has shown he is willing to lock his hands and just press you into a cage standing up for 5 rounds if need be. On that card, Munhoz faces Rivera, and Weidman faces Urijah Hall. I really wish Weidman would take a break from facing dynamic strikers, but here we are. 

Toward the end of February, we get Blaydes vs Lewis, in a fight long in the making. Blaydes will try to ragdoll Lewis and Lewis will try to KTFO Blayes. Oleinik is also on the card. 

To close out the month of February, we get Blackhowicz vs Adesanya in a champ moving up a weight class event that should be one of the record books. We get 2 other title fights on that card with Petr Yan facing Aljamain Sterling and Nunes vs Anderson. 

UFC 257 Letdown/Hangover: The money that won't be made

 

A collective sigh escaped a lot of people's mouths seeing Conor slumped in round 2. I don't think Khabib was gonna come back TBH, but the game is fickle and the folks who now forgot his starching of Aldo and Cerrone, act like he's washed up because he got caught in a fight he won the first round et cetera. 

I'm bummed for the fight that might've been and the blockbuster of the lead-up to a Khabib sequel. I don't think Khabib sees any upside to fighting a punch heavy wrestler like Chandler who he will argue has only 1 win in the UFC. I've always thought a guy with a punch heavy attack, and stronr wrestling would be tough for him, but I doubt we'll see him come back for Michael Chandler. It also leaves us in this limbo of Gaethje has a loss to Poirier, Poirier is 1-1 with McGregor, I don't care what Nate Diaz wants to do because he's been gone for what feels like ages, and Khabib has beaten the top 3 guys. Hooker is now 0-2 in his last 2, and I don't think he wants a Gaethje fight after these 2 most recent losses. Lightweight is kinda a mess if we're being honest. Folks will stump for a trilogy/immediate rematch, and I don't doubt that having seen Poirier up close the next fight will be much closer (and likely longer) but either Khabib should move on from the UFC or decide he's going to face someone regardless of who it is. The marketing feels inauthentic when the champ does and says things that suggest no one is worthy of facing him. That may be the perception but saying that then charging folks 60+ dollars for a fight one of the combatants is saying is not meaningful lands poorly with audiences to some extent. Elsewhere at lightweight the forgotton guy is Charles Oliveira who no doubt deserves a crack at the title but is not the guy Khabib is going to come back to face. I think a fight between Poirier and Oliveira for the title makes sense in the event Poirier and McGregor don't run it back. 

Chandler did the best thing he could've done which is come in, and violently crush a top tier guy. When I picked Hooker for this fight I did not expect him to immediately start the fight backpedaling, and sure enough, he pulled away directly into the path of an oncoming looping hook. 

Elsewhere on the card: McMann seemed tired or slow to react with her back taken and her handfighting did her in eventually giving up the RNC. Tsarukyan showed real precision in mixing up his striking, takedowns, submission hunting, and top control against Matt Frevola. Brad Tavares looked very good coming off a long layoff and thwarting takedowns, getting back to his feet, and punishing Antonio Carlos Junior on the feet. 

UFC 257 Picks: McGregor vs Poirier 2 et al

 Much like 2020, we get a McGregor fight to start off the year. Perhaps we won't have a multi month sport sabbatical from Covid this year round. 

Poirier vs McGregor - Much like was suggested by both parties in the Countdown special, Poirier needs to drag this fight out ala Nate Diaz, and McGregor wants to cleanly tag Poirier and put him away. Poirier has put away punch centric fighters like Gaethje, and done well against Eddie Alvarez et cetera, but McGregor, even as a punch centric fighter has that precision/accuracy that really leads to finishes, as cliched as it might sound. I think the added mileage of Poirier's subsequent fights versus Conor's much less strenuous fight schedule, looks like an advantage to McGregor. I think McGregor puts Poirier away in the 2nd or 3rd round, punches against the fence, much akin to their first fight but a bit more drawn out to get there. 

Hooker vs Chandler - it's always interesting to see guys come in and test themselves against the top tier of the UFC. Ben Askren and others have tried it and had mixed results over the years. At any rate, I think Hooker is as stern a test for Chandler as there is, but Hooker's multi-faced approach to striking will prove equal to Chandler's power punching and wrestling. I actually don't feel super confident in a pick for this one, I'm inclined to pick Hooker because I think this fight plays out a lot like Poirier vs Gaethje did. 

Hooker by stoppage from knees leading to a TKO in the 4th round. 

Dan Hardy UFC 257 Breakdown: McGregor vs Poirier 2

 

Merch - Support the Brand if you appreciate the content

Admittedly, I tend to hold back on pushing products with this blog, but, the time has come to offer some baubles for those who appreciate the content and the brand. Click HERE to pick up a hat and support the work and the brand as it continues to labor to improve the Grappling culture. 

UFC on ABC Holloway-Kattar Aftermath

 I had figured a punching centric fighter like Kattar would struggle with Holloway, but honestly expected him to be a bit more competitive early on in rounds 1-3. His corner shortened his career by sending him out for a 5th round after absorbing 70 something significant strikes in a fight he had not yet managed to wobble or shut down the former champ Holloway. A 5th round against Holloway was probably worth 1-3 fights against other guys in terms of mileage on your brain and body. I'm also surprised that Dean allowed him to absorb the punishment of the 4th round and the deluge of elbows, punches, et cetera. 

Unfortunately for other possible title contenders, Holloway still trashes probably anyone not named Volkanovski in this division but also no one is really stumping for a 3rd go round between the 2. The blueprint at FW to beat Holloway is to move, kick, throw enough volume to not seem way less busy, and clinch and force him against the cage for periods of the fight (as Volkanovski did). That is the only way thus far that anyone has managed to best him. Even Aldo slowed noticeably after 3 rounds of boxing with Holloway and to stay both at range, and in close with Holloway is to fight the kind of fight he desires most. 

Condit vs Brown was a better fight than I expected. Brown, however, was breathing mouth open by the start of the 2nd, and Condit was able to stay busier throughout, and reverse from bottom enough to eke out a decision. The Unanimous decision for Brown though was comical, as Brown easily took the first round. Condit might have wanted to keep the "I've been wrestling since I was 9" part out of his post fight after getting dragged to the mat repeatedly, and accepting bottom for much longer than was advisable. I've seen fights and split decisions go awry with that acceptance of bottom position for portions of even 1 round, let alone 2. The real question is who do you put him against other than aging known quantities in other fighters for him the title shot is probably no longer on the table. He's faced virtually all of the names left from the different eras of which he was a part, and it's a testament to his longevity that he still looks as sharp as he does years removed from a title shot with GSP who left, came back, and left again in the interim. 

UFC 257 Countdown: Full Episode

Leglock PSA: Chase Hooper Hail Mary Heel Hook

One I forget about but I’ve been going back to lately: Single Leg Step-Over Counter (Short Form Breakdown)

Kneebar Bonanza 3 - Angled sit from passing entry, untying the leg triangle defense, attacking the toe hold to facilitate kneebar entry

 

Leglock PSA: stepover kneebar counter