Go Read This

It's a post by one of the nicest people I know in Jiu-Jitsu, none other than Dirty White Belt, himself, Jeff Shaw.

When he blogs, I read it/listen. 
You should as well. 

Four Ways to Get Better at Purple Belt - Dirty White Belt's Blog

Go read his post HERE. 

The contributor is a true maven but yet all around knowledgeable jack of trades figure.
Activist, Toro Cup Matchmaker, Jiu-Jitsu nerd, photographer...his accolades and talents really do blow the mind.

He's one of the guys in Jiu-Jitsu in our local scene and in general for whom I have the most respect both on and off the mats.

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.

North Carolina Grappling Blog Shoutout(s) & UFC 158 Countdown :)

In an effort to show internet and local (North Carolina) grappling blogger solidarity, here are some links to local grapplers I know and have trained with personally.
Aside from being awesome people and grapplers, there is not quite the dearth of grappling blogging on the internet one might imagine.

Dirty White Belt

Sandhills/Southern Pines BJJ

It's like wrestling, only meaner


UFC 158 Countdown: Full Episode - GSP vs Nick Diaz et al.