Gi vs No Gi ?

So today, I was at the gym training Brazillian Jiu Jitsu.  We use a gi in that class and did the usual.  Worked on variations of chaining submissions together.  For instance, we worked on transitioning from a triangle, right into an armbar and back to a triangle.  Stuff like that.  Then the usual 30min-45min rolling.

A muay thai student was watching us and asked me after whats the difference from training with a gi and without a gi. And which was easier.

As I was telling him, its hard both ways.  I did submission wrestling and no gi grappling at first, so when I transitioned to traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I had a hard time adapting at first.  I've rolled and trained with guys that said the same thing but vice versa.  Adaptation is huge part between rolling with a gi and without one.  Personally, for me at first, not knowing that the gi was used as a weapon and tool, was a very hard concept for me to grasp.  I remember getting choked out with my own collar.  If you've never rolled with a gi, you'll learn that the gi is your biggest weapon and can be used in so many ways.

I had a hard time because training without a gi, your not used to having to grab the gi for handles and grips.  I told the guy they bring different aspects and it changes your approach coming gi to no gi or vice versa.  Honestly, I don't think there is an easier or harder rolling with gi or no gi.  They both bring different aspects and different problems for you to figure out.   But, I feel like when you train with a gi, I honestly think you need more of technique is put to play.  Without a gi, you can use strength and athleticism to help you a great deal when you grapple.  Sweat plays a big part too when you roll without a gi.  But when your in a gi, sometimes you just can't get out of things when someones holding your collar or gi and you can't just slide out positions because sweat doesn't really affect the gi.

At the end of the conversation, I told the guy, you really got to try it for yourself, but what do you guys think?

UFC: Fight For The Troops Weigh Ins

FUNNY SHIT

They had some pretty funny shit on this weigh ins.  I thought this was the best one.  Damarques Johnson vs Mike Guymon.


This one was pretty funny if you watched it.  Usually when people are bo

ut to weigh in, they normally starve and don't intake anything until after the weight ins.  But not Yves Edward, he wasn't even tripping, he was eaten some bbq potato chips.  He even let Cody get some before the staredown.  Pretty funny shit today.

Chael Sonnen Black Belt

On January 3, 2011, the man named Chael Sonnen was awarded a black belt in Money Laundering.

He also was spotted at McDonald's also trying to get a black belt under the Nogueria brothers. Unfortunately, in his happy meal he didn't get the black belt. Good Luck Chael maybe next time.

Why is Ryan Bader Not Hyped?

 

I really don't understand why Ryan Bader is not hyped.  

• Hes undefeated in his professional MMA career.
• Hes a former D1 wrestler
• Won the Ultimate Fighter
• The win that I think anchors his career is against Little Nog and Keith Jardine.

He may not be as flashy as others but I feel like he doesn't get enough recognition.  With all the hype surrounding Jon Jones ( no disrespect I love watching Jones, but I feel like the only guy really beat that was the most credible was Matt Hamil.  Even though he lost but we all know he won that fight because those illegal elbows aren't the ones that beat Hamil.  I feel like Jones never really fought anyone credible, like an top tier fighter.)  Bader beating Lil Nog was impressive to me because Little Nog is a great striker and better grappler.  Lil Nog is a top guy.  But no hype for Bader?  It all went to Jones because he throws some crazy strikes.

CMON BADER HIS NICKNAME IS DARTH......THAT SHITS DOPE

Give him some credit, why does everyone think Jones is just going to run through him, his name is Darth dammit haha

Why Mayhem vs Diaz Did Not ComeThrough?

A

According to Nick Diaz, the reason why his speculated fight against Mayhem Miller was not due to the weight issue, as everybody assumed.  The issue was getting paid for moving up in weight.  He said he was willing if the pay was right.  I mean having to gain muscle mass for a fight then dropping down, is easier said than done.  So I kind of agree he should have been paid more instead of getting the regular.  The fight with Miller would have nothing to do with him except settling the beef he had with Miller.  So that fight would have been a fan attraction fight.  Cmon Scott Coker just pay him a little more than usual just so that fight would happen.  The fans want to see it.

But on the other hand, this also maybe an excuse for Diaz.  Who knows?  Coker says one thing, Diaz says another.  We'll never know.

Kimbo Slice Quits Boxing!! Make Money Somewhere Else?

Kim


Reports have said that former street fighter/MMA fighter, Kimbo Slice will quit his aspiration to pursue a career in boxing.  After his loss to Matt Mitrione and getting cut from the UFC stable, he decided he would put mixed martial arts in the backseat and pursue boxing.  According to his fight promoter, Jared Shaw, he has also put his boxing career to rest.  Shaw said that due to injuries and the intensity of the work that was put into boxing, Kimbo could not do it. 

It was said that after Kimbo had finished filming the Scorpion King, Kimbo had lost interest in boxing.  But wait.....Kimbo will go to pro wrestling.  He's going to head to Japan and entering the 8 man tournament on February 5th. 

For all the Kimbo Slice haters, why hate the guy.  If you watched The Ultimate Fighter or seen interviews, Kimbo's a humble and nice guy.  If you didn't like him because he got so much hype, its not his fault.  Blame the internet and all the people who hyped him up.  He came up making little money to six figures.  Aye, he makes that money and that's all that matters.  At least he's still going to be in entertainment, lol even though its not real.  Go Team Kimbo LOL

UFC: Fight For The Troops 2 Main Card

 

This Saturday, January 22 the UFC will hold their second Fight For The Troops event. It will be held in Fort Hood, Texas.  This is how I think the main card will go.

Main card

• Lightweight bout: Evan Dunham vs. Melvin Guillard
• Heavyweight bout: Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Hague
• Featherweight bout: Mark Hominick vs. George Roop
• Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs. Joey Beltran
• Lightweight bout: Cole Miller vs. Matt Wiman

 (Each name above has a Wikipedia link)

Evan Dunham vs Melvin Guillard

Evan Dunham was supposed to be fighting Kenny Florian for the main event but due to an injury to Florian, therefore Melvin Guillard, (who was supposed to fight Yves Edward on the prelim card) will step in for Florian.

Dunham coming off a loss against former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk, (in which many, including myself thought he won) will try to rebound from that judging error.  Guillard coming off a win against Jeremy Stephens will try to keep on the winning streak.  He's coming into the fight with a 3 fight win streak.

Dunham the Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt will have a HUGE advantage on the ground.  He has a really good submission skills and I think will be looking to put Guillard on his back and put Guillard into his weakest aspect.  But, Dunham has shown he can use his striking effectively and efficiently.

Guillard's change to train at Greg Jackson's camp, has been a good career move.  He's become a more disciplined fighter.  A lot of people have been saying he played it safe his last fight against Jeremy Stephens.  It may not be as exciting by not seeing him brawl, but why would he want to take a chance at getting knocked out and lose.  If you lose you get cut from the organization.  Why would he risk that, I think a wins a win.  Guillard will try to keep this standing and use his wrestling to keep this fight standing.

I like Dunham's advantage in the ground but he's going to be facing a talented striker.  With Guillard training at Greg Jackson, hes been becoming more well rounded and better at his weakest areas.  I have Guillard taking a decision.  Chin test for Dunham.


Matt Mitrione vs Tim Hauge

Despite Mitrione having only 3 professional fights, the Duke Roufus product has shown a lot of promise in this sport.  He loves to strike and I think has pretty good ability on keeping distance.  Honestly, I think that Mitrione will try to keep it standing against Hauge.

In all honesty, I haven't seen Tim Hauge fight to much except when he got knocked out by Todd Duffee and lost a decision to Joey Beltran.  Can't say much but he did submit Pat Berry, in which he was getting beat down but showed some heart in the fight and came back with the win.  I know that he does have a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu jitsu.

Its a toss up for me, but I'm going with Mitrione only because I think his striking is more crisp and training with Duke Roufus means that his stand up is going to be better.  Tossing a coin and it lands on Mitrione.

Mark Hominick vs George Roop

This is my fight of the night candidate.  Mark Hominick has one of the best technical strikers in the featherweight division.  He has pin point accuracy and a vicious liver shot.  Mark Hominick is well versed on the ground too.  He also has a little more incentive than Roop, if he wins he is told that he will be getting a title shot against the featherweight champ Jose Aldo.  Hominick also has A TON of momentum behind, having a 4 fight win streak.

George Roop is a scrapper though.  He comes in and fights.  He just gave the best performance of his career by knocking out the Korean Zombie, a guy in which nobody has finished.  That highlight reel knockout had him up there with knockout of the year candidates.

 SO don't count Roop out of this.  That might happen.  But he's primarily known as a striker so this should be a stand up war.

I'm going with Mark Hominick with this one.  He brings more technique and a more refined striking game than Roop.  Second Round TKO , hopefully by body shot that crumbles Roop.  Plus we get to see Aldo get to fight a very good striker.

Pat Barry vs Joey Beltran

Even though Pat Barry lost his last fight against Mirko Cro Cop, he showed hes one of the best strikers in MMA period.  He knocked Cro Cop down in the first round of their fight a couple times.  If he sustained the brilliance he showed in the first round, he could have won the fight. 

But the downside with Barry is that he had surgery on his hand after the Cro Cop fight and nobody will know how that hand will hold up during his fight.

Beltran is also a striker.  He is also coming off a hard fought decision against Matt Mitrione, months prior.  Both have a ton of power in their strikes and can end fights instantaneously.  This is going to be a stand up war.  I want to say Beltran by decision but I feel like Barry can finish in the first round.  I'm going to call a KO for Barry.

Cole Miller vs Matt Wiman

This is going to be a tough one to call.  Wiman is a very tough and durable guy but I love the fact that Miller always wants to finish the fights.  Miller looked a lot better in his stand up game against Ross Pearson and his ground game is always sharp.  I feel like Miller has a huge on the ground , but Wiman is not someone you should count out.  I mean he comes into the cage and fights each time and gets into some great battles.  I mean look he wracked up 3 fight of the night awards against Thiago Tavares (win), Jim Miller (loss), and Sam Stout (loss).

I'm going with Miller finishing by submission in the 3rd round.