2130- We are watching the pregame for UFC101. BJ Penn has gotten Marv Marinovich as his strength/conditioning coach. No change in my predictions. War Florian!
2135- Forrest Griffin has an incredible attitude going into this fight with Anderson Silva. His attitude is, "Someone is eventually going to beat Anderson. It might as well be me!"
2200-Showtime! The show is on.
Looks like the first fight is going to be Kurt Pellegrino vs. Josh Neer. The first round was a good exchange of grappling. Good stuff. Round two was also pretty good. It ended with Pellegrino taking Neer's back and attempting a rear naked choke.The fight is over. Looks like Pellegrino won. Yes. Pellegrino by unanimous decision. So far I am 0-1 in predictions
Fight #2 Ricardo Almeida by unanimous decision over Kendall Grove. 1-1 in predictions.
Fight #3- Johny Hendricks TKO over Amir Sadollah at 0:29 into the first round. Possible early stoppage, but it is what it is. 1-2 in predictions.
Fight #4- Aaron Riley vs. Shane Nelson- Fillin fight from the undercard due to Sadollah fight going short. Not familiar with either guy. Took Nelson in a fun bet with Julia. So far Riley seems to be winning after round 1.And this one has gone the distance. Aaron Riley wins by unanimous decision.
Fight #5- Forrest Griffin v. Anderson Silva. Silva knocked out Griffin at 3:23 of the first round. I am now 1-3 in predictions.
Fight #6- Kenny Florian vs. BJ Penn for the Lightweight Title. Fan poll says 70% of fans think Penn retains. I still disagree. We're about to see. BJ seems to have won the first round. Second round is hard to call a winner in. Round three likely goes to BJ. Round four, BJ Penn choked out Kenny Florian with a rear naked choke. I went 1-4 for the night. Oh well.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
UFC 101: Thoughts and Predictions
UFC 101 has shaped up to be an interesting card. The card and my predictions for it are below:
MAIN CARD
Johny Hendricks (171) vs. Amir Sadollah (166.5): Don't know anything about Hendricks. Amir on the other hand won the Ultimate Fighter, submitting CB Dolloway TWICE. Since then, he has been plagued wit injuries and has been unable to fight. I am going to go with Sadollah by submission here.
Josh Neer (155.5) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (154.5): Not hugely familiar with either fighter here. More familiar with Neer, so I will say Neer wins. Not sure how.
Ricardo Almeida (185) vs. Kendall Grove (185.5): Ricardo Almeida has a very strong jiu-jitsu pedigree, having competed and done well in the ADCC among other tournaments. He is a 3rd degree black belt. If Grove can manage to keep it standing he might do okay...However, I predict Almeida by submission.
Champ Anderson Silva (205) vs. Forrest Griffin (205): This should be an exciting fight. Forrest Griffin, while the underdog, tends to win fights that on paper, he should not. Case in point, his fights against Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua. Silva is a devastating striker, but Forrest is going to come right at him. He is not afraid to get hit. In fact, I think he kind of likes it. I am going to go with the upset here and say Forrest Griffin by TKO.
Champ B.J. Penn (155) vs. Kenny Florian (155): This should also be a GREAT fight. Penn is coming off a loss to GSP. Florian has won six in a row. Both a very dangerous jiu-jitsu fighters. In the last couple of year's Florian's Muay Thai and stand-up have markedly improved. I think it is Florian's time to shine, however. I predict Florian by submission.
MAIN CARD
Johny Hendricks (171) vs. Amir Sadollah (166.5): Don't know anything about Hendricks. Amir on the other hand won the Ultimate Fighter, submitting CB Dolloway TWICE. Since then, he has been plagued wit injuries and has been unable to fight. I am going to go with Sadollah by submission here.
Josh Neer (155.5) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (154.5): Not hugely familiar with either fighter here. More familiar with Neer, so I will say Neer wins. Not sure how.
Ricardo Almeida (185) vs. Kendall Grove (185.5): Ricardo Almeida has a very strong jiu-jitsu pedigree, having competed and done well in the ADCC among other tournaments. He is a 3rd degree black belt. If Grove can manage to keep it standing he might do okay...However, I predict Almeida by submission.
Champ Anderson Silva (205) vs. Forrest Griffin (205): This should be an exciting fight. Forrest Griffin, while the underdog, tends to win fights that on paper, he should not. Case in point, his fights against Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua. Silva is a devastating striker, but Forrest is going to come right at him. He is not afraid to get hit. In fact, I think he kind of likes it. I am going to go with the upset here and say Forrest Griffin by TKO.
Champ B.J. Penn (155) vs. Kenny Florian (155): This should also be a GREAT fight. Penn is coming off a loss to GSP. Florian has won six in a row. Both a very dangerous jiu-jitsu fighters. In the last couple of year's Florian's Muay Thai and stand-up have markedly improved. I think it is Florian's time to shine, however. I predict Florian by submission.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Getting back in the game/Big Developments
I am getting started again in the game. It has been really hard since my mom's passing to really get back on track, training-wise. I went last week, trained and rolled. It felt great, but I was definitely out of practice and my cardio wasn't what it had been. I gassed out pretty quickly. Hopefully I can get back into a routine with this again.
Big developments in the fight game. Josh Barnett tested positive for a metabolite from a steroid. This led to the California State Athletic Commission suspending him. This pulled him from the main event at Affliction:Trilogy, where he was supposed to face Fedor Emelianenko. This led to Affliction, being unable to find a suitable replacement for Barnett, scrubbing the entire show. Shortly thereafter, Affliction announced they were ceasing operations as a promotion, although continuing as a clothing company. Shortly thereafter, the UFC announced that they had reached a deal with Affliction to again allow fighters to wear Affliction gear into the Octagon.
Now, the big question is, what happens with Fedor? The only real answer is that he goes to the UFC. Affliction is gone. Strikeforce doesn't have the money to pay him what he feels he is worth. In the past, Fedor's demands (copromotion with M1/Global, which he is part owner of, as well as contracts for others on his Red Devil Fight Team) have kept a deal with UFC from happening. Now, it is really the only option. Fedor announced yesterday that he has a press conference scheduled for today. Dana White has called a presser for Friday. I think a deal with Fedor has likely already been signed and we will get strong hints from Fedor today and confirmation from Dana on Friday.
This means an immediate title shot for Fedor against Brock Lesnar. This will be a HUGE money fight for the UFC. The man most regard as the best pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts (Fedor) versus the immense, powerful, and amazingly fast for his size Brock. That will be something to see.
Brock
Fedor
Big developments in the fight game. Josh Barnett tested positive for a metabolite from a steroid. This led to the California State Athletic Commission suspending him. This pulled him from the main event at Affliction:Trilogy, where he was supposed to face Fedor Emelianenko. This led to Affliction, being unable to find a suitable replacement for Barnett, scrubbing the entire show. Shortly thereafter, Affliction announced they were ceasing operations as a promotion, although continuing as a clothing company. Shortly thereafter, the UFC announced that they had reached a deal with Affliction to again allow fighters to wear Affliction gear into the Octagon.
Now, the big question is, what happens with Fedor? The only real answer is that he goes to the UFC. Affliction is gone. Strikeforce doesn't have the money to pay him what he feels he is worth. In the past, Fedor's demands (copromotion with M1/Global, which he is part owner of, as well as contracts for others on his Red Devil Fight Team) have kept a deal with UFC from happening. Now, it is really the only option. Fedor announced yesterday that he has a press conference scheduled for today. Dana White has called a presser for Friday. I think a deal with Fedor has likely already been signed and we will get strong hints from Fedor today and confirmation from Dana on Friday.
This means an immediate title shot for Fedor against Brock Lesnar. This will be a HUGE money fight for the UFC. The man most regard as the best pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts (Fedor) versus the immense, powerful, and amazingly fast for his size Brock. That will be something to see.
Brock
Fedor
Friday, July 10, 2009
UFC 100 Predictions
Here are my predictions for UFC 100
Jon Fitch Vs. Paulo Thiago: I am going to say Fitch by TKO (strikes) in round 2.
Yoshihiro Akiyama Vs. Alan Belcher: I know little to nothing about either fighter. It is completely a tossup, but in cases such as this I have trouble betting against the Japanese. I will say Akiyama by submission. Not sure when.
Michael Bisping Vs. Dan Henderson: I hope for Henderson to TKO Bisping and shut his mouth from the incessant bragging he is wont to do.
Georges St Pierre Vs. Thiago Alves: I am going out on a huge limb here and picking the upset. I pick Thiago Alves to knock St Pierre out in the fourth round.
Brock Lesnar Vs. Frank Mir: There is a big difference in this fight between what I want to see happen and what I predict will take place. I would LOVE to see Frank Mir throw submission after submission at Lesnar until the big guy makes a mistake and gets caught and tapped again. I think, unfortunately, Mir is likely to get pounded down by the pure overwhelming power that is Brock. The really frightening part about Lesnar is, with his size, power, speed, and natural gifts, if he can pick up some jiu-jitsu and become a skilled groundfighter, he might be very difficult to unseat. Lesnar by TKO (ground and pound) in the 3rd round.
Jon Fitch Vs. Paulo Thiago: I am going to say Fitch by TKO (strikes) in round 2.
Yoshihiro Akiyama Vs. Alan Belcher: I know little to nothing about either fighter. It is completely a tossup, but in cases such as this I have trouble betting against the Japanese. I will say Akiyama by submission. Not sure when.
Michael Bisping Vs. Dan Henderson: I hope for Henderson to TKO Bisping and shut his mouth from the incessant bragging he is wont to do.
Georges St Pierre Vs. Thiago Alves: I am going out on a huge limb here and picking the upset. I pick Thiago Alves to knock St Pierre out in the fourth round.
Brock Lesnar Vs. Frank Mir: There is a big difference in this fight between what I want to see happen and what I predict will take place. I would LOVE to see Frank Mir throw submission after submission at Lesnar until the big guy makes a mistake and gets caught and tapped again. I think, unfortunately, Mir is likely to get pounded down by the pure overwhelming power that is Brock. The really frightening part about Lesnar is, with his size, power, speed, and natural gifts, if he can pick up some jiu-jitsu and become a skilled groundfighter, he might be very difficult to unseat. Lesnar by TKO (ground and pound) in the 3rd round.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wow...Been awhile
It has been nearly 2 months since I last posted. A LOT has happened in the interim. Just a few days after my last post, my mom became ill and was transported to the hospital via EMS. She ended up unfortunately passing away on April 21st. I have spent a lot of time recently processing things, emotionally and mentally. I hadn't trained a bit during this time. Have just been focused on family stuff and getting things back on track. The loss of a parent is a world-rocking experience. It is much different than the loss of a grandparent. I am still having good days and bad days. More bad now than good. Time does heal and also puts things in more perspective. Thankfully, I have a great bunch of friends who have really been there for me during all of this. A real blessing.
Recently, I got the itch to get back to training. I also decided the time might be right to consider my options with regard to my training. Last night I went to a different school (a little further away and a little more expensive) and tried a sample class. The school has a very cool vibe and I think I am probably going to join up. Last night, we went over a guard pass, reviewed the kimura (did 2 variations), and then a sweep to be used if someone defends the kimura. Then we rolled. I rolled with the son of the guy teaching last night. 18 year old kid who has been doing martial arts for 10 years and BJJ for about 4. He was very fast and very skilled and I got owned. Although I have been running some during my time away, my cardio was not good. I also noticed my timing is off and I had gotten shaky on a lot of the fundamentals. I literally fell into a triangle choke almost immediately. I stacked him and drove into him, attempting to flip him over, which I did. He immediately transitioned into an armbar and got me, though. The rest of the rolling went pretty much the same way. Felt very much like a newbie but it was good to be back at it.
Recently, I got the itch to get back to training. I also decided the time might be right to consider my options with regard to my training. Last night I went to a different school (a little further away and a little more expensive) and tried a sample class. The school has a very cool vibe and I think I am probably going to join up. Last night, we went over a guard pass, reviewed the kimura (did 2 variations), and then a sweep to be used if someone defends the kimura. Then we rolled. I rolled with the son of the guy teaching last night. 18 year old kid who has been doing martial arts for 10 years and BJJ for about 4. He was very fast and very skilled and I got owned. Although I have been running some during my time away, my cardio was not good. I also noticed my timing is off and I had gotten shaky on a lot of the fundamentals. I literally fell into a triangle choke almost immediately. I stacked him and drove into him, attempting to flip him over, which I did. He immediately transitioned into an armbar and got me, though. The rest of the rolling went pretty much the same way. Felt very much like a newbie but it was good to be back at it.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Spiritual Jiu-Jitsu: Posture Up and Base Out!
Hey readers. This is the second in an occasional series on this blog detailing the spiritual parallels I see in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling in general. Another key factor in successful jiu-jitsu, both Brazilian and spiritual, is keeping good posture and a solid base. Good posture and a solid base can prevent many attacks from your opponent and can make you much more difficult to move and/or sweep.
On the mat, your opponent may have you in his guard. It is in his best interest to break your posture and/or disrupt your base. This can be accomplished by pulling down on your head and keeping you in close to him, or working to compromise a leg or an arm that you may be posted up on. Breaking your posture serves several purposes: 1) It nullifies a lot of your options for attack in jiu-jitsu by not allowing you to move easily into more advantageous positions. It also limits striking or ground and pound attacks if it is a full MMA fight, by not allowing you the distance from your opponent needed to get velocity or power to your blows. 2) It wears you down physically as you struggle to get back to a position you can work effectively from.
In the spiritual realm, your Adversary has the same goals. Breaking your posture and/or disrupting your base spiritually can make you much more susceptible to a wide variety of attacks and traps. He knows this and will employ many techniques to try to do so. Maintaining good posture spiritually comes from the knowledge that, although flawed and deeply sinful, we are, on an individual basis, loved by God enough to send his only Son to suffer and die in our place, freeing us from the bonds of our sin. The Adversary will use the tool of guilt over past transgressions to try to keep our spiritual posture broken. Although God and others we have hurt may have forgiven us, forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing to do. The Adversary will use that, reminding us of the things we have done, plant seeds of depression and doubt, wearing us down and pulling us into a very dark place spiritually. From there he can take your back, sink his hooks in and you may feel that cold arm begin to work its way into position for a choke.
Maintaining a good base spiritually comes chiefly from actively reading God's Word and from having an active prayer life. The Adversary fears that because with a good base, you will be much more difficult to move or sweep into a position that he can begin to more effectively attack. The Adversary will put other activities, people, or any number of things in your path to try to dissuade you from feeding on scripture and from having an ongoing prayer dialogue with God. Without a steady diet of those two things, your base will become shaky and you can be easily swept over and mounted by your Adversary. From there, the Adversary has any number of options for attack. Prayer and reading the Word must become part of your lifestyle. They are an essential part of winning the battles we fight on a daily basis.
When you feel the Adversary pulling down on you, trying to break your posture by throwing your past up in your face, simply remind him that he is defeated and that you are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the Universe. A simple way to do so is to say, "Hey, I've got two words for you: John 3:16."
Fight on in the knowledge that you have the best Corner Man in the Universe. He is there to pick you up when you fall, wipe the blood from your face when you are wounded, wet your parched mouth with the Living Water that only He can give, and send you back out for the next round, rejuvenated. At some point, the horn will sound for the final time and you will sit down in the corner with your Corner Man. He will place His arms around you and say "Well done, good and faithful fighter." What a day that will be.
On the mat, your opponent may have you in his guard. It is in his best interest to break your posture and/or disrupt your base. This can be accomplished by pulling down on your head and keeping you in close to him, or working to compromise a leg or an arm that you may be posted up on. Breaking your posture serves several purposes: 1) It nullifies a lot of your options for attack in jiu-jitsu by not allowing you to move easily into more advantageous positions. It also limits striking or ground and pound attacks if it is a full MMA fight, by not allowing you the distance from your opponent needed to get velocity or power to your blows. 2) It wears you down physically as you struggle to get back to a position you can work effectively from.
In the spiritual realm, your Adversary has the same goals. Breaking your posture and/or disrupting your base spiritually can make you much more susceptible to a wide variety of attacks and traps. He knows this and will employ many techniques to try to do so. Maintaining good posture spiritually comes from the knowledge that, although flawed and deeply sinful, we are, on an individual basis, loved by God enough to send his only Son to suffer and die in our place, freeing us from the bonds of our sin. The Adversary will use the tool of guilt over past transgressions to try to keep our spiritual posture broken. Although God and others we have hurt may have forgiven us, forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing to do. The Adversary will use that, reminding us of the things we have done, plant seeds of depression and doubt, wearing us down and pulling us into a very dark place spiritually. From there he can take your back, sink his hooks in and you may feel that cold arm begin to work its way into position for a choke.
Maintaining a good base spiritually comes chiefly from actively reading God's Word and from having an active prayer life. The Adversary fears that because with a good base, you will be much more difficult to move or sweep into a position that he can begin to more effectively attack. The Adversary will put other activities, people, or any number of things in your path to try to dissuade you from feeding on scripture and from having an ongoing prayer dialogue with God. Without a steady diet of those two things, your base will become shaky and you can be easily swept over and mounted by your Adversary. From there, the Adversary has any number of options for attack. Prayer and reading the Word must become part of your lifestyle. They are an essential part of winning the battles we fight on a daily basis.
When you feel the Adversary pulling down on you, trying to break your posture by throwing your past up in your face, simply remind him that he is defeated and that you are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the Universe. A simple way to do so is to say, "Hey, I've got two words for you: John 3:16."
Fight on in the knowledge that you have the best Corner Man in the Universe. He is there to pick you up when you fall, wipe the blood from your face when you are wounded, wet your parched mouth with the Living Water that only He can give, and send you back out for the next round, rejuvenated. At some point, the horn will sound for the final time and you will sit down in the corner with your Corner Man. He will place His arms around you and say "Well done, good and faithful fighter." What a day that will be.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Updating...
I am really sruggling with being good at this blogging thing. I will try to do better. Again, I have had a lot going on between work, school, BJJ, running, and life in general. Training has been going well. My thumbs are still kind of tender. I have come to the conclusion (self-diagnosis) that I probably have a little tendonitis in them. Last week, I managed to not aggravate them, which was good. I hope that trend continues this week.
Ronin Muay Thai/Jiu Jitsu is moving into its own facility as of today, which is exciting. I will be going tomorrow night and will report on it after that.
Ronin Muay Thai/Jiu Jitsu is moving into its own facility as of today, which is exciting. I will be going tomorrow night and will report on it after that.
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