Mar 10, 2020
Jun 18, 2021
One of the best matches I watched at Fight to Win 136 was Edwin Najmi vs Johnny Tama. Edwin hit a dirty toreando pass to reverse triangle and basically rode out almost the entire match with Tama trapped in this position. Tama's reaction to the pass put him in a similar position, so Najmi was able to go for this unorthodox entry to the triangle. It's not that common a move in jiu-jitsu. It is used to great effect in judo, albeit moreso as a pin than submission. The reverse triangle definitely functions as a submission, but it's not easy to apply – as Najmi found out. There's no better person to explain the finishing details of this technique like the man himself, so I've included Edwin's own video where he teaches the position. Enjoy.
Feb 21, 2020, Pro
During the Lovato's grand opening, a super seminar was head by multiple members of the Lovato/Ribeiro association. Here we see Rafael Lovato Jr. stepping forward to show his signature series on "aggressive hugging". This restricting and heavy pressure technique is perfect for when you need to control someone to the point of smothering. Sit back and enjoy some world-class technique from the champ.
Mar 13, 2020, Pro
Mar 17, 2020
Jun 22, 2021
May 27, 2021
Jun 21, 2021
Mar 3, 2020
Leglocks such as heel hooks are something new for Haisam Rida. The black belt discusses his process of learning and implementing them in his game.
Apr 17, 2021, Pro
Nicky Ryan steps in to teach a smooth counter to when your opponent steps out of the tai-otoshi.
Feb 19, 2021, Pro
Jun 2, 2021
Craig Jones said “Hold my Only Fans rashguard” and beat Mikey by for the fastest submission of the most recent WNO.
Jun 2, 2021, Pro
Many consider the darce and anaconda chokes to be more applicable in no-gi grappling, but Edwin Najmi has developed his own style to successfully implement the techniques into gi jiu-jitsu.
Feb 3, 2021, Pro
Jun 1, 2021
Feb 17, 2020
If you’re going to competition in IBJJF events, then you need to know the rules. Oliver Taza found this out the hard way when he got disqualified in his opening match at the 2021 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championships. People were up in arms about his loss, especially as Taza was leading the match, but rules are rules and ignorance is no excuse for applying an illegal technique.
May 18, 2021, Pro
Feb 25, 2020
May 26, 2021
What happens when you mix the sweeps of Marcelo Garcia with the finishes of Gordon Ryan with a touch of Daisy Fresh? GRAPPLING EVOLUTION! In this week's Bite-size Baleia's Breakdown, Riccardo Ammendolia takes a look at the techniques Andrew Wiltse used in his recent WNO match vs David Garmo.
May 10, 2021, Pro
As the leglock game evolves so do the defenses and attacks. While in Puerto Rico Craig Jones demonstrated some of his favorite innovations in leg locking.
May 17, 2020, Pro
If you’re going to competition in IBJJF events, then you need to know the rules. Oliver Taza found this out the hard way when he got disqualified in his opening match at the 2021 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championships. People were up in arms about his loss, especially as Taza was leading the match, but rules are rules and ignorance is no excuse for applying an illegal technique. Here's what happened: Taza was up against Rodrigo Gortari of Fight Sports when he used the infamous python choke, which you will instantly recognize as the hand over the mouth as popularized by Vagner Rocha. It's a simple smother, and permitted in most events that Taza is accustomed to competing on. He didn’t realize that the move is illegal under IBJJF rules, which prevent you from placing hands on your opponent’s face. You're allowed to put hands on the chin, jawline and forehead but anything from the eyebrows down to the mouth is off limits. If you're wondering where in the IBJJF rule book you can find clarification about the legality of Taza's move, go to section 6.2.2 "Serious Fouls" O) When an athlete places a hand or foot on his/her opponent’s face. And also section 6.2.3 "Severe Fouls" J) When an athlete blocks the passage of air to his/her opponent’s nose or mouth using his/her hands.
May 17, 2021
As exciting as the Pan No-Gi Championship was, some matches and divisions were marred by the ugliness of what we call anti jiu-jitsu. This is not just stalling by another name. It goes much, much deeper than that. Basic anti jiu-jitsu has all the hall marks of stalling; interlacing of the fingers, keeping the hips back and refusing to engage; burying the head in the chest and not attempting to pass the guard, or constantly kicking out of guards and running away (aka, "resetting"). Anti jiu-jitsu is stalling combined with a destructive mentality that needs to disappear from the sport. It is a mentality where athletes think they can win without doing jiu-jitsu. What does a match with no jiu-jitsu look like? It may be slow and boring or it could be chippy and mean-spirited – anti jiu-jitsu is when no techniques are effectively applied. They dance around the mat or push their opponents out of bounds. They will jump on head or body locks and think it is just as valid a control position as passing the guard. They will trip their opponent to the mat but not complete a takedown and hold them there. And competitors have become so used to this that they think tactics like these are now enough to earn a decision in terrible 0-0 matches where no effective jiu-jitsu is displayed. It's not a problem of the rules – sure, lots of changes could be made to address stalling or fleeing the mat. It's a cultural problem. A culture where winning by DQ is celebrated. A culture where a 0-0 win is considered just as valid as submitting your opponent. A culture where coaches cheer an athlete through a series of half-completed, non-scoring attacks in an attempt to influence the judges. A culture where athletes feel entitled to media coverage, but did nothing to earn it. No rule change can address this. The problem needs to be addressed by coaches, who should train their competitors to fight forward and seek to decisively win by submission. It needs to be addressed by the competitors themselves, who should never be satisfied with a lackluster win and always seek to finish their matches with a submission or a dominant lead on the scoreboard. We saw it happen in almost every division, but particularly in the black and brown belt divisions. There were many competitors who fought forward and looked to either score or submit their opponents. Unfortunately, there were many who did not. There is no future for this ugly version of grappling. As quickly as jiu-jitsu is evolving, certain athletes are devolving their competition strategies and undoing the hard work of many who aim to grow and refine this beautiful art. Gold medals won with anti jiu-jitsu are worthless. Gold medals won through effective application of real grappling skill are what counts, and what people should aspire to.
