Tim starts off the show talking about the Jiu-Jitsu by The Sea Summer 2013 tournament and his son Noah’s success as a competitor. He also breaks the good news that Inside BJJ will be doing the play by play commentary for the 2013 US Open BJJ tournament. The guys talk about the recent subject of IBJJF corruption, school registration, and black belt registration requirements. Later the guys recap Metamoris and talk about the Brenda Schuab running man incident.

Afterwards, the guys talk to Luis Heredia about coming to the United States with Rickson to help Rorion Gracie get Jiu-Jitsu off the ground in the U.S. Luis talks about living in a garage for three years teaching, training, and performing in challenge matches. He goes on to talk about his view of Jiu-Jitsu today, the influence of Rickson Gracie, and how fortunate he is to be the first purple belt ever in the United States.

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• Tim Freeman
• Matt Freeman

It is very important to determine the real reason why you are starting and practicing this sport.

The sport of Jiu-Jitsu is very new compared to other sports. Since it’s not a mainstream sport, there’s not many resources or much money spent on researching the sport’s Do’s and Don’ts. Rightfully, a lot of people are copying the training regiment of the best athletes in the field. However, no one’s questioning if or why their training is the best. Since they are the ones winning the medals, it’s only normal to assume that their training regiment is the way one can reach their highest potential. Wrong, and I’ll tell you why.

Read more here…

Certain BJJ matches are just plain boring, there’s no way around it. The average MMA fan tends to shy away from watching events such as the Pan Ams and the world because to them watching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is like watching paint dry. We see it all the time in the UFC, when fighters hit the mat and start working their grappling skills, they start to boo and show they are unpleased.

But the match between Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes and Rafael Mendes at the 2013 IBJJF World Jiu Jitsu Championship is one everyone can enjoy and love, even those who aren’t necessarily “students of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu” game. To learn more about Tanquinho or Rafael check out these articles about the fighters.

The Fight is On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuRj8tzAKIg

The match starts with Tanquinho shooting in right away for the takedown and landing in the closed guard of Rafael Mendes. After some fighting in the closed guard Rafael attempts a triangle choke and switches it to an omoplata but before he could sit up Tanquinho postures and begins to work passing his guard again.

Rafael decides to go inverted and start attacking the legs of Tanquinho. Rafael tries sweeping Tanquinho with multiple guards but Tanquinho is unaffected and stays on top. Rafael starts an arm drag to Tanquinho’s back but fails and both men are in Rafael’s guard. Rafael starts a berimbolo and briefly takes Tanquinho’s back but Tanquinho counters by grabbing Rafael’s leg and uses it to take the fight to the 50/50 guard.

Tanquinho attacks Rafael’s leg with an Achilles lock and Rafael keeps standing and sitting back down. Tanquinho is unable to sweep him each time he stands. Rafael sets up a toehold and cannot get Tanquinho to tap.

Then one of the greatest scrambles I have ever seen in BJJ happened. Both men are fighting to take top position from the 50/50 guard and the crowd is going wild with appreciation. Tanquinho takes Rafael’s back and they both stand. Tanquinho tries to put both hooks in standing on Rafael and fails so he slams Rafael to the mat with authority and the match ends.

The crowd is on their feet, screaming for the amazing display of heart being shown. Tanquinho wins the match

The Keys to Victory

What I, and the crowd, love about this match so much is the amount of heart shown by both fighters. We hear about heart all the time in sports but this match is the definition of it in BJJ. Both fighters also put on a great show of BJJ guards, including the 50/50.

But what were Tanquinho’s keys to winning this match? He initiated first with his takedown and took first points which statistics prove he has a higher chance of winning the match now. He also played a great top game from inside Rafael’s guards and stuffed almost all the attempts to sweep him.

For me the two defining moments that “made” the match were when he prevented Rafael from finishing the berimbolo and when he took Rafael’s back at the end. He truly earned this victory and topped it all off with a huge slam in the end.

This match is one of my favorites of all time and I’m glad I could share it with all of you today.  . If you are interested in more match breakdowns from the 2013 Worlds and exclusive interviews you can check out my articles here! Train hard

Dan Faggella

There are always moves, sweeps, transitions, etc. that come along every-so-often that offer specific grapplers a chance to evolve their and game and take that next step forward.  Being able to master a specific skill can act as a calling card of sorts.

While masters submissions is obviously something that one shoulder learn, it’s always a plus when you are able to add dangerous sweeps and transitions to your game.  It’s easy to get caught up in the glamour and glitter of wonderful submissions, and we forget that there is a point system in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!

An easy way to earn these points is by implementing tenacious sweeps and passes.  One of the flashiest—and most difficult—is the berimbolo sweep.  A sweep made to end up in your opponents back , the berimbolo is a super effective move that can take you to the next level.

Setting Up & Executing The Berimbolo Sweep

Like any good move, you have to know what you’re doing before you go out on the mat and expect to hit this move without any fuss.  It takes time to drill this and get your muscle memory to where it needs to be in order to hit the move correctly.

There are a few variations to the move, as you would expect, but they all end the same way; sweeping right into back mount.  This move is super effective and can end a match rather quickly.  Usually, this is done from a seated position, but it can also be done from the x-guard.

Here’s how:

• Once they setup their x-guard, they will look to topple you.
• As they extend their legs, and as they do, brace with your leg on the mat.
• Take your hand and grab their belt with four fingers.
• From here, roll over your shoulder to the side.
• When on your back, free your leg and release your hands.
• Pushing their legs away from you, this will open up a wide open pass into the back mount.

To learn more about the berimbolo and set ups check out Jiu Jitsu Laboratory’s article on it!

Making It Famous With The Mendes Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcjUTlgT7BE

Both Rafael & Guilherme Mendes are notorious for executing this move.  I have seen match-after-match in which Rafael has pulled it off by using his spider guard as a setup.  However, I recently came across a clip in which Guilherme broke the move down to their students at their very own academy.

The above breakdown—similar to the video—is for when you find yourself in the x-guard.  If you want to see what it looks like when it’s put into motion—and when one of the best grapplers is using it—then by all means, click play and enjoy thie  video of Guilherme Mendes breaking this sweep down!

Dan Fagglla

Dan Faggella is a Leg Lock Expert in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World – winning the Gold Medal in the recent No-Gi Pan Ams without a single point being scored against him. Dan has produced over a dozen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu DVD Instructional Videos & Books. His FREE “50-50 Bonus Footage” Mini Course can be found online at: http://MicroBJJ.com/50-50-Bonus-Footage-2

Now I admit, given my affection for leg locks and anything that has to do with ripping the lower extremities off of your opponent, I’m almost obligated to be a major supporter of the 50/50 guard. A setup that allows nothing but lethal, painful, match ending leg locks, the 50/50 is a fantastic tool for every grappler to have in their arsenal.

However, the 50/50 isn’t just about going on the offensive. The 50/50 can also be used in a defensive manner, even if you were the one that initiated the position! A well rounded position to be in, the 50/50 offers many benefits.

As I stated, leg locks are ideal for anyone in this position. Yet, let’s say you may not be well versed in the art of the heel hook or the achillies, and then what can you do? Luckily, the 50/50 is a perfect wait to setup sweeps, which can open the door too many more options.

Failed 50/50 Guard-Using The Leg Drag To Get Side Control

As you begin to wage war from the 50/50, your opponent and yourself are intently focusing in on one another’s feet, heels, knees, etc. Without neither of you budging, you have to do something to score points and get the dominant position.

Luckily, getting out of this entanglement isn’t all that hard, and even beginners are able to execute this transition rather easily! The breakdown is rather simple, and very easy to follow. Let’s take a closer look:

• In the 50/50, you must be wary of the inside heel hook.
• With that in mind, the first major step is to break their leg free, allowing you to work with little restriction.
• Grab their toes and twist it off to the side; this will cause great tension on their knee. Cupping the heel, pull their leg out and towards your shoulder.
• Bring your leg up onto their thigh.
• Push off of their thigh towards them; this will camouflage your heel.
• Reach over the top and grab their opposite ankle.
• Bring it over the top into a leg drag.
• This will allow you to obtain side control.

Passing, Scoring and Finishing

The 50/50 guard is a fantastic tool. From the initial setup, the 50/50 opens up countless leg lock submissions that can end the match. We are starting to see the 50/50 implemented more and more in not just BJJ, but MMA as well. Ryan Hall was recently interviewed to see what he thinks the future of the 50/50 will be. If all else fails, you can easily turn it into a pass—as described above—allowing you to score points.

Not only does it give you the points, but the side control gives you another great position to work from.

Simply put, the 50/50 is far from a dying breed. It’s underutilized, but super dangerous and helpful. If you want to surprise your opponent and have the upper hand, then go out onto the mat and drill the 50/50 guard like there’s no tomorrow!

Dan Faggella

Tim starts off the show bragging about receiving his brown belt. Ernest and Matt go back and forth a bit about it. Tim won’t drop the subject and fills up the entire first segment.

Later, the guys call Steve Hordinski. Steve is a Relson Gracie blackbelt from Littleton, CO. The guys talk Steve about his start in Jiu-Jitsu, becoming a black belt, opening a gym, and living and training with Relson Gracie. In the wrap up, Steve gives his picks for Metamoris 2.

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• Matt Freeman
• Ernest Mello

Tim starts off the show talking about the latest Inside BJJ T-Shirt in design by Edwin Frias at www.frilovecreations.com. Tim also mentions a new article by Dan Faggella about Rafa Mendes on the cover of Inside BJJ. The guys talk about the Stockton man who used “UFC” moves to stop a robbery, the 2013 Worlds, and the cool Inside BJJ listeners.

Later the guys talk to Rose Gracie and Javier Vazquez about the upcoming 2013 Gracie Worlds in Santa Clara, CA.

Afterwards, the guys do a segment of “Tales From the Mat” with Brent Littell. Brent talks about a guy who cried because he didn’t get promoted, another guy who was going to sue his instructor over promotions and white belt tough guys.

Javier Vazquez and Rose Gracie

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There are very few Brazilian Jiu Jitsu players that are fluid and lethal as Rafael Mendes.  Watching Mendes in action is truly a treat for everyone that follows grappling sports.  It’s artful the way he graceful goes about dismantling the limbs of his opponent.

He floats as if he is a feather, however, he is as tenacious Pitbull!  It’s an amazing sight watching him grapple, and eventually win in his matches. In my previous article about Rafael Mendes over at Science of Skill -we talked about Rafaels tenacity against some of the highest level guys in the game….and we analyzed Rafaels success against the great Cobrinha.

One of the advantages that Rafael had against Cobrinha (and Cobrinha is most certainly a slick and fluid grappler but you will notice that Rafael’s movements are still more fluid and watching him transition is like watching poetry in motion.
There’s another article on BJJ Legends that breakdowns down the Rafael vs. Cobrinha match if youre interested….

Fluid Grappling Motions
The very first thing that sticks out to me when watching Rafael Mendes is how focused he seems to be while on the mat.  In this particular match I watched, where he faced off against Justin Radar, Mendes had outstanding focus on the arms of Radar.

Heres the Match

Early on, Justin found himself being the aggressor while obtaining the upper hand against Mendes.  Yet it didn’t take long for Rafael Mendes to strike and when he did, it was a sight to see!  It was very noticeable as to how heavy and assertive Mendes was in side control.
Making sure he was pinning the hips of Radar, Mendes wouldn’t allow Justin to get his hips in the picture, thus allowing Rafael to assert his dominance in the match.  When Rafael grabbed hold of the arm of Radar, it was all but over.
As fast as they come, Mendes was all over the place, treating Radar as if he were a jungle gym!  The constant that was on display in all of this was the fact that Mendes refused to let go of Radar’s arm; no matter if he was in bottom guard, top side control, or back mount.  The persistence of Mendes was outstanding.

Never Taking A Second To Rest
In any sport, it’s very easy to hit the pause button and take a quick breather.  In this match, it seems as if Rafael Mendes goes about it with just one single breath; it looked THAT easy!  Even when he was in a tough spot—bottom guard with Radar threatening to pass—Mendes kept active and used his legs to space his opponent, and ultimately used this to gain the advantageous position.
Later on in the match, when Mendes applied a triangle choke—which eventually won it for him—he was not about to enter coast mode despite having Radar in a jam.  Even while on his back, Mendes was active and made sure Radar was not going to slip out or do damage from the top.
It was a fantastic display of skill that Mendes put on for the crowd in this match at the Pan Am’s.  A young man in age, Mendes is wise beyond his years when it comes to his grappling prowess.  There is no such thing as a boring match when it comes to Rafael Mendes.
Dan Faggella

Tim starts off the show talking about Matt blowing out people’s speakers during his intro. He goes on to talk about the Big Man Seminar with Ernest Mello. Tim and Matt discuss the awesomeness of Jiu-Jitsu this summer with the 2013 Worlds and Metamoris 2. Tim talks about a recent Caio Terra thread on the Underground Forum and an article about not wanting your spouse to train.

The feature guest, Chris Brennan, falls through and the guys talk about UFC 160. Matt berates Tim for being out of touch with the latest happenings of the UFC.

Later the guys call Dan Faggella from www.scienceofskill.com and have an insightful conversation about leg locks in Jiu-Jitsu.

Matt and Tim

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• Matt Freeman

By now, I’m sure most if not all of us have heard of Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida. The tall, menacing figure from Sao Vincente, Almeida has made waves in the game of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has left his mark at just 23 years old.

With epic matches against the likes of Andre Galvao and Roger Gracie, Buchecha has shown that the sky is the limit. One can imagine what his shelf at home looks like with all of the shiny stuff hanging from it, but none of those awards were more impressive than his run in 2012 at the World Championships.

Competing in both his weight class (100kg) and the open weight class, Almeida would leave his last impression on the event by the time it was all said and done. Having ran through his division, Almeida claimed gold. Not content with just one gold medal, Marcus would also go on to claim gold in the open weight division to boot.

Pick on Somebody Your Own Size-Dominating the Super Pesado Weight Class
The large man that he is, its mind boggling that there are BJJ players that are in the same weight class as Almeida. Blending his unique and unassuming speed with his hulking strength, Almeida seemingly has a leg up on the rest of his weight class.

The combination seems almost natural for Almeida. He floats around the mat with such ease, yet by looking at him, it seems as if he should have great difficulty with the movement. The man they call ‘Bucecha’ is most certainly a force as his weight class.

Taking On All Comers In The Open Weight Class
Not only did Almeida assert his dominance amongst his own peers, he also ventured out and took on all comers from all shapes and sizes. Having had to compete in more open weight matches than his own weight class, Almeida showed outstanding stamina.

His opponents were no slouches, either, as he was given some stiff competition. Names such as Rodolfo Vieira, Roberto Alencar and Bernardo Faria all fell to Bucecha. In the finals, Almeida was able to redeem his 2011 finals loss when he got a shot at redemption against Leonardo Nogueira.

Can Lightning Strike Twice?
Obtaining double gold is no easy task. Almeida turned many heads when he did it last year, and helped make a name for himself. With the World Championships a stone’s throw away, many are wondering if Marcus can repeat and win double gold again.

It’s a tough task, there is no doubting that. Given his dominance last year, there will be a target on his back this year and everyone will be gunning for him.

However, even though it seems extremely difficult, if there is anyone that can win double gold in consecutive years, it’s Almeida.

Daniel Faggella