MMA and me; day 63

So I am a big liar, and only went to two classes yesterday, but I made the most out of it, and worked my butt off. After jumping rope, we grabbed the kick paddles, and worked on high kicks. First the high 10, and then the high 9. Though I am right handed and right side dominant in nearly all aspects of my life, my 10 (right leg kick, as that is my rear leg in my fighting stance) is not terribly accurate, strong, or even all that high. It was a little encouraging towards the end of the round, as the kick started to get more consistent, but still needs work. My 9, on the other hand, felt much crisper, and strong. Odd how that worked out. For both kicks, you throw them the same as you do a low kick, but as you open your hips, you bring your knee much higher before driving the leg down, and you're trying to hit with the top of your foot, instead of the shin. After the kick paddle drills, we lined up on two heavy bags, and had the first person in each line run up to the bag, and throw ten high 10s for 5 minutes. After that round, we did the same with high 9s. We went into plank position for a round, and finished with a round of flutter kicks.

Jiu jitsu was more of the chokes we went through on Monday. The guillotine, the D'Arce, and a variation of the guillotine where their head gets all the way off to the side, and you can wrap your arm all the way around their neck. Instead of clasping hands and pulling up, make a fist of the hand that is snaked around their neck, and push it into the neck with your other hand, as you twist your body to crank their neck. By making a fist and pushing it, you can put pressure on both sides of the neck, and both carotid arteries, making it much more likely that they will tap out. A very nasty variation of an already potent choke.

MMA and me; day 62

Man, going for three classes in a day is dang exhausting. Since I can't go today, I went for an extra class yesterday, and am going for one tomorrow as well. Yesterday was an MMA class, and we worked exclusively on take downs. First was the single leg take down, where you lower your level and push forward with your rear leg as you drop to the knee of your front leg, reaching out to grab their leg on that same side. Wrapping your outside arm around the leg, and getting a tight grip with your other arm, you pin the leg you have wrapped up between your thighs, and stand up. Keeping your head pinned to their hip, you rotate towards their back, and push down with your head, until they fall to their back. Next was a double leg take down, which is initiated in a similar fashion, changing levels and exploding off your rear leg. However, instead of shooting for the outside, and turning the corner for one leg, you want to aim your forehead at their chest, and get your hands around the back of their thighs. From there, using your head for leverage, suck their legs in, and drive them to the mat. We ended with ten minutes of grappling, starting from standing, to work on take downs.

Next was kickboxing, and it was pretty similar to last weeks classes. First we just worked a simple jab, or 1-2 combos, depending on what our partner called out. We then moved on to more advanced, and unorthodox combos. First, a 1-2-high 9-low 10. After the 2, throw a switch 9, where you switch your stance and throw a high kick with what was your lead leg and is now your rear leg, then follow that with a low 10 to the thigh. I still need to work on opening my hips and really driving the leg down on the 10, but my 9 is coming along alright. Next was the 1-2-inside 9, low 10. Very similar to the previous combo, but instead of going high with the 9, kick to the inside thigh, and then as you bring the leg back from the 9, hop and throw the 10, almost simultaneously. It took me the whole round to get comfortable with this one, and I definitely need more work on it. Lastly, was the 1-2-inside slip-5-low 10. We did this one last week as well, but I think instead of an uppercut, it was a hook to the body, but this week we went uppercut. after the 1-2, you slip, but instead of to the outside, you go inside, setting up the uppercut, which in turn sets up the low 10. Another nice kickboxing class, but it was hard to concentrate, because I finally got to grapple next!

We worked on submissions from the snap down position, which is initiated from the head and arm tie up. From the tie up, swim your hand behind their neck, and with both hands, pull down, as you step back with your rear knee, and as they fall, get your chest on their back, and get a seat belt grip (under an arm on one side, around the head on the other). From there, the first submission was a guillotine choke, where you slide your arm that is on the head side, so your hand is on the front of the shoulder, and grab it with your other hand. Pulling up as you constrict your shoulders, and dropping your hips to the mat will force your arm or wrist under the chin, and force them to tap out as they get choked. Next was a D'Arce choke, which is a submission to go to, if you can't get the guillotine. From the seat belt grip, reach the arm on the side of the head all the way under their chest, and grab their tricep. Next, release the tricep, and grab the bicep of your other arm, and swim the hand of that arm over the back of your opponent. With the hold locked up, walk your hips up towards your opponent, compressing the neck, and then roll to the side opposite your hands, walking your hips towards your opponent, until they tap out. Lastly, we worked a Peruvian Necktie, which may get a little complicated, but I will do my best to explain. From the D'Arce position, instead of reaching under with the head side arm, reach under with the outside arm, until your hand is on the far side of the neck. From there, place your other arm across the back of their neck, and grab across the back of your other hand, that is under their neck. When your have a firm grip, throw your outside leg over their back, and step your other leg through to bring over their back as well. At this point, all you have to do is arch your back a bit, and they will tap out.

Really a fun day of classes. So glad to be back and grappling, it was a little rusty, but so much fun. No class tonight, but back for three classes tomorrow!

MMA and me; day 61

Last class of the week, and man, boxing was fun! We started out, after jump rope and shadow boxing, with some more unorthodox combos. First was a 1-body 4-body 3. This felt a little odd at first, but the hooks to the body, which were thrown more like uppercuts than hooks, started to feel really comfortable towards the end. Next was a lead 2-body 3. This felt different because we were leading with the straight, instead of the jab, but was good, as I could tell it felt really awkward to defend against. Lastly was a particularly strange combo, a 1-2-hop step to the side-body 3. So you throw the 1-2, then hop your rear leg to the outside of your opponents rear leg, and bring your lead leg behind you, effectively switching your stance. From there you throw a body hook, which is actually a 4, since your stance has been switched. Definitely something different, but very cool. We then did two rounds of jab sparring, which I need to do more of, because I'm just not used to getting hit. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but if I want to try my hand at fighting at some point, I am going to have to get used to it. Afterwards, I hopped on the treadmill, and got my two miles in, but as of this coming Monday, I'm back in jiu jitsu! I can't wait.

To everyone out there, Merry Christmas!

MMA and me; day 60

One more class before the holidays, and then I can go back to grappling next week. Can't wait, but until then, I will enjoy striking. Yesterday we worked on kick-punch combos, and a couple were of the unorthodox variety. First we were at the mercy of our partner, throwing either a 1-10, or a 1-2-9, depending on what they called out. Next was a 1-2-high 9-low 10, which took a little getting used to. First, our coach wanted us to bring the lead leg back and then step forward to throw the low 10, then had us do it all in one motion after the high 9. Kinda funky, but started to feel more comfortable toward the end of the round. Next was a 1-2-low 9-low 10, which was more rhythmic once the punches had been thrown. The key for me, was making sure I stepped my lead leg out after the low 9, or my legs would be too close together when I threw the low 10, and I would be off balance. Last, we threw a very odd 1-2-inside slip-5-low 10. Normally when you slip a jab, it's to the outside, but this time we slipped the jab to the inside, setting up the uppercut, and then stepping over for the low 10. I need to get better at reacting to the punch when I slip, instead of just doing it automatically, but I was getting the hang of it, and I'm also getting some nice power on my 5. We finished up with plank position, and called it a night.

MMA and me; day 59

Boxing was yesterday, and it was, like on Monday, a day for fundamentals. We worked exclusively on the jab, jab-straight, and the jab-straight-hook, also known as the 1, 1-2, and 1-2-3. When I was working on my jab, I found that I am lunging forward too much, and not keeping my weight back, which is taking a lot away from the punch. I need to remember to push hard with my back leg, and step in with the punch, but then step out. Also, if pressured by my opponent, to step off and around. When throwing the 1-2, I'm not twisting enough on my back leg or through my shoulders as much as I should, which is where most of the power is generated. I should be pivoting on the ball of my back foot, and snapping the straight with a little sting to it. On my 1-2-3, I need to put more emphasis on the hook, and less on the straight. If I hit too hard with the 2, there will be no target for the 3, so I need to sting with the jab, increase a little with the straight, and then really pop the hook. That's the nice thing about working on the basics, you can really start to fine tune your skills, and they can never be to sharp. We worked two man ab drills for the final three minutes, and that was that! After putting in my two miles on the treadmill, I called it a night. Great day of classes.

MMA and me; day 58

One more week and I can go back to grappling... probably. Until then, it's kickboxing, boxing, and the treadmill. Yesterday was kickboxing, and it was back to basics. Worked the 10, making sure to step out across the body and pivot on the front foot as you open the hips to really turn the leg over and dig it in to the kick shield. Next was the 9, and two different ways to throw it; first being just stepping across with the rear leg and digging the kick into the leg, or quickly skipping and throwing a switch kick. The switch is a little quicker, and has a little more sting to it, but I like to practice both, if only to keep my opponent guessing. Lastly, we worked a jab-kick combo. Throw a 1, and then throw a mid level 10. The nice thing is when you throw the jab, you are already stepped in with your front leg, so instead of stepping across at a 45 degree angle, you can just step straight out as you throw the kick.

We finished with flutter kicks, leg lifts, and plank position, then I hopped on the treadmill for 25 minutes and kicked my own ass with a pre-set calorie burning program. (Damn that incline got steep) Anxiously awaiting the return to grappling and jiu jitsu.

MMA and me; day 57

Another boxing day yesterday (no not the Canadian holiday), and another day of working on what we did on Tuesday. First we just worked the jab, in one, two, and three punch combos. Next, we went back to throwing the jab across the body as we stepped over instead of straight forward, and following up with a short straight. Next, we added a slight tilt over to the side we threw the jab from, and fired off the hybrid hook/uppercut to the ribcage. Finally, our last punch addition to the combo was another straight, making the final combination 1-2-3-2, but all from different angles then we normally throw from. Good class, finished up with leg lifts, and then over under leg scissors. After class I hopped on the treadmill for a couple miles, and called it a night. Can't wait to get back in the gym Monday!

MMA and me; day 56

Our usual kickboxing coach is enjoying the Arizona sun and hitting up the final WEC event ever tonight, so we had a different coach for yesterday's kickboxing class. We warmed up by stretching as a class, as opposed to stretching on our own and then jumping rope for ten minutes. After stretching, we shadowboxed for the next 10-15 minutes, working on footwork and not staying in one place when we throw our kicks and punches. We worked head movement along with the footwork, and by the time we were halfway through the class, I had a good sweat, and burning quads. We paired up and grabbed the kick shields, and worked on some Muy Thai knee drills. First, we grabbed a Muy Thai clinch, and alternated knees, while dragging our partner around the mat for a two minute round. After switching, and giving my partner a chance to do the same, we went with a fairly rough drill. Getting the clinch back, we picked up our right foot off the mat, and threw knees to the kick shield much like the previous drill, except this time we were not allowed to touch the mat with that foot. By the end of the two minutes, I was pretty dead tired. Again, my partner got the chance to do the same, and before the end of class, everyone sat in a circle and locked legs, and rocked out sit ups for the next five minutes (or something like that, I actually never looked at the clock.) We did somewhere in the neighborhood of 95-100 sit ups straight, and called it good. A much different class, but that's one thing I like with all of our various coaches. We get something different from everyone. I hopped on the treadmill, rocked out a couple miles and headed home to pass out.

MMA and me; day 55

Man, being back in the gym feels freaking awesome. A solid day of boxing, and we worked on some new stuff! First we worked on jabbing while either walking down an opponent, or being walked down, and we did two rounds of that. Next, we worked on a 1-2-3, but it was a whole new 1-2-3. Instead of sliding forward and jabbing, we stepped out with the lead foot at a 45 degree angle, and threw the jab across the chin, instead of directly at it. From there, we threw the straight punch, albeit a bit shorter, then tilted over to the side of the lead hand, and threw an off axis hook to the body. It almost felt like a hybrid hook/uppercut, and though it was short, if dug into the ribs properly, it felt like it could do some damage. To that combo, we added a second hook, only this time, after throwing the first body shot, we switched the tilt of the body to the other side, and brought the hook over and down. I learned a similar combo a while back, but this one had a new entry, and I liked it a lot! We finished up with a round of leg flutters, a round of over unders, and our favorite, a round of plank position. Since I can't grapple for a few more weeks, I'm running a couple miles after striking class, and adding the same amount to my weight training, to compensate for the missed class. Can't wait to get back to jiu jitsu though, that's my favorite!

MMA and me; day 54

Whoo hoo! I'm back! Mostly. So I missed all last week due to illness. It started out feeling cruddy as hell, and I figured I caught a little bug from a co worker, or somebody at the gym. Turns out I was partially correct. I had picked up a staph infection during jiu-jitsu. In any event, one doctors trip, I got some crap prescribed that should knock it out in a couple weeks, and I can go back to grappling in January. That sucks, but considering how gnarly staph can get, I'm okay with no jiu jitsu for a couple weeks.

Okay, so all I could do was kickboxing yesterday, and it was fairly simple as far as technique goes. We worked on punch-kick combinations. First a 1-10, which is a jab followed by a high rear leg kick. I struggled with this one a bit, I think mostly due to taking a week off, and feeling a bit rusty, but was starting to get that flexibility back by the end. Next, we worked a 1-2-9, which just adds a straight right after the jab, and then throw a high kick with the front leg. I prefer throwing a switch 9, instead of stepping over with my rear leg. The switch lets me get the kick off quicker, and snap it off a little harder. The third round was the partner holding the focus mitts calling out either a 1-10, 1-1-10, or 1-2-9, and just hitting the combo as it was called out. We finished out with partner ab drills, which was a weird combo of leg lifts and twists, and totally worked me over. Then came the beloved plank position, and class was done.

UFC 124

Worst, preview, ever!

Was sick, and feeling sorry for myself, so I didn't get around to doing my UFC preview. Wah, wah, wah, poor me. So in a nutshell, here is the worst preview for a UFC.......EVER!

Thiago "Pitbull" Alves vs John "Doomsday" Howard
welterweight

Alves wins by being better all around, and a harder hitter.

Alves via TKO, Rd. 1

Joe "Daddy" Stevenson vs Mac Danzig
lightweight

Stevenson is a better wrestler, and will grind Danzig out for three rounds for the victory.

Stevenson via Unanimous Decision

Jim Miller vs Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira
lightweight

Miller has the cardio, and experience, Oliveira has the flash, and dynamic striking, so Miller takes a close, hard fought fight.

Miller via Split Decision.

Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve vs. Sean "Big Sexy" McCorkle
heavyweight

There's one Big Sexy, and it's not McCorkle. Struve is a better striker, and it will show.

Struve via TKO, Rd. 2

Georges "Rush" St. Pierre vs Josh Koscheck
welterweight

GSP is the best the UFC has seen in a long time, and though Koscheck has gotten better since they last fought, he's still not good enough to handle the champs "riddum"

GSP via TKO, Rd. 4

MMA and me; day 53

So I spaced out, and didn't recap Thursday night's classes yesterday. My bad, I'll fix it. So in boxing, we worked more uppercuts, which I gotta say, I really enjoy. First we just worked 5s and 6s as our partner holding the focus mitts called out which one we threw. Then we moved on to 1-2-slip-6, which took some work to get the timing and balance, but I started to pick it up. Next we worked on a 1-2-3-roll-5, and I gotta say, I really like that combo. After the boxing, we did the usual plank position to finish off, and we moved on to jiu jitsu.


In jiu jitsu we worked on the following submission drills, triangle chokes, swinging armbars, kimuras, and omoplatas. The first two I've worked on before, so I didn't suck too bad at them, but the next two I was pretty bad at. In the kimura drills, while in someones guard, you grip their wrist if they post their hand on the mat, and dive your other hand over their shoulder and lock it on your wrist. As you shrimp your hips under them, and throw the same side leg as you are grabbing their wrist with, and throw it over their back as you torque their arm behind their back for the submission. The omoplata drill involved countering a triangle defense by swiveling your hips and throwing a leg over their shoulder to twist their shoulder in a similar fashion to the kimura. All in all, a very constructive day of class.

MMA and me; day 52

So I have figured out what is worse than doing leg kick drills. Doing them a second time in the same week. We did every thing we did on Monday, throwing 9s and 10s and checking them, countering a checked 10 with a high 9 (which I'm getting better at. Soon I may actually get a head kick) swinging the leg out as you eat a 9 to throw a hard 10 and vice versa (my least favorite) and then much to my dismay, we had kick sparring. At least I got to go with a variety of opponents, and not just the guy I'd been going with all week who apparently doesn't kick hard, as much as have shins of granite. Either way, my legs are black and blue, and a myriad of other colors not normally found on the exterior of the human body. It's given me pause about doing MMA sparring tomorrow, maybe just boxing. I've got a few days off, and how long can a black eye last if I get tagged a few times? Let's hope I don't find out.

Jiu jitsu was pretty simple; just grapple. I rolled with this guy Andrew that I've gotten to know a little better over the past few weeks, and though he's much smaller than me this guy really made me work. I caught him in a couple submissions (which surprised me) and got caught in a couple myself. After that, and a little discussion about the things I need to work on (still trying to muscle moves instead of flowing and using technique) I moved on to Tony, who is probably just a hair below being a professional in terms of ability. Also, he's bigger and stronger than I am, so muscling is out of the question. I got to an advantageous position on him on a couple of occasions, but didn't get any submissions. He, on the other hand, subbed me several times, which I take no shame in. All in all, a good class, and really made me work.

MMA and me; day 51

Well I'm running a bit late today, so this will have to be a bit short. In boxing yesterday, we worked the basics (which is code for the coach wanted to wear us out, and forgot to prepare a specific lesson plan :) ) After jumping rope and shadow boxing, we worked the jab in one, two and three shots. We then moved to a 1-3, or jab-hook combo, that is a little funky, but thanks to the work we did last week with the 1-5 (jab-uppercut) I was more comfortable throwing this combo than I thought I'd be. We ended hitting focus mitts by adding a 2 to the end of the combo, making it a 1-3-2, which once you get down to the flow of everything, feels very fluid, and each punch sets up the next. I also liked how an emphasis was placed on keeping your punches centered. Not just on your opponent, but from where they're thrown as well. We then rocked out a round of punch ups, further burning out the shoulders, then went to plank position for three minutes, and finished with a round of leg flutters.

In jiu jitsu, we did a lot of conditioning work, and a lot of shadow grappling. We did our shrimping drills, but scooting, forward and backward rolls. Side rolls and re-rolls, modified gramby rolls, sit out drills, then did a round of head stands, and a round of hand stands against the wall. Next, we did more of the modified gramby roll drills, this time with a partner, and rolling into a triangle choke, moving to an armbar, moving to guard. We finished up by drilling triangle chokes, but focusing on cutting the angle to the side, and putting the pressure on with the top side leg, and not squeezing too much with the leg that is laced over the ankle. First we cut the angle by underhooking the near arm, then underhooking the near leg, and then finally (though I don't see ever using this one practically) reaching around their side, and clasping both hands in a monkey grip. The last one was super tight, and though I'm not the best at triangles, if I ever land one this deep, I'm pretty sure I could get the tap out.