The Bigger Stronger Opponent…
Let’s say that you’ve been training for a while, maybe even for years, and you’re finally beginning to develop some skills. You can hold your own against people your own size. But then some guy who outweighs you by 20, 50, or even 100 pounds steps onto the mat. Your heart goes pitter patter, you start sweating a little bit and your first thought is “A w man… I hope I don’t have to roll with that guy…”
The truth is that almost everybody is worried about facing someone a lot bigger than themselves.
Bigger people can get away with a LOT more on the mat. A big guy’s size can compensate for shoddy technique, he can use his weight to smother you, and his strength allows him to power out of techniques that ‘should’ have worked.
Not to mention that if a big guy freaks out, then his muscle mass and explosiveness can lead to you getting injured.
My name is Stephan Kesting and I’ve been doing martial arts for over 30 years. I’m a BJJ black belt and I’ve run Grapplearts.com since 2002. I’ve published over 500 articles online, and created more than 30 training DVDs and instructional apps.
During this time I’ve corresponded with literally thousands of people and been asked thousands of questions. And, hands down, the most common question I get asked is something like “how can I get technique xyz to work on my bigger sparring partners.”
I do the best that I can to answer these questions, but the truth is that at 6’2″ and 215 lbs I’m one of those big guys myself. And although I too run into people bigger than me on the mats, I’m scarcely the poster-boy for lightweight, smaller grapplers.
This led me to team up with some of the best lightweight grapplers in the world. Those grapplers with impeccable skills on the mat, awesome tournament credentials, and – most importantly – an ability to teach their material clearly in an easy-to-learn manner.
And this quest led me to Brandon ‘Wolverine’ Mullins…
About Brandon ‘Wolverine’ Mullins
Brandon Mullins is a BJJ black belt based in Houston Texas. He’s one of the most active North Americans on the competition circuit today, with a phenomenal record, both with and without the gi.
Over the past 13 years he’s tested himself in well over 200 competition matches at BJJ, no-gi submission grappling, and Judo tournaments.
And we’re talking about big tournaments here: he’s proved his skills by winning multiple gold medals at the Black Belt division at the No-Gi World Championships… And multiple gold medals in the Advanced division at Grappler’s Quest… And medals at the Mundials, the Pan-Ams, the US Open, and the Gracie World’s.
Seriously, this guy competes ALL the time. This keeps him on the cutting edge of Jiu-jitsu, and if anyone has developed a new tweak or variation of an old technique Brandon knows about it. And it also means that his techniques have been tested in ways that most of us can only imagine.
Now Brandon is a small guy – he competes at 118 lbs against some of the best people in the world. And when he’s training at the school he’s usually the smallest person on the mats – even the women and children are bigger than he is – so his jiu-jitsu HAS to work against bigger people.
There are lots of great competitors, but the sad fact is that not every great competitor is a great teacher. For example, what would having Mike Tyson as your boxing coach would be like…
So, from my perspective, the ability to teach is even more important than a great competition record.
Brandon is one of the main instructors for Vinicius ‘Draculino’ Magalhães, who has churned out an incredible number of BJJ champions. Draculino could literally have his pick of the litter when it comes to people to teach at his school, but he’s chosen Brandon to be his main instructor for a reason – this guy can teach!!
So the thing that specifically made me want to work with Brandon wasn’t his incredible tournament record. I wanted to work with him because of his ability to teach and convey information.
The bottom line is that Brandon is a rare combination of a super-skilled competitor, a very good teacher, and a funny, engaging guy!
What’s Included in this Instructional Set?
‘How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent, Series 2’ includes 5 DVDs contain over 10 hours of instruction with absolutely no filler. This is hard-hitting material which you can watch one day and use on the mats the next day.
The mission of this instructional series is to give you the techniques and strategies you need to handle yourself when you’re grappling with a larger, stronger opponent. Everything is geared towards keeping you safe, and having a high-percentage game that you can rely on, even when the person you’re facing outweighs you by many pounds.
In this set Brandon teaches you his ‘go-to’ techniques in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step manner. These are the techniques he’s used on bigger people over and over and over, and at the highest levels of competition.
Brandon also takes you through the critical details – the hand positioning, the little hip movements, the adjustments – that make these techniques work against bigger, stronger opponents AND against his competitors at the highest levels of grappling competition in the world.
In addition to all this detail, every technique also includes full speed demos. And we also added in a TON of clips from tournaments, so you can see Brandon applying the very same techniques being taught in real life against resisting opponents.
But these instructional DVDs go way beyond just being a collection of random techniques…
What connects the techniques is a series of ‘Gameplans.’ These are Brandon’s personal sequences and strategies that take you from a starting point to a match-ending submission.
Part of having an effective gameplan is knowing how your opponent is likely to react, and then knowing what you need to do to counter that reaction. And that’s exactly what you’ll get! Drawing on his experience accumulated during hundreds of high-level matches and thousands of training hours, Brandon prepares you for what to expect and then gives you the very best responses to every kind of resistance you might run into.
It’s like having a black belt world champion by your side for your entire match, telling you exactly what to do…
By having gameplans for the top position, the bottom position, and for bad positions you’ll always know what to do next. Not feeling lost on the mats is a wonderful feeling, and having gameplans that you can follow and adapt is a very powerful approach to grappling.
DVD Format
This information is available as a 5 DVD set, which comes with our 365 day money-back guarantee and free shipping. Click the button below to buy now:
Starting at $127, with free shipping for DVDs
Is the Material for Gi or No-Gi?
Brandon wears a gi for most of the instructional segments on these 5 DVDs. And yes, he does occasionally grab it to set up a technique, or to finish off a submission…
But the key thing is that Brandon has done amazingly well in competition both with and without the gi. And these are the exact techniques Brandon practices WITH the gi which have allowed him to dominate the competition even WITHOUT the gi. So there is a huge-carry-over factor…
Another interesting thing is that most of the competition clips used to illustrate these techniques in action actually come from no-gi tournaments. Which, again, just goes to show that Brandon’s game is highly transferrable from gi-based Brazilian jiu-jitsu to no-gi submission grappling.
Now obviously you’re not going to be able to pull off a Bow-and Arrow choke without the gi, but you should be able to hit the Rear Naked Choke (aka the Mata L eão) from that very same position. Getting to the position is the tough part – once there you can choose to finish with or without the gi!
And, as always, the bottom line is that if you only do no-gi, and you get the set and don’t think you got enough out of it to justify your investment, you can always return it to me for a polite, no-hassle, 100% refund.
“How much overlap is there between this set with Brandon Mullins and the first set you did with Emily Kwok?”
The short answer is that there is virtually no overlap between Series 1 with Emily Kwok, and Series 2 with Brandon Mullins.
Also, you DON’T need to own the first series in order to understand or benefit from this series with Brandon.
I didn’t want Series 2 to be an irrelevant rehash of Series 1. I wanted a completely different slant on the topic of successfully handling bigger, stronger opponents. And boy, did Brandon ever deliver! Brandon’s lineage is different, his body is different, and his training experiences have been different. All of which makes for a unique instructional set that both stands on its own, or can be combined with any other Grapplearts instructional set.
The bottom line is that Emily and Brandon are both fanatical BJJ practitioners, but their games are very different. I’ve learned a lot from both Emily AND Brandon, and have fused different aspects of what they’ve taught me into my game. And if you own both series then I’m sure you’ll find that you learn a lot from both of them.
The bottom line is that if there’s too much overlap for you then just return the set to me for a full refund. Remember, I’m giving you my “Best in the Business” 365 day money-back guarantee.
How’s that for fair?
Starting at $127
DVD 1: Takedowns and Top Position Gameplan
(2 hours, 30 minutes)
In this DVD Brandon gives you a complete gameplan for getting your grips, taking your opponent down, passing his guard, getting to a dominant position, and submitting him. Even if he outweighs you by 80 to 100 pounds, which is approximately the size difference between Brandon and I.
- The Power of Gameplans
- Gripping and First Move Stategy
- Gripping vs Matched Lead
- Drop Sode Tsurikomigoshi
- Sode to Kouchi Gari
- Arm Drag to Kouchi Gake
- Gripping vs Unmatched Lead
- Cross Grip to Kouchi Gari
- Cross Grip to Sumi Gaeshi
- Safety Position in Closed Guard
- Knee in Middle Pass
- Passing the Half Guard
- Debugging the Half Guard Pass
- Kneecut vs Half Butterfly
- Cartwheel Pass vs Half Butterfly
- The ‘Psych’ Pass vs Half Butterfly
- Kneeswitch Pass vs Half Guard
- Passing the Z Guard Part 1
- Passing the Z Guard Part 2
- Finalizing the Guardpass vs Explosive Bridging
- Stabilizing the Sidemount, & Best Submissions from Sidemount
- Kneeslide from Sidemount to Mount
- Legswing from Sidemount to Mount
- Maintaining the Mount
- Rolling Armbar Attack vs Bridge and Push
- Triangle vs Hip Wrap and Bump
- Rear Mount Attacks
DVD 2: Guard and Bottom Position Gameplan
(2 hours, 19 minutes)
Here Brandon takes you through the sweeps, submissions, and transitions of his sophisticated closed guard game. Since filming this material I’ve started using a lot of it in my own personal training (even though I’m bigger than a lot of my training partners) and have found that it works incredibly well.
- Guard Game / Bottom Strategy Intro
- Stripping Lapel Grips
- Stripping Belt Grips
- Stripping Sleeve Grips
- Dealing with Bicep Control
- Breaking Posture from Closed Guard
- Intro to Triangle Chokes
- Gringo Grip to Triangle Choke
- Gringo Grip to Omoplata
- Hip Bump Sweep
- Hip Bump Sweep Variation
- Whizzer to Triangle Choke
- Wrist Pin Triangle Choke
- Whizzer to Omoplata
- Omoplata as Sprawl Counter
- Whizzer to Straight Armbar
- Double Arm Trap to Triangle Choke
- Double Arm Trap to Sweep
- Advanced Pendulum Sweep
- Pendulum Sweep Recounters
- Double Underhook and Leg Bind
- Kimura vs Defensive Posture
- Belt Drag vs Defensive Posture
- Guillotine/Triangle vs Defensive Posture
- Defending the Barbosa/San Paulo Pass
DVD 3: Defense and Escape Gameplan
(1 hour and 53 minutes)
Sometimes things just don’t go to plan, and you end up pinned, mounted, and fighting off attacks. On DVD 3 Brandon takes you through his best escapes from the mount, technical mount, the quarter guard, rear mount, rear mount with figure 4’d legs, side mount and the turtle. Get out of trouble and get back in the game!
- Defense and Escape Gameplan
- Advanced Elbow-Knee Escape vs Mount
- Foot Drag Escape
- Double-Unders Escape vs Technical Mount
- Shrimp and Lift vs Technical Mount
- Reguarding from the Quarter Guard
- Following the Hand Escape vs Rear Mount
- Slow Motion Seoi Nage vs Rear Mount
- Escaping Rear Mount in Transition
- Somersault Escape vs Rear Body Triangle
- Scarola Roll vs Rear Body Triangle
- Crossing the Arm Escape vs Rear Body Triangle
- Transitional Foot Drag vs Side Mount
- Granby Roll vs Side Mount
- Other Transitional Escapes vs Side Mount
- Bumping to an Armbar vs Side Mount
- Pummel Escape vs Side Mount
- Turtle Escapes
- Escaping in Transition vs North-South
- Defending Big Guy Attacks
DVD 4: Instant BJJ Gamechangers
(2 hours and 2 minutes)
This is one of the coolest instructionals I’ve ever seen. In it Brandon takes you through more than 20 ‘game changers.’ These are techniques, concepts, tricks, and strategies that changed his game OVERNIGHT. Incorporate them into your own game, and watch your own level jump up too.
- Instant BJJ Gamechangers
- MMA Kickpass
- Carlos Machado Repummel vs Half Guard
- Submission-Proof Guard Passing & Taking the Back
- Draculino Double Grip Pass
- The Step Out Defense
- Best Mount Attacks
- Total Control Rearmount
- The Kimura Backtake
- Knee on Belly Arm Trap
- The Draculino Bump
- Roger Sweep Guard Defense
- Leg Scissor Omoplata Finish
- Rolling Omoplata Finish
- Defeating the Over-Under Pass 1
- Defeating the Over-Under Pass 2
- Russian Roll Armbar
- Defeating Double Underhooks
- Clock Choke Defense
- Bow and Arrow Choke Defense
- Sperry Choke Defense
- Brabo/Anaconda Choke Defense
- Kneebar Defense
- Wrapup
DVD 5: Strategies and Tactics for No-Gi
(1 hour and 15 minutes)
Brandon competes at the highest level both in traditional BJJ and in no-gi competitions. These two areas are similar but different, and a lot of people get confused here and would like some guidance. That’s why we’ve included this bonus Q&A DVD answering many of the most common questions about how to modify your BJJ game so it works both with and without the gi.
- Introduction
- Transitioning From Gi to No-Gi
- No-Gi Gripping Strategy
- Gripping Details
- Taking Advantage of Slipperiness
- Taking the Back
- Z Guard Offense and Defense
- D’Arce, Anaconda and Guillotine Chokes
- Arm Triangle Finishes
- Training Outside of Class
- Defending the Knee Cut / Margarida Pass No-Gi
- Open Guard Offense
- Finishing from North-South
- Opening the Stubborn Closed Guard
- Advice for New Competitors
- Wrapup
What Are Other People Saying?
Draculino says: “Brandon Mullins is the real deal. He’s pretty much an encyclopedia of Jiu-jitsu. I myself, when I have questions about the modern stuff, I go to him and talk about it. It’s awesome to have a guy like that at your side on the mats.
Brandon is my right hand man here at Gracie Barra Texas, and you cannot go wrong with him. He is super-technical and he is the real deal!”
Vinicius ‘Draculino’ Magalhães
Fourth Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Multiple-time Brazilian National Champion and Pan-American Champion
Head Instructor, Gracie Barra Texas
Houston, Texas
Roy Dean says: “Stephan Kesting’s latest DVD – How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent, Series 2 – set hits the mark on every level. Brandon “Wolverine” Mullins honors his teacher Draculino with his clear, easy to follow instruction and well rounded arsenal of techniques.
The takedowns, passes, and submissions are all effective, tournament tested, and strategic. Whether you’re a white belt or black belt, there is tremendous amount to learn on these discs!”
Roy Dean
Second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Black Belt in Kodokan Judo, Aikikai Aikido, Seibukan Jujutsu, and Enshin Itto-Ryu Batto Jutsu.
Head instructor, Roy Dean Academy
Bend, Oregon
Ritchie Yip says: “As a Martial Arts nerd, I have watched countless grappling and BJJ instructional DVDs and Stephan Kesting clearly makes the best Grappling instructional DVDs on the market. This is proven once again with his latest product “How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponet 2” with BJJ world champion Brandon “Wolverine” Mullins.
As an instructor, I am always looking for simple; yet effective ways to help my students improve their grappling game. This DVD is filled with eye opening and vividly basic techniques that would help anyone almost immediately.
My favourite disk is the “Game Changers” DVD where Brandon breaks down the epiphanies that he’s had during his illustrious grappling career that forever his game for the better. These game altering techniques and concepts Brandon shares in detail. He explains how his BJJ prowess was better the next day with using some of these techniques. Super cool stuff.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their grappling game with simple yet highly effective techniques.
And also I would recommend this product to instructors who are looking for material to share with their students to immediately improve the technical abilities of their students.
Ritchie Yip
BJJ Black Belt,
Head Instructor, Infighting Martial Arts,
Vancouver BC
Liz Bader says: “This is my favorite of all the DVDs and instructionals you’ve ever put out Stephan!
I especially like the “Closed Guard” section. We all end up in that guard position every match, but these techniques can be applied right away. It was nice to get help with setting up and finishing all my guard submissions and sweeps. Thanks!”
Liz Bader
MMA record: 6-3-1
Muay Thai record: 2-1
Multiple wins in BJJ and submission wrestling, competing in the Men’s division
A 365 Day Unconditional Guarantee
In my time as a grappler I’ve watched hundreds and hundreds of instructional DVDs: some of them were good, some were bad, and some were just awful. I knew I could do better, so in 2002 I started producing my own instructionals. Since then I’ve created over 30 DVDs and apps.
And I think that this set – How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent, Series 2 – is one of the very best products I’ve ever made.
I’m so convinced that this is a great product that I’m going to do something that very few other video producers do… Let’s say you get the DVDs and you don’t like them… If they didn’t live up to the hype… If they didn’t IMMEDIATELY give you answers to your problems… If you’re not happy with them for any reason at all…
…then you can return them to me anytime in the next 365 days for a full, no-questions-asked, hassle-free, refund.
I don’t think anybody else does this but I don’t care…
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’d rather have you as my friend than keep you as a disgruntled customer. Plus, the less risky that I make it for you to check out my products, then the more likely you are to get other products of mine in the future. So that makes it win-win.
Seriously, this 365 day, all-your-money-back guarantee takes all the risk off of you and puts it onto me. Don’t you wish everything you bought had a guarantee like that? Either you think it’s awesome or you don’t pay, and that’s just the way it should be!
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Grapplearts.com
P.S. I’m one of the only video producers offering an unconditional 365 day no-questions-asked moneyback guarantee… Here’s the deal: if don’t like this product you get all your money back. I’d much rather keep you as a friend and a fan than a disgruntled and unhappy customer!
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