In these photos Marc Laimon shows some of the techniques he used to defeat Ryron Gracie at Grappler's Quest in Las Vegas, November 6th, 2004. … [Read more...]
MMA
Arm Behind the Back Guard Pass
Getting a handle, or a grip, on your opponent in MMA is not always easy. Here Denis uses an unusual grip both to control his opponent and remove one of his potential weapons from the equation. … [Read more...]
Marc Laimon, the Bad Boy of Jiu-jitsu*
Jiu-Jitsu Cross-Training for NHB: A Denis Kang Profile
by Stephan Kesting Originally published in Grappling Magazine, September 2003 Denis Kang debuted in Grappling Magazine after his Pancrase match against the very experienced Minoru Suzuki in Japan. … [Read more...]
The MMA Formula: Striking + Takedowns + Groundwork
Mixed martial art (MMA) competition has come a long way from the early UFCs, where Karateka faced off against streetfighters, and Jiujitsu practitioners battled Kung Fu stylists. … [Read more...]
Sport Specific Training for MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
An article by Ryan Pratt (www.royharris.com) The whole MMA game has evolved quite a bit from the early days. It is now a distinct sport with its on style, tactics and strategies. To think and train as though it is merely a combination of several arts would, in my opinion, be a mistake. … [Read more...]
Action vs. Reaction in Grappling (or why Yogi Berra was right)
An article by Jeff 'Wombat' Meszaros When Yogi Berra said, “half of this game is ninety percent mental”, he was talking about hitting a ball with a stick and running around an empty field. He wasn’t talking about rolling around with some sweaty dude who’s trying to tear your arms off. … [Read more...]
Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro on Top of the BJJ World An interview with a grappling legend
by Stephan Kesting Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Riberio is ranked the number one fighter in the world under 155 lbs, and has multiple prestigious grappling titles. This interview was originally published in Black Belt Magazine (August 2004). He currently teaches at his academy in New York City. … [Read more...]
The Ancient Vale Tudo of India: Vajramushti
by John Will Prior to his training in Brazil in the late 80’s, author and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, John Will, travelled to and trained in some of the most exotic places in Asia and the sub-continent. It was during those travels, that he sought out and trained with the notorious Jyesthimalla clan in the desert state of Gujarat in India. Training The Jyesthimallas are … [Read more...]
Unorthodox Positions and Attacks
There are six major positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Submission Grappling. If you learn these positions you'll be off to a great start, but you'll also be a bit predictable... … [Read more...]
Get Up, Stand Up!
Why getting off the ground is a critical skills in grappling! (originally published in Black Belt Magazine) When mixed martial arts competition exploded in North America, martial artists quickly learned that most fights end up on the ground. And for years the prevailing wisdom was that groundfighting was inevitable, and if a fight went to the ground it would most likely stay there. In the … [Read more...]
How to Train MMA
John Hackleman on MMA Training at the Pit, Love of the Island and the Underestimation of Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts, by Bryanna Fissori (with the help of Stephan Kesting & the Grapplearts Readership) Hawaiian MMA Training? While on a mid-day break from his busy class schedule, long time MMA superstar trainer John Hackleman was able to spare some time for an exclusive interview and … [Read more...]
Leglocks In MMA, Some Lessons For The Rest Of Us
A fan recently posted a great question on the Grapplearts Facebook Fan Page (click here to visit the Grapplearts Page). Q: "Hi Stephan. Will you analyze Palhares' sick heelhooks and combinations or is it more thanks to his bull strength that he's so successful. Or maybe do already you teach that in your leglocks DVD. Thanks for all your stuff and for responding my previous mail! Jonathan" A: … [Read more...]
Pulling Guard in MMA
Q: Hello Stephan, I'm a big fan of your website - I've been following it since 2009. I compete in BJJ and No-Gi submission wrestling. I've also been training MMA with hopes of having my first amateur fight within the year. … [Read more...]
Frank Mir’s Kimura on Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140
UFC 140 last Saturday night was one of the best MMA shows in recent memory. There were lots of exciting matchups, but THE fight of the night was the much-anticipated rematch between heavyweights Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir. This fight displayed the highest level grappling ever seen in the heavyweight division of the UFC! As soon as the match ended I looked at my good friend and … [Read more...]
Podcast EP10: The First-Ever Grapplearts Q & A Podcast!
Hey guys! Here's something different: in November of 2011 I answered questions from my newsletter readers (sign up for free here) on the first ever Grapplearts Q & A Podcast. Click Play Below to Listen to the first Q&A Podcast.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r70ppo_7ZYU Find out how how to taper for competition, what to do when you're getting crushed all the time, what to do … [Read more...]
How To Stop Someone From Passing Your Guard
A reader writes: Hi Stephan, Thank you for the newsletters! I started training BJJ and MMA about 5 months ago - it's been life changing for me. Do you have any tips for keeping someone in your guard and not letting them pass? Sincerely, R.W. ======== My Answer ======== Hi R, First of all, congratulations for jumping into such a challenging and hugely rewarding sport. Most of the … [Read more...]
Podcast EP7: Sarah Kaufman, Top Female MMA Fighter, Reveals All!
Sarah Kaufman is one of the top fighters in women's MMA. And she is officially amazing! Here's an in-depth interview and podcast with Sarah. I grilled her pretty hard (I hate interviews where you don't actually learn anything about the fighter or about the way they train). But the information she gave out went way, way beyond what I was expecting. She revealed: • how a top level … [Read more...]
Is GSP on his last legs?
I just wanted to pass on a well written article taking a look at some really interesting questions...Are MMA fighters doomed to decline after 9 years in the sport (regardless of what age they started at, or how many times a year they fought)? … [Read more...]
Podcast EP4: The Heyday of Carlson Gracie in Rio (podcast)
The Carlson Gracie Team in Brazil was one of the original powerhouses of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I recently had the opportunity to interview 7th degree Carlson Gracie black belt Marcus Soares, and he took me to Rio in the 70's and 80's on a narrated stroll through BJJ history. It's a fascinating 35 minute-long piece about back in the day, when most of today's competitors were still in diapers and … [Read more...]