[Team Dragonfire]

Monday, February 19th, 2007

Had the day off so I went to the AM classes:

Kickboxing:

Went over a lot of really intricate combos with focus mitts (including great low kick setups). In retrospect, I need to stop showing up for kickboxing as I don't pay for it and it really saps my strength when I go to do Jiu-jitsu. Right now, Lifting > kickboxing.


Jiu-Jitsu (gi):

Sweeps from guard:
Butterfly Sweep -
Butterfly guard to takedown -
Full guard to half butterfly sweep -

Rolling:

Rolled with everybody there, starting from feet, in succession. Went with a really big guy who's very strong, Kenny, and Gene who teaches kickboxing. Eventually tapped out the big guy, but Miguel said it took me almost 8 minutes. The best advice that I got all day was "You have 30 seconds to learn your opponent's game, 2-3 minutes to neutralize it, and the last 2-3 minutes to tap them out." Thought it was great advice and I'll definitely start working on it a lot more. Miguel really reminded me today to be aggressive and not as passive as I am sometimes.

Taking a break tomorrow (maybe) to let my body rest. My back is very very tired today and I'll be stretching it throughout the day. Seems like the last week or so of lifting is catching up.

[Team Dragonfire]

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007

Against my best judgement, I lifted tonight. Just couldn't NOT lift

Lifting:

• Bench Press 5x5 (135, 155, 165, 170, 170)
• Dumbell Skullcrushers (12x25s, 8x30s, 6x35s, 6x35s).. much easier than last time
• Dumbell Incline Bench Press (12x50s, 10x55s, 8x60s).. very easy.. gotta get some heavier dumbells or do barbell inclines
• Tricep Bench Dips (3x25)

Going to start doing close grip bench as well to strengthen my triceps (always has been a weak point).

**According to most of the 1RM calculators that I have been checking, my max bench should be near 200lbs right now.. good to see that I haven't lost a whole lot of strength. We'll see though.

[Team Dragonfire]

As a special note... felt it deserves its own post...


I got my Saint Wilhelm's shirt last night! Now I need to earn my number.

[Team Dragonfire]

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007

Jiu-Jitsu (gi):
Warmup:
100crunches
100 big scissor leg kicks from back
50 crunches (w/ 60 sec hold at the end)
50 leg kick ups / 50/50 side leg kick ups
... brutal warmup

Technique:
Sweeps:

• Arm Trap - Grab cross sleeve. Snake arm inside, while pulling opponent's sleeve up toward head. Overhook opponent's arm and grab their cross collar to lock it down.
• Butterfly sweep
• Half-Butterfly Sweep
• Sequence - Full Guard>Half Guard> Trap Arm>Pull knee up to get butterfly hook>Trap Arm> Roll Side / Take Away Base / Kick Over> Pass to scarf
• Sleeve Choke - Pass one arm behind and grab your other sleeve. Slide wrists on opposite sides of neck and apply pressure. Great for when opponent gets double underhooks.

Rolling:

5 min ea. with Brian, Ken, Adam, Manny, and Albert. I submitted Brian even though he managed to get my in a nice omoplata right when time ran out. I also submitted Adam with the new choke that we learned today. After doing great in my first three rolls, Manny tapped me with an armbar that I should've defended easily and Albert got me with an armbar from a triangle and a kimura from half-guard. Overall a great day sparring.

[Team Dragonfire]

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007

Lifting:

• Deadlift 5x5 (155, 4x185)... 185 is the highest I can get the weight to right now.. gotta buy more plates
• Stiff Leg Deadlifts (8x135, 8x155, 5x175, 5x185).. I can start doing these at 170-185, this was just to test the water
• High Pulls 4x6 (90, 105, 115, 125)
• Dumbell BO Rows 3x8 (75lbs.)

If I'm going to continue doing this few sets, I need to get more plates because this weight really isn't that challenging.

[Team Dragonfire]

Saturday, February 24th, 2007


Jiu Jitsu (nogi):

Went right after work so I missed warmups. Doh!

Defenses:

• Ground Guilloutine- Turn face into opponent to protect artery and windpipe. Put one arm over opponent's shoulder to keep them close (put your shoulder into their neck). With the other hand, fight their grip and, once neck is safe, post out. Stand up on feet and stack opponent pressing shoulder into neck. For extra weight, lift leg straight up in the air. If they open their guard to sweep, hop across into side mount.
• Standing Guilloutine - Post bottom hand on opponent's hips so they cannot hip into you as well as throwing arm over opponent to keep them from standing up. The arm that is over the top should reach for their back. If they jump guard, make a strong base and continue standing.
• Kiumra - From opponent in side control, extend fingers and press down with fingertips as hard as possible while pressing shoulder into ground. It is incredibly hard to submit somebody if they are doing this, unless you move to a north-south position.
• North-South Kimura - AS opponent is moving to north south (in transition), place non-trapped hand on their knee and push away. If opponent holds on, this will put them in a tight wrist lock. If they let go, you can move for armbar from the bottom or guard of choice.

Rolling:

Feeling real tired so I only rolled twice. Pretty relaxed for a Sat. class.





Thoughts on the Pride Show:

• Great production value as always.
• Great win by Shogun. He continues to impress me. I was happy to see him win without stomps / soccer kicks proving what a great fighter he is.
• I'm quickly becoming a Sakurai fan. Love that he doesn't wear any sponsors.
• I wish Nick Diaz would use knees or actually start hitting hard. Great win for him.
• Great battle with Henderson/Silva. I'm upset Silva was sponsored out and wore very little Chute Boxe stuff.

[Team Dragonfire]

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

Lifting:

• Bench Press 5x5 (135, 155, 165, 170, 170)
• Dumbell Incline Bench Press (12x50s, 10x55s, 8x60s)
• Dumbell Swing (3x8x40)
• HC-FS-PP (3x7x75)
• Double Axe Chops (2x10/10x25)

Weird day... Started with Bench day and ended up just doing fun exercises.

[Team Dragonfire]

Monday, February 26th, 2007

Lifting:

• Deadlift 5x5 (155, 4x185
• Stiff Leg Deadlifts (8x135, 8x155, 5x175, 5x185)
• High Pulls 4x6 (90, 115, 125, 130)
• Dumbell BO Rows 3x8 (75lbs.)

Last lifting day before tournament.. Taking tonight off from jiu-jitsu and then hitting it hard Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Friday (comp on sat. night for white belts) is the weigh-ins for NAGA so I'm starting my weight cutting now. I shouldn't have to sweat out any weight doing it this way.

I'll be drinking 2-3 gal. of water on Mon. and Tues. and eating lots of salt. This will condition my body to excrete a LOT of water. Wed. and Thurs. I will drink 1gal. of water and no salt. Friday, no food or water until weigh in and wear a bunch of layers on drive to Ohio. I'll also be taking more green tea than normal AND dandelion root as natural diuretics. I walk at about 196-197 (soaking wet with a stomach full of food) and I will be grappling in the 180-189.5 division. Should be cake.

This technique is taken directly from Grappler's Guide to Nutrition (Berardi/Fry)

p.s. 2-3gal of water is ridiculous... I have to use the bathroom every 30 seconds..

[Team Dragonfire]

a bit OT, but I DID just learn what Tate Presses are and I'll definitely be adding them to my bench day... they'll be much better than my bench dips

[Waxwingslain]

Originally Posted by Team Dragonfire

Last lifting day before tournament.. Taking tonight off from jiu-jitsu and then hitting it hard Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Friday (comp on sat. night for white belts) is the weigh-ins for NAGA so I'm starting my weight cutting now. I shouldn't have to sweat out any weight doing it this way.

I wouldn't go too hard on Thurs if you're competing on Sat.

Seems odd that the comp is at night. All the competitions I've been to have been in the day.

Best of luck man!