Combat Sports and the Kitchen Sink

The title of this article really does sum things up, as I have a million and one martial arts-related topics to touch on.

I wanted to start by writing about a really great seminar I went to this month organized by WEC champion Jamie Varner. You’ve got to love Jamie Varner. I mean, we all know about his well-rounded and super aggressive fighting style, but this is also the guy who was instrumental in getting the ban on MMA leagues like UFC lifted in Arizona (along with Jason Genet, the Lally brothers and of course Rep. Paton himself, who wrote the law.) Varner also recently held this charity seminar in Tempe and donated 100% of the profits to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Instead of funneling the project off to a non-profit like United Way, he decided to cut out the middle man and do all the work himself (with the help of his friends and teammates.) Organizing benefits is incredibly challenging and time-consuming and I feel a real testament to Varner’s character.

The seminar itself was awesome. It was held at Sunkist Kids and began with a self-defense class for beginners, women and children. It concluded with an intermediate class, which I attended. We started by splitting up into three different stations. I started with the wrestling station because I wanted to be in CB Dollaway’s station, since he’s one of my favorite fighters. He and Ryan “Darth” Bader worked us through a variety of takedowns and follow-up moves. Next I switched to the BJJ station where we worked triangle chokes and kimura counters out the wazoo. I LOVE BJJ and was pretty much smiling the whole entire time. That station was followed by a short stand-up session where I worked on making my boxing suck less by trying to figure out how to put my chin down even when I think it’s down already. My standup is embarrassingly bad but our coaches were really kind. Finally, we partnered up and tried to put everything together and learned some more techniques taught by Varner, Bader and Dolloway (who showed us the Peruvian neck tie). I got to work with this incredibly cool Pankration coach whose name I forget.

Needless to say, I was really impressed, not only with the caliber of athletes present but with their coaching ability and with the really great vibe. Everyone was extremely friendly and approachable. When you go to a seminar, you never know what to expect, so it was nice to not have to deal with that. And by the way, CB Dollaway is really frickin’ cool. Don’t believe everything you see on TV folks! Anyway, if you train at all or have children and live anywhere near Tempe keep your eyes peeled for charity events organized by Varner—there will be more and they are not to be missed!

This video shows what you WON’T find at Jamie’s seminars!

Art of the Wristlock

I happened to get ahold of a copy of Roy Dean’s newest DVD, Art of the Wristlock. I’ve always wondered how Roy Dean managed to integrate the multiple arts he has mastered. I mean, he’s got how many black belts? The guy has obtained some level of mastery in such a wide variety of arts, including Aikikai Aikido, Iaiado, Seibukan Jujutsu, Kodokan Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (where black belts don’t come easily.) During a very brief phone conversation once I asked him if he’s managed to integrate these arts into his BJJ game and he replied that they were all a part of him. It’s a much different reality than my own. My Jeet Kune Do and wado ryu haven’t exactly aided me in my quest to develop a solid BJJ/MMA game. I put the wrong foot forward, have some kind of crazy medieval horse stance and block kicks with my hands.

My view of aikido has always been that it’s another dead traditional martial art that will not work against resisting opponents. And after falling in love with Roy Dean’s “Blue Belt Requirements” DVD I was kind of worried that I would be disappointed with his newest DVD, Art of the Wristlock. I was sorely mistaken.

I have no idea how he did it, but Roy Dean somehow managed to integrate aikido and Japanese jujutsu movements into a BJJ game in a way that is not only stealthy and efficient but also effective. Although a few of the techniques were at first demonstrated in a way that isn’t as realistic as I’m used to, he then transitioned to descriptions of how he could implement these aikido techniques against fully resisting opponents. He also managed to explain BJJ techniques and their similarities and differences to JJ and aikido.

Roy Dean’s instruction is so startlingly clear and coherent that I would probably watch instructional DVDs of his on just about any topic… making sangria, drylands irrigation, sharpening knives… Although aikido and Japanese Jujutsu aren’t quite my flavor, the energy and carmraderie and kick-ass acoustic guitar and old-school percussion made demonstrations in these arts quite enjoyable. Three seminars are included in the 2nd DVD of the set and cover everything from armlock progressions to collar chokes to foot locks. A special bonus in the DVD is footage from Dean’s very first no-gi submission grappling fight at Grapplers Quest 2000. If I wasn’t sold on the possibility of wrist locks used against resisting opponents that would’ve done it.

I think this DVD set would be of particular interest to aikido or JJ practitioners who are interested in improving their game or testing themselves against resisting opponents, or even moving into BJJ. Roy Dean manages to simultaneously activate prior knowledge for practitioners of these arts, make astute parallels in between moves they already know and BJJ techniques, and help aikdo/JJ players learn how and where to use moves they already know effectively against resistance. It is nice to be able to adapt techniques instead of throwing them out… I didn’t think it was even possible to use aikido and JJ in a grappling context against resistance. Kudos to Roy Dean for showing us how it’s done. Watching his work is a pleasure. The philosophy and attitude of peacefullness and diplomacy (which is what attracts many people to aikido and JJ in the first place) really shines through in these DVDs so they have a nice feel to it. Check them out.

CAN’T BEAT THE PRICE, OR THE QUALITY

There is some really cool free stuff online. Our local poet-in-residence Cameron Conaway has written about cage fighting in a way only a poet can. His writing blows me away. Check it out. Also for those of you who are just getting started in BJJ, Stephen Kesting is a rock star. He just put out a free Introduction to BJJ e-book which is invaluable.

SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION

Although I post all of my published articles in reverse chronological order on this site, I thought it might be a good idea to post them here as well.

I’ve got four columns for MMARATED. I was writing for them before the genius behind the site, Ariel Helwani, informed me that the site can only pay some of their writers and I wasn’t one of them… Sadly the site itself is experiencing an untimely demise, which is a damn shame. Ariel Helwani is one of the best MMA interviewers out there. Anyway, these are some articles that were on the site–read these now before they disappear! First, I wrote my Ultimate Ring Entrance Wish List. That was a lot of fun.

I wrote about Jesus Didn’t Tap but would recommend staying away if you are extremely religious. Sappho, one of the greatest poets of all time, put it best: “If you are squeamish, do not prod the beach rubble.”

I wrote a McCain Conspiracy Theory article, but like most conspiracy theorists was entirely wrong and was schooled by none other than Rep. Paton (see the comments section.) This was pretty embarrassing, but even the monkey sometimes falls from the tree.

Ariel also let me count down the greatest female MMA fights, which was a lot of fun.

Speaking of female fighters, I interviewed Aisling “Ais the Bash” Daly for the Fightergirls website back in July. Hailing out of Straight Blast Gym in Ireland, Aisling is undefeated at 6-0 and has won all of her fights by TKO or submission. Female fighters can always use some more love so please check out the interview.

Lastly, I interviewed up-and-coming fighter Lyle Steffens for the Tucson Weekly.

Thanks again for reading and subscribing. Here’s wishing you a joyous holiday season, no matter what you celebrate. As always I love to hear from readers, so please drop me a line. And if you haven’t subscribed to the free newsletter yet to get these articles sent directly to your inbox, what are you waiting for?