Got gear? So do I.

Good kit = comfortable, long lasting  

For my training, this is my basic week to week kit.

Datsusara PGB-03 

This bag is made from hemp and is rated one of the best gear bags for our sport. It has pockets and areas for everything. I filled my bag with everything below and I had heaps of space left for a towel, fresh clothes etc. It even has a 'nasty bag' to put all your post training wet gear in.

Sprawl and Datsusara Fight Shorts

My Sprawl shorts are the my favourite as won my first fight in them. Super comfy, mouth guard pouch and thigh grips. The Datsusara shorts are 100% hemp and 100% awesome. Chris the owner of Datsusara offers the most amazing pre and post sale service. Through your money at him and support hemp and small businesses.

Smai 14oz and Fairtex 5oz gloves

The Smai gloves are a basic leather boxing glove, great for training and sparring. My Fairtex gloves are best for training and even in the ring. Fairtex is a top fight gear brand!

Black Eagle Gi

This is the most comfortable gi I've ever put on for rolling.

Mouth guard and box (cup)

I'd never roll/spar without one in place!

First Aid, vasoline and head gear

Always bring these to class, hopefully not to use them.

Under Armour Rashguards

The only brand that I trust and it lasts. I have 2x short tops, 2x long tops and 2x compression shorts.

Brute knee pads

Great for BJJ, I have a cheap set of non-branded pads in case my brute pads are tooo stinky!

Fairtex shin guards

These neoprene guards are the best! Heaps of pros use them and if you are serious about training so should you!     

Fight Night!!

As Bruce Buffer calls out.....

"IT'S TIME!!!"

My weekend was crazy.

My trainer runs a promotion called Cage Warrior Championship and last Saturday (18 June 2011) I helped out all I could with setup, pick ups, warm ups and cornering.

It all started on the Friday night after work I drove to the weigh ins for the Christchurch competitors. I got to Eastside Barbells Gym which is a badass heavy weights old school gym on St Asaph Street. Most guys were keen to jump on the scales and get onto resting and carb loading. Pretty much everyone made weight bar a kickboxer who slugged it out on the rowing machine to drop 0.5 kg in 1 hour, true dedication and spirit.

I then went home ate dinner and got dessert. I picked up three members from the club to take down to Timaru.

We arrived at 11pm and stayed there setting up the cage and stage till 2.30am. We were back there at 9am to finish setting up. After a few small pick up and drop off jobs I got told to gear up with Kieran who fought in the main event for some mock photos and a roll and shadow sparring session  for 10 mins.

Warming up

About to get started

GnP on the fence

Hip throw

Kieran's love of leg locks

Followed by an attempt at an Achilles lock from me (too high up)

After some relaxing I started to help coach our team members who hand their debut fights. I was so proud of our debut fighters as they really stepped up to the mark. Marc is only sixteen and fought a more experienced fighter and lost in the second round to a choke (which he went out cold). Jackson fought a larger opponent and gave it everything but also got choked out in the second round. Johnnie, one of our most experienced fighters took on a thai fight with 24hrs notice and won by decision. Al easily took fight of the night honors. A three round destruction of a man with an iron jaw. Kieran lost by a reverse triangle and armbar in the second round which was sad because Kieran was set to destroy his opponent with his killer striking, but here I come to the quote for this weekend as I was talking during the car ride down....

MMA is like chess, you can win with all your pieces on the board and just as easily lose by leaving a gap with one piece...

Train hard and be well. OSU!

Marc (right) and his opponent post fight (you gotta love MMA brother hood)

Jackson, Matiu, Kieran and me

Jackson still pumped post fight, he wanted RNC!

Round one! Al with leg kicks and a strong stand up game!

Alan and the crew post fight. We were amped!!

Backyard Boxing

After Judo last Saturday which I did not attend, my good friends Matiu and Jackson popped over for a bit of hand work training.

I had earlier that morning been to the Doctor to get heavy antibiotics for a skin infection from mat burn. I thought originally it was just going to be Jackson attending, but as I saw Matiu get out of the car I knew that this training was going to be hard for me and especially Jackson who is fighting in two Saturdays time.

Start off on pad work for 5-10min rounds of different combos. Then for 10-15mins light sparring. Try new things, keep your guard up and work hard.

Osu!

big left hook: 1,2,3 combinations are amazing when pulled off with fist to face contact

Tight jab with good face/jaw cover

Focus on your opponent's eyes

power jab is something I will be working on

Matiu's kicks are deadly. Balance and flexibility is so critical for kicking

Light sparring is fun. I hate to fight in shoes.

Our sparring was very back and forward. Notice Matiu's foot inside mine?  Take down or inside leg kick looks good

One of the few shoots I got well. Timing and foot work is key to striking