The unlucky break

I got offered a fight on the 18th Feb 2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

So I started to mentally prepare myself for the event.

As one would know you require a high level fitness and strength to enter the ring so I hit the usual exercises - skipping, heavy bag, pushups, situps and kettle bell stuff.

Last night I went to training. All was going well, learning new takedowns and practicing escapes.

I was a little too dynamic in an escape from side control and I tore cartilage in my lower rib :(

I will now need six weeks to heal before I can roll again.

No fight now, but a chance to help my team mates with boxing and cornering.


Train hard my friends, osu!

Brian Ebersole Seminar

This man is the man!

We went over wrestling 101 techniques from pummeling to ground holds. I hope he returns to New Zealand soon!

Thanks to Ren and our team for being there and all the other clubs that attended aswell

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!     

Grapple Comp Time!

I am currently training for the a competition in November this year. I need to cut a little weight and really work on my condition.

Spilt squats
Hindu Squats
Push ups
Pull ups
Neck rolling

The big one is grip strength. Now to find some big ropes to shake and pull weights!

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!!