I’m back! You might have noticed that my blog hasn’t been updated in quite sometime, and recently I’ve laid fairly low (at least, I haven’t been traveling as much. There are multiple reasons for this.
Firstly, the software broke (using an old version of WordPress) and I can’t figure out how to upgrade it without losing old content. From the backend it was kind of a mess anyways, just an unbelievable amount of spam coming through and keeping up with it was a full time job.
Secondly, I’ve been running and writing Onthemat.com continuously for over a decade. That’s a lot of words put down over the years and the motivations to write and share my thoughts, well it’s sometimes difficult to maintain consistently. I had been using the anticipated launch of the next version of OTM to build up momentum for writing, but that launch has been delayed quite a bit (over 18 month now due to various reasons). It’s an EXTREMELY ambitious project, and it will be so worth the wait when it finally comes out, trust me.
Thirdly, I’ve had a few other projects I’ve been devoting my time and energy to, most notably my academy and an upcoming tournament in Northern California.
What I plan to do right now is use the main site as my blog from now on, and post my thoughts for the week as an article. Because this is the internet, I can of course change this and add more to in the coming week (so check this space often), but will start a separate entry each week.
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Various Blogs have come and gone over the years. Two interesting ones that are getting updated frequently are from some long time friends of OTM: http:// DaveCamarillo.com/blog which reads like a cross between an instructional lesson and a motivational speaker (in a good way) and
http://www.lovatojr.com/ in which one of the greatest American competitors lets us get inside his head as he prepares for, and reflects on his toughest matches. Well worth a read.
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Back in January I opened up an academy in downtown San Jose called Heroes Martial Arts
http://www.HeroesMartialArts.com I have to say I really enjoy teaching, and I really enjoy the interaction with my students and being able to see them progress. The teaching of Jiu Jitsu, from working with total beginners to some fairly high level students, has given me a different perspectives on Jiu Jitsu than I’ve had before, mainly because I have to make adjustments and lessons based on their individual needs as opposed to what I happen to think is interesting at that time, and that is a big shift. Remember those “Critical Thinking in Jiu Jitsu” articles I had been writing? They will be back, along with the new site, and teaching has given me a new perspective and what to write.
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If I may give a final plug for my school (for now)
http://www.HeroesMartialArts.com I teach virtually every Jiu Jitsu class myself (we have judo with Shozo Fukuda and Chuck Jefferson, two SJSU coaches and standouts as well as an excellent wrestling class with Scott Belzer and Mike Strangis heading up the youth program), we have one of the most beautiful spaces and mats you’ve ever seen (almost 1600 square feet), and a student body that is dedicated intent on learning and training hard but also extremely friendly. If you’re in San Jose or anywhere in the Bay Area please come by and check us out!
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By the way, the art used in the article is from my school. No, the character isn’t supposed to look like me (the artist and I have never met so he doesn’t know what I look like). Rather, my instructions were for it to be “Superman with a gi as opposed to the cape and tights”. You can see the full artwork at, you guessed it:
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My other big project at the moment is working with USA Judo and throwing a Jiu Jitsu tournament on September 25-26 in San Jose in conjunction with the US Open of Judo (one of the largest judo tournaments in the country). I’m excited about this for a number of reasons, firstly, the opportunity to bring another high level event to my corner of the world is always good, and there has been a demand for more events in NorCal. Secondly, the opportunity to work with USA Judo in order to set up a tournament, and use their experience and systems in making sure the event is run as smoothly as possible. Also, by working different avenues, I am hoping this exposes Jiu Jitsu to the widest possible audience.
Much more information is available at
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I’ve recently acquired HDTV, and the best thing about it so far has been HDNet, which seems to devote the vast majority of its programming to MMA. Mind you, at this point I don’t find all MMA worth watching, I want to see skilled athletes who have obviously paid their dues in the gym competing, rather than tough guys simply slugging it out. Having said that, a lot of what HDNet shows is worth watching, with plenty of live events from Japan, and the entertaining Inside MMA.
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Last Friday HDNet broadcast the M-1 event from Kansas City. I didn’t catch it live, and I’ll confess to only watching the last two matches thus far (and curiously enough, the space shuttle launch). Fedor Emelianenko vs Gegard Mousasi in an “exhibition match for your entertainment” (although aren’t all public matches for our entertainment). Fedor wore a full gi, while Gegard wore a gi top and shorts. A few half hearted strikes followed by some very nice judo style takedowns and some submission exchanges, until Fedor looked like he suddenly wanted to end it with a tight armbar. Judging from the amount of sweat Fedor broke, they were actually exerting some energy, and from a technical standpoint, this was fun to watch. I don’t think too many people need convincing that Fedor is the* Big Thing* where as Gegard is clearly the next big thing.
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By the way, those announcers who kept referring to Fedor’s “cold dead eyes” haven’t been around too many Russians, me thinks, because they all look like that. (I’m actually ¼ Russian from my father’s mother, who escaped underneath a train during the Bolshevik revolution). I actually see a bit of mirth behind Fedor’s eyes, albeit it’s the “I’m amused by you because I know I could kick the @#$! Out of you at anytime type amusement”, I don’t necessarily see malice.
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“King” Mo Lawal will be pegged the next “Big Thing” soon as well; he’s got the physical attributes, the pedigree, and the charisma and is building his record as well. I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
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On the other hand, I hope Mark Kerr can find his place in the world, be it or out of the cage, and I say this as a fan. If you haven’t seen the “Smashing Machine” go out and get it now, I think it explains a lot. But I can’t help feel a lot
