I train so much butterfly guard because I believe this is a game not many people know how to defend yet. It is a pretty new game. People have not developed an undestanding of all the possibilities--there are so many sweeps and defenses that no one knows about. It is also an excellent guard to resist the pressure of someone bigger because my legs and arms can control the range of the fight. It is a good place to receive pressure and react. A big part of my style is to explore new terrain. Here are some links to my butterfly and x guard games--
x guard
http://www.mginaction.com/Search.aspx?Mode=Search&Category2=BOTH&Level_Fundamental=True&Level_Intermediate=True&Level_Advanced=True&q=x+guard
butterfly,
http://www.mginaction.com/Search.aspx?Mode=Search&Category2=BOTH&Level_Fundamental=True&Level_Intermediate=True&Level_Advanced=True&q=x+guard

Both. Whatever he gives first. And then always look to finish the match. Then rest for the next fight.

I trained a year at American Top Team after my first fight and during that time my fights in Japan kept getting postponed. It was so brutal on my body and so frustrating and I realzed that in order to do what I love most which is Jiu Jitsu I would have to stop MMA.

You gotta try to use your whole body to control somebody. Your weight, your arms, your legs, the tips of your toes. Sometime you don't have your arms to establish somebody, but you have your knees to control their stomach. Sometimes you just have to balance your weight without grips. Sometimes I try to put all of my weight on the part of his body that is moving. This is important.

We are actually starting our youth program in NY in September. We have a big youth program in Florida and never had a problem. It is very important to teach the children about much more than jiu jitsu. If they learn  a technique they also have to be taught how to be responsible for it. There must always be enough teachers on the mats so that each child is monitored closely and they only learn what they are ready to learn. Conceptual learning is critical for students. Go to www.theartoflearningproject.org to get a sense for Josh's take on this and how we will be building our nyc youth program.

At my school in NY I get beginners started with specific training. For example I'll have them spend a whole class working on holding and escaping side control. Usually I have 3 people rotating together so no one gets too tired to learn. By focusing on small parts of the game one at a time, beginners can incrementally build their game.

Whenever I control an arm with a grip there is a good chance for an armdrag. Grip fighting is a huge part of my game. Here are some links to arm drags and that guillotine you mentioned.
Guillotine
http://www.mginaction.com/Search.aspx?Mode=Search&Category2=BOTH&Level_Fundamental=True&Level_Intermediate=True&Level_Advanced=True&q=guillotine

Armdrag
http://www.mginaction.com/Search.aspx?Mode=Search&Category2=BOTH&Level_Fundamental=True&Level_Intermediate=True&Level_Advanced=True&q=Armdrag

JJ is most technical way to defend yourself against a bigger and stronger opponent. I believe the techniques of my arsenal can be used against someone bigger than you. In fact that is one of my main principles--to only use techniques that will work against any body type. For example I don't use the kimura or head and arm chokes becasue I much bigger guy could resist. So even against a small opponent I will not use them because that would slow down my growth.

We've been friends for a while now--since the beginnnig of 2007. As for making connections, that is evolving every day with fierce conversations! On and off the mats.

I realize wrestling combines really well with gi, no gi and mma. Most of my takedowns involve, arm drags, singles, and doubles.

I just like to try to train as much as I can before the tournament. And during the tournament I gotta feel like I'm at my gym. Every day I train as hard as I can. Every day I practice with as much intensity and focus as possible--that way tournament pressure feels natural. When you know you have given your best, there is nothing to worry about.

I believe there are some exercises you can do on the mat--some gymnastica natural exercises can really help you when you don't have anyone to train with. The warm ups at my school are specific exercises designed to help my students' Jiu Jitsu.