2014 Off Topic Thread

[MMA_scientist]

Wow so you have like 20 years of grappling experience. So I see it took 7 years to get a brown belt, how many days per week and weeks per year? Approx.

I train 52 weeks per year, unless I am injured, which usually sets me out a couple weeks per year on average. I started out training 3-4x per week. Now it is more like 1-3x. I think 7 years is pretty typical for a brown. I will probably get my black in 3 more years. I think 10 years is about average.

[MMA_scientist]

I'm not always that impressed with the Gracies.

Renzo is a legit maniac. He has been like this since the beginning, not surprising at all. But the charges are just misdemeanor assault charges, so I also sort of doubt it was some organized gang beating. That story is pretty self serving, so it probably is not entirely true either. I have no doubt that Renzo did assault him like a lunatic though.

There are 3 kinds of Gracies:

the Rorion/Ryron/Rener (The Gracie Academy)group. These are the sell out hucksters who sued over the Gracie JJ trademark, sell the blue belts through online curriculum, and try to rewrite history. Helio invented leverage, the Gracie diet, all that nonsense. This is why I can't stand Rener or Ryron, they are complete hucksters, trying to make a quick buck while spouting blatant lies and never competing. They do train some MMA fighters but they seem like a cult and are super annoying.

the Renzo/Ralph type. Everyone respects them, but they are crazy all accounts. Extreme hardasses that are actually crazy.

the Roger/Kron/Ralek/Clark generation- these guys so far are level headed and actually back up the talk by competing. Kron and Ralek have shown some pretty strong douche tendencies though.

Royce/Rickson/Royler/Relson- These are the 2nd generation guys that really made gracie JJ popular in America (along with Renzo and Rolls). They have an overabundance of hubris but haven't really done anything super terrible IMO. They come off as douches a lot, but I think that is a family trait. Everyone respects the shit out of Relson.

The only person with the last name Gracie that comes off as a gentleman and scholar pretty much 100% of the time is Roger (Clark and Rolles are also legit grapplers that have not shown any real terrible qualities IMO).

Bottom line, many of them are bad people. But it is a huge family and every one of them is in the family business. If you did the same breakdown of my family, it would look a lot worse... some are dicks, some are not. One thing that can't really be argued is that for 1 family, they have a shitload of guys that are good fighters.

[edman5555]

http://www.mmamania.com/2014/5/21/5738780/bouncer-accuses-renzo-gracie-carefully-planned-coordinated-attack-mma

"In my entire 14-year career, I have never seen anything like this. At 1:30 a.m. a gray van pulled up, parked in the middle of the street, seven men exited the vehicle and started creating mayhem, screaming, pointing, starting to pick fights with the security guards. One man, [who] I later learned was Renzo, came in my direction, threw the velvet rope on the floor, ran straight into my chest and knocked me back onto the concrete floor onto my elbow. He was on top of me for 20 seconds, trying to punch me, but I wrapped both my arms around his neck so he couldn't hit me, before somebody pulled him off. All of the seven men were fighting, doing MMA moves on the guards, some of whom were injured. When the police arrived, they tried to get away, but the cops parked in front of their van, which was waiting with a driver. Retribution for me not allowing two of their masters into the venue last week. This was a carefully planned and coordinated attack. The police arrested all seven of them."

I'm not always that impressed with the Gracies.

[edman5555]

I started wrestling when I was 11 and stopped competing when I was 22, though I still teach a wrestling class at my gym. I have done BJJ for 7 years. I did some other here and there stuff (MMA training for a couple years that was basically worthless; did a little judo in the off season, but never got good at it).

But really, I just think BJJ is the most fun thing to do in the world. That's why I do it. I have a good time and get a good workout in, I build friendships in the gym, and it keeps me supple and strong. I think the team feeling is why most people stick with it. You make friends, people are watching and caring about your progress, you get addicted.

Wow so you have like 20 years of grappling experience. So I see it took 7 years to get a brown belt, how many days per week and weeks per year? Approx.

[edman5555]

I was just watching this... can't really stand Rener or Ryron though and I don't agree with their point in this video. I'm not trying to pretend like I am some self defense expert, I don't even care about it. I usually tune out when self defense comes into the conversation.

Why don't you like them?

[MMA_scientist]

BRB, taking Scientists tips and going to start a fight.

I was just watching this... can't really stand Rener or Ryron though and I don't agree with their point in this video. I'm not trying to pretend like I am some self defense expert, I don't even care about it. I usually tune out when self defense comes into the conversation.

[Mr. IWS]

it keeps me supple

[Mr. IWS]

BRB, taking Scientists tips and going to start a fight.

[MMA_scientist]

I am starting to beleive you know. I actually remember taking someone down once with a double leg. I was 23 and he was charging me down like you described as tackling. It was really easy and i only wrestled for one season when i was 16. How long have you been rolling for?

I started wrestling when I was 11 and stopped competing when I was 22, though I still teach a wrestling class at my gym. I have done BJJ for 7 years. I did some other here and there stuff (MMA training for a couple years that was basically worthless; did a little judo in the off season, but never got good at it).

But really, I just think BJJ is the most fun thing to do in the world. That's why I do it. I have a good time and get a good workout in, I build friendships in the gym, and it keeps me supple and strong. I think the team feeling is why most people stick with it. You make friends, people are watching and caring about your progress, you get addicted.

[MMA_scientist]

ADDENDUM- FWIW, it would be the same thing if you went to a boxing gym and asked to box with a pro. You will get completely destroyed and won't land a single punch. It is the same thing in BJJ, I just happen to believe that BJJ is better for self defense. A lot of people don't agree. Though I wouldn't argue too much about it, because I think boxing or kickboxing or even karate will give you a pretty good advantage (or really any martial art). The benefit of grappling is that you can go full go and no one gets brain damage. And also, IMO the instinct of a bigger person is to bum rush and grab ahold of you in some way.

[edman5555]

I am starting to beleive you know. I actually remember taking someone down once with a double leg. I was 23 and he was charging me down like you described as tackling. It was really easy and i only wrestled for one season when i was 16. How long have you been rolling for?

[MMA_scientist]

It can be tough to get someone down while they are swinging at you though. Id be worried about ending up on my back though but i guess if you have a good guard it doesnt matter.

most of the time, people just tumble to the ground like a couple of idiots. And I find it easier to take someone down if they are swinging, because generally that means they are charging. IRL people aren't professional kickboxers who know how to measure distance and have the forethought to think about a tackle. Hell, usually people try to tackle you. And with regard to ending up on your back... I can't really explain it other than saying that the reversal is basically instantaneous. You aren't going to be able to stop me from slipping to your back unless you know you have to pummel from an underhook, and no one knows that unless they have spent a lot of time on the mat. 99% of people grab your head, and give up the back. Actually, I have never rolled with a newb that did not grab the head as a first instinct.

Honestly, the only way for you to truly get a feel for the skill gap is to go roll at a gym with someone decent, at least a competition level purple belt.

[edman5555]

It can be tough to get someone down while they are swinging at you though. Id be worried about ending up on my back though but i guess if you have a good guard it doesnt matter.

[MMA_scientist]

I guess you have the wrestling experience as well though. Straight bjj takedowns arent as good correct?

Well, at my gym we have a wrestling class and a judo class. But yeah, most guys aren't very well versed in TDs. But my point is that it is a lot easier than you think it is to get someone down (especially if you don't care about what position you land in).

[Mr. IWS]

Btw still going strong. 17 days.