2014 Off Topic Thread

[Mr. IWS]

it keeps me supple

[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.

[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?

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[edman5555]

Wow i cant believe you can buy a blue belt over the internet. I agree with you about roger. Lol at your last sentence.

It looks pretty typical of any family business. The older guys built it and the younger guys come in and fuck off and take advantage of it. Doesnt one of them have a rap video? That tells the whole tale imo.

[edman5555]

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.

Do you really have that much to learn? Will you have to prove yourself competing?

[Luke]

poopooo

Whats your take on squatting? Ass to Ground? parallel?

Now that my back is fucked, I pretty much only go ass to ground at about 275, anything over that, I go parallel.

What say you?

Back surgeon told me squat (with free weights) is the worst thing you can do to your back. Said to only use the machine that you press the weight up.

[Luke]

Wait for it.......

[MMA_scientist]

Wow i cant believe you can buy a blue belt over the internet. I agree with you about roger. Lol at your last sentence.

It looks pretty typical of any family business. The older guys built it and the younger guys come in and fuck off and take advantage of it. Doesnt one of them have a rap video? That tells the whole tale imo.

Ralek is the one with the Gi in a G video. That shit is priceless. Ralek seems to be doing better now, he is behind Metamoris and he actually was a pretty good MMA fighter in Pride (beating up an old man Sakuraba). He is also the one that is in the youtube video fighting a kid who claimed to be a kickboxer in his backyard when he was 15. Of Rorians sons, he has the most cred.

Renzo, Rickson, Rolls, Royler, Royce and Rorion are the 2nd generation. They actually made it what it is today. These guys all fought in NHB and modern MMA and spread GJJ. I don't think we would have MMA if not for these guys. Rorion (aka whorian) is the one that is a sell out and now runs the Gracie Academy. Ralek, Rener and Ryron are his sons. Interestingly, he is the only one that never fought in modern MMA. Rickson, Renzo, Royler, and Royce are the guys that fought NHB and grew the brand. Rorion just sells it.

The gracie academy "technical" blue belt is a piece of trash you can get by going through the online combatives course.

[MMA_scientist]

Do you really have that much to learn? Will you have to prove yourself competing?

Eh, I don't really have anything to learn as far as learning moves. It is more about tightening things up and putting in time. I was familiar with pretty much everything as a blue belt. But knowing a move and being able to perform it perfectly is a different thing. Rank is a combination of skill, technical knowledge, and time served. For me personally, I think it is about getting my body to do the things I know how to do and closing up the gaps in my game.

[MMA_scientist]

Wait for it.......

OMG that was amazing.

I really wish the stakes in MMA were like were in boxing in the 70's and 80's. MMA today isn't shit compared to boxing in the 80's. Which is amazing when you consider how much easier it is now to publicize.

[Mr. IWS]

Wait for it.......

Larry about that life!