octopusbjj

Francisco Mansur Seminar

2011-11-15T07:09:00.001-08:00

It was a real experience not to be missed. not only is he the highest ranking BJJ instructor (9th degree? man is it difficult to count stripes when it gets that high) and a walking legend, it teaches a great seminar. We got some great history from the source and some great technique from this spry 72 year old. SIDEWINDER! Francisco obviously loves teaching, loves his students, and is quite a character. Thanks to Bruce for inviting us, we really felt privelaged to be a part of this. meeting and training with our great-great grandfather. Dax->Bruce->Marcelo->Francisco. some of us have now trained with them all, and we can see were some of what we have been training comes from.

Ego, Nov 1, 2011

2011-11-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

As you can see, there was a good group from the Razzano academy, and everyone medaled!
here are the results.plus some videos:

Kurt K: 1^st blue belt Gi, 1^st no-Gi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RHOPRh-sss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEupn4Scli0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPzY1Oh0yCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVj3TUbZJFE

Claudio: 3^rd blue belt Gi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XsrFLfF4kw

Mike Barker: 3^rdwhite belt Gi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV44l7yeYik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdcvfiL6vP8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_JJ9uMC034

Zev: 3^rdwhitebelt Gi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYV-i2nw-5w

Jimmy 2^ndwhitebelt Gi, 2^nd No Gi
http://youtu.be/PPuC7dF3hCo
http://youtu.be/QDrq06rZ-OY

Robby 2^rd2nd Gi, 2nd no Gi
http://youtu.be/TlP9JTB94mU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9VaAWz0B8Y

Nikki 1^st white belt Gi, 1^st No Gi
http://youtu.be/oYGxPXeqycE
http://youtu.be/QwSE9XEYYeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNsKHz-fKI

Tom R 2^nd Blue Belt Gi
http://www.youtube.com/user/trampley?feature=mhee#p/a/u/1/O-noY-Ig4lI
http://www.youtube.com/user/trampley?feature=mhee#p/a/u/2/TRFIg10wNBE

Blando 2^nd Blue Belt Gi
http://youtu.be/TN3KCnK4uSQ
http://youtu.be/PHof_wp7tiU

BlueGrass Open Oct, 2001

2011-11-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Just got Ryan's videos from the BlueGrass Open. 4 fights, four wins.you have to watch these for the judo throws not to mention some nice-nice submissions!
match1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ghLHVrCzbk
match 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGGEcs1nrpk
match 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wqtXQLXQjc
match 4:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TyKWdDypo8

yeah Ryan!

Ego- louisville sept 17, 2011

2011-09-27T14:38:00.001-07:00

jimmy gi 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu5vKV0Xps

jimmy gi2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9YjzXm64c
Jimmy's fight gets cut off a tiny bit, and it turns out someone has a cell of just that missing part.
funny enough to include:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LsXCI5VNl8

Ryan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVwLCeo57dg
Tom gi 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCC38RX3zFA

Tom gi 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Inb9mgVXBU

Nathan gi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njp0fSJt8ss
short and sweet until I get pics or something.

Hoosier Open 2011

2011-06-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Lots of tough fights at the Hoosier Open....congrats to Nikki on her first place.videos posted below:
blando1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29tFlzjA1_g
blando 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4idxhzlPImI
Jimmy 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ3fV4o-5U0
Nikki 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfTPefTT5CE
Nikki 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIuDXW7uB6Q
Nate 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCdtryQ9a5E
Nate 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dhnAn8GY8U

Marcello Ferriera promotion Seminar 2011

2011-03-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Friday Highlight. Dax gets his black belt:

Saturday: good turnout, a whole lotta promotions goin on.....

From the Razzano Academy: Thomas Brown, Tom Blue, Claudio 4 stripe blue, Steve blue + 1 stripe, Butter, 2 stripe blue, Ryan 3 stripe blue, Mike purple, Dax Black, Shawn purple, Eric 3 stripe blue, Jessica. (and Bruce on far left, 4th stripe, Marcello on far right..)

A little present for Dax:

For more pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/octopusbjj/sets/72157626215377823/

MRSA information

2010-10-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

There was an article in the IDS yesterday about an IU diver, Cassady Kahn who contracted MRSA. I went over to talk to her and hear her description of her experience. she was misdiagnosed a number of times(by trainers,doctors,specialists), and it wasn't until she was extremely sick that they finally diagnosed it correctly, and within hours of being too late. It sounded like the surgeon had to cut out any infected area, including skin fascia, muscle and some bone. She has a long scar (~8") on the side of each of her legs: She ended up needing multiple (12) surgeries, some of which was reconstructive after having lost so much tissue to the infection, as well as some very difficult physical therapy to get back to health. After looking at the information that Cassady had assembled, I realized that the information we just posted on keeping the academy and student clean is probably inadequate.

the thing that stopped me in my tracks is this:
MRSA Life Span Facts⁴
• MRSA can live for up to 7 months on dust.
• MRSA can live for up to 8 weeks on a mop head.
• MRSA can live for up to 9 weeks on cotton (towel).
• MRSA can live for up to 203 days (over 6 months) on a blanket.
• MRSA can live on the skin of otherwise healthy individuals, with no symptoms indefinitely.
⁴Journal of Infection Control (2001) 49: 255-261.

The fact that hot water and a hot dryer helps kill MRSA might prompt us to rethink "washing the gi in cold water" and not to dry them, as many are told, to control shrinkage.

There is alot written on MRSA, One source Cassasdy used was by a company selling antimicrobial skin cleaner, but the info they have seems really thorough, and is intended to be distributed in varous formats in pdf, video, etc.
I found alot of useful information on their website.
It includes this personal testimonial which is apparently very accurate. Talking to Cassady and hearing what she went through, is parallels what happened to her.
http://www.hibiclens.com/mrsa_video/index.html

here are a couple more:
http://www.hibiclens.com/movies/1-mrsa_vs_athletes.mov - first of a series of videos: focuses on skin to skin contact between athletes as the prime method of MRSA spreading.
http://www.hibiclens.com/mrsa_information.html : quick and dirty just text with references so you know where the info came from. It has the MRSA life span info.
http://www.hibiclens.com/edu_materials.html
downloadable pdfs meant to be distributed to inform people about MRSA

additional info:
from USA Wrestling: http://www.themat.com/CoachesCorner/FinalMRSAGuide.pdf
after that, there is always whatever you find on the web...

Talking to Cassady was a very sobering reminder that we have to do what we can to help reduce the risk of MRSA infections. I think I am going to start using an anti-microbial cleanser that provides residual kill for 6 hours, before I get on the mat.

Greenwood EGO tournament results for the Razzano Academy

2010-09-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

Dax and Jeff took a group of students to this years EGO tournament in Greenwood.
Alex came home with 3rd in the Blue Belt division (see video one of his matches). He also got 1st in the No Gi Intermediate: (see video of match 1, see video of match 2).
Butter got 1st in advanced No Gi, and 2nd in blue belt gi
Zac got 2nd in the no gi divisoin and 2nd in gi white.
Honorable mention goes to Steve and Petey, who had some great matches, definitely win-able as I think both would attest. Dax gave best match (one of top five in tournament) to Petey's match, where he threw a ton of submission attempts.
More videos and pics when we get them. I hear they are out there...

Erick Szabados gets Plata at Rio Open

2010-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

We were waiting for promised cool pictures, which I just received after putting a bug in Erik's ears:

Erik on the Podium at the Rio Open

Yes, one of our own, Erik placed second in the 2010 Rio Open Master's division, Blue Belt, light weight. Erik went to Rio for a month to train with Marcelo and company and had the good fortune to be there during the tournament. Bruce brought a group down so he had Bruce and Marcelo in his corner.

Erik and some other familiar faces from Indiana and Rio!

No question Erik had a great time, and got a good memento to bring back with him. Also, a big thanks for the trouble he and Marcelo went through to have one of Marcelo's banners made. Erik brought it back as a gift to Dax. It looks good in the Academy!
Here's a blog entry from the Jiu-Jitsu Academy blog with another pic of Erick and the group.

Roger Gracie Seminar

2010-09-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

Dax made it down to the Roger Gracie Seminar that Bruce Shepherd just brought to Evansville last Saturday: Roger Gracie Seminar at the Jiujitsu Academy in Evansville . Good stuff, as those of you who are coming to classes this week are finding out!

Notes on keeping the BJJ studio/participants clean.

2010-09-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

People who participate in close contact sports such as BJJ are susceptible to a variety of contagious bacterial skin infections such as MRSA, Staph, Strep, Ringworm , Impetigo.

Many bacteria can move, often by swimming through liquid. Sweating can mobilize bacteria, spreading it to other parts of your body or to other people’s bodies via the skin or the gi. Many can start when bacteria get into an open wound such as cut, scratch, abrasion, open sore or insect bite.

What the Academy does to reduce risk of contracting/spreading infections:

*Mats are mopped with bleach prior to the first class of every day.

*If blood gets on the mat, it is immediately cleaned up with bleach.

What individuals should do to reduce risk of contracting/spreading infections:

*If you have open sores and don’t know what it is ,see a doctor to determine what it is. Notify Dax of any suspicious sores you might have.

*Don’t walk barefoot outside of the academy. Use shoes, flip-flops when going to the bathroom or outside. Also do not walk on the mat with shoes on.

*Take a shower within an hour of working out, the sooner the better There is less than a 2 hour gestation period for most micro-organisms to take effect. This is probably your best defense against the spread of bacterial skin infections. If you assume you picked up a bacteria, how soon would you shower?

*Wash your gi after every class, preferably within 2 hours of working out. Many bacteria survive on surfaces and fabrics. Washing your gi protects you and our BJJ partners. Same with rashguards, kneepads,towels, etc: after every practice.

*Cover any open sores or cuts with tape, gauze, bandaids, whatever is necessary.

*Wipe off any open sore/wound with anti-bacterial sanitizer, or soap immediately after class.

*Make sure you clean any blood off your gi as soon as possible.

*If you have an contagious skin infection, stay off the mat. This will keep it from spreading to other members. After whatever you have is no longer infectious, you can return to the mat.

Marcelo Ferreira Promotion Seminar 2010

2010-03-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Another Promotion seminar has come and gone, and as you can see, the Razzano Academy had a good turnout. three of us were able to get down to Evansville for the Friday class with Marcelo, and the rest came down for the Saturday Seminar. Marcelo focused on the graduation ceremony movements for Brown belt graduation at his school. he broke down the series to digestable sections. Bruce said is plan is to some day replace the seminar format with the model Marcelo uses, one of a big graduation party where students do demonstrations for the group. the last couple of years, Marcelo's seminars have been butressed by cultural aspects of graduation taking it beyone just promotion. And as time passes, the returning students find themselves a part of an ever-growing family. great to see Marcelo and Lila again, as well as Bruce and his entire group! Here some pics of the seminar (from the Razzano Academy perspective)

A special congrats for Bret who got his black belt! After rolling with him, Dax can attest to his abilities. An unforgettable day for him, especially when we cleared the mat and he rolled with Bruce! As one of our students watching Bruce roll with Brett is like watching Dax roll with a blue belt. It never ends, the learning and improvement.

Baaulio Estima Seminar

2010-01-31T06:15:00.000-08:00

Braulio Estima? personable, charismatic, current adcc world champion, great teacher.

Bruce brought him to Evansville Jan 30th 2010 for a seminar, another great seminar with one of the greats of Brazilain Jiu Jitsu.

I have read that he has of of the greatest closed guard games around. As it turns out, that was indeed the focus of the seminar. Braulio started with some small tactics, things you normally do not call techniques, but elements that can be quickly shown, practiced and integrated into your game, things that can dramatically improve your game. Timing, position, leverage, control. Things to help hold your opponent down, to break down posture, maintain guard. Braulio made sure we understood conceptually the whys of what he had us drill, giving succinct explanations of the foundation of each element. He then built upon each element until we reached a position I will call an attack platform, where from this position, (you know, lapel pulled up under arm,around back of neck...well, come one in and it will be easier to show you!) Braulio demonstrated several submissions, having us rep each one for several minutes.

At one point, he stopped us to point out the video playing. (Bruce has video playing on the lcd panels in the room showing clips from Braulios fights). Braulio had us watch how he was controlling the opponent's posture, that he was using the same technique we were currently training. For Baulio, these techniques we were working on were "Gold". Enough said, point driven home.

At the end of the seminar, Braulio had us do effective rolling drill where he had students place themselves in the exact position we had used as a branching point for many of the techniques. Then had the student's opponent work to try and use the various attacks he showed us from that position. It was a good drill because it allowed the student to practice switching from one attack to the other, and gauge how it fits into their game, and also how much more it might need to be practiced to be effective. With three groups, one was always able to watch as others worked. Not only did we get to see Braulio roll, but many of us got to roll with him in this drill. He definitely favors picking opponents up, twisting them with his feet and dropping them directly into armbar!

The minutes after the seminar gave a view of his relaxed, playful personality. Most of the photos being taken had him goofing for the cameras, putting an exaggerated choke on the person next to him. Braulio ended by encouraging the group with some inspirational antecdotes from his past (he didn't train with a black belt until he was a brown belt, and at the start, only once a month because of living in a small town where there were none). Gettng an insight into the minds of these BJJ greats is always as meaningful, if not more, as the actual techniques shown. It is what makes them great.

Rest assured, the following weeks will find us here at the Razzano Academy working on what we learned at Braulio's seminar. I mean, what do you think we pay Dax for, if it isn't to take good notes at these seminars, and then to bring it all back and make it a part of our game?

New Apparel is in!

2010-01-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

Make sure you check out the new hoodies patches and grappling headgear that Dax got in.
SWEET! I can hardly wait to see the mouthpieces and kneepads...

royler gracie

2009-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

You know the picture of Julio in our academy? Uncanny how much Royer looks like him.
It was like seeing a piece of history watching Royler come in to Bruces Academy, how everyone followed him across the room as he shook hands with every person in the room
How was the seminar? in a word, great. no real reason to go over all the techniques- we have done that in classes in the weeks after the seminar.
self defense section.
The flavor of the seminar was really defined by his personality, they stories he told. for example:

In responding to defense against a puncher when on ground, his response was that you should hug yourself to the person, and then he said he would wait for his brothers!
He also discussed attitude in competition; that the goal should be to win versus not losing...
In his academy, he always leaves thee door open- 2 reasons-so he can see who is coming, and to always have a ready exit.
As we worked on technique, he would pick out a student to work with, and have the student try the technique after it was shown. He would remind the student to go easy by using one simple word: "friend", which was very humorous, but got the point across.
As the student took the technique to submission, he would admonish the student to not tell anybody that Royler tapped.

To demonstrate his approach to competition, he discussed a fight his father had coming up with someone who publicly stated he couldn't be choked. the opponent used the news media to demonstrate: he had two people on each end of a rope, with the rope round his neck, and had them pull as hard as they could, unable to choke him.
during the match his father tried to choke his opponent but his hand cramped-he let it go, then returned to it later in the fight (how long?? 30 min??? I think that is what he said!) when the opponent was tired, his blood pumping- his father choked him unconscious. Royler added that the ref wouldn't call it because the opponent wouldn't tap... this was a demonstration of how to view attacks, with patience and timing.

On a more serious note, he discussed his last conversation with his father. Royler told his father he was going to move to the US and open up a school, but at that time, the economy was bad, and Royler wanted advice on whether to make the move. His father's response was that the economy wouldn't adversely affect him because in a bad economy, students still continue to train, and the cost of training isn't a deterrent; not like buying a car or a house..

Royler spent time on demonstrating the importance of transition- in one exercise he showed a fluid motion which moved from choke to sweep, then back to choke and so on. He stressed that the motion from one to other is what sets the following technique up. Sooner or later opponent gets behind.
Another nice concept came up when asked about when you can't pass guard and feel you have to. His answer: why do you have to? Make the person on bottom work , and wait to take advantage of any opening. He provided an amusing demonstration of how to stall so it looks like you are active. lots of motion but all for show. Since then in training, I often find myself waiting for the person on bottom to do something before trying to pass, and I have been amazed at how often it helps!
Training. Royler talked a bit about how to train new techniques. he said he trys out a new technique on white belts first, then moves on to blue, then to purple. if at any stage it strarts to break down, he goes back to the lower belt. It makes it clear what benefit a higher belt can get from working with a lower belt. It is a good place to practice techniques you don't feel as confident with.

Demian Maia

2009-10-08T05:11:00.001-07:00

Thomas,Dax, Jeff at the Demian Maia Seminar. Not many pictures taken at this seminar, since it was just us, but it was a great seminar. Dax spent many classes integrating what we learned into his classes.

Jean Jacques Machado Seminar

2009-10-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since we went to the Jean Jacques seminar, but anyone who has been coming to class in the last month knows that Dax has given us a heavy dose of what he brought back from the seminar.

I say "he" here because while "we" were at the seminar, what Dax brought back was also filtered by what he teaches and what he knows he has shown us. He would review what we got from the JJM seminar, but would add additional possibilities of attack that we are already familiar with.

The success of the seminar then is not just what was brought back from the seminar, but also how what you brought back is integrated into your game. Dax helped us do this by the extensive followup and integration with the rest of what he teaches.

Upcoming Tournament:: Hoosier Open June 13, 2009

2009-06-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

The list of people participating has dwindled due to injury or other plans, but we are still planning on taking a half dozen or so to the Hoosier Open this year.
Lets see, who is still standing? There's Medium Ryan, Butter, the Danimal, Claudio, Shawny and maybe Bazooka Joe and Oz. Dax is coming off an injury so he is a maybe also.
Double elimination, so everyone is guaranteed at least two fights. All registration is done online, deadline is thurs midnight. Go to their website for more info and registration. See you there!

Shawn Graduates!

2009-05-29T11:39:00.001-07:00

Yes, folks, its time for Shawn to go to the next level! Wouldn't YOU like to have brought 3 plus years of BJJ experience with you to your high school graduation? Behind that guitar-thingy he is holding, if you look closely, he is wearing his gi and his two strip blue belt under his street clothes. Why else would they be so baggy? Yes, that is the prop he has used all these years as an excuse to not be at BJJ six days a week like the rest of us( well some of us anyway....erm, well, like two of us at any rate.)

Anyway, The Razzano Academy has been invited to Shawn's Graduation, so you don't even need crash it to hassle and embarass him. We are sanctioned to come and misbehave at both his graduation ceremony this Saturday, and his reception on Sunday. Isn't that why he invited us? to do what we practice and do best? throw insults? fling poo? See you then and there. The pertinent information is below.

Its Clobberin' Time? CANCELLED

2009-05-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, this fight was cancelled. They had three fighters cancel. two of which refused to make weight. (huh? this was to be a PRO fight??) Then there was a last minute demand for new bloodwork. It doesn't appear the promoter had his ducks all n a row. So Butter will have to wait a while before his first pro fight. Time to get better, I say.

---------------------------------
Yes, folks, its time for the eagerly waited, much debated Professional MMA Debut of Corey Mullis, AKA the Butter-Thing. At 260 and change, he is fight-ready, he has been honing his skills since his last amateur fight several months ago.

When, Where: Butter will be fighting this Friday, May 22, in Columbus, Ohio at Club Static, in the ICFA 10: Mayhem MMA event.

Here's the write-up of the event. It looks like there will be some other good fights on the card to keep us busy until our Main Event. Note the mention of Butter's last fight, where Butter's opponent "won via a very controversial split decision." No Kidding...But we are not bitter, just better, better in stand-up, better in sit-down, and ready to do some Clobberin' as a Pro now.

Contact the Razzano Academy (812-929-7376 or email info@octopusbjj.com) if you want to meet those of us who are going to go root Butter on, maybe snag a ride. Here's info on getting to Club Static in the heart of downtown Columbus. See you there!

Pedro Sauer Seminar followup

2009-05-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

For those of you didn't make the Pedro Sauer Seminar.. what can I say? Man you missed a great seminar! Ask any of us who went for the low down. Better yet, come to classes for the next couple of weeks, and you will get an opportunity to learn and rep them, as we did in yesterday's beginning class. You can also check out the photos posted at Bruce's website.
The seminar was evenly split between listening to Pedro talk about all aspects of Jiu Jitsu and going over practical elements of BJJ in certain situations (or 'tricks' as Pedro liked to call them).
We got a mix of history, ranging from what black belts were like (back in the day), why many of them quit when a new, more technical breed came along (pride), to the hostility encountered when it was introduced to large Karate seminars (with the likes of Big Foot Wallace and Chuck Norris). Pedro, the first Brazilian to introduce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, gave us many gems of knowledge and history. Talk about getting it from the source.
What is important to Pedro? Muscle memory- rep-ing technique for that reason - the importance of technique instead of muscle. (muscle is something you 'put in your back pocket' to use when you need it). Once you discover the proper execution, and the ease of good technique, you 'never go back'- Pedro, 50 years old, emphasized that he, like most of us at the seminar, are 'in it for life' and the use of proper technique can help us do that. Even after 35 years, he is still always searching for new and different techniques.
Another prominent concept was the student's 'not-to-do-list' which we all have. He suggests we put as many of those back in our 'to-do' list so we can continue to evaluate what it takes to make them work.
Pedro emphasized the importance of proper attitude when you walk in to train. Rather than coming to fight, you should be coming to play. In that mental framework, there isn't the pressure of winning or losing, there is something more positive, an approach which means having a smile on your face when you walk on the mat. You are there to have fun, which means you look forward to being there, that you don't have anything to prove. And he feels this is something that can be learned.
At his school, he as a 'tap-out day' once a week, where everyone is required to tap-out 5 times. he believes this allows everyone to work on how to escape out of the submissions the students use. and what do we all use? Our best moves. this means we all get exposed very quickly to each student's best moves and can quickly work out how to escape from those moves. (At least Pedro can!). It also helps keep your ego in check. He feels strongly that pride has a detrimital effect on the mat, and that one trains more effectively when your ego is "checked at the door". he did recognize that there are cases where a 'knucklehead' might need some 'reeducation' by one of the senior students!
The seminar was divided into 2 sections, gi and no-gi. and we got ample opportunity to roll no-gi at the end. We had multiple opportunities to roll with several brown belts and above (meaning Bruce) which is a treat!
I haven't really described the specific techniques we covered. Pedro asked the students to tell him where they were having problems, which they would do, and he would then show solutions to those problems. I am sure Dax will be using what we learned in the seminar as the material for many classes to come, so take advantage, and get in to the upcoming BJJ classes!
A special thanks has to go to Bruce for him bringing Pedro in as a part of his Black Belt series. Bruce plans on bringing in some other great people for BJJ seminers, and we will make sure we remind you of them. Next up? Jean Jacques Machado on August 22

Pedro Sauer Seminar Coming to Evansville May 2

2009-04-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

Bruce Shepherd will be bringing in Pedro Sauer for a Gi and no Gi seminar. There is a good write-up on Pedro at the JiuJitsuAcademy blog. It includes a video of Pedro rolling with a black belt which is worth a watch. Any students of the Razzano Academy interested in the seminar should contact Dax ( immediately as there are limited spaces: as an affiliate school, we will also pay a member price). At this point about 10 have signed up from the Razzano Academy. Here is the basic info on the seminar.

Extreme Grappling Open Greenwood, Indiana, april 4, 2009

2009-04-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Short version: Thanks for those who came out and supported the fighters. I know it makes a big difference. Picture and videos are worth my thousand or so words(below):
http://octopusbjj/media.php (check out the link for EGO 2009)

Long version:
Several students went to the EGO Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament and competed, and several more came to root on the competitors. we took as much video and pictures as we had time for, though it would probably help if we had at least two dedicated videographers and the same for photographers. Given the fact the most everyone was in at least two divisions gi and two no-gi, there was a whole lot of fightin' goin' on.
It was a well run tournament, and I know Bazooka Joe, Butter, Kenny and Ryan were all glad to compete, and the rest of us had a great time watching.
Note that Joe isn't Little Joe any more. After this tournament he is now Bazooka Joe. He got in there with some sturdy white belt competition to say the least, and showed immense heart. No kidding. I told him I was going to go harder on him if he was going to be fighting some of the monsters we saw in his division.

What can we say about Butter that he hasn't already said himself ... and repeated... and reiterated...and reminded us. So I can't say you heard it first here. He fought some exciting rounds, no question, especially when he was behind on points, and got a submission in the final seconds.
the other 3 matches? Oh didn't you hear? all ended in Butter submitting each and every one. I think the pink fingernails and the willow-y appearance lulled the monsters in super-heavy-unlimited-too-big-to-weigh into thinking they were going to have a power lunch on the Razzano teddy bear. Surprise! His new blue belt has been been notched.
Kenny has the distinction of defeating two competitors from the across-town M.A. school, one of which was an old instructor of our instructor. Dax yelled "armbar" when Kenny had him in a weak triangle, that is exactly what happened. Way to listen Kenny...we will watch for more of that listening stuff from you in the future.. And the blue belt opponent didn't even see it coming, as his gi was uncomfortably pulled over his head. You have to see the picture of that! As for his no-gi match with the second competitor, Kenney made us think he slipped into lactic acid shock what with the way he was laying there like a flounder for the first 30 seconds of the match. Tired? Playing Possum? he won't say..Man did he make his opponent look good there for that 1/2 minute. But, he then did his leviathan from the deep move, slapped on a MEAN legbar ending the match before a sweat or leg could be broken.

And as for Ryan's match, he wanted to dive in the deep end with his newly aquired blue belt, and he did just that. Turned out there weren't other competitors in his weight division, so his only option was to fight in a weight division up. The guy was big, strong, fast and RED. Ryan did us proud, right up to that armbar that he A..L.... M.......O.....S........T got out of...On our facebook Razzano Academy group I voted his fight my favorite fight because it was the most technical. it is worth a watch.