Old At Heart

"I had the opportunity to train with a jiu-jitsu newb the other day (a youngin somewhere in the age of 21-25 years young), who had solid movement and guard retention skills. I was able to pass his guard a couple times (just narrowly), but I was impressed with the solid foundation he has already strung together in his relative short time practicing BJJ. At the end of the roll I tried to compliment his technique, but he shot it down, shook his head and said, 'if you were younger you would have absolutely murdered me.'

It was a nice compliment (I think)"

Verbal Tapraf esparzaJanuary 27, 2017BJJComment

VERBAL TAP (Episode 189)

"This week, we not only try to make some sense of it all (Should Demian Maia fast pass his way to a title shot, what does this mean for Carlos Condit, and how many times did Brian Stann jinx the outcomes of the fights with his commentary on the mic?)"

BJJ, Verbal Tapraf esparzaAugust 30, 2016BJJ, MMA, Carlos Condit, Demian Maia, Brian Stann, IBJJF, WorldsComment

Sober Reflections: UFC on FOX 21

"There are others with great jiu-jitsu, but perhaps no one who makes it look easier. And so tonight, we saw Maia give the UFC slight pause with their intention to put Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson as the first offering for newly crowned welterweight champ, Tyrone Woodley.

And like the true martial artist and respectful guy he is, Maia told Brian Stann in his post-fight interview that he'd patiently wait his turn."

Verbal Tap, BJJraf esparzaAugust 27, 2016MMA, BJJ, UFC, Carlos Condit, Demian Maia, Sergio Pettis, Paige VanZant, Joe Lauzon, Jim MillerComment

A Detailed Breakdown Of The Nate Diaz / Conor McGregor Water Fight

"All the while, Dana pleads with Conor not to throw those cans, with the timbre of his voice resembling that of a dad seeing his kid about to lose his shit at an amusement park and being helpless to do anything to stop it."

Sports Commentary, Verbal Tapraf esparzaAugust 18, 2016BJJ, 209, Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, UFC 202, Diaz Bros., MMAComment

Hybrid Success Challenge, Day 5

John has been my instructor for over four and a half years and knows my game better than just about anybody. I asked him to identify a few areas I could stand to work on over the next 25 days.

Also, I agreed to let him speak about me for forty seconds without interrupting him -- which, as many of you know, can be a struggle for me.

BJJ, Verbal Tap, #HybridSuccessChallengeraf esparzaAugust 17, 2016wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, BJJComment

VERBAL TAP (Episode 187) with McDojoLife's Rob Ingram

One of the more lively Over/Under Kevin's we've had. McDojo's Rob Ingram drops by to talk about calling out BS martial artists and then sticks around to take on Kevin's UFC 202 picks.

And I'm not promising anything, but maybe Nate Diaz shows up.

Verbal Tapraf esparzaAugust 15, 2016BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, UFC 202, Keenan Cornelius, Gordon RyanComment

VERBAL TAP (Episode 186)

This podcast runs deep with monologue jokes that will take you on a journey. The guys talk: Bisping vs. Hendo, Conor McGregor vs. WWE, Nate Diaz, UFC Fight Night, and Travis Conley wins Fight to Win Pro. Listen in, this podcast has America.

Verbal Tapraf esparzaAugust 15, 2016UFC, MMA, BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu, Conor McGregor, Nate DiazComment

Rest Days

"Hey Raf, I think it's cool that you're doing this, but have you built in rest days into this at all?"

The following inquiry comes from one young Eric Medina of The Los Angeles Jiu-Jitsu Club. As I work up my reassuring answer ("yeah, of course I'm going to build in some rest days"), I also can't help but remember that this happens to be my seventh straight day of training jiu-jitsu when he asks me this question

#HybridSuccessChallenge, Verbal Tap, BJJraf esparzaAugust 10, 2016BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-JitsuComment

Hybrid Success Challenge, Day 4

In the video below, I confront one example of trying to replicate Justin Rader's snap down double leg take down. When I saw him do it on the video, I thought it might be a nice option for my style of wrestling. I thought (and I don't say this often), "oh, I might actually be able to do that one."

The results below, however, proved otherwise.

#HybridSuccessChallenge, BJJ, Verbal Tapraf esparzaAugust 8, 2016BJJ, Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-JitsuComment

Hybrid Success Challenge, Day 3

As I outlined in my original post, a great deal of my wrestling has always come in the form of counter-wrestling. Letting my opponent make the first move and then working to put out fires as they come up.

It's not the smartest of strategies, but it's pretty much all I've got. Today, I opted to try and identify a few of my worst habits so that I can hopefully start to break a few of them.

#HybridSuccessChallenge, BJJ, Pro Wrestling, Verbal Tapraf esparzaAugust 5, 2016BJJ, MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, WrestlingComment