NAGA late night crew

Here's a picture of myself and the guys that were still around at 9pm at NAGA. That's me on the left, Chris, Sean, can't remember his name, Dirk, and Paul on the right.

NAGA Results

I have been training Brazilian Jiujitsu for 1 year and 2+ months. I have been a blue belt for about 3 1/2 months. This NAGA I decided I would test myself beyond just having the courage to compete at all, but to compete in the intermediate no-gi division which calls for experience levels of 2-5 years. I felt less pressure being the underdog, excited to compete. My first match my opponent sat down once I secured an elbow and neck tie-up. Somehow we got to our knees and threw a triangle on him. It was close to being where I could finish it but he kept enough space to punch his knee through, achieving half guard. I went for a kneebar/ heelhook position only be informed both were illegal. He passed my half (on my "bad" side no less), mounted me as I escaped the side control. Then I made a simple mistake of extending my arm as I bridged him off of me, giving him the armbar. A classy competitor, he didn't fully apply as we both knew he had the armbar. I hung my head and tapped in recognition. I gave him his respect and he informed me that he was very nervous and scared to move when I had the triangle. Even in defeat I felt I belonged in that division. I won my first match in blue belt gi based on aggression. I pulled guard, achieved an overhook grabbing the opposite lapel, and workedthe triangle and gi choke series. The choke was in but he did a good job tucking the chin in. I continued with my attacks as the frustration of being unable to open my guard was evident on his face. Good match but unfullfilling as I couldn't get the tap. Next match I pulled guard again, he fell into half guard. As he was winning the pass I turtled and he secured a head and arm, rolling to the anaconda choke. I was in no danger at all, so I rested for a moment before rolling back to turtle. I achieved half guard but went to spider guard after I failed the half sweep. I baited him to pass to one side as I setup a biceps slicer that was very, very tight. As I gripped behind his triceps to apply, the ref said it was an illegal move, so I basically gave up side control for that submission and the round ended that way. He was a pro MMA fighter that doesn't train gi but went on to win the division. Bronze medal match, I pulled half guard as he rushed in for a takedown grabbing my leg, he didn't get points for the takedown, but i'm no judge. I worked my open guard, but his corner was keen on my flexiblity and instructed him well to control legs at the knee. He forced me to turtle as he went to pass and I fought the hooks for as long I could. Eventually he got one, then two hooks, working the choke , but I was'nt going out like that. I fought to come on top, escape, get to guard, anything, but he had a great back control. 1-3 is not a good showing but I cam to have fun and compete, and I did just that. I could be caught smiling ear to ear as I was rolling with these guys. I challenged myself in a higher division and felt comfortable. I lost my no-gi fight because I made a mistake and I will learn from it and the experience as a whole. I left with no regrets, how could I? Go compete to have fun, roll with guys you don't train with everyday, and to test yourself. Some people take it to seriously, get hyped up, nervous, or overwhelmed. But it's just you and the other guy out there. May the best man win.

3 weeks to NAGA

Thats right. NAGA is coming to back to Atlanta on September 13th. My last competition was at Casca Grossa back in March, so I am dying to get back in there. I had three total matches in my last outing. The first match I won by armbar in about 2 minutes. I pulled guard almost immediately, from there I threw a triangle on so quickly it surprised me more than anyone. For two minutes I fought to finish the submission, switching to reverse triangle and back again. He then stood and circled around to work an escape. If I had insisted on staying with the triangle, he would've escaped, but all I remember is Paul Creighton, my coach, calmly saying "armbar...armbar", I swung my leg over his face, put a deathgrip on his wrist and spun to my stomach, arching my back and getting the tap. Winning your first fight is truly a great feeling and I thank my opponent that day for giving me that feeling. Two minutes holding my opponent in that position along with the nerves and intensity of competition had sucked my legs dry and I still had more matches left. My next match went double overtime, I don't remember the points but what a fight. Back and forth from the start. I lost something like 12-14. Having lost I thought I was done and was'nt prepared for the 3rd place match. I just wasn't mentally in that one. I got taken down quickly and lost 2-4. With that experience behind me, I plan on coming out 100% healthy and ready for NAGA. Last time they came to town I had bruised ribs and had to sit and watch at least 5 of my training partners take home samurai swords. In three weeks, it's my turn.