Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan trained together, won jointly, and laughed together. Now? They’re enemies. I recall when DDS (founded in 2011) ruled the world of grappling. John Danaher trained Gordon Ryan, Eddie Cummings, Craig Jones, Garry Tonon, Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rod, and several other grapplers. The team was focused on one goal: to defeat […]
Craig Jones Gordon Ryan Breakup That Shook the BJJ World! Read Post »
From sitcom dad to serious grappler, Ed O’Neill jiu jitsu journey on the mats is more real than most people think. You probably know him as Al Bundy—the grumpy shoe salesman who scored four touchdowns in one game for Polk High. But off the screen? Ed O’Neill’s been doing something way cooler: training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Ed O’Neill Jiu Jitsu Journey: A Black Belt and 30+ Years of Training! Read Post »
The experience of grappling taught me to thrive in chaos and stay calm under pressure. I found myself in the bottom-side control position, also called “100 kgs.” The pressure was massive, but I stayed calm. I embraced Elizabeth George’s words: “Gentleness is strength under control. It is the ability to stay calm, regardless of what
Calm Under Pressure—A Jiu-Jitsu Lesson That Changed My Life! Read Post »
What if I told you that practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu might transform not just your physique, but also your mentality and outlook on life? When I initially stepped onto the mats, I had no idea what I was getting into. However, over time, BJJ became a strong instrument for personal development, uncovering strengths I had no
The Surprising Benefits of Learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Read Post »
We always hear people say, “Jiu-jitsu is for self-defense,” but let’s be real — most of us train for the love of the art. We drill sweeps, sharpen our submissions, and roll with our teammates without ever expecting to use it outside the gym. However, life occasionally tests our jiu-jitsu. An adolescent purse thief discovered the harsh
Think Twice Before Stealing Near a Jiu-Jitsu Gym Read Post »
For the longest time, my closed guard was a trap — but not for my opponents. It was a trap for me. I’d lock my legs, control my grips, and… nothing. My opponent wouldn’t give me an arm. They wouldn’t lean forward. They wouldn’t even try to pass. I was stuck. But once I started using the
If You’re Always Stuck in Closed Guard — Use These Sweeps! Read Post »
For the longest time, my closed guard was trash. I would wrap my legs around my opponent, cling tightly, and hope they didn’t manage to pass. The truth! They always managed to pass. But one day, I decided enough was enough. If guys like Roger Gracie could build their entire game around closed guard, why
I Built a Tough Closed Guard—Here’s How! Read Post »
I thought my closed guard was solid. I had seen high-level guys dominate from there, and I figured, “Just lock my legs, control the grips, and I’m good, right?” Wrong! That mindset got me passed, crushed, and tapped more times than I’d like to admit. If you’re training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, be aware that a
I Ignored Closed Guard Fundamentals—I Got Smashed! Read Post »
How Jiu-Jitsu reveals the truth about who you are. The first time I stepped onto the mats, I thought I was prepared. No! I wasn’t. The first time, six years ago, I went onto the mats; I believed I was prepared. I worked out hard, researched savvy grappling techniques, and convinced myself I was prepared
The Mats Don’t Lie! Read Post »
The Surprising Lesson I Learned from Slowing Down Would you believe that Jiu-Jitsu would teach you patience and passion like no other martial art? And this could change your life more than just your grappling skills. A few years ago, I made my first roll with a black belt. It was amazing. The Black Belt’s
Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Quick Read Post »
