Ronda Rousey's Arm Bar

Ronda Rousey became the Women's 135lbs Strike Fore Champ this past weekend. Once again she defeated her opponent, Misha Tate, via arm bar. The technique she uses has been done 100s of times in world class judo competition, so when she puts it on, she puts it on. Notice how her knees are open and her ankles are crossed. This variation allows her to better control her opponent's body. Great job champ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOQr5sHY-Lc

Hitting Pads Don't Equate To Fighting

I'm seeing a lot of fighters hitting pads and mitts with some pretty cool combinations. Folks see Floyd Mayweather hit pads with his Uncle Roger Mayweather and copy what they see. It's the "Mayweather" system of mitt training. Coaches call out 5, 8, 10 punches combinations with slips, rolls, bob and weave, etc. Instead of sparring, a lot of guys will hit pads instead. You have to spar! Boxing, kickboxing, etc. are combat sports that require sparring. Your coach calling punches out for you and giving you preset moves is not going to do it. Drilling stuff on pads is cool, but you have create your own combos and adapt what you do to different opponents. Keep in mind that you're not going to rip of a 10 punch combo on a quality opponent, unless he's hurt or tired. Use the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) methodology. Stay basic and use fundamentals.

Ioseb Koberidze

Here's a really cool guy, Ioseb Koberidze. He is the Branch Chief for Shidokan Ukraine and he is the founder of Shidokan Georgia. He has been a fighter, coach, promoter, and more. I had the opportunity of going to the Republic of Georgia with some American fighters on a show that he promoted. He is a true martial artist and gentleman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAUqGE4cmiU

Boxing Tribute

Here's an inspirational video of some of the best in boxing training. After you watch this, you'll probably go workout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yazi7krffn8&feature=related

Christian Buffaloe III

Here's installment 3 of the young Karate fighter from NC, Christian Buffaloe. Christian is following in the footsteps of his instructor and father, Kenny Buffaloe. Here is Christian latest news interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyE-IsxMhQ

Japan Military Karate

Shotokan Karate probably the most well known style of Karate out there. Wanted to share some hardcore training footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_zmL6BRCOA&feature=g-vrec&context=G2447801RVAAAAAAAAAQ

Old School to New School

I recently got some early 90s Shidokan full contact karate fights on VHS. If featured the top Karate fighters of that time(like Ralph Linares, Hidetso Otsu, Norm Rivard, and the late Tomaz Kucharezki). Fighters from World Oyama, Kyokushin, Seidokan, Shidokan, Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Kung Fu squared off and fought bare knuckle karate matches. It is cool to watch because this was a time where martial artists fought hard with no dreams of becoming the next great UFC champ or making a lot of money. They just fought. A lot of guys today have the illusion that they are going to become the next Jon Jones, Anderson Silva or GSP. Or the hold out on fighting waiting for that big pay day. The great thing about the fights I watched is they were before Youtube and Google in that, these guys entered and fought. Some of them had no clue which is what makes it raw and appealing. Watching a couple of years fight shows showed Shidokan's tournament evolution of the Triathlon (Karate, Kickboxing and Grappling). What started out as a Karate tournament added gloved fighting to draws and later grappling to make all 3 required in an event. The Karate fighters gave way to the Thai boxers like Marco London who would win 4 World Opens in a row. The Karate guys who once ventured out of their own organizations went back into their own world and the fighters who would later take over were the kickboxers and MMA fighters. Hope to see the Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu guys in the future. Being a promoter of Shidokan events and a match maker for them, I tell you it's hard to get karate guys to fight out of their element. We'll see what the future holds. But until then, I will keep looking at these fights from the past.