Sun Tzu's Art of War: Jones vs Cormier

This weekend UFC fans will get a late Christmas present in the Light Heavyweight Title clash between Champion Jon "Bones" Jones and Daniel Cormier. Using Sun Tzu’s masterpiece, “The Art of War,” to break down the fight, I can predict with 100% certainty that one of these fighters will walk away with the belt or your money back.

1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law? (Who is harder to finish?)

• Neither guy has ever been finished in their professional MMA career. Jones showed he can withstand heavy fire in his fight with Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. Furthermore, at UFC 152, Jones also showed his submission defense when he escaped a nasty armbar at the hands of Vitor Belfort. Cormier has never really been in serious trouble, at least not the kind of trouble Jones weathered. What’s kept Cormier out of danger is his technical ability. However, Jones is also notoriously hard to hit, and he’s shown to be able to get through hardships in fights. Advantage: Jones

2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (Who has the better camp?)

• The challenger comes out of the renowned American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. A strong history of championship level talent has been cultivated on these mats including: 1 UFC champion and 3 Strikeforce Champions. Meanwhile, the champ trains under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jones and Jackson have a special relationship where both guys delve into the breakdown of a fight to come up with a gameplan suited to mentally and physically break opponents. Advantage: Jones

3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth? (What advantages surround the fight?)

• Jones has settled into his role as the king of 205. He is no stranger to the pressure of a big fight, and he has gone 5 hard rounds before. Furthermore, the UFC kinda promoted this fight with Jones as the villain, a persona Jones used to avoid. Perhaps this new role will rid Jones of his marketing burden, and free him up to feel more comfortable as the bad guy. It’s hard to gauge how much that will be a factor, but anything that makes Jon Jones more comfortable makes him more dangerous. Cormier on the other hand will be going into his first UFC title fight, and this will be his first 5 round fight at 205lbs. Advantage: Jones

4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (Who's in better shape?)

• We’ve only seen Cormier go 5 rounds once, and he did not disappoint. In his 3 rounders he’s dominated his opposition and looked ready for more every time. However, some would say his noted history of struggling with weight could play a factor in his conditioning. No one knows for sure how hard it is for Cormier to make 205, but from what we’ve seen from DC it’s doubtful he will wilt in the later rounds. As for Jones, 5 rounds is nothing new to him, the Gustafsson fight proved he can still throw heat in the later rounds. DRAW

5) Which army is stronger? (Who's stronger?)

• Cheal Sonnen said he was surprised with how strong Jon Jones was in the clinch. This is the same guy who trained regularly with Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, so it’s hard to dismiss his observation. That being said, Daniel Cormier launches grown men in the air like he’s playing with a toddler. Advantage: Cormier

6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (Who's more well rounded?)

• Cormier’s striking first came up when he out classed Jeff Monson without using his wrestling. Since then his striking only got better. He can find a home for his right hand, he has excellent timing, and can flurry opponents into cage to set up his world class takedowns. On the ground, I’ve never seen anyone, not even Fedor, control Dan Henderson the way Cormier did. On the other hand, Jones’ record speaks for himself. He can strike, he can wrestle, and he has solid submissions. However, for the first time in his career, Jones may not have the ability to dictate where the fight goes. He has never faced a wrestler the caliber of Daniel Cormier, who can strike and fight on the ground. Advantage: Cormier

7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? (Who can finish the fight?)

• Jones is a clear finisher. On the feet, Cormier has knock out power, but Jones’ striking can also stop opponents with strikes. On the ground, Cormier has fantastic control for his ground-and-pound and will take a choke if available, but Jones will actively look for submissions while simultaneously dropping the best G-n-P at 205. Advantage: Jones

HOW CORMIER WINS: The challenger will strike his way in on Jones and bully him into the cage. From there he has to be wary of the infighting ability of the champ, but he can mix up takedowns and flurries to keep the champ confused. After a long grueling clinch war, a mix of flurries and takedowns will guide DC to a Unanimous Decision.

HOW JONES WINS: The champ will fluster his opponent with his range and cause Cormier to come in head on and over aggressive. From there look for Jones to land a solid right uppercut while Cormier ducks his head to get inside. The wobbled challenger will stagger back and Jones will swarm. Finishing the fight by TKO.

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The Layoff: Returning from a Jiu Jitsu Hiatus

For the last 8 years, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been a big part of my self-identity.  For a little clarity as to how long that is, consider that “Laffi Taffi” was a number one song when I first started BJJ, and I still used mapquest to get to tournaments. Living rent-free and studying at the community college freed me up to spend what little cash I had on booze, pot, CD’s (yeah CD’s), and to take up a new hobby in BJJ.

At first being a white belt felt goddamned awful. The more experienced white belts knew enough to use me as a glorified practice dummy, and the colored belts used me as a walking laboratory where they could try out crazy experiments. Eventually, I caught up to those white belts, and the colored belts even started to exert some real effort to beat my ass.

Improving as a white belt feels like being a toddler finger painting. Anything you do well is received with praise and reinforcement, and anything you do poorly is discarded as “Who gives a fuck? You’re a white belt! Just be happy you didn’t pee yourself.” Everyday practice was a win-win situation for me. It was exciting and fun. I remember learning things like: don’t leave your arms out too far, don’t reach back to open the guard, and never ever wear mesh shorts to practice. I started to gauge myself against the higher belts, and started feeling personal pride when I did well against them. Eventually, my progress took me far enough to earn a blue belt, and I even saw myself doing well at comps.

After over a year and a half of training 7-9 times a week my BJJ life took a big hit. I moved away to live in Long Beach, and though I had training available for me, I became engulfed in a sea of school work. Suddenly I didn’t have the time to train, and when I did train my regression was painfully obvious. I could no longer dominate white belts, and suddenly other blue belts were dominating me again. Being dominated is a shitty feeling. I didn’t want to go to practice because I knew failure waited for me on those mats. It was difficult to find the time to train, but really, I was happy to find excuses.

Eventually I realized how much of a bitch I was being and committed myself to sharpening my jiu jitsu. I moved away from the sun and fun of Long Beach to train with my old teacher in Rancho Cucamonga. My first night back I noticed that one of my old training partners had surpassed me. While I genuinely felt very happy for him, a part of me felt jealous. I didn’t like the fact that now I was that colored belt that newer guys/gals were gauging themselves on. I struggled to properly execute techniques against beginners, and losing against them hurt the ego I had built up before the break. I hated being the “beatable” colored belt, but I had to accept it because jiu jitsu is honest even if we’re not.

When jiu jitsu exposes a weakness, we have to acknowledge it. We can decide not to, but the weakness will always be there laughing at us, mocking us, and visible for all to see. Those who don’t want to admit their short falls, fall behind. They quit trying to patch up their holes, and their frustration eventually beats out their will to keep training. I think anyone coming back from a layoff has to make the decision to either admit vulnerabilities or give up trying to get better.

A layoff brings us back to the shitty days of being a brand new white belt. We suck again, we have peers who toy with us, we have trouble with newcomers, and we are face to face with our own impotence every day. But unlike the old days as a beginner, we can’t dismiss failure as, “meh, you’re a white belt” and at the same time, we don’t get praise for executing basic techniques. The only praise we get is from ourselves. We have to be the judge of our own progress.

When I first came back from the layoff, the toughest battle was admitting to myself I wasn’t what I used to be. After accepting that heavy truth, I realized that the person I should be trying to beat is not my training partner, but myself from yesterday.

Here is where the ego must be discarded. The ego causes us to compare ourselves to others, our training partners, our peers, our friends. The ego feeds our personal pride, and in the immortal words of Mr. Marcellous Wallace, “Fuck pride! Pride only hurts. It never helps.” Hubris is a sin for a reason; it is something that builds as we progress, but we fear to lose. When we fear to lose that pride, we make excuses. Excuses are lame… excuses are the language of the weak, they're what we tell ourselves when we don’t want to take responsibility. Furthermore, it really sucks to train with people who have such a big ego they can’t give you any credit. I remember, after coming back from another layoff as a purple belt, being swept by a white belt and telling myself, “well I just wanted to let him work.” Go fuck yourself, you douche.

I’ve been swept, submitted, and mounted by lower belts plenty of times, and I used to think of a reason why I didn’t perform, but the reality was that they simply did a good job. I hated to admit it but fuck, they got the better of me. And you know what? Good for them. After I reflected on it, I realized I should be happy for them, not upset at myself.

It all goes back to the honesty of BJJ. Over the last few years I’ve had to take more breaks from BJJ, each time I’ve tried to keep my ego in check. As a white belt my shortcomings were excusable, and my ego was allowed to grow. Later in my BJJ career those shortcomings weren’t as easily dismissed, and I was forced to accept them and mature. This is what makes BJJ such an amazing sport. In few places is pure honesty as evident as it is in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When I tap my opponent to let him/her know I accept my defeat, there is no lying there… I am acknowledging I lost. It may hurt, both emotionally and physically, but by accepting my lickings I learn. And that’s the whole point… to learn and grow.

Though the layoffs sucks, they are an opportunity to reinvent yourself. A chance to build an even better you from scratch. It takes honesty, it takes commitment, and it blossoms maturity. As we mature we find that our goal should not be to beat up our training partners, but to be better when we leave the gym than when we entered.

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Sun Tzu's Art of War: Pettis vs Melendez

Saturday night’s (Sunday morning in the land of didgeridoos) matchup between Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and Challenger Gilbert “Niño” Melendez promises to be pure fucking excitement from start to finish. Using Sun Tzu’s masterpiece, “The Art of War,” to break down the fight, we can lay down our life savings on a sure winner.

1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law? (Who is harder to finish?)

• Neither guy has ever been finished in their professional MMA career. Not for lack of opportunity though, as both fighters have had to fight out of gnarly situations before. Melendez survived a shoryuken uppercut when he fought Diego Sanchez, and Pettis escaped a fully sunk Rear-Naked-Choke in his first fight with Benson Henderson. DRAW

2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (Who has the better camp?)

·         For all the controversy surrounding Duke Roufus and the tragic death of his student Dennis Munson Jr, the fact remains that the guy knows how to build great fighters. His coaching practices may be up to debate, and time will tell how much Munson’s training regimen contributed, if at all, to his untimely passing. However, what is known is that under the tutelage of Roufus, Pettis became one of the most dynamic and exciting fighters to ever compete in Mixed Martial Arts. On the other hand, Gilbert fights out of the famous Gracie Fighter network that produced such beasts as Nate Diaz, Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, and David Terrell, all of whom competed for a UFC title at some point in their careers. Both guys come from proven camps with proven instruction, but the relationship between Roufus and Pettis is special. Advantage: PETTIS

3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth? (What advantages surround the fight?)

• This will be the 17^th title fight in Gil’s career. He has a wealth of experience competing at the highest levels all around the world. He was a Shooto Champ, WEC Champ, Strikeforce Champ, and competed in Pride FC during the promotion’s prime. As a 12 year veteran of the sport, Melendez has seen everything the fight game has to offer. In addition Vegas is also closer to San Francisco (his adopted home) and Santa Ana (his hometown) than Milwaukee (Pettis’ hometown). Finally, Pettis’ long layoff since winning the title also works against him. Advantage: MELENDEZ

4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (Who's in better shape?)

• At 155lbs if you gas out you don’t fight for titles. Both guys have had drawn out 5 round wars. DRAW

5) Which army is stronger? (Who's stronger?)

• Neither guy is a real “horsepower” kind of fighter. Both utilize technique, timing, and speed to win their fights. It’s hard to say who’s physically stronger. DRAW

6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (Who's more well rounded?)

• At 155lbs if you’re not well rounded you don’t fight for titles, but these two are well rounded in different ways. Arguably the best striker in MMA, the champ excels at knocking people unconscious, but has some slick submissions that need to be respected. His wrestling is also on point and was even able to take down Ben Henderson in their first fight. Gilbert Melendez on the other hand has fantastic boxing and top level wrestling. He out-struck Jorge Masvidal in their Strikeforce title fight, and dominated Shinya Aoki on the ground with his defensive grappling. That being said, Pettis is more offensive from every position and that counts for a lot. Advantage: PETTIS

7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? (Who can finish the fight?)

• Pettis has a finishing rate of 82% split evenly between submissions (7) and knockouts (7). In comparison, Meledez, an aggressive fighter himself, has a finishing rate of 55%. Though Melendez’s finishing rate may pale in comparison to Pettis, it should be noted that he’s been fighting top level guys for a lot longer. However, despite being a talented grappler, Meledez only recorded one submission as an MMA fighter. Although known for his cool samurai kicks, Pettis will actively hunt for a finish wherever the fight goes. His flashy strikes on the feet are fun to look at, but his proficient use of jiu jitsu should also be appreciated. Watch Ben Henderson’s first fight with “Cowboy” Cerrone, and watch him escape every submission attempt thrown at him. Then watch Pettis catch him in a simple armbar from the guard, a move white belts learn their first day but only black belts master. Advantage: PETTIS

HOW MELENDEZ WINS: After an exciting back-and-forward battle the fight goes to the judges’ decision. Consistent pressure, strong right hands in transition, and relentless takedowns will guide Melendez to a hard earned Unanimous Decision.

HOW PETTIS WINS: After a grueling 2 rounds Pettis begins to find his range and starts keeping Melendez at bay. He drops Melendez in a wild exchange, and catches the challenger with a guillotine late in the 3^rd.

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Saved Life: My Compadre Hyungsu Kim

The moon glow engulfed us in a blue hue staining the ground around us. Our friends Ovi and Faithna had already gone to bed, leaving Hyungsu and I to finish the Soju and beer. It was a daunting task but we were up for it; after all we were the ones who decided to buy all this shit. It was a few weeks before my friend Ovi and I left Korea, so we decided to take a big trip down to Namhae Island. Hyungsu offered to drive his car down for the exhausting 8 hour trip. After we arrived we spent the day eating fresh meat from the market: samgyeop sal, galmegi, and what Hyungsu called “sea snake.” All of that was gone, the only thing left was some rice and his mom’s homemade kimchi (which was amazing). A few embers lingered in the grimy old grill we used to cook our food, and the table was littered with the empty bottles of soju, beer, and Fanta.

“Are you going to fight?” I asked. He shrugged his shoulders. “You’re really good man, you can do it all. I bet you can fuck up all the guys in your weight class,” I told him trying to build his confidence. Hyungsu tentatively smiled. At that time, I could tell that that he was unsure about being a fighter, but in reality, he already was one.

At 13 years old Hyungsu already impressed the top wrestling recruiters in the country. He was a national champion in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. Scholarships from the best programs were dangled in front of him ripe for the picking. Tragically, this was the year he was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia; a disease which required him to undergo a bone marrow transplant. At a young age Hyungsu saw his ambitions as a wrestler fall apart. The doctors told him having this procedure likely meant he’d never wrestle again; thus his life as a sportsman would come to a crashing halt. He remembered how upon hearing that, he “got up and stood by the window, and I got into my wrestling stance.” With his IV still attached he stared out the window lost in his thoughts. “I thought ‘fuck them.’ I don’t know why I did that… It felt right.”

Recalling the days of the procedure stirred up a lot of emotions in Hyungsu. We continued drinking and in his broken English he explained his fears going into the operation. “I’m not afraid of wrestling and MMA and Jiu Jitsu, but this, I hate [sic]. But I said, ‘just go.’ [I hated the idea of a transplant] because [another person’s marrow was] not I [sic].”  I asked, if at the time he still believed he could compete. To which he answered, “I wanted to, [even if it meant on one leg]… just go! I live, I don’t die. I felt: I don’t die [sic].” He chuckles as if to dismiss the gravity of his words. Most people aren’t strong enough to endure seeing a promising future be ripped down in front of them, and have to stare at a meek reality filled with treatment and medication. “I’m crazy,” he explained. “My mom, my father is very careful. I’m so sorry [for] my mom and my father and my brother, [but] I’m crazy [sic].” I saw the conflict on his face as he relived those days, and I admired him. He held on to his dream to continue competing despite the hardships before him. “My family thought, ‘No way, Hyungsu, no way. We do long and [hard road],” but fuck it, he fought.

Suddenly a black figure swooped right over us and nearly hit Hyungsu. “FUCK! AHHH SHIT!” I yell! The tension was suddenly broken after a bat flew over us and then jetted away. “That went right over your head!” We laugh it off and get back on topic. He explained to me that his bravery paid off. To his good fortune, the procedure went off without a hitch, and his body accepted the new bone marrow. Through rehab and regular check-ups he began to rebuild his health, but unfortunately, the world around him began to crumble.

For almost 7 years Hyungsu dealt with the weight of being afflicted with Aplastic Anemia. He was bedridden, tired, weak, and away from the wrestling mat. At times he felt alone and forgotten. Not only did he have to deal with the physical costs of this affliction, but also the emotional and even social costs that came with it. The procedure left him weak, and was prescribed a medication to aid his recovery. Sadly, this medication was deemed as performing enhancing and the wrestling body barred him from the sport. To make matters worse, his girlfriend at the time was forced by her parents to break up with him. When her parents found out he was kicked out of wrestling for using “steroids”, they decided it would bring shame to the family if their daughter continued seeing Hyungsu. In a tragic turn of events, the world Hyungsu lived in was gone. In Korea, young kids choose a path early and stick to it. Hyungsu’s path was wrestling, it’s all he ever knew, and then it was gone. But it was in this dark place where Hyungsu found a new passion: the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

Even after reaching his nadir, Hyungsu found the silver lining. He decided to become a physical therapist; something he picked up during his recovery. Which put him in touch with Deahwan Kim. Deahwan is the Korean commentator for the UFC and Road FC, and at the time he was opening his own gym. “I was suffering from neck [problems]… He started to visit me several times a week and I got so much better. At the same time he started to teach me wrestling… So I offered him [a job as] a coach at my gym and he accepted.” Hyungsu found a way to wrestle outside the reach of the governing body.

When I first met my friend Hyungsu, he was still very green in terms of fighting ability. His wrestling was on point, but he was still developing his jiu jitsu and striking. Unsurprisingly, this development didn’t take long. That same fire that brought him to the heights of wrestling as a youth, that pushed him through his disease as a teen, brought him to the highest levels of Mixed Martial Arts. After only 2 years in MMA Hyungsu developed the skills to be invited on the inaugural season of XTM 주먹이운다 (“Crying First”). “Crying First” is a reality TV show where fighters compete and train together much like the UFC’s “Ultimate Fighter.” After sharing his life story, and being introduced to the nation, Hyungsu became a beloved member of the cast. He was so popular that the producers asked him to stay on the show as a wrestling coach. His career as a fighter has also blown up as he’s been offered fights in South Korea and Japan.

Despite his fame, despite his success, and despite his glory, Hyungsu still stays loyal to his roots. He has the words “SAVED LIFE” tattooed across his chest, and “wrestling saved my life” written just underneath that. These words carry a deep meaning to Hyungsu, a meaning most people will never truly understand.

But Hyungsu’s fighting spirit didn’t stop with his recovery; he continued to volunteer in the children’s Leukemia ward. I asked why and he poured more soju in my glass, and then into his and looked at me to cheers. “During [my] experience,” he explained after we force down the last drop of that terrible bottle, “many children gone too… [in] my bed, next to [me on the left] and next to [me on the right] I wake up and the kids [were not] there.” He chuckled dismissively to shelter himself from the sad memories. “Where? What? Where?” he symbolically asked. “[The] nurse said, ‘he’s gone to home [sic].’ But always I knew, he’s gone to the sky… after I finished [my treatment] I had many soju and many beer [sic]. I [thought of the children] in [the] hospital… fighting with the sickness.” He struggled as he got out the words. He continued, “I give [them] the power… I say… ‘You can do it! Look at me! Look at me! You can do it!’ I said [you are] the same [as] me. I fight. Look at me.” He smiled, “I hope.”

A few years later, after I already left Korea, I found this news article about Hyungsu stopping a pervert from sexually harassing a gal on the bus. After finishing volunteering with the kids, he was on his way to his own birthday celebration and saw a man inappropriately rubbing himself against a young girl. So he called him out and held him in place while the police came. I remember reading this and thinking, “Jesus Hyungsu, stop making us all look bad.”

Whether in athletics, in selflessness, and in social responsibility, the guy proves to be standard we should all try and meet. That night in Namhae, after we finished the booze and the embers in the grill had finally burned out he told me, “after I [started] wrestling, jiu jitsu, and striking… I don’t die. I live.” The guy is a fighter; long before he ever laced up 4oz gloves, he was fighting. No fight in a cage will ever compare to the battles he’s already waged, no punch or kick will ever compare to the pains he’s already withstood, and if Aplastic Anemia couldn’t do it, then no man will ever break his spirit.

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The Fight Moment: American-Iranian Tensions During the '96 Olympics

Sporting events often find themselves at the center of political conflict. At times, the environment surrounding the event itself exceeds the mere spectacle of competition. This was the case in 1996 when American Kurt Angle and Iranian Abbas Jadidi reached the Olympic finals in the men’s 100kg weight class. By 1996, United States settled into its role as the world’s sole super power. The Soviet Union, America’s former nemesis, collapsed five years earlier. Without communism as an ideological enemy, the US shifted its focus to the rise of radical Islam and the anti-western governments in the Middle East; specifically Iran. Meanwhile, the historically anti-imperialist nation of Iran was under the control of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and that guy fucking hated the west. This animosity between the two nations played out in 1996, but instead of on a battlefield, the tensions boiled over on a wrestling mat. The two competitors entered the match with the weight of national pride resting firmly on their shoulders; moreover, the match itself went on to exemplify the global narratives held at the time by the United States and Iran.

For many Americans, Iran easily filled the antagonistic void left by the collapse of the Soviet Union. The two nations already had a history of disliking each other. One of the first major hostilities between the US and Iran began when 66 Americans were taken hostage while working in the American embassy in Tehran. Additionally, Iran also backed Hezbollah, a terrorist group responsible for airliner hijackings, kidnappings, and attacks on the US and its allies. Furthermore, the rise of jihadist groups in the region only fueled American bitterness for the Middle East as a whole. On television, the Iron Sheik, with his Iranian flag in hand, was the most hated heel in the World Wrestling Federation. Also, in the box office hit “True Lies,” Arnold Schwarzenegger shot Islamic nationalists at helicopters to blow them up. American cynicism of the Middle East peaked during the Iraq War in 1991, and resurged after the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. Though Iran was not involved in either the Iraq War or the WTC bombing, by the mid 90’s Americans began seeing the whole Middle East region as the new “Evil Empire.”

On the other hand, Iranian animosity towards the US began in 1953 when a CIA backed coup overthrew the democratically elected Mohhammed Mosaddeq; to reinstate the more western friendly yet highly disliked Shah. After the Iranian Revolution of 1979 overthrew the Shah, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini came into power riding a wave of resentment towards the United States. The resentment grew stronger when the US gave Saddam Hussein weapons and cash during the Iran-Iraq war. Moreover, hatred of the US reach an all-time high in 1988 when the United States shot down a passenger airliner flying out of Iran. Needless to say, this act only further infuriated the Iranian people. In fact, the Persians were so pissed that they even ran a postage stamp depicting the American carrier shooting down Iran Air Flight 655. Even when the US invaded Iraq (Iran’s regional rival) during the Gulf War, Iran’s disdain for the US led them to offer humanitarian aid to the Iraqis.

Thus, going into the 1996 Olympics finals, both Kurt Angle and Abbas Jadidi must have been aware of the political tension between their respective nations. How much that pressure served to motivate each man is arguable. After all, who is to say either man would have wrestled any easier if they had been facing a Japanese wrestler, or an Italian, or any other opponent without the added political enmity. What is undeniable is the atmosphere in that arena. The American and Iranian fans in the stands felt the heat of political rivalry. The energy in the crowd is evident when watching the walk-ins. Angle entered first, eagerly he ran towards the mats and leapt onto the platform ready to go. Then from the other side of the arena, Jadidi calmly approached the mat amidst chants of, “USA, USA, USA,” seemingly dismissing the crowd.

The match started and Angle came out aggressive, but it was Jadidi who scored the first point with a picturesque leg lace. Once back on their feet, Jadidi looked to widen his lead with a takedown only to be reversed by Angle thereby bringing the match to a tie. As time ran down, Jadidi become the aggressor and nearly scored a throw to win the match. Jadidi’s aggression was rewarded and Angle was put down. Jadidi went right to work for a chance to score using his trusty leg lace. Unfortunately for him, Angle’s will proved too strong and despite the best attempts from Jadidi, Angle survived the onslaught. Suddenly, with only 30 seconds left, Angle shot a low single and put Jadidi on his butt. Driving with every ounce of strength he had left after 7½ grueling minutes, Angle tried to score, but Jadidi refused to wilt. In the end, the match ended in a tie, and the outcome was left in the hands of the judges.

As the referees deliberated, the American anxiously waited, hopeful that his hard work was enough to sway the judges; while Jadidi hovered over the referees vigilant of a system he did not trust. Finally, the announcement was made and Kurt Angle got the gold leaving Jadidi in disbelief. Suddenly the theme from Rocky started playing, barely audible over the roaring Atlanta crowd. Angle ran laps around the arena with the Stars and Stripes draped across his back, while Jadidi was left dumbfounded. Futilely trying to change the minds of the officials.

In the end, the match only served to reaffirm already existing narratives in each country. For Jadidi, the ’96 Olympics only reaffirmed the already existing belief that playing by western rules was pointless. The system was rigged. After the games he said, “I'm upset because they took what was mine.” Jadidi continued, “I am respectfully asking the press of the United States and the wrestling federation to hear my protest and give me what is truly mine.'' For Angle, the win confirmed the American adage that hard work pays off, and the American spirit, despite all odds (Angle had a broken neck and had his coach murdered before his Olympic run), can persevere past anything.

The competitors personified the national pride of their respective countries and played out the political tensions that existed between the US and Iran. But as spectators, we will never know just how much Angle and Jadidi saw this match as a chance to represent their country against its political enemy. Angle eventually seized the magic surrounding that match to start a successful career as a professional wrestler. As for Jadidi, even after disputing the decision, he made it a point to assure everyone his ire lied with the officials and not the American people. Regardless of whether or not the two men bought into the narrative surrounding their match, it was a moment where history and martial arts collided to create an almost palpable tension in the arena. Whether they knew the significance of that match or not does not matter. It was more than just an Olympic final; to the fans it was a culmination of the political, historical, and cultural tensions between two rival nations, but though the fans projected this tension onto the wrestlers, Angle and Jadidi just wrestled.

Sun Tzu's Art of War: Henderson VS Khabilov

Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War thousands of years before Mixed Martial Arts existed. Though he aimed to breakdown what aspects of military planning decided the winner of a battle, we can adapt his vision to the sport of MMA. So, what does one of the world's greatest military minds have to say about Sunday's match up between "Smooth" Ben Henderson and Rustam "Tiger" Khabilov?

1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law? (Who is harder to finish?)

• Khabilov has never been finished in his professional career, and it's doubtful that Bendo will be the one to break that streak. Henderson on the other hand tapped to an anaconda choke early in his career, and lost his championship belt to Anthony Pettis via armbar. Though he has a BJJ black belt, Henderson tends to put himself in compromising positions on the ground; as evident in his first fight with Donald Cerrone, Clay Guida, and the aforementioned Pettis. With his high level sambo, Khabilov may be good enough to snatch a sub should Bendo get too reckless and leave an opening for the Russian to exploit. Advantage: Khabilov

2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (Who has the better corner?)

• One doesn’t travel from Dagestan to Albuquerque, New Mexico without good reason. The salsa may be better in ABQ, but what brought Khabilov nearly 7,000 miles from home was the training under Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. Henderson’s home base, “The Lab” in Glendale Arizona is run by an MMA mastermind named John Crouch. Crouch’s deeply rooted connection with Henderson has developed over the long career of his prized pupil. Though Jackson/Wink may be one of the best in the business, Henderson’s relationship with Crouch is much stronger. Advantage: Henderson

3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth? (What advantages surround the fight?)

• To Khabilov’s benefit, the card takes place in Albuquerque meaning the Russian will have a sort of home court advantage. The undercard is filled with Jackson/Winkeljohn fighters which could build a sort of momentum for Khabilov to ride on. However, this is his first time headlining a UFC event, he’s never gone 5 rounds before, and he’s never had so much limelight on him. These are tall obstacles to overcome when dealing with Ben Henderson, a guy who doesn’t seem to know the meaning of anxiety. Advantage: Henderson

4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (Who's in better shape?)

• Bendo has gone a full 5 rounds a total of seven times in his career and never once slowed down in a fight. He arguably has the best cardio in the Light Weight division and he uses it as a weapon though constant pressure and a heavy offense. Khabilov has only gone the distance once in the UFC; a close scrap against Jorge Masvidal. In the final round Khabilol was still fresh enough to land a thunderous wheel kick and follow up with a barrage of punches. However, I doubt Khabilov can keep up his high-output style for 5 rounds against a guy like Henderson. Advantage: Henderson

5) Which army is stronger? (Who's stronger?)

• Watching Khabilov rag doll Vinc Pichel looked very scary. The guy is as powerful as they come and uses that strength to either throw hard shots or score takedowns. Henderson is no pushover though, the guy is huge for 155 and has legs like a running back. Both guys are strong, both guys like to clinch, but Khabilov looks like he can suplex a tank off the ground. Advantage: Khabilov

6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (Who's a more technical fighter?)

• Both guys are very well-rounded. They both mix punches, kicks, takedowns, submission, and clinch work very well. Khabilov likes to use his explosiveness and strength to impose his will. He throws powerful punches and kicks at range but leaves himself open to counters like he did against Jorge Masvidal. On the other hand, Bendo prefers to use proper technique to win fights, but is not afraid to use his athleticism to get himself out of trouble. Though they’re both good in every area, there is a reason they call him “Smooth.” Advantage: Henderson

7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? (Who can finish the fight?)

• A legit Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Henderson has a superb guillotine but hasn’t finished an opponent since 2010. Tiger on the other hand knocks people out with his slams, and threw a wheel kick that sent the durable Masvidal tumbling to the mat. Advantage: Khabilov

THE PICK: How well Khabilov is able to handle Henderson’s pressure down the stretch will be the determining factor in this fight. Should the Russian not be able to finish, he must get an early and dominant lead on the score cards. A tall order against a guy in Ben Henderson who keeps his cool under fire, and who seems to always get the nod in close fights. Khabilov may come on strong at first, but Henderson’s pressure and pace will guide him to another Unanimous Decision. 

Gym Spotlight: Kim Daehwan MMA and Boxing (Seongnam, South Korea)

Seohyeon Station in Seongnam, South Korea is known for its high end shopping that includes Gucci, Coach, Channel, and other shops I will never afford to go shopping in. However, just outside exit 5, on the top floor of the first building on the left lies Kim Deahwan MMA and Boxing. You can't miss it, there's a giant picture of a cute Korean kid punching his handsome Korean daddy in the belly. It looks like a scene out of the opening credits of "Commando." Deahwan Kim is the owner and face of the gym. His day job includes announcing for Road FC and commentating for UFC events on the "Action Network" while also juggling being a father and husband with owning his gym. The gym barely opened over a year ago, but it's already built a big student following due to Deahwan's popularity.

It is a really nice facility with locker rooms, heavy bags, elastic bands, pull up bars, exercise balls and tons of mat space for students to use. There are two TV screens used for studying video of UFC fighters, famous grapplers, and boxers. National wrestling team members, pro fighters, and special guests like "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung, Ben Henderson, and ADCC champs are known to drop in from time to time. The students themselves are generally more interested in losing weight and staying healthy than fighting or competing, but some students are looking to crack into an amateur level of competing.

Deahwan is very hands on during class. He teaches all aspects of Mixed Martial Arts and focuses on the "in-between" areas of the sport. By that I mean he emphasizes blending the striking and grappling games together to open opportunities to land takedowns, submissions, or strikes. His style resembles that of an old school Team Quest with a big focus on dirty boxing, Greco roman wrestling, and clinch work.

Deahwan’s coaching staff consists of Tea Min Kwak and Hyungsu Kim; both fantastic coaches in their own respects. Tea Min Kwak handles the striking and exercise drills while Hyungsu Kim takes care of the wrestling and conditioning classes. Tea Min generally warms up the classes and acts as an all-around coaching hand to Deahwan. Hyungsu, a national champion in both Greco and Freestyle wrestling, focuses on teaching raw wrestling technique rather than MMA wrestling. He also works as the team doctor, which in my opinion is really freakin cool. An experienced physical trainer goes such a long way towards building a solid team. Students at this gym have someone to help them recover and rehab lingering injuries. Especially since being a physical trainer and athlete gives him a perspective regular doctors just don’t have. Should someone get injured in practice, Hyungsu is there to help

Though the gym is not geared towards producing professional fighters, Deahwan does have top notch training for anyone looking to pick up MMA as a hobby or in search of a fun way to stay in shape. It is possible to develop a strong foundation to start an MMA career, and Deahwan, Hyungsu, and Teamin make fantastic sparring partners, but the gym motto is, “easy, fun, together.” It’s a friendly atmosphere and very open in terms of sharing knowledge and getting better. If you’re ever in the Bundang area and looking to punch a bag, check out Deahwan MMA and Boxing.

The Beauty of Sport Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu spread out of Brazil riding on the principles of innovation, practicality, and effectiveness. In a sense, it started a martial arts enlightenment where the basic assumptions of martial arts were reconsidered and forced to either adapt or be abandoned. Techniques began being measured by their practicality in a real fight, and how effective a weaker man/woman could use them to subdue an attacker. Originally, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu developed as a way to defend oneself in live combat.  As the sport grew some practitioners began developing techniques to best other BJJ fighters in a pure grappling match rather than in a no-holds-barred setting. This resulted in a move away from a combat based jiu jitsu style to a more sport based style. Recently, practitioners of Sport Jiu Jitsu and Combat Jiu Jitsu have started a bit of controversy regarding the usefulness or merit of each style. Enter Renzo Gracie, a legend in both the combat world and the sport world, and according to him, “To try to separate Sport Jiu Jitsu from [Combat] Jiu Jitsu is a sin… Like comparing the beauty of two women... Both are beautiful in different ways." He’s right, both styles have their own unique beauty, and Sport Jiu Jitsu's beauty lies in its innovative, practical, and effective nature within the realm of a grappling match. It is not my intention to convince the reader Sport JJ is in any way superior to Combat JJ. Instead I simply want to explain the benefits of Sport JJ, and address some of the criticisms surrounding the style.

It’s difficult to define Sport Jiu Jitsu as there is no uniform set of rules that everyone abides to. The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is the closest thing to a governing body that exists in BJJ, but it’s complete shit (more on that later). Generally speaking, Sport JJ is a grappling style that emphasizes submissions through joint locks and chokes. The rules vary from tournament to tournament, but this holds true for every jiu jitsu competition held around the world. And though there are no punches allowed, the positions generally emphasized are based on the positions developed for self-defense. Positions that are advantageous in a real fight like the mount or the back are awarded with points.

Combat JJ advocates may argue that emphasis on these positions and points are arbitrary, and in all honesty they are right. In a real fight it doesn’t matter if you got your guard passed 17 times as long as you defend and in the end are able to get a finish via submission or knockout. However, since Sport JJ is not a real fight, and it is merely a test of one’s grappling skills against another’s, the points are there to find who was able to impose their will more thoroughly on his/her opponent.

Ideally, these points are only there to help decide the victor should the match end without a submission, but some critics say Sport JJ competitors rely too much on the point system. It’s hard to argue against that sentiment when one watches the stall-fests that go down at the Mundials and other big tournaments. However, it’s not fair to generalize against all Sport JJ competitors. Some guys/gals do go out there and work tirelessly for a submission. Unfortunately, the downside of being active is that it opens up opportunities for the opponent to score. This wouldn’t be a problem if both competitors are willing to be active, but the reality is that many competitors decide to stall after getting their points.

Opponents of Sport JJ see these inactive styles of grappling as a result of the point system and time limits. However, recently “submission only” competitions have sprung up like The Gracie Nationals, Metamoris, and The Eddie Bravo Invitational. The Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) does not keep score until the second half of the match; thereby encouraging competitors to open up and attack without the fear of giving up points (at least for the first 5 minutes). These organizations look to encourage offense and action from competitors. One could also argue that points are just a necessary evil as sometimes it’s hard to finish guys regardless of one’s aggression; especially in a context with time limits.

However, the beauty of Sport JJ goes beyond what can be done in the competition world, its true beauty lies in the creativity of its practitioners. Without the fear of strikes, a Sport Jiu Jitsu competitor frees him/herself up to open more angles and leverage points to sweep, attack, and submit opponents. Thus, Sport JJ by nature is far more innovative, creative, and improvisational than Combat JJ. This is not to say that Combat JJ practitioners can’t be innovative or creative (they don’t call Javier Vazquez “Showtime” for nothing), but it is true that there are more positions to explore in a grappling match when one doesn’t have to worry about being punched in the mouth.

Whether or not some of the techniques work in real life is irrelevant, they work in a sport setting and that’s all that matters. Tae Kwon Do may not be the most effective martial art in the streets, but it’s better than nothing, and if a TKD practitioner enjoys his/her training, so be it. The same goes for Sport Jiu Jitsu, a practitioner may not be the most effective ground fighter, but they’ll be a lot more prepared for a scrap than the average dickhead looking for a fight.

Furthermore, if MMA has taught us anything it’s that nobody knows what works and what doesn’t. Anderson Silva likes to say, “I’m not the best. I just do things that people think are impossible.” It was impossible to beat a deadly Kung Fu fighter with a mullet until Royce Gracie came along, then it was impossible to beat a powerful wrestler until Pete Williams kicked Mark Coleman’s teeth in, then it was impossible for Karate to work in a fight until Lyoto Machida made Rashad Evans do the “stanky-leg.” Over and over again we find ourselves redefining what is practical for a fight and what isn’t. Whether it’s jumping off the cage to land a head kick or hitting a gogoplata, it seems like a lot of thing are impossible until someone does it.

Sport Jiu Jitsu may not be structured by what will work in a real fight, but the ingenuity of its practitioners should be embraced by the community as a whole. Can some of those techniques developed in a pure grappling setting be adjusted for a live fight? If we can see the “crane” technique from “The Karate Kid” work in the octagon, then anything is possible.

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The Merit of Combat Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu spread out of Brazil riding on the principles of innovation, practicality, and effectiveness. In a sense, it started a martial arts enlightenment where the basic assumptions of martial arts were reconsidered and forced to either adapt or be abandoned. Techniques began being measured by their practicality in a real fight, and how effective a weaker man/woman could use them to subdue an attacker. Originally, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu developed as a way to defend oneself in live combat.  As the sport grew some practitioners began developing techniques to best other BJJ fighters in a pure grappling match rather than in a no-holds-barred setting. This resulted in a move away from a combat based jiu jitsu style to a more sport based style. Recently, practitioners of Sport Jiu Jitsu and Combat Jiu Jitsu have started a bit of controversy regarding the usefulness or merit of each style. Enter Renzo Gracie, a legend in both the combat world and the sport world, and according to him, “To try to separate Sport Jiu Jitsu from [Combat] Jiu Jitsu is a sin… Like comparing the beauty of two women... Both are beautiful in different ways." He’s right, both styles have their own unique beauty, and Combat Jiu Jitsu's beauty lies in its innovative, practical, and effective nature within the realm of a live fight. It is not my intention to convince the reader Combat JJ is in any way superior to Sport JJ. Instead I simply want to explain the benefits of Combat JJ, and address some of the criticisms surrounding the style.

At its basis, the philosophy of Combat Jiu Jitsu comes down to self-defense. This is not to say Sport Jiu Jitsu isn't a valid form of self-defense, it just doesn't emphasize self-defense as its ultimate goal. Yes, Rafa Mendez would most likely beat the shit out of anyone who messed with him at a bar. Yes, if you can pass the guard of an experienced competitor, you'll likely have no trouble getting to a dominant position against an untrained attacker. However, proponents of Combat JJ would argue that in order to truly maximize one's chances of leaving an altercation unscathed, one must train for all the variables that surround a real fight. This includes: striking, clinching, takedowns, ground-and-pound, up-kicks, and cheap stuff like sucker punches and head-butts. Those who practice BJJ understand that only through repetition can someone truly feel comfortable in any position. Thus, without proper training for strikes one can never master the techniques that minimize damage taken and maximize the chances for victory in a street fight or MMA fight.

Just like in Sport JJ, one must put themselves in different situations time after time in order to minimize reaction time. Whether it is utilizing a berimbolo guard or a closed guard, good BJJ fighters only start anticipating an opponent's actions after spending countless hours in each position. Thus, sparing with punches in the gym helps the fighter anticipate strikes so they aren't an unknown variable in a live fight. Everyone can agree that repetition is the only way to get better, and by constantly rolling with light strikes a Combat JJ practitioner is more confident dealing with live punches than someone who only grapples. This reality is a huge benefit that comes with training strike based jiu jitsu.

Competition wise, a Combat Jiu Jitsu fighter translates easily into Mixed Martial Arts, but can also adjust for Sport JJ. Rorion Gracie originally started the UFC to expose the effectiveness of BJJ to the world. Today, every fighter in the sport must at least be familiar with jiu jitsu in order to be successful. However, the BJJ moves they learn must be practical and effective within the rules of an MMA fight since anytime spent working on techniques that aren’t applicable is time taken away from focusing on skills that will bring them success. Just like if a Sport JJ practitioner is looking to win the Pan-Ams, he/she should focus on the techniques that work best within the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) rules and not techniques to block punches.

Furthermore, it is possible to stick to the basics of Combat JJ and find success in a sport setting. A solid closed guard and a tight top game are tough to beat in any setting. However, this can only be done by keeping an open mind and training with guys/gals with a good understanding of Sport JJ. Just like you don’t want to be in a real fight without being prepared for every potential scenario, you don’t want to be in a Sport JJ match underprepared for the potential techniques utilized by an opponent.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is pragmatic by nature, but the question is what is the practitioner being pragmatic for? In Combat Jiu Jitsu, the goal is simple, to be able to win a fight. Whether it is a street fight or an MMA fight, Combat JJ focuses purely on how to beat someone trying to knock your head off. It is innovative because it redefined fighting forever by making the ground game a crucial aspect of being a well-rounded fighter. It is practical in the sense that only moves that work in a fight are emphasized. It is effective in how smaller fighters can use leverage and positioning to out maneuver stronger/bigger guys. The beauty of Combat JJ lies in its practicality, effectiveness, and innovation within its own realm, and those who practice it, especially at the highest levels, are artists interpreting BJJ in their own way.

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Sun Tzu's Art of War: Shogun vs Henderson

Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War thousands of years before Mixed Martial Arts existed. Though he aimed to breakdown what aspects of military planning decided the winner of a battle, we can adapt his vision to the sport of MMA. So, what does one of the world's greatest military minds have to say about Sunday's match up between "Shogun" Rua and Dan Henderson?

1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law? (Who is harder to finish?)

• Few fighters are able to absorb the punishment these guys have weathered throughout the course of their careers. Tough doesn't begin to describe either one of these legends, unfortunately, both guys are way past their primes, and that aggressive style that made them fan favorites seems to have taken its toll. Henderson is coming off his first knock out loss, and Shogun just got submitted by a bloated middleweight two fights ago. However, at 43 years old one has to wonder if father time finally caught up with Hendo. Advantage: Shogun

2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (Who has the better camp?)

• Hendo comes out of Team Quest in Temecula California, while Shogun trains at his Fight University in Brazil. Shogun's never been one to gameplan as his usual course to victory is overwhelming offense, but the same could be said about Henderson. However, Team Quest has  produced some of the best fighters to ever grace the octagon; giving Hendo the advantage here.

3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth? (What advantages surround the fight?)

• Brazilians don't lose in Brazil. The home crowd advantage is undeniable for Shogun.

4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (Who's in better shape?)

• Both guys have a full throttle kind of style that has them gassing when they can't put opponents away. Can't say either has an advantage over the other in terms of cardio. Hendo gassed out the last fight, but Rua couldn't muster the energy to finish him in the later rounds. DRAW

5) Which army is stronger? (Who's stronger?)

• Hendo is smaller but the guy can hang in there with big Light heavyweights. Shogun on the other hand has trouble with stronger guys, but it's not likely that Hendo will be pushing Rua around. In their first fight neither guy looked to have overpowered the other. Though Rua does have a size advantage, I doubt he can physically overwhelm Henderson. DRAW

6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (Who's more well rounded?)

• Rarely do we get to see Shogun's Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in action since he prefers to slug it out on the feet. He does have great GnP and likes to take people down when he doesn't get the best of the stand up exchanges. Henderson on the other hand has Olympic level Greco-Roman wrestling and everyone knows about that nasty right hand of his. Both guys can be dangerous in the clinch but in different ways: Shogun uses knees and kicks well, while Hendo rather take you down or dirty box. All and all, both guys have options wherever the fight goes. DRAW

7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? (Who can finish the fight?)

• 91% finishing rate for Shogun Rua says a lot, and Hendo knocks out Heavyweights. DRAW

THE PICK: Two evenly matched fighters who look to impose aggressive styles made for an instant classic the first time. The first time around, many felt the judges should have scored it a draw, and it doesn't get any closer than this. However, since the fight takes place in Brazil I have to think Shogun will get that little boost to help him get the nod. That doesn't mean Hendo can't land that H-Bomb of his, but expect Shogun to weather the storm and take control in another war. Shogun by Split Decision.

Sun Tzu's Art of War: Hendricks VS Lawler

Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War thousands of years before Mixed Martial Arts existed. Though he aimed to breakdown what aspects of military planning decided the winner of a battle, we can adapt his vision to the sport of MMA. So, what does one of the world's greatest military minds have to say about Saturday's match up between Johnny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler?

1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law?

• Both guys have battle tested chins that make it hard for opponents to finish. However, more than half of Robbie Lawler's losses have come by submission, and though it was a long time ago, he was knocked out by Nick Diaz earlier in his career. Hendricks on the other hand has never been finished in a fight. He took hard shots in his fight with Carlos Condit and faced big punchers like Koscheck and Story without being phased. As far as durability and toughness goes Hendricks has the edge.

2) Which of the two generals has most ability?

• Both guys have phenomenal trainers and teams behind them. Hendricks is part of Team Takedown which is run by Marc Laimon. A true mastermind when it comes to martial arts, Laimon knows how to coach fighters. Few people have the ability to analyze fights and think up strategies off the noggin like Laimon. However, Lawler's move to American Top Team in Florida was a turning point in his career. Ricardo Liborio's ATT produced some of the world’s best Mixed Martial Artists and have a history of excellence few teams can rival. Though Marc Laimon and Team Takedown are without a great asset to Hendricks, Liborio and ATT have a long track record of producing killers. Got to give this one to Lawler.

3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth?

• Lawler is coming off a tough win over Rory McDonald which gives him a lot of momentum going into Saturday's fight. Few people believed Lawler would be back in UFC title contention but here he is after going 3-0 in the welterweight division. Hendricks on the other hand seems to be the uncrowned champ at 170. Most people though he won his last fight and it remains to be seen how his mindset is going into this fight. Neither guy seems to have a big contextual advantage going into this fight, Hendricks looks like a guy that is determined to prove he's the real champ, and Lawler feels like this is his time.

4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?

• Neither guy has a reputation for being a cardio machine, but both have fought 5 hard rounds before. Both exert a lot of energy when throwing those nasty bombs at people, and both have slowed down towards the end of fights. I don't think either guy has a decisive advantage over the other in terms of a gas tank.

5) Which army is stronger?

• Hendricks was the only guy to ever bully GSP, but he has been pushed around by guys like Pierce, Koscheck, and especially Rick Story. Lawler fought most of his career outside the UFC at 185 pounds and never looked vastly overpowered. That being said, there's a reason they call Johnny Hendricks "Big Rig." Hendricks likes to run through guys with brute strength at times, and I doubt Lawler will be able to push him around. Advantage: Hendricks.

6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?

• One doesn't reach this level of competition without excellent technique and being well rounded. Both guys are generally brawlers who look to land power shots on the feet but there is a sort of method to the chaos. Lawler has a bigger arsenal of weapons standing up: flying knees, head kicks, and power punches have all brought him success. However, Johnny Hendricks won 2 NCAA titles in wrestling and trains under Brazilian Jiu Jitsu guru Marc Laimon. Hendricks has the ability to take the fight where he wants, but Lawler isn't exactly a joke on the ground. The x-guard Lawler used against Koscheck was a thing of beauty, but I've seen Hendricks grapple before and he is more than able to nullify top level guys on the ground. Given that Hendricks's stand up is just as dangerous as Lawler’s, and he is able to bring the fight down to the ground where I'm sure Marc Laimon has him well trained, I got to think Hendricks has the advantage here.

7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

• Both guys can finish the fight. Both guys have scary power that can only be matched by the asteroid from "Deep Impact." So it's very likely that this fight ends with one fighter waking up with a flashlight in his eyes. Hendricks says his jiu jitsu is his best kept secret but we've never seen it, and while Lawler has been finished by subs before, his training at ATT seems to have rectified that hole in his game. We can't assume Hendricks can finish on the ground, but we do know he can finish on the feet, a place where Lawler excels. Seeing as both guys can knock out a water buffalo, and we’ve never seen Hendricks’s submission game, I got to say this is push.

THE PICK: Hendricks is most likely stronger, is more well-rounded, and is tougher to finish. Both guys can finish the fight on the feet, but "Big Rig" has more options. Hendricks by UD

The Emergance of Vietnamese MMA

A former doctor, a movie star, and a former UFC Middleweight Champion make up the 3 lone Mixed Martial Arts instructors in the country of Vietnam. Long Nguyen (doctor) runs the Vietfighter gym in Hanoi, while Johnny Nguyen (movie star) and Dave-muthafuckin-Menne (UFC veteran) run MMA programs in Ho Chi Minh City. The sport's popularity mostly resides among young males living in urban areas, with the majority of the people training, at least while I was there, being expats, because only a few Vietnamese people have any interest in Mixed Martial Arts training. Vietnamese UFC fighters: Cung Le and Nam Phan are fairly popular among young Vietnamese, and with the UFC's recent dip into the Asian market, the popularity of MMA grows everyday. However, since Vietnam doesn't have a history of combat sports it makes it difficult for Vietnamese people to accept MMA. Boxing for example, only recently became re-legalized by the government, and traditional Vietnamese martial arts are practiced for their cultural significance rather than their real life effectiveness. Though there are signs that awareness is growing, the MMA community in Vietnam is very small and is only beginning to plant its roots in the country.

Like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts is very much a foreign concept. Long and Johnny both learned the sport while living abroad, Long in Australia and Johnny in the United States. The UFC only recently started broadcasting events in Vietnam, and the Cung Le vs Rich Franklin fight was the first event to get a big push in country. Le even visited the Vietnam and gave some seminars to help promote the sport. Most locals don't know much about the sport and few understand how it works. The only advertisement for MMA that I saw was at a foreigner bar in Nah Trang, one of Vietnam's biggest tourists towns.

Though the numbers are small, some Vietnamese people do follow MMA. According to Johnny, "The younger crowd that [is] in touch with the Internet" make up the majority of MMA fans among Vietnamese. In HCMC, Vietnamese locals make up most of Johnny Nguyen's students at the Lien Phong Training Centre. Johnny's celebrity status and notoriety brings in Vietnamese locals that want to learn under the action star. Students at Lien Phong are thrown into MMA off the bat. Students are taught to look for striking opportunities on the ground, and takedowns on the feet. Johnny teaches a pure MMA style. Much like Dave Menne's MMA class at the Saigon Sports Center. On the other hand, Long Nguyen rather develop his students' basic skill sets in both striking and grappling before mixing them together.

The fact that Veitnam doesn't have a long history of martial arts is a tough obstacle to overcome when introducing MMA. There is some interest in the sport, but it's only recently begun to grow. Long Nguyen explains that though people aren't necessarily training in MMA, there is a niche that is drawn to MMA. "There's a big fitness gym... nobody does MMA there, but they have a cage... [it's for] the image." Unfortunately for Long, Vietfighter doesn't have a cage and some potential students are turned off by not getting to live out their idea of MMA training.

The fact that a fitness gym uses the cage as gimmick to attract potential clients can only be good news for the future of MMA in Vietnam. Furthermore, with TUF: China wrapping up its inaugural season, and the UFC doing more and more shows in Asia, MMA in Vietnam can only become more popular; whether or not it will ever be mainstream is another question. "I'd be really happy if it gets really really popular... [but] honestly I just don't know," says Long. The future of the sport lies in the younger generation. Through online media and Johnny Nguyen's action movies, anyone can be introduced to MMA. Potential fans can follow their favorite fighters on twitter, learn about future bouts on MMA news-sites, and watch fight videos. Should these guys and gals feel curious enough to try the sport out, Long Nguyen, Johnny Nguyen, and Dave Menne are there to help them explore this emerging sport. But before anyone gets on the mat to train, interest in the sport has to take root. Hopefully with the UFC's expansion into Asia, Vietnamese folk can learn to appreciate the excitement of MMA as either fans or future fighters.

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Behold the Superfluous: The Great Gi vs No-Gi Debate

One of the best things about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is how unique everyone's experience can be. Because everyone has such an individualized perspective on the sport, arguing and debates have spurred up about all sorts of silly things including what one should wear while practicing. The founders of BJJ all started training wearing a Judo kimono, or commonly referred to as a "gi." Over the years people began questioning the usefulness of the gi. (If you are new to BJJ and have no clue what I’m talking about, please read this cleverly titled article written by one of the baddest BJJ practitioners I've ever met: Valerie Worthington.) Traditionalists insist that training Gi is the only measure of one’s true technical ability; while No-Gi only proponents see the Gi game as outdated or boring. In all honesty, both sides make good points, and in my personal experience, I found that Gi helps my No-Gi game. However, that’s my personal experience. If traveling around and training with a bunch of people has taught me anything, it’s that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a unique experience that develops from each individual’s body type, goals, priorities, environment, culture, background, and all sorts of contextual variables that surround the practitioner. Thus, Whether or not the gi is better comes down to a matter of opinion. Each style offers different puzzles for the practitioner to try and solve, and in the end, those who pick a single side are choosing to ignore a whole different look at BJJ. Furthermore, being shut off about either style kinda goes against the open-minded nature of BJJ in the first place.

To truly understand the benefits of either style, one must understand what is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The whole idea behind martial arts in general comes down to the fact that technical awareness of leverage, timing, and positioning maximize the chances of a smaller/weaker person being able to defend themselves and even beat a bigger, stronger, and all around scarier opponent. What sets BJJ apart is that we get to try this out at full speed every time we practice. Without going into the rich history of the sport, BJJ comes down to being able to subdue an opponent in a way in which one can minimize the benefits of strength, size, and athleticism. If we accept this as one of the fundamental truths of jiu jitsu, we find that both Gi and No-Gi are just two different roads to Rome. The goal is to submit, the goal is to control, the goal is to defend. To achieve these goals, students of BJJ need to develop the technical skills to minimize the benefits of an opponent’s athleticism, but athleticism helps a lot… A LOT.

I’ve heard both sides stake the claim that the other style gives athletic opponents an unfair advantage. I can personally say I’ve been tossed around and beaten up by stronger/faster guys in both styles; I’ve had guys grab me by the gi and rag doll me, and I’ve had guys explode out of positions without a gi. To argue that whether or not one wears a gi is the reason athletic people beat you up sounds hollow to me. Wouldn't a better approach be to become so technically sound that one could out maneuvering a stronger guy or gal regardless of what he or she wears? In my opinion, each style can teach us different ways to out-wit athletically gifted opponents.

While the gi does give strong guys grips to help control weaker opponents, it also gives weaker guys more leverage to help escape disadvantageous positions. Everyone that rolls with a gi has experienced the difficulty in trying to get a big hulking brute to break their hold on you. It’s not easy, and at times it is just plain impossible. This reality forces the weaker practitioner to rely on proper technique and leverage to out maneuver a big gorilla. Those same grips that keep smaller guys from advancing can be used against the bigger guys, and the gi can be used to give a weaker but more skilled practitioner the extra control or torque he or she needs to advance position.

In the gi, one has to learn to be patient and use their core and limbs in harmony to wear down monsters, create space, or attack. Being explosive will always be beneficial in jiu jitsu, however it is far more difficult to explode through an opponent's guard or out from under a guy when they are strong and grab your gi. Without being able to rely on one’s explosiveness, one must be able to use proper technique to win; for these reasons Gi matches are much slower than No-Gi, which a lot of people find boring. Here we find ourselves at a juncture of opinion, people who like to roll at a fast pace rather train No-Gi. Those who like a methodical game of "body-chess" generally prefer Gi.

It is important to note that patience and leverage are HIGHLY important in No-Gi; moreover, using the gi as a tool to zone in on that aspect of the game is a smart way to train. Thus it’s understandable why some people argue that the gi is a good tool to better one’s all around grappling; just how good of a tool it is, is again a matter of opinion. Of course the best way to improve your No-Gi game is to practice No-Gi, but throwing in a little Gi from time to time may help.

In No-Gi, it is much easier for fast/explosive people to slip out of disadvantageous positions and into dominant positions, making it much harder to control explosive athletes. Furthermore, while strong guys won't have the gi to anchor down on, strength and size are still tough obstacles to overcome in No-Gi. All that changes is the approach one has to take to beat bigger opponents. Without the cloth to create more friction and without the grips to slow guys down, explosive dudes and dudettes are difficult to beat. It is even tougher when the gi isn’t there to soak up sweat, thereby making an opponent more slippery and harder to control. A BJJ practitioner who isn’t athletic or fast will have trouble utilizing his or her offense against someone who is, here the emphasis in No-Gi turns to timing and again to proper technique. When you know your opponent is explosive, it is easier to time their explosion than to try and stop it. Once you get the timing down, one uses proper positioning and leverage to use the opponent’s own momentum against them, laying traps and securing a position or submission. The gi gives the weaker person more torque and leverage to push back against a stronger person's push, but without the gi it's better to deflect  that energy using good timing. Thus, just like the gi helps hone patience and leverage, No-Gi helps a grappler focus on their timing, and timing an opponent is a crucial part of grappling in general (including Gi Jiu Jitsu).

Training in both can absolutely help one’s all around grappling game, but in the end, which style one prefers should be focused on. Though Gi training helps No-Gi, and vice versa, the only way to get better at a specific style of BJJ is to train in that style often and consistently; however it is beneficial to throw in a new look from time to time. But all these points are moot when someone just plain doesn’t like training in the other style, and that’s fine. Gi does get slow, and No-Gi doesn’t have as many attacks like gi chokes and lapel sweeps. In the end it comes down to a matter of opinion, if you like Gi: great, if you like No-Gi: great, if you like both: great. I would encourage people to give both a try to make up their minds. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at its core is about being open minded, trying new things, failing and trying again, picking up tools and letting some go. To look down at someone for having a different view of the game doesn’t promote the sport nor does it grow the community; after all we are all students of the game, some just wear a different uniform to class.

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