Hey Forum Bros (Hope all is well).....A few updates for you.....

[Hitchahard]

I've been out-of-touch for awhile with you guys. Good to see some of the pioneers still on as well - SweepEm, Hawk, Ober. Hope everyone is going well.

I've been training recently with Marco Ruas. He opened a new studio right across the street from my residence. Great guy! He puts you through some serious workouts!!!

This may be old news but he mentioned that Pedro (Rizzo) will be fighting Randy Couture at the November UFC in Atlantic city - I may go with the team. Marco is planning on fighting on the February UFC card - opponent not certain at this point. In addition, his injury in his fight with Maurice Smith was the Real Thing - he tore an ACL and has a pretty nasty scar to show for it. He's pretty much fully recovered.

Take care everyone!!

Hitchahard

[Gargoyle]

Hey, congrads on your training and connections!

Can you describe briefly a typical training session?

[SweepEm]

welcome back.

In the age of politically correctness, there are a few females that post here, and probably a lot more that lurk in the shadows.

Glad to hear that you are training with a dude that is the most intense athlete I have ever personally witnessed, Marco Ruas. Good news that Marco has recovered from his injury.

[Hitchahard]

Gargoyle:

Marco mixes the classes up pretty well. There is not a set regime. One thing is for certain - your heart rate will soar to the 190s per minute. He often uses the heart monitor on you to regulate your beats per minute. For example, he'll work me hard with exercises such as sprawling, push-ups, situps, squats, etc. Once my heart rate goes over 185 he'll have me rest until I am back down to 150. His numbers are based on your weight and age.

We stretch a lot in the beginning of class. He'll have us do iterations of exercises such as the following with very little breaks (if ever):

- jump rope for three minutes straight
- lift the heavy bag up and down as if we were body slamming someone (reps of 10)
- punches and kicks on the heavy bag (roughly 200 punches in a row)
- Duck walks (very painful) to help with your ability to shoot on your opponent
- Wheel barrels (another killer). Stomach on the mat, he grabs your legs and you crawl around the studio. Great for arm strength.

Fridays are mostly sparring. We grab gloves (mouthpiece is required) and spar on the feet. The second half we take the gloves off and spar on the ground.

There are absolutely no gi's at his studio. He believes in teaching the real thing. The submissions he teaches are very practical. He doesn't confuse you with a bunch of crap that you'll never remember or use.

Hope this gives you an idea and is what you were asking for.

Regards,

Hitch...

[Oberleutnant]

I've heard about Marco's instruction drilling from others as well, sounds like fun :O Gosh, haven't heard from you in ages. Great to see you posting again!


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"Drop that zero and get with the hero"-Vanilla Ice

[Gargoyle]

Thanks for the imput, Hitch.

Tell me about the sparring.

Is it the student's between the students, or do Marco and the others join the frey?

How controlled or wild is it?

Are specific techniques being honed, or is it a free-for-all?

[Underdog]

You wouldn't imagine how happy I'm to know a Ruas student!

I'm from Italy, I train in Ruas Vale tudo under the Italian Instructor DAVIDE FERRETTI, I'm from an Island but I fly at the main academy in Rome Once a month to train. Currently I'm a fourth level Blue belt in RVT; I have tons of questio for you can I email You ? Please, please, pleeease!

BTW my instructor is a blackbelt in RVT, he was in the USA three weeks ago to train with Marco and Pedro Rizzo, have you ever seen him?

[Hitchahard]

Gargoyle:

On Monday's and Wednesday's sparring is after class. Friday's, half of the class is set aside for sparring. It is fairly controlled, but occasionally guys get a little too heated. On Friday night, I cracked a rib when my opponent's head (during an attempted takedown) caught me just below my underarm. I am pretty upset because it will slow my progress. One of the instructors got "put to sleep" from a choke as well on Friday. He didn't even realize it. Many times when you are getting choked the oxygen gets cut-off so quick you lose conciousness before you can tap.

So my final comment to your question is that its pretty controlled and there is a mutual respect for everyone that gets on the mat.

I haven't seen Marco spar yet, but when he sees you make mistakes he'll come over and help you by giving you a painful sample of how costly your mistake could be.

Underdog:

Feel free to e-mail me anytime. I have a pretty busy schedule during the week but will do what I can to get back to you. I unfortunately have not met your instructor, DAVIDE FERRETTI.

Ober:

Good to hear your doing well bro! Peace!

[Underdog]

Hey hitch, I'm trying to email you but the forum keep telling me that you wouldn't receive them.

[Hitchahard]

Underdog:

I couldn't e-mail you either. Here is my e-mail address:

carrjimp@aol.com

Regards,

Hitch