The Truth Regarding BJJ...

[Arclight]

Again, pstevens, any time you want to substantiate your BJJ training claims with something verifiable.. like an instructor you trained under, feel free. Also training BJJ for 7 years as you claim you would have to have some rank, unless you were a complete loser OR trained so little in those 7 years you never got past white belt.

So, really, before exiting this thread in a hurry, feel free at any time to provide substantiable information about your BJJ training so people can at least believe you are not another "I trained BJJ" bullshitter. Anyone who actually trained for 7 years as you claim would have already have stated who they trained under in this thread and what, if any, rank they had - to add credibility to their statements about BJJ. Of course, conversely, it also would be information that could be easily tracked down and substantiated as to its veracity, which is why I suspect you have yet to state instructor and rank.

Where in the US are you located, and who did you train BJJ for 7 years with, and what rank in BJJ are you? Credible individuals do not need their teeth pulled for this info.

[Arclight]

No, really, any time now feel free.

[CKD]

Your BJJ school never taught you how to defend strikes from the ground? Well here is one way which you could modify for half-guard. http://www.bjjfighter.com/techniques.../vale_triangle[1].html Also check out Sperry's to find good ways to defend strikes on the ground and there is also some bjj self defense tapes on how to deal with the attack from behind you dealt with. I have used it many times.

[Arclight]

the sound of crickets is deafening.

[Tom Yum]

Pstevens style and commentary closely resemble that of "Ashtanga05" from Burt's Offerings section in the other area.....

Hey arclight, you train with some impressive coaches. Saul is a bulldozer!!

[pstevens]

Tom,

Unfortunately, I'm not Ashtango... Rather I'm a fitness & martial arts instructor... I notice that you post often in the Boxing forum... I boxed for several years as well. It is truly a "sweet science."

Arclight... Hmmm... I'm not sure where all this animosity is coming from. However, I'm not in the habit of getting into internet flame wars, so I'll have to disappoint you there. You came into my thread throwing insults without true understanding of my experiences or training. I’m not big on unjustified accusations, so our conversations are over... I’ve been in this business long enough.

I don’t need nor am I interested in your approval... I’m a mature adult and if you’re one, maybe you should start acting like one as well. I seldom post here because I’m wary of these kinds of incidents, and I’ll show you why. This has been an exercise in false assumptions.

1) Everyone believes I was beaten up. Everyone gets hurt to a degree during a skimirsh. That I walked away with my life is all that matters to me.

2) You all believe I don’t have adequate BJJ training... Hahaha... I’ve been training BJJ since August of 1997 (yes, I still remember when I started). I also mentioned in several posts about my rank and what it is we do at my fitness center.

3) You all believe I have something against BJJ... Wrong again. I believe in whatever works... One of our instructors was greatly influenced by Carl Cestari. The knowledge that I gained from working with him changed my mindset from “tunnel-vision styles” to just working hard.

Really, your childish antics don’t leave any room for a professional discussion... I have neither the time nor patience to engage in petty insults. I’m more impressed with Tyler Durden, who at least attempted a rebuttal. Honestly, I don’t really care about what you have to say so keep it to yourself... Well, I have a life to get back to and I don’t believe I will post here anymore.

Have a good life,

Paul Stevens
Racquet & Fitness Club

[jubaji]

1) Everyone believes I was beaten up.

Especially the guy who was pounding your head into the pavement. Where did he get that crazy idea?

[TylerDurden]

So wait, after calling me an idiot and telling me I had my head up my ass you are trying to claim intellectual high ground? A little late for that. You might notice I never said you were stupid, or that you were full of shit, I simply noted there were things you could have done that you apparently did not.

MMA is not street fighting, but what works against an olympic class wrestler is pretty likely to work against a drunk in a bar. I very much doubt you have seven years BJJ, it just doesn't seem very likely at all. Every purple belt I have met can sweep just about anyone from half or full guard gi or not. Did this guy have some huge weight advantage?

As for not getting your ass kicked, some guy sits on you, hits you in the face and all you do is turtle and wait for help. Well it doesn't really sound like that fight was going your way, so what could trying something else have hurt? But hey, I'm crazy, there is this crazy idea in my head that just sitting there waiting to get pummeled might not be a good idea in a fight.

[darrianation]

A street fight cannot be measured by who hit who how many times. There is no score in the street, the true essence of self-defense is; after all is said and done whether you avoided or fought, at the end day you came home without any serious or permanent injuries.

But when it come wrestling and street fighting I like the position before submission rule. In BJJ you need to have position otherwise there is no submission. Wrestling is great for gaining and controlling position, but there still is an element missing the element of submission.

However in the street the ground is really no place to be although it happens frequently. This is where BJJ in the street has its strengths and weaknesses. Strengths on the ground where you don't want to be, and weaknesses on your feet where you should be.

If you do go to the ground your grappling techniques should be geared to getting up again, if you are unable to then you should no how to gain control (position) and end the fight quickly from there.

[Arclight]

pstevens-

1. I must have bad eyesight, I missed where you posted your rank in BJJ. Perhaps you did. Please feel free to restate for the public precisely what your rank is in BJJ.

2. For the third time (though I think this question can be asked infinitely with no answer as you are a fraud) - who is it that you have trained BJJ with since 1997?

3. You trained for 20 years, what are other styles you trained and under whom, and what is your rank?

You continue to evade all substantiation behind a cloud of fake intellectual snobbery and obfuscation.

It is my firm belief you are a fraud and a troll, and not a very good one at that. Anyone above the rank of white belt would find your descriptions of BJJ (note I did not say opinions, as those are separate from what I am talking about) rather fishy ESPECIALLY for someone who has trained for 7 years.

If I am wrong I will plainly admit it here. Until then you have STILL avoided at all costs posting what, if any, rank you have in BJJ, and who your instructor is. Again, no one even halfway legitimate usually has a problem disclosing these facts, even white belts. You have trained since 1997 and yet seem terrified of disclosing these details. So my professional surmisal is that you are full of shit and trying to get people riled up for some sort of insecure, self-aggrandizing, attention-seeking payoff - that's the source of my animosity. Until you prove you are what you say you are, your words are worthless.

Dont post here again unless you can substantiate that you have trained BJJ since 1997 from a legit BJJ instructor and not tapes, for example.

Your schtick is almost identical to fake rants posted for years, recycled by troll after troll on the rec.martial-arts newsgroup.

[Mr. Miyagi]

I like to remain anonymous and have posted here for a few years that way. People should have that choice. I've posted on forums with guys I trained with before that didn't know it was me.
On the other hand, what is that 'health and racquet club' nonsense in his signature? Does this club have a name? If you don't want to share it don't post health and racquet club in a generic way like that.

Back to the previous topic, I've been taken down on pavement and it didn't hurt at all. I also don't understand this glass issue people like to always bring up, I actually picture in my mind a ground full of sharp shards of glass that will cut my back to shreds. I haven't really seen much glass on the ground in the big cities I've been to. More glass actually, in smaller hick towns.
With bjj training, even if you get taken down, you should be able to sweep or take most guys' backs instantly. If the guy is not a wrestler you should easily be able to dump him down, hip throw him, or trip him down. You can easily clinch and take his back standing up. You can front choke him while clinched and standing. You can knee him, elbow him, and punch him from the clinch; you're familiar with this position and it's 99% likely he's not.

[Tom Yum]

Tom,

Unfortunately, I'm not Ashtango... Rather I'm a fitness & martial arts instructor... I notice that you post often in the Boxing forum... I boxed for several years as well. It is truly a "sweet science."

Paul Stevens
Racquet & Fitness Club

You keep making that reference to sharp glass on the ground and seem to belittle BJJ and grapplers, just as Ashtanga has done. Even the best boxers admit that grappling is a whole different ball park and that they would have trouble adapting to a grappling match. Most boxers have respect for the other martial arts and are also fans of the MMA game. Who was that hanging around Micheal McDonald during the recent K-1 Grand Prix? Who congratulated Vitor Belfort after he KOd Tank? Who frequently visits Tito Ortiz before his fights to wish him good luck?

Ask anyone with a boxing background whose tried to spar with wrestlers or BJJ and allow them to use their grappling techniques. You'll get taken down quickly unless you have a good background in wrestling, BJJ or sanshou. Even then, it depends on whom you are grappling because if this guy has used this take down 1,000 times in competition against strong grapplers, what do you think yours or my chances are against succesfully sprawling and defending the shoot? or controlling from the clinch??

I've been on the receiving end of quite a few takedowns. Lemme tell you, it saps the wind out of you fast unless you practice it regularly.

Yeah I share your passion for boxing, but show respect for other fighters in other arts. Its common courtesy. If you're trying to be a wishy-washy troll, then admit it and have fun with it. But some of the thing you say are cukoo for someone that claims to have 7 years of BJJ experience.

[wardancer]

With bjj training, even if you get taken down, you should be able to sweep or take most guys' backs instantly.

Wrong, Robin Gracie could not do anything about it when he fought that French dude (Riccio? not sure of his name). After watching the tape, I was surprised to see Robin not being able to sweep or even submitted from half-guard/full guard.
Boring fight with Frenchy keep pounding from the mount.

[wardancer]

pstevens-
Please feel free to restate for the public precisely what your rank is in BJJ.



- that's the source of my animosity. Until you prove you are what you say you are, your words are worthless.

Dont post here again unless you can substantiate that you have trained BJJ since 1997 from a legit BJJ instructor and not tapes, for example.

Your schtick is almost identical to fake rants posted for years, recycled by troll after troll on the rec.martial-arts newsgroup.

Well said Arclight,
I had the same problem with Choke UK. He loves to rubbish Karate by claiming he has knowledge/theory but when I ask him his Karate level/experience..He kept dodging...He actually got upset that how asking private questions LOL..
GUYS...do not write stuffs about MA that you have did not experience...Experienced MA members will call your bluff...

[IPON]

I have comments about broken glass on the street, rocks uneven sidewalks, caca etc. Basically I agree and disagree with what some have said. What I don't agree with are the are the "experts" who "know" what they are talking about interms of fighting or reasons not to fight on the ground. Not just a fight but if my life is in danger who gives an effwhat is on the ground I would not want to go to my back intentionally but it happens. I agree that the ARE these items to be mindful of ....that's it, just a warning, just a caution no more no less ppl really take this to teh extreme. These items can be to my advantage or disadvantage in a fight. Nothing to dwell on. But I can tell you I live in teh city and I am a bouncer at a club the city, it is not uncommon for broken to be on floor. too many drunk ppl and barbacks are not so quit to clean up quickly. Outside I would say the same thing just depends on where you live but bottles and window glass yes. The biggest accumulation usually the weekend of course when everyone is outside and drinking and the super and street sweepers don't start again until monday.

Just my 2 cents