Tag: Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Nick Diaz Chokes, No-Shows for BJJ Superfight with Braulio Estima

Estima reacts to Diaz’s antics (Video: MMAFighting.com)

In a way, the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo got everything they asked for last night. When you contract Nick Diaz for a bout, you sign on for a fair amount of trials and tribulations; the Nick Diaz package extends well beyond his formidable fighting skills. The very behavior that spikes a promoter’s blood pressure draws media attention and fan speculation—added interest that may not exist were it not for the Stockton native’s puzzling behavior. It’s a trade off, a roll of the dice that you make in hopes that you get the best of both worlds–the amazing prize fighter and the polarizing figure. But there’s a problem with counting on a tortured soul unable to cope with the most mundane aspects of life: you can’t count on him.

If you haven’t gotten the sense that all did not go well for Nick Diaz’s BJJ superfight with Braulio Estima last night, let me spell it out for you: the bout didn’t happen.

The details, as far as anyone knows, are after the jump.

Estima reacts to Diaz’s antics (Video: MMAFighting.com)

In a way, the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo got everything they asked for last night. When you contract Nick Diaz for a bout, you sign on for a fair amount of trials and tribulations; the Nick Diaz package extends well beyond his formidable fighting skills. The very behavior that spikes a promoter’s blood pressure draws media attention and fan speculation—added interest that may not exist were it not for the Stockton native’s puzzling behavior. It’s a trade off, a roll of the dice that you make in hopes that you get the best of both worlds–the amazing prize fighter and the polarizing figure. But there’s a problem with counting on a tortured soul unable to cope with the most mundane aspects of life: you can’t count on him.

If you haven’t gotten the sense that all did not go well for Nick Diaz’s BJJ superfight with Braulio Estima last night, let me spell it out for you: the bout didn’t happen.

It’s almost an exercise in futility to try and figure out why, but we can certainly try. Things seem to have started unraveling when Estima failed to make the contracted weight the evening before the bout. Though it’s clear that he wasn’t prepared to make 180 lbs on Friday night, the decorated BJJ champion claims that the weigh-in time was never clearly outlined. Rumors have Estima hitting the scales at 189 lbs, then renegotiating a catch weight of 185 lbs, though both the man himself and Diaz’s coach Cesar Gracie claim he hit the contracted mark on Saturday morning.

As for why Diaz no-showed, Gracie was less certain. “I don’t know,” Cesar told MMAFighting.com. “I know he was mad when he was told Braulio would not make weight last night. No one has seen him today. Braulio ended up making weight this morning.”

Making this turn of events a bit more glum is that Diaz had volunteered to donate his purse to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, but let’s go ahead and wipe that look of shock off of our mugs. This is par for the course with the elder Diaz, and if he didn’t play hooky for drug tests and press conferences and bouts, we wouldn’t be as interested when he actually does bother to show up. Fans were looking forward to a BJJ match that–on paper at least–was incredibly lopsided simply to see what sort of crazy antics Nick Diaz would get into; I’d say we weren’t disappointed.

Stay tuned in the days ahead for the Diaz chronicles to unfold. Something tells me he’s charging up his camera, fueling up his ride, and preparing a statement as I type.

 

– Chris Colemon

 

 

Nick Diaz Gets an Opponent for May 12th Jiu-Jitsu Superfight and it’s Braulio F*cking Estima


(OK Nate, once the ballad starts, you’re gonna grab her hips and just kinda sway like this…)

Perhaps you recall that Jiu-Jitsu superfight Nick Diaz was scheduled to participate in while stepping out for a smoke break from his UFC career. It was to be held at the first annual World Jiu-Jitsu Expo in Long Beach, California on May 12th, against an opponent TBD. Though we had no clue as to who this “TBD” fellow would turn out to be, we already assumed that the match would be rife with Stockton Heybuddies, relentless taunting, and at least one insistence by Diaz that they both “stand up and settle this like men.”

How wrong we were, because it turns out that Diaz will be too busy trying not to get submitted to do much trash talking, as his opponent was announced earlier this morning, and it’s Braulio f*cking Estima. That’s 2009 ADCC double gold medalist, three time European champion, three time CBJJ champion, and five time Pan American champion Braulio Estima. If you consider yourself a fan of the ground game and live withing driving distance of Long Beach, you best be in attendance for this one.

Though Diaz earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie back in 2007, you gotta imagine he’ll be the underdog heading into this one, as Estima’s list of BJJ credentials ranks him among the legends of the sport. The fact that Estima also took home a Superfight Championship at last year’s ADCC trials by defeating former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo Souza only furthers this theory.

Familiarize yourself with Estima’s skills after the jump. 


(OK Nate, once the ballad starts, you’re gonna grab her hips and just kinda sway like this…)

Perhaps you recall that Jiu-Jitsu superfight Nick Diaz was scheduled to participate in while stepping out for a smoke break from his UFC career. It was to be held at the first annual World Jiu-Jitsu Expo in Long Beach, California on May 12th, against an opponent TBD. Though we had no clue as to who this “TBD” fellow would turn out to be, we already assumed that the match would be rife with Stockton Heybuddies, relentless taunting, and at least one insistence by Diaz that they both “stand up and settle this like men.”

How wrong we were, because it turns out that Diaz will be too busy trying not to get submitted to do much trash talking, as his opponent was announced earlier this morning, and it’s Braulio f*cking Estima. That’s 2009 ADCC double gold medalist, three time European champion, three time CBJJ champion, and five time Pan American champion Braulio Estima. If you consider yourself a fan of the ground game and live withing driving distance of Long Beach, you best be in attendance for this one.

Though Diaz earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie back in 2007, you gotta imagine he’ll be the underdog heading into this one, as Estima’s list of BJJ credentials ranks him among the legends of the sport. The fact that Estima also took home a Superfight Championship at last year’s ADCC trials by defeating former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo Souza only furthers this theory.

If you aren’t familiar with Estima’s ridiculous skill set, just check out the following highlight video.

As we all know, Diaz has never been submitted in professional competition. If you were to ask him, he’d probably tell you that he has never been submitted by anyone…ever, be it in practice, Jiu-Jitsu competition, or an alcohol fueled grappling match with one of his friends.

Could we witness the first known footage of Nick tapping, or more likely going to sleep, come May 12th?

-J. Jones

Hilarious Video of the Day: BJJ Whiz Ryan Hall Chokes Out Drunk “Psycho” at a Restaurant


(It was at that moment Ryan Hall knew he would have to defend the integrity of both his hoagie and the Denny’s establishment he had chosen to accomodate.) 

William Shakespeare once said, “Justice oft comes on swift legs, and if thou happen to bear witness, make surest thou placeth thine proof on thine Internet for all to see.” Luckily, we managed to stumble across this video of BJJ savant and 2009 ADCC Bronze medalist Ryan Hall choking out a drunken, self proclaimed “psychopath” at a restaurant, and in William’s honor, have placed it below for you all to see.

Join us as we dissect a classic case of “When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.” 


(It was at that moment Ryan Hall knew he would have to defend the integrity of both his hoagie and the Denny’s establishment he had chosen to accomodate.) 

William Shakespeare once said, “Justice oft comes on swift legs, and if thou happen to bear witness, make surest thou placeth thine proof on thine Internet for all to see.” Luckily, we managed to stumble across this video of BJJ savant and 2009 ADCC Bronze medalist Ryan Hall choking out a drunken, self proclaimed “psychopath” at a restaurant, and in William’s honor, have placed it below for you all to see.

Join us as we dissect a classic case of “When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.” 

As the Paranormal Activity style text informs us, the night was December 11th, 2011. Why it took so long for this video to come to fruition is beyond us, but that’s not the point. Along with the company a few friends, Ryan Hall was enjoying what appears to be chicken sandwich when the anonymous drunken a-hole approached him and asked for a lighter. Ryan informed the patron, who we will now refer to as “Shitshow,” that he didn’t have one, at which point the man became enraged, launching into a tirade and threatening everyone within seeing distance. Because, you know, that’s a reasonable reaction.

Anyway, after getting all up in Hall’s grill, claiming that he’s been locked in a mental institution on multiple occasions, which calls into question both the effectiveness and security of institutions nationwide, Shitshow challenges Hall to a fight. He takes a second to inform Ryan that he has “no idea of what I’m capable of,” a notion so steeped in irony that Hall can simply not resist.

Hall opts for the double leg and smoothly transitions to mount, where he just kind of hangs out and waits for the authorities to be called. His top control, though smothering, is ultimately ineffective. After allowing Shitshow to get back to his feet, Ryan backs off, giving him one last chance to hit the road. Shitshow does not get the message, at which point the restaurant owner gets involved, begging him to “please stop.” Playing on this dickhead’s sense of honor proves pointless.  Hall remains calm, even as Shitshow continues to goad him. “I wanna see you kill me,” he cries. This is stage one of Shitshow’s ultimate demise: the call out.

The moment Hall steps outside, however, stage two quickly sets in: realization. Yes, Shitshow quickly begins to reconsider, opting to start up with one of Hall’s crew instead. Typical bitch boy behavior, folks. At this point, Hall has had enough, and seizes Shitshow by his shoulders. Smashing Shitshow’s head off the metal framed door on the way out, Hall proceeds to promptly choke him unconscious. Stage three: acceptance, and untimely hibernation.

And as in every movie ever made, the police show up when the action is over, their criminal already subdued, and begin to question everyone as to what exactly went down. Our boys in blue later inform Hall that Shitshow is looking to press charges. Stage four: grief and backtracking.

Thankfully, this video will likely serve as evidence in this whack job’s future civil suit, granted he ever fully recovers from the embarrassment of shitting his pants in front of nearly 30 people.

-J. Jones

[VIDEO] Believe it or Not, Ben Henderson CAN Be Submitted


(Hey Donald, you let me know when you’re gonna stop armbarring me like my little sister. Sound good?) 

I did something terrible this morning, Potato Nation. After waking up with blood on my hands and a splitting hangover beneath an underpass I did not recognize, I was forced to stumble across five miles of snow covered wasteland, wearing only one shoe mind you, to make it home. I fired up my computer to find a video of newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson competing in the 7th Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu International Open awaiting my viewership. In need of a pick me up, I watched it, figuring that there was no way in hell my boy “Smooth” would be submitted by this Daniel Grippaudo sumbitch, because, let’s be honest, Henderson CANNOT be submitted. We all know the first round anaconda loss to Rocky Johnson that soils his record was made up to prevent 155-pound grapplers from committing mass suicide. There is no “Rocky Johnson.” There never was.

Anyway, after watching the video that awaits you all after the jump, I proceeded to run to the nearest elementary school, steal the microphone from the principal, and inform those listening to the morning announcements that Santa was in fact a lie. Do I feel bad about it? Surely, but the point I was trying to make is simple: give up hope. The boundaries of life are disintegrating before our very eyes. Nothing is real anymore; Santa, your parents, Jesus, none of it. If it turns out that the following video is not, as I suspect, a complete fabrication, then I hold these truths to be self-evident.

Watch at your own risk.


(Hey Donald, you let me know when you’re gonna stop armbarring me like my little sister. Sound good?) 

I did something terrible this morning, Potato Nation. After waking up with blood on my hands and a splitting hangover beneath an underpass I did not recognize, I was forced to stumble across five miles of snow covered wasteland, wearing only one shoe mind you, to make it home. I fired up my computer to find a video of newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson competing in the 7th Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu International Open awaiting my viewership. In need of a pick me up, I watched it, figuring that there was no way in hell my boy “Smooth” would be submitted by this Daniel Grippaudo sumbitch, because, let’s be honest, Henderson CANNOT be submitted. We all know the first round anaconda loss to Rocky Johnson that soils his record was made up to prevent 155-pound grapplers from committing mass suicide. There is no “Rocky Johnson.” There never was.

Anyway, after watching the video that rests just a mere paragraph away, I proceeded to run to the nearest elementary school, steal the microphone from the principal, and inform those listening to the morning announcements that Santa was in fact a lie. Do I feel bad about it? Surely, but the point I was trying to make is simple: give up hope. The boundaries of life are disintegrating before our very eyes. Nothing is real anymore; Santa, your parents, Jesus, none of it. If it turns out that the following video is not, as I suspect, a complete fabrication, then I hold these truths to be self-evident.

Watch at your own risk.

 

*BARFS*

-J. Jones

UFC on FX: Bold Predictions for Tonight’s Undercard

The first UFC event on FX promises to be an entertaining event, with a compelling main event between Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard that could have ramifications on the lightweight division later on this year. Though before the main card starts, the un…

The first UFC event on FX promises to be an entertaining event, with a compelling main event between Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard that could have ramifications on the lightweight division later on this year. Though before the main card starts, the undercard will be broadcast on Fuel TV, which has become the unofficial UFC network. 

We know what to expect from undercard fights. It is very rare that anyone involved will become a star, but some fighters have emerged from the shadows in an event like this to make a name for themselves and be a staple of UFC for a long time. 

So what should fans be watching out for when they tune in to see these preliminary bouts?

 

Jorge Rivera Will KO Eric Schafer In The First Round

Rivera was on a good roll in 2009 and 2010 with three straight wins, and he even got a shot against Michael Bisping at UFC 127. He lost that fight, albeit controversially, and inexplicably lost to Constantinos Philippou at UFC 133. 

Schafer is a good opponent for Rivera to get back in the win column. He doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, and has lost his last three UFC fights. 

Rivera has good knockout power, and is solid in all other facets of the game, so he will dictate the pace early and unleash a flurry of punches before the referee stops it. 

 

Charlie Brenneman Will End Daniel Roberts’ UFC Career

Both Brenneman and Roberts are coming off losses, so they will want to put on a show for the fans and management in order to keep their spots in UFC. 

Roberts, however, has a lot to prove in this fight and is under tremendous pressure to perform. He is 3-3 in six career UFC fights, and he has looked bad in his last two fights against Claude Patrick and Rich Attonito. 

Brenneman is going to get back on track in this fight thanks to his wrestling ability, and he will send Roberts to another organization. 

 

Fabrício Camões Will Make Tommy Hayden’s First UFC Fight One To Forget

Tommy Hayden got the opportunity of a lifetime when Reza Madadi and Rafaello Oliveira both had to pull out of a fight with Camões due to injuries during training. 

Undefeated in his eight professional fights, Hayden takes a big step up in competition tonight. He last fought for Absolute Action MMA in May 2011, but he has never come close to fighting under the bright lights of the UFC stage. 

Camões is making his return to UFC following two years in Tachi Palace Fighting. He is a good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, and he will be able to overwhelm the younger, less-talented Hayden. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Heads Up: The 2011 IBJJF World Jiu Jitsu Championships Are Under Way

(Cyborg Santos gives Amanda Lucas a guided tour of the mat)

Since the very beginning of our sport, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been a critical component of Mixed Martial Arts competition (spoiler- Royce Gracie wins). Odds are good that unless you’re a diehard republican or an MMA judge, you share at least some appreciation for the subtle art of torquing limbs and rendering folks unconscious. Good news for you- the 2011 Mudials go down this weekend.

Competition in the lower belt rankings began on Thursday. In the video above you can check out Strikeforce’s 145lb women’s champion Cris Santos slam MMA fighter/George Lucas’s daughter Amanda Lucas in every manner possible en route to claiming a gold medal in the purple belt division. It is a little surprising that the most intimidating female fighter on the planet is competing as a purple belt, but not surprising enough that we would ask her about it to her face. ‘Grats to Cyborg for the medal and for finding a way to keep busy while her fighting career is inexplicably left to die on the vine.

Info on how to watch the event is after the break.

(Cyborg Santos gives Amanda Lucas a guided tour of the mat)

Since the very beginning of our sport, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been a critical component of Mixed Martial Arts competition (spoiler- Royce Gracie wins). Odds are good that unless you’re a diehard republican or an MMA judge, you share at least some appreciation for the subtle art of torquing limbs and rendering folks unconscious. Good news for you- the 2011 Mudials go down this weekend.

Competition in the lower belt rankings began on Thursday. In the video above you can check out Strikeforce’s 145lb women’s champion Cris Santos slam MMA fighter/George Lucas’s daughter Amanda Lucas in every manner possible en route to claiming a gold medal in the purple belt division. It is a little surprising that the most intimidating female fighter on the planet is competing as a purple belt, but not surprising enough that we would ask her about it to her face. ‘Grats to Cyborg for the medal and for finding a way to keep busy while her fighting career is inexplicably left to die on the vine.

For those of you whose thirst for action cannot be quenched by TUF Finales alone, you’re in luck. BudoVideos.com will be broadcasting the event live from Long Beach, California on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9:00 a.m. PT. Saturday’s stream is free, but Sunday’s finals will set you back a cool $9.95. It’s a small price to pay to catch some of the world’s greatest submission artists go head to head.