Photo by Bane Visnjic
2016 has brought us plenty of interesting grappling fights – the year saw a variety of submission only events emerge, EBI come into its own as well as interesting rule adaptations by Grappling Industries and even emerging Grappling Pro Championship. But some events definitely made more of a stamp than others.
Here we count down some of the most interesting materials that have emerged in 2016.
Stop Thinking About Techniques as a BJJ White Belt
Saulo Riberio has a great quote, “If you think, you are late. If you are late, you use strength. If you use strength, you tire. If you tire, you die.”
Lesson: There’s importance to your body executing techniques in BJJ intuitively. Without having to remember techniques. So keep going to classes and grinding hard. Remember what you can and be sure to drill your techniques a lot, and let your body do the rest. Don’t let the mind get in the way.
Krab Guard
Ever the innovator, Keenan Cornelius brought us the Krab guard in 2016.
The KRAB Guard which is a modified half guard which puts a lot of pressure on the opponent’s legs….
Keenan stated:
Coming straight from my laboratory deep in the atos headquarters, i give you KRAB GUARD. a tasty little morsel of what I know will become quite a extensive guard system. Ideal for people who dont like open guard, think of KRAB GUARD as secondary half guard, just back wards and better. And with less shoulder pressure in your face. The more the push, the tighter it becomes , like a chinese finger trap, once the krab guard gets a hold of you there is no letting go. I started working on this a few days ago but i was so excited about it i had to share it. Remember to go sign up at https://keenanonline.com/ to keep learning my orginal techniques and method
If you Can’t Find An Opponent or an Audience, Start Calling People Out All Over Social Media. If you can sing/rap/write lyrics all the better…
Vagner Rocha And AJ Agazarm Exchange Rhymes Ahead F2WPro Fight
Garry Tonon Can Crack a Tune (And/Or Ralek’s Leg)
Ralek: Garry Tonon Doesn’t Know History
(Video) Jake Shields Calls AJ Agazarm a B*tch & P*ssy at Polaris 3
Spouting Jibberish Will Get You Plenty Of Attention In the Community
“The Brazilian priesthood is dead no more will another man be allowed to determine my rank in life or in jiu jitsu. All of the psychopathic hierarchies need to be destroyed. And it’s not Brazilian and it’s not Gracie it’s just jiujitsu. It belongs to all of the people of the world. We don’t hang pictures of idols on the walls at One World jiu jitsu. We develop the self not our wallets. That is what a true martial artist does.”
Enough Said!
You’re Never Too Unexperienced to Try Something New
Jiu-Jitsu is limitless. There are always new techniques that come up and anybody can develop new techniques, even white belts!
2016 Saw the Michelle Nicolini and Romulo Barral Retire from the IBJJF Competitive scene
Watch: Romulo Barral’s Emotional Retirement From World Championships
Demian Maia Is One Of The Greatest BJJ Ambassadors Of All Time
Amazingly, Maia has received just 13 significant strikes in his last 4 UFC bouts! That extremely low number is unheard of in MMA.
Maia stated:
“This was a performance that shows the discipline of Brazilian jiu-jitsu,” he said. “It’s not just about control, but also defense. It helps me avoid the big shots I know Carlos is capable of. I have a lot of respect for him and he very well could’ve been champion as his fight with [then-champ Robbie] Lawler was extremely close. I knew I had the choke in tight but with MMA gloves, you always have the opportunity to escape. I didn’t think it was over until I felt him tap.”
Maia Subbed Carlos Condit
Maia also doesn’t like to punch his opponent on the ground. He told Combate that his Jiu-Jitsu mentality is one of the main reason why he doesn’t ground and pound:
“Jiu-jitsu is my origin, so I will always look for the submission and to control the fight. In this martial art we love so much, we look to tap our opponent out, not hurt him with strikes. Of course I’m there to win, but this mentality is completely intertwined with me. I will hardly try to hurt my adversary rather than submit him. That’s a part of jiu-jitsu and that’s why it’s the best martial art in the world. As an athlete, I must improve that.”
Nobody Is Perfect
2016 was a year of the meteoric rise for Gordon Ryan, but it was also a huge learning experience for him.
Studio 540 Challenge Results Are Here! Plus Pena Challenges Ryan to A Gi Fight
The same could be said for Keenan Cornelius.
Watch: Gordon Ryan Submits Keenan Cornelius After 80mins Grappling Superfight
But It was also the time for Return of the king.
