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2015 Europeans Revelation: Isaac Doederlein, The Brown Belt Featherweight Giant Killer

2015 Europeans Revelation: Isaac Doederlein, The Brown Belt Featherweight Giant Killer

 

Featherweight Isaac Doederlein impressed last weekend at the IBJJF European. He berimboloed his way to a gold in his division and a silver in the Open Weight brown belt, beating some much bigger opponents (ultra heavy weight) on the way. BJJEE caught up with Cobrinha’s student to find out more about his Jiu-Jitsu story and work ethic:

1. Isaac first of all congratulations on the gold and silver at the Europeans. Can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ community?

Thank you so much! My name is Isaac Doederlein. I’m 22 years old and a brown belt under Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles. I’ve moved around a lot in my life, but most recently I’m from Arizona. My main Titles in the IBJJF are 2014 Brown Belt World Silver Medalist, 3x Europeans Champion, and 4x American National Champion.

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2. What did you think of this year’s European championship and about your performance? How do the Europeans compare in terms of level and atmosphere with the Worlds, and Pan?

I really enjoyed this year’s Europeans Championship. I had so much fun as a spectator watching all of the fights. It was so crowded!
I was really pleased with my performance this year. Out of 7 fights (3 division and 4 absolute) I was able to submit 4 of my opponents.
In comparison to the Pan’s and Worlds I believe the Europeans are high up there. It has Europe’s best competitors, and also a handful of the heavy hitters from America and Brazil trying to achieve the Grand Slam title.

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3. I watched a few of your matches and was really impressed by your technique, berimbolos and speed. Tell us more about your training regimen and about the academy where you train?

My training regimen consists of a lot of drills and specific training. 3 days a week I wake up early to do strength and Conditioning with my athletic coaches Oneil Cespedes and Jenn Glysson. Everyday before the 12 o’clock competition training at Cobrinha’s I do about 2-3 hours of drills and specific training.
The atmosphere at Cobrinha’s is amazing. There are lots of great training partners and we push each other everyday. Cobrinha does an amazing job of motivating us and keeping us in the right mindset. He’s always making sure that we are eating healthy and staying on track with our goals.

4. When and how did you end up training with Cobrinha?

I started training with Cobrinha 3 years ago when I was fresh out of high school. I was living in Arizona and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. All of my friends were going to college and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the education path, or train full time. I got in contact with my friend Erin Herle who trained at Cobrinha’s. She convinced me to try a month there, and after the first day I was hooked! I moved to Los Angeles and I haven’t looked back since.

5. What are some of the most important things that you learned from training with Cobrinha?

One of the most important things I learned from Cobrinha is when you’re training, you have to leave your ego at the door. I remember before I started training with Cobrinha, I would have plateau’s where I wouldn’t improve for 7-8 months. Playing the same game and never changing anything. All of that was because I had an ego and everyday was just a day where I would try to “win” in training. Ever since I started to train at Cobrinha’s, my philosophies in BJJ change almost every week, seeing situations and techniques differently by just trying other things in training. It seems like every week, something is improving in a different way.

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6. How would you describe your style of BJJ? How much do you drill and how do you drill?

If I had to describe my style of BJJ.. I would say it’s dynamic. I’m never always trying just one or two things from the passing or guard perspective. When I’m passing, it always comes down to what grips my opponent has. If they are controlling my legs, I have to try and cut through and pass with pressure. If my legs are free, I try to do more loose passing with footwork side to side. Same goes with guard, I just take what my opponent gives to me and I try to work with what I have.
I try to drill 2-3 hours a day. A lot of times my drilling sessions start out just drilling one or two situations I am currently working on, and end up in a big discussion and specific training about the technique. I learn a little differently, for me to understand a technique I have to figure out how to fit it into my flow chart and why I need to do it. If I don’t understand it 100% I get really confused!

7. What are your plans for 2015?

My plans for 2015 are to try and compete as much as possible. As of right now I’m injury free, and will be at every competition I can afford to be at! My biggest goal is to win as many absolute titles as I can. Unfortunately I got silver at the Europeans, but I will try my best to get the Absolute Titles at Pans, Brazilian Nationals and Worlds!

8. If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free things that you learned from training with Cobrinha?

I would like to thank my sponsors out in Spain, StockMMA. These guys have supported me so much over the last two years. Also Moya Brand, Arm Bar Soap, Bass Chiropractic, Uba Tuba Acai, and most importantly my parents! I couldn’t do anything without their help and support.
Follow me on Instagram @IsaacDoederlein