Renzo Gracie’s Matt Kaplan spoke out about the Leg Lock Academy and provided some harsh thoughts when it comes to a particular leg lock.
Matt pictured here left of Garry Tonon
The blast was inspired by a video put out into the universe by Leg Lock Academy ‘s Alan Belcher (co-starring 10th Planet’s Nathan Orchard). This is one of the videos that inspired Matt Kaplan (co-starring Renzo Gracie’s Jonathan Calestine) to share some intense opinions in his own video:
The move in question is called Cavaca lock in some systems.
Matthew Kaplan took issue with the technique on this video at around one minute mark which often referred to as the Aoki Lock because Shinya Aoki used it in a match against Tatsuya Kawajiri. This technique tapped out Tatsuya Kawajiri and did serious damage to his leg.
Kaplan offered some words of advice:
“If you’re gonna watch leg lock videos, watch videos from guys who leg lock guys who are supposed to be good at leglocks.”
Leg lock academy video features a man who has a toe hold victory in an MMA type match and one other person who has consistently lost to good leg lockers, according to the author of the video Matthew Kaplan.
In reality, Alan Belcher is a retired UFC middleweight with the total record of 18 wins and 8 loses. 7 of his victories come by way of submission – most of them are chokes. And he did TKO Palhares…
As for critiquing Orchard, Kaplan clarified with a youtube comment:
Kaplan goes on to show a couple of problems with the first video:
“If you’ve been training jiu-jitsu for more than 6 months I assume you know how to go with the flow and as I apply pressure this way Jon is just gonna roll out.”
He goes on to explain a situation where you could apply the Aoki lock: ” If I have ashi garami and I’m going for an outside heelhook or an ankle lock and he goes to pull his knee to his chest I can get the grip and start to apply.”
Kaplan goes on to list a number of East Coast, West Coast and Japan based leglockers. And shouts a warning in the end
“Stop it! Do not go to their website. You’re not gonna learn anything.”
What do you think? Is Matt Kaplan in the right to slam these guys for putting out their (somewhat flawed) knowledge out there while the Renzo Gracie leg lockers share only in seminars and private lessons? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments
UPDATE:
Matt Kaplan has since removed the video and Alan Belcher took the time to stand in his own defense in the comment section:
