The same applies to the continuation of this blog that I had over at Wordpress.
Click on the link or picture: http://www.dirtywhitegi.com/
 |
Train hard, train safe!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Moved...
I have moved my blog over to it's own host and domain now. However I am still in the process of fixing up the look and feel of the site, but from now on all future posts will be made from there.
The same applies to the continuation of this blog that I had over at Wordpress.
Click on the link or picture: http://www.dirtywhitegi.com/
Train hard, train safe!
The same applies to the continuation of this blog that I had over at Wordpress.
Click on the link or picture: http://www.dirtywhitegi.com/
Train hard, train safe!
Friday, March 19, 2010
War On The Floor videos
These are the videos to my fights from the "War on the floor" competition that just passed. Fights were for 5 minutes with a referee and judges if the fights went the full time. If fights were ruled a draw then fighters were given a 3 minute overtime.
The Open Weight Round Robin is pretty self explanatory. Basically everyone is matched up and the winner of the fight then goes on to fight other winners of the other fights until there's only 1 man standing. Pretty much guaranteed to fight someone heavier than you but for those that only got 1 fight in their weight category it was an opportunity to get more competition experience and it's always interesting to test how your technique will fare against strength.
My first fight in my weight division. I'm the guy with the red sash.
1st fight overtime round.
My 2nd fight for the day and 1st fight in the Open Weight Round Robin.
I have one more of my fights to upload then they're all done. After the comp I had a better idea of the areas I need improvement on like finishing of submissions (leglocks, armbars etc) and takedowns but ANY advice and tips would be greatly appreciated. So please leave some comments, advice and feedback on what you think of my fights for the day.
The Open Weight Round Robin is pretty self explanatory. Basically everyone is matched up and the winner of the fight then goes on to fight other winners of the other fights until there's only 1 man standing. Pretty much guaranteed to fight someone heavier than you but for those that only got 1 fight in their weight category it was an opportunity to get more competition experience and it's always interesting to test how your technique will fare against strength.
My first fight in my weight division. I'm the guy with the red sash.
1st fight overtime round.
My 2nd fight for the day and 1st fight in the Open Weight Round Robin.
I have one more of my fights to upload then they're all done. After the comp I had a better idea of the areas I need improvement on like finishing of submissions (leglocks, armbars etc) and takedowns but ANY advice and tips would be greatly appreciated. So please leave some comments, advice and feedback on what you think of my fights for the day.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Get in my guard....
Hahaha saw these on youtube the other week and thought it was funny, there's a third one but I thought the first two were the funniest.
After you've been training Jiu Jitsu/MMA (or any martial art for that matter) for a while you're bound to meet these type of characters.
Get in my guard Part I
Get in my guard Part II
After you've been training Jiu Jitsu/MMA (or any martial art for that matter) for a while you're bound to meet these type of characters.
Get in my guard Part I
Get in my guard Part II
In other news I'm still in the process of finding a job. I'll put most the blame on my laptop which has been in repairs since I got back. At first I had to fix the screen which died, then when I got it back the power adapter died shortly after so had to take that back and get it replaced. Luckily it was all still covered by Applecare Warranty so I didn't have to pay anything. All my files are on there which I need to properly update my resume so it's kind of slowed me down a bit. But also mainly getting the motivation to do it.
But finally I got my laptop back today, so now I'll be able to post more pics and properly work on job applications without having to borrow my mum's laptop haha. So hopefully I can get a job soon and starting saving some $$ so I can get back to Brasil.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
"War on the Floor" - 1st grappling competition in Darwin...
The competition was organised by our club Marrara Martial Arts and they had submission grappling and C-class MMA fights on for the day. The day was split into thirds with the first third for the submission grappling then the MMA fights followed by an open weight round robin at the end.
There were about 25 competitors from 4 different clubs which might not sound like much, but for Darwin it was more than I expected. There was even a decent sized crowd of spectators too (again more than I expected) that came to support their family/friends and even better, they seemed pretty well educated about the sport as they cheered guard passes and submission attempts.
The competition ran smoothly from about 10am till 2pm. I'm glad to say there were no major injuries apart from some sprains etc and all the matches for both the grappling and MMA were pretty evenly matched size and skill wise. All matches were 5mins with a 3 min overtime for matches ruled a draw.
This is a pic of the mat area and the spectators during one of the MMA fights. I don't have many photos or video at the moment but will hopefully get some later in the week to post up.There was a professional photographer there that took many a good photo so will be keeping an eye on his website throughout the week.
My matches
I ended up having 3 matches today all which I was happy with regardless of the results. Not all the best outcomes but I got 1 win, loss and a draw. A draw (with a 3 min overtime) in my weight division and a win and loss in the Open weight round robin at the end, both by triangles.
I was going to write about the matches but I think that'd be too lengthy and I'm too lazy to write in detail, which I've probably already forgotten half of, so I'll wait till I get some video and pictures to show of them.
Overall it was an awesome day. No one got seriously injured and it was a great way to meet the members of the other clubs and get a scope of the local grappling/MMA scene. Hopefully we will have more local events like this because from the competitor and spectator turn out I'm pretty sure everybody would be keen on it.
Here is a short 11 second clip showing the mat area and spectators.
There were about 25 competitors from 4 different clubs which might not sound like much, but for Darwin it was more than I expected. There was even a decent sized crowd of spectators too (again more than I expected) that came to support their family/friends and even better, they seemed pretty well educated about the sport as they cheered guard passes and submission attempts.
The competition ran smoothly from about 10am till 2pm. I'm glad to say there were no major injuries apart from some sprains etc and all the matches for both the grappling and MMA were pretty evenly matched size and skill wise. All matches were 5mins with a 3 min overtime for matches ruled a draw.
This is a pic of the mat area and the spectators during one of the MMA fights. I don't have many photos or video at the moment but will hopefully get some later in the week to post up.There was a professional photographer there that took many a good photo so will be keeping an eye on his website throughout the week.
My matches
I ended up having 3 matches today all which I was happy with regardless of the results. Not all the best outcomes but I got 1 win, loss and a draw. A draw (with a 3 min overtime) in my weight division and a win and loss in the Open weight round robin at the end, both by triangles.
I was going to write about the matches but I think that'd be too lengthy and I'm too lazy to write in detail, which I've probably already forgotten half of, so I'll wait till I get some video and pictures to show of them.
Overall it was an awesome day. No one got seriously injured and it was a great way to meet the members of the other clubs and get a scope of the local grappling/MMA scene. Hopefully we will have more local events like this because from the competitor and spectator turn out I'm pretty sure everybody would be keen on it.
Here is a short 11 second clip showing the mat area and spectators.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Boxing at Gordo Jiu Jitsu...
Boxing classes at Gordo Jiu Jitsu are run by Cesario. He's the guy that first started calling me "Pacquiao" and from there it caught on and stuck with all the other Brasilians. He's also a crazy dude in a funny way and a good coach.
Basically I came in one early morning for jiu jitsu class as the boxing class is finishing and the boxing guys are coming down. Cesario is chatting to Zoro and Zoro mentions I'm from the Philippines or something like that, to which Cesario exclaims "Manny Pacquiao!" .... and that's how it all got started.
Classes
This is a basic outline of what we'd go through in a boxing class.
- Warm up and stretches
- Drill techniques: Jabs, Cross, 1-2's, hooks, uppercuts etc (with weights in hand or just with gloves)
- Partner drills working a combo: 1-2 hook partner blocks then returns with same combo
- 4-5 rounds of shadow sparring (without making contact)
- 4-5 Rounds of live sparring (with contact)
- Warm down, including 100's of sits ups and stretches
Sometimes we'd focus more time on one thing than the others e.g. more partner drills or more shadow sparring or more live sparring. But that just gives you a general idea of what to expect in the classes. Either way you'll definitely work up a good sweat.
Class times:
Mon: 7am - 8am & 8pm - 9pm
Weds: 7am - 8am & 8pm - 9pm
Fri: 7am - 8am & 8pm - 9pm
Cesario also has a gym out in Jacarepagua, which I haven't been to yet but will definitely go to when I go back. Alot of the Vale Tudo guys go there to train so you know they're good.
Celeiro do Boxe - Jacarepagua
Rua Comendador Siqueira, 1190
Pechincha/Jacarepagua - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Telephone: 8328 9193
Professor Cesario Figueiredo
As you can see there's a mix of ages in the class. This was the Friday morning class at the night classes we also get some girls in the mix. Also that old guy on the right is pretty good at boxing and does jiu jitsu as well, though I'm not sure what belt. He's pretty fit and often after classes does planks with a swiss ball and holds headstands for hours. I hope I'm in bad ass a shape as he is when I'm his age.
Basically I came in one early morning for jiu jitsu class as the boxing class is finishing and the boxing guys are coming down. Cesario is chatting to Zoro and Zoro mentions I'm from the Philippines or something like that, to which Cesario exclaims "Manny Pacquiao!" .... and that's how it all got started.
Classes
This is a basic outline of what we'd go through in a boxing class.
- Warm up and stretches
- Drill techniques: Jabs, Cross, 1-2's, hooks, uppercuts etc (with weights in hand or just with gloves)
- Partner drills working a combo: 1-2 hook partner blocks then returns with same combo
- 4-5 rounds of shadow sparring (without making contact)
- 4-5 Rounds of live sparring (with contact)
- Warm down, including 100's of sits ups and stretches
Sometimes we'd focus more time on one thing than the others e.g. more partner drills or more shadow sparring or more live sparring. But that just gives you a general idea of what to expect in the classes. Either way you'll definitely work up a good sweat.
Class times:
Mon: 7am - 8am & 8pm - 9pm
Weds: 7am - 8am & 8pm - 9pm
Fri: 7am - 8am & 8pm - 9pm
Cesario also has a gym out in Jacarepagua, which I haven't been to yet but will definitely go to when I go back. Alot of the Vale Tudo guys go there to train so you know they're good.
Celeiro do Boxe - Jacarepagua
Rua Comendador Siqueira, 1190
Pechincha/Jacarepagua - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Telephone: 8328 9193
Professor Cesario Figueiredo
As you can see there's a mix of ages in the class. This was the Friday morning class at the night classes we also get some girls in the mix. Also that old guy on the right is pretty good at boxing and does jiu jitsu as well, though I'm not sure what belt. He's pretty fit and often after classes does planks with a swiss ball and holds headstands for hours. I hope I'm in bad ass a shape as he is when I'm his age.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Buying a phone in Brazil...
I bought two mobile phones while I was in Brasil. Although one was to replace the other I lost on a night out drinking.
Buying a phone
Problems with Australian mobile phone
Originally I brought my phone from Australia with me here with the hopes that I could just buy a sim card and use it. It's a prepaid phone and I'm with the Optus network and when I arrived it did pick up a local network, "Tim" which seemed to be a good sign.So I tried a couple of sim cards (they call them "chips," pronounced 'ship') of the different networks. Anyways the few that I did manage to try, after communicating (very badly) with some of the shop assistants, didn't work because my phone must of been locked to my network in Australia. But if you have an unlocked phone then everything should work fine.
It's funny because it could pick up the local network with my Australian sim card but anytime I tried a Brasilian one a message like, "Unlocked Sim" or something would come up.
It's funny because it could pick up the local network with my Australian sim card but anytime I tried a Brasilian one a message like, "Unlocked Sim" or something would come up.
Buying a phone
In the end I bought a cheap LG phone here R$149 (you get a disaccount with cash). The only problem is they might ask you for a Brasilian CPF* or some other ID, like a passport or driver's licence, to buy it. But luckily for me the guy at the shop was nice enough to use his own ID and let me buy the phone.
Second time round I bought a Nokia phone for R$120 and provide some ID. I think you can find some phones for cheaper, but I just settled for something semi decent. Also you still have to buy the sim card/chip separately to the phone as well as charge or credit so you can make calls.
Second time round I bought a Nokia phone for R$120 and provide some ID. I think you can find some phones for cheaper, but I just settled for something semi decent. Also you still have to buy the sim card/chip separately to the phone as well as charge or credit so you can make calls.
Networks:
- Tim
- Oi!
- Vivo
- Nextel - this is the one that offered a service where you could use your phone like a walkie talkie to talk to other people on the Nextel network. I think it cost alot though for that service though. But you'll see HEAPS of Cariocas using their phones like walkie talkies.
Here's a list of mobile phone operators in Brasil from Wikipedia showing the number of subscribers to each network.
Recharing your phone
The next thing after getting a phone is recharging some credit on it so you can call all them lovely ladies. I found the easiest way to do this was go to a Drogaria (Pharmacy/Drugstore) and ask if they have recharge credit for your network. The rest of the process is quite straight forward.
1. Ask for recharge for you network. "Voce tem recarga para (insert network name)?"
2. Type in your DDD**, which is 021 for those in Rio de Janeiro.
3. Type in your number (and make sure it's correct! because I have typed in the wrong number before)
4. You should recieve a SMS message shortly stating how much credit you have.
Note: For the Tim network to check how much credit you have left just type 222# and then dial and it should appear on your screen.
The other way to recharge the credit on your phone is by purchasing a recharge card. Then dialling the given number and following the instructions. The only problem with this is all the instructions are given in Portuguese so it could be hard to understand what numbers to press etc.
* A CPF is like an identity card number or something similar in Brasil.
**DDD (Discagem Direta à Distância) is like the area code number
Costs
Generally everytime I'd recharge my credit I'd pay about R$25. I only used it to text or call friends if we were meeting up so it would last me a good 2-3 weeks. Sometimes even a month.
The cheapet (mais barato) phones I saw were going for about R$110-ish, brand new, but you still have to buy credit to make calls which is at a minimum R$10.
I can't remember the costs for calling or if they charge you to receive calls. But I know that it's cheaper if you're calling phones on the same network. Either way there's a number to call to check your credit and if I remember correctly it's 222# (then call) and it should show the amount of credit you have left on the screen.
Basically all you need is to download the program Skype and set up an account.
- You can buy credits with Skype e.g. AU$16 or $40 to allow you to call cell phones and landlines
- Set your account so that if it drops below e.g. AU$4 it will automatically recharge to AU$16 via your credit card OR paypal.
- Skype to Skype calls are FREE
- Option of video calls
- You can even buy an online number so people can call you from their cell phones or landlines
- Send a SMS
- Calling a home phone would cost me AU$0.027/min or $0.26/min for mobiles
Skype homepage
Skype prices
Skype calling country rates
- Tim
- Oi!
- Vivo
- Nextel - this is the one that offered a service where you could use your phone like a walkie talkie to talk to other people on the Nextel network. I think it cost alot though for that service though. But you'll see HEAPS of Cariocas using their phones like walkie talkies.
Here's a list of mobile phone operators in Brasil from Wikipedia showing the number of subscribers to each network.
Recharing your phone
The next thing after getting a phone is recharging some credit on it so you can call all them lovely ladies. I found the easiest way to do this was go to a Drogaria (Pharmacy/Drugstore) and ask if they have recharge credit for your network. The rest of the process is quite straight forward.
1. Ask for recharge for you network. "Voce tem recarga para (insert network name)?"
2. Type in your DDD**, which is 021 for those in Rio de Janeiro.
3. Type in your number (and make sure it's correct! because I have typed in the wrong number before)
4. You should recieve a SMS message shortly stating how much credit you have.
Note: For the Tim network to check how much credit you have left just type 222# and then dial and it should appear on your screen.
The other way to recharge the credit on your phone is by purchasing a recharge card. Then dialling the given number and following the instructions. The only problem with this is all the instructions are given in Portuguese so it could be hard to understand what numbers to press etc.
* A CPF is like an identity card number or something similar in Brasil.
**DDD (Discagem Direta à Distância) is like the area code number
Costs
Generally everytime I'd recharge my credit I'd pay about R$25. I only used it to text or call friends if we were meeting up so it would last me a good 2-3 weeks. Sometimes even a month.
The cheapet (mais barato) phones I saw were going for about R$110-ish, brand new, but you still have to buy credit to make calls which is at a minimum R$10.
I can't remember the costs for calling or if they charge you to receive calls. But I know that it's cheaper if you're calling phones on the same network. Either way there's a number to call to check your credit and if I remember correctly it's 222# (then call) and it should show the amount of credit you have left on the screen.
Calling overseas - Skype
Anytime that I'd make a call overseas to family back home I'd just use Skype. It's much cheaper and easier to use and you don't have to worry about if accepting calls on your mobile phone will cost you alot of credit. Also I only started using Skype alot when I went on this trip after I saw alot of backpackers using it to call home. Basically all you need is to download the program Skype and set up an account.
- You can buy credits with Skype e.g. AU$16 or $40 to allow you to call cell phones and landlines
- Set your account so that if it drops below e.g. AU$4 it will automatically recharge to AU$16 via your credit card OR paypal.
- Skype to Skype calls are FREE
- Option of video calls
- You can even buy an online number so people can call you from their cell phones or landlines
- Send a SMS
- Calling a home phone would cost me AU$0.027/min or $0.26/min for mobiles
Skype homepage
Skype prices
Skype calling country rates
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Missing Brasil...
I've only been home a little over a week but have been missing Brasil ever since I left. None more so then when I first arrived back in Darwin and it really started to sink in that I'm gone. Sydney was a good distraction from reality with the sight-seeing and UFC event to watch. But once I was on that plane back to Darwin and reality sunk in, the Post Brasil (Rio de Janeiro) Trauma started to sink in too.
Post Brasil (Rio de Janeiro) Trauma
I never knew it existed until I found out I had it. Symptoms include the longing for, missing or need of (in no specific order):
- training with a bajillion black belts everyday.
- Acai.
- beautiful women at beaches.
- Brasilian food.
- white sandy beaches and surf waves.
- having the option of quality training 3 or more times a day if you felt up to it.
- walking around in boardies, havianas and shirtless... like it was a uniform.
- sunny days.
- "freeballing"
- get smashed everyday in class, yet feeling you've learned something.
- speaking what Brasilian Portugues (whatever little vocabulary was available to you)
- watching the old black belts in the gym muck around like kids.
- beautiful women at the mall.
- agua de coco (coconut water).
- fresh fruit juices.
- beautiful women on the streets.
- crazy brasilian guys in the gym. Every gym has AT LEAST one crazy guy.
- people talking to you in Portuguese and nodding like you understand.
- having a roll with that one guy in the gym around your level that pushes you and makes you work.
- beautiful women in bars and nightclubs.
- caldo de cana (sugarcane juice).
- the "good" sore feeling after a good training session and the feeling of having accomplished something for the day.
- beautiful women. period.
- getting shown a cool technique from a famous jiu jitsu person.
-
- getting shown a cool technique from a non-famous jiu jitsu person.
Other symptoms may also include:
- Pronouncing out loud (or in your mind) all your R's as H's e.g. Raphael = Hafael, Rolls Royce = Holls Hoyce
- Saying "Descupla" instead of "Sorry"
- "Obrigado" instead of "thank you"
- Feeling the need to say "Ca rai yu" or "Porra" in every other sentence when having a banter with friends.
- Crossing a "busy" road easily and leaving your friends behind, after improving your techniques crossing the mean streets of Rio de Janeiro
Hmmm I just noticed quite a few of these symptoms could be the title of facebook groups.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Training in Darwin, Australia...
These are the two gyms I've been going to since I got back to Darwin. Performance Gym for my kickboxing/muay thai and some mma/no gi and Marrara Martial Arts for mainly just grappling.
The martial arts community in Darwin is small so there really is only a handful of places to train and in my opinion these are the best two to train grappling and Performance Gym the best for kickboxing/muay thai. Other than that I know a few people to get some good boxing training from and the rest are traditional martial arts (karate, kung fu etc).
Performance Gym
View of the gym from Right to Left side.
I've been going to Performance Gym for nearly 3 years now and known the head instructor/owner, Michael Siebert, for even longer than that. I started training there to get better cardio when I was doing boxing and getting more serious about competition. After that boxing fight I then made the move over to kickboxing and have fought that the past couple years, but always with MMA in mind for the long run. However with the lack of grappling places to train at, at the time, I thought it was best to get experience in any kind of full contact competition and improve that part of my game.
A group of guys from the gym will usually travel to Thailand every year to train (or party) at WMC Camp in Koh Samui which I got to do in 2008, I'll save that for another blog post. We've also had guys fly down to other states to fight in local shows.
With Mark "The Hammer" Castagnini after training in at WMC Camp, Koh Samui.
It's not just a gym for fighters because there are many people that come without competition in mind. They just want to try it or get fit or just have a good time while working out. There's roughly two types of level training at the same times: beginners/novices and fighters. The novice group work alot of cardio, pad drills, bag drills and partner work. The fighters do the same but at a more intense level and include some sparring and competition in mind. Actually sometimes I find the beginners work out harder than the fighters one.
With that being said the gym organises local fight shows at least 3 to 4 times a year that have good crowds and atmosphere and include boxing, kickboxing (with modified thai rules), muay thai and MMA fights. So those that are keen to compete can do so if given the go ahead.
There's alot of talent in the gym from those that want to fight and even those that don't and I feel some sense of pride helping others out when I can and seeing them improve.
Training schedule
Monday: 5:30pm - 7pm (KB/MT)
Tuesday: 5:30pm - 7pm (MMA/No gi)
Wednesday: 5:30pm - 7pm (KB/MT)
Thursday: 5:30pm - 7pm (MMA/No gi)
Friday: 5:30pm - 7pm (KB/MT)
KB/MT = Kickboxing/Muay Thai
MMA = Mixed Martial Arts
Contacts:
Lot 1499, Winnellie Road, Darwin
Phone: 61 889 412 216
Website
Facebook group page
Marrara Martial Arts
I've known some of the guys that train at Marrara for over a year or two now when interest in the grappling scene in Darwin started to pick up. At first it was just a group of guys getting together to roll and now they've made it more official by becoming affiliated with Peter de Been in Melbourne and flying down to competitions in other states.
From what I gather some of the guys have black belts in traditional martial arts like karate and maybe some from traditional jiu jitsu(?). One of the guys has a black belt in judo and another guy is a blue belt from the US and has done some wrestling. So there's a good mix of backgrounds there to work with.
I've only been going for a week but the training has been good, everyone's friendly AND they're organising the first local grappling competition around March 13th. Hopefully there will be a good turn out and the interest for jiu jitsu in Darwin grows.
Training schedule
Tuesday: 6.30pm – 8.00pm (Gi/Kimono)
Thursday: 7.00pm – 9.00pm (No gi)
Saturday: 11.00am – 1.00pm (MMA/No gi)
Contacts:
Abala Road, Marrara (Via Darwin City), NT 0812
Phone: 0405 147 214 (Des Green)
Website
If anyone has questions on either club just ask me through the comments or flick an email my way.
The martial arts community in Darwin is small so there really is only a handful of places to train and in my opinion these are the best two to train grappling and Performance Gym the best for kickboxing/muay thai. Other than that I know a few people to get some good boxing training from and the rest are traditional martial arts (karate, kung fu etc).
Performance Gym
View of the gym from Right to Left side.
I've been going to Performance Gym for nearly 3 years now and known the head instructor/owner, Michael Siebert, for even longer than that. I started training there to get better cardio when I was doing boxing and getting more serious about competition. After that boxing fight I then made the move over to kickboxing and have fought that the past couple years, but always with MMA in mind for the long run. However with the lack of grappling places to train at, at the time, I thought it was best to get experience in any kind of full contact competition and improve that part of my game.
A group of guys from the gym will usually travel to Thailand every year to train (or party) at WMC Camp in Koh Samui which I got to do in 2008, I'll save that for another blog post. We've also had guys fly down to other states to fight in local shows.
With Mark "The Hammer" Castagnini after training in at WMC Camp, Koh Samui.
It's not just a gym for fighters because there are many people that come without competition in mind. They just want to try it or get fit or just have a good time while working out. There's roughly two types of level training at the same times: beginners/novices and fighters. The novice group work alot of cardio, pad drills, bag drills and partner work. The fighters do the same but at a more intense level and include some sparring and competition in mind. Actually sometimes I find the beginners work out harder than the fighters one.
With that being said the gym organises local fight shows at least 3 to 4 times a year that have good crowds and atmosphere and include boxing, kickboxing (with modified thai rules), muay thai and MMA fights. So those that are keen to compete can do so if given the go ahead.
There's alot of talent in the gym from those that want to fight and even those that don't and I feel some sense of pride helping others out when I can and seeing them improve.
Training schedule
Monday: 5:30pm - 7pm (KB/MT)
Tuesday: 5:30pm - 7pm (MMA/No gi)
Wednesday: 5:30pm - 7pm (KB/MT)
Thursday: 5:30pm - 7pm (MMA/No gi)
Friday: 5:30pm - 7pm (KB/MT)
KB/MT = Kickboxing/Muay Thai
MMA = Mixed Martial Arts
Contacts:
Lot 1499, Winnellie Road, Darwin
Phone: 61 889 412 216
Website
Facebook group page
Marrara Martial Arts
I've known some of the guys that train at Marrara for over a year or two now when interest in the grappling scene in Darwin started to pick up. At first it was just a group of guys getting together to roll and now they've made it more official by becoming affiliated with Peter de Been in Melbourne and flying down to competitions in other states.
From what I gather some of the guys have black belts in traditional martial arts like karate and maybe some from traditional jiu jitsu(?). One of the guys has a black belt in judo and another guy is a blue belt from the US and has done some wrestling. So there's a good mix of backgrounds there to work with.
I've only been going for a week but the training has been good, everyone's friendly AND they're organising the first local grappling competition around March 13th. Hopefully there will be a good turn out and the interest for jiu jitsu in Darwin grows.
Training schedule
Tuesday: 6.30pm – 8.00pm (Gi/Kimono)
Thursday: 7.00pm – 9.00pm (No gi)
Saturday: 11.00am – 1.00pm (MMA/No gi)
Contacts:
Abala Road, Marrara (Via Darwin City), NT 0812
Phone: 0405 147 214 (Des Green)
Website
If anyone has questions on either club just ask me through the comments or flick an email my way.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Back in D-town...
Coming back home is always a good feeling. Well almost. Although I love having all those little things I miss (vegemite, nice bread, being able to drink the tap water without the shits, ASIAN FOOD, mum's cooking, car and old friends); Brasil and even more Barra/Rio de Janeiro was really starting to feel like home.
So it kind of feels like I'm starting all over again. Except maybe with the training. At least I'll get back to some hard sparring and cardio with kickboxing here. But the level of jiu jitsu won't be the same and it will different not getting my ass handed to me every session. Also got to find a job because I'm running low on funds AND so I can start saving up to get myself back to Rio de Janeiro, hopefully for longer the next time round.
I went by my old gym on Tuesday and it was good seeing my old training buddies. But I got there a bit too late to join in any training so just did a bit of my own thing and helped out with the MMA class that was also going on at the same time.
Also checked out a "new" BJJ Peter de Been affiliate club that recently started up here. I say "new" because they're some old guys I used to train grappling with last year, just that now they're trying to make the club more official by getting affiliated with an academy and organising local competitions etc. They also organise to fly down to other cities to compete in big competitions over there, which is great news to hear because 6 months ago the grappling scene in Darwin was REALLY quiet.
I had my first real day back to kickboxing training on Wednesday and I have to say doing pads is a bitch. My cardio is way sh*t now and I started feeling puffed in the 1st round. Rounds 2 and 3 really took it out me and round 4, I didn't have much left at all.
Also did some boxing and kickboxing sparring after I'd recovered from the pad work. Boxing was fine since I did some classes at Gordo's to keep it at a decent level, but timing on my kicks and combos for kickboxing were out the window. It's going to be a hard task to climb back up to the level of fitness I was at before I left for Brasil but it'll be a journey I'm look forward to going through after not having so for so long.
There's a fight show coming up on April 1st, which is organised by our gym, but with only 4 weeks to train up for it I decided not to bother and instead focus energies on helping the other guys that will be fighting. The show will mainly be kickboxing/muay thai but some of the guys are going to try out MMA so I'm going to try help everyone as much as I can in between finding a job.
It's been raining a bit the past couple days. But since last night it's been almost non-stop. Rainy weather sucks anywhere in the world. I didn't know what pictures to show of Darwin so I thought I'd show some of these pictures taken at the Nightcliff Jetty a couple years ago.
They were taken the day after a cyclone passed through the town and we were getting some pretty high tides and big waves smashing on the rocks. I thought it was pretty cool watch. So I thought these would be appropriate since it's been raining alot and we probably have some waves, though not as big as those in the pics.
So it kind of feels like I'm starting all over again. Except maybe with the training. At least I'll get back to some hard sparring and cardio with kickboxing here. But the level of jiu jitsu won't be the same and it will different not getting my ass handed to me every session. Also got to find a job because I'm running low on funds AND so I can start saving up to get myself back to Rio de Janeiro, hopefully for longer the next time round.
I went by my old gym on Tuesday and it was good seeing my old training buddies. But I got there a bit too late to join in any training so just did a bit of my own thing and helped out with the MMA class that was also going on at the same time.
Also checked out a "new" BJJ Peter de Been affiliate club that recently started up here. I say "new" because they're some old guys I used to train grappling with last year, just that now they're trying to make the club more official by getting affiliated with an academy and organising local competitions etc. They also organise to fly down to other cities to compete in big competitions over there, which is great news to hear because 6 months ago the grappling scene in Darwin was REALLY quiet.
I had my first real day back to kickboxing training on Wednesday and I have to say doing pads is a bitch. My cardio is way sh*t now and I started feeling puffed in the 1st round. Rounds 2 and 3 really took it out me and round 4, I didn't have much left at all.
Also did some boxing and kickboxing sparring after I'd recovered from the pad work. Boxing was fine since I did some classes at Gordo's to keep it at a decent level, but timing on my kicks and combos for kickboxing were out the window. It's going to be a hard task to climb back up to the level of fitness I was at before I left for Brasil but it'll be a journey I'm look forward to going through after not having so for so long.
There's a fight show coming up on April 1st, which is organised by our gym, but with only 4 weeks to train up for it I decided not to bother and instead focus energies on helping the other guys that will be fighting. The show will mainly be kickboxing/muay thai but some of the guys are going to try out MMA so I'm going to try help everyone as much as I can in between finding a job.
It's been raining a bit the past couple days. But since last night it's been almost non-stop. Rainy weather sucks anywhere in the world. I didn't know what pictures to show of Darwin so I thought I'd show some of these pictures taken at the Nightcliff Jetty a couple years ago.
They were taken the day after a cyclone passed through the town and we were getting some pretty high tides and big waves smashing on the rocks. I thought it was pretty cool watch. So I thought these would be appropriate since it's been raining alot and we probably have some waves, though not as big as those in the pics.
UFC 110 weekend and Randy Couture Seminar...
My first stop upon arrival in Australia was Sydney. I stayed for a few extra days there before heading back to my hometown, Darwin. The sole reason really was just to watch the... UFC!!!
Being their FIRST EVER event in Australia, and my travel timing right on, how could I NOT miss out on this opportunity? A friend had UFC Fight Club membership so could buy tickets earlier than general public so I got him to do that for me and ended up with great seats; floorside by the walkway where most officials and Nogueira and Wandy walked out from. It cost good money though but was worth it, if only for once in a lifetime, to see the fighters and UFC personalities *couAriannyugh* up close.
The Acer Arena
People were already lining up when I arrived just after 10am.
Only thing I was really bummed about was that I didn't bring my camera. On the ticket it says no Photography or recording devices. Which I interpreted as no cameras at all, so I was pretty pissed when I saw every other Tapout shirt wearing fool snapping away. Especially when I tried to get a pic with the ring girls. I'm still trying to figure out how to send photos to my blog from my mobile phone, because I used the camera on there, so when I do I'll make a post with those pictures.
Other than UFC I got to catch up with a few good old high school friends and eat some of the Asian foods I'd been missing out on for 6mths.
A pic of my friend "Queens" with the takeaway bag from Hurricanes at Bondi. It looks like we went shopping but it had some bbq chicken wings and half ribs which was sooooo good and different to the bbq stuff they have in Brasil.
Korean side dishes and a bowl of Spicy Beef soup.
Thai food.
Randy Couture seminar...
Yes I was even lucky enough to attend one of the two seminars held by Randy Couture in Sydney a couple days before the event. It was well worth it and he showed some of the wrestling aspect of MMA that has worked for him in fights. I was also very lucky to partner up with a guy about my own size and level and not a TUF fan that spazzes out and uses strength.
Randy touched on some pummeling drills (with no hands), single and double legs off the pummel, using the rebound off the cage to set up strikes/takedowns/transitions etc, some ground stuff with the "cradle" hold. After the training part of the seminar he was gracious enough to answer peoples questions and then sign autographs and take pictures. Each took about 20mins.
The seminar was held at Boxing Works within the CBD area of Sydney. They gym has a nice set up with boxing rings, floor to ceiling bags, weights and down in their basement a fenced off cage area.
Boxing Works
23 Pelican Street, Darlinghurst.
Phone: (02) 9283 6421
Website
With the legend himself.
Also if you're looking for MMA gear in Sydney check out the MMA Factory in Bondi. They got a good selection of apparel and some equipment. I've ordered things from their website before and it was nice to see the store this time. Also it's by Bondi beach so you could make a day of it.
MMA Factory
Shop 11/180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach (Next to the Swiss Grand Hotel).
Phone: (02) 802 13615
Website
Being their FIRST EVER event in Australia, and my travel timing right on, how could I NOT miss out on this opportunity? A friend had UFC Fight Club membership so could buy tickets earlier than general public so I got him to do that for me and ended up with great seats; floorside by the walkway where most officials and Nogueira and Wandy walked out from. It cost good money though but was worth it, if only for once in a lifetime, to see the fighters and UFC personalities *couAriannyugh* up close.
The Acer Arena
People were already lining up when I arrived just after 10am.
Only thing I was really bummed about was that I didn't bring my camera. On the ticket it says no Photography or recording devices. Which I interpreted as no cameras at all, so I was pretty pissed when I saw every other Tapout shirt wearing fool snapping away. Especially when I tried to get a pic with the ring girls. I'm still trying to figure out how to send photos to my blog from my mobile phone, because I used the camera on there, so when I do I'll make a post with those pictures.
Other than UFC I got to catch up with a few good old high school friends and eat some of the Asian foods I'd been missing out on for 6mths.
A pic of my friend "Queens" with the takeaway bag from Hurricanes at Bondi. It looks like we went shopping but it had some bbq chicken wings and half ribs which was sooooo good and different to the bbq stuff they have in Brasil.
Korean side dishes and a bowl of Spicy Beef soup.
Thai food.
Randy Couture seminar...
Yes I was even lucky enough to attend one of the two seminars held by Randy Couture in Sydney a couple days before the event. It was well worth it and he showed some of the wrestling aspect of MMA that has worked for him in fights. I was also very lucky to partner up with a guy about my own size and level and not a TUF fan that spazzes out and uses strength.
Randy touched on some pummeling drills (with no hands), single and double legs off the pummel, using the rebound off the cage to set up strikes/takedowns/transitions etc, some ground stuff with the "cradle" hold. After the training part of the seminar he was gracious enough to answer peoples questions and then sign autographs and take pictures. Each took about 20mins.
The seminar was held at Boxing Works within the CBD area of Sydney. They gym has a nice set up with boxing rings, floor to ceiling bags, weights and down in their basement a fenced off cage area.
Boxing Works
23 Pelican Street, Darlinghurst.
Phone: (02) 9283 6421
Website
With the legend himself.
Also if you're looking for MMA gear in Sydney check out the MMA Factory in Bondi. They got a good selection of apparel and some equipment. I've ordered things from their website before and it was nice to see the store this time. Also it's by Bondi beach so you could make a day of it.
MMA Factory
Shop 11/180-186 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach (Next to the Swiss Grand Hotel).
Phone: (02) 802 13615
Website
Portuguese Brazilian Jiu Jitsu terminology...
Learning some Português will REALLY help enhance your experience here in AND out of the gym. But even if you don't know any when you arrive, you should still be able to understand what's going on in class through observation, although it REALLY helps to understand some of the details of a technique if you know some basic words.
The following are some terms I thought would be useful that I've found through other sources (blogs, forums) and picked up through my own observations in class. I'll be continually updating this as I learn more so make sure to keep updated. I even wanted to do a video with Dennis so you could hear the pronounciation, but will have to save that till next time as I'm not in Brasil anymore :( or confident enough to do it myself yet.
Also I've tried to write how you might phonetically say them and hopefully that helps some people. If anyone has corrections or things they could add to it then please comment or email me.
Also I've tried to write how you might phonetically say them and hopefully that helps some people. If anyone has corrections or things they could add to it then please comment or email me.
Side Control - Cem Kilos (literally: 100 kilos)
(Close) Guard - (Fechar) Guarda ... where "fechar" is a verb
Half Guard - Meia guarda
Spider guard - Guarda aranha
Mount - Montada
Top / up - Acima (ah-see-ma)
Bottom / down - Baixo (bye-shoo)
Belts & Training gear:
Belts - Faixas (fai-shas)
White - Branca
Blue - Azul
Purple - Roxa (ho-sha)
Brown - Marrom (mah-hoom)
Black - Preta
Gloves - Luvas
Shirt - Camisa /camiseta
Shorts - Bermudas
Pants - Calças
Backpack - Mochila (mo-shilla)
Backpack - Mochila (mo-shilla)
Hat/cap - Boné
Gi / Kimono - Kimono (duhhhh!)
No-Gi - Sem kimono (seng kimono) ... sem = without
Lapel - Lapela
Collar - Gola
Sleeves - Mangas
Useful terms:
Yes - Sim
No - Não ... (a real nasally: now)
Left - Esquerda (ee-scare-da)
Right - Direita (jee-reta)
Prepare/Get ready - Preparar
Go - Vai
Stop - Pare ... VERY useful if you can't physically tap!
Stopped - Parou ... Gordo would ask me this; if I'd "stopped"/finished with rolling or wanted one more
Been - Foi ... I noticed alot of guys say this to verbally tap, the literal translation is "been" but if anyone can explain better I'll update it
Actions:
Grip - Pegada / Pega .... e.g. "Pega aqui" = "Grip here"
Go - Vai
Stop - Pare ... VERY useful if you can't physically tap!
Stopped - Parou ... Gordo would ask me this; if I'd "stopped"/finished with rolling or wanted one more
Been - Foi ... I noticed alot of guys say this to verbally tap, the literal translation is "been" but if anyone can explain better I'll update it
Here - Aqui (ah-kee)
There - Lá
This/that (depending how you use it) - Isso
Weight - Peso
Weight - Peso
Heavy - Pesado
Change - Trocar / Troco
Change - Trocar / Troco
Always - Sempre
Never - Nunca
Return/go back - Voltar
Is this correct? - É isso certo?
More or less - Mais or menos
Of course - É claroTime - Tempo (heard at end of rounds)
Dominate - Dominar / Domina .... e.g. "domina o braço" (domin-ey oo bra-zhoo) = control the arm
Just / Only - Só ... (s-oh)Actions:
Grip - Pegada / Pega .... e.g. "Pega aqui" = "Grip here"
Hook - Gancho (gan-shoo)
Push - Empurre (ing-poo-hey)
Pull - Puxe (pu-shay)
Pummel - Escrima
Hold - Segura ... e.g. "Segura o posição" = "Hold the position"
Hold - Segura ... e.g. "Segura o posição" = "Hold the position"
Posture - Postura
Backwards/go back - Pra trás / Vai para trás ... sounds like "partraish" Lift / Raise - Leve / Levantar ... "Levantar ele" = "Lift him up"
Get / seize - Pegar ... so if you're setting up an armbar and someone says "Pegar" = "Get/take it"
Calm - Calma ... Self explanatory but if someone tells you "calma" they're telling you to calm down.
Relax - Relax (he-lash) ... same explanation as above
Turn - Vire ... "Vire seu quadril" = "Turn your hips"
Straighten - Shika (not sure on spelling) ... "Shika o braço" = "Straighten the arm"
Calm - Calma ... Self explanatory but if someone tells you "calma" they're telling you to calm down.
Relax - Relax (he-lash) ... same explanation as above
Turn - Vire ... "Vire seu quadril" = "Turn your hips"
Straighten - Shika (not sure on spelling) ... "Shika o braço" = "Straighten the arm"
Body (Corpo):
Hand - Mão
Foot - Pé
Arm - Braço (bra-zhoo)
Leg - Perna
Knee - Joelho (zhoo-el-oo ... sometimes sounds like they say "joo-el-ee")
Elbow - Cotovelo (koh-toh-velo)
Fingers - Dedos do mão
Toes - Dedos do pé
Hips - Quadril (kwa-dril)
Body - Corpo
Chest - Peito (Pay-too)... "Peito a Peito" = "Chest to chest"
Trunk - Tronco
Head - Cabeça (ka-beh-sa)Chest - Peito (Pay-too)... "Peito a Peito" = "Chest to chest"
Trunk - Tronco
Neck - Pescoço
Throat - Garganta
Back - Costas
Throat - Garganta
Back - Costas
Shoulder - Ombro
Shoulder blade - Omoplata
Commands:
Go - Vai / Embora
Pass the guard - Passar de guarda
Attack - Attaque
Defend - Defendar
Escape - Saida /S air
Sweep - Raspa / Raspada (has-pa)
Spar/roll - Spare (sh-par-ey)
Close the guard - Fechar a guarda
Other things you might here in class:
Valeu - thanks ... used as a departing
Até amanhã - until tomorrow
Treinar - training
Vai com ele (vai kong el-ee) - go with him
Tiver duvida - Have doubts (questions
Boa treinar - Good training ... (before rolling with your partner)
Mais um - One more
Quem quero mais? (Keng kero maes?)- Who wants more?
Livre treinar - free training ... (usually after normal class and if people want to keep rolling they'd say this)
Mais um - One more
Quem quero mais? (Keng kero maes?)- Who wants more?
Livre treinar - free training ... (usually after normal class and if people want to keep rolling they'd say this)
Striking:
Jab - Jabby
Cross/right straight - Direita (jee-reta)
Straights - Direito ... if they say "só direito" then just do straight punches
Hook - Cruzo/Cruza ... not sure on spelling for this one
Hook - Cruzo/Cruza ... not sure on spelling for this one
Uppercut/Body hook - Gancho or cruza ... From memory they called an uppercut a hook (gancho) and same for a hook or "rip" to the body
Kick - Chute (shoo-ta)
Kick - Chute (shoo-ta)
Elbow - Cotovelo
Knee - Joelho
Sources:
Gordo Jiu Jitsu classes
Fight Zone classes
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Até logo Brasil...
This will be my last blog in Brasil :(((( until I get back to Australia and maybe till my laptop is fixed. I'm sad to be leaving but it hasn't really hit me yet and also I know I'll be back. (Just a matter of when).
I'll be continuing this blog when I get back to Australia (in between finding a job and earning some $ to come back). There's still PLENTY of content I want to blog on about Brasil like language tips, places to eat and see, nightspots etc so keep tabs on it.
My last day was spent training in the morning and helping lay out the new Zebramats. Finally after being here for 5mths I get to roll on the "new" mats, which had been sitting in storage for ages waiting to be collected. The only problem is when you go to collect some guy will charge you R$(insert price) for (insert some B.S.) tax. So it became a waiting game till the dodgy storage people let the mats out, because who wants to pay for mats you already paid for? Ahhh Brasil.
As you can see the new mats look pimp and finally complete the renovations of the gym which started just a couple weeks after I arrived here back in September!! It's been nice seeing the place, that I've spent more than half my time in Brasil at, develop. I'm glad to of been here and see this process, so at least when I come back I can reminisce and be like "Oh I remember when the gym was alot smaller and we only had that area from there to there to roll" lol.
After training I went with the folks to pick up their tickets, from a hotel in Copacabana, to watch the Samba parade. They asked if I wanted to go but I don't think I have the attention span to watch 12 different samba schools parade, each parade going for 1 hour or so AND the whole thing finishing about 6:30/7am.
So instead took off to Praça General Osario in Ipanema to meet up with Junk, Fill and Ben to check out the Blocos in the area.
Praia de Ipanema.
Bloco party in Ipanema.
The drumming section.
More people in costumes line dancing and leading the bloco.
Posto 8 - Ipanema .... Ben and Jeff using these urinal things they had for guys on the streets, f*ck that I say! You'll get spray all over your feet.
Brasilian bunda... I shall miss you :(
Dude dressed in drag talking "japanese" to Junk... Junk loved every bit of it
Ate dinner at Garota de Ipanema. The bar where Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes used to hang out and wrote the song "Garota de Ipanema/Girl from Ipanema," inspired by a beautiful girl that would always walk by.
Some stereotypes are just hard to break
I think the chick behind me liked the pose
After dinner walked around and somehow ended up in a side street with alot of gay people... at least we saw non-butch chicks making out :)
Afterwards found a quiet place (with a mediocre band playing cover songs) to have a drink... banana beer! Doesn't tastes as smooth as it smells but still interesting.
Shout outs...
To everyone I've met and made friends with in and out of the gym. All the guys that I've rolled with and helped me along the way. Gordo, Rommel, Dennis, Neto, Leozinho, Carioca, Thiago, Zoro, Regis, Toquinho, Deigo... too many to name.
A bunch of afternoon training class pics. Got to know a lot of great guys while getting a good workout and really improving my game.
Last afternoon training session with Dennis and the gringos, taken last Friday.
More class pics. From the night classes to the Saturday morning classes to the Vale Tudo class.
With the boxing class on Friday morning. Cesario, the trainer is in the red shorts and baseball cap. He's the guy that called me "Manny Pacquiao" out of nowhere, which caught along and is what all the Brasilians in the gym have been calling me lol.
With Rommel, Dennis and Gordo the day after getting my blue belt.
With Dennis; mentor and good friend. A man I have A LOT to thank for during my stay here, so much that I could dedicate an entire post to it. Thank you Dennis and Connection Rio!
I'll be continuing this blog when I get back to Australia (in between finding a job and earning some $ to come back). There's still PLENTY of content I want to blog on about Brasil like language tips, places to eat and see, nightspots etc so keep tabs on it.
My last day was spent training in the morning and helping lay out the new Zebramats. Finally after being here for 5mths I get to roll on the "new" mats, which had been sitting in storage for ages waiting to be collected. The only problem is when you go to collect some guy will charge you R$(insert price) for (insert some B.S.) tax. So it became a waiting game till the dodgy storage people let the mats out, because who wants to pay for mats you already paid for? Ahhh Brasil.
As you can see the new mats look pimp and finally complete the renovations of the gym which started just a couple weeks after I arrived here back in September!! It's been nice seeing the place, that I've spent more than half my time in Brasil at, develop. I'm glad to of been here and see this process, so at least when I come back I can reminisce and be like "Oh I remember when the gym was alot smaller and we only had that area from there to there to roll" lol.
After training I went with the folks to pick up their tickets, from a hotel in Copacabana, to watch the Samba parade. They asked if I wanted to go but I don't think I have the attention span to watch 12 different samba schools parade, each parade going for 1 hour or so AND the whole thing finishing about 6:30/7am.
So instead took off to Praça General Osario in Ipanema to meet up with Junk, Fill and Ben to check out the Blocos in the area.
Praia de Ipanema.
Bloco party in Ipanema.
The drumming section.
More people in costumes line dancing and leading the bloco.
Posto 8 - Ipanema .... Ben and Jeff using these urinal things they had for guys on the streets, f*ck that I say! You'll get spray all over your feet.
Brasilian bunda... I shall miss you :(
Dude dressed in drag talking "japanese" to Junk... Junk loved every bit of it
Ate dinner at Garota de Ipanema. The bar where Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes used to hang out and wrote the song "Garota de Ipanema/Girl from Ipanema," inspired by a beautiful girl that would always walk by.
Some stereotypes are just hard to break
I think the chick behind me liked the pose
After dinner walked around and somehow ended up in a side street with alot of gay people... at least we saw non-butch chicks making out :)
Afterwards found a quiet place (with a mediocre band playing cover songs) to have a drink... banana beer! Doesn't tastes as smooth as it smells but still interesting.
Shout outs...
To everyone I've met and made friends with in and out of the gym. All the guys that I've rolled with and helped me along the way. Gordo, Rommel, Dennis, Neto, Leozinho, Carioca, Thiago, Zoro, Regis, Toquinho, Deigo... too many to name.
A bunch of afternoon training class pics. Got to know a lot of great guys while getting a good workout and really improving my game.
Last afternoon training session with Dennis and the gringos, taken last Friday.
More class pics. From the night classes to the Saturday morning classes to the Vale Tudo class.
With the boxing class on Friday morning. Cesario, the trainer is in the red shorts and baseball cap. He's the guy that called me "Manny Pacquiao" out of nowhere, which caught along and is what all the Brasilians in the gym have been calling me lol.
With Rommel, Dennis and Gordo the day after getting my blue belt.
With Dennis; mentor and good friend. A man I have A LOT to thank for during my stay here, so much that I could dedicate an entire post to it. Thank you Dennis and Connection Rio!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
