Favorite Videos for the Uninitiated

Looking back over the year(s), I  have a few videos I like to refer people to when I tell them I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a little bit of MMA. Most of you have probably seen these but I thought I would put them all in one post. These are not my favorite technique, highlight, or competition videos - but rather for the folks who don't have any background in the martial arts and don't watch the UFC.










What are some of your favorite videos for the uninitiated, or just your favorites in general (technique, highlight, competition)?

Cobrinha rocks at Abu Dhabi

Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles was in Abu Dhabi to just relax and watch the Abu Dhabi World Pro competition. When the sheik asked if he wanted to jump into the competition Cobrinha said yes, and jump in he did.

Cobrinha made it to the finals in the absolute division facing off against heavyweight Rodolfo Vieira.  Vieira recently won both his weight-class and the open class at this year's Pan Ams. Watch the match here before it gets pulled.
Abu Dhabi World Pro 2011 - RODOLFO VIEIRA vs CHARLES RUBENS COBRINHA
- final black absoluto:




Cobrinha is a legend - I don't think he has had his guard passed in competition since he was a purple belt. Rodolfo is a much larger opponent and used that additional weight to good advantage in controlling the match. Of course, I would have liked for Cobrinha to pull a "David vs Goliath" and show the beauty of technique over size but Rodolfo is no slouch and had plenty of technique of his own.

So why is the title of this post "Cobrinha rocks at Abu Dhabi?" Because here was a guy who was essentially retired from competition just hanging around and when someone asks if he would just like to casually jump into arguably the toughest competition on the planet with no preparation or training camp he says "yes" and rocks his way into the finals of the absolute division! Win or lose that took some major lower abdominal fortitude.

The other cool thing is that Cobrinha says he has a renewed interest in competing so we will hopefully see him again.

I don't know much about Rodolfo Vieira, but he is now on the world's radar as the man to beat. I know I will be watching him much more closely. Props to Rodolfo on an epic win.

Taking the Back From Halfguard

I have really been working on going for the back as a "first move" from a lot of positions and it has been paying significant dividends in finishing fights. I love this back-take from halfguard. This version also keeps your opponent from going into deep half and is often there after you have tried other passes. Once you get their hips "switched" it should all be over except for the closing credits.

Forget the Zombie Apocalypse

I've been spending all my time preparing for the zombie apocalypse when what I should have really been training for is how to defeat the ever growing threat from the menace of PIXELS!!!



Who knows, maybe my mispent youth at the arcade will one day save the planet.

Of course I'm still going to continue training jiu jitsu because I have yet to submit someone with this technique from side control:



So all the hoards of pixeloids are safe until I get this down (along with a few hundred other techniques).

Judo - It's a Beautiful Thing

"Pulling Guard? I'm not pulling guard I'm just botching a Tomoe Nage."

Single and double leg takedowns are so passe. If you want to see how I'm trying to get you to the ground watch this.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Game of Human Chess

I really like this video as a promo showing the many different dimensions of BJJ.