The Battle of Brum

Like the brave little warrior I am, I have signed up for next months Fighters Only / Ground Control No Gi Tournament, which is part of the enormous Body Power EXPO. But, being a glutton for punishment (see: fool) I have also signed up for the Gi tournament the day before hand.
Well, I did say that I wanted a medal this year. Only way to do that is fight more =] 2 tournaments in 2 days should do it.

Mother-fuc*ing-down-fuc*ing-LOAD!

FU*K!
Despite thinking last year would be my last, I am going back to my musical home. My dirty, filthy, hungry, noisy musical home. This time, along with old faces, their will be virgins. Download/festival virgins that need breaking in. Bring on the debauchery!
Bring on SYSTEM OF A FUC*ING DOWN!
Bring... On... D O W N L O A D!

You're dumb

Quick note, if you dislocate your knee cap, don't run a half marathon 10 days later. It's daft. Keep for future reference.

OK, Almost Got There

I know I said I wanted to walk away with a medal, well I ALMOST did. I lost to the guy who got Bronze, but by 4 measly points. The ref didn't count anything I did, but oh well, I'll just tattoo "Don't Leave It To The Judges!" on my forehead. Next time....next time I'll get there.

On the bright side, I ruined the guy in my first fight with a slick anaconda from standing, throwing him down into a gator roll.

And I also pulled off the one technique I was dying to use. When I get hold of the "anaconda" video, I shall post, but till then...

So!

I went. I cannot express how incredible this club is. From the facilities to the instruction, it was an absolute class act. I will definitely be returning again, and again, and again.

Save Me Zoo-Zeetzoo!

This weekend, world willing, I will be making my way to the second city to join the prestigious Gracie Barra Birmingham. To say I'm excited is an under statement to say the least.
If all goes to plan, it won't be just no-gi I intend to do here, but full on BJJ as well. I've already got the gi prepared (big thanks to the awesome www.mmahq.com for that) so now I just need to go.
Expect all manner of pictures/updates etc.

Goals: To be completed by...

This is just note for myself. The first number is current 1RM, the second number is goal. In brackets is the amount relative to bodyweight of 80kg.

Squat - 100kg (1.25) - 160kg (2.0)
Bench Press - 95kg (1.18) - 130kg (1.6)
Chin Up - 30kg (37.5%) - 40kg (50%)

To Put This Lightly

I will be walking out of Ground Control this year with another medal...

Doesn't matter how many I have to enter. I will be stepping onto a podium.

Timberrrr!

So, its 2011. Not too different from 2010, except from being a couple of days after Christmas, so, as Stocky would say, I've put on a bit of timber. A polite way of saying "hello fattie". Just can't resist a bit of Stollen and turkey. To all those with resolutions, lol, why do you have to wait 365 days to decide to make change that will most likely die by January 2nd? Because 2011 is gonna be so much better than 2010, just like that was so much better than 2009, which I believe kicked 2008s ass etc. It changes a digit or 2 at the end of a calendar. Big whoop. Pull your thumb out.
Anyway < / cynical >.
Christmas was bob on. First proper Christmas with Helen, and first Christmas with Orlaith. Food was lovely as ever, and I did try and resist too much, honest. Now I'm back to regular life. Working my ass off as a firefighter, geek, dad, partner and fighter. Roll on March =]

An Update

It's Christmas. WAHEY!
So, for an update. Firstly, here is a very up-to-date photo of my wonderful daughter. Yes, that is a very cheeky smile.

Secondly, I'm still in the fire service. Albeit, without the awesome firefightery jobs. I dunno, good or bad thing?

Lastly, in case you were not aware, it's December, and almost Christmas. For those of an athletic variety, remember, eat more, lift more =]

Fightwear

In more fighting news, I purchased some Jaco shorts over the summer, except the design started to peel after a couple of washes.

Right, time for some fight gear updates. I know I haven't done this in a while, BUT I feel I owe the respective manufacturers credit.

Over the Autumn, I purchased some Brown Jaco Resurgence MMA Fight Shorts.

For the price they were on offer, and the reputation Jaco has produced in such a short amount of time. Upon first glance, the shorts were a completely different material than any other shorts I have worn before. Almost like a thick Rash Guard material, which was initially strange, but very very comfortable. The only issue was the design started to peel within the first week.

Wondering what I had done wrong, I contacted Jaco personally, asking if there were any special washing instructions that I needed to be abiding by. Instead of responding with instructions, their EXCELLENT customer services sent me a brand new pair in the post, all the way from the USA. They didn't have any of the Brown shorts in stock, so instead they sent me a pair of the Jaco Resurgence MMA UK Fight Shorts.

After enjoying quite a few training sessions (and subsequent washes) the design has also started to peel on these shorts. Apart from the designs printed onto the gear, Jaco shorts are incredible and the customer service is beyond excellent. So, if you ever get the chance to deal with Jaco, I would highly recommend them and their products.

Fast forward to October, after being VERY impressed with their gear before, and hearing MANY positive reviews about their newest offering, I gave in and purchased a Rupture PTSi Rash Guard.

Now, I must admit, I have never owned a more brilliant fighting top. The fit, the construction, the design, the material, everything, is absolutely perfect. After over a month of HARD training, frequent washing, and one competition, it is still as fresh looking as when I first opened the packaging. The ONE issue is a scuff I picked up at the competition that has frayed the abdomen slightly. You can just about see it in the photo. Other than that, Rupture has found the formula for the perfect Rash Guard. It is easily on par, if not greater, than the Hayabusa and Manto Rash Guards that currently reside in my kit. Although they have suffered a hell of a lot longer than the Rupture, so let's see in the next year or so how it has withstood the test of time and training.

I'll give all the above gear a bit longer in the inventory before I write a proper review. They need a good thrashing first.

Ground Control NATIONALS

Last month was the Ground Control Nationals at the Kings Battleground in Nottingham. My lord it was fun. I had forgotten how much fun competing can be.

True, I didn't medal, but intermediate is where it's happening. I won my first and lost my second, to the guy who eventually got Gold, so not too bad. Compared to fighting in the beginner leagues, everyone is a lot more relaxed and technical, whilst the beginners are more violent and sketchy.

Bring on March in Manchester =]

My Daughter

Literally, Hell.

This years biggest competition is in 3 weeks and I've got about 3 kilos to lose to be in a comfortable weight. So I have devised some of the craziest cardio sessions to help me.

I've modified the trusty Hurricane system to try and help. Instead of 2 exercises per set (runs and weights), I've made it 3, and added a functional exercise. Something explosive and fast. So, this is the one I will be trying out tonight.

Round 1
30 Seconds @ 14.5kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Close Grip Chest Presses - 8 Bent Over Rows - 10 Med Ball Plyo Push Ups
30 Seconds @ 15.3kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Close Grip Chest Presses - 8 Bent Over Rows - 10 Med Ball Plyo Push Ups
30 Seconds @ 16.1kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Close Grip Chest Presses - 8 Bent Over Rows - 10 Med Ball Plyo Push Ups

1 Minute Rest

Round 2
25 Seconds @ 16.9kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Cleans - 10 Sprawls
25 Seconds @ 17.7kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Cleans - 10 Sprawls
25 Seconds @ 18.5kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Cleans - 10 Sprawls

1 Minute Rest

Round 3
20 Seconds @ 19.3kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Snatchs - 10 Sit Throughs
20 Seconds @ 20.9kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Snatchs - 10 Sit Throughs
20 Seconds @ 22.5kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Snatchs - 10 Sit Throughs

End


If that wasn't enough, I'm lucky in Stafford to have access to Stafford Castle. Stafford Castle sits upon a pretty mean hill. Obviously to give Staffordians the advantage in wars of old. Hopefully it'll do the same for me when I add some Hill Sprints to this work out. One of the sides of this hill is nigh on vertical, so it will be less sprint, more scramble. Perfect considering this sport involves me being on all 4s, using all of my body.
Expect a run down of the agony soon =]