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MMA Training Book Review: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Techniques by Jean Jacques Machado

This reviewer is not aware of the history for Jiu-Jitsu instructional materials. A few years ago however, the first two books on the art I’ve seen were “Theory and Technique” by Renzo and Royler Gracie and “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Techniques” from Jean Jacques Machado with Kid Peligro. These were among the few books out there available for those training bjj or mixed martial arts.

A 6th degree black belt, Jean Jacques was one of the dominant grapplers from the 1980’s to the early part of this millenium. He won several titles in the sports of bjj and sambo. He is most famous for his wins in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships. This makes him very qualified to author such an instructional book that can help many training in mma or bjj. In addition, he has done all this with a deformed left hand.

The book itself, published back in 2003, is in full color, adequately displaying Jean Jacques’ techniques. When needed, alternate views or close ups are utilized to emphasize grips and general hand placing. This is a great trend that would be repeated in most mma-related, written instructional material that came out in the following years (that have also been reviewed here on mma-gear-news).

In Black Belt Techniques, Machado shows 112 of his techniques, 85 in gi and 27 for no gi. Most of the first 85 moves can be translated for use in no gi although Jean Jaqcues does not actually show ow that is done. There are several submissions, guard passes and immediate submissions off a guard pass in the book that can be done securely or by moving quickly or in a flashy manner to surprise one’s training partner. Personally I think the gems of the book are Jean Jacques’ passes. Submissions he shows include armlocks, chickenwings, chokes, kneebars, footlocks, toeholds, calf crushers, the Twister (the move made famous by his student Eddie Bravo) and even heelhooks.

As the title of the instructional material implies, Black Belt Techniques are for somewhat advanced students. An adequate knowledge of basic moves is needed because Machado does not show how submissions are finished not does he explain some basic hip movements needed. To add, some of his movements are better seen on video, rather than exlained in text format. (That’s where YouTube becomes very useful.) Nevertheless, this is a good, organized book to get for those into bjj for sport grappling or for training mma.

BJJ Black Belt Techniques cover

MMA Training Book Review: Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu: Revolutionizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Dave Camarillo is the jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts trainer at Amercian Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. He, along with other trainers, provides instruction for fighters based at AKA like Josh Koscheck, Josh Thomson and his latest jiu-jitsu black belt, Jon Fitch. He also wrote a book, Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu: Revolutionizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, not too long ago. As is consitent with Victory Belt published works, full color and detailed photographs shed much light on the author’s teachings.

MMA Training: Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu by Dave Camarillo (choking brother Dan in the cover)

This instructional book was made by a high level judo and jiu-jitsu competitor. Years of experience in both arts have made Dave Camarillo into a champion judoka feared for his submissions and a champion in jiu-jitsu feared for his throws. As such, this makes the author uniquely qualified to combine techniques from both arts and teach them to those doing bjj or training mma.

Dave’s book starts in the first chapter, Incorporating Judo and Jiu-Jitsu with fundamental judo techniques on how to roll, fall, grip, break an opponent’s balance and do the standard throws. These are of course, available in any basic judo instructional. In this section, Dave also includes stopping a wrestling shot, balancing on one leg during a single leg takedown and how to counter the single leg into judo throws (e.g. single leg to inner thigh reap or uchimata). These are techniques that should also be part of submission wrestling and mma training. Also included are ways to throw an opponent who is standing in a low position or even kneeling. Dave adjusts the grips for both gi and no gi.

The second chapter is Throws to Submissions where grapplers can learn how to better position themselves for submission attempts after a takedown, definitely something good for mma training. Camarillo does this through the Impact Control Position, where one can easily attain a position for an easier submission attempt. This is through knowing a partner’s body position after a takedown.

Camarillo’s last chapter is on flying attacks, which though rarely done in sport jiu-jitsu or in mma is a work of art when it is successfully performed. Now not all martial arts practitioners are athletic enough to perform such maneuvers. However, Dave Camarillo was able to do these innovative aerial moves in international judo and bjj competions by training flying armbars over and over. So constant training as well as the right instruction is needed in order to pull of the moves at bjj or mma training.

So Guerilla is one of those nearly perfect martial arts resources. In this case bjj guys aren’t the only ones who benefit but judokas as well because of Dave Camarillo’s wealth of experience. Judokas can turn the throws they do in their sleep into excellent submission transitions. BJJ fighters can also learn some stand-up techniques from the book and easily transition into more familiar ground positions. And of course, flashier athletes can adopt the flying maneuvers into their repertoir.

Cons? Not much but I guess the lack of lower limb attacks (e.g. footlocks. kneebars) and no sections on actual defense to the flying armbar are negative aspects. And I suppose the really old-fashioned practitioners of judo would frown on the flying attacks.

MMA Training Book Review: Judo For Mixed Martial Arts by Karo Parisyan

Taking the fight to the ground for ground-and-pound or submissions in the sport of mixed martial arts is usually done through single leg or double leg takedowns. This places a degree of importance to the sports of Greco Roman and freestyle wrestling as a component of mma training, whether it is done to initiate ground fighting or to prevent it and keep the fight a kickboxing bout

Karo Parisyan, welterweight contender for the Ultimate Fighting Championship has his own style of takedowns that are not seen as often as the wrestling-based throws.

Karo Parisyan's mma training includes judo throws as seen in this fight with Chris Lytle.

Karo “the Heat” Parisyan’s apparent ease in his takedowns comes from his judo background, a style he has been practicing since age 9. This is all detailed in “Judo For Mixed Martial Arts” which is another winner from Victory Belt, the same group that gave us training books from Eddie Bravo, Dave Camarillo, Randy Couture, Marcelo Garcia and BJ Penn. The introduction to Parisyan’s instructional material also states how his father pushed him into the olympic sport and how thankful he is for that motivation.

MMA Training: Judo For Mixed Martial Arts by Karo Parisyan (cover)

The book for review starts with some wrist control and clinching techniques. It includes Karo’s set up for his standing Kimura/chickenwing control (which is not taught in all jiu-jitsu schools). He also shows some striking tactics for avoiding tie-ups as well as to establish the clinch. What makes the book a must-get for martial arts practitioners training mma and/or judo is the section on throws. Several judo techniques are covered from harai ogoshi (hip throw), seionage (arm-shoulder throw), osoto gari (large outer reap), uchimata (inner thigh reap) to tai otoshi (body drop). Karo of course, shows how to adjust the grips to execute those throws without the opponent wearing a gi, which is the setting in most mma and submission wrestling matches. He also includes counter throws. The rest of the book covers groundwork which is similar to, but slightly different from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu-based instructionals.

Just like other offerings from Victory Belt, meticulous, colored pictures from multiple angles are used for full appreciation of Karo Parisyan’s mma training techniques. One must be warned though, that Karo does not cover basic judo in this book. While he does show his grips for executing takedowns, readers must already have the hip movement necessary to pull off those high angle throws. Such basic instruction can be found through instruction at the local martial arts gym, which is necessary to get good while training mma, bjj or submission wrestling. This book alone won’t make one be able to suddenly perform a judo throw but it helps immensely.

MMA Gear Review: Truth Fightwear Board Shorts

Several mma gear companies exist with prominent brands displayed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other mixed martial arts organizations. An average price of US $40 to 50 for a new pair of shorts from one of these companies however, can be quite expensive. This is particularly more so among beginners. Such a price for shorts, plus about $50 for gloves, maybe $120 on a jiu-jitsu gi and the gym membership fees can be a bit too much for a potential student to afford.

We have already reviewed an affordable pair of mma gloves on this site. From the same company, Truth Fightwear also has affordable board shorts for use as gear during training in mma or submission wrestling. Check out one design in the image below:

MMA Gear: Truth Fightwear board shorts

See other designs (such as red/black, black, green, gray camo and others) at THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

At only US $24.99, this and other designs are about half the amount of more famous brands of mma gear but with comparable quality. For this price you get a waistband that is tightened with a drawstring but is also elastic for ease of wearing. The latter feature eliminates difficulties with the sizing so buyers can play safe by ordering one size smaller. The fabric is very comfortable and seems to allow breathability. Sweat is also wicked off so there is no feeling of wearing a soggy pair of shorts to hamper training. One more feature in Truth Fightwear shorts are the black stretching panels located on the inner and outer thighs. Just like the panels found in other mma gear, these are made so that the shorts do not get in the way of high kicks and ground fighting. (Other brands’ approach to this issue is to put slits in their shorts. But this may not be precise enough for some wearers.)

Truth Fightwear is an excellent pair of board shorts at a very affordable price. This is highly recommended mma gear for all who train (in North America, at least).

MMA Gear Review: Everlast Free Standing Heavy Bag

All boxing and kickboxing gyms I’ve seen have heavy bags hung from their top. This is an essential gear in mixed martial arts training as well. It greatly improves one’s striking power when used properly. Used improperly (i.e. no hand wraps, full force strikes by children) heavy bag work can cause injuries such as boxer’s fracture, a fracture of one of the hand bones.

As stated some heavy bags are hung from the top. Pedestal-type heavy bags on the other hand, are mounted on a solid base. This has the advantage of not requiring the chains and a stable fixture from which to hang the heavy bag. Because of this, it can be used as training gear at home. Everlast, a world-renowned boxing and mma gear supplier, sells such pedestal heavy bags.

MMA Training Gear: Everlast Free Standing Heavy Bag

Here is the product description from Everlast’s website:

“Ideal for use in home, gym, school, dojo, fitness and cross-training workouts.

The Everlast Freestanding Heavy Bag combines the world-renowned features of the Nevatear™ bags with a precisely engineered, reinforced, high-density LDPE base that provides maximum flexibility with outstanding durability and resilience. Spring action provides awesome workout. Three height adjustments allow bag to stand from 52″ to a full 70″ tall. Base holds up to 24 gallons of water (approx. 200 Lbs.) for extra sturdy use. Comes unfilled. Professional work-out, professional results!

Product features:

• Rounded Design allows easy movemnet around target increasing cardio & leg conditioning & hand-eye coordination.
• Air-Foam Chamber provides lifelike feel.
• High Density Base easily filled with water or sand (approx. 250 lb.). Solid base provides easy-to-hit target maximizing your workout.
• Adjustable Flex Neck provides six height settings for multiple workout options including boxing, kick boxing & mixed martial arts.”

The product being sold in the picture costs US $99.99 plus taxes and shipping. Black and gray versions are also available, strangely enough at US $129.99 plus plus. Their descriptions are the same, so unless the color of the bag is extremely important, I suggest getting the red one pictured above.

I find that the Everlast Free Standing Heavy Bag has a swivelling mechanism that decreases the impact to one’s hand and wrist bones. As stated in the product description, the height is easily adjusted for transitioning from targetting the top of your opponent (head and arms) to body shots to leg kicks. The heavy bag is quite soft so it’s somewhat more comfortable than the usual heavy bag at the gym.
However, if you’re one of those people who hit real hard this gear will move during training. This will happen even with the base filled to the brim with sand. You will then need more support for the bag such as those sandbags at stage plays. This is a disadvantage not present in the hanging-type heavy bags. Perhaps a metal base instead of a plastic stand would have added some more weight. There is some fun in chasing the bag until you wander into the training space of a high-intensity mma fighter and well… try it and see what happens if you get in Mirko Cro Cop or Wanderei Silva’s way. In addition, the base of the bag as mentioned, is plastic and the bag does not appear to be high in quality. It appears that continuous full-force striking of this mma training gear is not recommended. Maybe it’s made more for leg kicks or not too intense training at home. But then, that won’t strengthen your strikes and large muscle groups as much as you may desire.

This Everlast Free Standing Heavy Bag is not bad to have at home for some training there. It looks cool as well as long as not much full force workouts have been done on it. Still, more than US $100 a pop is expensive and it is this author’s recommendation that the product is not a replacement for the heavy bags at the local boxing, kickboxing or mma gym.

MMA Gear Review: Truth Fightwear MMA Gloves

Quality mixed martial arts gloves are a good investment. You use this mma gear for stand up training, wearing and tearing them on the bags, and for getting used to grappling with fight gloves. Most quality fight gloves available today are quite expensive, ranging from about $40.00 to $60.00. Truth Fightwear mma gloves are an excellent alternative for only US $24.99 (exclusive of shipping and taxes of course). This fabulous mma gear from TXMMA.com has tough stitching and is of excellent quality. I say the stitching is strong because I’ve seen people spar with them for several months with not a loose stitch visible.

MMA Gear: Truth Fightwear Gloves for only US $24.99

The gloves themselves look great and comes with their own small bag. This allows people undergoing mma training to separate their gloves from other mma gear in the gym bag.

One downside is that the only design that is available is apparently only black. You may not be able to relive those days from Pride (where blue gloves were the official mma gear used).

Check the photo below to the open palm design. This allows for easy access in putting on and removing the mma gloves. Such a feature is a prefered option for mma gear among practitioners who train in grappling and clinching.

MMA Gear: Truth Fightwear mma gloves with open palm design

The holes through which you insert your fingers are quite smooth. My fingers do not seem to irritated as much with this mma gear. This lessens the chances for chaffing of the skin on the knuckles as well as irritation.

If you are searching for an inexpensive pair of mma training gloves or need a new pair to satisfy state athletic commission requirements on mma gear, then .

I have honestly not seen Truth Fightwear in stores so if you’re interested, you will have to visit www.TXMMA.com.

MMA Gear Review: Everlast EverGel Glove Wraps

Among the products used as boxing, kickboxing or mixed martial arts training gear, handwraps are among the most used but the least noticed. These are of course the covering between one’s hands and gloves, that usually take time and patience to put around one’s hands. (Unless you like sweating directly onto your mma gloves.)

MMA Gear: Everlast EverGel Glove Wraps

The gear for review in this article is Everlast Evergel Glove Wraps, an alternative to said handwraps and is supposedy more convenient to wear and more protective. The product is meant to be worn under bag gloves or training gloves or alone for use on light bagwork or the speed bag. It comes in various colors as seen in the picture. (Keep in mind that unlike other mma gear such as board shorts, these wraps are not too visible under bag gloves and so the color may not be so important.)

As the name implies, there is a gel layer for the knuckles covered with neoprene for added protection. The strap for locking the wrist has Velcro. There is a hole in the palm and mesh on top of the hand area of the glove wraps for air circulation in this mma gear.

During actual use, the gloves are very comfortable and easily slip onto one’s hands. The gel layer more than adequately protects the knuckles from getting too sore. In addition, unlike the traditional handwraps used under mma or boxing gloves, EverGel glove wraps do not move within the bag gloves. Too much shifting of the handwraps will cause the knuckles to be less protected during training.

On the other hand, these EverGel glove wraps also have negative attributes for use as mma gear. Compared to the usual handwraps, the main hand covering of EverGel is elastic material. Thus, the carpals (i.e. small bones of the hand) are less secure. Furthermore, using the glove wraps on the heavy bag will show evident wear-and-tear after just one session. The instructions actually do not recommend heavy bag use with the glove wraps. In that case, better have the traditional hand wraps as mma gear on the next session when using the heavy bag. All in all, Everlast Evergel glove wraps are a timesaving alternative to the handwraps when one is NOT about to pound the heavy bag.

MMA Gear Review: Windy Shin Instep Guard

Windy muay thai equipment and other windy products are a popular brand among muay thai circles and are being used by many mixed martial arts fighters.  The Windy company is based out of Thailand, and all the products are handcrafted from leather in Thailand.  Windy training equipment can be purchased here in the United States through the many websites that specialize in mma equipment.

One of those products from Windy is the pro-style shin instep guard.

This shin pad is made from 100 percent leather, which should add to the durability of the product and is available in two different colors, red or black.  There are three sizes available, large, regular and extra-large. These shin pads are priced at $59.99 from ringside.com.  After some checking around the prices for the shin pads do not vary from other websites.  The shin pads themselves are very slim and compact compared to other shin pads/guards that are available.  Some of the other shin pads out there feel like your wearing a catcher’s shin guards with the way the extra material hangs off your leg.  The Windy shin pads fit very comfortable around your lower leg and no extra material is hanging off from the sides.  Because of their slim fit they can be used to not only train in muay thai, but can also be worn when mixed martial arts training as they do not get in the way when doing ground work.

They have two Velcro straps with a metal loops. The metal loops are never against your bare leg, as there is a piece of leather behind it to insure comfort. The only negative I saw was that there was too much excess strap around my ankle.  This I assume can be fixed possibly cutting it down for a perfect fit, but risk fraying of the strap.   One feature that can be noticed is the extra padding right down the middle of the shin pads.  Extra protection in this area is vital for a muay thai fighter.  It will also insure that you aim your kicks perfectly so not to hit with another area of your lower leg. 

These pads can be used by a muay thai fighter or because of the slim fit can also be used by the mixed martial artist when sparring and it ends up on the ground.

MMA Gear Review: Brute Earguards

People like to show off scars. It’s a sign of manliness, particularly having engaged in a battle. One of the most common signs of battle in the mixed martial arts world is the cauliflower ear.

Impact to the outer ear may damage drainage causing accumulation of blood. The blood clot bloats up the ear, distorting it. A certain layer of the ear (the perichondrium to you eggheads) is separated from the cartilage. This prevents nutrition of the cartilage and its death. (To stop your boredom…) More scientific processes occur and the ear can be permanently deformed. This is a badge of courage among some fighters, wrestlers and grapplers. For other martial artists, partcularly the pretty boys, it’s an aesthetic dillema. In this population of martial arts practitioners, they need mma gear like earguards to prevent potentially ear-deforming trauma.

MMA Gear: A brand of earguards: the Brute Adult Shockwave Headgear

Brute Adult Shockwave Headgear is one such earguard. Its use in bjj, wrestling or mma training decreases the likelihood for the occurence of cauliflower ears. This bjj/ wrestling/ mma gear is light with soft straps. Other brands of earguards tend to have hard straps that may be uncomfortable for some grapplers. It is also not as likely go hinder escapes from a partner’s choke attempts. Some buyers of mma gear find this Brute headgear to fit well. Some feel the need for a wider chinstrap. Others declare the headgear slides off easily. There is also the issue of the velcro straps being on the front and back of the product. This may make it slightly more difficult to wear than other earguards.

Buying mma gear such as board shorts, rashguards and headgear is like buying underwear. One won’t know if it has the right fit until one rolls with it a few times. Sparring is the only time wherein one will experience if a product has the right fit or not. By that time it will be too unhygienic to return the product.

Note: Earguards, like rashguards, and wrestling shoes, are illegal for use in North American-sanctioned mixed martial arts events and may or may not be allowed in jiu-jitsu or submission wrestling competitions. However, using them in training will prevent health-related problems such as the cauliflower ear. Choose and purchase your mma gear wisely. Many martial arts practitioners have rolled without rashguards (but with shirts) or earguards and do not end-up with skin infections or disfigured ears.

MMA Gear Review: KO Fight Gear Full Faced Headgear

KO fight gear Peak Athletics, is a company that has a grass roots following, but that following is growing more and more.  One of the main reasons this company is growing in popularity among fighters, trainers, and just the average person, is its’ customer service.  YES!! Good customer service actually does help your companies’ customer base grow.  Their excellent customer service can simply be seen on the companies website.  They offer to send you two pairs of shin pads if you are in between sizes!!  I don’t many too many companies that are willing to do that. One of the surprising aspects, at least for this author, was the quality of the product.

KO full-faced headgear is one of many products available through KO fight gear. As they specialize in the training and fight equipment.  All of the equipment from KO fight gear is made of high quality leather, which just adds to the longevity of their products.  The design of the full-faced headgear includes a lace top adjustment and Velcro closure on the back of the headgear, which really makes for a good tight fit around the your head.   The enclosure also minimizes movement, which is very important especially when sparring because you don’t need the headgear to be moving around hampering your vision.  It also provides full cheek and chin protection, but is designed for maximum visibility.  Sometimes you sacrifice one for the other.  KO fight gear has found a way to provide you with both.  The extra padding does not make the headgear feel any heavier than any other headgear that do not have the extra padding.

The headgear and the other product available from KO fight gear can be purchased through their direct website.  KO fight gear also has another option for another headgear on its website. Shipping is about a week (full 7 days) and is around $5 but as of right now they are offering 10% discount and free shipping.