In this edition of TXMMA’s Technique of the Week we feature famed black belt, Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and his purple belt student Hunter Ewald.

Cyborg is a black belt under Francisco Albuquerque known for his innovative tornado guard and for being a fierce competitor. At 32-years old Cyborg remains an elite athlete who competes with men more than 10 years younger than him in the Adult Ultra Heavy divisions. Among his many titles Cyborg includes three Pan-American first place medals, three World No-Gi Championships and many more. As of May 2013 the IBJJF Adult Black Belt rankings list Cyborg as #26 in Gi and as #9 in No Gi competition.

We caught up with Cyborg after a long day of competing and coaching at the 2013 Dallas Open, where Cyborg took gold in the Adult ultra-heavy and Silver in the Absolute. His student Hunter, who will be assisting Cyborg in the video, won double gold in the Purple Belt Medium and Open weight divisions. For those of you who haven’t fought at a tournament before, this is especially commendable because once the tournament ends (usually after 10-12 hours) everyone really wants to get their medals and go home.

TXMMA Technique of the Week – Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu (Fight Sports)

In this edition of our TXMMA Technique of the Week, Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu demonstrates how to initiate a half-guard sweep with the arm-drag. The half guard is a transitional position that can be exploited by either person fighting to advance their offense or re-establish their defense. In this sequence Cyborg demonstrates how effectively one can transition from a defensive half-guard into attack mode.

The technique’s success is contingent upon creating enough distance between you and the opponent when initiating the arm drag. The distance serves the dual purpose of preventing the opponent from smashing to take away hip movement and begin passing and also serves to help generate momentum to initiate the sweep from bottom. For the arm drag to work secure a cross grip and use the top leg as a shield to prevent your opponent from closing the distance. This grip will remain secured throughout the entire technique. To generate force in the arm drag base out with your forearm and pull as you pivot and twist your hips in the direction you want your opponent to go. The key detail of the sweep comes at this point; as you execute the arm drag the bottom leg of your half-guard must come up against your opponent’s thigh as a butterfly hook. At this point the sweep is ready to be executed. To transition from arm-drag to sweep reach across your opponent’s back and secure a grip under the armpit with your top arm and pull your other arm across the chest, securing the shoulder, to prevent them from turning towards you to counter. Once the torso is secured, roll back and use the butterfly hook to sweep over your head. To end up in mount drag your base leg across the opponent’s stomach as you land. If the initial cross grip remained secured throughout the sequence once the mount is landed a traditional mounted armbar will become available by trapping this arm and turning the hips to execute it. As always practice the techniques shown here with safety and respect for your trainer.

For more information on Cyborg and his Fight Sports Team visit his website at www.miamibjjcenter.com

Bonus Footage from 2013 Dallas Open – Cyborg Abreu vs. Diego Gamonal Nogueira

Professor Fortunato has been in charge of running the Rilion Gracie Academy of Houston, when Master Rilion is away from Texas, since first opening their doors in 2011. In the short period of time that they’ve been in Texas, RGA has helped produce champions in Gi and no GI jiu-jitsu as well as in mixed martial arts, assisting fighters like three-time amateur champion, ‘White Assassin’ Kolton Englund, who will be assisting Prof. Fortunato in both videos.

In the first part of our TXMMA Technique of the Week Prof. Jackson demonstrates how to set up a guillotine with a bump-sweep from closed guard. The bump sweep is one of the most traditional sweeps utilized in BJJ to go from guard to mount. A common way to counter the bump sweep is by controlling the person on bottom, and driving your weight forward to flatten your opponent and prevent them from generating momentum to tip you over. Begin by trapping the wrist on the side you want to sweep. Depending on your opponent’s reaction you will have the option to execute a kimura or shoot up for the bump sweep, the guillotine will become available by anticipating when your opponent will try to flatten you out in order to counter the sweep. Your opponent’s neck will become exposed for a guillotine by correctly timing the counter and shifting the hip towards the isolated arm, as you reach over the back of the head and under the throat, to lock the choke in. Make sure to control your leverage, create added pressure and restrict you opponent’s movement by placing a foot on the hip and draping your other leg around your opponent’s back. This technique is particularly effective in submission wrestling and MMA because a Gi’s lapels can often block the path of the arm and help your opponent buy some time to avoid the submission, but if done properly it is also very effective when training in the Gi as well.

For the second part of our TXMMA Technique of the Week Prof. Jackson shows a simple yet extremely effective way to counter the Toreana or Bull Fighter Pass and end up with your opponent’s back. Like with the guillotine set-up before, timing is everything to execute this counter. In order to block the pass it is crucial to anticipate when your opponent will swing your legs to pass in order to prevent this from happening by basing out with one hand and controlling your opponent’s hips with the other. Attaining this position will allow you to escape your hips and pull your leg out to create a scramble. The combination of your arm controlling the opponent’s hips and the power derived from the based arm and extended leg will create enough momentum to allow for the person on bottom to spin around and take the opponent’s back. As always practice the techniques shown here with safety and respect for your training partner.

For more information on Master Rilion Gracie and the RGA Academy of Houston visit their website at www.riliongracie.com.

In this edition of TXMMA’s Technique of the Week we feature Gracie Barra Black Belt, Alexandre “Dande” Santos.

Professor Dande is a second-degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. and has been one of the most respected instructors at Marcio Feitosa’s Gracie Barra –South Austin since 2011. Dande’s calm and easy-going demeanor have served him well on the mats as an instructor and while competing as well. Professor Santos remains active in the BJJ tournament scene guiding his students and competing along with them. Dande took home a bronze at the IBJJF’s Master Senior Worlds in 2012 and most recently placed second at the 2013 Houston Open while competing in the Masters black belt division.

Prof. Dande is an important part of Gracie Barra’s strong nucleus of instructors. When Roberto Tussa Alcenar sustained a back injury Dande drove from Austin to Houston in order to help his friend and teammate honor a seminar commitment. TXMMA covered the guard-passing seminar at Gracie Barra West Chase and we already showed Prof. Ulpiano Malachias’ arm lock from the turtle Technique of the Week that TXMMA shot at that event.

In this edition of our Technique of the Week Prof. Dande demonstrates how to counter an opponent’s deep half-guard by submitting them with a choke. The deep half guard is most effective when the opponent’s leg is fully controlled to create leverage. Wait for the opponent to commit to attacking the leg to begin setting up the submission by grabbing the far side lapel with the arm closest to your opponent’s legs and threading their gi under the free arm. Bring the tip of the lapel to the opposite side of the body by switching the grip “knuckles down” and feeding it underneath the opponent’s head. The key to making the choke work is the proper placement of the lapel to pressure the opponent into leaving their neck vulnerable for the Ezekiel choke. Finish the submission by holding the lapel firmly while bringing the elbow down across the top of the neck, slide the arm closest to the oppnent’s head underneath their neck and reach for the sleeve of your other arm. Once your grip is secure the Ezekial choke will be ready to go. As always practice the techniques shown here with safety and respect for your training partner

For more information on Professor Dande and Gracie Barra South Austin visit their website at www. gbsouthaustin.com.

TXMMA Technique of the Week – Alexandre “Dande” Santos (Gracie Barra South Austin)

In this edition of TXMMA’s Technique of the Week we feature Gracie Barra Black Belt, Ulpiano Malachias.

Professor Ulpiano Malachias is a second-degree black belt under Carlinhos Gracie and the head instructor at Gracie Barra Westchase in Houston, TX. Malachias is an avid competitor that has placed in high-level competitions throughout the world, including a bronze medal at World Nogi in 2008. Though now focused on instruction, Malachias still likes to lead his students by example and most recently competed at this year’s IBJJF Houston Open where he took gold in the black belt master division as a heavyweight. When not representing the GB banner himself Prof. Ulpiano can be seen alongside Vinicius Draculinho Magalhaes and other GB stalwarts coaching their team’s vast stable of athletes in tournaments throughout the state of Texas.

In this TXMMA Technique of the Week, Malachias shows our readers his fresh perspective on jiu-jitsu by demonstrating a slick arm lock from the turtle position. This submission can be executed with or without relying on the gi by replacing the deep collar control for a seatbelt (over/ underhook) grip. The key to setting up this submission is isolating the arm being attacked once top control has been established on the turtled opponent. To trap and leave the targeted arm defenseless use your knee to block the opponent from grabbing at their own leg to block by sliding yourself forward and to the side. Trap the isolated arm by grabbing it and triangling it with your legs and threaten with a lapel choke to set up the submission. When the opponent attempts to protect their neck they will leave an opening for you to roll them into position by controlling their head with your far arm in a half-nelson position. The natural movement of the body will roll your opponent in a way that will allow for you to also isolate the other arm with your own and leaving the arm trapped with your legs ready for attack. Hyperextend the arm by controlling your opponent and placing pressure on their elbow. Put your weight on the joint by sitting and squeezing your legs as you pull back and wait for the tap.

TXMMA Technique of the Week – Ulpiano Malachias (Gracie Barra Westchase)

HOUSTON, TX, March 4, 2013 – In this edition of the TXMMA Technique of the Week we feature Legacy Fighting Championship lightweight champion Jorge Macaco Patino.

The owner and head instructor for Gold Team MMA and Fitness in Sugar Land, TX, Macaco is a former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and most recently defended his MMA title just last Friday via second round submission over Longview, TX native Derrick Krantz.

In this TXMMA Technique of the Week, Macaco shows our readers to transition from a butterfly sweep into a calf slicer. As you’ll see in the video, the key to getting the calf slicer set up properly is getting a good underhook and making the opponent commit their weight forward when posting their arms to counter the butterfly sweep. The space created by the underhook and sweeping foot allowed Macaco to spin under his opponent and isolate the ankle of the leg he tried sweeping in order to set up the calf-slicer.

Enjoy and, as always, please be careful with your training partners when you try this out!

TXMMA Technique of the Week – Jorge ‘Macaco’ Patino

For more information about Macaco and his training academy visit www.goldteamtx.com.

We’re also always looking forward to sharing more knowledge to the community. If you’re an instructor or experienced practitioner interested in providing your own technique of the week, hit us up on TXMMA Facebook Page.

Also, don’t forget to Bookmark the Techniques Section on this TXMMA.com for all past and future TXMMA Technique of the Week demonstrations!

Francisco ‘Sinistro’ Iturralde

Iturralde was in San Antonio this past weekend competing at the UAEJJ World Pro Trials, where he placed second in the lightweight and absolute brown/black belt division, and then visited Houston to teach a seminar at the Alliance Team Gacho academy. Sinistro allowed TXMMA to film some of the techniques he showed at the Houston seminar so that we could share them with the Texas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. If you haven’t heard his name before, remember it because you’ll be hearing it for years to come!

In our first technique Sinistro demonstrates how to sweep an opponent from spider guard. The key to getting this sweep to work is generating the initial momentum by simultaneously planting a foot between the opponent’s leg and stretching the opposite gripped arm. The planted foot will create a base that will facilitate making the opponent top-heavy and unbalanced when dragged towards the sweeper’s head.

Once the opponent is launched forward they will have to base out in order to not fall. At this point they will be open for the sweep. To trap the leg and sweep bring the planted foot up and block the calf and knee while securing the position by hooking your foot to the thigh from behind (0:57). The sleeve gripped on that side should then be brought behind your own knee to neutralize the outstretched side of the opponent. Once the knee is isolated the spider grip is not necessary; let go of it and control the opponent’s free leg by grabbing onto the Achilles heel, once both legs are secure the sweep is ready to be executed. Simply buckle the isolated knee by driving pressure forward while pulling the trapped Achilles heel towards you.

Watch the demonstration below and feel free to let the playlist play through for even more great BJJ techniques from Francisco ‘Sinistro’ Iturralde and others.

For more on Francisco ‘Sinistro’ Iturralde, make sure to check him out here.

We’re also always looking forward to sharing more knowledge to the community. If you’re an instructor or experienced practitioner interested in providing your own technique of the week, hit us up on TXMMA Facebook Page.

Also, don’t forget to Bookmark the Techniques Section on this TXMMA.com for all past and future TXMMA Technique of the Week demonstrations!

In this edition of TXMMA Technique of the Week we meet with Jeff Messina of Revolution Dojo who demonstrates to us how to execute “Shaolin Sweep” from the reverse kesa-gatame position. Healso shows an option to take the opponent’s back if they try to counter the sweep by posting their arms out.

About Jeff Messina

Jeff Messina has been the owner and head instructor of Revolution Dojo since 2004. He is a first-degree black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros that has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1997. Messina’s grappling accolades include having won the 2010 No-Gi world championship (Senior 1 black belt) among other things. Aside from being a well-respected competitor, he has also worked in conjunction with the Houston Mayor’s office to teach BJJ to at-risk youth. His students routinely place in the top positions of BJJ tournaments around Houston. His adult team placed third in last year’s Houston IBJJF tournament while his kids program took first in 2012 NAGA and Grappler’s Quest tournaments in Texas.

For more information about Jeff Messina and his school check out there website at www.revolutiondojo.com. Thanks to James Zipperer and Jonathan Naranjo for their help during filming.
 

TXMMA Technique of the Week – Jeff Messina (Revolution Dojo)

AUSTIN, TX, December 20, 2012  –

While in Austin, Grandmaster Paulo was kind enough to show us some of the technique that has made him as successful. With over 70 years in the art (he got his black belt in the 1950′s), it was a true honor to listen in and hear what he had to say about Jiu-Jitsu.

 To learn more about Grandmaster Deoclecio Paulo, make sure to read our in-depth TXMMA interview about his life’s pursuit with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu here.

TXMMA Technique of the Week – Red Belt Edition with Deoclecio Paulo (9º Grau/Grande Mestre)

AUSTIN, TX, November 22, 2012

Shortly after his victory Chris headed down to Central Texas for a seminar at his affiliate school, John’s Gym. While there, Robert was kind to film the following technique for our Texas readers.

Please enjoy our TXMMA Technique of the Week – Thanksgiving Day Edition!