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22 April 10:23:59	The guru of kettlebell training is Pavel Tsatsouline, former Soviet Special Forces instructor, currently involved with special units in the US military and law enforcement. Pavel Tsatsouline
22 April 10:22:15	Kettlebells are very big in the USA right now. Good for explosive power and strength endurance, they are especially favoured by MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters. Check out YouTube for lots of demo vids. YouTube
15 April 10:58:21	The Romanian rugby match mass brawl is interesting from a self-defence point of view. Note that the big swinging right hand is the most popular offensive move and that nobody uses a block + counter strike as a defensive measure! YouTube
17 March 08:12:53	Interesting article about the global expansion plans for UFC in the 'Business' section of The Sunday Times last weekend. A brand estimated to be worth $1 billion has been built on a single concept - "... everybody likes fighting — it’s in our DNA.” Sunday Times
10 February 05:02:15	Helio Gracie, one of the founding fathers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, died on January 29 aged 95. The Gracie Academy is inviting contributions of thoughts, messages and memories of the Grand Master to heliogracie@gracieacademy.com. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
23 January 11:09:53	There are signs of increasing corporate interest in MMA. Rashad Evans has been wearing a Bill Gates T-shirt "as part of a cross-promotional partnership with Microsoft." Apparently MS is saying that Windows users represent a broad cross section. NY Times
23 January 11:05:31	Former Olympians now involved in MMA are calling for UFC to become an Olympic sport. That would be interesting, but knowing how the process works I can't see it happening for a long time. The Telegraph
2 December 06:35:18	Swedish Open 2008 - Russian judo fighters love the "over-the shoulder" grip. Watch the YouTube clip of 90kg Semenov throwing 146kg Johansson for ippon with osoto-gari from a hold on the back of the gi. Semenov vs Johansson
25 November 04:58:36	I'm planning the BJJ training schedule for the new club with Roger Gracie. As soon as everything is worked out I'll post details on Ray Stevens BJJ. Ray Stevens BJJ
12 November 11:01:08	The monks' mass brawl in Jerusalem is interesting from the self-defence perspective. Kicks and punches are the main techniques in the absence of weapons. Note the dynamic of the scuffling and watch out for the blindside 'cheapshot' from one of the monks. Monks fighting
12 November 06:40:36	To my mind this double-leg takedown is technically weak but it works because the defence is even weaker. A correctly executed double-leg grab should be part of every MMA fighter's repertoire - it's particularly effective when your opponent is tiring. Finnish Open Amateur MMA 2006
31 October 10:28:30	Essential building work on the new martial arts centre in Wimbledon is running a few weeks behind schedule. It should be completed some time in November but just to be on the safe side I have decided to postpone the official opening until January 1.
24 October 06:42:53	Gareth A Davies, boxing and MMA correspondent for The Telegraph, reckons that Michael Bisping is now "realistically, two rungs away from Silva, and 14 months in fight terms..." The Telegraph
24 October 06:42:00	Anderson Silva is regarded by some as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Check out the highlights video for his range of striking techniques when standing. Anderson Silva Highlight Video
24 October 06:41:16	Anderson Silva lost to Daiju Takase some years ago on the ground to a triangle choke. It all started with a double-leg takedown! Anderson Silva vs Daiju Takase
20 October 07:14:09	The Kimbo Slice vs Ray Mercer fight contains a good example of how to perform a double-leg takedown. The key here is getting close in to the opponent, leaving him little room to defend against it. Kimbo Slice vs Ray Mercer
19 October 10:29:37	David Webb has posted a few photos taken at the Tokon Academy seminar on the Kombat Clinic website. Kombat Clinic
15 October 04:59:40	A BJJ trainer (from Brazil) once told me "never, ever give the back!". The risk is the 'rear naked choke' aka 'hadaka jime'. Check out this vid of a gruelling contest between two top fighters where one of them ignores the golden rule. Alexander Emelianenko vs Pawel Nastula
14 October 06:11:49	One of my favourite groundwork drills is the 360. With your partner defending on all fours, you develop a range of armlock and strangle attacks whilst moving through 360 degrees on his back. It builds up speed and agility.
13 October 05:29:23	The beauty of MMA is that the sheer variety of techniques means that everyone has a chance. Watch top judo groundwork exponent Pawel Nastula tapping to an ankle-lock from Josh Barnett in Pride 32. Pawel Nastula vs Josh Barnett Pride 32
11 October 06:15:04	The double leg-grab works at the highest level - here's Pawel Nastula, gold medallist at the Atlanta Olympics, catching me out half-way through a contest. He tried it again later but that time I read it. However, done well it's very effective. Ray Stevens vs Pawel Nastula
10 October 11:01:55	The double leg-grab is used a lot in wrestling and has also proved very effective in competition judo. Here's a demo of me showing how to avoid it and the follow-up transition into groundwork. Ray Stevens JUDO BJJ Newaza Seminar
9 October 07:21:44	Thanks to all who attended the Tokon Academy seminar last night. It was a pleasure to teach such a enthusiastic group of martial artists! See you all soon for more of the same.
9 October 05:49:41	My seminar at the Tokon Academy attracted judo, BJJ and MMA fighters from far and wide. I concentrated on transition techniques from standing to groundwork. David Webb said he found it "eye-opening" and has asked me back for another session. The Tokon Academy
8 October 11:21:09	Whilst I was searching YouTube for the Putin judo clip I came across this vid of a Sombo leg-lock. All MMA fighters should study it to avoid falling into the same trap. Sombo leg-lock
8 October 11:19:52	My main memory of training with Yasuhiro Yamashita over the course of year that he was at The Budokwai was that I never stopped learning from him. However, it required 100% concentration - the slightest lapse and he would nail you.
8 October 11:18:09	There are plenty of Putin judo clips on YouTube. I found the one where he greets Yasuhiro Yamashita who apparently had a lot of input into 'Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin'. Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin
8 October 11:16:37	The Russian prime minister is all over the media with the release of his new DVD 'Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin'. The Times
8 October 05:56:50	Belated congratulations to Neil Adams on being awarded his 8th Dan at the age of 49, making him the second youngest recipient after Yasuhiro Yamashita. I was lucky enough to spend many hours training with both of these great judoka at The Budokwai. Wikipedia - list of judoka
6 October 05:38:34	Actor Jason Statham's interview in the ST colour mag namechecked The Budokwai - "He does Thai boxing and jujitsu, the latter with Guy Ritchie...'I’ve been with him a few times to the Budokwai centre [for martial arts in Chelsea], where he trains'." Sunday Times
3 October 11:37:20	Saw the press conference for Guy Ritchie's new film on TV. Guy starts shooting his Sherlock Holmes any day now so we won't be seeing him on the mat for a while. Wired
3 October 11:36:24	Get the backstory on the Stuart Tyrie vs Bobby Rich mixed martial arts contest at The First Post. The First Post
3 October 11:35:26	Budokwai regular Bobby Rich is cranking up his YouTube profile. See him in MMA action against Stuart Tyrie. Bobby Rich vs Stuart Tyrie
1 October 06:58:03	Just been told that David Mamet is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt. His instructor is Los Angeles BJJ coach Renato Magno who was the consultant on Redbelt. Find him on YouTube. Thnx to 'Black Biker Chick' for that info. Renato Magno
1 October 04:46:45	Looking forward to checking out Redbelt, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu movie. Very hot Brit actor Chiwetel Ejiofor stars. Writer / director is Hollywood A-lister David Mamet so I'm keen to see how he handles the BJJ storyline. Redbelt
30 September 04:58:58	I'm busy preparing for the opening of my new martial arts and fitness centre in south-west London. Judo will feature strongly of course, as well as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in association with Roger Gracie. Roger Gracie
29 September 20:59:24	Just back from the birthday party of my old mate and training partner Neil Adams. The former world champion is now 50 but still in good shape and on great form. Neil is currently coach to the Welsh Judo Association squad. Welsh Judo Association

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