Category Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

Al Bundy, A Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

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The older generation may know Ed O’neill as Al Bundy from Married with Children and the younger generation knows him as Jay from the hit sitcom Modern Family.  Here is an entertaining video of Ed Oneill describing how he started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and his relationship with the Gracie family.

Ed O’neill has trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 22 years under the mentoring of Rorion Gracie and in December 2007, O’Neill received his black belt.  In the 2011 TV dcoumentary I am Bruce Lee, O’Neill states that he considers getting his black belt “the greatest achievement of my life, apart from my children.”

 

Congrats to all Gracie Morumbi competitors!

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Gracie Morumbi students medal

It was a big weekend for Gracie Morumbi as both the Gracie Nationals and the NABJJF All Americas’ Tournament were both held.  During these tournaments, multiple Gracie Morumbi students medaled.  At the All Americas’ Tournament, Candace Espino brought home the gold medal for her division and silver for the open-weight class.  At the Gracie Nationals, Gracie Morumbi students Jasmine Orozco and Kevin Crane each brought home a silver medal.  Jasmine took 2nd in the Gi portion of the tournament, while Kevin won his on Sunday in No-Gi.  Also, a big congratulations to Julio Hernandez, Mike Ball and Matt Chandy.  All had tough fought bouts in their respective tournament matches, and represented Gracie Morumbi well.

 

Gracie Morumbi Students fight at CFS MMA event in Santa Monica

Not only were there many Gracie Morumbi students competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, but also in professional and amateur Mixed Martial Arts fights.  In the professional portion of the event, we saw Jesse Newell make his MMA return in his first fight since his appearance on the UFC’s reality television show “The Ultimate Fighter”.  Newell took on a tough MMA veteran in Aaron Miller.  It was an exciting bout, with many back and forth exchanges.  In the end Newell came up short, but was rewarded the Fight of the Night for his tough fought bout.

In the amateur portion of the event, Gracie Morumbi student Robbie Valance used his takedowns, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and ground striking to win a unanimous decision over Bren O’Neill.  Also, we saw Tim Riscen lose by guillotine choke, after dominating for the first round.  Overall it was a great weekend for Gracie Morumbi.  Congrats again to all the competitors!

The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale fight picks and predictions

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Another season of the UFC’s reality show The Ultimate Fighter is coming to an end.  This season was the first to ever have bantamweight and welterweight fighters.  The smaller guys made sure not to disappoint.  The end result was one of the most action-packed and exciting seasons to date.  The finale features the finals of the featherweight and bantamweight tournaments.  In the main event of the evening, for the first time in 9 seasons the two coaches (Bisping and Mayhem) will fight each other for ultimate bragging rights.  Also on the card we’ll see TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson do battle with Yves Edwards, which looks to be Ferguson’s toughest test so far.

Main Card

-Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller:  Bisping via unanimous decision.  As much as I’d love to see Miller take this one, his 15 months off from fighting could lead to ring rust.  Bisping should be able to sprawl-and-brawl his way to a victory.

-John Dodson vs. T.J. Dillashaw:  Dodson via TKO, round 2.  Dillashaw has an excellent wrestling pedigree and adequate striking, but I feel Dodson will overwhelm him with his quickness and athleticism.  Dodson skated through the tourney to the finals.  Look for him to lay it all on the line here.

-Diego Brandao vs. Dennis Bermudez:  Brandao via KO, round 2.  Brandao’s striking and aggressiveness may be too much for Bermudez, who certainly lacks in the stand-up game.  Bermudez must get this one to the ground and keep it there.

-Tony Ferguson vs. Yves Edwards: Ferguson via TKO, round 3.  I see Ferguson using his boxing and wrestling skills to keep the fight standing and eventually finishing the cagey vet, Edwards.

-Louis Gaudinot vs.  Johnny Bedford:  Bedford via split decision.  This one could really go either way, but I think it will be a back and forth battle that goes to the end.  These guys are the complete opposite in body size, so it will be interesting to see exactly who uses their size as an advantage.  Could have fight of the night potential

Prelims

-Dustin Pague vs. John Albert:  Pague via submission, round 2

-Marcus Brimage vs. Stephen Bass:  Bass via majority decision

-Josh Clopton vs. Steven Siler:  Clopton via unanimous decision

-Bryan Caraway vs. Dustin Neace:  Caraway via submission, round 3

-Roland Delorme vs. Josh Ferguson:  Ferguson via submission, round 1