The Beginning of a new era - January 2010

My promotion to BLACK BELT on the podium by Thiago 'Monstro" Borges, on behalf of Ricardo Vieira and Rodrigo Cabral







3 Time European Brazilian Jiujitsu Champion - 2008, 2009, 2010









On Saturday 30th January 2010, thanks to God's grace and the support and friendship of my Family, friends and numerous training partners, after achieving a milestone and winning the Euros in my division for the 3rd time in a row, 12 years of studying BJJ came to fruition when I was awarded my BLACK BELT out of the blue on the podium in front of my peers.

It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I want to thank GOD first and everyone who has supported me in all areas over the years.....my success, is your success......Thank you

Bob Breen Academy - 26.1.10

Hey Guys

This video summarizes the techniques and details we last covered in class. It really is self explanatory. You guys are doing really well :)

Rodrigo Cabral - BJJ Blackbelt under Leo Vieira

Hey Guys.....

Those of you who know me are well aware that Rodrigo 'Brucutu' Cabral (now in back in Brazil) was one the prominent UK BJJ Instructors based in london and he headed the UK Checkmat team from the London Fight Factory.

I started training with him privately with the blessing of Roger Brooking sometime in very late 2004/early 2005 and that relationship continued until he returned to Brazil in late 2007.

He was awarded his Blackbelt in London by Ricardo Vieira on behalf of leo Vieira on 19th August 2006. My Brown belt which was given to me in March 2008 by Ricardo Vieira and Eduardo Azevedo was endorsed by Rodrigo as my principal BJJ Instructor for many years.

Whilst I continue to be grateful to all the BJJ Instructors who have since passed some of their knowledge onto me, I still regard Brucutu as my teacher and he still regards me as his student. We remain in regular contact.

Late last year, he was awarded his 1st stripe on his Black belt at the same time that Leo Vieira was awarded his 4th stripe. Parabens to them both.

Below is a match he fought in 2008 in Brazil agains World Champion Sergio Moraes in the Absolute division of the Rio Open. Whilst he did not win, you will quickly get an idea of the level of this BJJ practioner fom whom the best is yet to come.

In the past year or so, he has been training his BJJ whilst teaching at Ricardo Vieira's Fightzone academy and has been training MMA with none other than Anderson Silva. Lyota Machida and last but not least the beast Nogeira!!

Enjoy

Bob Breen Academy - 12.1.10

Hey Guys!



Sorry for the late post regarding last weeks class but I've been a busy man!

Anyway, last week, we started training with the stick and knife, commonly referred to as Espada Y Daga. It's correct term is Baston Y Daga as we were using a stick as opposed to the sword.

Espada Y Daga is often seen as the true test of the skill level of an Escrimador or Filipino maartial artist because of the skill required using these weapons which are both long and short, and require a deep understanding of footwork, zoning and fighting multiple opponents.

The video below summarises the techniques we covered in class, but in short we did the following:-

1. angles 1 & 2 with the stick only

2. 3 strikes then the feeder attacks with the knife which is countered using the correct angle

3. 2 strikes then the feeder attacks with the knife which is countered using the correct angle

4. Inside sweep basic

5. Inside sweep to uppercut on the knife

6. Inside sweep to uppercut on the knife followed by angle 1 strike


Enjoy

January 2010 - BJJ Technique (s) of the month

Hi Guys!

This month, the techniques are performed by my good friend, Roger Gracie Blackbelt Nick Brooks. He needs no introduction but for those of you who don't know who he is, you can check him out at his website by simply following the link from this blog. As some of you may know, I am now sponsored by Tatamifightwear and in the video, I am wearing their new ZERO lightweight gi. It really is very good and I will be wearing mine at the Euros. Nick who is sponsored by Faixa Rua is wearing one of their finest gis too. The sponsors are doing their bit for UK BJJ and I applaud them. Any one interested in a ZERO gi can let me know but I will shortly be putting up some close up photos or maybe a video clip.


Nick demonstrates one technique with a total of two variations of it. There are 3 videos with the second two showing the same technique but from a slightly different angle.

1st Variation







2nd Variation





2nd Variation - different angle