Cesar Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu professor and MMA coach / Publicity photo

In the UFC, No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu or extreme cases of self-defense, one of the worst positions to be stuck in is having some big brute on your back.

Cesar Gracie—coach to Caio Terra, Nick and Nate Diaz and others—has the following practical review to share on the matter.

Note how he defends his neck with his hands crossed over each other and his way of freeing yourself of the figure-four.

And pay special attention to the hipwork in this simple movement (at minute two in the video).

Did that work for you? Practice it and let us know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGfqDKwpuKs

Mike Tyson's historic 1986 knockout over Trevor Berbick / Publicity photo

This past Saturday, June 30, Mike Tyson turned 46. Back in 1986, at 20 years of age, the boxing star became the youngest heavyweight world champion ever, upon sending a crushing right hook into Trevor Berbick’s chin. Tyson was a symbol of desire, overcoming hardship, love for one’s master, and dedication to training. One lessons to learn from the champion is perhaps the most useful to Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, though: the need to have your defense up to par.

Only with an agile and at once solid defense will you be able to counter attack and take out anyone in your way, as Mike proves in the video below.

Marcos Tulio (in blue) training in Fortaleza / Photo: Junior Samurai/GRACIEMAG.com

In Jiu-Jitsu, as with any sport, champions are possessed of a great defense. See the NBA, Eurocup 2012, etc.

As a tribute to the winners who know how the best attack is a good counter-attack, GRACIEMAG.com brings you five positions for you to get your awaited comeuppance on that training partner of yours who always comes at you in a storm of bilious fury—and impress your instructor while you’re at it. Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments field below.

1. Marcos Tulio teaches single-leg-takedown counter

2. Marlon Caveira Ribeiro teaches bicep-crunch counter

3. Reginaldo Gurgel teaches Kimura counter from side-control

4. Daniel Wanderley teaches calf-crunch counter

5. Marcos Schubert teaches side-choke counter in self-defense

Diego Herzog in action at 5th American Cup / Photo: John Cooper

Jiu-Jitsu black belt Diego Herzog of Ralph Gracie academy was the big name at the 5th American Cup, held last weekend in San Jose, California. The gi-clad beast swept the heavyweight and absolute divisions at the Claudio França-organized event.

In the open weight semifinal, Herzog didn’t let his nerves get rattled as he unraveled an omoplata lock applied by Gracie Fighter rep Osvaldo Augusto, the winner of the lightweight division, then taking his back and finishing with a collar choke. Watch and learn from absolute champ Herzog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M5o-311wyU

A scene from 2011 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, Kyra Gracie attacks effectively from back control. GRACIEMAG archive photo.

Carnival in Brazil has drawn to a close. While many spent the days reveling in merriment, others took the off time to rest or keep up the pace in training in preparation for upcoming competitions, like the fledgling San Francisco Open or the Chicago Winter Open, on February 26 and March 3, respectively.

And GRACIEMAG.com too kept the ball rolling, but in teaching the gentle art. Today, we bring you a back-mount escape position to add to your game.

NEVER TURN YOUR HEAD TO THE SIDE OF THE LAPEL PULLED ACROSS YOUR NECK

In the video, SAS team’s Thiago Maia shows how important it is to defend your neck and never look in the direction of the lapel that’s bothering you, as well as to bare your weight backwards and remove one of the hooks. That done, you can slide out your hip to the side of the remaining hook and remove it.

What’s more, he teaches how further along you can even take your opponent’s back and finish with a calf crunch.

Featherweight Dustin Pourier did a splendid job representing Jiu-Jitsu at UFC 143. Photo: Josh Hedges/ UFC publicity.

The “Submission of the Night” award at UFC 143 last Saturday in Las Vegas went to Dustin Poirier. With a snug triangle, the purple belt from Louisiana hyperextended the arm of Max Holloway 3:23 minutes into their bout. His Jiu-Jitsu savvy earned him an extra 65,000 dollars, not to mention his 12th win in 13 career fights.

The triangle, a move seen on the main stage ever since Royce Gracie and the very first UFC shows, is still a highly effective finishing move both with and without the gi—two legs and two arms against the enemy neck; but there’s often a way out.

USE YOUR WEIGHT BY STACKING OR FALLING BACKWARDS

You can defend by either going forward or backwards. The thing is to never let your opponent break your posture or trap your arm once and for all.

In the following exclusive video, brown belt Alvaro Fontes of SAS team demonstrates how to defend against the triangle by throwing yourself backwards; a handy escape without the gi as well, perfect for when you’re running out of steam.

For this brand new app, Kid selected what he believes are some of the most important concepts and finishing techniques, including some never-before-seen, “special” Kid Peligro variations that, he promises, will super-charge your closed guard! Counter-attack, armbars, chokes and triangles from closed guard… Kid reveals all!

Download app here.