We all know that nothing in life is guaranteed, but there remains one simple fact; there is a world, and we live in that world and that world runs on formulaic probability (formulas + probability).

‘Formulaic probability’ is the simple notion I use to describe how everything in this world is controlled by some kind of mathematical formula, with the ‘formula’ being a combination of inputs that result in a single ‘output’ or ‘result’. That ‘output’ can be something predetermined by you, meaning that used correctly what you will have is a formula for success, or gold medals. Let me explain.

Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent example of this on multiple levels. We have all heard the likes of Mr Danaher, Firas Zahabi and other coaching greats describe Jiu-Jitsu’s true beauty as the ability to ‘solve problems in real time’. Much like a computer program uses algorithms to cycle through possible data combinations (inputs) to find a specific outcome (output). In Jiu-Jitsu we do the very same thing. For example, you want to force your opponent to the ground. If it was a computer program it might look something like this:

Input 1 – ‘shoot for a takedown’ = opponent sprawls = output ‘fail’

Input 2 – ‘ankle pick’ = opponent steps one leg back = output ‘fail’

Input 3 – ‘single leg’ = opponent defends unsuccessfully = output ‘undetermined’

Input 4 –  ‘run the pipe’ = takedown is successful = output ‘success’.

So as you can see above, although there are infinite input/output combinations, ultimately you can identify your target output and find the right combination for the right scenario (an opponent in this case). You can then work to maximize your chances of Jiu-Jitsu success beyond the average age group Jiu-Jitsu competitor by testing input/output combinations, finding the ones that deliver the highest success and incorporating them into your game.

Now, why am I talking about this mathematical, algorithmic mumbo jumbo and how does that relate to what we were supposed to be talking about which was; ‘How does one win a boat load of Jiu-Jitsu medals?!’

In order for me to fully explain the method, we need to first understand that ‘input = output’ or ‘you reap what you sow’ therefore, the ability to train full time is a crucial part of taking to your Jiu-Jitsu game to a level where you could indeed confidently step on to an IBJFF Championship Mat to compete in Worlds, Euros, Pans, Brazilian Nationals and crush your way through the qualifiers, quarter finals, semi-finals and finals until you are stood atop the section of the podium that says ‘Number 1’ and are blessed with that lovely piece of IBJJF blue ribbon adorned shiny gold neck hardware.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can I train Jiu-Jitsu full time with no money and a full time job? This is something I will touch in more detail in a later article, so don’t worry… all will be revealed.

One of the most interesting examples of an athlete solving the above problem is a Jiu-Jitsu athlete called Aaron Siwoku, who I would constantly encounter at IBJJF competitions around the world in places such as Tokyo, Japan winning Gold at the IBJJF Asian Championships, to Lisbon Portugal at the IBJJF European Championships winning gold there also, It seems he was constantly winning gold medal after gold medal in his division each time I would see him in various cities across the world always on the podium. I wondered how it was possible that a) he could afford to travel around the world to literally every competition and b) how his competition results were so consistent. So one day I decided to ask him, and it came down to 2 things:

1) He was able to pretty much train full time as he had basically become his own sponsored athlete by creating an online plant based protein and nutrition brand called ‘Honest Earth’ (which is awesome by the way!). He told me he is able to run this business from his laptop anywhere in the world and completely control his own schedule as well as have an income.

2) He also understood the very topic I am writing about in this article which is ‘limit the input possibilities’ to maximize the ‘output = success’.  The combination of these 2 things is very powerful because Aaron now had the ability to train full time and subsequently spend a lot of time figuring out what the ‘high probability inputs’ were in a Jiu-Jitsu match that would maximize his chance of success in competition.

Our conversation then took a fascinating turn, we started discussing whether or not some people were more gifted than others or was this just a fairytale, we decided on the spot that sure it might be true that until we are 10 years old natural ability can shine, but past that point it seems that only one thing takes precedence and that’s hard work. Not just any kind of hard work, but structured, well thought through good old fashioned hard work.

In the IBJJF European Championships I watched Aaron beat 5 opponents to IBJJF Gold without having a single point scored against him. After watching this It became clear to me that this was somebody who understood the concept I’m so passionate about which is If you can spend time identifying your target output e.g ‘take my opponent down’ then from there you can figure out how to reduce the ‘input’ combinations from infinite to not so infinite.

For example, in Jiu-Jitsu there is an unlimited number of ‘actions’ your opponent could opt to make, but if you ‘go first’ and pressure your opponent with your own actions (attacking) then you immediately limit your opponent to ‘reactions’ to defense only. When you do this, you are immediately limiting the number of ‘possibilities’ your opponent has thus shifting him into a disadvantage because before he can start to attack you again he must prevent your attack. By limiting your opponent’s offensive ‘output’ you also reduce the number of offense ‘input possibilities’ that you must cycle through to find a winning combination that delivers your ‘target output’ which in this case is ‘take my opponent down’.

For example:

Input 1 – Reach for opponents gi lapel = opponent defends by extending his right arm…

Input 2 – Attempt arm drag = opponent defends by stepping his right leg back…

Input 3 – Single leg takedown (left leg) = opponent fails to defend = ‘Success Outcome’

So, what you will find, is that if you have the time to test and build enough ‘input combinations’ like the simplified example above and then store those input combinations on your hard drive (brain) you will realize that an opponent’s Jiu-Jitsu is only infinite if you allow it to be, and your success is also only infinite if you allow it to be.

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Gabi Garcia

A few days ago, Gabi Garcia published a mysterious Instagram post saying she was not done with gi competitions.

Alongside a picture with her in the gi with the medals she won at the Worlds, she wrote: “Fighting with the gi is still on my mind. The walk up to the mats for a black belt final is an indescribable feeling.”

What was a suggestion, became a reality today, when Garcia’s name appeared in the superheavy division of the 2016 Worlds. That’s her first appearance at the Worlds since 2013, when she won the open class but later had to forfeit the medal following a not-at-fault positive test for Clomiphene.

Even so, Gabi is still one of the most accomplished female black belts in history, with five world titles between 2010 and 2012, including two open class gold medals.

She talked about her decision to return to the mats despite being completely devoted to her MMA career. She fought twice for Rizin FF and currently has a 2-0 record.

“My phone is ringing nonstop. I also got a lot of messages from people excited with my return. I really wanted to compete at the Worlds, but I wanted to do it without the responsibility of having to win. I have already written my name in Worlds’ history when I won all the titles I could win. I come back to fight well and win the gold medal in my weight class [superheavy].”

Gabi Garcia

Regarding the open class, Gabi says she’s in, but with a slightly different mission.

“I am not aiming at the title. I want to help Andresa Correa, who is on fire this year. I want to beat somebody tough on the way and help her win the title. It’s not that I don’t want another absolute gold, but this is Andresa’s year. She won her weight class and the open class at the European, Pan and Brazilian Nationals. I have to wait the General Fabio Gurgel’s orders, but Private Gabi is ready for war.”

In closing, Gabi revealed the the reason that made her come back to the gi for the moment.

“To win or to loose is not the main thing now. I want to compete in the sport that I love. I want to be on the top and maybe reach another final, you never know. I am ready.”

The 2016 World Jiu-Jitsu championship is scheduled June 1-5, at the Long Beach Pyramid, in California.

Click here for more info.

Coverage brought to you by GAMENESS.

Black belt Vagner Santana is getting ready for upcoming competitions and takes the time to share some clever attacks once you have the opponent inside your triangle.

Pay close attention and add a wrist lock and two different armbars to your game.

What a way to kick off 2016. For the first issue of the year, we feature no other than Marcelo Garcia.

Our news team jumped on a plane to New York to meet with the man in his state of the art academy in Manhattan.

The five-time world champion opens up about his life, career and shares his unique approach to Jiu-Jitsu.

To make things even better, Marcelinho teaches all you need to know about his trademark X-Guard.

Had enough?

Well, we also talked to Mackenzie Dern and Royce Gracie about their upcoming challenges.

You will also find Martin Rooney, the best competitors of 2015 and much more.

Grab your copy or subscribe now.

Cigano só quer saber do título. Foto: Josh Hedges

Junior Cigano defende pela primeira vez o cinturão de pesos pesados no dia 26 de maio, data que acontece o UFC 146, em Las Vegas. Pela frente, o brasileiro nocauteador terá o holandês Alistair Overeem, especialista em trocação, campeão do K-1.

Promessa de nocaute, a luta deve ser eletrizante, e Cigano mostra no vídeo abaixo um pouco do seu repertório e velocidade. Quantos socos ele dispara em 34 segundos? Tente contar, caro leitor!