Jared Weiner with his daughter, Ellie. Photo: Personal archive

Jared Weiner, head instructor of GMA BJJ United in Philadelphia, PA, has become a spokesperson for attending to injuries in Jiu-Jitsu. Through his own personal story, he has advocated for those who get injured to not ignore them like he did. At the 2014 IBJJF NY Summer Open, a head injury led to a concussion that he tried to pass off as the flu. The injury, compounded with past concussions kept him off the mat until now. You can read about the initial story here.

GRACIEMAG: How long has it been since the first concussion?

JARED WEINER: My first documented one I can recall was in 1998, and that was also Jiu-Jitsu related. Who knows how many I’ve had through out years, but the ones that started this recent cycle happened back in July 2014.

Describe to me your training since getting onto the mat and how strict you’ve been to your doctor’s orders. What setbacks have you encountered?

I’ve followed my team of doctors orders really closely. I’ve been able to get back on the mats and teach again and roll with guys I really trust. The problem has been once the sweat starts to pour I start going full force and it’s only a matter of time before I bounce my head off of something and then I feel a bit off for a few hours or days. That’s been the main set back. I have to remember to take baby steps with this one. It’s just my personality and wanting to be back to the old me is what sets me back!

Do you miss competition?

It kills me watching all the tournaments and my division without me in it! I feel so bad I can’t go back to the Pan this year and try to defend my title! I’m not that guy to sit on the gold and not go back and try to win it again! It’s eating me up alive! But until I can go a month straight of feeling like me again I cannot compete or train super hard.

Have you been playing more top or bottom? Anything specific you stay away from?

I prefer the top game. I trained judo throughout the years so I love the takedown game. My game is a pressure game and I often lead with my head so I’m gonna have to just be careful. I’ve taken this down time though to drill a lot of new positions from my guard so maybe I’ll throw some people off a little when I come back haha.

But I have a feeling as soon as I’m back to me I’ll get right back to my grinding style game. I was joking with my good friend Yemaso [Marcos Torregrosa] that it took me almost 20 years of training to finally learn to get technical.

Do you take coaching more serious now that you’ve been out? Have you found new ways to be a better teacher?

I’ve always taken coaching very serious and I still do, but not being able to come into the academy for a few months really made me appreciate everything so much more. I never want to be away from my students and the school for that long again. I’m so thankful I have a great loyal team. I never felt stress that anyone would leave the school because I wasn’t in so I was able to focus on recovery that much more. I love my team, staff, and students tremendously.

When do you think you’ll compete again?

I’m not 100% sure and I won’t come back until I know I’m ready. So when you see me back out there and you will eventually know that I’m 100% ready and not playing games. I can’t wait to get back out there. It’s one of my main goals.

Now that you have a daughter, have you been able to introduce her to the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle?

Recently I’ve been bringing my daughter Ellie to the gym during kids class and she has really been showing interest in what’s been going on! It’s the best thing ever. I can’t wait to see her with a little gi on actually participating. She is the best thing in my life and she is my main motivation to get better and 100% healthy. She is my world.

Big thanks to the companies that stood by me during this injury and have had my back the whole time. Fokai Industries, Shoyoroll, Pitchfork, Casa De Roc, Dukes Barber Company, and Glenside Tattoo I can’t wait to rep for them when I get back on the mats.

Learn more about Jared and his academy at www.bjjunited.com and follow Bjj_united on Instagram.

C3 Athletics team at the 2014 Harrisburg Open. Photo: Personal archive

On Saturday, Nov. 1, GMA member Cesar Pereira took his team to the 2014 Harrisburg Open tournament held by the Pennsylvania State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federsation.

Cesar is head instructor of GMA C3 Athletics and also spends his time refereeing at tournaments such as this one this past weekend.

His student David Rodriguez was the big name in the blue belt adult, winning the middle division in both gi and no-gi. He also conquered the blue belt adult gi open class.

Some of his other students earned medals as well. While they did not win the team trophy, they still brought home eight medals: 3 golds and 5 silvers.

Learn more about Cesar Pereira and C3 athletics in Stamford, CT by visiting www.c3athletics.com

Jared Weiner competing at the NY Open. Photo: Erin Herle

Sometimes when training Jiu-Jitsu, there are injuries. Much like any other physical activity, there is always the potential injury and with one black belt, he has something to share about his.

Jared Weiner, head instructor of GMA BJJ United in Philadelphia, PA, has had his fair share of injuries in his nearly twenty years of training. But recently, an initial head injury at a tournament, compounded with a training injury on the mats at home, has made him push for a better awareness of how to handle these types of injuries.

Hear his story and share it to spread the awareness of these cases that we sometimes try to ignore:

“I was always the first person to tell someone to suck it up and fight through the pain, no matter what the circumstance was. If we were training for a tournament winning was the only thing that mattered. I can honestly look back and say that was a bad mentality and we are very lucky more serious injuries didn’t transpire over the years.

The back story: On July 19, I was in the finals of the IBJJF NY Summer Open. My opponent executed a beautiful single leg, he lifted me up and my head bounced off the mat. I saw the “camera flash” but kept fighting (This had no outcome on the match, my opponent won with great positions, and I don’t want to take away from his victory). Immediately after the match I became very nauseous and dizzy. I found myself dry heaving in the bathroom, and I wasn’t sure how I ended up there. That night I continued to throw up and feel “off” but I thought I was coming down with the flu and left it at that. That was HUGE mistake number 1.

Fast forward to exactly one week later: I was still feeling a little “off” but training hard anyways. All I knew was I had the Chicago Open coming up and I had to win coming off that loss in NY. During that training session I was accidentally kneed in the jaw by one of my students and knocked out cold. I have very little recollection of the actual hit, but I do recall coming to and asking what happened. I was  not really sure what was going on but I decided to keep training anyways because if I missed a day of practice (in  my mind) I would be soft and It might effect the outcome in Chicago. HUGE mistake number 2.

Fast forward to August 3: I finally decided to go to the hospital to see what was going on with me, because since the day I was knocked out, I felt light headed 24/7.  I was experiencing horrible headaches and scalp pain. I had crazy pressure in my left eye, and I was not able to sleep. Any type of light was hurting my eyes, and worst of all I became sad, emotionless, and suffered memory loss. I was scared as I never felt like this before, and I didn’t know what was going on with me.

I remember the doctor being really cool and trying to talk MMA and BJJ with me.  She then advised me that I suffered two back-to-back concussions within a week and that is rare and extremely dangerous. She told me it could have been fatal to get two right on top of each other. She said it will take time but I should feel normal again eventually. EVENTUALLY.

So here I am almost three months later still stuck in this “fog”. My headaches are not as severe, but I am still walking around light-headed and really “off”. I have not been able to train live, only teach, but even that is very difficult for me these days. A lot of things have been put in perspective for me over the last three months. The last thing on my mind is medals and tournaments, but being well for my daughter and family is my priority. This has been a nightmare for me, and people who have never experienced a head injury before never really seem to understand, and its very frustrating for me. I may seem normal, and look normal, but I feel far from normal.

I’m hoping to bring some awareness to head injuries in our sport and they are to be taken very seriously. Take some time and educate yourself on the topic and if you are ever feeling “off” from a head shot get checked out.”

Follow more of Jared Weiner and his recovery or learn more about BJJ United at www.bjjunited.com

The Purebred Jiu-Jitsu Guam Team. Photo: Personal Archive

On August 23, GMA Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam won their 14th consecutive Copa De Marianas adult and kids team championship trophies.

This is the longest win streak in Guam sports history. The event was blessed to have Professor Jared Weiner of GMA BJJ United from Philadelphia, PA as a guest official. The following Monday he conducted a seminar at our academy for kids and adults.

“Its a great thing to have Jiu-Jitsu connect people from all over the world. Big thanks to Jared for sharing,” says Stephen Roberto.

Learn more about GMA Purebred Jiu-Jitsu Guam and their accomplishments at www.purebredbjjguam.net

The kids at the tournament. Photo: Personal Archive

The Jared Weiner seminar. Photo: Personal Archive

Ricardo Tirloni / Bellator publicity photo

Looking to make it through to the next stage of the Lightweight GP, Ricardo Tirloni, a training partner of Thiago Tavare, set a trap for black belt Renê Nazaré. In the second round, after wobbling Renê with a hook, Tirloni finished off his opponent with an arm triangle. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1SSrIZiNeA

In the other GP bouts, former UFC fighter Rich Clementi outpointed Alexander Sarnavskiy via split decision, while muay Thai world champion Cosmo Alexandre outpounded Mike Bannon, forcing the doctor to intervene and call a stoppage in between the second and third rounds.

Check out the complete results:

BELLATOR
READING THEATER, PENNSYLVANIA, USA
OCTOBER 19, 2012

Rich Clementi defeated Alexander Sarnavskiy via split decision;
Dave Jansen tapped out Magomed Saadulaev via guillotine in R3;
Marcin Held defeated Murad Machaev via unanimous decision;
Ricardo Tirloni tapped out Renê Nazaré via arm triangle in R2;
Brett Martinez tapped out Eric Albright via guillotine in R2;
Cosmo Alexandre defeated Mike Bannon via doctor’s intervention following R2;
Duane Bastress defeated Lewis Rumsey via split decision;
Lew Polley defeated Carmelo Marrero via unanimous decision;
Darrel Horcher defeated Emanuel Brooks via KO in R1.

Ricardo Tirloni, . Foto: Bellator

O Bellator realizou sua edição 77 nessa sexta-feira, na Pensilvânia, Estados Unidos. E a chaleira ferveu no cage cinza.

Pelo GP dos Leves, o catarinense Ricardo Tirloni, companheiro de treinos de Thiago Tavares, armou uma arapuca para o faixa-preta Renê Nazaré. No segundo round, depois de um cruzado que fez Renê balançar, Tirloni aproveitou e encaixou um triângulo de mão para encerrar o combate. Veja abaixo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1SSrIZiNeA

Nos outros conferes do GP, o ex-UFC Rich Clementi venceu Alexander Sarnavskiy por decisão dividida, enquanto o campeão de muay thai Cosmo Alexandre desceu o braço para cima de Mike Bannon, impedido de continuar na luta por interrupção médica no segundo assalto.

Confira os resultados:

Bellator 77
Reading Theater, Pensilvânia, EUA
19 de outubro de 2012

Rich Clementi venceu Alexander Sarnavskiy por decisão dividida dos jurados
Dave Jansen finalizou Magomed Saadulaev com uma guilhotina no R3
Marcin Held venceu Murad Machaev por decisão unânime dos jurados
Ricardo Tirloni finalizou Renê Nazaré com um triângulo de mão no R2
Brett Martinez finalizou Eric Albright com uma guilhotina no R2
Cosmo Alexandre venceu Mike Bannon por interrupção médica no R2
Duane Bastress venceu Lewis Rumsey por decisão dividida dos jurados
Lew Polley venceu Carmelo Marrero por decisão unânime dos jurados
Darrel Horcher venceu Emanuel Brooks por KO no R1

O triângulo: arma que salva qualquer um no MMA.

Na luta de MMA ou numa situação real de conflito, é comum o praticante de Jiu-Jitsu se ver por baixo, tomando um sarrafo do agressor.

É a hora de investir no seu jogo de pernas, e usar a guarda não apenas para afastar o oponente, mas dominá-lo.

É o que nos ensina o faixa-preta da Nova União Renê Nazaré, fera do Bellator que hoje entra em ação na edição 77 do evento americano, na Pensilvânia.

Repare como Renê usa o movimento dos quadris e o domínio do braço para finalizar o oponente, seja no triângulo ou na chave omoplata.

O brasileiro enfrenta hoje o compatriota Ricardo Tirloni, e está confiante apesar dos últimos maus resultados.

“Ninguém me nocauteou, ninguém me finalizou. Eu perdi para os jurados, o que não vejo como derrota, já que é uma questão de pontuação e de opinião”, disse Renê ao site mmajunkie.com. “Em minha última luta, tive três rounds equilibrados com o Thiago Michel e Ricardo foi nocauteado com apenas um soco no começo da luta. Por isso, acho que ele não tem muito queixo. Se eu conseguir uma boa combinação e acertá-lo, ele vai cair novamente”, garantiu o carioca.

Nos outros conferes do GP, o ex-UFC Rich Clementi encara Alexander Tiger Sarnavskiy e o campeão de muay thai Cosmo Alexandre vai para dentro do americano Mike Bannon.

Quer ver os duelos? O site Esporte Interativo promete transmitir o Bellator ao vivo, a partir das 20h40 (horário de Brasília).

Bellator 77
Reading Theater, Pensilvânia, EUA
19 de outubro de 2012

Rich Clementi vs  Alexander Tiger Sarnavskiy
Dave Jansen vs Magomed Saadulaev
Marcin Held vsMurad Machaev
Ricardo Tirloni vs Renê Nazaré
Matthew Lozano vs Dave Morgan
Eric Albright vs Brett Martinez
Cosmo Alexander vs Mike Bannon
Duane Bastress vs Lewis Rumsey
Carmelo Marrero vs Lew Polley
Emanuel Brooks vs Darrel Horcher

The triangle saves the day again in MMA.

Whether in an MMA fight or real conflict situation, it’s not uncommon for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to find themselves on bottom, getting wailed on by an aggressor.

It’s time to get the leg game going, using the guard not just to get the opponent away, but to dominate him.

That’s the lesson taught by Nova União black belt Renê Nazaré, a fighter the card for Bellator 77, today in Pennsylvania, USA.

Take note of how Renê uses his hips and controls the arm in finishing his opponent, whether via triangle or omoplata.

Today the Brazilian will be taking on Ricardo Tirloni, and he’s confident despite a run of poor results.

“Nobody has knocked me out. Nobody has finished me. I lost to the judges, which I don’t see as a loss, because it’s a question of points and opinion,” Renê told the MMAJunkie.com website. “In my last fight I had three even rounds with Thiago Michel, and Ricardo was knocked out with one punch at the start of his fight. That’s why I think he doesn’t have much of a chin. If I can put together a good combination and land one, he’s going to fall again,” asserted the Rio de Janeiro native.

In the other GP fights, former UFC fighter Rich Clementi takes on Alexander Tiger Sarnavskiy and Thai boxing champion Cosmo Alexandre will face off with Mike Bannon.

Check out the card:

BELLATOR 77
READING THEATER, PENNSYLVANIA, USA
OCTOBER 19, 2012

Rich Clementi vs Alexander Tiger Sarnavskiy
Dave Jansen vs Magomed Saadulaev
Marcin Held vsMurad Machaev
Ricardo Tirloni vs Renê Nazaré
Matthew Lozano vs Dave Morgan
Eric Albright vs Brett Martinez
Cosmo Alexander vs Mike Bannon
Duane Bastress vs Lewis Rumsey
Carmelo Marrero vs Lew Polley
Emanuel Brooks vs Darrel Horcher

A university professor moonlighting as an MMA fighter, Jonathan Gottschall in a photo from Washington and Jefferson University in Pennsylvania, where he teaches / Photo: WashjeffEdu.com website/publicity

A 39-year-old professor of English Literature in Pennsylvania, USA, Jonathan Gottschall has published six books and a number of interesting theories. Some of them may even be revolutionary, like the one about the importance of works of fiction in the development of the human race, a theses he presented in his latest book, The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human.

In other words, he’d be a nutty intellectual like all the rest, were it not for one detail: his fixation for MMA, a sport he started practicing a year and a half ago, for which his brutal curiosity led him to… step into the ring and go toe to toe just a few weeks ago.

“By practicing MMA I learned, above all, that I’m a man of contradictions. I didn’t do it for personal reasons, but intellectual ones. I wanted to understand why men fight in ritual combat and the reasons that lead a gentle personal like myself to delight in these spectacles of barbarity,” said the writer.

An interview with Gottschall was featured in the latest issue of Brazil’s Veja magazine, more excerpts of which you will find to come:

WHY MAN FIGHTS

“Both literature and social sciences have shown that through combat man pursues status. It may seem like a vain reason but status determines where an individual figures in the hierarchies. Being at the bottom of the hierarchy, both for man and animals, is a bad place to be—and of course, it’s an obvious risk to survival.”

UFC, MMA AND EVOLUTION

“When I started watching, back in the 1990s, I was impressed by the violence of the sport. I couldn’t believe such a form of fighting could be legal. Honestly, the fights turned my stomach. I still get sickened by some situations. MMA doesn’t impose limits on aggressiveness. Besides being the utmost expression of human brutality, it is a very eclectic style, one that accepts modification and is in constant evolution. Other styles, like karate and judo, have established rules, don’t incorporate new moves. I’ll go out on a limb and say that MMA is the most evolved form of martial art.”

THE FIGHT AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT

“It was my first and last fight. I don’t want to do it again. I was defeated by armbar, but that wasn’t the problem. The worst part was the ultimate anticlimax. I wasn’t sweaty or even tired. After a year and a half of training, dieting and a month of anxiety leading up to my stepping in the cage, I was disappointed. It all went so quickly. I was hoping for something more epic, prolonged and brutal. Something like Homer’s Odyssey or Iliad.”

Charles in photo by Josh Hedges

Charles do Bronx was putting on a virtuous performance against Nik Lentz at UFC 131 last Saturday. Moments before finishing, though, the fighter landed a knee to the face of his opponent, who had three limbs touching the ground at the time, making it an illegal move. While the event was still underway it was confirmed the result would be scrutinized.

So this Wednesday the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission announced that the result has indeed been overturned. That is, the bout ended in a no contest, with neither a winner nor loser. The curious part is that this winnerless bout was voted best of the night, earning the two participants an extra 50,000 dollars each.

Charles previously remarked about the possibility of the result being overturned, which he disagreed with, to GRACIEMAG.com:

“The knee was not decisive. It got him in the eye and he kept coming at my legs. What decided the fight was the rear-naked choke; he continued normally after the knee; I didn’t do it on purpose.”