Dennis Asche - Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle

Just listened to Rener Gracie on FightWorksPodcast…Great input, I agree with what he had to say about the defensive strategy of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the mentality of survive at all costs. The sport and defensive mentality are conflicting and something I contemplate on a regular basis. This decision is a good subject to consider as it will decide what path in Jiu-Jitsu a person is on.

http://www.thefightworkspodcast.com/podcasts/fightworkspodcastepisode191.mp3

That was a far off prediction on my part! Regardless, I stand by the thought that Liddell and Leites could have won their fights…unfortunately they did not employ the game plans that I was hoping to see. Much respect to them both, Leites has many years to improve his game (and learn Wrestling) and it would still be great t osee Liddell retire on a winning note in a big fight. Hope to see the UFC make that happen.

After nearly two years out of Brazil Paddy and Donal Carmody are back in Rio. These two brothers travel the globe searching out the best training in BJJ there is and this year brought them to the academy of Gordo Jiu-Jitsu. Paddy and Donal are two of the most dedicated and matriculate Jiu-Jitsu practitioners I know. After training, they review, they watch instructionals and championships…Notes??? These guys have literally written a book thoroughly logging and detailing the techniques they have learned and practice. The Carmody brothers represent both Ireland and Jiu-Jitsu with confidence and pride. Aside from being dedicated to the Arte Suave they have a great sense of humor and are really good people. Glad to have you both back here!

Paddy & Donal at GJJ

This weekend was a good one for me. I enjoyed a birthday training and later a celebration with friends at Bar do Oswaldo in Largo da Barra. Even though I prefer to sleep at night, it is good to go out every once and a while, as most things are good in moderation. My time spent in Gordo Jiu-Jitsu has built many friendships with the athletes who train there. There where a few people out of town or with prior commitments…Thank you to my friends who where able to make it there!

GJJ at Bar do Oswaldo

There are a few people missing in the photo…

It’s been on my mind for a while but I keep forgetting to write it in the blog. At the 1a etapa da Copa Minerienha LB academy had a lot of good performances from the team. Tiago Gaspery, Zorobabel, Ze Carioca, Clayton, Massoud and Caleb all did well, putting on a good showing for the team. Novo Leblon team also did very well. The team has a lot of young competitors and the showings get better every event.

In this last UFC Fight Night, Rafael dos Anjos earned fight of the night with a great performance. Congratulations Rafael.

A little over a week ago I had my first run in with the “public servants” here. After finishing recording in Barra with ITG I headed home by car. Generally my transportation is the bus and or metro but that day happened to be by car. Not far from home driving slowly, looking for a parking spot near Subway the signal closed and I stopped…Right beside me stopped two “public servants” who obviously got a good look at me and had a good idea I am not a Brazilian. So they pulled me over on the next block to ’see what I had in the trunk’. Immediately after asking me to open the trunk, first question was, “You’re not from here are you?”

Obviously nothing exciting in the car. Next it was time to hand over the documents for the car and my driver’s license (US driver’s license, that had been expired for nearly a year). About that time the second of two ’servants’ walked around the car while slinging his assault rifle across his chest, folding down the stock and resting his finger above the trigger. Having some experience here and listening to many, many stories from the Cariocas, I knew what to expect, knew that the two of them where doing their best to ’scare the gringo’ and shake me down.  After handing the first storm trooper my licence he immediately asked for a translation paper, I offered to translate it for him. He denied of course, telling me it was required and that the cars documents where out of order and missing pages. Now talking louder he again told me that my license was not valid without a translation, I again offered to translate it for him. “OK, let’s call in and tow the car…and we’ll have to take you to the station to sort out your license”, said the storm trooper with the assault rifle. I knew what was next but was concerned that the R$34 that was in my wallet was not enough to pay them off. Not for the fact that it wasn’t enough money (I have a friend who got out of a road block using a package of cookies) but that they would expect more from me, being a foreigner.

Picking up on the fact that I managed to stay calm and speak fluent Portuguese they too began to calm down. I stood there for a few seconds and they almost seemed surprised at my reaction (or lack of). “Look, is there another way we can take care of this”, where my next words. “Ah, but I will have to have your word”, the storm trooper without the assault rifle replied several times (therefore a few details such as witch department have been excluded). “So, how is R$200 for you”, I chuckled and replied, “I don’t have anywhere near that much on me, do you mind if I take a look in my wallet?”. “Not here, get back in your car and we will pull you over again”, he replied, then asked if I could make a withdraw at a bank near by. My reply of course was “no”.

Driving slowly knowing that the police here have no problem riddling a car with their assault rifles (many times caught on tape then shown on the 11 0′ clock news, unedited). A few blocks later they sound the siren and I pull over in a poorly lit area. “So how much do you have”, he asks, “Look, all I have is R$34 (roughly $15USD)”, “OK, that’s fine”, he said. I thanked him shaking his hand, knowing that in all reality that wasn’t a bad deal.

Morale = Make sure documents are straight before putting ones self in a situation like that.

Even though it was a good deal, it could have turned out very bad for me and besides that I didn’t get my sandwich!

Gordo Jiu-Jitsu/Gracie Fusion team mate Rafael dos Anjos interview, before his April 1st fight with Tyson Griffin at UFC Fight Night.

For all the people who want to know more about Gordo and the academy:

There has been a lot happening here in Rio. As it is said the year doesn’t begin in Brazil until after Carnival and for many people the saying is true.

During this last week David was once again admitted to the Clinica Bambina because of difficulty breathing, he even spent 24 hours in the ICU. The doctors said that it is possible he has some blood clotting from his healing leg that likely migrated to his lungs (in addition to inflamed bronchial tubes). Thankfully he left the clinic Saturday with his mom and Lane. He seemed in good spirits when I saw him this Saturday afternoon.

Training in the academy is getting into full swing as many of Gordo Jiu-Jitsu athletes prepare for upcoming Jiu-Jitsu championships and Vale Tudo fights. Not only where their the Cariocas but Gordinho brought down a group of New Yorkers, filling up the academy. No shortage of good people to train with.

During the weekend aside from Saturdays training there was a special Mauy Thai promotion for students of Edu Pachu, Deigo Braga, Cadu Andrade, Dudu, and Erinaldo Rodrigues headed by their professor Vander Valverde.

Sunday ITG held a special recording session for the TECH FACTORY and Faixa Preta Digital, with BTT black belt Fabiano Capoani demonstrating technique on Olivar Leite and myself.

Filming Technique at gordo Jiu-Jitsu w/BTT's Fabiano Capoani

Olivar Leite at home on the mat.

Felipe behind the camera

Clinica Bambina

Seeing David at the Clinica Banbina Saturday was very uplifting. He is talking, slowly and really able to communicate…”Bring me pizza”, was an urgent request sent out to everyone visiting him. With his broken femur healing he is still in bed but moving and ‘awake’.

Visiting family, friends, or loved ones in intensive care uses a lot of energy, in both seeing them in that state and willing them back to health with all of one’s energy. Going in to visit David now that he has been released from the ICU is a relief. The strength that David’s mother, sister and fiancee have shown throughout this time, waiting for visiting hours, sleeping at the hospital, and giving their emotional support to him, making the difference in his recovery to this point…Very admirable.