A year in to competitive BJJ

The very first BJJ comp I entered after a few solid weeks of BJJ schooling was the Kent BJJ Open back in November 2008. A year into the game I return to the Kent Open and get to the semi finales, and so does the Prince of Darkness a.k.a my brother.

Click here to check out the vids on my Youtube Channel

HMR HIIT (Horse Manure Relocation High Intensity Interval Training)

Just like many others who part take in any amateur competitive sport. I have limited time to put towards training, more so for conditioning. As it’s not as enjoyable as the skills based training sessions. Also requires a higher level of motivation as seldom is it done in a group environment. My personal solution was to combine some manual labour required on my allotment plot and some HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)



This is how HMR HIIT was invented. It allowed me to stock up on the horse manure just outside the allotment site and place it on my own plot. Armed with a wheel barrow and spade I jog to the manure site load up the wheel barrow and jog back pushing the loaded barrow. Tip out the barrow on my plot and hand over the barrow and spade to my brother who’d then do the same while I jog in front to ensure the narrow path way is free from by passers. After thirty minutes of this we relocate six wheel barrows full of manure. Great work out.



This morning we knocked up the first bed and the horse manure was shoveled on.

Increasing Grip Strength for the lazy

After watching 'Five Grip Training Methods for BJJ & Submission Grappling' by Stephan Kesting. I searched online and brought myself a 'Iron Woody - The Woody Gripper'. The idea is to use it while watching a movie and increase resistance every week or so. I'll let you guys know who I get on.

Infected with LS (not ILS)

After a year of rolling around on sweaty mats I stayed infection free. Washing my gi and all my gear soon as I got in and using a cap full of Dettol instead of softener in the machine and Dettol soap in the shower. Followed this with oiling my skin with coconut oil before I towel down. Worked great at keeping me bug free. But After a solid year of infection free grappling I've pick up a really strong strain of LS.


What is LS?


It mainly effects (but not excluded to) the latissimus dorsi (Lats) to region. The doctor tells me the only cure is to stop grappling. This will lead to the LS (Lat Syndrome) reversing over a period of 3-6 months.





LS is a physical condition, while ILS(Imaginary Lat Syndrome) is a psychological one.

All jokes aside I do feel I'm morphing into a Silverback the more I grapple.

31.07.2009 – My body is now soft boiled

A few weeks ago I was on fire, my ground game was good, not great but good. And I felt like I was made of adamantium. I was lapel choking away like it was going out of fashion to the point of pain in my finger joints. Monday past the bubble burst. I felt human again. Every knock and bump hurt. When held down in side control by guys of a similar weight, I almost tapped from the pain I felt in my ribs. My whole body has been extremely sore and tender for the last two weeks.

Here’s a clip of me and my brother having a roll about.



And here’s Ziyad schooling me

TUF 10 - Heavyweights

This is looking to some very entertaining veiwing from Sept 09 onwards.