James Wilks, OC Jiu Jitsu and MMA instructor, took the gold medal at the Gracie National in Los Angeles. He won 1st place in the No-Gi division at the 185 lb category.

James is also a professional MMA fighter and accomplished martial artists with many black belts in other disciplines.

The Defendfast course will start on Feb 24 at 1:30pm. The course is designed for law enforcement personnel who are in harms way.

The course is realistic with LE performing muscle memory functions with gun take aways, retention, knife defense, arrest control and etc., There will be a few select civilians who will participate and who have qualified themselves with serious intentions.

The course will also be taken outside with revolving scenarios involving automobiles and etc.,

The philosophy of OC Jiu Jitsu and MMA is embodied within this course. The term “martial” is affiliated with war (the God Mars), and so it is the “art of war”. This course is not performed with wrapped hands to make it look serious (there are some “self defense schools that use this gimmick) nor with a uniform. It is designed to defend yourself in a life threatening situation.

LE personnel who are students of the school have taken the first step toward longevity in their profession. As for the others, I hope they know how to flip a coin.

Eduardo Arrivebene, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor at OC Jiu Jitsu and MMA, decided to change careers and pursue his dream of becoming a paparazzi in Hollywood. Some of Eduardo’s pics have been featured in magazines such as US and People.

We wish him luck in his new career.

Once upon a time Royce Gracie dominated the UFC with his BJJ skills. That was a long time ago and he was easily defeated by Matt Hughes (not a BJJ specialist (but who passed his guard like butter)) who got clobbered by George St. Pierre.

Many people (even in BJJ) refuse to acknowledge the evolution of MMA fighting. That is ok - since they will never make it in MMA.

Today, the student of the martial arts should look to revise his skills and keep up with the current changes. I know the old argument - “You are breaking tradition” and “This is a phase”. Tell that to the  MMA fighters who are forced to revise their skills and practice wrestling, judo, muay thai, bjj, catch wrestling, and etc.,

If someone is telling you differently then you are being brainwashed. Just don’t test those skills - you will be humiliated.

The philosophy of Jiu Jitsu has been lost in the US. Many people believe that Jiu Jitsu is Brazilian, but it is actually Japanese. The philosophical teachings of Jiu Jitsu has not been revived since it has been passed down from Maeda in the early 1900’s.

Like many other Asian martial arts, jiu jitsu shares some interesting traits.

In this country, Jiu Jitsu has been overshadowed with the concept of only winning ( by tapping your opponent). Once ego is involved, the art ceases to inhabit that person. Many students drop out of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since their frustration of being tapped becomes too overwhelming. Students believe that tapping their opponent defines them at that moment - and it is, at best, a hollow victory. Focusing on winning preoccupies the student with using the same techniques - any chance of experimenting with new ones takes a backseat.

Jiu Jitsu has many benefits. It can teach you the process of trial and error. Transfering these skills into business, and dealing with many failures (like tapping) can help you patiently reach that point of success.

More importantly, to keep moving and going with the flow of strength can help you become more flexible in life and business.

Unfortunately, there are too many academies where the person is defined by their daily victories. Unless that student trains to become a professional fighter, his losses will always be a source of frustration than a learning experience.

The martial arts is an evolving, organic style that lends itself to the creative and bold. Bruce Lee changed the face of the martial arts by using techniques borrowed from other styles. I guess you can call him the first MMA specialist, but he took an American approach to a “traditional” art. MMA is the newest art, and is the superior one (hate to tell that to the traditionalists)

People who usually frown on the “new thing”, are the ones who don’t understand the dynamics of life. I once had a surgeon, five years ago, laugh about the internet when I discussed it with him. Too bad the surgeon didn’t have the brains of the founders of Google, Yahoo, Amazon - should I go on? And yes, they are about 1,000 times richer and smarter as well.

Like anything else, you have to keep swimming to survive and stay sharp. If you don’t accept that life changes, then be prepared to be passed by.

Hope you like to wave.

The last UFC exemplified the need to become well rounded. George St. Pierre easily defeated Matt Hughes using Judo throws, strikes, and submission finishes.

It can’t become any clearer than reality. If you think you can defend yourself with one style, then prepare to accept defeat, and get hurt. It can’t become any clearer.

Brainwashing takes all forms and clouds the picture of how to get things done. Tae Kwon Do kicks with jeans (forget it), BJJ taking the fight to the ground (well, you have to get there first and deal with the strikes in the meantime).

Think realistically and practically. The 1% chance of getting in a confrontation can change your life forever.

We went through reconstruction at the school and classes will resume on Wednesday January 2. Three of our instructors will be back from the holidays.

I have a friend who received his MBA from the Wharton School sometime ago. He was mislead by the notion that the degree would carry him forward in his career - it would only open the door of opportunity. He eventually went bankrupt (from trying to maintain his lifestyle) and has been shell shocked ever since.

What does this have to do with the martial arts?

There are too many places where the emphasis is on the name or history of the academy. In the end, it is the skills that you need to defend yourself. If you place too much emphasis on the brand (to get you through the day), you need to re-evaluate what you are doing and why.

In the MMA world, most fans believed Pride to be “the” place for fighters and fights. As we have seen (through the UFC), the Pride fighters were vastly overrated and beaten (sometimes quite easily) by the UFC fighters.

If you live in your own world, then brand yourself away. Just don’t step out of it.

We have had a couple of students challenge (in a not- so friendly way) some of the instructors at the school. Inevitably, the instructor teaches them a lesson and loses respect for that student.

Trying to win everyday gets you nowhere - especially in a place of learning. The martial arts becomes a vehicle for your ego rather than a vehicle for your well being and health.