"Being A White Belt of Life"

Yesterday "I love BJJ" posted one of my favorite quotes, that I also hear another coach say as well. He was the first one that heard say it, and it is "a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a white belt that never gave up." That is a great philosophy in martial arts about persevering, and it is a philosophy that could be applied in all areas of life. Learning to persevere in life is what separates people that succeed from people that fail. People fail in life, because they gave up when life made it hard for them to try to succeed. People that succeed in life are like the person in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that is on the bottom with someone on top of them, who is willing to struggle to get better. Even when people do succeed, they should always want to learn to be a better person in what they do.

Success, and failures do come and go. Perseverance in people is what keeps them moving forward, and there will be struggles along the way that causes people to keep spinning their tires until they overcome their struggles.

"My Opinion Of Nick Diaz's Situation"

It's a big bummer that the rematch with Diaz vs Condit for the interim welterweight title may not happen, because Diaz failed his drug test with his use of marijuana. The reason why I think the rematch of Diaz vs Condit  may not happen instead of it could not happen is what I learned more about marijuana in the last few days. One thing that I learned about marijuana when it comes to analyzing it in urine test is that it can still be detected, even long after your body has processed it out of its system. That is one of the reasons why I think the rematch of Diaz vs Condit may not happen, instead of it could not happen. If Diaz's camp could convince Nevada State Athletic Commission that Diaz smoked marijuana for medical purposes, than maybe they can at least reduce his suspension to 6 months instead of a year. If that happens, than UFC can still do the rematch of Condit vs Diaz in August.

Diaz reason for failing his drug test could be argue that it was not for performance enhancing, because he may not have smoked it during camp. He could of smoked it after camp for possible recovery purpose, and he does have a medical prescription for it. There are other MMA fighters that get prescription for TRT (testatesterone replacement therapy), and they get cleared. Some do it for medical purposes, and some do it for performance enhancement like Nate Marquart did with TRT. If MMA fighters get clear for taking TRT for medical purposes, than why couldn't Diaz be clear from using marijuana for medical purposes? If Diaz was smoking marijuana during camp, than you can make the case of it being used for performance enhancement. But Diaz having prescription for smoking marijuana could make it hard for others to argue that he used it for performance enhancement.

I do not think that Diaz should be suspended for using marijuana for medical reasons, but I am not sure if the Nevada Athletic State Commission see's it that way. They maybe suspending him more for failing a urine sample, and we already discussed the fallacy of urine sample for marijuana. If Diaz's camp has a good lawyer that could make an argument of Diaz using it for medical purpose rather than performance enhancement in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, than maybe they could at least reduce his suspension for 6 months that will allow the rematch of Condit vs Diaz to take place.

"My Thoughts From UFC 143: Condit vs Diaz"

UFC 143 lived up to my expectations, and than some. I anticipated that the Diaz versus Condit fight for the UFC interim welterweight title was pretty much going to be a stand up fight, but I was not sure how many bomb combos Diaz would take from Condit. Nor was I sure if Condit keep up the pace with Diaz, who is a cardio machine. Those were the questions that made last night's fight have anticipation of excitement, and it live more up to than what I expected.

Both fighters answer the questions of last night's fight. Condit kept pace with Diaz, but he fought more intelligently than Diaz did. That is why he won, because he used a lot of solid combos that connected later on in the fight to where it helped him to not let Diaz get him up against the Cage to throw some bombs. That is what made Condit fight an intelligent fight to be the winner in last night's UFC interim welterweight title fight, but him not being able to finish Diaz with his hard hitting combos shows how tough Diaz. With Diaz constantly pressing the fight, he answer the question of if he can still keep going when Condit does through nasty combos, and again people saw how tough Nick Diaz. Even though he lost, he is still an exciting fighter to watch. People are already wanting to know who will Diaz fight next, even though after the fight Diaz sort of announce he was retiring from MMA. Like Dana White I think he speaking more from emotion, and I think he will come back. I mean I like to see him comeback to fight Koshcheck, because I think both of them are in the list of top five welterweights. And they could get the winner of Condit vs GSP if that happnens. The only way GSP vs Condit may not happen is if Condit's camp decides to fight, instead wait for GSP to return. If that is the case, than it will be interesting to see who will fight Condit next. I mean I would not mine to see a rematch with Diaz.

With Diaz and Condit answering questions of their anticipated fight of excitement last night at UFC 143 is what made it live up to its expectations. I hope Condit's camp decides to take a fight before GSP, and I would not mind if he fought Diaz again.

"Fighters Not Making Weight"

UFC 142 will be on PPV tonight, and I was looking forward to the Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson fight. The reason why I was looking forward to the fight was to see Anthony Johnson do going against a legend like Belfort, but him not making weight yesterday created disappointed for me about that fight. Yesterday Johnson came in 11 lbs over the weight limit, so it was not like he missed by 2 lbs. Reports of the web stated that Johnson was 30 lbs over in the last two weeks, and reading that I wonder what was he doing in the 3 to 5 months leading up to his fight against Belfort. And today Johnson comes to say he does not care about what people say about him missing weight, because most people do not know what it is like to cut weight to the point where it creates health problems. I will agree with him that most people do not know what it is like to lose weight, but to fighters that is part of their job. It's a responsibility they have to make weight, and it is part of their agreement when they sign contracts. When they put their signature on their contract, than that means they have to live up to their agreement in making weight. I am disappointed in Anthony Johnson for not making weight, because he did not live up to his end of the agreement in fighting Belfort. It is very disrespectful to the promoters that put a lot of money and time in promoting his fight against Belfort that could have taken his career to the next level. It is also very disrespectful towards Belfort, who spent the last 3 to 5 months training to get in shape to fight Johnson. Fighters not making weight are irresponsible, and they have no respect for the sport.

Johnson can use health reasons as an excuse for not making weight, but that does not justify it. Losing 30 lbs in 2 weeks is not healthy, and it is not smart. But still he considers himself a professional athlete, so he should know that it is not good to cut 30 lbs in two weeks. I mean Belfort got down to the weight limit with no problem, and Johnson had at least the same amount of time to cut weight. Johnson missed weight, because he is a lazy person that just wants the glam that comes with MMA. He came in 11 lbs over, so that shows me he is irresponsible along with being lazy. If you are lazy and irresponsible, than maybe MMA is not for you.

http://www.MixedMartialArts.com/news/377837/Johnson-makes-required-205-fight-vs-Belfort-is-on-weight-not-fair/

"What Hughes and Koscheck Must Do To Win"

UFC 135 could be the last time Matt Hughes fights if he loses, but if he defeats Koshcheck he could ask for a few more fights. UFC 135 will be the first fight he's had since he last December when he lost to GSP by unanimous decision. Koscheck has been asking for Hughes, and now gets him cause of Diego Sanchez pulling out with a hand injury.

Fighting Matt Hughes gives Koscheck a opportunity to probably retire one of the great welterweights that's already in the UFC hall of fame. However going into this fight will rust, and timing be a factor for Koscheck. If so, than how long in the fight will it take Koscheck getting adjusted. Koscheck has all of the tools in MMA to be capable of beating a legend like Hughes. Koscheck could finish Hughes standing with a knockout, because he's got great boxing hands that's put some welterweights away like Yoshida and UFC legend Frank Trigg. He's beaten down, and submitted Anthony Johnson that's an enormous fighter. So, Koscheck is just as dangerous on the ground as he is standing. It will be interesting to see where Koscheck wants to take this fight against Hughes, but I think he needs to spend more time on the offensive end to avoid giving Hughes control of the fight.

One of the things that make fighters with wrestling backgrounds great for mix martial arts is their ability to control fight, and Hughes has been great at that. Koscheck as well got a wrestling background, but its him standing that gives him an advantage against Hughes. Wrestling is where both fighters could be equal, so wrestling Koscheck is where Hughes may take it. If so, than I think Hughes needs to put the pressure on Koscheck early in the fight to keep him on the offensive end. This is a good idea, since timing could be an issue for Koscheck. I think Hughes would need to put the pressure on early, and take this fight to the ground to where this fight could swing into the favor of Hughes.

For Hughes, or Koscheck to win this fight one of them must keep the other person on the offensive. Kosheck may want to keep this standing, because this is where he has a big advantage over Hughes. Hughes definitely wants this fight to get to the ground, and he wants to take it their early to avoid standing with Koscheck. So whoever controls this fight early could be the one being victorious at UFC 135.

"Questions of UFC 135:Jackson vs Jones"

Man am I pumped for this fight, because it has potential elements in it to make it an exciting fight between number 1 contender Quinton "Rampage"Jackson versus lightweight heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones. The winner of this fight will be taking on Rashad Evans, and there's a 3 way beef among these three fighters that makes the light heavy weight division exciting.

Those elements that make this fight between Jackson versus Jones are first their style, because both fighters have a different style with a same background in wrestling. Jackson style is more of a street brawl type that's looking to use his hands for the knockout, where as Jones style is more flashy to where it incorporates a complete mix martial arts game. Another element that makes this fight exciting is the stages of where both fighters are in their careers. Jackson is in the prime of his career to where he's won 3 of his last 5 fights that's given him a record of 32-8. His wins has come from defeating Dan Henderson by decision, Chuck Liddell by knockout, Wanderlei Silva by knockout, and Lyoto Machida by decision. Yet with his impressive record he is the underdog coming in at this fight at -500, and Jon"Bones"Jones is the future of mix martial arts. Obviously Jones is the current light heavyweight champion, and became the youngest when he defeated Mauricio "Shogun"Rua back in March. He was able to win the belt with only three years of experience in mix martial arts, and there are two things that gives him the edge against opponents. First it is his athleticism of speed, size, strength, and agility. He's able transcend that in his MMA game, and 2nd thing he has over opponents is his insane reach advantage. He has 84.5 reach over his opponents, and these two things are why most people favor him over Jackson. However Jones is getting another test fight against Jackson, because it is his first title defense against another top light heavyweight.

Questions of this fight for Jones are can he defend his title, can he finish Jackson, and will we see him in danger to see how will he respond? Question of this fight for Jackson are will his strength be enough for him to keep this fight standing, can he get through Jones' reach to test his chin with his hands, and we will find the answers to these questions this Saturday at UFC 135. I cannot wait for this fight, because it will be exciting.

"UFC 137 Went From Exciting To Interesting To Exciting."

UFC 137 main event card went from exciting in can't wait for it to interesting can't wait for it, and now it is exciting, and interesting in can't wait for it.

The original main event for UFC 137 was GSP vs Nick Diaz for the welterweight title, and co-main event was B.J.Penn vs Carlos Condit. Cause of Nick Diaz no show at press conference that changed the main event card, and looking at it now it looks like someone flip flop it. You now have GSP vs Carlos Condit for welterweight title that does not build up as exciting, but interesting. Cause of Nick Diaz not showing at the press conference it cost him his shot against GSP for welterweight title, and now will be facing B.J. Penn. That fight has build up to excitement, and could be fight of the night.

GSP vs Condit will be interesting for two reasons, and first one is that this is the first opponent GSP will be facing that's from the same camp of Greg Jackson. Another reason for this to be interesting is that this is the first time during GSP's title reign that an opponent was changed him. Those are the two reasons that makes this fight interesting, and will those reasons be factors in the fight. Them facing each other has changed a lot of things for them as well. Both of them are coached by Greg Jackson, and he's already told them he will not be coaching them. So not only both fighters have coaches change, but also strategy changes for them as well. With all these changes happening which fighter will be affected by it the most, and those reason and factors make this fight interesting.

B.J. Penn vs Strikeforce Welterweight Nick Diaz could be exciting, and has potential to be fight of the night. Both fighters are scrappers, and will both not be afraid in pressing the action. Both of these fighters have great boxing hands, and excellent jiu jitsu. They both like to fight, and those things are what gives this fight potential to be fight of the night. To me Nick Diaz's best strategy to win this fight is take it to the distance, because he's got great cardio. Penn's cardio is one area of his game that people question, but Penn putting Strikeforce Welterweight champion early could propel Penn in the top 3 welterweight if not getting the next title shot. Out of all this UFC 134 shakeup Penn could be the potential winner, and that's what makes UFC 137 still excited to see on Saturday October 29th.