Nikita – Group Elephant
Nikita is constantly put in challenging divisions, and is usually one of the smaller competitors in his weight class.
Nikita vs Ewan from Point Blank Submissions – Galway
To alleviate tension, I usually ask the children a question or two before starting the matches. Foolishly, I forgot that Nikita would know the BooYah Master Chief call and Ewan wouldn’t! My bad!
Definitely Nikita’s best clinch game. If you look for when Ewan tries the hip throw, Nikita takes an easy takedown to side control. Perfect example of hip position. While Nikita managed to stay on top poor underhook game (which we’ve neglected a bit of late) let Ewan stand up and get a takedown of his own. Nikita was two seconds too late on the sweep, which would have won him the match!
Download here (mpg format, 1:28, 12.7MB)
Nikita vs Adam from Celtic MMA – Dublin
Nikita was far too hesitant in this match, and Adam got an early takedown and took the back. Nikita managed to escape quickly and even scored a reversal. When the action stood back up Nikita tried a headlock throw but it didn’t work out. Headlock throws are not a safe option – they’re used by people because it’s easier to grab the head than to dig for an underhook or secure a whizzer, but there efficacy is very low. As a result Adam took the back, though time ran out before he could secure a stoppage.
Download here (mpg format, 1:22, 11.9MB)
Nikita vs Hughie from SBG Northside – Dublin
Hughie is a phenomenal athlete, with a great command of Judo throws. He nailed everyone with this and Nikita was no exception. Nikita told me afterwards that he didn’t try against Hughie because he knew he wouldn’t win. Because of these doubts, Hughie took an easy win.
Download here (mpg format, 39 secs, 5.6MB)
Lee & Graeme – Group Iguana
Graeme vs Adam C from SBG Southside – Dublin
Graeme caught the underhook, so despite his hips being high, he managed to get the takedown. Graeme fought arm against arm to try and get a shoulder lock – this is not an efficient way to go about it, you should really be trying to bug the neck. Had Graeme spent more time bugging the neck, or taken mount, I’m fairly sure he could have gotten an armbar win.
Download here (mpg format, 2:12, 19.1MB)
Lee vs Adam B from SBG Southside – Dublin
Lee got an early takedown but if you watch closely look how Adam skillfully turns this into a guard sweep to take top. Lee manages to reverse but Adam gives him a lot of hassle holding side control. This is because Lee doesn’t keep a block at Adam’s near side hip. This type of problem occurred a lot during the junior divisions. It’s a product of people being too head/arms orientated and not securing the hips!!! And as we all know, it’s all in the hips!
Download here (mpg format, 38 secs, 5.4MB)
Lee vs Graeme
Definitely our lack of underhook work recently is noticeable here, as both get just their hands underneath their opponent’s arms. Lee goes for a schoolboy trip and gets it – cheap! Lee gets reversed when he goes for Graeme’s arm without getting proper side control. Graeme does well to recover guard but they both get very arm dependent (this is a feature of a lot of wrestlers). When Lee breaks open Graeme’s guard both parties should have looked to stand up: Lee to pass safely, Graeme because he could have reversed easier. Graeme definitely tries more things from guard, but Lee’s gargantuan strength keeps him safe.
Download here (mpg format, 2:10, 18.7MB)