sprawlmma.org ---------SPRAWL MMA PHILIPPINES--------- sprawlmma.org

Milpitas, CA -- I would like to share on this episode of the Guard Game the success of the Open Mat Submission Challenge 2009, held this afternoon at the Milpitas Health and Fitness facilities, January 24, 2009 at Milpitas, California. Congratulations to the organizers, led by http://www.unlimitedkickboxing.com!

The even gathered 80 plus grapplers in various weight classes and levels from the Bay Area. The crowd was big and was giving their all-out support as well, it was an awesome event in general!

The goal of the event was simple, you have you grapple with someone on your weight class and level and fight at least 3 fellow grapplers. Duration is 4 minutes for each match. Regardless if you win or lose, you get to move on to fight another grappler. The minimum number of match per grappler are 3 fights. I was scheduled to fight 5 matches because my weight class of 136lbs to 145lbs was stacked! But half-way to the tournament, a lot of fighters haven't even fought their 2nd match, so I told the organizers I had enough, and my Coach told my 3 fights where awesome and I can rest now. I told the organizers to use my slot to accommodate the rest of the fighters who haven't fought twice yet.

My Coach and the friends I met at the event said I did well. My stats for the event are the following:

(136 to 145lbs Weight Class)
- 3 Four-minute matches
- 2 Arm-triangle submission finish
- 1 Rear-Naked Choke submission finish

Not bad for a struggling grappler with only 5 months of BJJ training under my belt! Three things I learned and should be practiced for such an event like this:

1. Listen to your Coach or Cornerman.
2. Don't be distracted at the other fighter's girlfriends. Yes, stop staring at them.
3. Enjoy each match. You learn if you win, you learn more if you lose.

Below are some of my "action shots" taken by my teammates during the event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guerilla7/sets/72157612917302097/

Respect to everyone and see you at the mat!
Ron