ARGH!!!

LOL…you win some. you lose some.

Today I played at the 2013 Abu Dhabi Cup in the UAE.  The division was stacked with several of the top Grapplers, as the Abu Dhabi is literally the world’s mecca for BJJ.

My first match was against an opponent from Jordan named Wesam Ziad Ahmad.  Having heard he was a wrestler, I immediately pulled guard.  Watching him try to pass, I decided to go inverted as I noticed he was leading with his hands while controlling my ankles.  After a quick feeling out process, I shot the triangle from the inverted guard, and got the tap out victory!

During my second match I faced 2nd degree BJJ Black Belt Bruno Fornari of the UAEJJ team.  From Brazil, Professor Fornari is currently teaching in the UAE as part of their BJJ program.  Having watched my last match against Wesam, Bruno attempted to pull guard before me, which lead to us both ending up on bottom.  During the scramble to get ontop, I attempted one of my favorite submissions, a modified guillotine choke, which he was able to defend, ending up in the top position.  The ref awarded an advantage, which I mistakingly took for being awarded to me.

Looking at the score board, I noticed ”my side” of the mat had an advantage of 1-0, however, the ”color” on the TV, matched his ankle band, and I fell victim to ”not paying good enough attention”–Bruno was actually awarded the advantage from gaining top position from the double butt flop–>and for the next 5 minutes I played safe, not opening my guard, as I was under the impression I was ahead.

Following the end of the match, the Ref raised the hand of Fornari–and he went on to claim the Gold Medal for the division.

As the old saying goes, Experience is priceless…lol.  I couldn’t help but to think this was Karma catching up with me, as I previously won a match over BJJ Black Belt Marcus Waters in the Philippines International tournament, when he thought he was ahead by an advantage.

Overall it was a fun experience, and I look forward to my next opportunity to compete.  I was pleased to see Khalid, pull off one of the Triangle setups we have been working during our privates in his first match–and feel confident he will use this experience to grow as an athlete.

All the fights were shown live on Abu Dhabi Sports 1 TV, which was a cool experience!!  Having been almost 7 years since the last time I’ve competed in the UAE, I’m motivated to bring Kuwait Combat Athletics back once we’ve had an opportunity to build our team!

Mma world league debuted in Dubai with an action packed event!!

Fast paced action and furious fighting saw all of the bouts end by KO or Submission with none of the fighters trying to ride out a decision on the judges score cards!

WBC reps and KO Promotions did an excellent job putting the event together and I’m proud to say the refs did well and their were no incidents to report.

The two main event bouts I ref’d were both won via armbar submission by the very strong fighter from Russia

Press conference is about to start in Dubai for the MMA World League event being promoted by KO Promotions in Dubai tomorrow.
Patrick Cusick who is Secretary General of the WBC Muay Thai and a member of the WBC board of governors is on hand to oversee the event!

With a mix card of Mma and Muay Thai all going down in the cage at the Movenpick Gate Hotel…the event is guaranteed to be a cracker!

MMA in the Middle East is getting to be a big deal!!!

Seems like every weekend there are several shows all within an hour flight from one another. With 4000+ showing up to the last GFC show in Kuwait…it doesn’t seem to only be in Dubai and Jordan either!

This weekend I’m being flown in by KO Promotions and the WBC to help with a ref clinic for prospective MMA refs and judges.

Then following the educational course in Dubai…Ill be heading back to Abu Dhabi to compete at their Nogi Cup…which now has 14 players in my division—with that many competitors it would have been nice if they added more weight classes–or had a black belt only division…but this is the life we chose…lol.

Lots of networking to get done, and inshallah I will have a strong performance in Abu Dhabi.

Those of you in Dubai…if you have time come check out the show this weekend…it will be a mixed event with Muay Thai, K1 and MMA…so there will be something for everyone in the crowd!

Just got done with another filming segment at the Al Rai TV studios in Kuwait. MMA in Kuwait is growing thanx to GFC WRESTLING!!!

Having signed a 9 week ”guest instructor” for GFC WRESTLING PRESENTS “TIPS ON THE MAT”–>I have been asked to come down to the studio several times to record the programs.

Today I arrived only wearing shorts (the training shorts I was going to use for filming)–to my surprise they wouldn’t let me in to the studios because of ”dress code”—>making me instead go buy a pair of sweat pants at the local shop, before letting me return–CHANGE–into my shorts–and continue filming.

This is just a short clip–as the edited versions will be aired on TV, and then uploaded later.

Those of you in the Middle East, the episodes air on Fridays, at I believe 9:30PM–however check your local listings.

I am excited to announce for the first time since I’ve arrived in Kuwait, I will be offering instruction to the public!!!!

Until now I have been busy teaching privates and working behind the scenes—and I am stoked to finally give everyday people an opportunity to train alongside me!!

If you’ve seen my techniques on the weekly GFC Wrestling show on Al Rai or if you’ve watched my YouTube videos…you know I have a ton to show.

Since this is a one time seminar for the summer…I promise not to hold anything back!!! If you are new to BJJ…or have never done Nogi grappling…or are interested in MMA…this seminar is for you!!!

I will give away the secrets of the mat during the entire month of June!

Mon & Wed nights in June the summer camp will run from 8-10PM at the 5 STAR Crowne Plaza resort!

Space is limited and I encourage anyone wanting to participate to call Prakash TODAY to save your space!!

+965 96650709

Special thanx to Combat Athletics for allowing me the opportunity to host this one time event for people looking to lose weight before Ramadan, learn self defense basics, or meet new friends…I Guarantee this will be the best summer camp I’ve ever done!

Anyone with an 85% attendance rate at the end of June will get a certificate of completion signed by me!

Great speech by Charlie Chaplin…

With all of the craziness going on in London, America, Syria, Burma, and the rest of the world…I thought this was a positive message!

A bit late on the announcement, as things have been super busy around here lately.

For the first time since I’ve arrived in Kuwait, I am going to be offering training to the general public!!!

Thanx to an invitation from the prestigious 5 star CROWN PLAZA HOTEL in Kuwait, I will be conducting a VERY LIMITED 1 time NOGI BJJ SUMMER CAMP.

Classes will take place every Monday and Wednesday night during the month of June from 8-10PM inside the Crowne Plaza’s EXCLUSIVE Martial Arts and Fitness training facility!

I will be giving away TONS OF SECRETS!! Anyone who is New to BJJ, Has never trained NOGI, or has any interest in MMA should plan on signing up for this ONE TIME SEMINAR.

Don’t let the game pass you by! This BRAINBUSTING SEMINAR will give away SECRETS that the MATS have Kept for yours!!!

More details coming Sunday night about how to register for this event!

Certificates will be given only to those with 85% attendance or better.  SPACE WILL BE LIMITED.  Sunday when we release the details how to sign up…DO NOT WAIT to RSVP your Space…Once it is sold out…the ONE TIME SUMMER CAMP is no longer open to the public!!