Kakuto Challenge - Sub Only Tourney

We had an awesome time at the Kakuto Challenge Sub Only Tourney in Atlanta this weekend. Those guys run the best tournament around and always treat all of us with incredible respect. We love it there.

I was incredibly proud of our guys this weekend, probably more so than in any tournament I've ever had them at. We all learned some really important things about ourselves this weekend, both as competitors and in the bigger picture. We had some beginners take home Gold. We had some guys step back on the mat when they thought they had nothing left to give. Some that stepped up and fought above their head and did well.

Sam and I both came in with some pretty ugly injuries and tried to fight through them, Sam in Men's Advanced and myself in the Pro Division (note to self: when injured, do NOT accept pro invitation). Sam took home Silver despite his injury, and I was able to secure a few high fives from the other competitors. Not as good as the cash, but I'll live.

I was really proud of the 10th Planet representatives that weren't from Decatur, as well. Most notably Griff Lambert for winning Advanced and Chase Gatlin for winning Gold in the Advanced Absolute and at his weight, despite the fact that these guys are White and Blue Belts, respectively.

Great job, everybody. I'm incredibly proud.

Sam's Final match in Men's Advanced. This was a draw, but still fun to watch. The guy with the fastest sub during bracket play got the Gold, so even though the Final was a draw Sam still took Silver. I thought it was a good format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=bJ1VrhVOJfI

Here's Matt Skaff in a long war in the Blue Belt division. One of my favorite matches of the day, even though it didn't go our way.

http://youtu.be/udRS-CUxAO8

Here's one of my matches from the Pro Division. I like to play for this 50/50 of the Granby Roll entry. I usually end up with the Heel Hook before it turns into 50/50, or they turn to run and I get the calf crush on the back door, which is what I did in the last tournament at Kakuto. It's probably a bad strategy, because I tend to tap way too early to leg locks out of fear of injury. But it's a fun way to play, so I keep doing it :)

Well, there's a reason it's called 50/50, kids... Enjoy my misery.

http://youtu.be/mMFSf8w7fMo

Here's Manny Rocha in Teen Advanced against a fella from Gracie Barra. We've got Manny trying to work some other stuff (like his passing and top game) instead of just feeding people straight into his guard the whole match, so you get to see him work some other stuff here, and then ultimately finish from the guard with a Triangle and an Omaha Twist :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=I1K4yJ3yLNA

WOW what the heck is this Omaha twist? And how is it different from the regular triangle in term of effectiveness and choke? Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cora Sek

WOW what the heck is this Omaha twist? And how is it different from the regular triangle in term of effectiveness and choke? Thanks

---

Bruce, it's just an alternative way to help turn and secure the angle in a triangle choke. It's really nasty. I have a couple of guys here that do it and I know I've seen Ant Lopez and a few others do it several times. I have trouble getting deep enough. I don't know if it's that my arms aren't long enough or if perhaps I don't understand it deeply enough. Either way, I just hook the leg or go with the old school arm across/pull the head/lift my hips.

thanks Brandon. Let see what the different is when Cora put it on me. But from what I can see, its really tight and automatically give you that windshield wipe effect with the legs.

I was impressed with how everything was ran and how professional and friendly all the staff and volunteers were, most definetly a class act. Proud of all the guys from both Gulf Shores and Decatur, we did awesome! I look forward to the next Kakuto Challenge and the training camp.

Nice! Finally got to watch all of these matches. Very entertaining for sure. :-) good job guys!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tori Applegate

Nice! Finally got to watch all of these matches. Very entertaining for sure. :-) good job guys!

---

Y'all post your matches in here, too!

I really enjoyed watching your match, Brandon. Question...when you attempted half guard, it didn't look like you were trying to clinch up. Any reason for that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Louis Ho

I really enjoyed watching your match, Brandon. Question...when you attempted half guard, it didn't look like you were trying to clinch up. Any reason for that?

---

i did wanna clinch up. that's probably my best game, actually. i know that guy has a nasty darce series, though. wanted to be cautious and make sure i didn't jump until the right moment. he looks to jump on that choke quick usually.

It was great meeting everyone from Decatur and Golf Shores. You guys did great and put up a lot of tough battles for the competition! :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brandon Mccaghren

Here's one of my matches from the Pro Division. I like to play for this 50/50 of the Granby Roll entry. I usually end up with the Heel Hook before it turns into 50/50, or they turn to run and I get the calf crush on the back door, which is what I did in the last tournament at Kakuto. It's probably a bad strategy, because I tend to tap way too early to leg locks out of fear of injury. But it's a fun way to play, so I keep doing it :)

Well, there's a reason it's called 50/50, kids... Enjoy my misery.
http://youtu.be/mMFSf8w7fMo

---

50/50 scares the shit out of me. Last year at Gracie Worlds I got my knee fucked up from it. If I study anything from 50/50 it is counters and escapes. That being said I really like that granby roll entry you do. Pretty slick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brandon Mccaghren

Here's one of my matches from the Pro Division. I like to play for this 50/50 of the Granby Roll entry. I usually end up with the Heel Hook before it turns into 50/50, or they turn to run and I get the calf crush on the back door, which is what I did in the last tournament at Kakuto. It's probably a bad strategy, because I tend to tap way too early to leg locks out of fear of injury. But it's a fun way to play, so I keep doing it :)

Well, there's a reason it's called 50/50, kids... Enjoy my misery.

http://youtu.be/mMFSf8w7fMo

---

Great match! I loved that mechanic sweep attempt and then how you rolled through afterwards at 2:25. That entry into 50/50 awesome, I thought you were going to finish him when you switched to the reverse heel hook. Heal up soon man! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brandon Mccaghren

Sam's Final match in Men's Advanced. This was a draw, but still fun to watch. The guy with the fastest sub during bracket play got the Gold, so even though the Final was a draw Sam still took Silver. I thought it was a good format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bJ1VrhVOJfI

---

very exciting match

Brandon,

You looked like a shoalin monk/ninja on weed most of that match except at the end, but that's the risk of playing 50/50. You looked super polished in defeat :)

Sam,

Stellar defense and composure, your leglocks entries look high level, congrats! :)

Thanks guys.

All those were fun to watch. Wish we had a Kakuto event out here! For the record, I officially friggin' hate 50/50 myself!