Dragons Lair Tournament Natick MA Sun 11-15-2015

[HerbChao]

Another great small/mid level sized IBJJF rules tournament this past Sun in Natick MA (yeah New England!). Some of my teammates at one gym I train at, Pat, and some other schools I've visited before and I had a great day of jiu jitsu. Kids and teens went first, GI, and then finally Nogi. Pat and I did nogi, so he and I helped corner one kid we used to cross train with (when Pat was temporarily living in MA before moving to CT) and then I helped film and corner some of my friends before nogi went.

I did two divisions, they combined 145lb and 160lbs to form an Intermediate division, there were 5 total (including me). I won my first match via points, and then was down on points/advantage before losing to armbar with seconds left to take Second. In my 3rd match I went back and forth with my opponent, before losing on advantage. We were hoping to squeeze in a 4th match but the tourney was running late into the evening and folks wanted to wrap up so we called it a day.

Pat had an awesome day, he went against one of my teammates at one of the gyms I train alot at so I took turns coaching both of them back and forth. My teammate had a triangle forming on Pat but he fought valiantly against that as well as a potential armbar and escaped with 20-30 seconds left to win on points. We managed to get Pat 2 more matches, one against another high level purple belt that I'd met before in cross college tournaments we've done at Harvard, and against a slightly less experienced (but taller wider and larger) opponent. Pat played a beautiful game of technique counter attacking and control to win (I forget if it was off a last second sub or just on points, he had some great head arm grips locked in from top for a decent part of the match).

I'll post my vids next, will leave to Pat on which vids he'd like to share.

Have hope New England Ronins (outspoken or closet ones) one day they'll be a moon here! ......

[HerbChao]

Here's the first match, I think it was against a Daniel Gracie affiliate student. Opponent had alot of movement and energy, so I did my best to work some control and attack when the opportunity was potentially there. I got arm trap mount escaped and gave up some takedowns but threw everything I could safely at him from bottom and top. Pat was an awesome cornerman/coach for me here to get the first match jitters out of the way

[Aiseop]

Awesome! And congrats! Pat drove down to New Haven to train before the tourney. Glad he did well!

[HerbChao]

Second match, my opponent was an MMA fighter and wrestled in high school. Tried to work some sweeps and subs; he had some tough control on my hips and being up on points waited me out to attack. Compared to the last tournament my cardio and strength was improved, just couldn't quite bait him enough to really get something solid. Def took alot away from this loss though (and I didn't have to get head kicked by Holly Holm in front of millions to learn some lessons).

[HerbChao]

And the final match of the day, my opponent here was in my earlier division and lost his opening match so we didn't face each other there. The organizers asked us we wanted to do another division so we jumped in to form a 4 person division and he and I went at it. I took it more laid back for this match not trying to fight too hard on the takedown as I wanted to pace my remaining tank for the ground. Kid was def scrappy and didn't make it easy for me to pin him, Pat had to guide and remind me alot to pressure and take my time to settle (I'm used to just attacking in transition and bouncing around alot in class). Lost on advantage but def took alot of positive away too. Thanks to Pat for cornering all my matches (and great catching up with him since we last hung out at the East Coast Camp), my teammates, and all the diff instructors and gyms who have given me an opportunity to get in practice time esp on the late nights I leave the office, or juggling life errands and commitments.

Also gotta give a shout out to everyone I met or trained with during my August 10th Planet Excursion trip when I got to go out to HQ for two weeks (what an amazing time during EBI IV week, and meeting Riley Phenom Breedlove the second week), the FL CAMp when Brandon and Sean laid down some knowledge, hanging with Harrison DeHArt and meeting Dyana-Lee, going to Gulf Shores and being treated by Sean and Tori and meeting all the amazing folks down (Down South y'all!), and of course Coach Herzog, Amir, Gary, Scott, and JM and Zach at the East Coast Camp (twice in two months, as they were down at HQ too, along with Brandon). Hoping I didn't forget anyone, but you know who you are if you've ever rolled with or taught me something, I pick up a piece from everyone.

Proud to be a "Lone Wolf" as Bruce likes to call it, and excited to see what things I learn and pick up on next. I def have alot more to learn regular jiu-jitsu and 10th Planet wise, but feeling inspired and encouraged. Plus, ya gotta do something to stay in shape anyways!

[Pat Campagnola]

Nice work Herb. Like I told you after the tournament, you looked much improved since the Dragon Lair in June.

There is not much to see from my matches. I was feeling off after waiting around at the venue for 8 hours but thankfully still had the ability to pick up two wins. I was close to going home a couple of times because it appeared like they were never going to get to the adult no gi divisions. Then my matches got shortened to 3:30. I believe in supporting the small, local events, but it was a tough day to deal with.

Anyway, keep an eye out for a hot box in north central Connecticut in early 2016 and bigger moves to follow!