Sunday October 26th 2014
Our time in Rochester was priceless. The hospitality was beyond our expectations. But what really stood out as something special was how professional Chris Herzog is as a coach. He truly has his fighters best interest in heart both in and out of the ring. Chris, through all the struggles, just keep reminding yourself that real people are envious of the family you have surrounded yourself with. Thank you for being such an important role model to me and our community. All of you have your hearts in the right place. I feel like I waited six years to join my extended family in Rochester, and just like my family back home, they do how 10 do. Watching you guys do your thing in the ring last night was beautiful in so many ways. To all the fighters at Empire Academy, as an outsider, I am validating that you have found yourself a real academy. Real coaches are rare breeds, it's a privilege when you are able to live near ones like Chris Herzog and Wally MacDonald. They have what it takes to lead an empire. You guys are all very defensively sound and your sensitivity for leg locks is hard to find in training partners. I look forward to more crash courses from Zog in the Roc. When I tap haters out at competitions with leg locks, remember that I dedicate it to you guys. They should have listened to Chris years ago about one of bjj's biggest holes. Most bjj competitors are focused on tripping legs rather than ripping legs, which gives you guys the edge. Congrats on all your success guys. Huan, your too generous. We will pay you back big one day. To the giants we rolled with, thank you for being so gentle. To the boys who fought, you did excellent, Empire is that team. Joey, although you didn't scrap, I know you have what it takes, one day you will be fighting in Vegas instead of Ithaca. Wally, you crack me up man, coolest cop ever, keep being the weapon. All of you are very inspiring and progressive thinkers. You impressed me with your devout energy towards positive lifestyles. Which reminds me, Zog, you really do need a dispensary. You also need a black and white zombie killing Jiu Jitsu virtual reality game to play called... The Locking Dead. I miss you all already, especially that cute ring girl Alisa Penerton, don't hate the player. Now off to New York City to find Ottavia Bourdain, Renzo Gracie and Marcelo Garcia. Hopefully after this 8 hour bus we won't have to sleep on the streets in Harlem tonight. Poor Mike has a tooth ache and barely slept last night. We both need a good nights sleep, good food and recovery time so that we can train hard this week. Here's to the city that never sleeps, unless we put it in a rear naked choke.
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