Hey everyone,

I've got a national no-gi competition coming up in a few days. The only split is by weight, so I'll be going up against some tough younger guys, mostly 18 to 22, who are national athletes. I'm 40 and a white belt, but I've got years of experience in other combat sports, and being in front of a big crowd in a stadium is nothing new.

I'm going to try using Chris Paine's Elements system to see if I can hold my own against these younger guys, ideally use the leg ride and making-my-opponent-expand techniques for five minutes, and get a W, or at the very least put some points on the board and give a good effort.

At this point, even if I win one match, it's a success, considering those guys have been training for many years and are all higher belts. I think that, due to the nature of the sport out here, most of them are used to the gi, so I've got a chance. I'll report back after the competition. Let's see how it goes!

Good luck!! Chris always has some interesting views on Jiu Jitsu

Thank you. You have some interesting views on Jiu Jitsu, too. I'm going to be looking for that G-spot. 👀

Nice! Good luck. It's tough competing with the youngsters

Yeah, those guys don't get tired on the ground. My freestyle wrestling is at least a grain of sand on a beach when it comes to being skillful at it, so I'm going to try to cut down the time rolling by a bit with hand fighting, neck snapping, going for ankle picks, throwing fakes, sprawling, etc., then move into leg riding and the Elements system one to two minutes into my first match.

I didn't want to show up. The idea of public humiliation in a stadium full of people was enough to keep me home. I showed up anyway.

First match, a 17-year-old wrestler. Caught him in an arm-in triangle and he refused to tap for over two minutes. He held on. I held tighter.

Second match, a 27-year-old blue belt and a leg locker. I'm a white belt. I leg rode him, pinned him, worked him into a Kimura.

Third match, a more experienced blue belt in his 30s. I'm 40. I leg rode him, camped on his legs, took mount, and wore him out.

Three matches. Three takedowns. All on my Smoothcomp profile.

Tomorrow is the final. A 3-time wrestling champion, blue belt, 18 years old, 85kg. The plan remains the same.

Couldn't sleep at all, from 9 PM to 10 AM I was wide awake with muscle cramps and spasms. I should've taken something to sedate me, I'm showing up anyway.

My opponent hit a judo throw on me, and somehow I reversed it, landed on top, and scored a takedown in the spin. Then, while trying to implement the elements system, I got caught in an armbar while stacking him. He’s a phenom, and I’m happy to have shared the mats with him. I got paid for winning silver, my first time actually being paid in this sport. Finished 3–1, and scored a takedown in all four matches.

Not bad, considering I had all variables against me, and I’m still a white belt. The system works.

Congrats! Thats more than the W you hoped for. Well done!

Thank you, sir. I appreciate your words of encouragement.