BJJ and Brazinglish: The Language of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

The jiu jitsu we all love and enjoy is Brazilian and there is no hiding from that fact. It’s evident in the relaxed atmosphere on the mat and in the close relationship between the subcultures of BJJ and surfing. However, there is no place where the Brazilian flavours are as inescapable as in Brazinglish: The official language of BJJ instructional media. Here are my favourite expressions, I know you have yours:

1. Momento

Momento is not an English word. In Portugese, the word “Momento” actually means time, a moment or an instant. Anyone who’s ever watched BJJ instructionals will tell you that in Brazinglish it’s used to mean “timing”.

Example: Planning to attend a BJJ seminar on your anniversary weekend is terrible Momento

Grappling / MMA Product Review: LUTA Fightwear Training Top

LUTA Fightwear is an amazing company that creates fantastic products for all combat sport enthusiasts. They are a for-profit company, but they are unique in that they share their profits with the charity "Fight For Peace"

When Fergus Dullaghan - whom The Part Time Grappler interviewed in two parts here and here - sent me this training top to review, I couldn't resist to make this silly video for it. I am not sponsored by them, but I love their products and the concept they put behind it and think Fergus is a really sound fella. Please visit the fantastically detailed reviews that my good friend Meerkatsu did off the items on his awesome blog for more real information presented in a professional format. Seymour is the man. For silliness, please watch this highly un-informative video :)



I thank my brother Mr Sam Wandi for his excellent acting skillz and support in any crazy endeavour I brew in my weird head.

Liam "The Part Time Grappler" Wandi

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BJJ Facebook Profile: Helio Gracie

A few of us from the BJJ Labs had the great pleasure of attending a BJJ seminar with John B Will, head of the Will-Machado Australia Organisation Friday just gone. John practically blew my mind with his great mix of BJJ knowledge, funny remarks and worldly wisdom. More about that in a number of future posts (as soon as I get the pictures from the seminar...hint hint Mr Sherwood!)

In the meantime, I would like to entertain you:

I hope you take this in the spirit it was intended :)

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Hiding Behind Symbols: A Presidential Example

While I was at the gym not half an hour ago I saw the American president Mr Barack Obama deliver a speach to the Fortune magazine's 2010 "Most Powerful Women Summit." Unfortunately, SkyNews was less interested in the content of the speach and simply wanted to highlight that midway thru it, the presidential seal attached to the podium simply fell off.

The seal, which is a well known symbol and is indeed the official coat of arms of the U.S. presidency, is of course an important symbol of power. It doesn't matter who you are and what you have to say, if you stand behind that symbol, people will pay attention to you and the words coming out of your mouth.

But this is not a post about the power of symbols (although I think I will give that a bash in a future post). When that seal fell, it did not shake Mr Obama's confidence or interrupt his flow.



"That's OK. You all know who I am"

Remember that next time you come to a BJJ class and notice you left your belt at home or, heavens forbid, get caught by someone with less experience than you.



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CRAZY-ASS GI DESIGN PROMO VIDEO NUMBER 2

I never realised how crazy and cheesy this looks until I saw it on a bigger screen.



So what the hell are you waiting for???

The Crazy-Ass BJJ Gi Design Challenge needs you.

ps. Huge thanks to my wonderful wife for participating!

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CRAZY-ASS GI DESIGN PROMO VIDEO NUMBER 1

This comes to you directly from the Manchester Head Office of the

CRAZY-ASS BJJ GI DESIGN CHALLENGE!!!



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What Body Type Are You?

Right! Here is the Deal! Seymour is wacko, but as with all wackos, he’s also a brilliant artist (or was it the other way around?)

My dear friend Mr Seymour Yang – or as Eddie Kone refers to him: The Meerkat! – asked me to draw myself as I see it (I referred to myself as a T-Rex shape) so, using as crude a drawing implement as possible, (MS Paint) I sent him a pic or two. You can see them here.

He used his daughter's etchasketch thingy. Genius!!!

So what crazy body type are you? Gmail Seymour, and he'll post up your crudely beautiful drawing.


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Unorthodox Use of Your BJJ Belt

I very seldomly leave the house without a bag. If it's not BJJ / Grappling kit, it's gym clothes and there is always my university book(s). I spend an average of 2-3.5 hrs a day travelling and that's major study time for me.

All I'm saying is: There are bookmarks and then there are bookmarks:

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Strange Search Engine Results

Just thought I'd share this wonderfully hilarious nugget with you.

I just looked at my blog's report to see what people are searching before they end up on the Part Time Grappler.

The usual avenues are of course Grappling, BJJ, Grappling Tips...etc.

But about two thirds down the list I found this (check out the screenshot below)

You know you've made it as a blogger when people search for THAT and end up on your site.

Oh-yes-siree-bob!

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Just a quick photo!

I saw this at Waterstone's and had to share it with you guys and gals:

I hope you agree!

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Great Instructional Clip

In the spirit of many great BJJ players out there who advocate Swiss Ball drills, Christian Graugart has released his latest instructional clip. You can watch it here.

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I'm On The Fightworks Podcast

I was so "chuffed"* when I read that Caleb, the host of the Fightworks Podcast, had chosen my idea for their weekly BJJ-related poll. It's about something I care about and it'll be great to hear what the Mighty 600,000 have to say about it.

What are you waiting for? Go to the Fightworks Podcast and, ehm, cast your vote.

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*Check Caleb's and Slideyfoot's  comments below the poll for some trans-Atlantic fun.

Purple Belts can be so rude!

I turned my back for one second and when I looked back, my purple belt was armbarring the hell out of my old blue one. Unbelievable.