Submission Grappling – Fight Matrix

Exclusive Interview with Jiujitsu Martial Artist and World Champion, Muhammad Ammar

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Muhammad Ammar is a very talented and seasoned martial artist. He holds black belts in Judo as well as Jujitsu. He has competed worldwide and received numerous medals for his accomplishments. Presently, he is retired from active competition and has dedicated his time to coaching, refereeing, and mentoring up-and-coming Jujitsu practitioners in Pakistan and beyond.

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Heather

MMA & Boxing Columnist | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

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Exclusive Interview with Jiu-Jitsu Coach and Competitor, George Libarian

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Heather

George Libarian at the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship (JJIF) in Crete, Greece

Introduction

George Libarian was born in Canada and raised in Southeast Michigan, USA. His family immigrated from the Middle East. At the age of six, his passion for martial arts began. This would become a life journey. Currently, George is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach at the Cavalo Martial Arts Academy in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. He is an active competitor in the Master’s divisions of JJIF and IBJJF, and plans to compete in the ADCC in the near future.

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Heather

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How Rash Guards Protect Against Mat Burn and Enhance BJJ Training Longevity

Posted on December 12, 2024 by A. J. Riot

BJJ is a close-contact sport in which the mats can cause burns & injuries. When the skin is exposed, it is more susceptible to mat burns. Rashguards are mandatory for BJJ training as per IBJJF rules, as these outfits incorporate antimicrobial treatment to prevent such skin infections.

Fabrics such as nylon or polyester blends with moisture-wicking properties provide a barrier that minimizes skin exposure to potential pathogens. By using BJJ rashguards, practitioners not only defend against mat burns but also extend the lifespan of their training sessions in a safe and effective manner.

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Exclusive: Interview with Sensei and Author, Professor Julio Rivera

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Heather

Introduction

Professor Julio Rivera is a martial artist and self-defence instructor with over thirty years of experience in various combat sports. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, as well as being as a trainer in Krav Maga, kickboxing, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is also an author of the book Brokedown Sensei: How I Fought Trauma and Bipolar Disorder From the Outside In, available on Amazon. Julio Rivera has another book in the works. We bring you an insight into Julio Rivera’s life and philosophy of Internal Jiu-Jitsu.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Ronda Rousey Retires from WWE – Backstory

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Heather

Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

According to Sports Illustrated, Ronda Rousey has indefinitely retired from the WWE. “During an interview with NewsNation’s “Banfield,” Rousey claimed that Gulak pulled her by the strings of her sweatpants while she was waiting to speak with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.” Due to his unprofessional conduct, Dave Gulak was fired by the WWE.

She has had a short, yet successful career in combat sports, including Judo, MMA, and professional wrestling. Dana white had vouched never to have a female fighter in the UFC. However, due to being a bronze medalist in the USA Olympic Judo team and her popularity in Strikeforce, she impressed Dana White. In turn he included women in the UFC.

Ronda Rousey was the pioneer of women’s MMA in the UFC. The unfortunate part of Ronda Rousey’s story is that her striking needed a lot of improvement. Yet, she was an excellent grappler and when she won it was typically by submission.

Eventually, Rousey’s and opponents figured out her weakness and after consecutive losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, her career deteriorated. This led her to transition to professional wrestling. It’s a rarity for an individual to achieve the highest level of success in numerous sports in such a short period of time. Ronda Rousey will go down in history of the UFC, WWE, and Judo.

Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Jiu Jitsu: The Gentle Art of Self-Defense

Posted on March 16, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Jiu Jitsu, which means “gentle art” in Japanese, is a form of martial arts that focuses on using an attacker’s force against them rather than directly opposing it with your own force. With roots going back to feudal Japan and samurai warriors, Jiu Jitsu has evolved over centuries into both a modern sport and a practical self-defense system.

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Legends of the Octagon: Khabib Nurmagomedov

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Heather

Khabib Nurmagomedov was a well-rounded Mixed Martial Arts fighter who has made his name as the greatest lightweight in MMA and one of the most dominant UFC champions of all time. His background in the Russian martial art of sambo made him one hell of a grappler! Basically, once you are on the Octagon floor with Khabib, you are sure to lose. The highlight of Khabib’s career is capturing the UFC lightweight championship belt and defending it four times. His most viewed UFC fight was against Conor McGregor. Actually, UFC 229 was the most viewed fight on Pay-Per-View in UFC history, as there were over 2,400,000 viewers. Likely Khabib’s most challenging opponent was Dustin Poirier. Nurmagomedov retired as the lightweight champion. His overall MMA record is unblemished at 29-0, and he is the only UFC champion who retired undefeated.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Celebrities who Love Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Posted on February 16, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a dynamic combat sport and martial art, which is also considered to be a good form of self-defense. It consists of submissions and grappling. Typically, it takes approximately eight years to be awarded a black belt in BJJ. To reach this achievement, one must be physically fit, have endurance, and be extremely dedicated to the sport. There are a number of celebrities who are well-trained and active participants in the sport. Among them are Guy Ritchie, Ed O’Neil, John Milius, Ashton Kutcher, Scarlett Johanneson, James Maynard Keenan, Jim Carey, and Keanu Reeves. Keep Reading

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BLACK BELT IN JIU JITSU?

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Patricia

To achieve a black belt is the purpose of most people who practice martial arts. Doesn’t really matter what type of martial arts you are doing – you feel inside that the black belts are supposed to come from a totally different universe. They move with elegance, full of self-confidence, you feel they are reading your every move, and you desire to reach this level. For sure it’s not an easy road, and not everyone can accomplish it. But honestly, does it matter? If you think that you haven’t mastered an art until you get your black belt, you do not really understand the point of the martial arts, including BJJ.

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Sakuraba and Josh Barnett’s submission grappling team “Survival Series” format airs on Fight Pass April 11

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Julianna Penya Simp

This new promotion is called Quintet. The first event will be called “Quintet.1” with the tag line “Team Grappling Survival Match” and features a host of notable names all across the MMA and combat sports scene. It’s stylized title may remind you of defunct Japanese MMA promotion Dream stylized titles. This event will be broadcast on UFC Fight Pass.

THE EVENT AIRS APRIL 11 530AM ET / 230AM PT

https://youtu.be/weTyy5Dk5W8

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