And we're rolling! I've been back in Sydney for a few weeks now and earlier this month I took a trial class at myBJJ, an international Brazilian jiu-jitsu school founded by Mario Yokoyama and headquartered in Camperdown. I had been referred here by Petros Menelaou, a fellow patron of Darkside Gym and an instructor in… Continue reading My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 17: A Trial Class at myBJJ
Tag: jiu-jitsu
Things to Know About Boxing and Martial Arts in Sydney
An interview with Uro Pavi, founder and head coach of Darkside Gym.
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 15: Picking a Gym in Newtown
The MMA training was great. Right off the bat, we jumped into sparring drills with mouth guard and shin pads.
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 13: Rolling in The Hills
Now that I’m in Sydney for a few months enjoying the summer and holiday season with family, I’ve been looking for ways to keep up with my training and fitness.
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 12: Best of the Arts in Manila
It’s been almost a year and a half since I first stepped into a boxing gym for my first lesson. After about six months of that, I tried my hand (and foot, knee, elbow) at Muay Thai for a few months, before taking a break for a trip to Australia. Upon returning to the Philippines,… Continue reading My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 12: Best of the Arts in Manila
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 11: This One is Personal
How odd that sometimes the angels among us are not the pastors or the missionaries who say they are here to preach God's love. Instead, I've found angelic folk in unexpected places, like those sweaty people at the gym
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 8: Yaw-Yan, Jiu-Jitsu, and My New Gym
In all honesty, I've been a bit slow in picking up my MMA journey since returning to Manila. Maybe I miss the training at Lakay or the fresh mountain air. Perhaps the inferior Manila diet is what's been leaving my body feeling drained, or perhaps it's purely emotional. A lot has happened in the past… Continue reading My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 8: Yaw-Yan, Jiu-Jitsu, and My New Gym
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 7: URCC XXX
Last night, four champions defended their titles in stunning fashion at URCC XXX at the Araneta Coliseum. This was my first time attending a live MMA or fighting event of any kind, in fact, and I was not disappointed by the action. I arrived just in time to see the… Continue reading My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 7: URCC XXX
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 5: Wrapping up my trial at B.A.M.F.
It is almost 5 pm; my bus should be leaving soon. I’m heading back up to Baguio after three eventful days in Manila. As you may have read in the first part of my MMA journey, I started my 30-day free trial at B.A.M.F. (that’s Bad A-word Mother F-word) back in July but only got… Continue reading My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 5: Wrapping up my trial at B.A.M.F.
My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 4: Back to B.A.M.F.
Yesterday, after an excellent session with substitute-trainer JB at Lakay, I picked up my laundry, packed my backpack, and got on a bus to Manila. You may recall mention of our seven-hour bus ride up to Baguio. Even though the city is less than five hours away by highway, regular buses get off the highway about… Continue reading My Amateur MMA Journey, Part 4: Back to B.A.M.F.
Trips with Flo 