Annapolis MMA, the week in review
Now is as good a time as any to talk about the training we had going on this past week at Ivey League MMA. So here we go…
I thought we had a solid week to be honest. In the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu classes we had a lot of drilling being done. We spent a good chunk of the week focused on half guard sweeps and passing the guard. Michelle Francis is a name to look out for as she’s been just killing it in the practice room. Michelle has been working on her triangle and half guard skills like a madwomen.
Also making big gains in BJJ class is Rick Engelfried. Rick just got invited into our Combat gold program, we choose him because he’s been doing so well in basics class that we felt it would be time for him to move up. He stays late after class to drill with Danny Red and believe me it shows. Rick has that double under guard pass down to a “T”.
In Muay Thai Kickboxing coach Jason returned to the cage to teach a thing or two. Coach Jason Ferrell has been in California for the last 3 weeks helping Dominick Cruz get ready for Uriah Faber in next weeks UFC main event. Coach Jason had the guys doing many different mitt drills as well as combo work and light kick drills.
For MMA this week we focused on closing the distance for takedowns and using punch combos to set everything up. Jack Dawson was putting this to good use in Thursday nights sparring session with Danny Red, Tito Cruz and Autumn Wolf. Jack is getting ready for a MMA fight with a real event and we needed to send in as many fresh partners as we could to keep him guessing and working. I think it’s safe to say that Mr. Dawson was gassed!
Kids MMA classes have been great. We’ve really been making gains with the little ones. Lots of takedowns and guard passing. Submission holds like always but more skill development work in the position department. Donavon Boggs has been on a mission and he looks like nothing could hold him back. I just did a new video with Donavon doing a big pickup double leg takedown but the noise was bad in the background so I will re-film it and send it out.
For the kids class we also had Brandan “Spike” Bill show up for a workout. Spike is back from Wrestling camp and is looking to be in amazing shape. The kids like always were super excited to see the little crazy boy from the Jersey shore area.
Tomorrow morning (I should say today because it’s 1:37am in the morning) we’ll be putting the kids in the grind at 10am MMA and then on to adult MMA basics and BJJ basics.
So the week isn’t over yet but calming down. Time to plan for next week, I love it when a plan comes together! (cheesy yes but i loved the a-team)
–Master Danny Ives