Grapple-A-Thon Afterthoughts

Well as everyone is quiet aware I always write blogs on cool events that happen whether it be tournaments, travel trips, or anything that pops into this strange mind of mines and yesterdays event should be no exception.

On March 30 2013 at the Xande Ribeiro's BJJ academy (my training facility) I hosted a grapple-a-thon event in an effort to raise money for the family of my friend Rustle Laidman who passed over a month ago. Planning the event was last minute and with all the weekly articles, regulard work, and other things going on I can truly say it was a tough challenge for me planning the event.

I was super nervous going into the event for various reason. Will alot of people come, will there be any problems on the mat between people, amongst other outside concerns...but like my past tournament expereinces my nervousness quickly deteriorted as time moved along.

Originally and from a financial standpoint the event was just a way to raise money..however as the event was at its begining stages looking at the various people over 30 people (from different gyms) interacting on the mat with each other...I thought to myself "hmm this may turn into something bigger".

As everyone lined up the bossman xande said his few words then I said my open speech.
Although looking back at it I thought the speech was kind of corney -lol- to sum it up it really was from the heart and reflected what I learned these past month which mainly talked about the people you meet help you grow no matter what your goals are.

In terms of the atmosphere itself it was REALLY something to be apart off and wayyy exceeded my original vision and expectations. Great training, No-Ego, Learning Something, and Having a great time all while helping for a good cause.

It was almost a mirror image of what it was like years ago at the CSULA BJJ open mat....A Place of Fun and Learning.

Even after the event everyone walked away from the event with something. Some people won gifts but most importantly made new friends along the way ( i saw some of the facebook adds and comments amongst the participants) so I  guess my corny speech worked in some way.-haha-

In terms of the feedback afterwards I got alot of great reviews. Originally this was going be the only one I do. However I have decided that. .....there will be another Grapple-a-thon event in the near future !!!! (maybe in June or July)

My rough draft idea at this time is to do a charity event raising money for a group of people or individual every 3 months that needs help that is in our martial arts community ( off course I am open for ideas). One thing I learned about my trip from Denver is the value of helping others and although we sometimes get verrry distracted with drama and other BS going on...I think it can be really beneficial for not only someone in need but also for yourself because you can gain alot out of it.

In closing I want to ask.......... "How Do You Really Want to Take a Stand ?"
you can standout with your pick-it signs giving negativity attention it actually wants or put it down and show those lames what this community is all about bring some light in dark circumstances.

I know what I want to do.

monta

also in terms of how i was able to complete my 120 minute challenge..well if u read my tournament blog u should know how i was able to do that ;-)

Colorado Tournament Expereince aka "THE LEARNING"

No matter what event happens in life each event always has a way of teaching us something. Due to the unexpected death of my friend I never got the chance to write about my Episode 3 of the “The Battle Within” from the “Fight to Win” tournament I competed in Denver, Colorado two weeks ago.


Unlike my last two tournaments, I ended up losing in the first round to (from what people told me afterwards) one of the top blue belt light featherweight in Co. It was probably the craziest fight I ever been in because I don’t remember anything that happen. All I remember was a lot of defending, a sharp sec of pain in my finger, and me getting sub in the end (YEAH IM NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT IT).

After congratulating my opponent as I walked off the mat I felt serious pain in my right middle finger. When I looked down my finger was shaped like the letter “V “which meant it got dislocated during the match. How I was able to keep fighting and not feel any pain is beyond me but overall walking off the mat I was at peace with myself knowing I gave it everything I had and just lost to a better fighter that day.

Since I returned to competing 6 months ago after a three year lay-off, every tournament is personal. Not personal in a sense of wanting to beat the person bad across the mat from me but rather a personal development experience toward growing and learning about my strength as an individual. Looking back on this event I can honestly say although I did not bring home a medal a reflection of my growth and attitude was revealed that day. Years ago I would have been vengeful, butt hurt, and probably be scared to compete again.

This time I felt different. I stepped out on the mat, went through a bit of bloodshed, experienced setback, and walk off the mat knowing I went through a tough situation which taught me some things. Boy has my attitude changed since 2005!!!
 

To be honest about it all I wasn’t mad at all about losing or even getting hurt. I was upset because due to the injury I wasn’t able to compete in the submission only absolute.

In terms of my injury situation the recovery has been going well. As a matter of fact it’s not a serious as I thought it would be. Although I have been in this aluminum brace for 2 weeks it hasn’t stop me from doing what I want to do. I’m still able to write articles and even train which includes sparring (with caution off course). I even have developed a one gi on no-gi grip strategy until I’m fully able to make a fist with my hand. So overall it hasn’t been bad. I’m just looking forward to recovering 100 % so I can compete again to see what else I can learn through this fighting experience.
 

So that is what happened. I know everyone likes to hear when I win but I wanted to be openly honest about each tournament experience I go through didn’t want to seem like a sore loser cause I’m far from that.
 

To end this blog I want to talk those who make fun or misjudge my views on competing. I know a lot of haters as of late have been quite vocal about my blogs about how deep which is fine.
 

I guess that is why I see some of those same people getting emotional when they get silver instead of gold, constantly being male groupies to these top rising stars, getting discouraged cause they aren’t progressing in skill and have nothing better to do that worry about what Monta is doing or saying.

Trust me I didn’t see it either until I was encouraged by a group of great MMA friends who taught me what competing is really about.
 

One thing I learned these past couple of weeks especially with the death of my friend and all the other crazy things going on in the world "Life is not sweet". As a matter of fact it’s hard to the point where it will drag you down making you feel very miserable where you want to give up at times...just like competing.

I’m not going to apologize because some of you don’t see things the way I see it. I’m not going to apologize for not crying like a bitch when I lose a match. I not going to apologize for staying strong through the tough hurdles I come in contact.
 

However what I know I will do keep fighting, keep growing, and off course (I know some don’t like when I say this but...strive in becoming a better man than I once was.

-monta