Respect Card

After a full day of training today (noon & night) I've was sitting back think about something, so being the guy that I am I decided to share it with everyone.

When it comes to training with particular people..I can honestly admit I can be kinda bipolar sometimes. There a great amount of people who that i trained with over the years the I have a high respect for and when I go into training session/sparring session i go in with that intention..to train ( push myself and in term push the individual I'm training with).Then their that small percentage were i just wanna pull their H** card (if u know what i mean). -i have my reasons- :-/

In life your are gonna come in contact with many people. Some will you become peeps with instantly, some it may take some time to build, and their are some that will just get under your skin ( without them even knowing it), and some as times progress throug your friendship bridges will be burned causing complete chaos. So where does all this stem from simple -such things as someone did you wrong, clash of personalities, or the person resembles something that you cant stand due to your own past life experience.

Overall what I'm trying to say is this. This blog is not meant to say "We Must ALL Respect One Another" fuck that..if that were the case there would be peace in the world. However it is meant to enlighten people why people have conflicts with one another.

monta

No Younger

For the past week especially yesterday I am reminded of a famous quote by famous boxer Micky Ward. " I Ain't Getting No Younger".I remember back in the days when i was a kid i use to get totally excited that my birthday was coming up. I use to say to myself "I'm all grown up now" :-) Even actually count the days down waiting to see the toys, videos games, and the birthday cake i was going to get. Now as a 26 year OLD man I say to myself...DANG i getting fucking old. -lol-

Anyway what I'm trying to say is this... As we get old we sometimes realize time has certainly passed us by looking back on all the memories like sand running through an hour glass.
In other words we have no time to waste in life being bitter and stuck up.We should be living life to the fullest and be appreciative of the people and things we have done .Sort of like what i did with my trip to San Jose ( which btw was totally cool) and all the other experiences i have done in life and will continue to do.

Because hey i ain't getting no younger.

monta

p.s- special thanks to all my peeps down at San Jose for all the help you given me while i was down there. It means allot to me more than u ever know....and I SHALL RETURN !!!! :-)

Why Steriods Will Continue in BJJ :-(

Hey folks I know its been awhile...but I'm back with another montablog !!! :-) As of late there has been a buzz in the bjj community about the use of steroids. I seen an article the other day by caio terra on otm and uscombatsports about the topic. So I decided to give my own opinion about this very controversial but overlooked topic in our sport.As much as I agree with caio terra views, (unless caio word turns into action) the use of steroids will continue to occur. Want to know why....BJJ is not a legitimate sport that has gathered worldwide notoriety yet.

Let me explain before you jump the fences on me. When we compete in bjj we are not getting paid to compete. We do so at our own free will. For the most part the sport bjj does not offer cash, big time commercial promotions, and other things associated with marketing the sport or a fighter's profolio. Even companies like OTM or BJJLegends are small freelance companies who voluntary promote the sport of BJJ.Although winning events like the Pan Ams and Worlds is a big accomplishment at best the only thing a fighter receives is a medal and maybe a small sponsorship toward continuing to do what they love to do ( which is 25 % of the time). In all what I'm trying to say is the sport bjj is small time, not fully recognized, "under the radar". So it gives people the opportunity to do the things that caio mentioned.

Now you may ask yourself..why do people enforce strickter policies when an athlete get caught doing steroids in sports like baseball, mma, boxing,and even pro wrestling. Simple all about franchise. What i mean by franchise is the athlete is representing a brand which generates cash to that particular industry.

For example: The Chris Beniot Situation- once that situation occurred the WWE's image went down significantly. 25 % of its wrestling rooster ( some being the wwe's top talent) in 2007 were removed from the company because of it and in its entirety it has left a bad image on the pro-wrestling industry to this day.

Example 2 : MMA in the present- back in the old days fighters never got tested for drug use ..due to the fact that mma at the time was not a legitimized entity that it is today. Now MMa has reached main stream. You can't turn on your tv without seeing a promo of a upcoming fight, mass media attention, and other aspects that create HYPE for the fight. Fighters are expected to train hard (without any "medication") and put on a good show..because for 1 they are getting paid ( 5 digits salaries) and 2. they are making the company/industry more money.

I can go on and on & give you more examples of this but what I'm trying to say is until bjj reaches mainstream status...this situation will continue to occur.

It is very sad that the integrity level of bjj players has been put into question because of this. We don't get paid to perform we do it to better ourselves and add experience to our journey through life.... and .So what is the point of using steriods for ?.. ...( as El Atnom would say) a "50 cent goal medal ?" over your health..come on !!!

the end

Competitor Type

Awhile back ago I had a side conversation with someone I interviewed for the otm website about what types of people that compete. It was a very interesting conversation and I totally agreed with a lot of things he said. So in this blog I'm just gonna share what I learned from him along with my own opinion concerning this topic.

Types of People that compete

Goal Driven- these are people who have goals that they wishes to achieve in the sport. They realize the hurdles and hardships that may run into on their journey but no matter what happens they are not quitters and will do anything it takes to reach that goal whether it be getting a black belt or world championship status.
Ex: Look at guys like JT Torres he realizes what it takes to be a world champion. he understands the sacrifices and the hard work he has to put in to do it. In others words he is goal oriented.

Fighters- those are people who just love to fight or compete. It can be because they are ego driven guys who just want to smash people or people who just love putting their skills to the test in battle. Combatants is what i like to call them.
Ex: competition teams like paragon (my academy), C-Quence , and Alliance are solely competition teams schools where competitors compete anywhere between 3 to 4 times a month.

Martial arts lovers- These are people who although they have don't have any specific goals, Just love to experience what the sport has to offer. They want to add to their experience and things to look back in their stay in martial arts.
Ex: Guys like myself ( at least back in the days when i use to compete) just like to get out there and have an experience.

Other- people who fall under this category are simply kids, teens who either need have a focus in life or as a hobby to keep themselves active.

As for those who don't compete it doesn't mean they are weak, pussy or scared, they just have no interest in competing. Some of the best guys that I've trained with are people that don't compete. The reason may be they have other focuses in life ( work,family, -etc-) or just don't show interest in competing. It should be no pressure for that person to do so.

In all the purpose of this blog is just to show you what type of people you see gracing the competition mats. In all whether you have goals in the sport or not the main things you want to remember is to have fun and enjoy your experiences in the game.Sure you have some hard instructors who may stone you 4 the way u did in competition or you may have a bad experience here and there..but the main goals it to have fun.

Fernando Terre said in a recent interview that if competition is not fun then don't do it.

Set your own pathway you wish to pursue and Enjoy the ride !!!!

monta

Ideas for the Website

Well I guess this is my first montablog of the year. So you are probably wondering what I'm going to say especially after my very....outspoken blog on "The Arrival of Cobrinah". However instead of blowing up on people i decided to write about ...how i choose people to write about for the otm website (since some people have ask me and I have told them "NO" or I just igNOre their request).
A lot of times in bjj you hear the same stories of top bjj stars over and over again. This person won worlds for the 27th time. Exclusive interview about this top bjj guy for the 100th time. In other words it becomes repetitive and sometimes boring. So i decided when I started writing i wanted to do something different and write about people who are trying to get to the top in some fashion that people need to read about. There are alot of great and talented people out there in bjj land ( I should know since i study the underground scene) and its a shame that their story of blood, sweat,tears, and sometimes achievements are overlooked by someone else. So what better way to help them out by giving them some exposure.

The way i choose the people to write about is simple........

1. Your attitude toward the sport- you have to have a love for the sport. I tend to stay away from "know it alls", douchbags, and people falling into similar categories. I like to write about people who have a lot of drive, passion, and most of all having something going for themselves. Mainly because I can get the best answers out of them.

2. what separates you from other people- I won this medal (SO WHAT) I'm a bad ass in bjj (SO WHAT).I am the next big thing ( SO WHAT)..IMO none of that is interesting because they're are a million people that think and have done/thought the same thing. I like writing stories about people who have a story to tell. People who can give me a story of how they got from point A to point B and beyond and draw people into their life almost.

3. Personality is also a big trait to have

You have to remember folks I dont get paid to do this. So in other word Im pretty much helping people out of the kindess of my heart. Thats why I dont just write about anybody or anything.
Especially since I dont get paid to do this.
In all its about can you attract the audience because at the end of the day don't blame me if no one finds you interesting.


The End

2011: The Year of Action

Well this year is coming to a end and i am glad to stay I am happy it is almost over. Not say this year was horrible for me but I had some good moments and not so great moments. But hey what can I say I'm alive right. In terms of my NY resolution for 2011, If God can manage to keep my sorry ass alive for another year, I tend to make 2011..The year of action. In 2010 i sat on my bum and chilled in more ways that one so in 2011 I want to be as active as possible because hey life is to freaking short.

Anyway hope 2011 is a great year for everyone friends, enemies, and friend-imies ( whatever that means)

and

A speacial thanks to all my supporters for the montablog and my otm articles.

No "Best of 2010"this time. Happy New Year folks

monta

My Thoughts- Arrival of Cobrinah

This picture was taken over a year ago when I went to go train with Ruben “Cobrinah” Charles at the Stronghold academy in San Diego, Ca. It kind of unreal that he is moving and starting an academy out here in my city (yeah I thought you knew I Run LA :-) ). With all of the stuff that is been going on as of late in regards to me (shit talk whether it true or false) and with one of my favorite bjj players moving out here to start a school ( especially with everyone having mixed feelings about the whole idea). I decided to give my own opinion about the whole Cobrinah starting a school out here.

This blog is not going to bash cobrinah because for one he one of the few Brazilian bjj players I look up too and I ain’t with that punk online dissing shit. However what amazes me is the people who jump the gun and talk about his coming so negatively and the people who are leaving their academies to join. I know sounds a little bit bipolar but let me explain.

For those that talk negatively about his academy, I know a lot of people are skeptic over this new arrival especially after the Leo incident 3 years ago, however as the old saying goes. Unless your contemplating joining..who the fuck cares !!!! It crazy how jiu-jitsu t has gone from being more worried about someone else progression instead of their own . People that bash other people for joining ( especially when they didnt like them in the first place), what is it to you...how is someones leaving or cobrinah academy coming to la affecting your progression ..Let me answer that 4 you NONE WHAT SO FUCKING EVER !!! so as the jailbird rapper T.I would say " Keep your mind on your grind and off mines". Yes it may be frightening because Cobrinah may be stealing guys from academies but the way I see it is hey..one less guy gone the more possible attention I get from the instructor.

When it comes people leaving their academies to join, I only have one thing to say..only leave your academy becauase you are unhappy with you current situation (whether it is money, problems with other teammates, and just you feel your not growing) but if your leave because you see a better situation in front of you “you are an ungrateful ( fill in the blank)” and I have no respect for you. That’s like being with your wife 30 years and you see a hot chick walking by n ditch your wife for a new piece of ass..why risk it when you got something going so good (your continual growth at your academy & your friendships). Why go into a situation that you have no clue what your getting into. In all it’s stupid !!!!

In terms of my opinion on it all i have to say is this It could be one of the best school in the area or the biggest flop.. Its all in Cobrinah hands how the school will turn out.

I could say a whole lot more on this matter but I'm gonna leave it at that and for those that keep asking me pleaseeee stop asking me am I joining. At this time I’m not in any mood to train at any academy right now. I’m working and trying to finish off the year with a great OTM article with a overseas sensation.

Anyway I’ll end this blog by saying Happy Holidays

monta