Blog
Notes on training, philosophy, and the martial way.
What Makes Pulling Guard Essential for Fighters
What Makes Pulling Guard Essential for Fighters Have you ever found yourself locked in a grueling stand-up battle, eating strikes while desperately hunting for.
Why Butt Scooting Matters for Combat Sports
Why Butt Scooting Matters for Combat Sports Picture this: It's a humid evening at the gym, midway through a grueling no-gi BJJ roll.
How to Choose the Perfect Inverted Guard for Your Training
How to Choose the Perfect Inverted Guard for Your Training The inverted guard isn't just a position—it's a game-changer that flips the script on your...
Everything You Need to Know About Tornado Guard
Everything You Need to Know About Tornado Guard In the gritty evolution of combat sports, shin guards emerged as a game-changer during the 1970s Thai boxing...
The Art of Choosing 50/50 Guard for MMA
The Art of Choosing 50/50 Guard for MMA Did you know that in UFC fights from 2018 to 2023, bottom-position guards—including the versatile 50/50 guard —factored.
The Complete Guide to Donkey Guard
The Complete Guide to Donkey Guard Introduction: The Guard Retention Crisis in Modern Grappling Did you know that in IBJJF World Championships from 2019 to...
Squid Guard Essentials for Every Fighter
--- --- Squid Guard Essentials for Every Fighter Did you know that in elite no-gi grappling competitions, squid guard setups contribute to nearly 35% of all...
Best Koala Guard for Fighters in 2025
--- --- Best Koala Guard for Fighters in 2025 Introduction: Clinging to Victory from the Back I’ll never forget rolling with a slick black belt in a packed...
Why Oil Check Wrestling Matters for Combat Sports
--- --- Why Oil Check Wrestling Matters for Combat Sports In the sweat-drenched chaos of an MMA cage or wrestling mat, your grip can make or break a...
Spladle Essentials for Every Fighter
Spladle Essentials for Every Fighter In the unforgiving world of MMA grappling, a single spladle can shatter your training camp—or your career.
Vaporizer Leg Lock: A Fighter's Guide to Selection and Use
--- Vaporizer Leg Lock: A Fighter's Guide to Selection and Use Have you ever finished a intense grappling session feeling like your leg lock drills were...
The Complete Guide to Banana Split Submission
The Complete Guide to Banana Split Submission By Sarah Chen, BJJ Black Belt & Strength Coach at Apollo MMA Nothing peels apart an opponent's defense quite like.
What Makes Electric Chair Sweep Essential for Fighters
--- --- What Makes Electric Chair Sweep Essential for Fighters Picture this: you're pinned in bottom guard during a grueling MMA roll, your opponent's weight...
Understanding Lockdown Half Guard: Materials, Features, and Performance
--- --- Understanding Lockdown Half Guard: Materials, Features, and Performance Picture this: You're deep into a grueling sparring session at your commercial...
How to Choose the Perfect Truck Position Bjj for Your Training
How to Choose the Perfect Truck Position Bjj for Your Training Ever locked in a deep truck position BJJ only to feel your grip slipping because your rash guard.
How to Choose the Perfect North South Choke for Your Training
--- --- How to Choose the Perfect North South Choke for Your Training Picture this: it's 1900s Japan, where judo pioneers like Mitsuyo Maeda refine north south.
Best Baseball Bat Choke for Fighters in 2025
Best Baseball Bat Choke for Fighters in 2025 Introduction Choke submissions have decided over 40% of UFC fights since 2010, with rear-naked variations leading..
The Art of Choosing Bow and Arrow Choke for MMA
The Art of Choosing Bow and Arrow Choke for MMA Picture this: You're deep in a grueling BJJ roll during an MMA sparring session at your local gym.
Clock Choke: Comparing Quality, Durability, and Value
Clock Choke: Comparing Quality, Durability, and Value Picture this: It's a humid evening at the gym, sweat dripping as I lock in a tight clock choke from the...
Best Ezekiel Choke for Fighters in 2025
--- Best Ezekiel Choke for Fighters in 2025 Listen up, fighters: the Ezekiel choke isn't just a BJJ staple—it's a brutal, underutilized finisher that's...