RicksonGracie:TheManNoMyth

Copied and Pated from www.sherdog.com More than a decade has passed since Rickson Gracie competed in mixed martial arts, but the 52-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt still holds a prominent place in the minds and hearts of most hardcore fans. Gracie last fought at an event in Japan in May 2000, when he choked Pancrase co-founder Masakatsu Funaki unconscious with a rear-naked choke in a little less than 13 minutes. He walked away from the sport with a perfect 11-0 mark, with all 11 victories by way of submission.

In this exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Gracie discussed the impact of UFC 134 on Brazil, his recent participation in the Bintang Black Belt Challenge — a surfing championship for jiu-jitsu black belts — and, perhaps most importantly, the state of the ground game in modern-day MMA.

Sherdog.com: Do you believe jiu-jitsu fighters are having trouble getting the fight on the ground in today’s MMA?
Gracie: I see it as a new race of fighter developing, something that’s been invented. There are no more style matchups. Now, everyone knows everything. It’s about the strengths of the individual. The time of fights was shortened, the weights were equalized and technology was incorporated into training. There is no more romanticism in seeing a smaller guy fight a bigger guy for two hours. Thinking of that, I believe jiu-jitsu has lost the capacity to be put into practice in today’s MMA, because it’s an art you have to wait for the right moment with. Now, MMA is a sport for the better-prepared fighter, the guy who can absorb more punches and still win. There’s still an admiration for the art by those who practice it, but there’s a decline in how it’s working in MMA. My motivation is completely focused on the concept. That’s where I believe I can make a difference: in making the shy kid feel normal, in making the weak woman believe she’s strong. I want people to have a sense of self-defense and a concept of the invisible power. That’s where jiu-jitsu will achieve its eternity.

Sherdog.com: You have taken part in many legendary events. Do you still have the desire to compete again?
Gracie: There’s always that longing to fight, but I’m motivated by everything I’ve done so far. Nowadays, I have responsibilities that motivate me more than trying to live something I’ve already lived. Today, my focus is on remembering the people of jiu-jitsu and the philosophy that comes with the practice. It’s not directed at competition but at self-defense, self-confidence, discipline and emotional control. The values you learn are priceless.

Sherdog.com: There is no one better than you to describe the importance of UFC 134. What was it like to see 15,000 people supporting Brazilian fighters?
Gracie: It was very nice — a Brazilian night. Guys fought really well. [Antonio Rodrigo] “Minotauro” [Nogueira], Anderson [Silva], [Mauricio] “Shogun” [Rua] … everyone had a good role. And to feel the emotion that you only can feel in Brazil, where you have this human warmth, was great. I enjoyed taking part in a night like that.

Sherdog.com: Among the Brazilian fighters who competed at UFC 134, who did you like best?
Gracie: The Brazilians had a great night. They were pushed by the crowd and were well-prepared. I loved Minotauro. He’s a lion of a veteran. He was well-prepared physically and mentally, and he shut a lot of people’s mouths. Anderson showed his skills, which was no surprise. I expected that. Thiago Tavares was great, as was [Rousimar] “Toquinho” [Palhares]. Everyone showed the desire to win, and I congratulate them.

Sherdog.com: The Americans invited you to sit on the first row at the HSBC Arena. Some people were worried that they would tout MMA as their creation. How important was it for you to see your father, Helio Gracie, recognized, along with yourself and your brothers, Rorion Gracie and Royce Gracie?
Gracie: It was fair recognition. They are developing a great work with marketing, but everything is our creation. It’s not only about Brazilian fighters but about the concept and the Brazilian spirit behind it. They’re not re-inventing the wheel, and we have the resources needed to make the same kind of show as they have. We have human material and an interested audience, and now we also have the media vehicles needed to integrate them. We can have a Brazilian UFC, which is more important than recognizing the actions of others.

Sherdog.com: How was the surfing championship?
Gracie: I lost this time, but it was very cool to see the fellowship and to be with my friends on the ocean. It’s incredible to be in such a beautiful place like Prainha surfing with friends. There are no winners or losers there.

GuamArt&FokaiHeadwear

Years ago we bought some oversized foam hats to provide another canvas for Guam artists to express themselves. We were hoping to do a blog and profile of the artists but since lost track because of a disappointing protocol for follow through. nonetheless. most of the hats are still available at the shop. Heres a small window into some of the Guam talent.

FokaiCombatUnit:P.O.W.

View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.

1008:KeepingItReal

All apologies for the few of you who might be dialing into www.fokai.tv.We Havent been updating the blog in awhile for several reasons—some yet to be undiscussed.
As a part-time writer for the blog I felt short of my assignments to do any reports because of an excursion to Bali to fine-tune production, to research our ambitions of opening up an adventure tour option, and most importantly for some serious soul searching.
Bali’s a real special place where for the most part—Spirituality rules all. Even in a land of some serious surf and other options, it’s the connection and effort for connection with the supernatural that really provides the fabric for a wonderland of experience, options, and multi-faced opportunity.
Within this tour—I also had the benefit of celebrating and reflecting Fokai’s special day on 10/08. Crazy dreams, good people, a visit to Pandora, and as it-down with a holy man…the international mix of influence that Bali offers combined with the daily offerings of people who really do give a darn have again led to the conclusion that God (in his many faces) is most definitely real and that Heaven as a place on earth is foever an endless puzzle to solve and an incredible collection of colors to forever  unfold. and as far as it may seem for some–physically its a lot closer than many of us might think.

For the many things that are and for many things that aren’t–ThankYou my Lord!

Id like to take this opportunity to reiterate and confirm our position that, despite and inspite of what the many out there might perceive Fokai to be—we are respectfully here to make a real stand for good folks and good intentions.  Endlessly for strength to protect the weak, ifor ntelligence to assist the ignorant, and for ambition to help light the way for the lost.

It’s a FamilyThing.Sinceeversince.ForLife. VoodooMagic&GoodVibrations.CultivatingTheSpirit.
1008

Onra:September29th,2011

Hafa Adai,

Guam continues to grace the podium at the American National Jiu-Jitsu Gi and No-GiChampionship with Miguel Ayuyu and Mike Carbullido taking gold in the light and medium-heavy bluebelt divisions respectively and Kolo vida securing a bronze in the adult lightweight purple belt division.

For some great Karate action–Guam Kyokushinkai will hold the Second Annual Carlos Palacios Memorial Tournament Saturday at the Guam sports complex gym starting at 10am. Representing Guam, Best of Luck to the Spike22Academy’s Ryan Bigler , Joey Lopez, Scotty, Duenas, and Baby Joe Taimangalowho will be competing in the 2011 FILA Senior Grappling World Championships from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 in Belgrade, Serbia.

When UFC President Dana White made a statement that Mixed Martial Arts would become the biggest sport in the world, it almost sounded overly-ambitious, in some ways unrealistic ..even to some of the most die hard MMA fans.

However here we are today.–Not evyen 20years after the 1st Ultimate Fighting Championships and Not even 1week after being treated to yet another sellout event with their most recent event Jones Vs. Rampage… millions of fans around the world are eagerly awaiting their next big event UFC136. The UFC

Naysayers of the past and haters of today have tried to bill MMA as a passing fad and have often made statements to the sport of gladiators as modern barbarism and mindless bloodsport.

However as the sport and our athletes continue evolve, these statements proceed to fall further from the truth as this evolution continues to turn up the volume on two honorable aspects that are catapulting the sport to further places and are weaving its fabric even tighter through its growing viewer demographic—Skill and Sportsmanship.

Two very recent episodes come to mind when speaking of these issues. Guam’s most recent visiting super-talent show and Quinton”Rampage”Jackson and John”Bones”Jones resolution after such a highly campaigned drama about the history of UFC135s main event.

How many of us caught any of the fabulous performances of the “CirqueShanghai”?
By Golly, You have to see it to believe it –that was sure amazing stuff! It’s uplifting, mindblowing, and inspirational to see such extent of what the human body is capable of with ample training, perseverance, and desire.

With these qualities being the bare prerequisites of our professional fighter-athletes today—fans are sure to be even further impressed and awestruck by what our sport will have to offer in the months, years, and decades to come..

.Take for instance Lyoto Machida’s Crane kick to Randy Cotoure’s retirement in UFC129 , look at Anthony Pettis flying kick off the fences finishing Ben Henderson in WorldExtremeCombat53, or Toby Imada’s 2009’s Submission of the Year in the semi-finals of the BellatorFighting Championships lightweight tournament—Skill! Skill!Skill!Hollywood worthy performances of martial skill brought to you in real life competition throughout brilliant finishes in different title events.

All thetrash-talking between our headline fighters does its job of buttering up the anticipation of our fights—but for sport to be deemed so barbaric, you would never see the level of maturity, sportsmanship, and resolution that more often than not, comes with the aftermath that esily segregates MMA from Bloodsport. After almost 4rounds of devastating punches, kicks, and takedowns between Jones and Jackson–and Beneath the lines of conspiracy theories, self-hype, and rigorous and impressively-scientific training–grace in both victory and defeat unveiled martial artists to the surface minutes after Jones choked out Jackson and retained his light heavyweight tite.

Our fighters today hit with such skill, ferocity, and precision. It says a lot of MMA as sport when our best fighters,besides being able to block or evade the punches that don’t make their target—are able to look beyond those that find their mark and come to civil terms.
Sure its quite often that some of our best athletes might have tattooed bodies and shaved heads, bloody knuckles and black eyes.But if they can shake hands and resolve peacefully aftermonths of training their hearts out to smash each other in the cage;if they can diet, strategize, and sacrifce intelligently, surely mixed martial arts isnt as barbaric as the term cage-fighting might offer.

Since the birth of the UFC on November 12th of 1993, The Appeal of mixed martial arts competition has expanded significantly from the amusement of confrontation and the question of the most superior martial art to the additional appreciation of skill and the rise of arguably the worlds most-overall physically demanding sport . Though there still are allot of quirks to be worked out with many athletes, events, and even the sport as a whole–The fact is that there is some serious gravitation for fans and fighters towards mixed martial arts training and mixed martial arts competition. ; Highly-touted by our fans recognition of its aspects in sacrifice and perseverance—its success is increasingly catalysed through countless display of tremendous skill and sportsmanship; in strength, and more than anything else honor.

Respect for sure.

Thanks for dropping by.

WeThePeople:viaGuampdn.com

Ancient Chamorros were entrepreneurs
2:00 PM, Oct. 1, 2011 |
Anthony Sanchez

The ancient Chamorros weren’t opposed to trade, but actively participated and prompted it. They were businessmen who bartered and traded with each other, with Spanish galleons and other islands.

The Spanish documented trade with the Chamorros from Magellan’s first encounter. It seems Chamorros were acquainted with iron and valued it immensely, raising speculation the Spanish did not introduce iron to the Chamorro. Dandan was the area where early Spanish priests once mined a limited amount of iron.

The following account is quoted from Ayer Manuscript, 1409, of the Boxer Codex. Translated by Marjorie Driver, it documents trade between a Spanish galleon around 1590. The trading described occurred some 40 miles out in open sea. The galleon was only passing through the Marianas, having enough provisions.

“When a large ship is sighted, so many of these vessels (referring to proas) appear that they seem to blanket the sea. The sea tosses them about and the islanders board the ship to fetch iron, which is like gold to them, because they value it more (than gold) and use it in all their farm work and in preparing clearings for their garden plots.

“They bring with them some very good fresh water. (Also) many coconuts, fish that they catch on hooks, (and) rice prepared in their special way and wrapped in leaves. They toss these things aboard the ship in exchange for iron. They also bring fruit, including bananas, as well as others that we did not recognize.

“When they have reached within approximately a stone’s throw, they stand up and shout ‘Arrepeque, arrepeque,’ which some people say means ‘friends, friends.’ others, (that it means) ‘Take away the arcabuz’ (a firearm). Be it one or the other, they shout and say ‘arrepeque.’ In their hands they carry large calabashes filled with water, coconuts, or fish. In effect, each brings samples of whatever he has.

“As soon as they approach (the ship), they tack to the windward with remarkable nimbleness and speed. When they spot a piece of iron, they draw near and barter everything they have for it. In order to (be able to trade better, they tie-up to a rope (dangling) from the stern of the ship. From there and all parts of the ship, a profusion of old nails and broken cask hoops is thrown down to them.

“All this is amazing to see, because when they catch a rope with iron tied to it, they cut it with their teeth as if it were a radish. Then in response to signs made to them, they re-attach coconuts or whatever else has been requested.

“For people so greedy for iron they do something very strange, which is that they will not exchange more for a large piece than for a small one. This trait was confirmed here.

“If a piece (of iron) is thrown into the water for them, they are such expert divers and swimmers that before it sinks very far, they dive after it and return to the boat. One (islander) did just that; when it was thrown to him to him, he lowered his sail and dropped it in the water. Then he jumped in, caught the piece of iron, and clambered back into the boat. He lifted the wet sail from the water — and it was large and one would have expected it to take three or four men to pull it out — (yet) he, very easily, lifted it out and put it up all by himself. Then, without bartering for more iron, he went back there.

“We wanted to find out if they had any knowledge of the weapons we use, so I held up an unsheathed sword and pretended I wanted to throw it to them. As soon as they saw it, they yelled and shouted and although they all wanted me to throw it, each coveted it for himself. In return, by means of signs, they offered not only all their fruit, fish and water, but other things (as well). One who hoped to get it by using this (artifice), took from beneath (the usual things) many woven mats and some beautifully crafted little boxes and offered them all. Finally, they sailed off without it, but later returned twice, still wanting it and offering everything they had.”

Ancient Chamorros grew produce, fashioned fine carved and woven products, traded freely, went to great lengths to ply their trade and relied on their own ingenuity.

The Chamorro was a self-made man, who fed his family by the sweat of his brow, the skills of his craft, traversing the deep, blue sea as commander of all he caught, built and took care of. The government social systems of today would be treated with contempt or dismay.

The following excerpts are from Fray Juan Pobre in the Marianas 1602 (translated by Driver).

“While they are very young, they make their sons and daughters work and teach them to perform their tasks. Consequently, the very young know how to perform their tasks like parents because they have been taught with great love. So great is their love for their children that it would take a long time to describe it and sing its praises. They never spank them and they even scold them with loving words. … With such great love do these barbarians raise their children that they in turn, grow up to be obedient and expert in their occupations and skills.”

Ancient Chamorro taught their children skills from an unbelievably young age. Fray Pobre depicts their version of schooling.

“At the age of four or five, they teach their sons to go out to sea in little boats that they build for them, and which have their own outriggers that are identical to those on their father’s larger boats. By the age of fourteen, they have become so skilled at using them, that the sons know as much as their fathers; by the time they are sixteen or eighteen, the sons put out to sea to fish alone, as I have seen them do. Alone in his funei (proa), he sets the sails, bails the boat, and fishes with hook and net; if it capsizes, he rights it, so great is their strength.”

Respect ruled the Chamorro society from birth to death, regardless of age. While they learned individualism, the people as a whole never lost their sense of duty, dignity and respect — contributing to society while lifting those burdened by it. Nai y animu means to encourage with your spirit.

Ancient Chamorros would be today’s everyday heroes — the waitress serving you coffees, the cashier saying have a good day, the mechanic fixing your car, the farmer and fisherman selling their goods — doing the mundane with the respect it deserves and creates. Many Chamorro families have become local, regional and global leaders in banking, insurance, property, medical and legal services, hospitality, retail, wholesale and more. It’s an entrepreneurial spirit from our ancient past reaching for a future we must nurture and expand.

Sadly, some industries have been closed to Guam. Yet in the ones that prevail, Guam has become world class. God bless Guahan. God bless America.

Anthony P. Sanchez (Fongu) is the editor for Guahan/Guam A History of Guam.

Cribs:JoeitoSantiago

Joeitos GoProfile Fiji Home from joblo non on Vimeo.

FokaiTeamRider sinceeversince, Joeito Santiago takes us through a journey of his home and birthplace..

ADCC2011:FokaiCombatUnit

BaretYoshida, JT”Spiderman”Torres, RafaelMendes. Best of Luck.Much appreciated. Thanks Sincere

WelcomingFerridKheder

http://www.hurricanekheder.com/#!__videos

Welcome to Guam Ferrid Kheder of France! The island is looking forward to extended representation from growing partnerships with new world flags.

Now training at Spike22, Kheder plans to remain active in world MMA competition and will also be joining new forces in revamping Guam Judo.

Good Luck Ferrid and thanks for all the support!

JUSTADDWATER:Training@F1

We found a new location in the village to help pass the time when the surf’s flat, to keep our lungs in check for when the waves come back, and also–to get some good video shots for an upcoming Fokai Defining Promo Video Series…Bruh!

Rockrunner:Unidentified

VideoDude and Editor Guy: Chris Haole

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