Powerful human beings are those that look in the face of the unknown and push through the barriers that are set out in front of them. Whether you know it or not, you are this type of human being if you are taking on some form of martial arts. Whether this is Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, your ability to completely reshape who you are is right at your fingertips! In this article, we discuss the power of pushing your limits and how martial arts helps us connect the dots!

Martial arts are a transformative thing for people that embrace the way of living that is instilled into the art form. Whether you are training Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, or karate, you know how impactful martial can be on your mental fortitude.

When we started training we truly felt as though this is something everyone on the planet should get their hands on, the confidence and excitement that comes from learning a new skill are unmatched. Martial arts and grappling-based fighting styles like Brazilian jiu-jitsu will teach you many life lessons. Some of those lessons are learned indirectly or while continuously sparring.

Pushing yourself to your limits is something that is not comfortable to most people especially when you are having to do something both mentally and physically. Most people that take on martial arts may need to be in better physical shape when they start and quickly realize that they need to be. Pushing yourself to the limit and getting the momentum you need in order to just show up on a regular basis is enough for most people and it’s not difficult to see how this translates to everyday life.

Everyday life, especially when you want to achieve goals you have set for yourself, can be an uphill battle. You have to be able to push yourself to your limits because 95% of the time, no one is going to do it for you. This is a mental game that you have to learn to master through effort and consistency.

Effort and consistency are the building blocks of ranking up in most martial arts. While some take longer than others to accomplish, the principle is the same.

Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Growth takes place on the other side of the comfort zone.

When you put yourself into uncomfortable positions, for many this can be sparring or training martial arts in general, you are giving yourself two things. First, you are giving yourself the opportunity to fail, what a beautiful thing! And two, the ability to grow and learn.

When we constantly put ourselves out there to fail outside of our comfort zone, on the other side is lessons and growth. Life is all about these two things and it truly is a special thing to see that martial arts allow us to ingrain these principles into our minds and bodies.

Martial arts are a great way to push your limits and get yourself out of your comfort zone. The gym can be boring and very mundane, switch it up and try something new while learning a fun and exciting skill!

XXX

Bowtied Grappler is the founder of The Grapplers Graveyard and is on a mission to spread the positives martial arts can have on people’s lives.

Grapplers Graveyard is a self-improvement website that helps martial artists around the world.

Have you ever known you could have pushed just a little harder during training? Have you ever left the gym wondering why you even showed up? I suspect most of us have been there. For whichever reason(s), we experience days that disappoint, days we didn’t realize our performance expectations, days where our general motivation lagged.

Having lived and trained in Muay Thai in Thailand, I learned an invaluable practice which the general fitness enthusiast and athlete alike can benefit from: the art of not complaining. During training, questioning our trainers was frowned upon, as was complaining, both in our words and in our actions. We simply did. For example, regardless of what a trainer asked you to do, regardless of how many repetitions were shouted out, you did as you were expected. No sighs, no comments and absolutely no non verbal indication of anything but acceptance.

Hailing from North America, this was something I wasn’t accustomed to. I was used to being able to joke about how difficult something was. What did I notice once I made the change? Once I adapted to the gym culture I was living in, I became mentally stronger, more motivated and what I once thought were high performance levels became starting points to later reflect on.

How many of you have been in a class when an instructor announced an extended number of reps only to hear someone or some people respond with groans, Oh My God!’s, and/or shouts that they must be crazy or sadistic? The intent may be good natured and add to the fun of a class, however, responses like these may equally contribute to what’s holding your performance back. They may be sabotaging your fitness goals (particularly if you’re the one voicing them). How? Compliants, even the ones meant to be lighthearted contribute to a belief system of boundaries and of lowered expectations.

Complaining, be it vocal or a thought, sabotages your motivation to reach your goals.

Complaining will move you to believe that you’ve already done enough and can’t do (much) more. Complaining blocks out what your instructor, your personal trainer and that voice inside of you (aka the one reminding you that you could have performed better) are aiming for you to accompish. Complaining acts as a barrier to surpassing what in the moment, you think is possible.

Not physically voicing your complaints will eventually silence the thoughts that provoke the complaining to begin with.

How to Master the Art of Not Complaining

Control Your Emotions

When you’re in a class and the instructor calls out a number of reps, shouts at you to speed up or voices anything meant to push you harder that doesn’t require positive feedback (i.e. a group “Yeah” or a “Whoo”), don’t speak, just do. Don’t respond with facial expressions. Resist the temptation to roll your eyes or communicate any indication of frustration and / or exasperation. If you find this difficult, respond with a smile (even a forced, Oh how I hate you smile is a good start!)

Practice the same when working with a personal trainer.

Don’t Be Influenced by Others

When someone in a class speaks up, jokes, or acts in any way expressing limiting beliefs that resembles complaining, don’t buy into it. View it as their perspective, as their inability to perform (even if they’re at what you consider a higher level of fitness than yourself). It’s their outlook, not yours. This can be challenging if they’re contributing to the fun of the class, but it’s possible. Remember, it’ll just make you that much stronger.

Discipline Your Mind

Once you’re able to control the habit of voicing anything less than motivating during a session or a class and once you’re able to ignore the complaints of others, you’re ready to kill the thoughts that originally prompt the complaints. How? When the thought to complain manifests, squash it. Stop where your mind is going before completing the thought. For example, when the response, “What? Ten more reps?” comes to mind, don’t complete it, throw it away instantly. Editing at “What?”, ideally at “Wh..” is what you’re aiming for. Don’t finish the sentence; ideally don’t complete the first word in your mind.

This applies to when you’re training alone and have the gumption to push harder. Please note, the aim isn’t to lead yourself towards over training or injury, it’s to push your comfort zone.

In time, you’ll realize all three points influence one another. By not voicing your complaints, the thoughts that create the need to speak out slowly dissipate. By not allowing those thoughts to reach completion in your mind, nothing remains to express outwardly. Eventually, the thoughts will cease to exist. You’ll be focused. You’ll increase your motivation and you’ll find yourself happily anticipating what you can do. You’ll simply accomplish more. In addition, you won’t unintentionally sabotage the people around you. You may even inspire them.

Let us know how it goes!

MMA has several different weights, with dozens of fighters competing in various classes across several promotions. That includes One Championship, the UFC, the Professional
Fighters Club League, and the Bellator. Here are the world’s top ten MMA fighters to keep your eye on when betting at Betway88 in different promotions and divisions.

1. Jon Jones (UFC, 26-1, 1 NC)

After years of back-and-forth talk regarding moving up weight class, Jon ‘’Bones’’ Jones eventually did it. Jones left his UFC light heavyweight championship, and he intends to participate next at heavyweight. Whether that means a sudden shot against the winner or a top contender still remains to be seen.

2. Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC, 29-0)

Khabib has remained unbeaten for 12 years and 29 UFC fights. In his 29-fight UFC career, Nurmagomedov has only lost one round – to Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018. Khabib’s boasts a whopping 35-1 round record.

3. Amanda Nunes (UFC, 20-4)

Nunes won both the featherweight and the bantamweight UFC titles. She has defended both titles at least once, and she still dominates the two divisions. Amanda hasn’t lost a single fight since 2014, a series of 11 straight wins.

4. Stipe Miocic (UFC, 20-3)

Stipe became the fourth fighter to win back a UFC heavyweight title when he beat Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on 12th August. Most MMA enthusiasts consider Miocic the greatest heavyweight fighter in the UFC, having defended his title three successive times.

5. Israel Adesanya (UFC, 20-0)

Adesanya is the 13th fighter in UFC to win a championship with an unbeaten record and two title defenses. At the peak of his career, Adesanya hammered the unbeaten Paulo Costa to defend his

middleweight title at UFC.

6. Kamaru Usman (UFC, 17-1)

Usman ran his UFC win stretch to 12 in a row when he hammered Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision.  The win against Masvidal added another famous name to Usman’s vita, a list that consists of former titleholders Rafael Dos Anjos (lightweight) and Tyron Woodley.

7. Alexander Volkanovski (UFC, 22-1)

Alexander fought Max Halloway on 14th December 2019 for the UFC Featherweight title at UFC 245. He first defended his title in a rematch against Holloway on July 2020 at UFC 251 and won by split decision.

8. Demetrious Johnson (One, 27-3-1)

Known for his elusive movements and quick striking, Johnson is the inaugural and former UFC flyweight champion. Johnson beat Joseph Benavidez in the finals of the UFC flyweight championship on 22nd September 2012 by split decision to become the inaugural UFC Flyweight titleholder.

9. Valentina Shevchenko (UFC, 19-3)

Valentina beat Joanna Jedrzejczyk by unanimous decision to become the new UFC women’s flyweight champion. She has defended her title three times, the last one being against Katlyn Chookagian on 8th February 2020.

10. Justin Gaethje (UFC, 22-3)

Nicknamed ‘’The Highlight’’ Justin brings a reputation of wildness, violence, and excitement to the ring. Gaethje fought Khabib Nurmagomedov on 24th October 2020 for the UFC lightweight title. He lost via technical submission due to triangle choke.

If you find yourself travelling a lot for martial arts competitions, take advantage of it and explore the cities you find yourself in. Why not make the most of it? Take every opportunity you can. Every new destination has something fun to see and do. Here are some of the things we think you should do if you want to make the most of a chance to travel for a martial arts competition.

Explore the Local Cuisine

You may want to wait until after you fight so you are in the best possible condition, but if you have the opportunity to head out afterwards, take it. Take a look at what the local speciality might be, and try to find a good place to eat as a reward for your work.  A great meal is often the perfect way to end a busy day.

Of course, you might have something in mind anyway, particularly if you prefer to eat what you know. If you are visiting a major city, chances are that your favourite chain restaurant will already be there, so enjoy. Some chains offer local spins on chain staples.

Half the joy in travelling can be finding somewhere unique that offers good company and even better food. Don’t be afraid to ask at your accommodation – hotel staff or your host might know a great little hotspot for you to explore.

Do Something Touristy

No matter where you go, there is going to be the chance for you to do something that is just completely and utterly stereotypically touristy. It could be an attraction in the middle of nowhere, or it could be something big that everyone tries…embrace it.

Let’s imagine that you have been invited to compete in Las Vegas. What are you going to do after? Hit a casino of course! Even if you don’t want to get out and about, you can still explore some of the top attractions. From virtual tours of museums, to the chance to enjoy a few hands at GGPoker, you can still enjoy Vegas even if you don’t leave your hotel room.

Are you really going to pass up an opportunity to explore some iconic attractions? Cut loose and have a little fun – the more touristy the better! Even if you feel like you are as far from civilisation as you could possibly be, there is a strong chance that there will be some fun tourist attraction nearby that you can indulge in.

Live Like a Local

At the other end of the scale, we have the option to live like a local. Get away from the beaten track and try to do something that the locals of the area love to do. For example, if you have travelled to Bangkok for a competition, why not also check out some of the Muay Thai bouts that happen around the city?

For those who want to avoid tourists as much as they can, this is a brilliant option. As with finding hidden gems of cafes and restaurants, your host might have an idea of somewhere you could go. It could be a great gym, a scenic walk, or even a brilliant shop or museum. Whatever might take your fancy, there should be something you can do.

Being able to travel for martial arts competitions is great, and it is a fantastic way to see more of the world. Where is your next competition going to be? Even if it is in your own backyard, you could very easily take a couple of days just to explore and see what is on offer in your local area! You might even be a little surprised at what you are able to find. Travel is great for the mind and soul, and it is something you should indulge in as much as you can!

When Zuffa swallowed Pride in 2007, Asian MMA took a great hit, and it seemed like the days of glory were over. However, for the last few years, the Asian MMA scene has exploded with incredible new promotions popping right, left, and center. Today, several organizations like China’s Legend FC and Thailand’s Dare are growing at a steady pace. Here’s a list of the top Asian MMA organizations you can consider checking out while betting on Betway.

1. One Championship

Formerly known as One FC or One fighting Championship, this Singapore-based MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai promotion is doing everything right. This top MMA organization was launched by entrepreneur Chatri Sityodtong together with former ESPN sports executive Victor Cui in July 2011. The organization is also backed by Mission Holdings, Greeenaoks Capital, Temasek Holdings, Sequoia Capital, and GIC.

Notable athletes on One Championship’s roster include Eddie Alvarez, Demetrius Johnson, Martin Nguyen, Angela Lee, Bibiano Fernandez, and Andrei Stoica. Additionally, the promotion has been organizing events all over Asia, staging over 100 tournaments to date.

2. Dream

A Japanese mixed martial arts organization, Dream highlights some of the best international and local MMA talent. The organization has enhanced and established the careers of several top-ranked fighters like Gesias Cavalcante, Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Gegard Mousasi, to mention a few. To date, Dream has promoted 20+ shows, featuring top stars at the Betway sports betting listing on MMA events.

3. DEEP

Deep is another MMA sanctioning and promoting organizations based in Japan. Their inaugural event came to life in 2001, promoted by former Pride PR director Shigeru Saeki. The event featured starfighters like Royler Gracie and Paulo Filho, and more talented fighters have highlighted their tournaments ever since.

In 2008, Deep partnered with ZST to co-promote shows, share fighters, and finally unify the promotions. Today, the organization lists both male and female fighters in every division, including Bantamweight, strawweight, welterweight, featherweight, flyweight, middleweight, cruiserweight, and mega weight.

4. Legend FC

A Hong Kong-based MMA organization, Legend FC attracts national champion fighters from all over the Asia-Pacific to battle it out for regional supremacy. Unlike other MMA organizations, Legend FC became the first MMA tournament to focus on native Asia-Pacific fighters solely.

Legend FC was unveiled in 2009, inviting national MMA champion fighters to battle it out in a freestyle tournament. The tournament used interdisciplinary martial arts skills under strict rules designed to sportsmanship and athlete safety. However, Kwokman Productions acquired the organization in April 2014 and rebranded it as a China-based MMA promotion in 2018.

5. Road FC

If you like South Korean fighters, Road FC is the MMA organization to follow. This South Korean-based MMA promotion was officially launched in 2010, and they’ve staged over 50 events in South Korea, China, and Japan. Over 300 fighters have been signed by Road Fc, coming from North America, Japan, Brazil, China, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Even better, all Road FC events are broadcasted on dozens of national TV stations and the internet, reaching more than 50 countries.

Most people who had the privilege to train in Jiu Jitsu long enough know that white belts are the toughest players on the mats. White belts endure all types of abuse. They get smashed, submitted, and tested every day and yet, they still come back for more.

As a white belt I am no exception. I get choked out, pinned, and submitted every time I roll. No matter what kind of punishment I withstand, This Elite Sports Ultra Light Gi has held its own. My white Elite Gi is intact and still looks fresh after getting bleached and tossed through many laundry cycles. The pearl weave fabric is laced with reinforced stitching to prevent rips. My kimono has suffered through many grappling sessions and it hasn’t shown any signs of wear and tear.

Another factor that I appreciate is that this kimono doesn’t hold on to any foul smells. I had a previous Gi from a brand I won’t name that always had a resilient stench no matter how many times I washed it. No amount of baking soda or deodorizer was able to get rid of that musty, stinky aroma. I do not have that issue with the Elite Gi because the cloth has been manufactured with antibacterial and antimicrobial inner lining. You and your training partner’s body odours will not linger on this one.

In addition to the durability and hygienic factors, the price tag of $54.99 USD has to put the Elite Sports Ultra Light at the top of the food chain when it comes to Jiu Jitsu kimonos. The price is more than reasonable. It is perfect for beginners, and professional athletes alike. A good amount of beginners don’t know what to buy when they start BJJ, and the entry point to join a Jiu Jitsu gym can be pricey. Some gyms will try to sell you their own lower quality Gi at a higher price. My advice is to purchase the Elite Ultra Light and put your gym’s patch on it if uniform rules must be honored; that’s what I did.

All in all, this Gi is great. With a modest price tag, the Elite Ultra Light Gi is strong, comfortable, and affordable. The seams are reinforced and the fabric is imbued with antifungal compounds to repel funky microbes and bacteria. The merchandise will cost you $54.99 USD. There isn’t another Gi on the market that can beat that.

Elite offers three international online stores: the U.S., Australia, and the UK.

XXX

Pierre Smith started his journey in martial arts after witnessing Bruce Lee on the silver screen. He began training Tae Kwon Do, earning his black belt by his 18th birthday. He took up Muay Thai in 2000, training under Kru Nestor in New York City. Later on, Pierre moved to South Florida and trained at American Top Team under Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis Jr. Today, Pierre teaches Muay Thai and personal fitness in the South Florida region. Pierre can be reached by email at 1800pbsmith@gmail.com, on Instagram and his blog Catching Wreck.

These are great! I live in Florida and I prefer to work out in shorts. I rarely wear sweatpants, but the Born Tough sweatpants have opened my eyes to other options. These joggers were crafted with 92% polyester and 8% elastane. They do not have that heavy cotton feel. The sweatpants are light and breathable. They dry quickly and repel moisture which is ideal for active individuals.

The first thing I noticed about these sweatpants was the comfort. I immediately melted into them. The comfort level is ridiculous. The company obviously factored in the coziness and functionality. These sweats are super light and flexible. I feel like I’m naked when I’m wearing them. The joggers allow me to move freely without hindering my range of motion. Whether I’m swinging kettlebells, hitting the bag, or running sprints, the Born Tough sweatpants held its own. They are excellent, and custom-built for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Aside from the comfort, I love how they look. I am conscious about my appearance and style and these are exactly what I need. The sweatpants are slim-fitted and tapered at the bottom. There’s no unnecessary loose fabric. The pants are cropped from the waist down and have that contemporary slick look that I like. And again, the designers seem to put an emphasis on functionality. There are two discreet pockets with zippers on the thighs that are perfect for storing and securing a cellphone, a wallet, keys etc… These sweats are versatile. I can crush a workout, and run to the supermarket looking fly like David Beckham.

I’m at a point in my life where things have to make sense; every purchase must have a purpose. I’ve already mentioned functionality and I will mention it again. Functionality is my prime objective when I’m shopping for activewear. These sweatpants fit the criteria.
This past weekend I went camping for two days and wore these Born Tough sweats the whole time. I slept in them, I played basketball in them, and I walked a two-mile trail in them. As soon as I got home I threw these bad boys in the washing machine and hung them up to dry. Right now they still look like they are fresh out the Amazon box.

My only issue with these sweatpants is the God damn name. Born Tough! Really! The name is lazy and corny. The name makes these amazing sweatpants sound like they should be on the TJ Maxx sales rack. As a fashion-conscious individual, I would’ve overlooked these great joggers because of the name. I consider myself a 47-year-old tough guy, and I would never buy any apparel called Born Tough because that would give me away.

To wrap this up, I hate the name but these sweatpants are awesome. They are comfortable, they look great, and they can be worn almost anywhere. The only thing to keep in mind is that these sweats may run a little small. I’m 5’10, 180 lbs, and I usually wear Medium. I received a Large and they fit like a glove. So sizing is a factor that will need to be considered when purchasing these sweatpants.

Born Tough offers three international online stores: the U.S., Australia, and the UK.

XXX

Pierre Smith started his journey in martial arts after witnessing Bruce Lee on the silver screen. He began training Tae Kwon Do, earning his black belt by his 18th birthday. He took up Muay Thai in 2000, training under Kru Nestor in New York City. Later on, Pierre moved to South Florida and trained at American Top Team under Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis Jr. Today, Pierre teaches Muay Thai and personal fitness in the South Florida region. Pierre can be reached by Email at 1800pbsmith@gmail.com, on Instagram and his blog Catching Wreck.

“Other definitions exist, but all agree that silat cannot exist without pentjak; pentjak without silat is purposeless.” -Donn F. Draeger¹

Smack! I can still remember the sound of the impact ten years later. A student’s hand impacting the sweat-slick tile to break their fall, followed by the collapse of their body into the hard ceramic and an enthusiastic “ya!” from the instructor.  Next it was our turn to learn, one bule (foreigner) matched with a pesilat (silat player) from the visiting school. They had arrived earlier that afternoon, in matching blue jackets and black pants. They came from a silat school known as BIMA (Budaya Indonesia Mataram) as we were finishing our afternoon training session, covered in dirt and sweat but laughing and joking with each other. We piled into a small common room and greeted our new friends. Matched up, we practiced a series of techniques modeled on some of the key jurus-jurus (forms) of BIMA: horse; warrior; and princess (more dangerous than it sounds). The instructor demonstrated the series of moves, one precise snapping strike following another and ending in a swift fall to the hard floor.  Pakdhe Kardi’s knowledge of the English language was limited but emphatic, alternating almost childlike enthusiasm with surprising speed and power. We would attempt the technique, then he would correct our stance to be “Optimum!” Success was met with a punctuated “ya!” and error with correction. Pakdhe Kardi and I have since trained together several times over my subsequent trips to Indonesia. Pakdhe (a term of respect for an elder uncle) Kardi is a second-generation student of the founder of BIMA, Mr. Raden Broto Sutaryo.

Having done my reading and trained in the art for years, I knew that pencak silat is a system of self defense indigenous to the Malay Archipelago. However, I am always interested in hearing how my elders define the art. After reading the book ‘Pencak Silat in the Indonesian Archipelago” by O’ong Maryono² I learned that Pencak is what the fighting arts were called in Central Java (see my article talking about maenpo and Sundanese silat) and was later combined with silat into the term Pencak Silat. My guru in Inner Wave Pencak Silat, Daniel Prasetya, has described pencak silat as the art of solving problems. When your teacher has many decades in the art, as Pakdhe Kardi does, a simple question can get them answer much more than you intended.

So, I started simply by asking him to what pencak silat means to him:

“For me silat can be interpreted as welad in Javanese language. Welad is made from bamboo, that has been cut very thin and sharpened. That meaning itself is for self-defense, so if pencak silat is art of self-defense, and silat itself is self-defense. Welad is similar with razor blade, we can shave the mustache and beard with razor blade. A razor blade is very thin, flexible and sharp same as a welad. We can also define it as ‘sembilu’ that is cut from the bamboo, made very thin, and made very sharp.  Pencak and silat are two words that can’t be separated, so the two words unify to mean pencak silat. So, for me pencak silat is art from self-defense, it is like that.”

The definition of welad was given by Pakdhe Kardi as sembilu, which is a compound word comprising the phrase: selembar bilah bamboo or a blade made from bamboo. Typically, there is always a deeper meaning with Javanese culture and after I returned home from Indonesia, I examined what he said more closely. I found welad in my dictionary (but not on Google yet, so score one for dictionaries). Welad is defined as “a sharp sliver of bamboo, used as a knife for cutting the umbilical cord.”³ I received an explanation from my brother-in-law that supplemented the literal definition from my dictionary. Apparently a welad is a knife that is laboriously carved from the skin of bamboo. In the past, weapons made of iron were expensive and difficult to acquire. So, some of their blades were made of bamboo including the welad. So, the welad (and by extension the silat player) is a weapon that is sharp enough to be a razor, but also flexible.

As an art, pencak silat has considerable room for personal expression and experience and the best manifestation of this aspect is the partially memorized, partially improvised jurus.  I was hoping for some additional insight into the nature of jurus from Pakdhe Kardi.

So, what is a jurus?

“So, in my opinion the jurus is a special thing, so the material and the movement of the jurus is something unique and special. As an example, for example our schooling starts from kindergarten or first grade to elementary school, middle school, high school then goes on to college. If in college, there are faculty or different majors. For example, there is a medical faculty, a chemistry faculty, political science faculty, and so on. So, when we enter the faculty level, the lessons are already special. So, the jurus is composed of special motions, for example the mantis jurus means that every motion in it must express the mantis form. If it is the tiger jurus, for example with motion like this, so in theory and application it has to show the special characteristics and character of the tiger. So, for me jurus is something special. You can’t, for example, you cannot take the tiger jurus and mix it with the mantis jurus. If a tiger moves its hand it has to be like the palm of a tiger. The hands of the tiger move like this, yes like the tiger. Like with the ‘Guardian of Mataram’ form, there isn’t a tiger claw move in that form, in the ‘Guardian of Mataram’ form all of the hand motions have to have a closed fist. When we defend or attack, we should also show the characteristics from the jurus that we study. For example, with the tiger jurus, you must show the characteristics of that style when attacking, blocking, and defending.”

For Pakdhe Kardi, there is only total commitment to his actions. Every motion is done with an intensity and an intention that are truly awe-inspiring. Although he calls his method of self-defense “mainstream” there is nothing common about how he moves. From what I have learned previously, each jurus has a particular lesson at its core. This lesson can be as basic as how to fight with a high, middle, low stance or how to address multiple attackers from 1, 2, 3, or 4 directions. At advanced levels they can also teach how to connect with your intuition and inner instincts by mimicking the behavior of an animal such as the tiger or pangolin. Each jurus is a unique vocabulary assignment that tells its own story and teaches its own lesson. Many silat systems use the jurus as a training and information storage/encryption tool, and I hope to expand on this function in future articles.

The full interview can be seen below.

1              Draeger DF. Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia. Reprint edition. Rutland, Vt: Charles E. Tuttle Company; 2001.

2              Maryono O, Keary L, Sciortino R. Pencak silat in the Indonesian archipelago. Yayasan Galang: Yogyakarta; 2002.

3              Javanese English Dictionary by Stuart Robson Dr. Periplus Editions; 1828.

XXX

Charles Brandon Stauft has been training in Silat since 2006 and teaching for the past 4 years. He is the head instructor for Inner Wave Pencak Silat New York where he teaches occasional seminars in New York City, a number of private students, and a class at Stony Brook University in Pencak Silat basics. He has mainly trained under Guru Daniel Prasetya and also with instructors in other Filipino and Indonesian martial arts both in the United States and Indonesia. He has been lucky enough to go to intensive camps in Bali and Java as well as a number of seminars in the United States. Recently he has also taken up historical European martial arts (HEMA), specifically German longsword fencing in the Lichtenauer tradition.

In general, betting on sports is both fun and entertaining, no matter the game you choose. However, betting on combat sports is a bit different from other team sports in top leagues like the EPL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL. For instance, boxing is a decentralized sport where all the fights are negotiated, making it hard to have a definitive schedule to play your wagers around. The UFC also works similarly, with previous results determining a fighter’s future match.

Despite the challenge, it’s easy for a punter to plan and use a solid betting strategy to be successful when betting on MMA fights, boxing and combat sports in general. Here’s a comprehensive combat sports betting strategy guide:

Different Ways to Bet on Combat Sports

In combat sports, the betting market may differ depending on the fight. For instance, the biggest boxing matches, like Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao, have a host of props to choose from, while average fights only offer a couple of options. Nonetheless, all the fights available on Betway88 will have enough options to keep you hanging around from the first bell to the last minute. The top markets include:

1. Moneyline Betting

Usually, when two fighters enter the cage, only one leaves victorious. As such, you’ll win your bet if you wager on the winner’s Moneyline. A three-judge panel sits beside the ring/cage and award every bout based on a 10-point scale. That means combat sports punters at the Betway88 insider will still get the winner even when the fighters are left standing. Draws are rare in combat sports, but they are possible.

2. Round Betting

This market involves estimating the number of rounds that a fight will last. Bookmakers will set a number of expected rounds for a given match, and the bettors will select either under or over. For MMA, regular bouts go up to three rounds, while title fights are scheduled for five rounds. On the other hand, boxing has a maximum of twelve rounds for each battle, though some can be as low as three. Muay Thai has five.

Similar to over/ under round bets, you can also wager on:

• The specific round when the fight will end and the fighter who will win
• Whether the match will go to a decision (go the distance)

Combat Sports Betting Strategy

To become a successful combat sports bettor, you need to learn how to wager on underpriced underdogs based on in-depth knowledge about the fighter and their styles. Recent performances are also vital in determining which outcome is most valuable and worth the risk.

Ever since the gravity-defying moves of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan hit the big screen, many of us have developed a fascination for martial arts.

Martial arts originally emerged out of a necessity for self-defence. These days, martial arts training is more about harnessing physical and mental strength. Whether you’re doing it for fun, or competitively, your stamina, flexibility and fitness level will all improve.

But what about non-training days? You want to maintain your fitness levels and focus on building your endurance and power. Finding the right exercises to complement your martial arts training is essential.

Check out this list of 6 exercises to strengthen and condition muscles for martial arts to ensure you’re in peak physical condition to perform at your best.

Popular Martial Arts Styles

While there are hundreds of variations, martial arts can generally be broken down into five distinct categories: (with some examples of popular styles):

Stand-up / Striking

• Kickboxing requires speed and agility, combining techniques such as punches, knees, and kicks to disarm an opponent.
• Kung Fu focuses on developing external strength – as well as internal strength through mental emphasis and chi manipulation. Techniques include using bare-hands and rudimentary weapons.
• Karate is an unarmed sport, where the practitioner uses hands and feet to strike, as well as defend against punches and kicks from their opponent.
• Taekwondo balances both self-defence and attack. Techniques involve high kicks and quick hand movements. Legs are the weapon of choice due to the power a kick can deliver as well as keeping the opponent at a distance.
• Muay Thai is the national sport of The Land of Smiles. Muay Thai fighters use knees, elbows, feet, shins and fists to strike their opponent.

Grappling

• Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is known for its aggressive moves such as chokeholds, grappling, joint locks and hard striking. Once the opponent is forced to the ground, a limb can be manipulated at the joint until it breaks. Not for the faint-hearted.

Low Impact / Meditative

• Tai Chi is characterised by its breathing techniques that focus on balance and relieving stress.

Weapons-based

• Kendo descended from swordsmanship and now uses bamboo swords and protective armour.

Throwing / Take Down

• Judo originated from Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on different holds and grappling techniques which are designed to unbalance an opponent where a joint-lock or chokehold forces him to submit.

Mixed Martial Arts

• MMA was born after UFC competitors began real fights using different fighting disciplines. Following fights incorporated more and more of the best techniques from various disciplines, leading to the development of MMA – Mixed Martial Arts.

Why Strengthen Muscles for Martial Arts?

These physically intense sports require the ultimate strength to perform at your best. Muscle building and cardio exercises are important for increasing your strength and endurance.

What Exercises Will Strengthen Muscles?

Mix up your martial arts training with strength training exercises. Remember, strength training doesn’t just mean weightlifting!

Also, make sure you build different muscles. Include exercises that get your heart pumping. Alternate your exercise focus days to allow for muscle recuperation.

Many exercises rely on body weight. You don’t always need to find a gym or purchase heavy, expensive equipment. Use whatever you have on hand. Strength bands are great for building strength safely and efficiently on a lower budget.

Minimal or No Equipment Exercises

1. Pull-Ups

Focusing on the development of the muscles in your upper back is essential for moves when you need pulling motions to control your opponent in Muay Thai, MMA and Jiujitsu.

Concentrate on squeezing your shoulder blades together rather than your biceps. This will activate the back muscles and build upper body strength.

2. Push-Ups

Want more power behind your punches?  You need to consider the humble push-up.

Change it up:

• Add a clapping push-up to build explosive chest power
• Push off against a wall or bench to work upper chest and shoulder muscles
• Knuckle push-ups to decrease sensitivity to knuckles when hitting hard targets

3. Burpees

Boost your cardiovascular fitness with this fast-moving exercise. A fantastic bodyweight exercise, the action of sprawling and jumping helps you to train for martial arts that use grappling movements.

Burpees will get your heart rate up and build endurance.

Change it up:

• Add a star jump
• Single-leg push up (as you push up, alternate raising one leg straight up into the air)
• Spiderman burpee (alternate bringing your knee to your elbow on the push up)

With Basic Gym Equipment

4. Overhead Press

Strengthen your deltoids by lifting dumbbells or kettlebells from your shoulders, over your head. This will help you keep your guard up, particularly when you’re feeling fatigued.

Keep your weights heavy enough to make the last 3 reps (out of 12) challenging.

5. Deadlifts

Activate your hamstrings, core, lower back muscles and glutes. Deadlifts will also strengthen your grip.

Don’t start too heavy. If your form is spot on, you’ll notice the stretch in your hamstrings, rather than your quads.

6. Cycling

Want to generate more power behind your kicks? Get some cycling in. You’ll also improve speed when moving forward or evading attacks. Cycling adds strength to your legs and core – not to mention your mental stamina.

Build cycling into your existing routine to ensure you have the upper edge in your next fight.

Make sure you adjust any exercises to suit your fitness level. Take a 30 to 45-second break between each set of your weightlifting routines. If you push through without proper rest, you may become too fatigued to continue with good form, which leads to injuries. Should you feel any pain, stop what you’re doing. This is not a place to form a “no pain, no gain” mindset.  This is where “safety first” applies.

The stronger you are, the less chance you will have of injuring yourself in your martial arts training. Using these six exercises to strengthen and condition muscles for martial arts will improve your flexibility, speed and agility.

Maintain a mindset of your goals and strive to get better every day.

XXX

Johanna Cider is a freelance writer who lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She has penned articles for various blogs and transportation sites. Read more of her published works on her blog.