Good bye Blogger. Hello WordPress

We are in the processing of overhauling everything, including our blog format.


Please bookmark and go to www.marylandcsw.wordpress.com in the future

Welcome Back

Been a long time since I updated the blog. Getting an iPad threw me off a little (or a lot). Obviously no substitution for a lap top.

On April 14, 2012, Team Maryland CSW competed in their first submission tourney for the 2012 competition season in US Grappling Maryland. There were a lot of game opponents in attendance. Quite apparent that all the other academies have been working very hard as we did not have any easy matches that day. I never pressure anyone to compete, but highly encourage it and support anyone interested in testing themselves.

Our MVP of the day was Brent Holtsclaw losing a very close match for 1st place in Men's Blue Belt. The final score was 0 - 0 and Brent's opponent up by 1 advantage point. Neither person wanting to make any mistakes costing them the match. Brent ultimately walked away with a Silver Medal.

 Brent getting his hand raised in victory

Brent wins 2nd place in Men's Blue Belt

On May 5, 2012, Team Method's Greg Fischer once again stepped inside the cage for another MMA fight. Greg has been working very hard on his Muay Thai since his last fight. All this hard work paid off as he was able to shut down a very skill opponent possessing an impressive undefeated record in Muay Thai going into the fight with some previous MMA fights.

Greg scored some devastating takedowns into some brutal ground & pound. Many near submission, ultimately finishing his opponent in the 2nd round. Coach Eddie and I was confident that Greg would walk away with the victory after spending the previous week training in Fullerton, CA at the CSW Training Center under the tutelage of great coaches such as Sensei Erik Paulson and Ajarn Greg Nelson.

Coach Eddie giving expert instruction in between rounds

His opponent fought out of MMA Institute in Richmond, VA. MMA Institute has been around a very long time and led by Rick McCoy; a pioneer of MMA in the state of Virginia. A lot of very tough fighters have come out of that camp.

The referee for the fight was none other than UFC referee; Fernando Yamaski, brother of the famous Mario Yamasaki. If that's not an honor in of itself and a look into the future for Greg.

Greg getting his hand raised in victory

Greg jumps to his feet in excitement after securing the submission victory

Seconds before the final decision was announced

Stay tuned for something big to happen in Columbia, Maryland for 2012 - 2013. We are completely over hauling our site. I had a sneak peak at it and its good! I will be providing monthly instructional videos on CSW, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai. Be sure you bookmark our new url: www.cmdmma.com

We will also be expanding in the Columbia Association gyms, providing Kids and Adult BJJ classes as well as Muay Thai. Be sure to spread the word and show your support if you live in Howard County.

I will be bringing in some of my Brown and Black Belt friends for quarterly seminars as well as teaching monthly workshops myself only available to my Assistant Instructors. Interested in becoming Assistant Instructor Candidate? 

Also ask about the CSW Pro Coach Association?

Columbia Maryland Mixed Martial Arts / Team Maryland CSW www.cmdmma.com

October 2011 Competition Highlights

Congratulation is in order to several people.

Greg Fischer from Team Method finally had an opponent who showed up to fight at Barbarian Fight Club on October 7^th, 2011. Greg won a 3 round unanimous decision

Ady Cheung from Team Maryland CSW who took away 2 Gold medals in no-gi submission wrestling and gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at NAGA Maryland on October 8^th, 2011

Brent Holtsclaw from Team Maryland CSW who took away 1 Gold medal in no-gi submission wrestling and 1 Silver medal gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu also at NAGA Maryland on October 8^th, 2011.

October 16, 2011 is also Ajarn Chai Sirisute’s Birthday and Teacher Appreciation Day in the Thai Boxing Association. If you do not know, Ajarn Chai is the person who literally brought Muay Thai to the United States in 1968. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Ajarn Chai for giving me the gift of Muay Thai.

Later this weeks we will be in Ashburn, VA for Copa NoVa. Time to get on the mat for some no-gi and gi action again.

Big plans in store for 2012 guys stay tuned.

Ajarn Chai Sirisute's Birthday 10/16

October 16^th is Ajarn Chai Sirisute’s Birthday.

October 16^th is also Teacher Appreciation Day in the Thai Boxing Association of the USA.

The Thai Boxing Association of the USA celebrates Teacher Appreciation Day every October 16^th. On this day students are asked to make a ceremonial gift in thanks to their teacher. A typical Teacher Appreciation Day present would include the following:

• 1 candle
• 3 sticks of incense
• Small amount of uncooked rice (~1/2 cup)
• Piece of Fruit
• Dry natural flowers

These items are put in a wooden bowl and presented to their teacher. At the time of presentation the student faces the teacher and assumes a kneeling Wai position. Then the student will bow three times in respect and thanks to the teacher.

October 16^th is also when TBA membership fees are due.

http://thaiboxing.com/membership_information

Team Method sweeps Stellar Fights V

This past Saturday Kevin Baughman, Maik Ferrante, Greg Fischer from Team Method were scheduled to fight in Stellar Fights V held in Harrington, DE.

Khuen Khru Alvin wrapping Maik's hands

Maik was first to fight from Team Method to step in the cage for his MMA debut. One thing everyone from Method is known for is solid no-gi CSW & Checkmat BJJ skills. Maik scored several takedowns against his opponent in round 1 and clearly dominated every bit of the grappling.

Coach Eddie giving expert instructions in between rounds

Round 2, we knew Maik could finish the fight. His confidence was apparent leading him to securing a RNC from the back to finish the fight.

Maik's hand raised in victory

Kevin was up next from Team Method to step into the cage. After being there for his last fight, I expected nothing less than a massacre. My hand still hurts from warming him up with focus mitts before his fight. He has a brick on the end of arm. I would have loved to see a knock out; which he did try for myself and Eddie. The opportunity presented itself for a chicken wing submission from inside the half mount to secure another victory in the middle of round 1.

Kevin's hands raised in victory

Greg trained hard in preparation for his fight; monitoring his weight and going thru a long and grueling fight camp that would have made a lesser man quit. Greg was disappointed and saddened to find out his opponent backed out just prior to the photo-op stare down (a few hours before the show started). Apparently this was a reoccurring theme for Greg’s opponent.

In this day and age where MMA being the fastest growing sport in the world, everyone is familiar with MMA regardless if they train or not. Too many posers running around. There is nothing wrong with just training for fitness or self defense. Fighters fight….PERIOD! Clearly this guy just wanted to be known as an MMA fighter as opposed to actually fighting.

At the end of the night Team Method swept the competition. Great job guys.

Ajarn Chai Sirisute Seminar in Maryland (8/20/11)

I might catch some flack for saying this, but somebody needs to say it.

It takes a remarkable man to go against the wishes of his doctor and his family; it also takes that remarkable man to be the leader of the Thai Boxing Association. The annual Maryland seminar was almost canceled. It shows the importance of commitment. Two main key concepts resonated the entire weekend; discipline and family.

Forgive my ill attempt at para-phrasing what was said.

Discipline & Respect

“without these things a person might be a good fighter once, but for your name to live forever, you must live a life of respect, discipline, honor, humility, and loyalty. These things, not fight records change lives, and make better people and unstoppable champions.” - Khuen Khru Bryan Mossey

“Live as if everything you do will eventually be known....because it is” – Ajarn Greg Nelson

Talent will only get you so far in life. Without discipline, you will not be on top for long. Mike Tyson during his prime was a great example of this. Tyson was considered one of the best at his time. This was largely due to the strict guidance imparted upon him from his trainer; Cus D’Amato. After Cus D’Amato’s death you start seeing the decline of Mike Tyson.

Family

Family has always been important in the TBA. I have seen first hand the powerful effect of family change UFC superstars into better people. Every Muay Thai seminar is a family reunion. We are lucky to be apart of the first and oldest Thai Boxing organization in the world.

Khuen Khru Jeff Jones’ closing remarks to the seminar reminded me of the importance of seeing every TBA member as family. It is no surprise that Ajarn Chai is planning his retirement. He has made it his life goal for the past 43 years to spread Muay Thai to the world. No one man on the face of the earth can fill those shoes; but many strong individuals working together can fill those shoes. Ajarn Chai laid the carpet for many of the top Thai trainers in the United States today. It is everybody’s duty to ensure that carpet stays clean and Ajarn Chai's legacy is preserved.

“Every pad holder (instructor) is a vacuum cleaner” – Ajarn Mateo De Los Reyes

Congratulations to the newly appointed Apprentice Instructors (Kru) in the TBA.

Kru Eloy Quintin

Kru Mia Quintero

Kru Marvin Quintero

Kru Mark Baltazar

Kru Don Bathan

Kru LeVon Maynard

Kru Cody Young

Kru Tristan King

Kru Richie Seacrest

Kru Darrell Fuller

The Instructor’s Test is many things; a confirmation of your years of hard work, a graduation of sorts, and a rite of passage. In a sense it is nothing more than a gut check. No matter how much pain you feel during those rounds, if you cannot muster up the strength within yourself to push through when the odds are stacked against you and family is cheering you on to keep going, than I do not know what will?

If you are not already of the TBA, I ask you to consider joining. $25 a year is small amount to ask for the sacrifice of the past 43 years.

Thai Boxing Association of the USA