Dream Hunting!

I've been at this for some time. It's been a long road. I visualized teaching, fighting, and creating a team. I have far out accomplished what I thought I was capable of. I am on the verge of bigger dreams now, dreams that will allow me to take care of my family and give a sense of stability that can be passed on for generations to come. There have been extreme ups and downs and times where I wasn't sure why I was even doing this.The only answer I had came inside the gym. No matter what the circumstance the gym was there and I was there, kicking and punching my dreams into existence. I feel blessed to have found something I love and worked hard to study my craft in a way that I can teach it to others and make a living. It is a modest one but the future is bright. I encourage you all to do the same. Get out and hunt for it. Your dreams will not fall into your lap, it is your responsibility to hunt them down. As you take steps towards your dreams, they will take giant leaps towards you. There will be situations where you will be tested, do not let them slow your momentum. It may not happen overnight. The fact is I know it won't, but if you stay on your path and stay focused your dreams will happen and then some. Believe in yourself and do your best to let go of the things that hold you back. Anger about past situations and anxiety about future ones are merely obstacles and not what make you but what should drive you. There is a happiness in the journey alone, before you ever arrive at your dreams you become a different person, you feel a sense of purpose, of accomplishment. What started out as confusing as being lost in the woods will become clearer over time. The more you believe, the harder you work, the closer it will come. In your dreams you will find piece of mind and in your soul you'll find a fullness. Go dream hunting, you won't be sorry

"Yo name Floyd?"

           Hello all, I hope this finds you healthy and well. I've been thinking about writing a book for years and decided why not now. During this process I realize that have many untold stories and I suppose I could share some of them in my blog and perhaps they'll end up in the book. Some of you might know that the beginning of my education came at a Catholic school, uniforms, mass,communion, the whole nine yards. However, by the time I was in sixth grade I was made to go to a public school (Louis Worth) on the other side of town. I had to catch two trains or three buses to get there. It wasn't that it was so far from where I lived but more the fact that I didn't know anyone there that bothered me. I made my way through the school with caution as due to the building gang violence and bullying factor along with the lack of support made it a little unsafe at times. I suppose there are a couple of examples where my Taekwondo training came into play while I was there at Louis Worth. At 6th grade I had been doing Taekwondo for about 2 years.
          Even though I tried to keep a low profile during my time at Louis worth I somehow attracted a bully. I don't remember his name but I remember him having some older gang member buddies and a seriously bad attitude. We had a class or two together and he would berate me and throw things at me, the usual bully stuff. I did my best to avoid him and duck him whenever possible. When it wasn't possible I just simply ran away. He wanted to beat me up pretty bad but he just couldn't catch me. It became laughable at some point. However, no matter who you are and what you're running from, either you're gonna get tired of running, or whatever it is you're running from will catch you. I eventually just got tired of running. During lunch one day we started doing our regular thing he would chase me and I would run but this day was different, this time I just decided that I had had enough. I stopped. There he stood in front of me hands held high and saying every nasty thing in the book but at that moment I became very relaxed and comfortable my target was clear as day. His hands were so high up that his stomach was exposed. I struck it with a straight punch just as Sensei Carlos had taught me and all the talking faded as he reached for his stomach and kneeling down in pain. I didn't stick around however, I took off running. It was my best weapon. Although I was never bullied by him again, I don't know if it was the punch or if he just got tired of chasing me.
           At some point I met a girl that lived near my hood that went to the same school. I remember liking her, of course at that age I probably liked every girl I saw. Anyway we had exchanged numbers and calling people on the phone was still a new and daunting task especially on the bright yellow rotary phone that hung just near the doorway in the kitchen. One wrong number and it was start all over again. I had become a master dialer in later years, I could speed dial on a rotary now that's talent. So one day after school I call her and we start a conversation about menial little things school etc.. At some point in our conversation she brought her brother up. He was an 8th grader that I didn't really know. I had seen him around the school a couple times but that's about it. Now i'm no idiot, I wouldn't have said anything bad about her brother I just wasn't in the habit of putting myself in harms way. A couple of days pass and i'm standing outside during lunch. A voice from about 10 feet away shouts, "Yo name Floyd", "What?" I responded. Now he was standing over me, it was her brother and a few of his friends towering over my small lanky frame. "Is yo name Floyd?". Now I could have said anything, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike(yeah I did that), but no I said it, like a moron. "My name is Lloyd", at that very moment as the words slid from my lips, I knew I had screwed up. He fired an uppercut to my stomach, now I suppose I should have folded, not to say it didn't hurt but it wasn't harder than the stuff I was taking in training with sensei. A glared at him as he continued to curse at me and tell me he was on the phone listening to me talk to his sister. I for the life of me can't figure out what I could have said to cause the attack. Anyway he was doing the usual threatening talk you become used to on the South Side of the Chi., but in his face it was definitely a bit of shock. I mean I should have been on my knees but there I was staring right back in his face. They left me a lone and walked away. Thank god for two things that I applied from my training, a strong body and a strong mind. I can truly say that if it hadn't been for my Taekwondo beginnings I wouldn't have made it through some of the situations I found myself in.

         Last one, this one has a couple of lessons to take away from it. So I had a few truly thug friends around my hood and that's just how it was. Some guys were cool and some guys were grimy but we were all in the same hood struggling the same way. My boy Eric was that way. We hung out quite a bit breaking windows out of abandoned buildings with rocks, playing basketball, and basically running around causing mischief. I was playing basketball at he park and though we hadn't hung out a lot in recent weeks Eric was there. As I remember he had gone almost full on gang member and subsequently become criminally active. I had seen him hanging out near where I had put my things including my basketball as we were using someone elses ball for the game. I looked up and it was gone and so was he. I was pissed, I'm sure i went on a little bit of a rant about him stealing my ball before I took off home. A couple hours later I got a knock on the door, it was Eric. No one else was home and he sort of pushed his way in, he was pushing me and telling me not to go around saying that he stole my ball. I was standing my ground and telling him I knew that he did it. He looked furiously at me as he pulled back and threw a right hook, I ducked the right hook and dropped him into the corner by the front door with a right cross(trust me I was shocked too). In disbelief, mouth wide open, I felt like I had to say something because everything had gone quiet. I opened my mouth and it spilled out' "that's what you get" and I turned and walked away. My heart was pounding and I was in complete shock. I walked back to my bedroom at the end of the hall and shouted to the front,"you better leave or I'm gonna call the police". I heard the door slam and I sat up on my bed. I walked to the living room and a huge smile came over my face as i realized he was gone. I was re-enacting the duck and punch and even staring at my hand for long periods of time and then I noticed it. My other basketball the one I considered "the good one", was gone. I think most of us in the hood had 2 basketballs, the one with the slight bubble and "the good one" lol.. Anyway when I walked away he took his opportunity to snag the other ball on his way out.
        So I learned two lessons from that experience, believe in the technique(because it works), and it ain't over til it's over. Stay focused or you might lose something more valuable than a basketball or in this case 2.

Martial Artist vs MMA Fighter vs Respect

In my personal growth as a martial artist, coach, instructor, and fighter it has become obvious to me that maybe the lines between martial artist and MMA fighter are becoming more and more skewed. It's hard to tell if MMA fighters believe in their specific martial arts backgrounds or if they even care anymore. I mean the martial arts that people are practicing in order to fight in MMA competition are supposed to have a pureness and honesty and yet these "high level strikers" and world class grapplers" are all cutting 20 to sometimes 30 pounds. So are they really as good as themselves, the promotion,or the announcers claim? I don't know, what I do know is that little Thai guys that are fighting guys from all over the world aren't cutting weight to compete in one of the most dangerous sports on the planet that happens to include a clinching game with bigger guys.. I'm pretty sure Master Helio Gracie wasn't cutting weight to compete in serious Jiu Jitsu fights with men that dwarfed him in size(that goes for Royce as well). I understand that's the game now, however while everyone is studying their respective martial arts diligently I contend that because of the ridiculous amount of calling each other out, posturing, and weight cutting to be the bigger guy that the martial arts aspect in MMA is becoming watered down and tainted. Maybe it should just be called cage fighting instead... I mean K-1 kickboxing is not running around calling itself Muay Thai though Thai fighters compete in it. The only thing keeping the martial arts alive are the guys at the end of their careers that are the best in the world. Anderson Silva, George St. Pierre, and Lyoto Machida will still wear their Gi's into the cage. I really haven't seen the newer generation participating in keeping the Martial Arts culture alive other than a bow here and there. I love MMA so lets not get it twisted the shows are exciting and guys for the most part aren't afraid to throw down. I'm just not sure if guys are getting it, where's the real spirit? There seems to be a lack of humility and honest respect for the arts or each other. I happened upon a conversation on FB in which a bunch of amateur MMA fighters at least one coach and a few friends are threatening each other, discussing whether or not they had criminal records, questioning each others training abilities without any care of whether or not people are listening or reading the conversation. Yes, these are the same guys teaching the after school programs to your kids, how to choke out your opponent, throw a liver kick, break an arm, etc... Where though is the respect and discipline? My first Karate instructor would have privately handled me for any disrespect of anyone. I can say without any reasonable doubt that he would have simply driven to any other instructors school and had a conversation about respect instead of going back and forth threatening to whoop anyone's ass. If you cut more than about 12 pounds through the process of training naturally then maybe you're not the badass you thought you were. Anyway, the new wave of MMA is here and the old ways of Martial Arts is quickly finding it's way out. I've always said I was a purest and I am proud of it. I can definitely understand what MMA is but more and more it's becoming less Martial Artists and more fighters.

Hanging with sensei: "Going for the war"

Hello all!! It's been a crazy few weeks getting my fighters ready for their fights while training vigorously for mine. More on those fights in the future. I would have to say that i've been pretty lucky in my studies as a martial artist. I have had an opportunity to connect with a lot of different students and masters. In this case I am stoked to have come under the tutelage of a Vale Tudo legend, Sensei Jorge Pereira. Sensei Jorge was known for his brash style in MMA and Vale Tudo, and his dominance in tournaments. He currently is a 6th degree blackbelt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu(BJJ) graduated by Rickson Gracie he also holds a blackbelt in Judo. Born in Rio, he is truly a member of the old school. While new techniques such as the berimbolo are all the rage, traditional techniques are his main stay. He is a firm believer in self defense being the first and foremost reason for BJJ, it is with you for life. BJJ should help you to prepare for any situation no matter the setting, whether that be in the street, the cage , the tournament...etc. When I first met Sensei Jorge, I was teaching a Muay Thai class at Knockout Zone gym in Miami. I had been looking into getting back into Jiu Jitsu. I had done a couple of years of No-gi Jiu Jitsu and even won a tournament. My teacher at that time had moved away and I wasn't sure where I was going to find my BJJ fix. I walk in, and there he was teaching a pass of some sort. I ended up meeting him that day and we shook hands as he invited me to come and try it out. I ordered a $50 gi online. Yes, for those that know, I said 50 dollars and yes it felt like it. Over the next couple of weeks as I waited I did some research on Sensei Jorge and just like most high level fighters there were plenty of opinions about him. I was never discouraged as I let my keen judgement of character prevail over all. I am so glad I did. Under Sensei Jorge I have already pulled in two medals. One silver in the state tournament and a gold in the IBJJF Miami Open. I can connect with Sensei Jorge because I am a traditionalist in the matter of Martial arts. I can relate to the way he teaches because he teaches in the way of the old style. Respect, Honor, and a Warriors spirit are the base for the way he teaches and the way I teach Muay Thai as well. These qualities are as important as the techniques themselves. TUESDAY MORNINGS It all came together on Tuesday mornings. For whatever reason I seem to be the only one out of God knows how many students that likes to get up for the Tuesday morning 9a.m. class. Which means every Tuesday it's just Sensei Jorge and little old me. I think most people would think wow you get a private class with a legend every Tuesday morning. Most would think that my technique is getting better because of this training, and those that believe that would be correct. However, it isn't so much the hour or so I get choked, bent and basically treated like a rag doll that is causing me so much growth. The thing that affects my BJJ skills the most is what happens after the rolling is done. It's the history, good and bad as told by someone that was there in Rio de Janeiro living it. Training with the Gracie family, Carlos Gracie jr. and Rickson Gracie to be exact, left sensei with hours of stories and memories. For whatever reason he shares them with me and they are amazing. The time of the Samurai in Brazil was still alive and well. MMA was a distant future and the days of masters from opposite schools challenging each other were still in effect. Street fights were normal for young Brazilian samurai chasing waves and girls in the hot tropical sun. "When we fought back then Lloy,(leaving off the "D")we went for da woar" he would say. In a thick Brazilian accent mellowed a little by his stay in the U.S., he waltz's through stories as if they happened yesterday. Often citing the fights as "da war" mainly because they meant a different thing in the past. The fights weren't about money as there was no real money in those days being dished out for fighters. In those times they fought for the honor of their schools and the respect of their teachers and their peers. Since the introduction of MMA and money the fights for respect and honor are like dinosaurs of the past, we know they existed but it's hard to imagine that they were real. I have been privileged enough to hear these stories and have often pressed him about writing a book. It has been considered, although some may not be so happy about their stories being told to the world. I can honestly say that these stories have helped my growth in BJJ. They help me to understand the mentality that made this form of Martial arts become one of the most dominant forms of fighting in the world. From crazy street fights to tournament fights, all the way to no time limit fights lasting in excess of an hour I have heard it all. I have gone from white belt to blue belt and am prepared to stay here at blue belt until my belt literally falls off and has to be replaced by a purple belt. I am ready to fight for honor and earn the respect of my peers. There isn't money at this level of Jiu Jitsu competition, it is only a test of will vs will one man to another. Though it isn't prevalent the way it was in Rio, I believe one can still get a glimpse into the past. I am not going to fight MMA and therefore hitting the Jiu Jitsu circuit in my preparation, I am only a warrior looking to appease my warrior ego and spirit in combat. I hear my Sensei's voice as I walk towards my opponent. I don't want to shake hands until it is over. I only want to do two things at that moment, fight with honor and do what they had done for many years in Brasil..."Go for da woar!".

Felipe going in!

What's in a (nick)name?

I am not sure who the first fighter was with a nickname but he started a trend that has lasted the test of time. We have been blessed with some of the greatest nick names ever. This trend crosses all boundaries and is common in all sports from basketball to Muay Thai. Nicknames have a soul, offer the fans a glimpse into the warrior mindset of the fighter they're going to see or are a fan of. I mean where would we be without one of the most famous monikers ever "SUGAR". Ray Robinson's style was considered "sweet as sugar" by his manager and the nickname sugar was born.

Now it's considered a bit of a sacred nickname. If you want to call yourself "sugar" you better be able to back it up. "Sugar" Ray Leonard and "Sugar" Rashad Evans have surely proven to be able to do that in their careers.

Of course my favorites are some of the greatest MMA and kickboxers of all time. Guys like "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva or Anderson "The Spider" Silva. No hype here, just a whole pile of whoop a$$. How about "The Flying Dutchman" Remy Bonjasky. He was given that name because of his jumping striking techniques."The Iceman", "The Natural", and "The Jet". I could do this all day. Nicknames are a part of the fight culture. Part of the culture period, I nickname almost every person I get to know. I can't help it..lol. Anyway, that brings me to my current fighters.

I fooled around with nicknames for them but it's official Felipe has to be "Babyface", I don't think his genes give me much choice. Yoka will be billed as "The Diamond" after someone I think she relates to, Ramon "The Diamond" Dekkers.

Anyway, nicknames are fun for fans, crucial for promoters and fighters when trying to sell fights and entice fans. It's also a way fans relate socially when debating the fights upcoming and in the past. I guarantee you'll probably never hear Ray Robinson's name mentioned without "Sugar" in front of it, heck Ray Robinson wasn't even his real name...

Pads with Patee and Jex

Just a couple of videos from Thailand and leading up to my fights in December and January of last year. The one in Thailand should have been named chubby guy doing pads. It was my second time training in Thailand and i was still not used to the heat. The one with Jex was really working on power strikes and didn't get into a lot of combos or movements. I'll post a training blog soon with some Video from doing pads this year. Blessings and L.M.T. All day!!!