Brent Dupuis just won by head kick KO in a kickboxing match in Japan 🇯🇵 First we were preparing for karate Tastujin rules. Then a jujitsu opponent wanted MMA rules, but he backed out. So we had to prepare for a kickboxer in his rules last minute. It doesn’t matter. Rishinjuku karate just works. Congrats to Rishinjuku karateka Shuta, Taishi, Atsushi, Yudai and Brent who all won their fights. Special thanks to Serwan Scheppers for Brent’s preparation.

Filip showed me and Brent 3 simple takedowns which cover a few often occurring clinch positions. The opponent tries to grab your head? Take the back, lift and sweep from here. They prevent you from taking the back by locking their arm around yours? Take the side and sweep again. They get scared of your sweeps and try to keep distance by pulling their butt back? This is the perfect time to use a judo throw. I think that these can be very helpfull as you won't need to think about the position you need to put yourself in. Let the opponent make your choices 😁

|Challenge #1| Doing Gi BJJ at Brasa Leuven and under Wim Deputter is bringing me a lot of benefit. Like the concepts of - controlling inside space - not falling over - controlling rotation - position before submission But there is a small downside. I'm no longer punching when close range. Because in GI BJJ you only fight for grips and under or overhooks. So my challenge apart from getting better at grappling is mixing strikes back in. |Challenge #2| Another challenge is a bit more personal. I'm at a stage where I'm not that assertive. I want to learn, but I have many reasons why I don't want to slug it out. I'm no longer a white belt. I have suffered many injuries (broken both feet, dislocated a shoulder, whiplashes) I am not someone who's comfortable being in the spotlight. I am not that great with controlled aggression. So I need to learn to push more. Putting pressure in a controlled fashion and feeling ok about it. Instead of getting overwhelmed and only moving away. What are your challenges? Drop 'em down below and let's brainstorm together! 👇

After an entire day of waiting.. And waiting.. And getting nervous... And then some warning up... And then some more waiting... And then some more nerves.. They announced a ten minute break 😫 And then the fight began. Professional card. Tatsujin Rules. Clinch, throw, ground and pound. Clinch, throw, ground and pound. Clinch, throw, ground and pound. T-K-O! Brent Dupuis won his pro debut match against an experienced Taiga Striker! And can now call himself a professional fighter. Flawless fight camp. Flawless weight cut. Flawless victory. Now, we feast! And Brent didn't event use the calf kicks we trained on the calf pad. Two weeks after our last pad session my leg still hurts...