I have to admit, I’ve not been the biggest fan of seminars in the past. I’ve only ever attended a few, back when I was a white belt, and found that a lot of the stuff demonstrated went right over my head!
Maybe because I was only a white belt? Or maybe because I didn’t think my body shape was suited to the style of the instructor? Or maybe I just don’t like that kind of learning environment.
Well when I heard Robson Moura was coming to town that had to change.
Not only was he so acclaimed but also his stature is similar to mine.
So last month, we had the distinct honour of welcoming one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s all-time greats for a seminar at the MMA Academy.
Moura is a four-time IBJJF World Champion, a feat that places him among the elite competitors in the history of the sport. He won three titles back-to-back-to back…before coming back after a long lay-off and winning his fourth. This was unprecedented at the time, and given the way BJJ is an ever-evolving combat sport, it seems all the more impressive. It made me wonder – did Moura adapt his style and change his game drastically to keep up with the new breed of grapplers? Or is this just testament to the fact that you need to master the basics? I mean, really master the basics, and you will prevail. Kind of like boxing…in my opinion, a perfect jab is a better weapon in your arsenal than the latest 12 punch combo that’s flavour of the month on Instagram.
Eiether way, Robson Moura’s strength and stamina impressed me massively, especially given his smaller frame compared to other big-name grapplers. During the seminar he explained that his physical power is the result of being on the mats every single day, but also underscored the importance of strength and conditioning, incorporating specific workouts to enhance his explosiveness and resilience.
I’m someone whose recovery is declining rapidly. I’m aging like a fine milk! At open mat, I used to just breeze through the rounds with people. There’d be the rounds where you’re getting smashed by someone 10-20kg heavier than you, and you’re on bottom for 99% of the round, fighting constantly to improve position (or just not tap.) But sound – I’d finish that and catch the eye of the 6ft3 brown belt who’d been staring at me like I’m their next prey, and have no problems about nodding in agreement to do the next round with them.
These days, if I do two hard rounds back-to-back I need to sit the next one out, or I’m just consumed with lactic acid. I suddenly feel my age. There’s good days and bad days, but every day needs energy management. Put it this way – when I’m getting dressed to go somewhere I’m now incapable of putting my socks on without sitting down to do so!
So I took a lot away from this element of Robson’s seminar, especially the emphasis on constant movement during rolling — what he calls “perpetual motion.” It was a simple reminder that staying active and never getting stuck is key to controlling the pace and flow of a grappling exchange.
This concept of continuous motion not only improves technique but also wears down your opponent and creates openings for submissions or transitions. It’s a mindset that I’ve been applying in my own training since then, and it’s already making a noticeable difference on the mats.
We spent a lot of the seminar drilling Spider guard; Lasso guard, and collar grips. One of the standout technical details that got everyone talking afterwards was Moura’s use of a three-finger grip on the gi — I won’t give too much away on this, as I’d like to have it as an advantage over anyone who wasn’t at the seminar 😊, but it was an eye-opener!
Overall, Robson Moura’s visit to the MMA Academy Liverpool was a rare and invaluable opportunity for the city’s martial arts community. Tan Man pulled off a coup getting him down here on our mats!
For those who missed out, My Life in Jiu Jitsu – The Robson Moura Story is a great book, available on Amazon, and offers a deeper glimpse into his life’s journey — including how he used Jiu Jitsu to navigate the traumatic time when his twins were born.
Members and non-members should keep an eye on the MMA Academy’s news pages here and on social media for updates on future seminars and workshops. With visits like this – I’ve been missing out all this time: more fool me! Going forward I’m going to make sure I get to as many seminars as I can.
