Will / Machado BJJ Australasia

On Tuesday of this week, I had the pleasure and privilege of being able to award Arthur Lee with his BJJ Black Belt. Arthur is one of the most dedicated martial artists you could hope to meet. He is always there an hour before class starts, running through his own personal warm-up in preparation for the evenings training. For the many years I’ve known Arthur, he had followed this routine; always taking self-responsibility for his own learning, training and athletic preparedness. Whenever I have been away and unable to take the beginner class, Arthur has been the first to volunteer his help. With his deep understanding of how the groundwork marries into the stand-up game, he never fails to give an exciting and inspiring class. Well done Arthur, you are a wonderful example of martial arts excellence in action. Your technical excellence is only matched by your humble demeanour. Keep walking the walk.

Warmest regards,

John B Will 2008

Here’s a pic of BJJ Black Belt Cam Rowe in adrenal charged action at a scenario-based seminar we held at my school in Geelong last night. What this pic doesn’t convey (you’ll have to ask Cam – or the thirty other odd participants about that) is the auditory exclusion, the loss of peripheral vision, the massive increase in heart-rate that the stresses of sudden live combat bring to the moment. Score: (as always with this type of training) Cam Rowe – WIN …. Bulletman – Loss. For an action clip, check out my wife Melissa on my blog.

Regards,

JBW

A big week ahead at my Geelong school with the Military Unarmed Combat Cell coming down from Canberra for training, followed by a two day Model Mugging (adrenal stress conditioning) training session delivered by US-based friend, Bill Kipp. This particular workshop addresses the emotionally charged front-end of the fight/assault scenario – and requires highly specialized equipment that we are bringing in just for the occasion.

The study of inter-personal combat is a vast subject – particularly when we consider all aspects: environmental awareness, conflict resolution strategies, pre-fight strategies, emotional (adrenal stress response) considerations, takedowns, post-clinch grappling, ground-fighting, striking capabilities, weapons, multiple attackers, etc.

The majority of martial artists ignore many of these aspects, but particularly scant attention is given to the emotional aspect of conflict. Ie: how people tend to behave when confronted by violence. The effects of severe adrenal-dump can be paralysing; and many a martial artist may not even have a chance to access his or her set of physical skills before finding themselves deep in victim-country. if rea;-world self defense is an important part of why you train – then this is one arrow in the quiver that we cannot afford to leave at home.

Best wishes,

JBW

On the 1st December 2007 Steve Perceval travelled to California USA to attend the first ever Big John McCarthy MMA referee and Judging accreditation course.
Most will know Big John McCarthy as the head referee in the most popular MMA cage fighting event in the world, The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) with his world famous catch phrase and trademark “Lets Get It On”.
Big John has been associated with the UFC in one form or another from its conception and the first UFC where little know Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practioner Royce Gracie tore through the opposition winning the title easily, without a doubt this was the beginning of mixed martial arts as we know it today.
Steve Perceval a 4th degree black belt in HapKiDo and Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under John Will and the Machado organisation has his own full time martial arts centre, Ultimate Fighting Arts in Penrith NSW.
Earlier this year Steve started his MMA refereeing career and has refereed such events as the Oceania, King of the Cage and more recently was appointed the head referee for the two Cage Fighting Championship (CFC) events held at Luna Park, Sydney.
Always wanting to learn more and improve his skills and with no governing body or
refereeing courses in Australia Steve took it upon himself to contact Big John McCarthy in the USA and find out if he offers courses and accreditation for MMA Referee’s.
Big John responded that he was having his first ever MMA Refereeing and Judging course on December 1st and 2nd 2007 and that it would be open to the first 20 people who applied and paid their deposit, excited by the news Steve immediately sent his payment to secure his spot in the course and then booked his flights to the USA.
The comprehensive course which ran for two days consisted of rules and legalities for cage fighting, cage and ring craft for refereeing, demonstration and understanding of techniques used in cage fighting and safety aspects for the fighters.
Steve was assessed on his refereeing ability in the cage and ring, his understanding of legal and illegal techniques, his understanding and interpretation of rules, the safety of the fighters and finished the two day course with a written test.
Big John and Steve spoke about how Australia has no legalisation or governing body at the present time, Big John explained that it is the Athletic Commissions who govern cage fighting events in the USA and how such organisations are essential to set rules and standards and to control the promoters for the safety of fighters in the ever growing sport.
Big John offered Steve his services if needed in the future, if ever Steve needs advice or help in any area of MMA events including the organisation and setting up of a governing body Steve could contact Big John at any time.
Steve was the first to receive his certificate from Big John and was one of only 5 who passed the 2007 course. Steve has learnt a lot from the course and looks forward to sharpening his refereeing skills in the next CFC event organised for the 15th February 2008.
Big John was impressed with the dedication that Steve demonstrated by travelling to the USA and completing the course, he told Steve that when UFC comes to Australia he would let the organisers know that Australia has a Big John certified referee down under.

Steve Perceval can be contacted
Email: steve@ultimatefightingarts.com or 0418 290 819.

Here’s a super early heads-up on the date for this years Nationals. They will be held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Center on SEPTEMBER 13th! That date has now been locked in – we are good to go! See you all there. Coaches Success Clinics and Seminars with Rigan Machado will e held on the Sunday following.

Best regards,

JBW

We’re all back at training by now – and things are heating up. This is a great time of the year for a bit of no-gi grappling. it allows us to deal with the heat of summer a little more easily, but it also speeds things up on the mat a bit, and with everything moving at a faster pace, we get an improvement in post-christmas fitness. The speed of grappling without the gi also speeds up the mental processing side of things – a great way to start the year. Lastly, it evens things out a bit on the mat. With the less-skilled half of the class being more easily able to effect their escapes. Some no-gi grappling is a great way to start the year in the antipodes!

best regards,

JBW

“it was my great pleasure to be able to award long-time student Neil Fitzsimmons his BJJ Black belt last night. Neil has been a dedicated and highly valued student who is concrete proof that amazing things can be accomplished with perseverance and determination. Despite family commitments and heavy work commitments,

Neil always manages to make class. His steady two training sessions each week have paid huge dividends. I am proud to have had the privilege of instructing him in this wonderful art.
Congratulations Neil.
Respectfully,
John Will