Here is a video from my trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina in Oct. 2007. I trained at Gracie Buenos Aires and had a blast. Sebastian speaks perfect English and is super cool, as well as kicked my arse!!!!!!!!.....lol.......I did break my thumb this night the first minute of grappling. I rolled for about another hour with it....lol. By the time I got to dinner that night my hand looked like a catchers mitt. I contemplated the hospital....but I didnt have time, I was on vacation.......lol. (I should of, 5 months later and it still hurts and dont work right). You'll notice me shake my hands a few times during the training and interview.

Here are some fotos from the March 2008 trip to Brasil. These fotos are from training myself and Pro Fighter Aaron Steele at Gracie Pompei w/ Black Belt "Dida". We got private / personalized attention as well as group classes all week long!

Ok, the book deal gets even better! I messed up, you get rewarded! 66% off now!

The post below from last week says I'll give you the ebook for 50% off.....$15! I created the paypal button to the right, and set it at $10. Several people have paid, and I can't go back and request the difference, nor can I have them telling others they got it for $10 off my website when I'm now charging $15. ......so what the heck..........for at least the next 20 I'll leave it at $10. But then I got to rethink it. So if you've been tempted, you better do it now! Thanks guys.

Update 11/06/07 7:16 A.M. - Its only been 8 hours since I started this post and there are only 17 left at this price.........

Update 11/28/07 11:36 A.M. - 12 left at this price................

Mick Rices Experience Training BJJ in Rio!

Rio de Janeiro. When most Westerners envision this city, certain images are conjured; Stunning women, scenic beaches, futebol worship, Sugar Loaf Mountain, favelas. While I observed all these elements in my three month stay, I came home with a deeper, more profound understanding of the city.

My motivation for the trip revolved entirely around jiu jitsu. Anyone who practices the Art knows that it has an incredibly potent, addictive power. Once you begin your life is quickly dominated by thoughts of training sessions, technical refinement, mistakes to be corrected, among others. Thus, it wasn’t long before I decided that at some point I would have to experience the sport at its purest.

There was nothing particularly unique or advanced about the training in Brazil. The underlying reality is that there are countless academies with dozens of black belts. I trained at Ricardo De La Riva’s and I can recall a few classes were everyone was a black belt. In terms of format, it’s quite simple. A simple warm up, every week one position is shown with an accompanying technique, and then it’s a lot of sparring. Unlike the schools back home, there were at least two classes that could be attended each night. To my delight this translated to hours and hours of mat time each week. Is it any wonder that they continue to dominate the sport? In North America jiu jitsu is a little more recreational. Of course, there are some world class non-brazilian competitors, but they are in the minority.

The contrast between Rio and Toronto (where I reside) was nothing short of dramatic. From a purely aesthetic point Rio bears no resemblance to the flat, grey, symmetrical Toronto. The city is easy to navigate as there as so many points of reference – the beaches, sugar loaf, Christ the Redeemer, etc. The mosaic sidewalks are lined with open juice bars and cafes serving exotic fruits and pastries. Bronzed, healthy looking men and women strut showing obscene amounts of skin. I was used to the pale, ghostly complexions of Canada, typically covered my two or more layers of clothing.

It seemed like a very hedonistic lifestyle. Where was the worrying about bills, work, or the family? Was this just a carefree society propped up by Skol Beer, Samba, and the Beach? Not exactly. Cariocas stress like the rest of us, but their lives are filled with certain contentment and acceptance of the financial and social limitations of Brazilian society. Those who are educated and have jobs make enough to sustain their lifestyle. They don’t fantasize about a second home or a fancier car. Simply put, they don’t define themselves by material or financial wealth.

What struck me most about Cariocas was their genuine warmth and friendliness. I was accustomed to a certain type of politeness in Toronto. It was formal, sort of hollow, perhaps devoid of any real sincerity. Within my first two weeks of training, two people invited me over to their homes. A group of black belts took me to try some mix of beet and carrot juice. A Brown belt from the academy showed me around Barra after I registered for the Mundials. This social experience was just as gratifying and memorable as the training.

My first match in Brazilian Jiu jitsu in Brazil....

I got off the plane in 2002. One day later I walked into a BJJ Academy to work out. I had no belt, only a judo top with a bad boy patch on it I had bought off ebay. I had never trained at a formal academy. Only with my buddys in a garage using video instructionals to pick up new moves. The instructor wanted to see what I had so he put me in against a blue belt my weight. The video explains the rest. I am now embarrassed out how sloppy the it is (come on, I had to start somewhere and have since went on to win some pretty big tournys), I still love what I do at 2:30 seconds into this film, its still the "sickest back take" I came up with (Im not saying I am the original inventor, just no one ever taught it to me and I never seen it done before), and still use today. I'd say I won this match on points for sure...lol... And I made the film not to show off but just practicing on how to make films with my mac. Enjoy!

Getting a new belt in Brasil?

check this video out. This guy is actually lucky, I've never seen them let the person keep their jacket on.....when I participated, it was shirtless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Top Ten Things to do Before Arriving in Brazil.

This is a version of an article I wrote for another MMA online site. Enjoy. (It refers to my course, which was a ebook course I wrote and sold in 2006).

Part two of the series on training in Brazil.

1. Gain weight and focus on strength training. Especially if you are a bigger guy. If you are around 200...go ahead and beef up. Most bjj guys in Brazil are years behind in strength training and aint too many over 200 pounds. This weight and strength will get you through some tough matches. It did me. Don’t start with the size don’t matter its technique argument either. Tell that to Mark Colemam & Bob Sapp. Neither has any good submission skills and have given some Brazilians hell in a fight.


2. Learn as much Portuguese as you can. It will not only help you at jiu jitsu, but also make you more comfortable with just living there. Also, you are a true international player when you can spit game to chickies in 2 languages. It just makes Brazil that much funner. (there is a CD in my course on slang and jiu jitsu terms in Portuguese you wont find in any Port./English Dictionary..shameless plug)


3. Get a TESL/ESL teaching certificate before going.


4. Work on grappling skills outside of jiu jitsu. Wrestling, submission, catch, judo. A lot of these moves frustrated my Brazilian amigos when we rolled. Straight bjj was predictable to them, some of these moves weren’t. Get an Erik Paulson vid or Tony C. catch wrestling vid. You’ll pick up a few non-traditional bjj moves that will be effective.


5. Use the Internet to network. Find Brazilians who share your interest, speak English and live in the town you want to go to. Find Americans who have lived there or are living there. Make friends with them online. The can share a lot with you. Plus then can show you around or introduce you to people later.


6. Save money. The more you go with, the less you have to worry about finding work and can focus on training and fun.


7. Pay off or open up a good high limit credit card for emergencies.


8. Get a debit card that works on the plus or cirrus network.


9. Start researching visas in advance. Not the credit card dude...Travel visa. You’ll probably only qualify to stay 6 months out of the year on a tourist visa. …unless you’re pretty resourceful.


10. Buy my course that teaches you how to do all the above and so much more in greater detail! -)
Claudio Godoi from Brazilian Top Team and I after a hard training session in Brasil at his academy.

Top 10 Reasons to train MMA / Jiu jitsu in Brazil!

I have had the privilege to live, work, play, and train in Brazil the last 4 years. I would not trade this experience for nothing. I am pissed that I did not step out of my comfort zone and pursue this much earlier in my life. I wanted to write an article that might help push some of you to give it a try…a choice I know you wont regret.Here are the top 10 reasons you should get out of your comfort zone and come to Brazil…even if just for a week. (List was compiled by a survey of gringos who had taken the plunge and do not necessarily reflect the authors opinion. Especially since the author is monogamous family man and in love and knows nothing of numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.....I love you baby;-))

1. The women
   


2. The technique is still years ahead, especially in gi. I think in the no gi arena, the west coast may have caught up with Brazil, or even surpassed it, but as far as the with gi techniques, they are still way ahead.
   


3. The women
   


4. Many more purple, brown, and black belts to roll with. Imagine having at least a dozen of the afore mentioned in every class.
   


5. The women
   


6. The cost of living and training is super cheap. At one Rocian Gracie academy I was paying around $25 dollars a month and was training 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day!
   


7. The women
   


8. Easy to meet, hang out with, and rub shoulders with people we consider superstars and legends in the USA. I have personally hung out with many but most enjoyable was training and lunches I had with Vitor Belfort. Very cool guy!
   


9. The women
   

10. The pace of life and the people there are so enjoyable. I have been in 13 countries around the world and Brazil and its people are truly Paradise! Feel free to contact me if there is anything I can do to encourage you to give it a try or help you to do it!

This is me and my instructor from Gracie Pompei after I won a silver medal at a BJJ tourny in Sao Paulo, Brazil.