Marcelo Garcia v Renzo Gracie

**Cliff Hargrave** · 12-28-2005, 10:09

**James O'Neill** · 12-28-2005, 11:48

Thanks!

Had to pause it a couple times but I was able to watch the entire thing between being on hold for Geico & being on hold for State Farm...

Looks like Renzo took a page out of Sak's book with the cartwheel guard-pass attempt in the begining. Garcia is an excellent tactician though - he kept Renzo's back for most of the match. By the time Renzo was finally able to escape it was all but over.

Not as exciting as an MMA bout but if you enjoy submission grappling, that was well worth the 10 minutes

**Cliff Hargrave** · 12-28-2005, 13:15

I really like that match because they are both so dang good. Marcelo was all over Renzo but somehow Renzo managed to not get tapped. You can watch it fifty times and still pick up little tiny details that make all the difference in your game. Marcelo wrecks most black belts. I can watch it over and over, it's like poetry in motion.

**Brian R. VanCise** · 12-28-2005, 14:37

Definately a great match. You really had to think that Marcelo
was going to finish it but unfortunately for him Renzo was
blocking all of his attempts. Really when looking at it again
I felt that Renzo while defending almost all of the time did
more to win or finally get out of the bad position he was in
than Marcelo did to finish Renzo off. Nice exchange of
classic BJJ technique with neither opponent really having
an advantage in the end.

One point to remember from this is do not get your back
taken even if you are one of the best. It is a very hard
position to negotiate out of if you are up against someone with
skill. It is even worse on the street where the opponent
can strike you.

Great clip Cliff.

Brian R. VanCise

**Jeff C.** · 12-28-2005, 14:48

One thing bothers be about the clip, and I will have to ask Charles about it next time I get back to BJJ class.

Marcelo, while rear-mounted, kept his head right next to Renzo's, and Renzo never did try an escape I have used successfully quite a few times. Silly me, I was screaming at my computer monitor while watching it, hoping he would try it.

In fact, the skilled guys at our BJJ school never let their heads get that close to the guy's head they are rear-mounted on.

As Marcelo and Renzo are MUCH better than I am, I am sure there is a reason for it, but I'll be damned if I know what it is. Maybe one of you can tell me.

Here's the escape, and for me it has worked 100% of the time, even with the guy grapevined in. If his head is that close, I wrap my hands around his head and pull downwards forcefully, while shrimping my body and hips forward. The pressure on the neck makes it darned near impossible to stay hooked-in and rear-mounted.

What am I missing, guys? It's gonna be a few days before I can see Charles.

Jeff Cook

**Brian R. VanCise** · 12-28-2005, 15:23

I felt that Renzo did not really try a lot of classical
escapes but was just working to keep Marcelo's
arm around the throat from getting to deep. I too
felt that Renzo should have tried a couple of different escapes
but maybe his game was to secure that arm, be patient
and attempt a move based on Marcelo's attempt
at a submission. If you notice, Marcelo did not
make many attempts at a submission (if at all), therefore there
were not alot of openings for Renzo to work with. Their
movement was great though with Renzo defending
and Marcelo attempting to sink and maintain the back.
Good question though, Jeff.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

**Brian R. VanCise** · 12-28-2005, 15:25

The little details that Cliff aloods at are what
kept both of them in a position to counter, submit
or escape. It was definately a great
match to watch.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

**Mikey Triangles** · 12-30-2005, 19:25

I'm supposed to be doing a seminar with Marcello in a couple weeks. I can't wait.

**LJS93** · 01-01-2006, 11:55

Yes, Renzo was completely playing it safe when Marcelo had his back. Remember, alot of escapes leave you open, which is fine unless you are going against someone as skilled as Marcelo Garcia.

**Bad Karma** · 01-01-2006, 12:19

Luciano, isn't it two-fold? Marcelo is very much in the same boat as Renzo. At that level, an inch is truly a mile.

Peace

**Jeff C.** · 01-01-2006, 14:40

Better to lose by points then to not take a chance to escape? I don't think so.

Jeff Cook

**Jeff C.** · 01-01-2006, 17:00

Yes, Chris, it seemed like he was content to hold position and not work TOO hard for those subs. Don't forget, they can win by points as well as submission too, so that changes the strategy.

Could be his legs were too short for a body triangle. Also, when he is rear-mounted he is at extremely little risk for being submitted himself.

Jeff Cook