MMA Influence




Here we are receiving our blue belts in Machado Jiu Jutsu. Our instructor, Brian Johnson of Seattle Washington did the testing. (Me, Brian, Kristin Duethorn and David Salisbury after six hours of testing and rolling)
Photo with UFC president Dana White.
MMA is everywhere. HBO show entourage featured Chuck Liddell, Spike had a show that featured Randy Couture- you can't escape it.


I began boxing at age 10- 1963 with my fifth grade teacher Rollie Pier, a pro boxer. I went throught the choppy weak sparring of the 70's, started kickboxing in the 80's, more point sparring and now have made the evolution to MMA style sparring with my Black Belt class.


This grappling with boxing has made me feel like I have come full circle with the boxing I learned as a kid. Some of it has stuck but I really need to smooth out these skills too.


One thing I am struggling with are the wrestling takedowns. Never having any wrestling in high school I am only now working with a wrestling coach to improve my performance. Here I am at age 54 and a beginner again!

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