<![CDATA[Ruiz Combat Grappling - Blog]]>Sat, 26 May 2012 21:41:44 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Mental Self Defense Radio: Worthy to Win - Joey Johnson & Brandon Ruiz]]>Sat, 05 May 2012 15:40:07 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/05/mental-self-defense-radio-worthy-to-win-joey-johnson-brandon-ruiz.htmlThis weekI had a great time chatting with Jake Shannon of Scientific Wrestling and Mental Self Defense Radio. My coach Joey Johnson of Worthy to Win and I were able to have the chance to talk about Grappling and the Worthy to Win program.

Worthy to Win has been instrumental in my success as an athlete. I highly recommend listening!
]]><![CDATA[Execution is Greater than Desire]]>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:24:04 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/04/execution-is-greater-than-desire.htmlExecution is Greater than Desire

A lot of times I hear “that guy wanted it more than the other guy”.
Someone can want it “more” and have done all the
“right things” prior to competition but without execution they won’t win.
Sometimes we think that the wanting it and the desiring of something so strong
will somehow make it happen. The real key in competition is executing it in the
competition. All the preparation is in rehearsal to what you will do in the
actual event. If you don’t do it in the event it won’t happen. It doesn’t matter
how much you want it, how strong or well conditioned or even how technically
superior you are if you don’t actually go out and execute. You have to
understand this. It’s not who wants it most. It’s who can keep their
concentration and complete the necessary simple tasks under pressure. Desire and
wanting it certainly help and keep one motivated during the pressure and
adversity but if they stand alone they will eventually fall. Execution is king
in actual competition. If you want to be successful find more consistent ways to
execute.]]><![CDATA[Mark Schultz Seminar]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:20:25 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/04/mark-schultz-seminar.html
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]]><![CDATA[Chillin' with the Boys]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:10:11 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/04/chillin-with-the-boys.htmlPicture
This past weekend my family was able to get together and have a really nice dinner over at my brother Justin's place. I got to peak my head into his spare bedroom, aka trophy room, and it was very impressive. I already knew how good he is but seeing all of those medals and trophies was really awe inspiring!

He had numerous medals from the Pan Am championships, World Cup and World Championships of Greco Roman wrestling. It was one of those moments where I was super proud of what my "little" brother had accomplished.

One of the greatest things that I think he can lay claim to is that he keeps on going. Not only is he a great wrestler he is also a great dad and husband to his wife and two daughters. In today's world its hard to find athletes of his caliber with that kind of devotion to family.

This was a great time and I was really excited to take a picture of Justin with my boy Joaquin (aka Quino).
]]><![CDATA[Brabo Set Up From Side Control]]>Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:46:18 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/04/brabo-set-up-from-side-control.html
Here is a video that I made a couple years ago. This is still one of my all time favorite set ups to the brabo choke. This is available a lot in matches!
]]><![CDATA[Competition Strategy]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:12:11 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/04/competition-strategy.htmlPre-Competition Game Plan and Post Competition Evaluations are essential to improving.
Keeping records of wins, losses, points scored for and against and the specific techniques used
along with timing and mat strategy analysis are key components of the winning
athlete. If you are not willing to do those things you may be a physical and
technical monster but you will be beaten by the athletes who are willing to do
the paperwork. NFL athletes practice and study 8+ hours a day during their
training camps. About 3 of those hours are physical work, the other 5 are spent
learning plays, studying film and looking for weaknesses in their opponents. To
be a more successful grappler you must adopt this philosophy if you want to be
successful.

If you are serious about winning then you need to contact the man that helped me,
Joey Johnson, and start training with his Worthy to Win system!
]]><![CDATA[Olympic Greco Highlights 2008]]>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:36:11 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/03/olympic-greco-highlights-2008.html
]]><![CDATA[2012 European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship Highlights]]>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:17:34 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/03/2012-european-greco-roman-wrestling-championship-highlights.html ]]><![CDATA[NAGA Utah Team Machado Utah Results]]>Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:56:01 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/03/naga-utah-team-machado-utah-results.htmlPicture
Team Machado Utah flashing their new bling.













Team Machado Utah had a very successful tournament at the NAGA Utah held March 3, 2012. The UCTC athletes lead by instructor Dave Johnson brought home a hoard of new awards along with some great memories. Below are the team and individual results. Congratulations go to Dave and the UCTC Team Machado Utah athletes!

Team Results
Total Medals:18
Total Gold:  8
Total Silver:7
Total Bronze:3

Individual Results
2 Golds           - Tommy Wagner Gold Medal GI (White)  / Gold NO Gi Beginner
1 Gold            - Vyginitas "Vig"   Gold Medal GI (White)
2 Gold            - Joe Martinez  Gold GI (Blue) / Gold NO GI - Intermediate
1 Gold 1 Silver   - Nick Lokeni (Stidham) Gold No GI /  Silver GI (white)
1 Gold 1 Bronze   - Eric Gold No Gi Expert  / Bronze Gi
1 Gold            - Mike Stidham No GI Expert
2 Silver          - Carter  No Gi Beginner / GI (white)
1 Silver          - AJ Stidham GI (white)
1 Silver          - Loran Brumley No GI Expert
1 Silver          - JT (Jeremiah) GI (Blue)
1 Silver          - Dominico No Gi Intermediate
1 Bronze          - Angel  Gi (purple)
1 Bronze          - Ma'fu Fosita  No Gi expert (super heavy)


]]><![CDATA[Study Greatness]]>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:49:24 -0800http://www.ruizcombatgrappling.com/1/post/2012/03/study-greatness.htmlPicture












Study Greatness

If you would be great study greatness. Too many people study the loser and why they lost.
They study how not to lose. They try to figure out how they can avoid making the same
mistakes as the loser. Historians tell us the falsehood of “those who do not study history
are bound to repeat it.” I have yet to see anyone who has studied history not repeat it.
Human nature is a repeat phenomenon. Studying the history of losing will teach you that
there have been some major failures in the past. 

This is fine if you want to continue to lose. You can’t study losing and
expect to win. 

Your mind cannot dwell on the reverse of a thing. You cannot dwell on losing
and expect to win. 

If you want to have more success in your endeavors study those who are
already successful. Study how they won. Figure out how you can repeat similar
successes as to what they have created. Borrow their ingenuity and example.
Develop the next step from where they left off. 

If you think that studying history will help you for heaven’s sake study the
winning team! Study the dominant figures and systems of the past. Understand
what they did and why they did it. 

Spending too much time on trying to understand someone else’s mistakes is the
surest way to avoid fixing your own. I would rather fix the holes in my own game
first. Jesus said ‘first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt
thou see clearly to cast out the mote of thy brother’s eye.’

 As you study successful strategies you will start to see the world
differently. You will start to do things differently. You will find greater
effectiveness and efficiency. You will find more and better solutions to
problems both big and small. Your mind will expand and you will ask better
questions. When you start asking better questions you will start getting better
solutions. 

Look for the way things are being approached. Look for the setups. Look for
transitions. Look for the finishes. Look for subtle things like timing and
positioning. 

Learn from the successes of the past and you will have a successful future.


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