The Means vs The Ends

I have been thinking a lot recently about refinement and improvement; I have been brown belt for about 4 years and feel that while I know a lot of technique, I could stand to improve on a lot of it. The reason that I first got involved in Jiu Jitsu was a combination of looking for effective self defence and to find a “ground system” to compliment my existing stand up training. The initial goal of rolling in Jiu Jitsu was explained to me as “make the other person tap without getting tapped yourself”, which is I suppose a reasonably apt description.

However, as time went by I heard more and more people talking about technique and particularly “technique over strength”. So I started to get the idea that it wasn’t just getting the tap that mattered, it was getting it in such a way that didn’t rely on strength. So I soon discovered there were two ways to look at rolling, one where the tap was the ultimate goal and all that mattered, and the other where clean technique is what matters, regardless of the tap.

As a Brown Belt with 14 or so years of experience I am certainly no expert, but I have developed enough basic (and real world) skill that I don’t need to focus solely on the outcome of every roll. A roll is no longer just a means to an ends, if the ends is a tap, the means is now just as, if not more important.

I recently had a roll with a friend that I have not trained with for about 2 years. He trains in a different club, but he had some time so he called in to train and we a great session. As is often the case the fun bit was feeling out changes in each other’s games and working out how to deal with it. In this case my friend was working a transition from De La Riva to Single Leg X and I really had to use solid posture to keep from being swept. I nearly managed to pass, but my friend turtled, however my pass involved a collar grip that lead to an opportunity for the Clock Choke, however at the last second I decided not to go for it, because I sensed that my grip was too shallow and that I would need to, at least in part, muscle the technique. After the roll was finished my partner asked me why I didn’t go for the choke? because he felt sure that I would have tapped him. I replied that I am not interested in getting taps, just executing clean techniques; sometimes one leads to the other and sometimes not...

(and I do love me some clock chokes...)

I believe that this thought can probably be extended to competition. What I mean by this is that you can approach competition in two ways. The first being to use the best Jiu Jitsu you can in a challenging environment, with the possible outcome of winning, or the other is to win as your primary focus. Just to be clear I am not judging and don’t think that either position is better than the other, I just know my own motivations and reasons. The only thing I will say is that I believe that competing in any sport with the goal of winning placed higher than the goal of playing that sport for it’s own sake can lead to playing it the wrong way. For example if the goal of Jiu Jitsu is to use efficient technique over muscle and athleticism to submit your opponent, then winning solely by being the strongest may not be within that mindset. However who am I to judge someone else’s journey?

At the End of the day, for me is all about the Means….

Match 3 – Calum Young vs Deacon Laugher

Sadly another injury has caused this match to change. Hobart Martial Arts Academy’s Ryan Mazengarb suffered an injury and has been replaced by Calum Young, also a Hobart Martial Arts Academy competitor. Calum will now face off against the Hybrid Training Centre’s young up and comer Deacon Laugher. Even with less than a week to go to the event this match is actually looking like being one of the most interesting on the card.

Here is how it breaks down….

Name: Calum Young

Style: BJJ

Strengths: The word that comes to mind with Calum is “unorthodox”, he is lanky, awkward and difficult to takedown. He is known for his quick submissions and also his great defence. Calum has had experience in MMA and also in BJJ competition. While not quite as big as his even bigger brother, Calum is still strong and durable.




Name: Deacon Laugher

Style: BJJ

Strengths: At 18, Deacon is by far the youngest competitor on the card, but he has had consistent experience on the state and national BJJ scene. Deacon isn’t afraid to mix it up from the top or bottom and will go for any submission he can. This match will be a huge test for Deacon and a feather in his cap if he can pull off the win.

Synopsis: This match is really difficult to pick in terms of how it goes down, both men have strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps the deciding factor here will be Calum’s cage experience and unusual movement, but then again Deacon has great experience and is despiting being the youngest competitor is quite strong. My tip is that this match makes overtime!

Main Event - Shaw “Almighty” Dean vs Craig Jones

…..aaaaannnnndddd here it is, the MAIN EVENT of the evening! Hybrid Training Centre’s Shaw Dean facing off with Isohealth BJJ’s Craig Jones. Both are veterans of Caged Grappling 1, this is a very intriguing matchup between two very different competitors.

Here is how it breaks down….

Name: Shaw Dean

Style: MMA, BJJ (purple belt)

Background: Shaw is a multi-discipline martial artist with a long history of training and competition. He is currently 3-0 in the cage holding wins over such notables as former Australian Muay Thai Champ, Nick “Rumble” Rundle and Melbourne’s Hoshi “The Freight Train” Friedrich. Shaw is the owner and head trainer of Hobart’s Hybrid Training Centre having recently purchased the business, with his wife Kirrilee, from founder Priscus Fogagnolo. Shaw is scheduled to fight Callan “The Rockstar” Potter for the Valor Welterweight title in November this year.

Strengths: The head of HTC Shaw is tall, tough and a serious competitor. With a title shot in the works for later this year and a submission win over BJJ Black Belt Chris Stone in the last event, Shaw will be coming to win. Expect good cage craft and an explosive powerful top game.

Name: Craig Jones

Style: BJJ (purple belt)

Background: Craig has been extremely dedicated to the competitive BJJ and Submission wrestling scene for many years. Training out of Adelaide’s ISOHealth BJJ, he has made a name for himself as a competitor all over Australia and internationally. Craig has qualified for and competed in ADCC (one of only a handful of Australians, even though he is still a purple belt), he is the 2014 NAGA World Champion, 4 x Pan Pacific BJJ Champion and the 2014 FIVE Grappling Champion.

Strengths: There are purple belts and there are purple belts…. Craig is the latter. At the time of writing this Craig is on his way to Brazil to compete in the 2015 ADCC, yes you read that right, not the trials... THE ADCC! Craig is an amazing competitor and is a threat to anyone, in any division, at any rank, on the planet.

Synopsis: The second match of the night to feature two purple belts, this match is interesting. On paper these two are the same rank, but Craig Jones is one of the best submission grapplers in Australia at any rank, so to me this match comes down to whether or not Shaw can bring the power and cage craft to negate Craig’s skills. I can’t wait to see it.

***Update*** Match 9 - Grant “Grande” Bradshaw vs Adam Newton

News Flash!

With only 8 days to go there has been a change to the semi-main event of the evening. Due to an unfortunate injury suffered by Robert “Razor” Wilkinson in his last fight, this match will now be a mixed weight affair. Grant “Grande” Bradshaw, the Caged Grappling 1 veteran (and event MC) will now face Tasmania’s first BJJ Black Belt and pioneer Adam Newton. Adam of Hobart Martial Arts Academy, takes the match on extremely short notice.

Here is how it breaks down….

Name: Grant Bradshaw

Style: BJJ (brown belt)

Strengths: Grant has plenty of experience in the competitive BJJ scene and as a Brown Belt under Luke Beston, is now the second highest ranked BJJ player on the card. Grant is no stranger to the cage and is likely to play a smart game. Look out for Grant to utilise solid Jiu Jitsu from the bottom or top and utilise his extensive technical know-how.


Name: Adam Newton

Style: BJJ (black belt)

Strengths: Adam combines a good guard with a surprisingly heavy top game, his timing is excellent and he moves through techniques very smoothly. Make no mistake; Adam is a black belt through and through. Adam also brings the experience and mentality of many years of BJJ and Judo competitions giving him a strong competitive focus.

Synopsis: What we are dealing with here folks, is two highly skilled BJJ practitioners both with their own cards to play. While Adam does have 10 years of age on Grant, he has spent most of the last 20 years on a BJJ mat, with many years of Judo before that. In this match we will be asking if youth (comparatively speaking….) and size can beat technique and experience. I honestly believe that both men have the ability to win this match and while I think that the winner will be whoever gets their game happening first, the truth is that they both have the ability to turn things round in a heartbeat!

This could well end up as the most interesting match of the evening….

Various Bolos

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Caged Grappling 2 – Third Instalment

Now, the sharp end of the stick, the last three matches on the Caged Grappling 2 card including the main event. This is where things get real, three match ups with 6 seriously tough individuals,

Match 7 - James Guy vs Neil “The Troll-father” Campbell

This isn’t necessarily the match up that the public was hoping for, for Neil Campbell, but it is a good one none the less. Head instructor of 36 Crazy Fists, James Guy, will meet Neil Campbell of Hobart Martial Arts Academy/Maromba.

Here is how it breaks down….

Name: James Guy

James - the technician

Style: BJJ (purple belt)

Strengths: James is the head coach and founder of one of Northern Tasmania’s most recognised MMA gyms and is a life long martial artist. James is a BJJ purple belt and holds various other Black Belts. Known as an experienced coach (including to Caged Grappling veteran Cary “the Hurricane” Hearn) look for a considered and tactical approach.




Name: Neil Campbell

Neil - always looks like this.....

Style: BJJ (purple belt)

Strengths: Perhaps one of the most popular competitors from Caged Grappling 1, Neil spends his time training between Hobart and Melbourne. His competition record and experience is impressive including two MMA bouts. Neil is a skilled purple belt and has a very technical game from the bottom or top.

Synopsis: Both these men are purple belts and there is no real size difference to speak of. While there is no doubt that James has the edge in terms of martial arts experience, I think that Neil has got more recent competition experience particularly considering the regular events he has competed in in Melbourne. I can’t wait for this one!

Match 8 - Connor “The Law” Murphy vs Harry Grech

Match number eight is going to be very interesting, Hybrid Training Centre’s Connor “the Law” Murphy taking on Igor MMA (Sydney) product Harry Grech. This is a match of two very experienced and very strong competitors.

Here is how it breaks down….

Name: Connor Murphy

Connor - smooth as vanilla....

Style: MMA fighter, National Wrestling competitor, BJJ (purple belt)

Strengths: Considered by many (including me) to be one of Tasmania’s best MMA fighters, Connor Murphy has fought in 4 promotions across 3 Australian states and has a 5-3 record. As much as Connor is no stranger to the cage, he is also a seasoned wrestler and has competed and submitted some big names in the BJJ world.





Name: Harry Grech

Harry - ready to roll

Style: BJJ (Purple Belt), Judo, Catch Wrestling

Strengths: While new to Tasmanian competition, Harry has competed regularly in BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling and even MMA. I don’t know a lot about Harry’s style, but from what I have found in googling he is aggressive in his pursuit of the takedown and the submission. He doesn’t mind diving on submissions even if it involves changing positions and seems to have a penchant for Kimuras.

Synopsis: This is a tough match to break down as I don’t know Harry’s game well, however I will say that they are both strong in BJJ and may be closely skilled. While Connor may not have Harry’s Judo chops (see what I did there? “Judo Chops…” lol) he does have high level wrestling. The only notable difference I have seen is Connor’s more extensive MMA experience and cage time; will that be what it takes? We’ll find out on the 26th of September!

Match 9 - Grant “Grande” Bradshaw vs Rob “Razor” Wilkinson

The semi-main event of the evening is a Light Heavy Weight bout that sees Caged Grappling 1 veteran (and event MC) Grant Bradshaw from Beston Gracie (NSW) meet up with the undefeated MMA fighter and Brace For War middle weight champion Rob Wilkinson from Hybrid Training Centre.
Here is how it breaks down….

Name: Grant Bradshaw

Grant - Not playing at all....

Style: BJJ (brown belt)

Strengths: Grant has plenty of experience in the competitive BJJ scene and as a Brown Belt under Luke Beston, is also the highest ranked BJJ player on the card. Grant is no stranger to the cage and is likely to play a smart game. Look out for Grant to utilise solid Jiu Jitsu from the bottom or top and utilise his extensive technical know-how.


Name: Rob Wilkinson

Rob - Undefeated.

Style: MMA

Strengths: Rob Wilkinson is arguably Tasmania’s most successful MMA competitors, being undefeated in 9 professional bouts. The current Middle Weight Brace for War Champion, Rob will be the second MMA champion to compete in Caged Grappling. Rob is wily, strong, rangy and has multiple wins to his name by way of submission.

Synopsis: The story of this match will be between the power and toughness or Rob Wilkinson vs the technical BJJ chops of Grant Bradshaw. There is no question that Grant has the edge in submission skills, but is he tough enough to withstand the pressure and experience of Rob…. Can Grant “blunt the Razor”? I can’t wait to find out!

Stay tuned for the final edition going into detail on the main event of the evening, Shaw “Almighty” Dean vs Craig Jones!