Reality-Based Combat Training
Fight Philosophy

Our Quest

Our Ultimate goal is very simplistic and yet never completely attainable.  Our vision is to become the perfectly balanced hybrid fighter.  In other words, to become a well-rounded fighter that incorporates all effective techniques into one fluid system known universally as THE FIGHT.

This is not Jiu-Jitsu.  This is not Muay Thai Kick Boxing.  This is not wrestling.  This IS your own personalized fight system that plays to your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses.

 

 

 

Why Bear Essential Combat is Different and Effective for You.

One of the main problems with disciples such as boxing and wrestling, besides the fact that they are only pieces to the puzzle, is that they are fighting methods that have been converted to a sport.  The problem with Martial Arts such as Aikido and Kung Fu, besides the fact that they are often unrealistic, is that they are rigid systems that may not cater to your specific needs and allow for little personalization of fighting techniques.  Some people have excellent balance and blazing hand speed, but hate to go to the ground because they get muscled around too much.  Others may be poor strikers and be very “heavy” on their feet but exhibit dominance and control when on the ground.  For the fighter that prefers to stand up we can concentrate on take down defense, staying out of trouble when on the ground and regaining your feet. For those that prefer to grapple we can teach you to become very dangerous on the ground while still being able to deal with the threat of a striker by giving you basic stand up survival skills and effective take downs.

HOWEVER, never forget that our main goal is to be comfortable fighting EVERYWHERE. If you are comfortable fighting everywhere you can effectively shutdown/counter/survive any sort of offense your opponent may mount against you and force him/her to fight you where you are best.

The Bear Essentials of Combat

  • A Decent Knowledge of Submissions - Learning 3 effective submissions such as 1 choke, 1 arm bar, and 1 leg lock would be an excellent base to build from.
  • Use and Understanding of Basic Wrestling Techniques - Knowing and being able to effectively apply 1 good Takedown (shot), 1 good Takedown defense (sprawl), and 1 escape is vital.
  • Elementary Competency of the “Guard” Position - The infamous Jiu-Jitsu defense technique that is justly credited as the most effective way to neutralize the power and strength of a much larger opponent. It is also possible to be extremely dangerous from the guard. Accordingly, the guard is a technique you should be versed in if you hope to be a fighter that is capable of subduing an opponent that is much more physically stronger and actually knows what they are doing.

Being able to effectively execute the above techniques means that you understand that nearly all of your power is generated from you hips; which is a crucial fact that translates into all areas of fighting and athleticism including striking.

  • Good Hand Speed - Extremely important if you want to be a threat while standing. Having good hand speed is also important because it is something that you can directly and greatly influence. Also throwing a flurry of punches enables you to “punch out” of an unfavorable position or catch your opponent. I would like for all of my fighters to be fully prepared and able to unload a barrage of punches with explosiveness and speed.
  • Good Footwork - Good footwork is key to achieving a susceptible angle on your opponent for the shot or strike. It also allows you to be a threat while committing less. You cannot be a good stand up fighter with out good foot work.
  • A Good Low Thigh Kick - This is the most effective and powerful kick that is relatively easy to land and involves the least amount of risk.
  • Hands That NEVER Go Down - Quite simply this is the first and perhaps most effective action that a complete novice can take that will drastically reduce their chances of becoming a human punching bag/getting knocked out.
  • Control Of One’s Self - It will take time and unless you are a boxer or Jiu Jitsu artist you will not really have the ability to pace yourself according to your abilities or to remain calm, cool and collected when you are being attacked. This will come and it is key to your ability to analyze your opponent and quickly find a chink in their armor.
  • Confidence In One’s Self - It is amazing how many confrontations are avoided when someone sees that you are confident in your abilities. The best way to be confident in your abilities is to exercise, execute and augment them. (In the proper time and at the proper place)

Intelligence DOES Play A Role

One of the things that I really love about freestyle fighting is that it is truly a sport where intelligence is a welcome asset. If you begin to think of this as chess, always having to be 3 steps ahead of your opponent, then you are on the right track. Do not forget to think.

Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None

Notice that it is never stated that you have to be “great” or “excellent” in any one thing. Rather, our focus and concern is that you have a working proficiency in everything. The key is being able to put it all together into one seamless system that works effectively for you. If you are o.k. at everything, you will be a great fighter. More importantly, you will not have any glaring weaknesses that an opponent can capitalize on and use to take you out. Think of it this way: Stand Up fighters knock people out. Wrestlers take people down. Jiu Jitsu guys make people submit. Hybrid fighters take down, knock out and submit and are wise to all 3 forms of offense as well. Hmmm, we may have something here!

Injuries

Believe it or not it is YOU that will determine the amount of injuries, if any, that you acquire. If you are wearing the proper equipment (wrist wraps, the proper gloves, a hard cup, and a full mouth guard) and “tap out” when you have been put into a dangerous position that offers no escape, then you will be fine. If you have a big ego and refuse to “tap out” when you have clearly been bested, then odds are that you will get injured sooner or later.

Measuring Progress

When I joined Todd Medina’s Freestyle Fight School I found that my wrestling background gave me a decided edge over the usual novice student. After 4 months of dedicating more time and energy into combat grappling I found that I was becoming somewhat competent and confident because I was getting submitted less and handing out a few more than before.

Then, some guy about my height and weight started to train at the same facility. His name was Juan and within 3 weeks he was submitting me pretty much at will. In a matter of months he was able to submit me within seconds, multiple times and with a variety of moves. I couldn’t blame a superior stature as the cause. So I consoled myself and figured that, judging by the way Juan moved on the mat, he had an extensive background in wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. One day after getting my butt thoroughly whipped by Juanito, I said nonchalantly, “Man you must really have done well wrestling in High School.” Juan went on to tell me in a very low key and friendly way that he never wrestled in High School, he only played football and ran some track. Jiu Jitsu? No. Kick Boxing? Nope. Any formal training before this? Nope, none, nada, zilch. To tell you the truth I was shocked and my ego was a bit battered. How could a guy walk in off the street and submit me at will within one month’s time with no formal training? I had years of grappling experience on Juan and he could grapple right through me and clear into the next week. It was amazing and confusing. The only answer that came to my mind was that, sadly, I sucked, and sucked bad.

However, as time went on, Juan kept crushing egos, even submitting our 330 pound Super Heavy Weight that also cage fights on a routine basis. His skills have taken him to both Hawaii and Japan. Juan, you see, is a complete freak. A natural athlete that also happens to “click” with the concept of submission like none other. That was when I learned one of the most important lessons in the fight game so far. As ridiculous as it sounds, you simply cannot measure your progress according to others. You have to focus on yourself, on your skill level and on your progress. If you focus on others you may set the bar too high, or even worse you may set it too low!! You can only progress and excel at your maximum rate and potential, not at your friend’s or training partner’s. When my fighters want to measure how good they are and how far they have come, I want them to measure and reflect upon themselves, not upon others. Ultimately the only question that really matters is, “If I put my current self in a fight against my former self of 6 months ago, who would win?” As funny as it sounds, if the answer is that you would kick your own butt then you are definitely heading in the right direction and making progress.

Advancing As Fighters Together

I want to stress the fact that I encourage an open forum and free exchange of ideas. I will not discount any method or theory until it has been repeatedly proven ineffective in a combat situation. I am creating this system and instructing this class because I love the fight game and I feel that it is an important step in my progression and maturation as a fighter. I intend to make a huge push and drastically improve my fight game. I look forward to striving for improvement together. Which means that I look forward to going through practice and sparring with you.