http://threeharmonies.blogspot.com/2013/11/gui-mendes-art-of-jiu-jitsu.html

What do you think of Gui Mendes "performance" here?

I think Gui really gives Nathan a sporting chance in the Black Belt competition. He allows him optimal time to try different moves under the added pressure of playing in front of a knowledgeable crowd.
He obviously plays with him, and it shows he is far more skilled at this game than Nathan. I do not know his motives, I like to keep it positive. He may have been working on his own skills taking the opportunity to look for a far more sophisticated submission.

The risk of protesting Mendez's gaminess is the audience may begin to perceive Nathan as a sore loser, that was not able to learn from a humbling yet respectful showing in his match.

What I don't see is- taunting, meanness, over aggressiveness, anger, name calling, or any intent to physically harm or inflict pain on Nathan.

No I do not think he is a bully without knowing his intent.
that's my perception of it.

Jamie

Honestly, it sounds like you are upset because your friend got beaten which is understandable. But don't let that transfer over to you downing Mendes's performance. He was a stud and Nate.

Maybe he problem is the scoring system. The fact that you get points for transitioning is the problem. If you eliminates that aspect Mendes would have won based in the takedown he got and his overall control of Nate. He was taking advantage of what might be a flawed scoring system.

GSP does it too. He looks at the clock right before the end of a round and then gets a takedown to secure the round.

What if you HAD to get a submission or atleast get the other guy to tap to win the match? That would be awesome. Eventually if there wasno sub the most tired person would tap.

To conclude, if you believe Mendes could have gotten the submission at any time but didn't take it, couldn't it be Nate's fault that he didn't just give up? If you're saying Mendes could have won at any point then Nate should have just given up so technically it's Nate's fault the match continued the way it did.

Just playing devil's advocate.

For all the criticism Judo rule set gets for disallowing longer amounts of time on the ground and limiting certain types of grips... It does this to encourage active attacking with the goal of finishing ASAP. Anything that seems like stalling or overly defensive is punished.

I once asked a friend of mine who is an experienced BJJ guy what the difference between BJJ and Judo ground game was, and he said "time". His point was that if the rule sets in Judo allowed the same length of time on the ground, the ground game would look much closer, and the strategies and techniques would too. It's interesting to consider how certain rule sets affect the way an art develops.

Good points, Craig.

Interesting points by all.
Just out of curiosity how many of you above compete?

I do. Not in bjj though. What relevance does that have?

Jake:
I am not a competitor.
It does not mean anything to me to win those things or to lose them.

I have a huge respect for anybody that trains to compete and gets out on the mat and does it.

I do not enjoy competition, but I know people that LOVE it and win or lose they always seem to have a good time, just because they were a part of it.
I hope you and Nathan are well, and benefit from the experience in a good way, and after some time are able to look at the match again in a positive perspective.

with all my best intentions
Namaste'
Jamie

What do you compete in then timber?

Chess and ballroom dance

at the same time?!!

I have to warn you Timber, I am a real TORMENTOR at Chess. I often run up the score by taking most of my opponents pieces before closing the Checkmate with only seconds left on the time clock.

I must admit: I don't know anything about Ball Room dancing; do you have to wear baggy pants for that?

Jamie

I ballroom danced a tiny bit in college and then for a few months in 2008. If you want to meet hot women go dancing because you have a 50/50 shot of meeting a woman you get to hold and talk with temporarily. The other half of the equation is that the men outnumber te women which sucks cause then you dance with york self until the hot teacher comes in. Generally you wear fitted clothing so you don't get caught anywhwre or trip.

Truthfully, I'm horrible at chess. Lol. Chess sucks!

LOL! you made me smile thanks bro.





Jamie

No problem, Jamie

Ding! Chiming in!

Jamie, you make a good point because I was thinking the same thing.

As long as the match is still going, it gives the novice more time to try solutions and gives a chance of victory.

I can see how it would appear to be so, but I dont think he was being a bully since he didnt hurt him in any way... Ive seen mat bullies... They will eventually try to hurt you or cheat somehow.

Timber, I have your ring name. "twinkle toes"

I've destroyed many ballroom dancers in that disguise.

Robert,

I don't think the other guy was a novice since they both had blackbelts on. I may be wrong and it could be that eveyone wears the same color belt in bjj competition.