Breaking The Guard Podcast

I'm turning 45 tomorrow, so I reflect back on some important ideas I have come to realize this year. First, the importance of systems in being an effective multi-tasker. Second, measuring everything is not always necessary, and trusting your TRAINED intuition can be more valuable. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com  - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses b...

Fresh off the heels of another fouling scandal at UFC Fight Night 280, I put more teeth into my agreements for being much harsher on scoring fouls, also talking about my view on crime and punishment in general. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com  - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns,...

Conor McGregor has teased fans for years about his return, but it seems this time it's finally happening on July 11th against none other than Max Holloway. He has waited too long, or can he revive his career and have a glorious return? Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com  - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, n...

UFC Freedom 250 went off without problems, as no weather issues, bugs, or heat set back this event with a 100% finish rate. I'll review the whole fight card, what I liked about it, what I didn't like, and the implications of the title fights. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com  - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techni...

I think it's safe to say that everyone has "off" days, where you underperform in a very noticeable way. Sometimes these off days are hard on you, especially for top performers gearing up for another event - a bad day can feel like a disaster. I'll talk about how I handle these and would council others to. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com  - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new arti...

The UFC BJJ moves into the amateur tournament circuit, butting heads with IBJJF and ADCC. They have signaled one thing in the ruleset that can be a GAMECHANGER for grappling, and if pulled off, can kill off one of the things that drags down the sport. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, coverin...

We have a few freak shows this weekend, and it seems we are going back to the circus for sporting events. I give my take on sensationalist nature of marketing events, and what the athletic commissions responsibilities to fighter safety tie into this. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering...

MVP MMA made history as the first MMA promotion to be on Netflix. I also got a lot of eye balls, and the main card was all finishes. Sounds like a knockout, except it wasn't. It also makes me worried if it has a future, or will it just feed off past stars and fade away? I also talk about my recent travels, and the importance of discipline. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new web...

In MMA, damage is the key determining factor of victory. Grapplers seem to forget that, as this past UFC has shown. I'll hammer in on why it's so important, and what these fighters have to focus on if they want to make it to the next level in the sport. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, cover...

If you had to pick between weight, strength, speed, flexibility, or endurance to maximize for combat, which would you choose? I'll do a deep dive into each of these attributes, what I believe there relevance is to each combat sport, and ultimately what I would pick. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted freq...

I was reminded of the wisdom in taking a knee the past weekend, watching UFC Fight Night 274. Aljo "took a knee" in round 3 after surviving a tight guillotine and rolling to his back. He ended up giving up his back as well. But while he looked weathered and beaten walking to the stool, round 4 proved to me he was being tactical, as he had his most dominant round afterwards. Visit our sponsors: Dav...

I have had a frustrating week, and on three circumstances I have come across the a similar roadblock. I share my stories and what I hope to learn from them, so you can avoid ending up at the bottom of the ocean.  Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns...

UFC 327 was a solid card top to bottom, with a mix of knockouts, submissions, and close decisions. One thing that stood out is in the main event, there was a moment where one fighter got injured, and rather than pouncing on the opportunity, the opponent backed away. It wasn't just one instance, but several. This mercy was paid back by getting finished, and I highlight why I have always urged playi...

If you have ever wondered why most UFC Fight Nights or most grappling events don't have the same pull as a well sold fight like McGregor fight, I'll share with you what I think, and how other promoters can learn from that. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness,...

When you are obsessed with training, it can be hard to take a break from it. It feels like you are killing the momentum you have built up, and all of the hard work to develop strong discipline and good habits can be lost with a vacation. However, you might be grinding your gears without realizing it, and doing more harm than good by grinding. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new...

If you have listened to me before, you know that I'm big into measuring. I journal, I record everything I eat, and I track my workouts daily. But, keeping score during training can backfire on you, especially if you are looking to evolve. I'll share some insights into this and how to find balance between staying accountable while being adaptable. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's...

Someone who cannot keep their promises is not someone you can trust or count on. We often think of this in terms of others, but what about yourself? Are you accountable for your own goals and promises? Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much...

I review UFC 326, which had some solid matchmaking. However, some fights were a bit more drawn out and tactically won, with a few notable matches using lots of ground control but no damage or submission threats. On one hand, I understand as a fighter you got to get the win. But as a spectator, it can be very boring to see a long match with a lot of nothing. I also talk about the opening week for P...

If you are expecting a referee to save you from a dirty fighter, think again. As I will explain here, the best way to deal with a dirty fighter is to get in the mud with them. I also discuss UFC Fight Night and RAF 6, where the dirty fighting tactics started between Georgio Poullas and Armen Tsarukyan Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles...

Being chaotic is a dangerous state of mind, as there is no telling what you will do and the consequences they will render. However, measured chaos is brilliant for precisely that reason. Sean Strickland utilizes this concept very well on and off the microphone. We will discuss the main card of UFC Fight Night 267, and delve in the potential future of the UFC Middleweight division. Visit our sponso...

In this constantly evolving game, it can be tempting to always try to do move into the next new thing. That isn't always prudent, as you can rush into a mistake and start to sink. I'll discuss this in context to grappling and MMA, UFC's new stance on cutting athletes, and why a champion shouldn't rush to defend their title. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he i...

After a quick review of the latest UFC Fight Night, I discuss being on the cutting edge. Whether it is technology or ideas, it is a risky game. Lots of people will question, discredit and even hate you for entertaining innovate ideas. But without bold men and women, we would stagnate as a culture. I share my views on this in regards to the latest spat between Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan, arguing a...

I start off reviewing Polaris 35, which in my opinion was not that fun of a watch. Once again, bad rulesets seem to have removed the incentive from athletes to go after submissions and make for boring match ups. I then dig into UFC 235, which had some fun match ups and finishes. But on a few of the match ups I see a common theme - fighters not adapting or getting stagnate. Visit our sponsors: Davi...

After what seems forever without a UFC, we had a solid card with lots of great action, with the main event being a great fight. I recap the card, talk about the new bonus structure of the UFC, and old problems that are still lurking. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news...

I just realized that I am not holding myself to the same standards as a serious student and instructor with my own progression in the martial arts. That has to change, and I'll outline how I plan to tackle this problem. Visit our sponsors: DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, bre...