Colin Howell is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and teaches a small BJJ class at the Fitness First Gym in Portsmouth, England. On Thursday 7th July 2005, Colin treated his class to a seminar with Vitor Ribeiro: Shooto Champion, Pride Bushido prospect and Cage Rage Lightweight Champion.

On the day of the seminar Alex de Souza, Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Riberio’s English representative, entered the small room at the top of Fitness First and introduced the man himself. The attending students all showed their appreciation and welcomed him warmly to their class.

The seminar began with Gi techniques, which would be particularly useful in Jiu Jitsu tournaments.


Armbar from the bottom using the Gi
If you are on your back with our opponent in your guard, reach over with your right hand, grab your opponent’s Gi (near his right shoulder).

With your opponent’s arm secured, forcibly pull them to the right. This will extend their left arm.

Then place your left foot on your opponent’s right hip. Swing your right leg over your opponent’s shoulder and in front of their face while locking on an Armbar.


Using the Gi to pass the Guard
If you are in your opponent’s Guard, grab the middle of their Gi with your left hand (do not put your arm through the Guard but around the Guard!) and stand up.

Keep hold of the middle of the Gi with your left hand and hold the bottom of your opponent’s right leg Gi pants with your right hand. Rotate your body 90 degrees to the right to effectively step around the Guard.

The seminar continued and Shaolin demonstrated Armbars from other positions, as well as more Guard Passes and techniques from Back Mount. Fifty technical minutes were set aside to practice these techniques before we moved on to No-Gi techniques for MMA.

I found the No-Gi techniques more practical and a lot easier to get to grips with than the Gi techniques. These techniques were as uncompromising as Shaolin’s own MMA style. We were shown a whole range of Kimuras, Armbars and Guard Passes. We were shown a method for passing the Guard which would enable you to go straight for the Rear Naked Choke and one that particularly stood out for me was the Shaolintine Choke. The Shaolintine Choke is like a cross between a Guillotine choke and Nogueira’s Anaconda Choke.


The Shaolintine Choke
As your opponent shoots in for a take down, sprawl and wrap your arm under their armpit like you are going for a Side Choke but jump Guard and lock it on like a Guillotine Choke for a quick tap out.


In Summary
The highlight of the seminar for me was seeing a Brazilian MMA Superstar, who is so skilled, experienced and respected, in my home town.

I was also very happy to discover that the BJJ scene is alive and well in Portsmouth. Alex de Souza and Colin Howell run several classes in and around Portsmouth. They also organise many seminars with big name Brazilian fighters.

For more information on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes or seminars in the Portsmouth area, please contact Colin Howell @ razorsharpchoke@hotmail.com