Last week a pro MMA fighter visited Brandon Bryant's school in Oklahoma. Brandon is an apprentice instructor under Sifu Davis and is my partner in running my "FullBlast" program. Anyway, he came by and worked out with them for about a week, and sparred all of Brandon's students. He pretty much gave them all a hard time, especially with his ground work. Then he sparred Brandon. Everything changed, let's just put it that way. First they grappled a few rounds, and at first Brandon started cold and it was seemingly even matched...then Brandon caught him in an armbar. Then a Triangle choke. Then an ankle lock. According to Brandon, it was actually easy for him.
Then, the world came crashing down for the poor guy. They sparred for real (meaning on their feet with pretty much anything goes) and Brandon simply destroyed the guy! I am not surprised as I have witnessed him do this to people over and over again for about 4 years. According to both Brandon and the students that witnessed it, Brandon basically took the guy to school. Afterwards, the guy told Brandon that he has never seen anyone, pro or otherwise with Brandon's speed!
To top it off, Brandon ended the sparring match with a burning step side kick that caught the guy clean in the 'floater' rib area. He told me the the guy had started going a bit harder and was getting frustrated, so he landed kind of a hard kick to Brandon's leg, so Brandon simply returned the favor! LOL
I have to say, although I am not surprised by this, it still makes me proud to see him have these successes....which in his case, are a pretty common thing! LOL
Sifu Davis even commented on Brandon's skill, and gave me probably the best compliment I have ever had when he told me what a good job I have done with him! All I can say is, Brandon made it easy on me! He was extremely enthusiastic from the first day. I have never had a student that just ate up anything and everything about JKD like Brandon did...and still does!
What makes this even more amazing for me is that when you consider his background. He started training when he was about 9 years old under a guy that Sifu Davis would easily describe as a TURD! I have had the displeasure of meeting this idiot myself a few times. Brandon ate up everything he was ever taught and as he progressed he competed in every tournament he could get to, one of them an amateur world championship....that he won. He competed in every category too, and won them all, or placed very high when he didn't win. Eventually he was considered the 'man to beat' in Oklahoma. I went to some of his tournaments with him when I first met him, and everyone there knew him. Anyway, Brandon had outgrown his instructor by the time he was 14 and received his first Black Belt. After that, his instructor basically turned on him for no good reason at all, and kicked Brandon out of his school. When I met Brandon, it had been a few years since that had happened, and I could see it still bothered him a lot.
He had already started his own school at that point and was taking his own student on to their own victories...and Brandon was only 21 at the time. When I met him, he opened up to me on the first day and has become my very best student and one of my closest and most trusted friends ever! Since then, he has also adopted my love of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Although this isn't the place to really talk about the art, I feel I must mention that Brandon is currently riding and undefeated streak in that as well! He has taken home two championship medals, back to back! He was recently promoted (long overdue I might add) by my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teacher, Carlos Machado.
Ok, sorry to make such a long post, but I thought for those of you who haven't had the chance to meet Brandon, might like to hear his recent success story and background.
I think I make this post for one main reason. I am so sick of hearing people talk about how JKD is outdated or is not effective anymore because of MMA and all that. I say this from the standpoint of someone who loves Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and I enjoy watching the fights, especially now that they have more talented fighters on there. But, for those that claim Jeet Kune Do is not effective compared to MMA or UFC style fighters, they are gravely mistaken!! For my money, there is nothing more effective or devastating than Jeet Kune Do! Hopefully this will add a dose of inspiration for everyone and make them truly appreciate their Jeet Kune Do training!
|