Wizardry

Yesterday was quite the "famous people" day. At the mid-day class, I chatted with Ed like we were old chums. I also got to speak briefly with Rorion Gracie.

At the evening class the famous people theme continued.

It was very crowded, and mixed in amongst all the gis were four people wearing no-gi gear. On the sideline there were several more watching.

Among the little knot of visiting spectators was Edmond Tarverdyan. He is a very big name mma striking coach. Sitting near him was Jessamyn Duke. On the mat was Shayna Baszler. Both of these women are top mma fighters, and competed on the last season of The Ultimate Fighter.

There were a couple of other women who are clearly fighters, but that I did not recognize.

Also on the mat was the undefeated UFC Women Champion Ronda Rousey.

She was on the mat briefly about a week or two ago, but this time she was present to train.

Both of our top instructors, Rener and Ryron, were there to lead the class. They took the difficulty up a notch, likely for our visitors.

Eventually, it became sparring time. I rolled around with the guy I'd been working with all class. After that, I got changed and took up a spot on the spectator bench. How often does one get to see Ronda Rousey spar?

She was paired with mma fighter and Gracie Black Belt Brian Ortez, with Rener Gracie acting as coach. They were very intense and moving very fast.

How can I describe it? Half of what they did looked like normal, top-level rolling, and the other half was wizardry. Ronda was popping out of positions by moving in impossible ways.

After about 15 minutes, Brian was sent off, and Ronda rolled with Rener Gracie. Suddenly, half of what she was doing to Brian no longer worked. It was more instructional and remained light years above any grappling I've ever seen anywhere.

Then the time ran out, and the class ended.