Welcome to Modern Farang Mu Sul

It looks like we have another theme of sorts to this month in Modern Farang Mu Sul®. It is MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) training. We have not only been training like crazy, but have also been taking part in some very historical events here on the West Coast. I'll elaborate more in a minute. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: Alright, as mentioned earlier, it seems like this month has been filled literally with tons of MMA / NHB (Mixed Martial Arts / No Holds Barred) action. As you may all know, next month FMS-TVT (Team Vale Tudo) will be back in action in a big way at Lou Neglia's 10th Ring Of Combat. FMS-TVT will have a couple fighters represented. Inst. Ken Gibson is on the card and is scheduled to fight against Nissim Levy, and our team captain and reigning Lt. Heavy Wt. Champion, Inst. Marlon Sims is set to have a battle of the champions against the very dangerous Kurt Pellegrino.

Inst. Sims has been receiving top level training. We have had the great fortune to develop a very close bond with World Champion Frank Shamrock, and this has paid dividends for Inst. Sims and FMS-TVT in general. Inst. Sims has not only been training one on one with Frank, but also with the whole Shamrock Fighting Team, which include World Champion Maurice Smith, Brian Ebersole, Kelly Dullanty and a host of other champions and world class fighters. Inst. Sims was given the honor and privilege to join Team Shamrock (not an easy feat). We are so happy and proud of him. This really is the beginning of lots of great things for him and FMS-TVT.

On top of working out with some of the best MMA fighters on the planet right now, we had some extra special training sessions, designed to tighten up a couple of areas. With the help of my good friend Coach Jose Urista and Master Jino Kang, we put together a group of all city and state level wrestlers to work with Marlon, specifically on certain high level ground game components. Such as shooting, second and third effort shooting, counter-shooting, escapes and reversals, and not to mention the infamous ground and pound (one of Inst. Sims favorites). Needless to say, we had a fantastic time, and we can say with full confidence, WE ARE READY! Let's get it on!

As if that were not enough action, we were very happy to take in the Boxing Golden Gloves Championships here in San Francisco. Inst. Terry King hooked up the tickets, and my brothers Master James De Alba and Sergio De Alba took advantage to hang out, network with lots of local fighters and promoters, and take in the rock'em sock'em action. What a fabulous time.

And just to keep the action moving, we helped coordinate and take part in the latest martial arts seminar sponsored by MAI-USA - Martial Arts Instructors-USA (formally known as the San Francisco Chapter of ATAMA). I am one of the Directors of this organization. This is a group of not only some the greatest martial artists on the West Coast, but also some of the most genuinely good people you could ask for. This time around we had Soke Tim Delgman teaching "Grappling Flow" from the Zenbudokai system. Professor Bill Grossman also taught a session on Kenpo Knife Defenses. There was also a special appearance by none other than Grand Master Rick Alemany who just got in from Hawaii. Wow, talk about a good time. I look forward to the next seminar.

(Pics: 1- Group Shot after Seminar, 2- Soke Delgman flows from joint lock to joint lock, 3- Prof. Grossman works knife take aways)

FMS Huntington Beach: Inst. Larry Saindon recently coordinated a special grappling seminar in Huntington Beach. He brought Inst. Earl Boyd down south from Hollister, CA. and had a group of well over twenty students. This all while temporarily living in Bolder, Colorado. Wow, that is amazing. Then again Inst. Saindon is an amazing person, and is surrounded by amazing people. They did two sessions. One was more of the fundamentals which was held indoors, and the second was a bit more advanced covering positions, finishes and escapes. This one was conducted outdoors. The event was capped off with some friendly ground sparring. The seminar was a resounding success, and now plans are underway to do more. Good job Inst. Boyd, Inst. Saindon and all the FMS Huntington Beach family. Farang!!!

(Picture: Inst. Dylan Hamilton, Inst. Nicole Miller, Inst. Larry Saindon, Inst. Earl Boyd, and Inst. Matt Wagner)

FMS Portugal: Inst. Nelson Pinto, Vera and Tiago Silva went to the north of Portugal to the City of Bragança, to conduct a special Modern Farang Mu Sul® seminar at the School of FMS Monitor Sérgio Anes. They also got in some private training.

Just to get there, they had to endure a 6 hour, 500km road trip, in the worst wind and rain that you could imagine. In the end, it was all worth it. This part of the country is blessed with scenic roads, rivers, beautiful ancient castles and churches. Needless to say, they took it all in.

For the seminar, he taught Kick boxing and Muay Thai kick boxing, conditioning the body, Thai pad drills, boxing, Kong Gyuk Jo Ru Gi Sul and Hoshin Jo Ru Gi Sul (Offensive Choking and Choking Defense) as well as Jung Bong Sul (Middle Stick Techniques). The student's tremendous energy and dedication was inspiring, not to mention their warmth and genuine affection. Awesome. That is the Modern Farang Mu Sul® way! What a great time for all. We are so proud of our new family in the north of Portugal. Keep up the good work.

Inst. Nelson Pinto also notified me that he gave an outstanding Women's Self Defense Seminar in the city of Bombarral. There was a group of almost 30 women that attended, and the results were a complete success. He gave them several drills designed to instill key moves that are not only simple in nature, but also extremely effective. One of the strongest message that he was able to get across was that it is up to each and everyone to recognize that they need to take responsibility to improve themselves, their actions and that they are not and should not be victims. The seminar gave them tools both physical and psychological that they can always use. Great job! Congratulations everyone.

FMS - Michigan: Inst. Robert Hudson announced that he is scheduled to conduct another Women's Safety and Self Defense Seminar in April. This is a very practical and useful workshop that is getting more and more popular in his area. Great work Sir! He has also been invited once again to teach at the 76th Annual Michigan Safety Conference. This makes several years in a row that he has been invited to teach at this event. He must be doing something right, looks to me that they are liking what they are seeing. Keep up the good work Sir!

FMS - Puerto Rico: Master Dennis Vega took a large team from Puerto Rico to compete at the Annual Mercer County Martial Arts tournament in New Jersey. The FMS-PR group were VERY successful coming away with 44 trophies, including two Grand Championship Belts. One was for the Self Defense Division which was won by Inst. Nelson Cardona. The other was for Continous Sparring, and the winner of that honor was Inst. Ismael Roman. This should not surprize anyone that saw them in action at last year's Warrior Quest here in San Francisco. They are spectacular showmen and fierce fighters with flawless technique. I can't begin to tell you how happy and proud I am of all the FMS Puerto Rico family. Big Kudos go to Master Vega for his hard work, leadership, guidence and sacrifices. Good work Sir.

Also, I highly recommed attending his upcoming seminar on May 27th in Puerto Rico. The focus will be on the variety of options and smooth connection that needs to occur in self defense techniques. Master Vega's fluid skill is something to behold. You will see high level Trapping, Striking, Kicking, Joint Locks, Throws and much more. This will all be presented in the "From Trapping to Grappling Seminar". Don't miss out. Mark this one on your calendar.

FMS Hollister: It was time once again for another one of our special Modern Farang Mu Sul® Black Belt Workshops. These are unique training sessions that allow us to really address a variety of aspects of our art in great detail. During the normal course of the year we do not have that many opportunities, so this is working out perfect. This 4th workshop was focused on Flexible Weapons. This included: Po Bok Sul (aka: Rope Techniques), Yang Jyel Bong Sul (aka: Nunchaku techniques) and Sam Jyel Bong Sul (aka: 3 Section Staff techniques). Inst. Larry Saindon came down all the way from Bolder, Colorado (where he is temporarily living), and even coordinated several black belts and family from Huntington Beach, CA. such as Inst. Dylan Hamilton, Inst. Matthew Wagner and Asst. Inst. Mariah Witt, Kathy Saindon, Beth Hamilton and Stacey Witt. Simply awesome.

Special thanks to Master Schleeter (you’re THE BEST), Inst. Beth Dudzik and Inst. Earl Boyd from Hollister. And from WHQ, thank you to Inst. Kim Leith and Inst. Stuart McCalla. It would not have been the same without you.

Well, we had just the best time working on all of these weapons. I was very excited going over the fundamentals, drills, forms and self defense applications for the Yang Jyel Bong, Sam Jyel Bong, and Po Bok Sul. It was so fun really getting into the details of each weapon. After talking with some of the students, it turns out I have not taught Yang Jyel Bong in over 20 years! Wow. It’s a good thing that I not only have a good memory, but that I also keep good notes. This is exactly why I gave everyone a written manual with lots of room to write their own notes.

What a fabulous time. I look forward to the next one (which may need to wait until after Warrior Quest 7).

(Pics: 1- Group Shot after Black Belt Workshop, 2- KSN and Master Schleeter work Sam Jyel Bong spins, 3- Inst. Beth Dudzik works through the strike set, 4- Yang Jyel Bong training, 5- Mariah and Matt working rope techniques, 6- Master Schleeter wraps up Inst. Dudzik, 7- KSN and Inst. Leith work rope whips and spins)

Other News: In keeping with the MMA theme, we were fortunate to take part in several historical events. As mentioned earlier, we have developed a very close bond with World Champion Frank Shamrock, and it turns out that he came out of semi-retirement to take on Cesar Gracie. The event was held in San Jose, CA. and marked the first ever California Athletic Commission sanctioned MMA event. It was held at the HP Pavilion (aka: The Shark Tank), and set a record MMA attendance record for North America with over 18,000 spectators. This event was also World San Shao, Kickboxing Champion, Cung Le's debut in MMA. Well suffice to say that is was an awesome evening, filled with lots of exciting action. Frank was able to KO Cesar in 21 seconds of the first round. Cung Le dazzled the audience with an awesome display of kicks and punches, ending up with a KO of his opponent as well. So much fun.

We were invited to a special private celebration banquette with Team Shamrock, and a small army of FMS students from Hollister and WHQ were fortunate to be included. There were an few martial arts celebrities there, such as World Champion Maurice Smith, and the always affable Chuck Zeto. Well, we all got the chance to hang out and share some great time getting to know them and hearing their war stories. Inst. Marlon Sims was slated to compete as well, but his opponent didn't pass the weigh-ins. Next time.

The evening belonged to Frank Shamrock, and was filled with much love and appreciation. Congratulations Sir, and well deserved. We all look forward to spending more quality time together.

(Pics - 1- World Champion Frank Shamrock at the celebration party, 2- World Champion Maurice Smith , and 3- Chuck Zeto hanging out with the FMS crew)

Birthday News: We are happy to announce the birthdays of our FMS Black Belts from all over the world, so all of you students will know exactly when you can show your gratitude and celebrate with your teachers. FMS Black Belt Birthdays for this month:

Wow, we have no black belt birthdays in March !