What was different this time around?

• Started to invest in some Jiu-jitsu podcasts and books
• Signed up for BOTH no Gi and Gi.
• Inspiring moments

Podcast/Books

No Gi Bracket (3 Fighters)

No Gi bout caught me off guard as the time for it switched to closer than on time. I didn’t have much time to stretch or warm up so I was high-strung but it might have been to my advantage.

No Gi Bout 1

My opponent looked very intimidating but skills always triumph as well as having Coach in my corner (he didn’t have a Coach – I know how that feels based on my 1^st competition .

No Gi Bout 2 – Round 1 + Overtime

“Won by decision” in the second bout meaning we tied 2-2 but the ref said I won (Cool, new experience).

Gi Bracket (3 Fighters)

Should have made use of the downtime. Was stalling too much and I think also was in a cooldown phase after the unexpected adrenaline showdown from being caught off guard before a match in the first No Gi bout. Or maybe I was tired from those two bouts. Now I understand that there’s some strategy in pacing myself throughout the competition.

Gi Bout 1

Gi Bout 2

Inspiration Aftermath

My Coach shared a voice message from my first opponent in No Gi taking the time to show respect to me, Coach, and the Academy. Much thanks to coach and thankful for the opportunity to represent my Academy!

One of my close friends of 10+ years took out time in his busy schedule with a newborn and all to come watch me. He kept his word and came. He couldn’t stay for my Gi matches but still came for support! He told me how inspired he was while watching me and how it made him want to practice Jiu-jitsu.

It was awesome to watch and cheer on my teammates who I’ve been training for the past 6 months. Seeing them compete too was a great end and test. One of my teammate said it was fun watching me fight. A lot of sweat and hours was poured on the mats and seeing them compete for the first time as White Belts and comrades was a special moment…

Till’ next time,

Ossu!

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Month 6 – Recalling my first competition where I traveled 3 hours to get to by myself to a city where I had a friend who came to watch but he couldn’t make it on time because he had work.

I got to see a couple kids fight on the mat as well as some killer gal from Singapore dominating her opponents in Gi and No Gi without breaks in between.

Had some good BBQ but I think I overate as I ordered too much food.

Then before competition I put my Gi on and did the warm-up drills and stretching that I learnt from class.

Waited around sizing up my opponents who were all 19-year-olds. It did feel odd to be honest.

Asked a random bystander to help me film my match and then stayed back to watched who won my bracket.

What Happened: My Offense

1. My Guard pull was slow and I didn’t square in.
2. My takedown was ineffective since his hips were already far away.
3. X-choke on top position was not effective.
4. Arm-bar attempt was called out by his coach.

What Happened: My Defense

1. Weak base and lost my dominant positions easily.
2. My hands were too free and didn’t use any grip breaks.
3. Did not use back escape.
4. Upaing from bottom without success.
5. Did not use any framing with my hands when on bottom.

What to Work on

1. Guard pull
2. Takedown game
3. Back escapes
4. Side control escapes
5. Quick submissions

What I Learnt

1. Got frustrated because he kept taking my back and I couldn’t get him off.
2. Underestimated my opponent and his size. I think it’s a lot easier for the smaller guy to back take because I do the same in the academy with majority being taller than myself.
3. Need to be quicker like my opponent.
4. That there was coaching involved during a fight and how advantageous that could be.
5. Could make friends and ask someone to coach me (if Coach isn’t around).
6. Could restart in standing and not have to keep on rolling.
7. Points vs Submission
8. Asking for feedback and learning from an invaluable overall competition experience.

Now that I know my strengths and weaknesses I’ll train with the above notes in mind. Then I will be back better then ever from now knowing what to work on for the next competition!

Next Competitions: Dec 4, 2021 / Jan 22, 2021 (Canceled due to 2 injuries)

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• Cheap Household Alternatives
• Current Products on Market
  • Caulicure
  • EarSplintz
  • Rescue Ear
  • Calibuds
• Why I chose Calibuds

Introduction

The first time I got a cauliflower ear injury within the first month of practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I did research on what products were on the market. One of the major key to cauliflower ear prevention that was missing on a lot of YouTube ear draining videos was to apply compression after drainage. There were only a handful of products on the market in regards to having anything to do with cauliflower ear – most of which focuses on ear compression. Below is a product review and analysis of the handful of products in regards to cauliflower prevention and healing.

Cheap Household Alternatives to Cauliflower Ear Treatment

Now there are those on the web who suggests using household items such as hair clips, small chip clips, stuffed gauze, swimming clips, and even small metal magnets (not recommended). I actually tried the metal magnets which not only did not work, was painful, but it gave me a cut. I was also worried about the metal magnets possibly giving me an ear infection so I closely wipe it down with alcohol and applied ointment occasionally. All in all, try at your own discretion at least now you are forewarned not to use that non-silicone, regular, metal magnets method recommended by some Youtuber.

Caulicure – It Works While Wearing It On or Off the Mat

 I came across a video on Youtube from Caulicure – it was the only product that had videos sponsoring this kit. It is retailed at $156.99 USD which is the most expensive product/treatment for cauliflower ear (unless seeing an ear, nose, and eye Doctor would be more expensive?). At this price point you get a box full of magnets of 4 different sizes. 4 for “discs” for off the matt and 4 discs to wear while on the matt making a total of 8 discs. You also get a headband for additional compression at night while you sleep. This Product has only 23 reviews most of which says it works.

EarSplintz – A Mold for BEFORE Receiving Cauliflower Ear Trauma

EarSplintz allows you to create two molds for each ear within 5 minutes but this BEFORE you have any ear trauma. These molds have unlimited uses it proclaims. They also claim that the molds are better than magnets since it keeps the ears intact unlike ear magnets where the blood can flow around the damage area. With 34 Amazon ratings; the consensus is half say the molds don’t work and half say they do work. Both parties agree that this product is overpriced. Personally I wouldn’t have bought this product since it was too late since I already got a puffed up ear. Ask yourself would you take the chance on an expensive product compared to other products on the market and also that MIGHT or might not work?

Rescue Ear – One Size Silicon Ear Magnet Clip

Currently unavailable at the time of this article but I remember the price point being around $50 USD. It is a simple product with one double magnet covered in silicon and shaped like a clip. With 60 ratings most people says it works while there are always some mixed reviews of it being too weak or it doesn’t work or that he/she wished the magnets were a little bit larger to cover their hematoma. I did not choose this product because of this reason as well – the price point was close to if not more than Caulibuds but did not offer different sizes for different ear trauma location.   

Caulibuds – The Best Valued Cauliflower Ear Product

Aside from its cute elephant design, these earbuds come in a variety of colors. CauliBuds ($39.00 USD) cost 3 times less than Caulicure or EarSplintz. This product has the most reviews (110 ratings). The majority of the reviews are from happy customers who successfully restored their ears with CauliBuds. It was a no brainer for me when I chose to purchase these silicone magnets over all the other brands with the price point, multiple silicon magnets, and raving positive reviews. Since I have purchased this product I can give a more detail review on them. It was a bit tad late for me though when I ordered these because my ears were beginning to hardened but I put them on anyways. They do hurt after awhile but you can easily fix this problem by adding a gauze padding between the magnets and your ear.

I was ecstatic to find out that this company was located in Dallas, TX after doing detail research on their website. They are military friendly and offer a 10% discount to all active and retired military. Since you made it this far as a guest of bjjears.com, use discount code: “BJJEARS” at checkout for 15% off your entire purchase. There are more colors as well as other cool products like apparel at CauliBuds.com. You can also save more by buying in bulk to share with friends or family.

Here’s a video on draining a cauliflower ear and then using CauliBuds to compress it.

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