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Fighter’s Library

Opening Closed Guard in the Gi: Why Posture-First Instruction Works Better Than Knee Wedge Shortcuts

Marcus "Iron Core" Delgado

The fastest way to get stuck inside closed guard is to chase the opening before fixing posture. A lot of instruction still teaches the knee wedge first - drive…

October 11, 2026
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Martial health and fitness

Convict Conditioning by Paul Wade: Useful Bodyweight Progressions for Martial Artists or Joint Stress in Disguise

Marcus "Iron Core" Delgado

Plenty of martial artists treat Convict Conditioning like a clean answer to a messy problem. No gym, no machines, just six bodyweight chains and a promise of ol…

October 4, 2026
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History and Philosophy

Weapon Arts in a Civilian Age: What Purpose Do They Serve

Alexander "The Scholar" Kane

I remember a beginner asking during stick class, Why train with weapons if I will never carry one? The room got quiet in the way gyms do when a practical questi…

September 27, 2026
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Martial arts style

12 Muay Thai Gyms on YouTube That Actually Teach Teep Timing, Clinch Entries, and Pad Rhythm

Kenji "Blaze" Tanaka

Most Muay Thai channels do one of two things. They either give you clean-looking violence with no teaching, or they over-explain isolated techniques that fall a…

September 20, 2026
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History and Philosophy

Did the Samurai Actually Live by Bushido: Separating Edo Ideals From Battlefield Reality

Alexander "The Scholar" Kane

The clean movie version is familiar - samurai as warriors guided by an unbroken code of honor, loyalty, self-control, and noble death. The historical version is…

September 13, 2026
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Fighter’s Library

The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba: Centering Skills for Conflict and Training

Marcus "Iron Core" Delgado

Ever had a round fall apart because your breathing went ragged and your brain started sprinting faster than your feet? Many fighters can throw a sharp jab on th…

September 6, 2026
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Training and Techniques

Filming 50 Rounds of Sparring Changed My Boxing Faster Than Bag Work: The Jab Habit I Did Not Notice Until Week 2

Kenji "Blaze" Tanaka

The ugly part of sparring footage is how quickly it kills favorite excuses. A heavy bag will let a lazy jab feel busy for three straight rounds. Video will not.…

August 30, 2026
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History and Philosophy

Did the Samurai Actually Live by Bushido: Separating Edo Ideals From Battlefield Reality

Alexander "The Scholar" Kane

Ask a room full of martial artists what bushido means and you will usually hear the same words first - honor, loyalty, discipline, death before surrender. That…

August 23, 2026
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Training and Techniques

Judo Unleashed by Neil Ohlenkamp: A Clear Beginner Path or Too Broad Once You Start Randori

Kenji "Blaze" Tanaka

Some judo books try to teach the whole art from day one. Others do something smarter - they give a beginner just enough structure to stop drowning. Judo Unleash…

August 16, 2026
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Martial health and fitness

Theragun Mini 2.0 Review: Worth Packing in a Muay Thai Gym Bag or Too Weak for Sore Calves and Hips

Marcus "Iron Core" Delgado

Picture the usual post-padwork scene: calves tight from bouncing, hips cranky from checking kicks, and barely any room left in the gym bag after gloves, wraps,…

August 9, 2026
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History and Philosophy

Did the Samurai Actually Live by Bushido: Separating Edo Ideals From Battlefield Reality

Alexander "The Scholar" Kane

The clean image comes later. A samurai facing death with perfect calm, loyal to one lord, guided by an iron moral code, is mostly an Edo period construction lay…

August 2, 2026
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History and Philosophy

Did the Samurai Actually Live by Bushido: Separating Edo Ideals From Battlefield Reality

Alexander "The Scholar" Kane

The version of bushido most people picture was shaped long after Japan's biggest civil wars were already over. That alone changes the whole conversation. If the…

July 26, 2026
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