Tito Ortiz: No Holds Barred Freestyle

Tapes 1 - 4 & 6 

Title: NHB Freestyle
Instructor: Tito Ortiz 
Price: $29.95 each or all seven videos for $159.95 
Island Home Video offer - 5 tapes for $99
Available from: 
Island Entertainment Group/Island Home Video
P.O. Box 3166, Laguna Hills, CA 92654
Phone (USA) 1 800 599 9512
Phone (International) 1 949 366 1509
Fax: 1 949 369 0576
email:IslandVid@aol.com


Island Home Video

Island Home Video are relative newcomers to the instructional video tape market (1999) but have quickly established themselves as an important source of vale for money mixed martial arts instruction. Their tapes feature both established fighters and new up-and-comers including such names as UFC champion Tito Ortiz, UFC/IFC veterans Chuck Lidell & Scott Adams, Chris Brennan, Shonie Carter, Chad Saunders and five times world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Kazeka Muniz.

Tito

Two-time Cal State wrestling champ.
Number 1 ranked light heavyweight mixed martial artist in the world.
Ultimate Fighting Championships light heavyweight champion.
3rd place ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championships 2000.

Born on the 23rd January 1975, the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz has worked his way up to his current status as number one rated light heavy in the world and Ultimate Fighting Championship Light-Heavyweight Champion.

Tito began wrestling in high school as a way to "keep off the streets....going around in gangs". Taking naturally to the sport he continued to wrestle at Goldenwest junior college in California where he won the state championships two years in a row.

Through one of his high school wrestling coaches (and UFC veteran) Paul Herrra, Tito was introduced to the infamous Tank Abbott who at the time was looking for training partners. It was this opportunity, combined with the success of Lion's Den fighter Jerry Bohlander who Tito had wrestled in him school and "pretty much stomped", that set him on the road to becoming a professional mixed martial artist.

Ortiz made his debut at UFC 13 where he annihilated Wes Britton in 23 seconds in an alternate match. Making it in to the main draw, due to an injury sustained by Enson Inoue, Tito faced off for the first time against Guy Mezger in the finals. In a controversial match, Tito trapped Mezger in an inside cradle from which he rained down knees. John McCarthy stepped in to break them up and Tito thought he'd won the bout, but once Guy's cut had been checked the fight was resumed, at which point Tito shot a takedown but got caught in a guillotine that ended the fight.

Tito returned to the Octogon at UFC 18 where he pummeled Guy Mezger's team mate Jerry Bohlander, winning at 14:40 due to a doctor stoppage, placing him amongst the top middle weights.

At UFC 19 Tito got his chance to avenge his loss by defeating Guy Mezger doing "what I do best, which is ground and pound. I pushed and it broke him; it took his spirit". Tito won at 9:58 by referee stoppage taking him another step closer to the title.

At UFC 22 Tito faced off against UFC champion Frank Shamrock in what is considered one of the best fights ever in the octogon. Ortiz pressured Shamrock from the top for three rounds and was ahead on all three judges cards thanks to his takedowns and 'ground & pound' skills. Having made Tito work hard the entire fight, Frank capitalised on his better conditioning taking the fight to the feet and demonstrating some excellent striking skills. Ortiz tried another takedown but Frank went for a guillotine then escaped delivering a series of strikes to the head forcing Tito to tap at out with 11 seconds left in the forth round.Ê

"Frank Shamrock I believe had like 35 fights or something like that, he's fought all over the world so he's pretty much fought everybody and knows what everybody feels like...He told me I was tough as hell, he said I was probably one of the toughest guys he's ever fought. I took that loss as a win because I learnt so much from it and I get better and better each time. I learned how to pace myself and work on the right things that would make me a winner."

Since Shamrock vacated the title Tito has developed and evolved to be come the top middle weight (now light heavyweight) fighter in the world. With wins over top rated contenders Vanderlei Silva (25mins, UFC 25), Yuki Kondo (1:51, UFC 29), Evan Tanner (30secs, UFC 30) and Elvis Sinosic (3:32, UFC 32) Tito Otiz in on the top of the world.


Tito quotes taken from SFUK interview

Tapes: Production values

Shot at L.A. Boxing in Huntington Beach California in a fully matted room (floor and walls) these tapes feature good picture and sound quality. Directed and produced by Bruce Borden they are not quite up to the standard of Paul Viele's World Martial Arts tapes but are far superior to the tapes out there shot on camcorders and similar equipment. 

The tapes are shot on a single camera at around eye level with Tito and partner Tiki showing the moves from different angles by turning around. The camera pans to follow Tito when he makes use of the large area and often zooms in at appropriate times. Cuts are of a quick "mix" style. There are no slow motion replays or "filler" footage of any kind. 


Tape 1: Basic Freefighting

Running time: approx 45mins

This tape is an introduction to Tito's fighting method, covering basic skills and some takedown material.

After a VERY quick introduction, basically "My name is Tito Ortiz, I fight in the UFC, welcome to my tape series", we get straight in to the techniques. This quick pace set at the start continues throughout the tape allowing a large amount of information to be conveyed. However, this is not done at the expense of clearly explaining the techniques. 

Areas covered:

• Hand fighting/tie ups (underhook, shuck)

• Setting up shots (feints, strikes - attacking and countering)

• Stance (wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts)

• Motion (circling, angles, level change, penetration)

• High single (far leg)

• High single (near leg) 

• Double leg (high level) 

• High crotch to single

• Sprawl

• Drills (footwork, sprawling, pummeling)

The techniques in this tape are very much folkstyle/freestyle wrestling based although there are some references to striking and some adaptations for MMA have been made. An example of this is the double leg, which is performed with a kind of rising penetration ending with your head on your opponent's chest to avoid the guillotine.

In my opinion all the techniques on this tape are workable with the sprawl and single leg variations being of particular note. 

Tito looks very comfortable with the moves he's teaching, demonstrating each smoothly and expertly. In addition, his instruction is clear and he covers most of the main points. Obviously, as this tape is meant as a general overview of Tito's stand up style, in particular his grappling, not all the fine details are covered. Also, the order of the instruction could have had better flow but this does not essentially detract from the quality of the material presented.

I would recommend this tape to anyone wishing to improve their stand up wrestling, in particular those with limited or no folkstyle/freestyle training. Some of the techniques and ideas presented on this tape are covered in more detail on the next three tapes so if you are planning on buying more than one, or already have some wrestling experience, you may want to go straight to tape two.

'Basic Freefighting' gives an insight in to the style of one of the world's best MMA fighters and also contains solid instruction in several takedowns. As such, I consider this tape good value for money. 

Rating 7/10


Tape 2: Underhooks

Running time: approx 40mins

Mixed Martial Arts is constantly evolving and one of the more recent areas to come under the spotlight is the standing clinch. The underhook is one of the most important and versatile techniques in this position and has been used to devastating effect by the likes of UFC Champions Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture to set ups strikes, throws and takedowns.

Tito, aided once again by Tiki, gets straight in to the moves expanding upon areas briefly covered in the first tape to give you a series of strikes and throws initiated from the underhook position.

Areas covered:

• Getting the underhook

• Correct underhook position

• Headlock throw

• Reverse headlock throw

• Knee Pick

• High single leg

• Snap down (to turnover and neck crank)

• Far side duck to bodylock + switch to double leg pick up

• High level double leg

• Body lock

• Inside trip

• High single leg to run the pipe against fence

• Strikes (knees, elbows and headbutts)

• Preventing underhook with strikes

• Striking against the fence

The tape ends with a review of all the techniques covered along with some excellent advice on how they all chain together to create a system of attacks from the underhook position.

Once again Tito demonstrates the techniques with consummate skill and gives good explanations. These moves are clearly ones favoured by Tito and can be seen in many of his fights, notably against Evan Tanner in UFC 30, where he used a single underhook to control Tanner, set up strikes, and move to a bodylock, before finishing with a devastating throw to win inside 30 seconds.

My only gripe is that while there is a lot of instruction on entering in to the throws and takedowns there isn't much on completing them and ending in a good position or what finishes are available.

Nevertheless, this is still an excellent tape. All the techniques are effective and flow together nicely. There is a lot of information crammed in to this 40mins so I consider it very good vale for money.

Rating 8/10


Tape 3: Takedowns

Running time: 40mins

Unsurprisingly, in 'Takedowns' Tito teaches some of his favourite ways to take an opponent to the mat.

Tito covers a number of new finishes (high and low) to the single leg, a couple of double legs (one of which was shown on the previous two tapes), some moves from the high crotch and ends with a fireman's carry.

Areas covered:

• High single leg

• Single leg finish - run the pipe/dump

• Single leg finish - Barsagar

• Sweep single to double from behind

• "Calf wrap" - circle behind from single

• "Iranian" - duck between legs from single

• Limp arm counter against wizzer

• Low single leg to duck between legs

• Single leg tree top finish - trip back

• Single leg tree top finish - trip forward

• High level double leg

• Sweep double leg

• Cut across from double leg

• High crotch to double leg

• High crotch dump

• High crotch to sweep single

• High crotch lift to double leg

• Fireman's carry

Despite some slight adaptations here and there this is basically a collection of folkstyle/freestyle leg attacks with no reference to strikes and only passing comments on possible submissions. As such, anyone with wrestling experience probably won't find much new on this tape.

However, that's not to say this is bad tape because it's certainly not. Tito is a good wrestler and gives good instruction in a large range of leg attacks and finishes. As a stand-alone tape on takedowns it's very good, but as part of an MMA series I feel it's lacking due to the absence of attention paid to strikes and submissions (in both attack and defence). In addition, I can't help but compare it to the USA Wrestling Syllabus videos, which contain similar techniques but go in to more detail and are exceptional value for money.

So, to sum up, if you don't know your leg attacks and are only going to guy one tape (or are just getting this series) then this is a great buy. But, if you are already trained in wrestling to more than basic level, or are looking for a tape that refers directly to MMA, then you might want to skip it.

Not for everyone but a very good tape nonetheless.

Rating: 7/10


Tape 4: Defence from Takedowns

Running time: approx 40mins

Once again the title pretty much says it all. This tape covers Tito's favourite defences to takedowns (mostly the leg attacks shown on the last tape).

No matter how good your takedowns are, they aren't much use if your opponent shoots on you first. Your opponent could also have better groundwork meaning you may want to keep it standing up. This is when the counters presented on this tape are essential.

Areas covered:

• Standing wizzer variations against a high single

• Rolling throw against a high single

• Sprawl + go behind against a single leg

• Sprawl + turnover counter against a deep single leg

• Sprawl + chin grab front headlock against a single leg

• Sprawl + quarter nelson against a single leg

• Underhooks against a double leg

• Sprawl against a double leg

• Wizzer against a double leg

• Crossface against a high crotch

• Rolling throw against a high crotch

• Cradle against a high crotch

• Leg ride against a high crotch

• Judo throw against a high crotch

• "butt drag" go behind

My thoughts on this tape are basically the same as with tape 3, while these are all effective wrestling techniques there is little reference to MMA. Many of the counters on this tape leave you in a good position for strikes and submissions, or able to move to a pin, but this aspect is barely touched upon. After the threat of each takedown is countered there is no attempt to finish the fight.

Once again aided by Tiki, Tito Ortiz demonstrates each technique with confidence and provides clear explanations.

A good tape for what it is but a shame it doesn't live up to the "NHB Freestyle" series title.

Rating: 7/10


Tape 6: Submission & Strikes in the Guard

Running time: approx 45mins

More than the title suggests, this tape is a mixed bag of submissions and striking techniques on the ground.

Areas covered:

• Posture inside guard

• Can opener

• Double underhook guard pass

• Elbow pressure guard break and knee through pass

• Achilles lock from inside guard

• Figure four toehold from inside guard

• Two kneebars from inside guard

• Armbar from side position

• Key lock from side position

• Kimura from scarfhold

• Neck Crank from scarfhold

• Kimura from north/south

• Kimura to armbar

• Manoeuvring to fence from inside guard

• Pinning opponent against fence

• Strikes from inside guard against fence

• Strikes from side position

• Strikes from mount

I'm not sure about this tape; it's such an unusual mix of techniques and teaching.

The can opener and guard passes are all good techniques, and are fairly well taught, but are very basic. The submissions are mostly good (I didn't like the achilles lock though) but there is very little detail covered and there are better options in the positions covered. The ground and pound moves are good, especially the stuff against the fence that Tito excels in, but isn't very in depth and isn't taught in conjunction with the submissions.

The biggest problem with this tape is a complete lack of flow and lack of reference to what your opponent will do and how to counter that. Add to that the lack of detail on the submissions and the absence of set ups you get a disappointing video.

Some good moves but on the whole it could have been a lot better. There are better tapes covering this type of material on the market.

Rating 5/10


Summary

Tape 1: Basic Freefighting - 7/10

Introduction to Tito's stand up fighting. Covers some basic concepts and takedowns (some of which appear on next 3 tapes). 
Good for those with limited wrestling experience or as a one off tape.

Tape 2: Underhooks - 8/10

Takedowns and strikes from underhook position. 
Great techniques that flow together nicely. 
Highly recommended.

Tape 3: Takedowns - 7/10

Good wrestling takedowns, not much mention of MMA.
Single leg, double leg, high crotch and finishes.
Recommended for those without an extensive wrestling background.

Tape 4: Defence Against Takedowns - 7/10

Good wrestling defences to attacks on tape 3.
Sprawls, wizzers, underhooks, crossface, go behinds etc

Tape 6: Submissions and Strikes in the Guard - 5/10

Mixed collection of submissions and strikes on ground.
Some good stuff but lack of detail and flow lets it down.

Nathan "Levo" Leverton

Links

• Island Home Video

• Tito Oritz 

• SFUK interview with Tito

• UFC

• SFUK Vision - Levo's MMA photo site

• Leicester Shootfighters - Levo's club

Tito with SFUK Staffer Darragh Creamer