Best Camp?

speeds · Sep 15, 2008

Red Devil Sport Club:
Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksandar Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Amar Suloev, Andrei Semenov

Xtreme Couture:
Randy Couture, Tyson Griffin, Gray Maynard, Martin Kampmann, Gina Carano, John Alessio, Forrest Griffin, Wanderlei Silva, Mac Danzig, Ronaldo DeSouza, Stephan Bonnar, Frank Trigg, Heath Herring, Mark Hominick

Brazilian Top Team/BTT Canada:
Ricardo Arona, Maurilo Bustamante, David Bielkheden, Rousimar Palhares, Luiz Firmino, Alexandre Izidro, Fabio Holanda, Patrick Cote

American Top Team:
JZ Cavalcante, Denis Kang, Jeff Monson, Jorge Santiago, Thiago Silva, Antonio Silva, Alessio Sakara, Din Thomas, Thiago Alves, Maximus Aurelio, Yves Edwards, Gleison Tibau, Wilson Gouveia, Roan Carneiro

Team Nogueira/Black House:
Anderson Silva, Minotauro and Minotoro Nogueira, Rafael Feijao, Lyoto Machida, Paulo Filho, Nino Schembri

Wolfslair:
Michael Bisping, Rampage Jackson, Cheick Kongo, Paul Kelly, Mario Neto

Jackson's Submission Fighting:
Georges St. Pierre, Nate Marquardt, Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, Roger Huerta, Jason MacDonald, David Loiseau, Joey Villasenor, Karo Parisyan

Team Quest:
Matt Lindland, Matt Horwich, Ryan Schultz, Ed Herman, Aaron Stark, Chris Wilson, Devin Cole, Chael Sonnen, Dan Henderson, RT Sokoudjou, Jason Miller

Chute Boxe:
Fabrico Werdum, Cyborg Santos, Jean Silva, Luiz Azeredo, Vitor Belfort

Celtic Fan · Sep 15, 2008

wait.. what.. When did Karo join Jackson's camp???

I'd give them top marks I think, although Team Nog/Black house is stacked it lacks any real depth that promises future dominance.

Jackson's camp is chock full of young fighters so it gets the nod
ATT is full of up and comers too and will be a strong camp for a loooong time.

Celtic Fan · Sep 15, 2008

some good food for thought

Greg Jackson: The Swamp Fox of MMA
by Kelly Crigger on Sep 15, 2008 at 12:05 pm ET
"I love the mist coming off the trees," Greg Jackson says staring at the early morning fog enshrouding the Georgia pine. "It reminds me of Francis Marion." Just the fact that he knows who Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion is turns my head. I'm an Army officer who sees the world through historical blunders and tactical victories, so Jackson is treading on my turf. Like he cares. Shocking people has become a hobby of his and he'd just pulled off his biggest surprise party the night prior when Rashad Evans knocked Chuck Liddell off the ‘top ten light heavyweights in the world' list. I've had a relationship with Jackson for over a year, but like the rest of the world, I'm learning that he has a knack for unpredictability; a facet that reinforces his nearly mythical status.

It's roughly eight o'clock in the morning and we've just finished an hour-long workout with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The soldiers catch their breath and cool down, but Jackson, covered in grass and sweat, is amped. "I can't think of a better way to start the day," he tells the troops. His days immediately after a stressful event like UFC 88 should be reserved for decompressing and relaxation, but instead he's on a road trip with me to spend a couple of days with soldiers in the muggy southern heat. That doesn't stop the MMA world from trying to find him despite the poor cell phone coverage.

"You have to continually evolve or perish," he tells a writer as he throws his feet on the dashboard (good thing it's a rental). "Chuck got predictable. We noticed that he dropped his left when he threw a right uppercut, so when Rashad saw it coming he did exactly what we practiced. He threw that overhand and found an unprotected chin."

Few, if any, gave Evans a chance of beating Liddell, much less knocking him out cold. But the X factor was Jackson and his ability to spot flaws in a fighter's game like no one else, so there's a justifiable hint of "I told you so" in his voice. In a brief moment of vexation, he releases his internal filter about certain MMA pundits. "They only see round-by-round, not the whole battle. It's short-sighted," he says tossing his iPhone on the dash.

Jackson is at Fort Stewart to pass along his knowledge to soldiers in the hopes that he can teach them something that might save their life in combat. But before that happens, they want to pass along some of their skills to him. The Cotton Baler Battalion, a unit steeped in tradition going back to the War of 1812, treats Jackson to a weapons range, something he revels in. Although a firm believer in liberal principles, he's got no problem with guns and smiles like he's just deciphered Sun Tzu when a sergeant hands him an M4 carbine and four clips of ammo. An hour later he's blown through those and four more, completing the standard qualification table against an array of pop-up targets.

"That was fun as hell," he says putting his weapon back on the rack. But fun isn't actually the goal. The range forces him to wear the same gear that troops do in combat-body armor and Kevlar helmet-so he gets an appreciation for just how encumbered they are and how difficult fighting is while wearing it. He makes a mental note of it for the seminar.

After a quick lunch in the mess hall we're on the way to the gym when a nagging issue gets the best of him. "Did you have guys on that WEC card?" our driver, Sergeant Venn asks, referring to the WEC 36 event that got postponed two months due to Hurricane Ike. "Yeah. I don't know how the hell I'm going to get them ready now," Jackson says scratching his beard. "It's tough enough getting a fighter prepared and doing all the things necessary to make sure he peaks at the right time. Then you tell him he has to wait eight weeks and…man that's tough. I don't know how I'm going to do it."

I'm sure he'll find a way, but there's no time to dwell on it. It's time for the main event. One step inside the gym door and Jackson's demeanor flips like a light switch as fifty sets of eyes descend upon him. This is his world. He downs an energy drink and commences teaching the Cotton Balers techniques they can use in any situation from Baghdad to Cleveland. Quick chokes, takedowns, and takedown defense comprise the first two hours before transitioning to the ground for the last one. "Forget jiu jitsu," he tells them. "With all that gear you need good old ground and pound."

"I can't believe how simple and effective some of these moves are," Captain Reza Shams remarks about the Jackson method for achieving a quick rear choke position. "That's one I'm going to keep with me."

On the mat Jackson sheds his "aw shucks" demeanor and takes charge like a true leader getting down to the most serious business possible-building better fighters and possibly saving lives. It's clear that teaching is what he was born to do. It's an all-consuming passion that fuels his insomnia and forces a daily regimen of energy drinks that makes outsiders cringe. Most people have three meals a day. Jackson has a cocktail of synthetic fuels that would give a rhino cardiac arrest.

The impetus for spending his life energy on others is fear. He's afraid of disappointing those who count on him-an act of selfless service that soldiers know well. Two nights prior it wasn't Rashad Evans who Jackson was nervous for. It was Nate Marquardt, who stopped Martin Kampmann in his tracks and ended his nine fight win streak by outstriking a striker. "I would have blamed myself a long time if he hadn't won," Jackson admits. "I always think I could have done more when a fighter loses."

That dedication to his men is reciprocated in their devotion to him; a point the Cotton Balers recognize and reward when the Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Greg Sierra, presents Jackson with a Battalion coin; a small symbol of respect among men who don't dole it out easily.

Were he still alive, Francis Marion would dub Greg Jackson ‘The Swamp Fox of MMA.' He leads an underrated band of devotees and uses the cover of his enemy's misplaced confidence to hit and run promotions from Las Vegas to Fairfax before withdrawing with as little fanfare as possible. He refuses to stagnate like the British who mired themselves in major urban areas and sought refuge behind futile fixed positions. The Redcoats were incapable of adapting to the unconventional ways of Marion's raiders or give them any respect for the formidable fighting force they were and in the end were defeated by their own contempt. Jackson's harassment of the sport and innovative thinking is no different.

But his days of being underestimated are numbered. Evans' KO was the shot heard round the MMA world that brought more attention to The Swamp Fox than he bargained for. Like Randy Couture, who was roundly doubted for coming out of retirement to fight Tim Sylvia, Jackson will find it very difficult to be the underdog after so many upset performances from his stable of fighters. The MMA community will expect more from the man who finds comfort in anonymity and then what will he do?

I'm betting he'll surprise us all again.
Click to expand...

speeds · Sep 15, 2008

Karo's been visiting Greg Jackson a bit recently since he recommitted himself to training, IIRC. I wouldn't consider him an official member of the camp until GJ is cornering him for a fight in the same sense that I haven't seen Fabio Holanda in GSP's corner yet from BTT Canada.

bbwtrench · Sep 15, 2008

Xtreme Couture!

isrus · Sep 15, 2008

I would say Xtreme Couture and Jackson Fighting, but i'm fairly new to MMA so i might be off

speeds · Sep 16, 2008

isrus said: ↑

I would say Xtreme Couture and Jackson Fighting, but i'm fairly new to MMA so i might be off
Click to expand...

I think most people would agree with you, experts or casual fans.

I'm biased towards Black House but its obvious they aren't developing a wide range of talent at the moment like ATT. They have the makings of a great camp and obviously their top end talent is all-world.

bbwtrench · Sep 16, 2008

I'd write in BJ Penns camp but haha....

Celtic Fan · Sep 17, 2008

Trench said: ↑

I'd write in BJ Penns camp but haha....
Click to expand...

but one man does not make the camp great

Obviously Blackhouse is strongest with the Nogeuira's, Silva and Filho but it's the lack of depth that makes me vote for Jackson's camp.

Big Frame · Sep 17, 2008

Id like to go to any camp with Gina Carano in it

speeds · Sep 17, 2008

Big Frame said: ↑

Id like to go to any camp with Gina Carano in it
Click to expand...

Fat camp?

Hey-o....

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Best Camp?

Best Camp?

Team Quest

Xtreme Couture

Black House/Team Nogueira

Brazilian Top Team/BTT Canada

Wolfslair

Jackson's Submission Fighting

American Top Team

Red Devil Sport Club

Chute Boxe

Other (ACS, AKA, Miletich, Freelance, etc.)

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Best Camp?

Best Camp?

Team Quest

Xtreme Couture

Black House/Team Nogueira

Brazilian Top Team/BTT Canada

Wolfslair

Jackson's Submission Fighting

American Top Team

Red Devil Sport Club

Chute Boxe

Other (ACS, AKA, Miletich, Freelance, etc.)

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speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

Celtic Fan Well-Known Member

Celtic Fan Well-Known Member

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

bbwtrench BBW Member

isrus Go Devils

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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