UFC star Frankie Edgar on where you make the most mistakes in Jiu-Jitsu

Ricardo Cachorrão and Frankie Edgar at the gym in New Jersey. Photo: Publicity

A Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and former lightweight champion of the UFC, the good fella Frankie Edgar, 30, released his own reality show, and the ones who gain from it are us, from the hundreds of lessons it has to offer.

In the first two episodes, Ricardo Cachorrão and the Renzo Gracie student talk about the UFC 150 event, look back on what he has learned over his seven-year career, discuss making a move down a weight class to take on José Aldo, and provide several lessons in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

Examples?

1. Competing is evolving

“If you go to the gym everyday, if you practice and observe, you will improve. But it’s by competing that you really learn. Your game develops faster after every championship,” explains Frankie.

2. A good Jiu-Jitsu student is one who tries to prove to himself that he can do it

According to Ricardo Cachorrão, Frankie is one of the most dedicated students he’s had because he repeats, repeats and repeats the techniques not to please the instructors, but to satisfy himself. “He always tries to overcome. Not to show it to someone, but to prove to himself that he is able to do it,” says Ricardo.

3. If your team is winning, don’t change the players

A good attack is one that works. The right way is the one that gets you the finish. If it’s working the way it is, then you’re doing it right. When it starts going wrong, find the mistake and correct it. That’s what Renzo Gracie teaches in the video, talking about Frankie’s weight. “He was already the lightweight champion when the UFC created the featherweight category. And like we say in Brazil, if our team is winning, don’t change the players”, says Gracie.

4. Changing category is not the winning formula 

“I’ll end up changing category in the future, but it’s not any formula for UFC success. Reducing weight doesn’t mean the guy will get there and dominate the new category”, explains Edgar.

5. Lost it? Don’t try to make something different; try to make something better

About his defeat to Ben Henderson, Frankie teaches: “When I get a taste of defeat, I get anxious to get a chance to fight the guy again and give it back,” he says. “For the rematch on August 11, I don’t intend to make anything different. Just to do the same, but better”.