MMA History lesson: Oswaldo Alves

I was watching Brazilian jiu-jitsu grandmaster Oswaldo Alves's instructional DVD and noticed that he works the gi like judokas in the old Kosen judo videos. He demonstrated the stomach arm lock (hara-gatame) and side triangle choke (yoko sankaku jime). These two moves are not often seen in Brazilian jiu-jitsu or MMA.

Although a great influence in the early development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Alves seems to move a little differently from the typical BJJ guys. Alves has trained with the legend Masahiko Kimura and two times Olympic gold medalist Isao Okano (two of the greatest ever in the history of Judo) as well as Yasuhiro Yamashita and is said to have brought back side control techniques into Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the judo style newaza influence can be seen in this DVD.

Interview with Oswaldo Alves: http://onthemat.com/articles/Interview_with_Oswaldo_Alves_10_28_2004.html

Oswaldo Alves book/instructional DVD: http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=28992

Then Judo World champion Masahiko Kimura choking Helio Gracie with yoko sankaku in their 1951 match