Mario Sperry and Murilo Bustamante - Master Series 1
Number of moves: 72
Number of Tapes: 5
Cost: $200
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Moves per Dollar: $2.77
Rating: 5 Stars
Year tape set was released: 1998
Ordering Information: Call World Marial Arts at 1-800-682-9842 or go to GroundFighter.com.
Craaaack!!! Going!! Going!!! Going!!! Gonnnnne!! Sperry has had three at bats and has hit three out of the park!! Mario is setting a new standard for BJJ tapes. The hardest part of this review was deciding whether to rate the Master Series as the best tape set on the market. I seem to have this problem every time Mario puts out a new tape set. Oh well, I think this is a problem I can learn to live with.
I can say without hesitation that the Master Series crushes every sport tape set on the market in a huge way. Yes, that even includes Pedro Carvalho!!! Pedro's 4 year reign at the top of the sport BJJ tape market is over. You heard it here first. Plain and simple, Mario and Murilo are practicing a higher level of BJJ than Pedro or most anyone else in the tape market for that matter. Even better, Mario and Murilo are willing to show us what they know.
Does this mean that you should forget buying Pedro's tapes and just get Mario's. No, absolutely not. The Master Series is an intermediate to advanced tape set. This is NOT a set for beginners. Get Pedro 1 and 2 and the first 4 tapes of Pedro 3 (The last 4 have a lot of overlap with set 1 and 2). You need this info to give you the basics and a solid foundation. Once you get proficient with these moves you are ready for the Master Series. (Note: The Pedro Carvalho 1 set was marketed as an advanced tape set. This was true at the time. Pedro introduces most of us to a whole bunch of things including something called "knee on chest." However, looking back on things now, Pedro's tapes are just a comprehensive look at the basics. Pedro gives you a good understanding of all the basic positions and escapes. What we called Basics tapes in those days, really don't even rate and should be called "introduction to the basics of BJJ." This is similar to special effects in movies. What passed for a monster in the old days ( a tin foil covered rock in Star Trek) would not be accepted in today's CGI special effects world. And no the C and G do not stand for Carlson Gracie).
The Master Series, like the Vale Tudo 1 and 2, make the basic assumption that your opponent is someone like Mario Sperry or Murilo Bustamante. The moves and escapes that might work on lower belts, get laughed at and tossed out. The moves work, just not at this level of BJJ. These guys have seen most everything and know the counters to the counters. This set deals with what really works against a highly skilled opponent.
While Mario and Murilo work well as a team this tape set is really Murilo's. It was Murilo who selected and organized the moves. Mario is there to take the falls and do the talking. I don't think Murilo speaks a lot of English. Mario certainly takes some abuse throughout this tape set. A couple of times Mario nearly passes out from a choke or gets his arm cracked from having the moves demonstrated.
Mario stresses throughout the tape set that he wants to show the moves linked together and not in isolation. This is what Mario calls the "Dynamic of the fight." All the moves are shown in their natural habitat and not sequestered. You see realistic combinations that link together. You see what a smart opponent would do. Counters and counters to those counters are what win fights at this level.
For ordering the whole tapes set at once you get a bonus tape of the 1998 World Championships Absolute Division finals. You get to see both Mario and Murilo fight for the title. At the end of the tape is the footage of Mario beating Royler Gracie at the National Championships. This is all clear high quality footage.
Bottom Line:
If you want sport BJJ, get this tape set. It is the best sport BJJ tape set on the market. Period. Sorry, Pedro there is a new sheriff in town and the top spot now goes to Mario and Murilo. For you beginners out there, wait on this tape set and get something like Pedro. In the end, all I can say is, I WANT more!!!
Tape 1 -Advanced Takedowns and Standup Strategies
Length: 47 minutes
Number of Moves: 19
This is the first sport tape set to seriously deal with the BJJ tournament standup game. This is not a tape of takedowns. This is a standup strategy tape that blends together a series of takedowns as part of that strategy. This tape deals with getting the advantage by obtaining a superior grip on your opponent's uniform. This can be the deciding factor for winning the standup game. (Note: Even Ippon Books devoted a whole book to just the topic of Grips.) Then Mario and Murilo switch the tables and show how to get someone to let go of your uniform. The tape then moves into a series of realistic takedowns and even how to avoid ending up in the guard. This being a realistic tape set, Mario covers what to do if your opponent is much better than you. This is the classic pull them into the guard. Mario covers how to properly pull an opponent into the guard and how to avoid having them pass your guard when you attempt to do this. All great stuff.
Tape 2 - Advanced Guard
Length: 44:30
Number of Moves: 13
This tape focuses on a whole web of moves that start with you trying to sweep your opponent who is in your guard. Most of the discussion centers around the common and effective (yet not often discussed) sweep where your opponent stands in you guard and you respond by hooking your arm behind his ankle and pulling your ear to his foot, then "sit on his knee" to push your opponent to the ground. Mario and Murilo cover several variations to this move along with counters and counters to those counters. Mario effectively show the "dynamic" of what happens in a real match with experienced fighters. I walked away from this tape wanting three more just like it. Hopefully, Mario will continue with this type of material in future tapes. Note: for those who can't wait to get more of the Advanced Guard fighting, I highly recommend the "Free" tape called World Championship Tournament Techniques" that Mario did awhile back. This tape was free if you ordered a bunch of tournament tapes. This is still the best single sport BJJ tape on the market. Hands down! Case closed!
Tape 3 -Advanced Submissions Part 1
Length: 46:18 minutes
Number of Moves: 20
This is a great tape adds tremendous depth to familiar positions - the triple attack and the triangle choke. This tape spends most of its time dealing with attacks and counters to counter from these two positions. Working through these moves you will have an answer for most everything your opponent will attempt. In the end Mario and Murilo bring the triple attack and the triangle together to show you that they are extension of each other and what you thought was two separate positions becomes one. Kind of Zen like don't you think?
Tape 4-Advanced Submissions Part 2
Length: 40:45 minutes
Number of Moves: 9
This tape covers 360 degrees around your basic armlock from the guard. Time to go back to school and learn what you should have as a blue belt. Again, as with all the tapes, you see a counter, then a counter-counter, and then the counter to that. You really feel that no matter what your opponent tries to do you will have an answer waiting whether that be a gi choke, armbar, wrist lock or triangle.
Tape 5-Advanced Turnovers and Sweeps
Length: 43:45 minutes
Number of Moves: 11
This tape is divided into three types of open guard. The first section has you with your left foot on your opponent's hip and your right leg wrapped around your opponent's left knee. You are also hanging onto one or both of your opponent's arms. The second open guard is where you sit on one of your opponent's feet and are almost parallel to him. Last but not least, is the open guard where you place your left foot on the biceps of your opponent's right arm and find various places for your right foot. In each of these positions Mario and Murilo walk through a series of sweeps and counters and then a counter sweep. Again, like all the tapes, the material is presented to give you a deeper understanding of the position. You walk away feeling that you have an answer for most of the things your opponent might attempt. All great stuff.
