Jim Genia Leads a Panel on NY Underground MMA

The Jacob Javits convention center in the far west side of midtown Manhattan hosted the World MMA Expo this past November 17-18, 2011.  The multi-faceted event was comprised of a jiu-jitsu tournament, mixed-fighting exhibition matches in a cage, autograph signings from famous MMA stars, panel discussions, and more.  NY MMA stars Kenny Rivera and Jonathan Rodriguez were both victorious in the cage.  Jonathan Rodriguez, currently on a winning streak of over ten wins, got through the wrestling and kickboxing rounds and secured his patented triangle choke midway into the final grappling round. Look out for these two.

Igor Gracie and student Ottavia Bourdain before Jiu Jitsu Lessons in NYC

MMA disciple Ottavia Bourdain takes her grappling seriously, working out about five times a week with BJJ giant Igor Gracie at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC.  I spent an hour at the academy shooting the friendly and enthusiastic martial artist at work preparing for an upcoming grappling tourniment that she plans to compete in.  Igor Gracie fights in Duelo de Titas on the same day and will not be in her corner for the competition.  The two grapplers worked submissions and positions over and over, Igor tapping every few minutes, and in the end Mrs. Bourdain asked Igor to up the pressure.  After a valliant struggle, Ottavia tapped out in the final minutes of the workout, succumbing to a deadly rear naked choke slapped on by the much bigger Gracie.  Look for more photos from this shoot, including pics of the two grapplers training, and an article featuring Ottavia Bourdain and her husband Anthony Bourdain in an upcoming issue of Fight! Magazine.