Master Fabio Gurgel opts to grab his opponent's lapel rather than their belt for an Over/Under Pass: Starting from inside control over your opponent's Open-Guard, if you cannot readily cross your leg over for a Knee-Slide Pass, you can...

Master Fabio Gurgel shares a variation on the Leg-Weave/Tripod Pass: When posting your hand against your opponent's torso to maintain an upright posture inside their Closed-Guard, grip onto both sides of their lapels for greater stabil...

2 Part Technique - If your opponent grabs both of your sleeves while holding onto the Closed Guard, assume that he is waiting to transition to the Spider Guard. Although Marcelo knows how to unravel the hooks and pass the Spider Guard,...

2 Part Technique - When your opponent grabs for Double Sleeve Control from the Closed Guard, it's usually a good indication that he is planning on playing Spider Guard when you try to open him. Spoil his intentions after he releases hi...

3 Part Lesson - Marcelo instructs one of his leading go-to combos by chaining together a Knee Slide into Half Guard, then Back Stepping with his left leg towards the far side.

2 Part Technique - Immediately stabilize your posture in your opponent's Closed Guard with a counter-grip on his gi when he secures collar grip. When able, latch onto his wrist or sleeve with both hands and tug it off of your gi while ...

2 Part Technique - If your opponent begins to interfere with your pushing hand while you break his Closed Guard from Standing, grab onto his gi pants on the inside of his knee so that you can continue applying pressure. Keep hold of th...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo wants his students to find the line between Safety & Danger: [I] Never let your feet get ahead of your hands. If you plant your base too closely to your opponent, he may find a hook or grip that will lead to you...

2 Part Technique - Find the structural weak points in your opponents positioning and exploit them whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. For example, as soon as you clean off your opponents grips in De-La-Riva Guard, his pr...

2 Part Technique - If you have any intention of breaking out of your opponent's Closed Guard, you're going to have to stand up. When you do, you have to be ready to balance yourself against his sweep attacks. After popping up to your f...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo puts pressure on a defensive Butterfly Guard: [I] If you can find a gap along your opponent's side, fire your lead leg knee through the space for the Knee Slide Pass. If the opponent's elbow is tightly defending...

3 Part Technique - If your opponent jumps Closed Guard with the intention of taking you down, lean forward and low to take away the space for his legs to open and stand. If tries to stand or if his guard breaks, pin his knee to the mat...

2 Part Lesson — Marcelo exploits the reduced friction of nogi: [I] Deprive your opponent of any control when standing above his Open Guard and thrust your knee across his leg, slipping through his defenses and landing heavily on his si...