a foto Dustin Denes terminando com o Marcelinho no final
campeonato brasileiro de jiu-jitsu
final do absoluto faixa marrom
a data 22 de outubro. 2000
campeonato brasileiro de jiu-jitsu
final do absoluto faixa marrom
a data 22 de outubro. 2000
Sunday late am was the scheduled time for the absolute division to start. I was to meet coach Zé Mario Sperry in São conrado and ride with him to Ilha do Governador (Campeonato Brasileiro). I just needed to get from where I lived in Barra to São conrado, very easy on a regular workday. However taxi and buses were very limited on Sundays, and the checkpoints were also different.
I found myself running down the avenue of americas in Barra. Timing was now on the wire to meet my ride in São conrado. I ran for a couple miles before finally waving down a bus. I recall it vividly. I was sweating bullets running down the road with my backpack on. I remember thinking to myself "slow down Dustin, save the energy for the tournament." Reality was, if I didn't run I'd miss my ride. I was so Determined that it didn't really matter to me. I ran not with confidence, but with Certainty that day. State of certainty can be achieved! Practice. More Practice. Discipline. Sacrifice. DO THE WORK !!! PREPARATION
I got the bus and made it to São conrado. Then on with it! Stategy was key that day, especially in winning the finals. Thanks Zé Mario, the strategy worked! My state of Certainty was also a powerful tool on that day. I tapped enormous amount of potential because I was CERTAIN of victory. The potential determined the actions I took to win. I took enormous action in all my matches that day. Action determines Results. The Results then re-inforce an even stronger state of Certainty. Champion mindset!
I stole the show and won the Brazilian Championship 2000! All matches by submission. Then . .
Dustin Denes (Brazilian Top Team) submit Anderson Leal (Gama Filho) in the semi-final
Dustin Denes (Brazilian Top Team) submit Marcelo Garcia (Alliance) in the final
Do You think I won the Championship alone ? No way. BTT !!!
MG = MY GOLD // CHAMPION STORY link here
a foto incompleta BRAZILIAN TOP TEAM
Gong kakutougi Japanese magazine
a data setembro 2001
Gong kakutougi Japanese magazine
a data setembro 2001
Do You want to be a Champion ? surround yourself with Champions.
a foto Puma, Marcus "Conan" Silveira, Marcelo "Brutus" Silveira, and Clean
Dustin Denes depois de receber a faixa preta
a data 16 de outubro. 2001
Dustin Denes depois de receber a faixa preta
a data 16 de outubro. 2001
Loyalty lesson
Ricardo de la Riva handed me a Black Belt the day after I became Brazilian Champion in the end October 2000. In a heartbeat, I turned it down. I had received my blue, purple, and brown belt from Conan, so felt it was his decision to award my promotion to Black Belt. The Respecful thing to do. A year later I was awarded my Black Belt from Conan, only after I had fought in Professional MMA. Earned proper. Down the road and to date, I accepted all my Black belt degrees from Ricardo De La Riva. Afterall, I studied with De La Riva for many years daily in Rio de janeiro.
Ricardo de la Riva handed me a Black Belt the day after I became Brazilian Champion in the end October 2000. In a heartbeat, I turned it down. I had received my blue, purple, and brown belt from Conan, so felt it was his decision to award my promotion to Black Belt. The Respecful thing to do. A year later I was awarded my Black Belt from Conan, only after I had fought in Professional MMA. Earned proper. Down the road and to date, I accepted all my Black belt degrees from Ricardo De La Riva. Afterall, I studied with De La Riva for many years daily in Rio de janeiro.
a foto Dustin Denes. Jeff Monson and gal. Rhadi Ferguson
AMERICAN TOP TEAM victory at PRIDE 34 Main event (last Pride show in history)
a data 8 de abril. 2007
Saitama Japan
AMERICAN TOP TEAM victory at PRIDE 34 Main event (last Pride show in history)
a data 8 de abril. 2007
Saitama Japan
PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS was the world-leader in MMA for many years, but it suffered a downfall which led to a final show in the spring of 2007. American Top Team fighter Jeff Monson got booked in for the main event, against a heavyweight Japanese superstar wrestler named Fujita. Great match-up for the fans, but we were on a Mission to bring home the victory for American Top Team.
Jeff approached me immediately once the fight was booked, and requested that I travel with him to work the corner. I accepted in a heartbeat! I then asked him "who else will work your corner with me?" He replied, "I put my girlfriend's name in for the other plane ticket, and she'll be there to work the corner with you." I couldn't believe it for a second, but I know Jeff too well and he was dead serious. Not a perfect world! Last minute, our teammate Rhadi picked up a ticket of his own to come out and support.
Let's take trip back, to a training session we had at the PRIDE dojo, just a couple days prior to the show. I spoke about this in a recent article, but due to the mystery and many inquiries, I'll take you just a little deeper into my masterpiece, The TERROR-LOCK.
Jeff approached me immediately once the fight was booked, and requested that I travel with him to work the corner. I accepted in a heartbeat! I then asked him "who else will work your corner with me?" He replied, "I put my girlfriend's name in for the other plane ticket, and she'll be there to work the corner with you." I couldn't believe it for a second, but I know Jeff too well and he was dead serious. Not a perfect world! Last minute, our teammate Rhadi picked up a ticket of his own to come out and support.
Let's take trip back, to a training session we had at the PRIDE dojo, just a couple days prior to the show. I spoke about this in a recent article, but due to the mystery and many inquiries, I'll take you just a little deeper into my masterpiece, The TERROR-LOCK.
a foto Jeff Monson. Rhadi Ferguson. Dustin Denes
locale PRIDE DOJO (on the list of gyms to witness the invisible angle and horror of my masterpiece. The Terror-lock)
locale PRIDE DOJO (on the list of gyms to witness the invisible angle and horror of my masterpiece. The Terror-lock)
I remember Jeff did a "light round" of training with Rhadi, might as well call it 'organized despair' because that's exactly what it was. They looked like a couple sissies training. The Japanese fighter wasn't going to be nice. From my experience, the training needed to be legitimate and that's why I was on the real ticket to Japan. I was there to keep Jeff sharp, but also there to keep him HONEST.
Jeff and I grappled for a round. After minutes of hard fought battle, I scored the angle and locked 'em in The TERROR-LOCK. His defensive efforts were valiant but to no avail. His position was worsening and he was still refusing to HONOR my masterpiece (he needed to tap or verbally submit). Jeff was on the brink and about to receive a violent lesson in RESPECT. Rhadi saw the danger and called for me to "STOP!" Ha, he wanted the perfect world. No sir. It's imperfect!
What triggered in my mind was "NO!" Why? The Jiu-Jitsu hierarchy was in place, and the guy giving the order was an amateur in my world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Professional Fight. Brief examination. Jeff a world-class grappling Champion of Champions. He beat so many black belts, but he didn't beat me (reason he joined ATT). Rhadi, a Judo Olympian with a good American ground game. As for myself, a real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt roots Clube Carlson Gracie, Pro-MMA veteran soldier to Brazilian Top Team, and American Top Team. HONOR The hierarchy. Apples to oranges, can't compare.
I have only a guess of what was going through Jeff's mind when he was locked into The TERROR-LOCK. He had to make a decision quickly, because I was pushing it! Remember, it's my job to keep him HONEST. He must show RESPECT. He screamed (verbally submit) and gave the HONOR to my masterpiece. Smart guy. For everyone reading this . . Be honest w/ yourself!
Key values for life: Honesty, Respect, and Honor.
Jeff won the fight! Memorable. AMERICAN TOP TEAM !!!
"Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts." Dan Gable
SURFER
a foto Kelly Slater and Dustin Denes
locale Velzyland Ns oahu hawai'i
a data 2 de janeiro. 2019
Florida boys get after it!!
locale Velzyland Ns oahu hawai'i
a data 2 de janeiro. 2019
Florida boys get after it!!
Same location, Velzyland. Fast-forward a year. Taken from my notes on the day: January 1, 2020.
My main board a 6'8 STRETCH The Thing was dinged up and on the rack that day. I borrowed a 6'10 x 18.75 x 2.3/8 TOKORO that was brand new and had "Never been kissed!" It was about to go all the way on this day. In a perfect world my STRETCH would've been the one for this day, but it wasn't and I needed to SURF!!!! Champions find a way.
There was a BIG west-northwest swell making impact on the North shore of oahu. I wanted to surf in the morning but V-land was still too big, just blown out. The waves also had morning sickness, but the swell was dropping slowly. I decided to save my energy for the window of time where the waves would come into play and I could start the year with a memorable score.
I watched the waves closely the entire day, but only decided to make my move when the sun was already setting. Understand, all the surfers were lookin to start the year with an epic wave. No better way to start the year! In a perfect world, all the surfers would've scored a memorable wave that day. The world is imperfect! But an invisible leverage exists for the Champions.
Velzyland remained blown out for the entire day, but its neighbor wave Freddieland came into play later and was powering proper by late afternoon. After a long day of waiting, I finally grabbed my board to go surf! If I waited any longer it would be too dark. The window was NOW ! I watched and studied from shore. The wave was very crowded, at least 30 people at the far outside peak.
I saw a few surfers paddle in. Everyone disappointed because it was tough out there. The wave was powering two to three story buildings, but it was very crowded. Like I said, everyone looking to score an epic wave on New year's day. I came up with a Strategy. Plan was to go straight to the top far outside and deep on the left. I re-iterated to myself that it was very crowded and I would have to Go For it! I made a pact with myself that when the set came, and I saw the wave I wanted, I would go on it! Commitment! No looking back, All IN. I did exactly that and it worked!
It was no accident because I DO THE WORK !!! I surf there all the time. Practice. More Practice. Discipline. Sacrifice.
The wave was a Bomb Left! Stellar angle at entry, blazing fast at bottomturn to a huge frontside / Bash the lip! I stole the show!! All within 20 minutes time in the water. That same wave, I rode in to finish the session. SUPER WAY TO START 2020 !!!!
My main board a 6'8 STRETCH The Thing was dinged up and on the rack that day. I borrowed a 6'10 x 18.75 x 2.3/8 TOKORO that was brand new and had "Never been kissed!" It was about to go all the way on this day. In a perfect world my STRETCH would've been the one for this day, but it wasn't and I needed to SURF!!!! Champions find a way.
There was a BIG west-northwest swell making impact on the North shore of oahu. I wanted to surf in the morning but V-land was still too big, just blown out. The waves also had morning sickness, but the swell was dropping slowly. I decided to save my energy for the window of time where the waves would come into play and I could start the year with a memorable score.
I watched the waves closely the entire day, but only decided to make my move when the sun was already setting. Understand, all the surfers were lookin to start the year with an epic wave. No better way to start the year! In a perfect world, all the surfers would've scored a memorable wave that day. The world is imperfect! But an invisible leverage exists for the Champions.
Velzyland remained blown out for the entire day, but its neighbor wave Freddieland came into play later and was powering proper by late afternoon. After a long day of waiting, I finally grabbed my board to go surf! If I waited any longer it would be too dark. The window was NOW ! I watched and studied from shore. The wave was very crowded, at least 30 people at the far outside peak.
I saw a few surfers paddle in. Everyone disappointed because it was tough out there. The wave was powering two to three story buildings, but it was very crowded. Like I said, everyone looking to score an epic wave on New year's day. I came up with a Strategy. Plan was to go straight to the top far outside and deep on the left. I re-iterated to myself that it was very crowded and I would have to Go For it! I made a pact with myself that when the set came, and I saw the wave I wanted, I would go on it! Commitment! No looking back, All IN. I did exactly that and it worked!
It was no accident because I DO THE WORK !!! I surf there all the time. Practice. More Practice. Discipline. Sacrifice.
The wave was a Bomb Left! Stellar angle at entry, blazing fast at bottomturn to a huge frontside / Bash the lip! I stole the show!! All within 20 minutes time in the water. That same wave, I rode in to finish the session. SUPER WAY TO START 2020 !!!!
“The true genius shudders at incompleteness — imperfection — and usually prefers silence to saying the something which is not everything that should be said.” Edgar Allan Poe
Finish STRONG .
THE ROOTS
a foto Clube Carlson Gracie '99
Carlos xuxu, Suyan, Dustin Denes, José Mario Sperry, Murilo Bustamante, V Marinho, MF
Rua Figueiredo de Magalhães, 414 - 3° andar - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Carlos xuxu, Suyan, Dustin Denes, José Mario Sperry, Murilo Bustamante, V Marinho, MF
Rua Figueiredo de Magalhães, 414 - 3° andar - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Art has many heroes. Jean Michel Basquiat, Wilfredo Lam, Leo da Vinci, Dali, and M.C. Escher to name a few. Music has Beethoven, Ravel, Prince, and Stevie Nicks. Surfing Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, and Ronnie Burns. Jiu-Jitsu has heroes too. Personally, I look to the one's who defended the flag of Jiu-Jitsu successfully in Sport And Real Fight. The picture above includes two individuals who I consider to be real Jiu-Jitsu heroes. Both are avid surfers, Murilo Bustamante and Zé Mario Sperry. Yours truly studied and trained under the guidance of both for many years in Rio de janeiro. I am truly Honored.
Read the testimonial. Then watch a JIU-JITSU HERO deliver versus Igor Vovchanchyn in PRIDE 17 (see below)
Read the testimonial. Then watch a JIU-JITSU HERO deliver versus Igor Vovchanchyn in PRIDE 17 (see below)
TESTIMONIAL
"I've met Dustin first time with Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira. It was back on the 90s. Dustin was a young kid and right away I could see his perseverence and will to learn JJ. For sure he was the first foreigner I saw that could really understand the concept of BJJ as a martial art. His biggest asset an an athlete, was not just the speed that he learned the technics, nor his respect to his training partners... His biggest quality was shown when he started to develop his own technics. It is a pleasure to see how far he went as an athlete."
Zé Mario Sperry, MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Hero and World Champion
"I've met Dustin first time with Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira. It was back on the 90s. Dustin was a young kid and right away I could see his perseverence and will to learn JJ. For sure he was the first foreigner I saw that could really understand the concept of BJJ as a martial art. His biggest asset an an athlete, was not just the speed that he learned the technics, nor his respect to his training partners... His biggest quality was shown when he started to develop his own technics. It is a pleasure to see how far he went as an athlete."
Zé Mario Sperry, MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Hero and World Champion
"Have no fear of perfection -you'll never reach it." Salvador Dali
Быть знаменитым некрасиво.
Не это подымает ввысь.
Не надо заводить архива,
Над рукописями трястись.
Цель творчества самоотдача,
А не шумиха, не успех.
Позорно ничего не знача,
Быть притчей на устах у всех.
— Борис Пастернак, Сестра моя — жизнь
Не это подымает ввысь.
Не надо заводить архива,
Над рукописями трястись.
Цель творчества самоотдача,
А не шумиха, не успех.
Позорно ничего не знача,
Быть притчей на устах у всех.
— Борис Пастернак, Сестра моя — жизнь