Founding Grappling Forum Members

[Star-Lord]

So we're the first in here. Sweet. Where do you guys train, what rank are you, what style? Any competition experience?

Im about to be 21 getting my second stripe on my purple August 15 been competing the last 5 years. Did the ADCC Trials. Took second at the UAEJJF US Open. Won NAGAs in the Expert division and was the 2012 Florida State Champ at 181.

I run and own an academy in Bradenton, Fl. My instructor is Bill Murphy a 3rd degree BB under Marcio Sima's and Sergio Penha. We both classify our style as more catch wrestling than bjj.

So let's hear it guys

 

[SC MMA MD]

I'm 41; four stripe blue belt five years into training BJJ. I train at the school Stephen Thompson's father runs in Simpsonville SC (Pitch Black MMA/Upstate Karate). The BJJ part of the academy is a Carlos Machado Affiliate (Stephens brother in law, Ray's Son in law). I help coach the kids BJJ class that both my kids are in.
I compete as often as I can (call schedule interferes a lot), but only in regional tournaments like NAGA, SC Grappling Championships, Newbreed, Lutador and IBJJF Atlanta Open. I have won my division in the smaller tournaments a few times, but in my eyes my best accomplishment was silver in my division at the IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open last year

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

I train at the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts which is a Renzo Gracie affiliate. We also get Kenny Johnson in from Blackhouse a couple times a year to do wrestling seminars, which I absolutely adore.

I took up BJJ in 2011 and got my blue last year. Our instructor is old school in that you basically get your next belt when he feels you're capable of wearing it anywhere in the world, particularly for those who represent the team competitively. I competed pretty extensively with mixed results as an adult white belt, but I'm looking forward to competing at masters blue, just have to find the time to get back onto the mats more regularly.

In terms of style I like to think that I play an aggressive top game, actively utilizing takedowns in a sport mostly void of those proficient with them, but I'm pretty sure I mostly just suck.

 

[BJTT_Pella]

FRAT WARNING!! (I dont even know what that means but people always say it before a long ass bullshit msg like this) I dont count but have to tell someone. A few years ago I joined a local BJJ club. It was awesome, i lovedcthe work outs, the training, the life style involved to do it. It was probably the healthiest and best year of my life. The owner was a point karate champ. He was a cool dude and was very involved. Also he was a Ralph Gracie brown at the time. I rolled there for Awhile. I was in love with the sport and the dedication I had to show just to make it there. I was never interested in belts, rank or that stuff. I did have at one point, and still would love to compete at BJJ. So after a few months of paying $160 a month i asked about their "fighter fit" class. They told me not to worry about paying for it, just show up. I had limited formal striking training. So I went out and bought some throw down bag gloves. I asked the owner of the gym about how to wrap my hands. He sold me a $4 combat sports mma quik wrap. There is zero support with that. That day while I hit the heavy bag I tore the TFCC ligement in my left wrist. I had surgery, multiple rehabs. Its fucked up. I wish I could still roll. How do I walk into a gym and tell them I want to roll, work out and train but my wrist is so fucked up I cant do a pushup and etc? I have thought about private lessons but I can afford the cost. If that fucker only would have showed me how to wrap my hands instead of being lazy and trying to make 2 bucks. I put so much effort and energy into it. Im still fucking depressed about it, I still wish I could train. If I could I would. I want to roll but cannot load my left wrist. I still have 100 percent grip strength but cannot over flex. If that makes sense. i miss rolling around with sweaty men, and once in awhile women in pajamas lol. Dont judge me. I just want to roll.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

FRAT WARNING!! (I dont even know what that means but people always say it before a long ass bullshit msg like this) I dont count but have to tell someone. A few years ago I joined a local BJJ club. It was awesome, i lovedcthe work outs, the training, the life style involved to do it. It was probably the healthiest and best year of my life. The owner was a point karate champ. He was a cool dude and was very involved. Also he was a Ralph Gracie brown at the time. I rolled there for Awhile. I was in love with the sport and the dedication I had to show just to make it there. I was never interested in belts, rank or that stuff. I did have at one point, and still would love to compete at BJJ. So after a few months of paying $160 a month i asked about their "fighter fit" class. They told me not to worry about paying for it, just show up. I had limited formal striking training. So I went out and bought some throw down bag gloves. I asked the owner of the gym about how to wrap my hands. He sold me a $4 combat sports mma quik wrap. There is zero support with that. That day while I hit the heavy bag I tore the TFCC ligement in my left wrist. I had surgery, multiple rehabs. Its fucked up. I wish I could still roll. How do I walk into a gym and tell them I want to roll, work out and train but my wrist is so fucked up I cant do a pushup and etc? I have thought about private lessons but I can afford the cost. If that fucker only would have showed me how to wrap my hands instead of being lazy and trying to make 2 bucks. I put so much effort and energy into it. Im still fucking depressed about it, I still wish I could train. If I could I would. I want to roll but cannot load my left wrist. I still have 100 percent grip strength but cannot over flex. If that makes sense. i miss rolling around with sweaty men, and once in awhile women in pajamas lol. Dont judge me. I just want to roll.

Most clubs are happy to have someone who's willing train around an injury. I've got a lot of training partners with various stages of injuries, and I don't mean stubbed toes. From the guy waiting on shoulder surgery for a torn muscle, to the guy who had his knee rebuilt. You can train around pretty much anything. It's pretty much how half guard was invented, lol.

 

[Star-Lord]

FRAT WARNING!! (I dont even know what that means but people always say it before a long ass bullshit msg like this) I dont count but have to tell someone. A few years ago I joined a local BJJ club. It was awesome, i lovedcthe work outs, the training, the life style involved to do it. It was probably the healthiest and best year of my life. The owner was a point karate champ. He was a cool dude and was very involved. Also he was a Ralph Gracie brown at the time. I rolled there for Awhile. I was in love with the sport and the dedication I had to show just to make it there. I was never interested in belts, rank or that stuff. I did have at one point, and still would love to compete at BJJ. So after a few months of paying $160 a month i asked about their "fighter fit" class. They told me not to worry about paying for it, just show up. I had limited formal striking training. So I went out and bought some throw down bag gloves. I asked the owner of the gym about how to wrap my hands. He sold me a $4 combat sports mma quik wrap. There is zero support with that. That day while I hit the heavy bag I tore the TFCC ligement in my left wrist. I had surgery, multiple rehabs. Its fucked up. I wish I could still roll. How do I walk into a gym and tell them I want to roll, work out and train but my wrist is so fucked up I cant do a pushup and etc? I have thought about private lessons but I can afford the cost. If that fucker only would have showed me how to wrap my hands instead of being lazy and trying to make 2 bucks. I put so much effort and energy into it. Im still fucking depressed about it, I still wish I could train. If I could I would. I want to roll but cannot load my left wrist. I still have 100 percent grip strength but cannot over flex. If that makes sense. i miss rolling around with sweaty men, and once in awhile women in pajamas lol. Dont judge me. I just want to roll.

Don't give up man. Plenty of people train around injuries. I know guys that tie their hand in their belt to avoid injury on a shoulder. Just be careful

 

[B17]

10th Planet. Will probably never earn a promotion. Which is just fine. I'm just having fun.

 

[Darqnezz]

FRAT WARNING!! (I dont even know what that means but people always say it before a long ass bullshit msg like this) I dont count but have to tell someone. A few years ago I joined a local BJJ club. It was awesome, i lovedcthe work outs, the training, the life style involved to do it. It was probably the healthiest and best year of my life. The owner was a point karate champ. He was a cool dude and was very involved. Also he was a Ralph Gracie brown at the time. I rolled there for Awhile. I was in love with the sport and the dedication I had to show just to make it there. I was never interested in belts, rank or that stuff. I did have at one point, and still would love to compete at BJJ. So after a few months of paying $160 a month i asked about their "fighter fit" class. They told me not to worry about paying for it, just show up. I had limited formal striking training. So I went out and bought some throw down bag gloves. I asked the owner of the gym about how to wrap my hands. He sold me a $4 combat sports mma quik wrap. There is zero support with that. That day while I hit the heavy bag I tore the TFCC ligement in my left wrist. I had surgery, multiple rehabs. Its fucked up. I wish I could still roll. How do I walk into a gym and tell them I want to roll, work out and train but my wrist is so fucked up I cant do a pushup and etc? I have thought about private lessons but I can afford the cost. If that fucker only would have showed me how to wrap my hands instead of being lazy and trying to make 2 bucks. I put so much effort and energy into it. Im still fucking depressed about it, I still wish I could train. If I could I would. I want to roll but cannot load my left wrist. I still have 100 percent grip strength but cannot over flex. If that makes sense. i miss rolling around with sweaty men, and once in awhile women in pajamas lol. Dont judge me. I just want to roll.

You don't need wrists to roll. Let your training partner know what's up. Don't roll with aggro dudes, & you'll be ok.

 

[Darqnezz]

Oh yeah. I'm a 44 year old blue belt under Leo Dalla. I train 3-4 times a week at Premier Fight Center in Woodbridge, Va. I don't compete. I'm saving my skills for the streets...lol. Really, I just work a lot. I hope to compete next year. Maybe Masters Worlds, who knows?
Style: I don't have one. I'm still a blue belt, so I defend...A LOT.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Jorge Pereira > Leo Dalla > Me. My goal is to roll with as many different people as I can on my way to Black belt.

 

[BJTT_Pella]

Thanks guys. I just heard we have a black belt from one of Dave Camarillo's gyms who opened a place in town. So im gonna go check that place out soon.

 

[Left Hook Larry]

22 yr old blue belt BJJ. Never competed and I don't plan on it anytime soon. My thoughts are - you can go 100% in the gym with guys in a competitive roll so what's the point of a $60 entry fee to wrestle a sweaty grown man? If I could beat everyone at the gym it would be a different story but I can't.

 

[El_Varaco]

36 yr old white belt could have gotten stripes but I missed the grading

My opinion doesn't count so I'll just stay over here and read.

 

[Darqnezz]

36 yr old white belt could have gotten stripes but I missed the grading

My opinion doesn't count so I'll just stay over here and read.

Every opinion counts. Some more than others...lol, but they all count.

 

[Left Hook Larry]

36 yr old white belt could have gotten stripes but I missed the grading

My opinion doesn't count so I'll just stay over here and read.

Belts don't mean much imo.

 

[Leigh]

I run my own MMA and no gi gym. I train under David Onuma, a UK based black belt. I compete as a blue belt in a gi and a black belt no gi.

I do feel a bit guilty fighting blue belts.

 

[El_Varaco]

I run my own MMA and no gi gym. I train under David Onuma, a UK based black belt. I compete as a blue belt in a gi and a black belt no gi.

I do feel a bit guilty fighting blue belts.

 

[El_Varaco]

Every opinion counts. Some more than others...lol, but they all count.

I think you'd be surprised.

 

[Leigh]

Hahaha I had a sandbag as my profile pic on Facebook. But I can't just enter a BJJ comp as a black belt.

 

[Darqnezz]

I run my own MMA and no gi gym. I train under David Onuma, a UK based black belt. I compete as a blue belt in a gi and a black belt no gi.

I do feel a bit guilty fighting blue belts.

 

[kneeblock]

I miss grappling and have been doing it off and on since 1996 with @peter_weyland

I will just stay quiet and live vicariously until I get back on the mats.

 

[member 603]

Well I train and teach at The 6 Levels in Winter Garden Florida, I've been training BJJ for 15 years now (as well as 2.5 years of Judo and Sambo before that). I was promoted to Black Belt last December. I've trained the last 10 years under Jonathan Burke (who I received my black belt from), so my lineage is Mitsuyo Maeda>Helio Gracie>Royce Gracie>Jonathan Burke>Me.... But along the way I've had the privilege to train with Din Thomas, Igor Zinoviev, Royce Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Rigan Machado, Matt Serra, Bas Rutten, Nate Diaz, Rob Kahn, Matt Arroyo, and others.

Nowadays I also serve as the national tournament director for Newbreed, so I'm heavily involved with the sport Jiu Jitsu community.

 

[BJTT_Pella]

I finally made it. Tonight was the first time i was back on the mats in about 6 years.

 

[Sweets]

I just started no gi on the 10th of the month, and I love it. Got mounted and laughed at by a 17 year old I outweigh by about a third, it was great. I eventually pinned his knee to the floor with my right hand and hulked through his opposite hip, it worked, but only cause I was so much bigger than him I think.

 

[Alvar]

Hi, 40 year old 3 stripe white belt here...on my 4th training restart - i first started 15 years ago when the highest grade in my area was a new blue. Only making 1-2 classes a week, so my progress is slow and sometimes frustrating but i love to train!

 

[wizzlioni]

Martial artist for 20 + years. Grappling no gi/mma/wrestling for 8 years, 3 stripe white bjj, minor rank in judo...Have tapped black/brown/purple belts,some by skill, some by luck, haven't competed in years. The belts are there for me, I've just never worked hard enough at it.
I get destroyed by legit blacks.