Directly, I’ve used BJJ a couple times to break up fights.
The first time a bunch of friends and I were out watching a fights at a bar and some guy started getting rowdy.
Another time I had to grab a guy and take him outside when he took a swing at my friend.
So many students get purple belts and think they no longer have to drill or learn technique.
It will be trying at times, but as long as you remember to have fun it will be well worth it.
If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself as a white belt? Be patient and compete as much as possible.
I remember when I was white/blue belt, I felt like I always needed to train or else someone would pass me up.
If I could go back now I’d tell myself that most people will quit before they’re purple belt and that not getting hurt is the most important thing to longevity.
I gave him his blue belt after only a month or two of training, he entered the Chicago Open as his first tournament and took silver in his division and gold in the absolute.
Even though I think he could successfully compete at purple belt, I can’t give him a purple belt until his BJJ vocabulary expands by a large degree.
Who is the best person you have ever rolled with? When I was a blue belt I rolled with an old school Carlson black belt named Cassio Cardoso.
I was almost purple belt and I had a pretty good guard that many black belts had trouble passing.
It’s hard to know how that match would go now that I’m a black belt, so I have to say that since I’ve been a black belt the best guy I’ve rolled with is probably Damien Maia.
Who is the best person you have ever competed against? When I was a purple belt I got a silver medal two years in a row at the Arnold Classic/Gracie Worlds.
I’ve beat some pretty good guys too, when I was a blue belt I beat Ralek Gracie in the 1st American National Jiu-jitsu Tournament in 2002.
I’m not sure the last time I was tapped in training, but it happens fairly often.
Jay and Allen How many times a week should you train? I train 5-7 days a week and am on the mat 7 days a week unless I’m on vacation, but it’s also my job.
I’d rank myself at blue belt in econ, but getting better.
Our no gi instructor is a brown belt named Mike Cornille and he has the most epic beard of us all.
Thanks so much to Jay for taking the time to do this interview!
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