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Imagine being a “legit” purple belt. Sounds gau and cringe af.

The high elbow guillotine with the slight leg wrap was enough to overcome that, but you are correct; it's much more difficult when they are on that side. I was trying to lock up some kind of 1/2 guard or full guard. But he was good about getting around to that side. It was just Tight For too long and his lights went out.

I mean I didn’t/don’t know his name as this was the first time I met him. Theoretically I could have gotten his name from the smoothcomp website when I was competing as it lists your opponents name. It also shows it at the table, but I didn’t look or remember. What lead you to ask?

He’s VERY cute, hehe! I was hoping to look to see if he has other matches posted on TH-cam 😊

@@ejta12222 I will send him your way if I run into him again 🫡

submissions have always been apart of wrestling hence the name submission wrestling.

Haha, spot on! I literally told the ref twice 'He's out' as I let go. Not a fan of naptime in matches, but sometimes it happens. At least everyone's safe and we got to shake hands after. Maybe next time I'll bring the ref some coffee?

Appreciate it! Thanks for the comment.

he was on the wrong side, he made it tighter

I believe you are right, the wrestler passed to side control on the correct side and SHOULD have been safe. It looks like the purple belt’s grapevine with his left leg allowed him to keep his chest somewhat square with the wrestler, which prevented the wrestler from changing the angle and alleviating pressure on his artery. Also, I imagine the high elbow allowed the grappler to get more torque than with the standard grip.

@@nujxadit looked to me like the wrestler passed to the correct side

​@@nujxad he was on the good side

@@hipplejames1 isn't the correct side the side you can von flue the bottom guy?

He was on the right side, all he had to do was enter side control and fight the hands.

You can finish the high elbow even if they pass to side if your hands are positioned correctly

correct wrong side

@@seer775it was a high elbow guillotine.

A tight strangle hold can put someone to sleep in 5-10 seconds. That one was about 9ish from when it locked in and yeah I agree, scary fast. Makes me feel humble knowing how quickly I could just be “shut off” if someone put a bit of pressure around my neck in the wrong way.

I agree, the referee should have been way closer and paying attention and be ready to stop if there is damage. Personally I feel a lot of responsibility for knowing when someone falls asleep and letting go so as not to cause any harm, but that’s the damn REFEREE’S job. I have personally witnessed an amateur mma fight where a guy got slept real bad, started shaking and the referee was just standing there in shock for longer than he should have before someone yelled, he got his senses together and broke it up. However I will never forget being so close to the cage watching that poor guy shaking as he was still being choked and the ref didn’t stop it in time.

Bad ref? He was only out for a few seconds.

@@Spiritof_76 he was only out for a second, because I chose to let go when he fell asleep. I definitely could have kept the choke on until the referee pulled me off of him had I not noticed or not cared that he was out. The referee did absolutely nothing to protect my opponent.

@@ChristopherCarpenter It's not like a street fight with no one to intervene. Have you ever been to a tournament where someone got pissed as hell when the match was stopped and they didn't tap? That choke was so damned perfect he went out faster than anyone expected.

I actually found said MMA match in my archive: th-cam.com/video/6sM6EkKND-k/w-d-xo.html

Man, I totally get where you're coming from. It's tough when life gets crazy busy and you feel like you might have to give up something you enjoy. I've been there too. The fact that you're even watching this video tells me BJJ still means something to you. Listen, I won't sugarcoat it - those first few months can be brutal. You're sore, confused, and probably wondering if you'll ever 'get it'. But here's the thing: if you can push through, even if it's just hitting the mats once a week, something magical happens. I remember the day I got my first legit submission. It wasn't pretty, but man, that feeling... it's hard to describe. It was like a switch flipped in my brain. Suddenly, I wasn't just the new guy getting tossed around anymore. That confidence? It spilled over into every part of my life. Work, relationships, everything. It's wild how learning to choke people can make you feel so alive, you know? I'm not gonna lie, finding time is hard. But if you can make it work, BJJ becomes more than just a hobby. It's a workout, it's stress relief, it's making some of the best friends you'll ever have. Whatever you decide, it's all good. Just know there's a whole community here rooting for you if you want to keep going. And hey, if you need to take a break, the mats will always be there when you're ready to come back.

I hear you, man. Being a purple belt at 56 is no small feat. Plateaus hit all of us, and they can be frustrating as hell. But you know what? You're still here, still training. That counts for a lot. Progress at our level isn't always about tapping more people or winning comps. Sometimes it's about those small 'aha' moments in technique, or just feeling more comfortable in tough positions. Your experience on the mats is valuable, even if it doesn't always feel like it. You've probably forgotten more BJJ than most people will ever learn. Keep showing up, keep rolling, and who knows? You might surprise yourself. Either way, respect for sticking with it this long. That's the kind of grit that makes BJJ what it is.

Man, that sounds like a really frustrating experience. You're absolutely right - patience is a huge part of what martial arts should teach, and it's disappointing when higher belts don't embody that. Unfortunately, not everyone in BJJ lives up to those ideals. Some folks forget what it was like to be new and confused about every little detail. Asking safety questions is smart, not a weakness. You were looking out for both of you. But here's the thing - don't let one impatient person sour you on BJJ. There are tons of awesome, patient higher belts out there who love helping newer folks learn. If you're still training, try to connect with those people. They're the ones who really represent what BJJ is about. And if you ever become a higher belt yourself, remember this moment. Be the kind of training partner you wished you had that day. That's how we make the BJJ community better for everyone. Keep asking those questions and stay safe out there!

@@ChristopherCarpenter For sure, great response. Fully agree. Planning to stick with it :)

Great points! I've done a little bjj and am about to test for yonkyu in Judo. I've been saying this exact same thing. My Sensei said to me one day that he thinks I make a better Judika than a bjj roller. I said I consider Judo and BJJ one and the same. Judo has been bastardized by the USJA. We do leg grab, and all sorts of konsetsu waza.

Thanks for sharing your situation. At 52, training 2-3x/week while managing injuries and a busy schedule is seriously impressive. Your dedication is exactly what makes BJJ special. Now, about the business side - you've hit on something crucial that often goes unaddressed. The truth is, many BJJ gyms are run by passionate grapplers who've spent a decade honing their craft on the mats, not in business school. It's a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get authentic instruction from people who live and breathe the art. On the flip side, the business acumen isn't always there. Many gym owners don't track retention rates, analyze revenue patterns, or implement strategies to keep diverse students engaged long-term. It's not from a lack of caring - it's just not their wheelhouse. This gap in business know-how means some gyms might not fully grasp the impact of losing students like yourself - committed practitioners who show up consistently, even if less frequently. They might focus on raw numbers rather than the value long-term members bring to the gym's culture and sustainability. It's a challenge the BJJ community is slowly waking up to. Some gyms are starting to adapt, offering flexible schedules, online options, or programs tailored to different ages and commitment levels. But there's still a long way to go. Your perspective as a dedicated student juggling real-life commitments is invaluable. It's voices like yours that can help bridge the gap between passion for the art and sound business practices in BJJ. Keep training, keep sharing your experience - it matters more than you might think.

Man, you've nailed some really important points here. That WhatsApp group situation sounds toxic as hell. It's crazy how some folks can turn something as awesome as BJJ into high school drama. Good on you for recognizing how messed up that is, even if it wasn't aimed at you. And yeah, dealing with unpleasant people in the gym... it's part of life, I guess, but it definitely shouldn't be the norm in a good BJJ school. But you really hit the mark with the injury rate thing. That's a massive red flag that deserves its own spotlight. You're absolutely right - if a gym feels dangerous, that's not something you can just brush off. It's crucial to question why that's happening and if it's really the right place for you. Your comment's got me thinking about diving deeper into this injury rate issue in a future video. There's always more ground to cover in BJJ (pun intended), and viewer insights like yours help shape that content. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts. It's this kind of real talk that helps the whole community level up.

Hey, thanks for opening up about your journey. It's awesome that you've explored different martial arts and found what resonates with you. BJJ isn't for everyone, and that's totally cool. Your point about the competition focus in many BJJ gyms is spot on. It's something I've noticed too - not everyone is there to compete, and sometimes that gets overlooked. Dealing with old injuries is no joke. ACL issues can definitely make ground work a challenge. It's smart to listen to your body and choose a martial art that works with your physical needs, not against them. Sounds like you've found your groove with kickboxing. That Sanda (Chinese Kickboxing) with some Judo mix sounds pretty badass. It's all about finding what clicks for you, both physically and mentally. At the end of the day, the best martial art is the one you enjoy and can practice consistently. Keep rocking what works for you, man. That's what it's all about.

Keep with it! Great job

Man, congrats on taking that first tournament leap! It's awesome to hear you had such a positive experience. That first competition jitter is real, but you crushed it. Winning 2 out of 3 matches in your first tournament? That's impressive stuff. And nabbing a medal? Cherry on top, my friend. You should be proud. I love how you broke down your experience - from the initial nerves to adjusting to the pace. That's super helpful for other white belts thinking about competing. And good call on focusing on control rather than fancy moves. That's a solid strategy, especially for your first time out. Getting those takedowns and an Ezekiel choke? You're not messing around! It's cool to see how you're already analyzing your performance, noting what worked and what you might tweak next time. The fact that you're fired up to do more competitions is fantastic. That attitude will take you far in BJJ. Keep that momentum going, but don't forget to celebrate this milestone. You've just cleared a huge hurdle that stops a lot of people. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's stories like yours that inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and onto the competition mats. Keep grinding, and keep us posted on your next tournament!

Man, I love your attitude! That gap between expectation and reality is something we've all experienced. 😂 First comp as a white belt? That's huge. Kudos for putting yourself out there. Remember, win or lose, just stepping on that competition mat is a victory most people will never achieve. That mental video playing in your head? Classic pre-comp jitters. But here's the thing - reality might surprise you. Sometimes you do better than you expect, sometimes worse, but it's always a learning experience. 'Trying to improve everyday' - that's the secret sauce right there. Keep that mindset, and you're already winning, regardless of the outcome. Good luck in October! Remember to breathe, have fun, and no matter what happens, you'll have a great story to tell. And hey, win or lose, post-competition açaí bowls taste amazing. Let us know how it goes!