Aikido Guy Stepped Into The Cage... You Won't Believe What Happened
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2023
- After seven years of teaching Aikido I closed my Dojo and had an MMA fight.
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Welcome to the Martial Arts Journey TH-cam channel!
My name is Rokas. I'm a Lithuanian guy who trained Aikido for 14 years, 7 of them running a professional Aikido Dojo until eventually I realized that Aikido does not live up to what it promises.
Lead by this realization I decided to make a daring step to close my Aikido Dojo and move to Portland, Oregon for six months to start training MMA at the famous Straight Blast Gym Headquarters under head coach Matt Thornton.
After six months intensive training I had my first amateur MMA fight after which I moved back to Lithuania. During all of this time I am documenting my experience through my TH-cam channel called "Martial Arts Journey".
Now I am slowly setting up plans to continue training MMA under quality guidance and getting ready for my next MMA fight as I further document and share my journey and discoveries.
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If you want to support my journey, you can make a donation to my PayPal at info@rokasleo.com
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Check the video "Aikido vs MMA" which started this whole Martial Arts Journey:
► • Aikido vs MMA - REAL ...
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Watch all the episodes here: th-cam.com/play/PL4FJXg8RNp-nVt9624wqEc9XMR6cSo6je.html
challenge Adam Mizner to a fight... would love to see that.
Just wanted to say Rokas, your journey though Aikido helped reflect on my relation with TKD and ultimately lead me to the conclusion I need to do other martial arts and look more critically at TKD. Keep up the good work man!
Really glad to hear it! I hope you are enjoying where your journey took you after TKD
@@MartialArtsJourneyI still love TKD but thanks to reflection I’m no longer blind to it’s faults
hey man, I'm a TKD black belt, had to take some time off due to college, and have since gotten back into combat sports. I first started boxing while in college but had my first boxing tourment cancelled due to COVID, since then I finished college and moved, now I'm training BJJ and have my first tournament coming up. Everyone's journey is different but I can say that branching out and experiencing other forms of fighting has enriched me in some many ways. Good luck with your journey!
What's tkd?
@@tomiwaaina5499 Tae Kwon Do
I've been doing HEMA right now for 3 years, I've lost every tournament since I've started...and each time i broke down and wondered if this (in my 30s is worth it). You're journey from aikido to mma to now is inspiring and showed me the road ahead is long but worth walking. Thank you!
Come on man, I've had my ass handed to me in HEMA tournaments by 50+ year olds. Weapons are a great equaliser, and it is still an amateur sport, so champions are not some kind of super athletes. Most people train once or twice per week and then do nothing. If you just put more hours in your training - in addition to normal classes, you will very quickly rise above the average.
Be patient, martial arts usually take 5 to 10 years to have a street workable level of daily training. See it this way, at least you are doing something, it is way better for your health and you can tell people crazy stories about your experiences, i always enjoyed hearing the hema stories of my colleagues. Especially the one where the little girlfriend (5 foot ) is wrecking the boys, but she is tzech and very devoted to training, thats another level.
@@PaMuShinexcuse my ignorance, but what is hema?
@@titmusspaultpaul5 you gonna find it in wikipedia as Historical European Martial Arts
@@titmusspaultpaul5Historical European Martial Arts. It’s mostly built around weapons such as the long sword, sabers, spears and so forth, but it also involves wrestling
This journey is not about winning fights, it's about growth, and man are you growing as a person. THAT'S the victory from the fight.
jajajajajjajajaja
I appreciate you talking about this. It's rare candor that people will talk about their low points as well as their high ones. I'm glad you're sharing your journey, and I know how tough it has been sometimes, particularly mentally and socially.
Hey Rokas, Ive been a fan of your channel for a long time. I really appreciate your journey - and its one I have shared in a way.
I grew up training judo - competed at a national level even (both under 18 and over 18). Im 44, I was there at the start of MMA/UFC and cross discipline martial arts meetups - atleast in england. When I was about 17 I went up against various styles of martial arts, and I learned that my judo + being a doorman was not enough to make me a well rounded fighter. I found out that I had big parts of the whole picture missing, I think we all did - regardless of style. Grapplers went off to study striking, strikers went off to study grappling, and most importantly some of the historical techniques and a lot of what people these days call 'bullshido' was left by the wayside. The difference I guess Is that when I went through this, i was not alone - there were many of us from many arts all going through the same thing. I just wanted to pass on my respect from an old fighter to a young one for having the courage to not only go through that alone(at first) but to share it with the world.
So basically, Rokas went through a real-life zenkai boost over the course of 9 months.
Nice.
Keep at it Rokas. It's great to see you evolve over the years. Win or lose, doesn't matter. It's the journey that matters.
Nice man. Really brave to challenge your convictions this way. Inspiring us.
Thanks
Your content inspired me to start BJJ. I'm 10 months in and just got my third stripe! Thanks Rokas
Awesome! So glad to hear that. Congratulations with your third stripe!
@@MartialArtsJourney Thanks man! I start Muay Thai next week too! It feels great to have sports back in my life!
You are a trully Martial Artist. I wish you resilience to do everything. A warm hug from a fan from Brazil.
Your journey has been so inspiring to watch all these many years, Rokas! I think you already know that, but you have been a motivation for many of us who took up martial arts for other reasons than self-defense and who have come to see through your journey that you don't have to give up those core ideals to also be practical! I can't wait to see what came out of you sparring with Jeff Chan!
This man's story would fit in an anime
Great job dude :>
You are amazing
🙏
Hey, bro! You've always been willing to question Aikido's workability, and I thank you for that. *Someone* had to do it, and you did it great. I say this as a FAN of Aikido. It has always fascinated me. It's probably the most spiritual martial art, and I loved every minute of my time in the dojo. But the question remains: does it work in actual combat? No, it does not. I still love some of its elegant techniques, but that's not gonna help you if some guy starts throwing punches. I admire, and very much appreciate, your desire to take a real-world look at Aikido. Thanks!!
I think aikido works a lot better when you mix in some punches, which seems to be what the end of the video was alluding to for the next video. I've watched Jeff Chan for a little bit now, and he is *amazing* at sparring, regardless of the size of the guy he fights.
Jeff Chan is like 5"7 and Rokas is over 6", maybe 6"2 or something. I'm really curious to see what kind of sparring session they have and I think it'll be super educational. While Jeff can certainly go hard if needed, he is skillful enough that he can pull off a lot of very difficult techniques quickly without hurting his partner. I'm stoked for the next episode.
Wow! Thanks for continuing sharing your way! That’s so cool to watch!
You have to write a book some day
Thanks! I actually have the first draft, but never got to rewriting it
You may be my favorite channel on TH-cam... but you're ABSOLUTELY my favorite Martial Arts channel.
I agree with what you’re doing. Your doing well my friend you’re making aikido functional for mma.
Can't wait for the next one.
That spar with Jeff was amazing 😄.
Thanks!! I will definitely give some insider details to that 😁🙏
Rokas, your journey of not retreating to the familiar, and just kept on pushing forward in search of the truth is just inspirational. I've watch most of these videos before, but how your are turning your journey into a coherent episodic story is just brilliant. It's almost like a course to how to pull oneself back up after from being in a cult.
Props to you Rokas! Not many people are so intellectually honest to themselves and change life path! You're an inspiration
there will come a time where these rather humbling expieriences, will become such a advanage against opponents that never tried so hard and never had to overcome such adversity. you are building your character. keep it up rokas!
Every upload makes me even prouder of Rokas. Keep up the great work and the great content, king
Keep up the great work, Rokas. Has been so inspiring and entertaining watching your journey. Definitely given me some extra motivation and support on my own journey, having taken up BJJ and Muay Thai late in life after giving up other sports. You are greatly appreciated by many, I hope you know that. Thank you.
Massive props to you, brotha.
Takes a lot of guts to admit that something you dedicated your life to was wrong, up root, and reestablish yourself.
Can't wait to see the next video!
Thank you for being so brave, true to yourself and taking us with you throughout your journey. You are really inspiring and an eye opener! Thank you so much for showing us the truth about martial arts and self defense. I especially liked the season 1 of self defense against knife for 10 seconds. While I watched that, I actually felt frustrated with you guys and even cried for you guys.
I can't wait for season 2!! Keep doing your best with your one life, but don't push yourself through editing like you did with the first season. I want to experience your journey for the long run 💪🏻👏🏻
really glad to see your progress, for us who follows your footstep since your aikido days, your progress is so evident
You went through a lot and that’s the most inspiring part. This is your journey and we are your witnesses
Your story about training with pros reminded me of my own progress in boxing class. When I was brand new, every time I sparred with someone, they were more experienced and better than me. Sometimes I'd feel like I couldn't even touch some of my sparring partners. Then a few months later, a new guy shows up. He's an athlete who regularly played and competed in football (soccer for Americans). Great agility, light on his feet, immense gas tank - some of the things you need for good boxing. But when it was my turn to spar with him, I found myself parrying and countering, finding my range and getting good positioning and angles during the spar. I was improving, but nobody else was getting worse, so it wasn't exactly easy to track how much I was progressing.
When I fail in my progress I remember your progress and it keeps me moving forward. you are one of the most inspirational people in my life.Thank you.
Thank you. Keep owning your journey!
Bro u make me smile. By the time in the vid you started talking about Tadas I got so hyped
With your increase in combat skills has came a massive in crease in the content and quality of your videos, and also how you spread a theme. Well done.
Thanks!
my journey started from aikido too and I bloody LOVE your video! GIMME MORE CONTENT love ya, have a good weekend
Great job mate! I love your honesty and ability to step back and see the key éléments ! And then share them. Bravo
Very enjoyable watch, and I love that you are willing to talk about your weaknesses as well as your strengths. That makes for a better narrative and makes your accomplishments feel much more relatable and earned.
Oooh!! That last part is such a tease! Very intriguing
Very inspiring and moving even to see how far you’ve come, Rokas. This path of integration is not for the feint of heart. You are a warrior with heart!
This is great, cant wait to see next part 💜
Truly insightful and well presented. What a journey🦋
I've been here since the first one, I saw you going through your weird "wearing a costume" stage, and I see you now coming full circle into something more balanced...
Honestly, I thought it would take you less time. I'm happy to see you mature. I see you needed to learn to fight to feel that confidence; it's great brother :) Level up...
It's such an awesome growth story. I really admire your honesty, integrity and I think I see great capability of understanding and empathy too. I also find your forward pushing spirit quite invigorating, yet relatable. :) Another great takeway too that it is never too late to change course, learn anew, try something out and follow new directions.
Shout out to another Lithuanian martial artist. Now I can say I've known of two. Being as I'm an American born Lithuanian lol. I went through a similar journey to some degree, when I transitioned from Taekwondo to more of a hard style of mixed karate. My Taekwondo wasn't exactly traditional, but it taught alot of useless moves that were purely just made for kata or show. They didn't seem as practical as say Muay thai techniques. One thing I did notice though when transitioning between styles is it was alot easier to pickup things that someone new to martial arts would miss. Either case your journey is awe inspiring, and I hope to one day be able to set aside more time to dedicate myself to martial arts.
Now that's the story telling bro. You are getting much better at this. This is the best till now. Keep owning your journey 😁
Love these recaps. I want to tell my friends about ur saga but I always take too long trying to explain it. But now I can just send them these videos.
The key is constant improvement, great inspiring story!
Thank you Nick!!
@@MartialArtsJourney it’s not easy to share our failures, or our moments of doubt, especially on cameras, but that when all the growth happens! I think it’s great you share this, cause peopl le only see the final result but not the journey that came with it.. well done!
Absolutely loved this Video. A Big upto you Rokas your Killing it and an absolute inspiration
Your video making skills are also getting quite sharp!
Thanks!
I like your entrepreneur spirit and your willingness to ask the hard questions both about yourself and your chosen field. Not many people are willing to look inside and ask the hard questions.
Rokas, your story and your sincereness is very inspiring
From a yoga champion, I know it takes a lot to put your best foot forward. Even if you don't win, you've inspired others. You've already won when you do that! :)
So inspired by your journey and have been following it with my two accounts since you started and even the stint with the superhero cape. So proud of how far you've come and how inspiring you are :)
Heck yeah Rokas! You're an inspiration! I actually didn't know of you or Jeff Chan until the USDC but now you two are two of my biggest inspirations. Seth and Mike already were but I'm very happy to have found and now follow your journey as I start to progress on my own journey of martial arts discovery.
Rokas you are still an awesome human being! Stay strong in mind, body,and spirit my friend.👍👊🙏
Congrats, man. Great story. Very inspiring👍👍
Your journey has been extremely inspiring to follow. I wish that I had gotten into martial arts when I was younger as I'm significantly busier now with a wife and 4 kids.
Dude! its funny seeing how good your first fight was! I had know you were disappointed about it from previous videos, but from the clips here it seems like you gave 200% and it was an absolute blood and guts performance. It's better than so many first fights!
Rokas i know you since your first video on aikido vs mma. Im just gonna say, your journey and determination is inspiring to me.
Thank you
Dude, you have something special here, functional Aikido would be a very fresh style!
Continue being a legend and an inspiration to all martial artists!!!
Crazy story! I would say, you have so much determination, I like this spirit!
very cool channel! loved hearing about your journey
Loving the series.
Thanks!
Thanks for your content. Hope i manage to meet you and Jeff in Nuernberg in September. Can t wait for more content
Thanks. See you there!
Glad to see how you have progressed over the years
I love your ability to view the world as "Action>Outcome>Lesson>Action>..."
I get in my own head and I get so discouraged and sometimes I don't see things so clearly. Your perspective is refreshing. I hope I can learn to see the world more like you do.
You are incredibly good at story telling and communication. Massive fan from South Africa!!💪🏽
Thank you
What a journey
You can be proud of yourself
Respect from The Netherlands 🫡
When I saw you throwing Jeff Chan around with Aikedo I was literally looking at my screen thinking “wow!”
You're doing it right, sir. I hope some of your former students are still paying attention, because you're doing what a good teacher, and leader does: setting an example.
i love the quote "we have plans for life, but life has also plans for you"
dude i have been following you for a while i dont know how i forgot that you were at sbg in portland thats a historic spot in that school( and mma in general) i go by one of the sbg on my way home from work. i am glad you are having fun, i am studying jiu-jitsu (at the place i moved here to train at😇🤯🥳) with alot of intent. the best thing that i believe aikido has to offer is not as much the forms(which i dont actually know past having read some manuals) as it is the mindset(which i have definitely grown from at points in my life). i built who i am now in part from the art of peace. positive intent and open compassionate heart are what is important in life and fighting. limiting harm is a relative concept and should be talked about more. thanks for your work, take care
your doing a great job on your journey.
Great video! Also, your thumbnail game is super on point 👌
new subscriber here, from Boston mass, love your content. keep up the great work.
Thanks! Glad to hear that!
It's good to see you train with other styles and take what works and use it to suit you. That's one of the reasons to cross train in martial arts as there is always something to learn even if it's basic techniques
Thank you for inspiring us ❤
damm, man
You really nailed the hook game in the end.
I am so hyped for the next ep👁️👄👁️
🙏
If you are winning, you are teaching. If you are losing, you are learning.
Next episode - bring it on!
Wow. Excellent.
Your videos are educational, I strongly believe TV channels should use your videos, as they providing true facts and figures. Well done sir.
Great hearing your journey, and the need to stay true to yourself and your ideals rather than sticking with a “I should do this because I’ve done it for so long”, “I should do it because it’s my source of income” etc.
I’ve taken a step to leave my job and focus on what is calling me, qigong, dao yin, taiji chuan, neigong (with a respect for what aikido has given to me). I’m also bringing the benefits of qigong to a wider range of people who can benefit from it in a daily basis. Staying with what matters to you is so important. Live life!
Yep. Great job man. You got desensitized. I don't see you flinching, like at all anymore. They've beaten the fear out of you! Awesome! 👍
Wowww. Just wowww. Ur amazing man
You are a true sensei, a true master, a true fighter proving you courage in callenging old knowlege of pure martial arts. You bring new energy and problably new martial art filosophy, at least in the Aikido teaching. There will be this new Aikido of yours, and the old Aikido that works only with children and elderly.
I always felt Aikido as a traditional not practical martial art, much like, Tai Chi, and you are making possibly a true evolution in your martial arts, such as the one that happend to jiu-jitsu and brazilin jiu-jitsu, respecting the obvious differences in this comparision.
Amazing, truly owning jour journey🎉
You're my favorite martial arts youtuber rightnow
dude, I don't train Aikido and I'm not a fan of many Aikido instructors, but what you did for your students is so above and beyond awesome. seriously, I've never heard of a boxing, muay thai, wrestling, or bjj instructor going to nearly that length. In fact I've had multiple instructors just move away, black belts that are here one day then gone the next. super cool you didn't do that.
I believe in you, Mr. Rokas.
Rokas i know you wont reply to me, but for the longest time i have been trying over and over again to defend aikido. I swear it worked but then, i had a fight with my 'friend' and he took it physical . I tried aikido and while yes, it worked i was condemned to defeat. I did not want to quit aikido and wanted to make sure it was my main part. And thats when i combined it with karate. Aikido as the main part but karate was just to throw punches, kicks e.c.t . all because of you and your efforts that inspired me to keep fighting. Aikido is viable as you easily illustrate.
Osu!!! So so cool. one of the coolest videos on the internet. For real. you look like a completely different person/fighter in the more modern clips. So much growth. So many hard lessons. So much pain. Thank you for documenting this. Also, just as a question, why don't you go back to aikido when/if you've reached your fighting goals? It could be an idea for future vids and bring you joy / provide full circle in your spirit. And make it more applicable if you want. You could end up inventing a hybrid style lol. On your own time. love ya bro. Reconnecting with your old students could be reallyyy wholesome vid ideas also. @Martial Arts Journey
Taking on Aikido again is one of the things I'm considering. Just not as a full time student/teacher :)
Also taking a break helps mind/ muscle connection. Ramsey Dewey made a video about this! Great stuff man!
Great episode, nice to see your journey condensed into these episodes as it makes it easier for sharing to friends. Also any plans for new episodes of you trying other Martial Arts?
Definitely! It's on the list. Right now I am recovering from a knee injury, but I'm already setting up plans on what to film next, plus filming some exciting videos that I can film with a knee injury too
Awesome! Would also love to see more interviews again
Rokas.... We did it mate. We broke free from the cult of Aikido and the grip it has on you for so long. We freed ourselves from it's VICE. Thank goodness. 8 years for me and NEVER looked back!
You are mastering storytelling man, good job
Thank you! I believe I can become much better though! 😊
Such a Journey. What a courage. Capricornian/Taurus unbreakable determination. So much respect for you brother.
Ok, Rokas. I got your idea of re-telling your story :) it's gooood!
Last scenę from USDC was awesome, when you learnt to fight, you started to really use aikido. Like Morihei's students in old times, when they joined dojo already being judo or jiu-jitsu fighters.
Great job ruckus keep it up bro.
Nice video as always Roka san :)
Thanks!
Impressive. As someone who has a hard time focusing on anything for longer than 2 weeks, I admire your passion and focus.
You are Doing Great My Friend you are Better Than You Think 👍