Reroll MMA

Welcome to "Season 3" of Reroll. When it comes to training, some of us focus on belt promotions and colors. Others focus on the bigger picture of becoming a better fighter or athlete. And some just want to train martial arts for fun. In one of Rerolls first episodes, we talked about the meaning of the belt, the black belt in particular. Today we continue the conversation on the meaning of the belt. Perhaps it's a mark of progress, or a knowing a particular cluster of knowledge. A collegiate wrestler white belt could give a bjj blue belt some problems. Would things change if there was no ranking system? What does the belt mean to you?

After taking a training break during Covid, Dani returns to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and takes 2 stripes off of his purple belt. When he starts training, he realizes his skillset is that of a blue belt. Skillset is like fire; if you don't keep it hot, it cools down. Then a couple weeks ago, when he about to start rolling, his instructor walks up to him and puts back on the 2 stripes. In this episode we talk about Dani's experience in the gym after taking some time off of training. Even though he feels that some of his gym mates are better than him, and he continues to step out of his comfort zone, it seems that there's something his instructor sees in him to keep him as a two stripe purple belt.

This Saturday, Nov 10, 2022, rising prospect Khazmat Chimaev is taking on outgoing veteran Nate Diaz. With this as Diaz's last UFC contractual fight, he is facing one of the toughest fighters on the UFC roster. Many are expecting a dominating performance from Chimaev. Others are hoping that there is a glimmer of hope for Diaz, that he may pull off something extraordinary. This is a short bonus episode on our perspectives of the upcoming fight.

We've experienced martial arts in many different spaces, and portals. Elliot has only experienced martial arts in a formal gym, and spaces dedicated to martial arts. For Dani, it has been a variety of spaces including cafeterias, beaches, and parks. But these spaces are transformed into sacred places, special places. How do you change the cafeteria into a dojo? We move the tables chairs to the side, and then sweep and clean the floors. We would hold towels on our hands and bear walk clean the floors. We'd then line up, meditate, bow, and begin class. It is no longer a cafeteria, it's a dojo. In this episode we dissect what it means to create a special martial arts space out of places we consider mundane.

Dani is training again, but this time in no gi jiu jitsu! In this episode we talk about how it feels to train grappling again after a hiatus. We talk about his transition from gi to no gi training, and how it feels to be a purple belt getting back into the thick of things. Unfortunately no more karate at the moment, and we'll talk about why.

Dani, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jiitsu, has training for many years. In this episode, Elliot picks Dani's brain on grappling and BJJ. Dani tackles the developing grappler's questions. Do you have a go-to submission? What ways can we take care of our bodies? What kind of defense techniques and escapes should I focus on? These questions are beneficial to beginners, but also to other practitioners alike.

As we get older, we become (or eventually) become conscious on how we train in the gym. Combat sports is physically demanding. Our bodies continuously change, and we have to take care of it especially as we train martial arts. In this episode we discuss what we plan to continue training as we grow older, changes in focus, and reflecting on what we would change. We pick each others' brains on our martial arts journey.

When we think about martial arts, we may not always think about the economic aspect. Martial arts classes are not cheap, especially in the United States. In fact, many people are not able to afford them. Some martial arts schools are not-for-profit and are more accessible, but many classes are taught by instructors who do it for a living. This is not to critique hard working instructors. There are many schools that are worth the money because to the high level of teaching. Money is a little bit weird to talk about when it comes to combat sports and training. In this episode we discuss a variety of aspects of economics that surround the practice and sport of martial arts.

There have been controversy surrounding a few moves in combat sports. The oblique kick, also known as a knee stomp or stomp kick, caused an uproar when Khalil Rountree Jr. threw it against Modestas Bukauskas in September of 2021, busting Bukauskas' knee. However, it's a pretty common kick in MMA and Muay Thai. Sometimes a common move can cause devastating damage. This brings up the question, what kind of attacks in combat sports should be regulated? Moves such as eye pokes and crotch shorts are deemed illegal, and many argue that potentially permanently damaging kicks such as the oblique kick should be illegal as well. Well, we also can assert that a punch can damage someone permanently. Should a punch be illegal too? In this episode we break down this issue by discussing what constitutes a devastating move, and finding the balance in fighter safety.

Dani hosted his first martial arts class for his family, including his parents. It's important for our family and loved ones to understand self defense, and to be able to understand body movement. In this episode, Dani explains why he hosted a jiu jitsu class with everyone wearing a gi, and the techniques he felt would give a good starting point, especially for beginners and those who were older in age. His mom is also an avid MMA fan who provides insightful commentary!

After a ten year break, Dani begins training karate again. He rejoins a group of senior black belts who meet on a weekly basis. Many of these guys have been training consistently since the 70s, when karate was regarded as the combat sport in the US. Dani shares his process of reconnecting to his martial arts roots, and revitalizing this practice.

The viral video of Joe Schilling knocking out an obnoxious guy at the bar has sparked many conversations. People have debated when it is acceptable to fight in public, and who should engage in fights. Some say, martial artists and trained fighters are supposed to have better self control than the average person. Others say, it's justified depending on the situation. We look into different situations of how martial arts fits into our every day lives.

This episode was recorded right before I attended my first wrestling class. I pick co-host Dani's brain on his experience training his ground game to mentally prepare myself. We discuss differences between wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and sport Jiu Jitsu compared to non-sport approaches. Also, what's the deal with super expensive compression gear?

One of the most recent apparent expressions of racism in sports was exhibited surrounding the MMA match between Zhang Weili and Rose Namajunas. Zhang was booed. Yes, booing is a part of sports. Some argue, "The visiting team is always booed," or "We [the home court] always root for the Americans." But there's always more to talk about. In this episode we look into the multiple layers of racism and prejudice, in relation to other things like nationalism and "trash talk." I'm not saying fighting should be sunshine and lollypops. I think it's hella cheesy if everyone always hugs and smiles after every fight, like in some organizations lol. So what's the deal?

Exercising and training can be a private thing, and can cause us to feel self conscious. A lot of boxing and Muay Thai training are done in public, such as morning runs. And during this pandemic, a lot of us are training at outdoor parks. Is it weird training at a park, with people walking around? In this episode we also talk about celebrity boxing matches. A lot of people are hating on entertainment boxing, and on certain personalities. However, entertainment boxing is not really new. Why the uproar now? A lot of pro fighters are also getting into the mix. Let's see why

In the martial arts world, everyone approaches training differently during the pandemic. Some people are still regularly training at the gym, while others are adhering to public health concerns. Gyms as businesses cannot survive if they're closed. How do we maintain a balance of public health and going to the gym? In this episode we talk about how gyms have set different rules (or not) for safer training, and how we're navigating the situation.

We've heard of the fight or flight response, a reaction during a potentially harmful or life threatening event. But is there also a freeze response, when the person might just not move. In this episode we go through instances of the fight, flight, or freeze. We also discuss how de-escalation can be applied in particular instances. We talk about real life examples and stories. What would you do if a big dude was trying start a fight with you in the middle of the street?

If you were in a questionable public encounter with someone seemingly aggressive, what would you do? Dani was filling up drinking water at night, and a guy approached him. We discuss whether or not this was a justified feeling, or a overreaction. In this episode we also discuss, how old is too young for full contact MMA? 16-year Victoria Lee made her recent debut on ONE Fighting Championship, and many people online have been commenting that she is too young. However, almost all of our favorite Muay Thai fighters have been fighting since they were kids. Lee isn't the first fighter to turn pro at 16, so what's the big deal?

In this episode we talk about the differences between a real fight, and a competition fight. A competition fight takes place in a controlled environment with rules and regulations. In a street fight, anything goes. A gym-trained fighter may or may not be the prevailing party in a street fight. We all want to deescalate a heated situation and avoid physical confrontation at all costs. However, it's important to be realistic and not romanticize a real-life scenario.

When it comes to the sport of MMA and the practice of martial arts, there is a will to fight. However, there is always a limit for each practitioner and how far they will take the fight. Some fighters are willing to take a beating in the ring for the sake of toughness, while others are willing to throw in the towel for the sake of the fighter's career longevity. In this episode we discuss the issues surrounding these issues. When does having "heart" end, and the risk of brain trauma begin?

We take a step back and resituate ourselves for season two of Reroll MMA, and for the new year. We discuss the ongoing situations around us, and what that means for ourselves, our communities, and martial arts. We talk the confines of political categories, and what it means to redefine these characteristics. The gym is a microcosm of society, and society is a reflection of the world. In order to understand the world, we must look into ourselves.

Episode 18 explores the ego, defined as "the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity." We explore how we, as people who practice martial arts, understand and perceive ourselves. How does the understanding of ourselves affect our martial arts training? How does martial arts training affect our ego? We discuss the different angles of how we approach our egos, and apply these perspectives to martial arts training.

Behind the highlight reel is the unseen work in a fighter's journey. We rarely see the many steps, and steps upon steps, that these athletes have to endure to make it to the top rankings, and all of issues that surround the journey. In this episode discuss their entrepreneurial lifestyles filled with contract work, and the elite physical conditioning that comes with it. Even though MMA is extremely popular, the life of the average athlete is relatively not talked about. These are athletes chasing a dream, and we examining their lives socially, economically, and more.

We romanticize sports, athletic ability, and the aura of the lifestyle. We athletes in MMA, and we all approach romanticism differently. Some of us see ourselves as being capable of reaching the goal of having the professional status, "if I have enough training I'll be as good as them." Others enjoy the facade of fame by seeing the personalities on television, without knowing the struggle of the athlete. We see the highlight reel on the internet, but may not know the behind-the-scenes grind. In this episode we explore the different perspectives of how us as fans and practitioners, romanticize professional martial arts athletes and fighters.

We all admire athletes in one way or another. It's their drive, their public image, their physical ability, whatever it may be. In this episode we talk specifically about how people idolize martial artists and fighters. We discuss the different ways people live vicariously through athletes, and the reasons behind the infatuation. There's so much emotion when we root for an athlete or sports team. How much do we want to be them? A regular MMA fan may be drawn to a fighter for different reasons than a martial arts practitioner. Additionally, sports cultures manifests vicariousness in various ways. Who do you live vicariously through? Let's break it down.

During this pandemic and the current political climate, people have turned to sports for entertainment on a weekly, or daily basis. Every week there are multiple MMA bouts around the world that we can dedicate our time to. We turn to sports to escape aspects of life. In this episode, we discuss how we use sports as an escapist activity, to distract us from our daily lives. Everyone treats sports differently. We explore the ways people treat sports and how we incorporate it into our own lives. How do we escape with sports? In what ways is it healthy, or unhealthy? (Music: "Beauty Flow" by Kevin Macleod).

Some people train out of fear. As in, training so to prevent from getting attacked on the streets. Does this differ than training out of love for the sport? In this episode, we discuss the reasons why people train, and draw from different examples. Some people stay scared in the gym or dojo. Some people grow to love the practice, and begin to train out of passion.

"Kung Fu" is an umbrella term for numerous Chinese martial arts styles. For example, Competitive Wushu is flashy movement that looks cool. Sanda is Chinese kickboxing, which is used in MMA. Qi Gong is the practice of harnessing one's energy to heal oneself. In this episode we look into Kung Fu, re-evaluate previous assumptions, and discuss with a renewed investment and appreciation for the traditional practice.

Historically, politics and sports have had a long intertwining history. In this episode, we discuss the socio-political symbolism in recent MMA bouts, and how audiences interpret the events. We also explore the role of athletes and how they navigate the relationships between the various discourses in their lives. Some who are in the limelight and may be seen as defacto spokespeople for political causes, Other athletes may prefer to stay apolitical. While some regard themselves as apolitical, their silence is in fact very political.

Every martial arts gym and practitioner has a different approach to traditional martial arts rituals, such as adhering to ranking systems, formal greetings, and more. As mixed martial arts continues to incorporate various traditional martial arts practices, MMA is in fact creating its own customs. In this episode, we look into the new traditionalism of MMA and contemporary martial arts. We discuss how traditional martial arts shape MMA, and the customs that have formalized MMA into a formal entity.

We've all seen the videos of Kung Fu practitioners get beat up by an MMA or Muay Thai fighter. Some say traditional martial arts are useless, but others say they are the roots of many current styles. In this episode of Reroll, we discuss how traditional forms fit into, or don't fit into, contemporary approaches to martial arts. There are many well-known MMA fighters with a foundation in a traditional martial art. We talk about the appeal of traditional martial arts, what makes them in/effective, and the value we find in the practices.

As the martial arts continue to gain international popularity, the practices become more organized and regulated. A point-based system and other rulesets can completely change a martial arts style. Therefore, some traditional aspects can and do become forgotten. For example, a move may no longer be taught because it violates the rules of the ring. In this episode we discuss different martial arts and how they've evolved. What are the challenges when a martial art becomes an organized sport? What's lost, what's gained? It's amazing that top tier martial arts practitioners can be found in every corner of the world.

We continue to balance martial arts training with family in times of COVID. How do we organize our busy time, even though so much of the world is paused? Martial arts can be a very singular, personal journey and practice. As a partners and parental figures, it's time away from our family. How do we include our family and kids into our lifestyle? What do we look for in a well-rounded gym?

In this COVID year, we train with our kids at home. With younger children we may approach it much like play time, while with older children we can focus more on technique. How do we spar, or roll with kids? How structured are these sessions? In this episode we discuss what we've learned, and what we aim to teach our kids during these at-home martial arts sessions.

Our conversation continues discussing if black belts matter. Should we invest our time in "traditional" martial arts, or "reality based" fighting? Is mixed martial arts "reality based," when there's a framework of rules? We discuss our experiences and how martial arts discourses intersect.

Do black belts matter? What does it mean when a street brawler can outmatch a martial arts practitioner? We discuss the concept of "traditional" martial arts practices, as well as modern approaches such as MMA.

We further discuss Dani's martial arts journey, from Kenjutsu Ryu and Karate, to BJJ and Muay Thai. After training in the Japanese and Okinawa martial arts discourses for 30 years, Dani shifts his focus to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and most recently, Muay Thai. We talk about traditionalism, sparring a hot-headed street fighter, and other stuff.

How do cops and martial mix? Why are many martial arts gyms cop friendly? Remember when the LAPD carried around nunchucks in the 80s? Let's talk about all of this.

Our co-host Dani has trained in Kenjusturyu Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, traditional weapons, Shotokan Karate, Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai. Even though he has a black belt in Shotokan, Dani continues to explore different styles and gives us a glimpse into his martial arts journey.

In our first episode, we talk about why we're doing this podcast, and why we're recording conversations on martial arts. What is the goal in training? What is the difference between martial arts and fighting? We are two guys with academic backgrounds who are currently training in different gyms, and who embrace martial arts cultures.