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!