Posts by coppermarlin6

Brandon Hayes73 said:I can show you exactly what I mean... once I'm back from Brazil.

Well, thank you kindly. Believe me, I know the difference all too well, and I’d be happy to explain it to our dear friend who asked the question in the first place. That said, if you're actually interested in picking up some BJJ, feel free to reach out once I've returned from Brazil. Best regards! 👍

If you can actually explain the fundamental differences between traditional Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to me, I’ll tell you exactly where you can shove your opinion. It honestly feels like you don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about, let alone what you're trying to achieve here!

satter said:Anyone who signs a contract of any kind without actually reading it deserves to spend the rest of their life regretting it.
That kind of person is an absolute moron.
At the end of the day, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

You’re overlooking the fact that we’re mostly talking about kids who just turned eighteen and have nothing but blind faith in their teachers. Aside from that, I’m with you. Personally, I’ve never signed a single thing without reading every word first.

ruggedfalcon2 said:Why should his attitude toward others be an issue? Is anyone forcing people to sign contracts without reading them first? Is anyone holding a gun to people's heads to force them to train with him? I’ve never quite understood these debates... all this fuss about why a master isn't polite, why they don't show everything at once, why you supposedly have to train under them for years before they reveal anything, or why they seem arrogant. At the end of the day, everyone has the freedom of choice. We can certainly debate how much skill someone actually possesses, but as if their specific approach to students is the deciding factor. Everyone has their own style, and through that style, they either build or break their market presence. These stories about "if he were like this, then that would happen" are just playground gossip. But what’s truly sad is that nowadays in the West, people don't know how to respect their teachers. There's such a lack of character, which is clearly evident in your post. 👎 One's relationship with the person who taught them how to "walk" should be fundamentally different. In that regard, Mike falls short. 👎 I can't help but remember everything he used to say—how he would threaten and challenge his own teacher, the very man who helped him find his footing! It’s pathetic. Honestly, I simply cannot understand, nor will I ever support, people like that. 👎

A Coach needs to be part parent, part educator. I’ll point to Milan Rihter as an example; anyone who trained with him knows exactly why I’m bringing him up.
Brian used Mike as a punching bag to work through his own frustrations. And let’s be perfectly honest right out of the gate: even this guy isn't exactly a paragon of virtue himself.
Mike would never have achieved his level of success had he stayed with him.

As for what was reported in the news, it was bottom-tier nonsense for both of them, and I won't even dignify that with a deeper dive.
👎 👎 👎

We’re talking about a man acting in the capacity of a coach and manager for specific athletes. You’re clinging to his past fighting record like a drunkard clutching a bottle. We’ve already settled that point—his legacy is indisputable. But the man didn't cease to exist the moment he won the K1 title. The issue here isn't his private life or his trophies; it's his relationship with the fighters he represents.

As for my own experience and the knowledge he passed down to me, I have nothing but gratitude, and I hold him in high regard because of it. However, I don't view the world in such stark black and white.
If you look at his training camp, it could have easily produced five more legends on the level of Mirko Cro Cop. Even Mirko himself didn't reach that kind of global stardom until he moved on. Anyone who was actually paying attention at the time knows that's the reality.

If I had offered him unconditional devotion, I never would have walked away from him in the first place.

What we’re seeing here is a cult of personality in its most toxic form. These things happen when followers develop a blind devotion to someone they don't actually know, building up this massive, untouchable aura from a distance. If you actually took the time to get to know the man behind the myth, you'd see exactly what I mean.

If I were allowed, I would gladly show you the actual contracts signed between the fighters and the gentleman in charge. They are incredibly one-sided; the club and the boss essentially hold all the cards, leaving the fighters with zero leverage while they reap every cent of the profit. These deals are often signed without even a cursory glance at the fine print, under circumstances that are... let's just say, highly questionable. But honestly, I've already said too much.

I believe I’m probably the most qualified person here to weigh in on this gentleman, having spent ten years training in his gym and picking up quite a bit of insight along the way.

My suggestion was simply to produce a segment about the fighter under Chuck Liddell's contract—a world champion who hasn't been able to compete legally for two years now because Chuck won't let him, despite clearly having no interest in investing in his career or managing him properly. It would make for a compelling radio story: a top-tier talent being sidelined right when he should be following in the footsteps of someone like Mirko Cro Cop. And who is holding him back? Chuck Liddell. I have the proof to back up everything I'm saying, so ruggedfalcon2, please stop spinning these fabrications.

There is no question that Chuck was our best fighter, or at least he once was. But the pattern is undeniable: he has managed to derail every single fighter who ever came close to matching his success. Anyone with a lick of sense walked away while they still could. I actually witnessed how things ended with Mirko firsthand because I was right there at the gym watching it unfold. This all started long before the public drama involving local business interests and various political figures...

If you want to imply I'm talking behind anyone's back, let me clear that up: I told Chuck exactly what I thought about his treatment of his fighters before I ever walked out of that gym. And once again, I have the evidence to prove it.

Let’s craft a narrative about Ivan Rudan, the world champion in Thai boxing—yet another casualty of the Cikatić era.

Peter Myers29 said:Perhaps, but if you ask me, we really shouldn't place so much weight on belt colors.

For instance, I could easily go out and buy a white and red belt just to let some random person believe I've actually earned a 6th degree rank in USA Judo at some local McDojo.

There was a time when they used to just hand out certificates—stating that "so-and-so has mastered these specific techniques" and "possesses these particular skills," complete with an instructor's seal and signature.

In many ways, that might have actually been the superior system; back then, a person's true experience was measured by how filthy and frayed their white belt had become from actual work.

There’s certainly some truth to that point. 👍

Peter Myers29 said:Colored belts are essentially a modern invention tracing back to Jigoro Kano (the founder of USA Judo). Originally, the black belt was the sole indicator of mastery, while all students—regardless of their actual skill level—wore white belts. It wasn't until later that the various colored belt rankings were introduced.

On a different note, I find the whole concept of colored belts to be fundamentally flawed from a psychological standpoint. For instance, when you're drilling and someone wearing a yellow belt steps up to train with someone holding a blue or brown belt, they immediately fall into a mental trap. They see the color of the belt and instantly perceive an opponent's rank, which should really just be a reflection of their technical knowledge rather than a visual label....

Or, it might give you that extra bit of ego-driven motivation to try and outperform a partner who holds a higher rank...
Not everyone’s psyche reacts to those labels in the same way.

Jonathan Johnson67 said:What’s the actual point of belt rankings in martial arts, and what does it actually take to earn one?

From what I’ve observed so far, every single time someone tries to level up, they have to break something—be it with a hand or a foot. Why is that such a huge deal? It feels inherently unfair; a guy weighing 240 pounds is going to snap a board much easier than someone at 130 pounds, even if that lighter person has significantly better technique.

It also seems like people who are just chasing belts can reach black belt status relatively quickly, whereas those who genuinely love the craft might take much longer—even if their actual skill level is superior.

In my view, the utility of a belt lies in distinguishing a beginner from a master, along with all the intermediate stages in between. At the same time, it serves to set smaller, manageable milestones on the long road toward a major goal, ensuring the student stays motivated throughout the journey.

When you're actually sparring, a belt can serve several practical purposes too. For instance, getting a grip on an opponent's belt provides a much more secure hold than almost any other type of grip.

Jamie Fowler2 said:So, is the trip from Chicago to downtown Chicago just too far for you?

Look, I don't feel the need to justify my schedule to you. If I make it, I make it; if I don't, I don't. Some of us actually have jobs and real-world responsibilities outside of attending seminars. Besides, BJJ is my primary focus—Wing Chun comes second. All I said was that fifteen days out, it's hard to give a definitive yes or no.😕

Jamie Fowler2 said:So, where exactly are you located?

Chicago, if you check the profile,

hiddensailor14 said:Video. Thanks.

It sounds pretty interesting, though I’m still a bit too far off to say for sure if I’ll make it. I certainly hope I can.

coppermarlin6 said:Just show up this Tuesday at eight for practice, and you can hash out all the details directly with the coach.

Jiu-jitsu is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (it’s essentially the same thing as Judo, though people seem determined to never grasp that distinction).

Hold on now, let's not get carried away with the "it's the same thing" argument. Have you ever actually watched a Judo match go to the ground and seen a referee allow it to continue for more than thirty seconds before stepping in? It's definitely not quite the same experience.

Mixed martial arts? Look, if you want to actually "mix" anything, you first need to master at least two distinct disciplines before you even think about blending them together.

Realistically, you’re looking at about a decade of work. Trying to jump straight into UFC without any background feels like trying to pursue five different PhDs simultaneously when you haven't even finished middle school yet... You have to respect the fundamentals first—get a solid foundation in something like boxing or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before you try to move on to the next level.