General Chat & Info Board

BJJ isn't gay, period. 😳

We’ve pivoted from boxing to talking about Ukrainian fighters, then jumped to MMA and Makachev—let’s try not to dilute the conversation too much here...
Regarding Usyk, seeing a champion of his caliber make a comeback is definitely a morale booster. But honestly, the best way he can support his country is by just doing what he’s always done: winning. Think about guys like Magic Johnson or Tiger Woods; they did the most for their home turf simply by dominating on the world stage (though, granted, back then people didn't know nearly as much about global sports as they do now).
As for Makachev, I’m not sure when we’ll see another Russian stepping into the UFC octagon. With Fight Night coming up in London, I’m almost certain Volkov won't get a visa unless the UFC pulls some heavy-handed move. It’s the same story for events stateside. My bet? They’ll be sidelined for at least six months.

EDIT: Even though this is a chat, let’s stick to the sports side of things and not drift off-topic.

Santos and Ankalaev face off at the APEX in Las Vegas in just five days.

I don't think the UFC is going to issue a ban on Russians. Let’s be real—Russia is still one of those heavy hitters alongside Brazil and the States when it comes to producing top-tier fighters. It's just illogical. These athletes have nothing to do with their government's politics; in fact, quite a few of them hail from regions that have actually been oppressed by the Russian state. Besides, look at history—the US bombed entire nations in the Middle East, yet American fighters aren't facing bans. Israelis have been fighting Palestinians for decades, yet their fighters compete in the UFC without a second thought.

The UFC isn't going to ban him; the real question is whether he’ll actually be able to snag a visa for the States or the UK.

Thoughts on the draw? At first glance, I don't think we've ever had an easier group at the World Cup.

Kojo, soccer? Is that the thing with the ball? 😬

It’s basically just twenty-two people chasing a ball around a field. 😁

Goalies don't run 🧐
#SoccerExpert

Any advice for a bag?

The current pride flags fell apart way faster than expected. For the last month, they were basically held together by duct tape once the cracks started showing, but today, they just split right down the middle.

It could be anywhere in the EU.

Roughly 5'11" to 6'7".
It’s ideal to use some OMCOM from the lower end for securing it to the floor, especially if you’re under 130 lbs, though it isn't strictly mandatory.
Empty.

Offtopic

Man, this Aco Skarsgård guy in *The Northman*—seriously, he looks more ripped than Yoel Romero ever did. Just impressive.
Btw, killer movie.

Not sure if this has been asked before, so sorry if I’m just dropping in out of nowhere here. What kind of martial arts would you recommend for an older kid, maybe around 3 or 4 years old? Is it way too early for something like Judo or wrestling, for example?

If it's not too early, does anyone have recommendations for a club on the east side of town—somewhere between the suburbs and the outskirts?

I’d probably put my kid into wrestling if he shows an interest. Honestly, for most people, the only real fights they’ll ever encounter are during pre-puberty—assuming those even still happen these days. That’s where wrestling is actually useful.

It’s also a solid foundation if he decides to move into MMA, Judo, or BJJ later on. It builds a good physique, develops strength, and teaches practical skills.

Whether he's too young or what the injury risk might be is really a question for the gym and the coach. It all depends on how they run their programs.

Every combat sport carries its own set of risks. Generally speaking, with grappling sports, you’re looking at cumulative injuries to the spine and joints. You have to pay attention to that and do your homework; the issue with cumulative damage is that you often don't realize there's a problem until it's too late.

I checked in early for my kid, and if I recall correctly, they said nothing before elementary school.

In a city like Chicago, once kids hit 3 or 4, it’s mostly just little athletes doing gymnastics, track, or swimming. Most of it feels more like organized playtime than actual training or picking up specific skills.

Alright, so I guess I just gotta sit tight and wait then. Thanks!

At that age, they could totally get into Capoeira. It’s killer for motor skills and honestly just a blast, provided you can sniff out a gym that isn't some weird cult. Down the road, maybe look into wrestling or Judo.

Whatever works, I guess. Personally, I’m looking at getting my kid into swimming or water polo as soon as possible.

When it comes to combat sports, I was leaning towards wrestling first, but man, Taekwondo and all those sub-styles seem to be blowing up everywhere lately...

But yeah, probably start with wrestling and BJJ.

As for swimming, honestly, I think it's the best move for a kid globally. It builds insane cardio and hits the whole body. You don't really worry about injuries there. Maybe a little bit of stuff in water polo, but that’s actually good—helps toughen them up. And honestly, in swimming, unless you take one to the groin, it doesn't hurt.

Water polo players are built different, too. They’re usually massive, powerhouse types, easily hitting 220 pounds of pure, natural muscle.

Plus, it’s great that it’s a team sport rather than an individual thing. It builds social skills so the kid won't end up being some antisocial loner or totally awkward.

We’re talking about kids who are only three or four years old—most of them probably still using pacifiers—yet here we are discussing things like capoeira and water polo. I guess it might be a bit premature.

Fun fact—studies on Navy SEAL training have shown that former water polo players actually have the highest success rate. They tend to finish the program at a much higher percentage than everyone else. Apparently, the biggest hurdle for most candidates is just staying in shape; most of them get weeded out because they can't handle the physical demands. 😳

Look, when it comes to water polo, the average kid under five who can even swim won't make it across a standard 25-meter pool without stopping. You’re looking at at least three or four years of basic swimming lessons before they can even think about joining a water polo team.

Track and field has this great concept of "athletic preschools" and youth academies. Most of the time, those kids are just playing around, doing drills and exercises that end up being useful in pretty much any sport later on.

Before that, you can get them into gymnastics or multi-sport programs where they try a little bit of everything through play.

That’s why things like triathlon are actually pretty cool—they combine everything, and you can just take them out for a bike ride on the weekend or something.

Honestly, having big ambitions for preschoolers is pointless. Results don't matter at all; the whole point is just keeping them active and letting them socialize.

Trying to plan for water polo before seeing if your kid can even handle a pool is—sorry to say it—pretty ridiculous. Swimming is healthy and it’s a foundational skill, sure, but it isn't for everyone. For kids who are naturally high-energy and social, sitting in a lane can be incredibly boring. It’s better to let them explore different sports and develop various skills until they and their coaches figure out what actually sticks.

As far as combat sports go, wrestling and judo are solid foundations. They build a huge range of motor skills and hit every muscle group. Plus, kids learn how to fall properly. It's also a great option for heavier kids who might need that extra push to find a productive outlet.

Bottom line: a decent coach and a good group of peers matter way more than the specific sport itself. The goal is movement and socialization—building that sense of belonging and responsibility that comes with team sports.