āMight Mouseā got tapped.
Former UFC Flyweight champion turned YouTuber Demetrious Johnson made his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt debut yesterday (Sat., Aug. 30, 2024) at the IBJJF World Masters Championships inside the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Johnson did very well in his first black belt tournament, winning his first three matches.
In his fourth match, Johnson faced fellow black belt Tomoya Yanagisawa , and it was very competitive. A few minutes into the match, Yanagisawa pulled guard, and Johnson literally said āfāk itā and followed him down, which ultimately was his downfall. Yanagisawa caught Johnson in either a loop choke or collar choke (the angle of the video leaves it inconclusive), and Johnson was forced to tap.
Following the match, Johnson seemed disappointed because he fell into his opponentās trap but was proud of himself, rightfully so.
After years of grappling, including numerous incredible submission wins in UFC, like his incredible suplex armbar of Ray Borg, Johnson was awarded his black belt by his professors Bibano Fernandes and Yan McCane in April- and he has fallen back in love with Jiu-Jitsu ever since.
Another highlight of Johnsonās BJJF World Masters Championship run was a heartwarming clip of him consoling his opponent that he defeated, who was crying after the match.
Thatās who Mighty Mouse really is.
Top shelf human, am a fan
Iāll catch shit for this, but I feel like that exchange was condescending and belitlling. Itās as if BJJ is ājust for funā for Demetrious because heās reached the pinacle of MMA and therefore a BJJ tourney is small potatoes, but for his opponent BJJ is a mountain heās trying to climb, and is a big deal, and almost certainly a big and positive part of his identity.
Itās not his fault he doesnāt think Jiu jitsu is as important in his life as his opponent does. Am I an asshole because I think an adult man crying after losing a hobby tournament is completely unstable and most likely a mental midget? Iāve gotta be honest, these people that think jiu jitsu is some life changing religious experience are weird as owl shit and clearly have a very limited life experience. Itās a hobby that also allows you to exercise and I guess itās still a reasonable form of self defense. Making more out of it is just that, something completely made up in your head. I did jiu jitsu for 24 years. Frankly, the last 14 were a huge waste of time and just a good way to keep getting injured.
Iām not discounting your take on jiu-jitsu, but I donāt think Demetriousās approach to his defeated opponent was helpful, which on the face of it is what Demetrious was going for. I would have told him, āThanks for the match. You were tough out there. Everybody wins some and loses some.ā
I wouldnāt have tried to tell him that the whole thing doesnāt matter, particularly if I come from a sport that is considered superior in many ways, and I had ascended to the top of that superior sport.
Your perspective on the sport of bjj is one thing, what to say to your defeated opponent whoās taking the loss hard is another.
If Nadal entered a pickleball tournament full of people that take pickleball seriously, and he told his defeated and crushed opponent, āHey, itās JUST pickleball,ā I donāt think that would be a thoughtful or helpful comment.
No offense but this is the 3rd thread on this topic. Original:
Isnāt Demetrious a legit BJJ Black Belt though? I donāt think there should be any shame losing to him.
In The WFA LOL
There is definitely no shame in losing to Demetrious in bjj. Heās legit at bjj and probably has better wrestling skills than most bjj guys too, which helps.
Thank Goodness someone filmed that touching display of sportsmanship. Maybe we can all film ourselves giving water to bums next.
When MM was a sophomore in high school Jens Pulver and Spencer Fisher spent a few weeks with Matt Hume training
They came back from that training camp in disbelief that a high school kid could submit themā¦
Exactly this.
Only reason Iām still in it is because my kids train and my older brother started because his daughter started.
So Iām helping him train now.
But I understand why some people find solace in their achievements in jiu-jitsu. I donāt judge them. I donāt even give any thought to it anymore but I used to think people over blow the black belt achievement, even belt and stripe achievements.
Iām a fan, good for him to keep trying. Maybe he will win next year.