Jiu Jitsu 2016: The Jiu Jitsu No-Gi Worlds 💚 Complete Story

November 2016, I had been training the entire year to fight in the Old Man Blue Belt No-Gi world championships. I had cut weigh to fight Senior 6 at 162.5 pounds but not only was there no one close to my age 61 the weight wasn’t going to work either. I ended up fighting guys in there early 50’s at 174 lbs.

I came in to my first fight tentative and got my ass kicked by this 50-year-old from New York. Didn’t get tapped but got destroyed on points. Well my second fight I got taken down immediately and even though I was manhandling him after that and even with Yuri yelling at me I couldn’t score any points. Fuck, Two Losses in a row.

Well to say I was bummed out would be a major understatement. I was ready to call it a day and just go home when Caio came up and told me he needed me to fight in the Absolute class (anyone regardless of weight) because the team needed the points I hesitated then reluctantly agreed.   My first fight was against a 220-pound guy who hadn’t even had to fight yet because no one was in his weight division. We met in the center of the mat and as we shook hands and I checked him out. He’s was a DBF “Damn Big Fucker”.

The ref yells “fight” I start to circle looking up at this big bastard. I can hear Yuri’s instructions loud and clear its all about “pressure” I try an arm drag, keep pushing his shoulder, fake a few single leg shots. I am chasing him all over the mat. The ref says something too him but I am to focused to comprehend it. I keep the pressure on. Then the ref holds up this closed fist with the green sweat band on it. Penalty! and it’s against the DBF for not fighting. Now the guys fighting, he grabs my wrist but I twist it free. I slam my palm into his shoulder again and go for his lead leg but miss. He charges in and does something I never would have suspected. He Jumps Guard. But I know what to do, posture up lean backs and push his legs off.  Yeah Sure. My ass was too small a counter balance and forward I fell. The last minute of the fight I was stuck in his full guard but I fought everything he did off and at the buzzer I was up by the penalty. The ref raises my arm and I shake the DBF’s hand.

Now The New Yorker has to fight DBF and son of a bitch if doesn’t take him down and win on points.

So now it’s me and the New Yorker for the Baddest Old Man Championship of the World. And yes, I am nervous. He kicked my ass earlier, then beat the DBF far more connivingly than I did. I am sitting by the mat waiting for the fight when I see Yuri, he could have went already gone home he had won the Black belt World Championship at his weight and Absolute but he is walking over to talk to me. He asks “Bruce how is your arm”? (it doesn’t straighten out all the way anymore) I say “it hurts coach”. Then he asks “How do you Feel”?  I reply “I’m tired coach” He sternly looks down at me, raising his voice a bit. “You’re Tired, how many fights have you had? Only 3, I make you fight 4, 5 or 6 times in the gym. You Get Out There and You Kick That Guys Ass”! Then he lowers his voice and calmly says “oh if you win the team wins the World Championship, but no pressure” then he turns and walks away. I chuckle but I am fired up, if Yuri asked me I’d fight a Polar Bear for him! Now DBF walks up pats me on the shoulder and says “kick that guys ass”

In the center of the mat the ref has us shake hands and it’s on! I am Fired Up! I can hear Yuri yelling instructions. I have this guy backing up all over the mat, the ref gives New Yorker a Penalty for not fighting and now he picking up his pace. Twice he kicks the shit out of my front leg trying to sweep it by I was able to check both kicks. We drag each other down and I make an attempt to get my legs around his neck but he pulls free and were both back up again. Now he charges in trying to smash my down but I get a hip under him and roll him on his back. I can hear Yuri Screaming “Get The Under Hook, Get The Fucking Under Hook” And I do! Then I her Yuri yell out “Two Minutes and you’re the World Champion”! the New Yorker rolls over on his knee’s trying to stand up but I push his head down, scramble in front of him and lock in a guillotine chock. I squeezing as hard as I can trying to chock this bastard out, but to the New Yorker credit he never stops trying to get free even as I hear my team mates start yelling a count down 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 and 1. The buzzer sounds. We are standing on either side of the ref and he raises my hand in victor. I shake the New Yorkers hand then to cheers I raise both of mine in the air. I am feeling overjoyed, relieved and exhausted all at the same time. I tear up a bit as I walk over to Yuri, he grabs me in a bear hug congratulating me. Now I am grinning from ear to ear.

Thank You Yuri, I would never have won without you!