UFC 320 and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt

I watched UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2, and it was a really fun event. I viewed it with a different set of people not at my place, so it saved me some money, which is always nice. Alex Pereira just steamrolled through Magomed Ankalaev in the main event, regaining the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in this rematch. It was a lot different from their first fight, which was more tentative, as Pereira just immediately went forward and put heavy pressure on Ankalaev, who was on the back foot for as long as the fight was. In the co-main event, UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision in an interesting fight. The fight had its moments, especially in the second round when Merab nearly finished Sandhagen, but the fight ended up in a similar pattern throughout the rounds with Merab using his superior wrestling and cardio to get the win. Otherwise, the Khalil Rountree vs Jiri Prochazka was my favorite fight of the night.

I actually received my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt last week. It was an unexpected happening, and with something like getting a belt promotion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there is always the question of whether it is deserved or not. As a purple belt, while we are constantly learning, a practitioner’s style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more or less established at that point. I was pretty much just grinding away with some days just going because it is routine. I have to admit though that I got really complacent at times, and unfortunately, the roll that I did before getting the brown belt, I was far too complacent and did not try as hard as I could. When I got the brown belt, I honestly did not feel like I deserved it at that moment, but it was a really good lesson for me. Now, with this last stretch to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, I am already establishing a goal of being more mentally ready and attentive each class.

Combat sports has a way of teaching individuals in a very physical and mentally demanding way. I can only imagine winning and losing at the highest levels of combat sports, and even as just a general Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, it is quite draining. It definitely builds character and tells a lot about oneself.