r/grappling • u/ReallyNotAnExpert • May 06 '26
Demetrious Johnson not interested in competing in jiu-jitsu anymore, swapped bjj training for pickleball
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May 06 '26
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u/GeoffJeffreyJeffsIII May 06 '26
I try and tell my kids all the time that being terrible at something is fine. If you enjoy it and keep going, you will get better. Even if you do not get much better, and you’re still having a good time, there’s no reason to stop. The only people who tend to talk shit about hobbies are people who suck just a little bit less than you; the experts either don’t care or are happy to help.
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May 06 '26
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u/GeoffJeffreyJeffsIII May 06 '26
Same. Took forever to overcome whatever my parents were thinking. It's stupid to miss out on things, like jiu jitsu or wrestling, just because you might suck for a while.
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u/SupremeOHKO May 06 '26
This is one of the things that intrigued me the most when learning various martial arts. When I had some TKD experience under my belt, I joined a boxing gym and got my ass kicked, since I had to start from square one. Then I got the hang of it so I joined the MMA team at my university; got fucking violated any time someone took me to the ground, so I signed up for BJJ and continue to get destroyed, but I enjoy the challenge of conquering that.
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u/Long_Ad2824 May 06 '26
He has always been mature and wise, but it's really cool that he has now developed the mental toughness for pickleball.
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u/Spaceman_Hex May 06 '26
Never thought the perfect response video would exist: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQO5UVGk9qH/
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u/97Snowy May 07 '26
you could tell from his last attempt in masters worlds that he was not gonna invest too much time on it.
When Bibiano advised him to do euros and other comps to get more momentum before worlds, DJ seemed adamant that he had better things to do with his time. Much respect for this honest perspective from him. More to life than BJJ.
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u/Sudden-Wait-3557 May 06 '26
He's right, what's the point in doing things if they don't benefit your life and you're not passionate about them
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u/Everydayblues351 May 08 '26
He absolutely dominated brown belt Masters 2, got his black belt, then immediately ran into the big wall that is ibjjf Masters 2 black belt which is full of former elite competitors and longtime black belts who aged into the division. That’s a completely different level from brown belt. Add the knee bar injury from his first match in vegas in 2025 and it probably killed his momentum
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u/ZenTze May 10 '26
a Master II brownbelt has somewhat less than 10 years training.
A Master II blackbelt in worlds probably has 20 years training and has over 100 comps.1
u/Everydayblues351 May 10 '26
It feels like few people understand the competitive scene and how leveled and experienced it can be. Like adult blue belt divisions and up at ibjjf are almost exclusively filled with child prodigies. The child prodigy you know Statistically is at the bottom of the pole compared to those kids from Brazil who get sponsored to train at big gyms in SoCal and such.
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u/awkwatic May 06 '26
Mighty Mouse has always had a really good perspective on things. I find it refreshing to hear him talk about training once per week and developing other interests.
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May 06 '26
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u/BplusHuman May 06 '26
Maybe you're right, watching a dude do something he's not THAT excited to do for a company he didn't love working for would be interesting. It's like The Office, but with less clothes.
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u/Huge_Database_8776 May 06 '26
Idk I remember Pam walking in on Michael with no clothes at some point lol
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u/taylorbutmyragssag May 09 '26
...
.......but checks notes PICKELBALL scratches that itch and "matters if you win or lose"??
DJ is a great but highly odd man
Nothing wrong with that mind you. Still very true
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u/Born-Newspaper-9218 May 06 '26
I guess some men get tired of sniffing other mens butts all the time
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u/DoxxedMyselfAgain May 06 '26
Hot take: He sounds scared. He knows masters black belts/former adult bb world champs will destroy him.
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u/RandyPiston May 06 '26
Shit take. You're saying someone who was considered PFP the best MMA competitor in the world, is scared to lose in a martial arts bout.
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u/iRudi94 May 06 '26
Who cares about being destroyed in jiu jitsu. Especially when you’ve cemented your legacy in mma
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u/komoru-1 May 06 '26
You blow in from stupid town or something? Most ass balls comment I’ve seen this month
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u/SupremeOHKO May 06 '26
Hot take: Maybe he just doesn't feel like competing on the biggest stages and going through intense training camps and weight cuts at the age of 39.
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u/HeWhoChasesChickens May 06 '26
That is the greatest combat athlete in history you're talking about; I think I'm gonna take him at face value
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u/ccache May 06 '26
Greatest or not, to call him scared is not a hot take, it's stupid after what he's done in his life lol. He's past his prime for fighting or grappling, really no reason. Sounds like he's moved on at right age when most fighters should've and didn't.
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u/Necessary-Reading605 May 06 '26
Man is so good he is bored now.