Combat Mat Sports

[Bear Wrestler]

Wrestled through college and fought pro MMA for a few years. Now I coach my kids' youth wrestling team.

 

[Hoodie]

Got my BJJ purple belt back in 2011 when I was 19. Trained off and on when I was in the military and other than hitting the occasional open mat I've quit for the last 5 years. Tree work limits my recovery resources and if I have to pick between shed hunting/scouting or BJJ, it's an easy choice for me.

I do miss it though.

 

[ThunderJack49]

BJJ brown belt, I've fought MMA, Muay Thai and boxing. I still like to train a few times a week but as I get older and busier fatigue management becomes a thing. I've found going to the regular gym to be more productive for my fitness in the mountains. I tend to do more MMA in the winter with less opportunities to get outside.

 

[cfdjay]

Seems like a lot of us are in the same boat. Stopped "serious" training to be hobbyists if at all because of possible injury and interference with getting into the backcountry

 

[elkliver]

Experienced purple belt BJJ . Used to train and spar MMA with the fighters in our gym. I'm older so really didnt have a desire to fight in the ring but have competed in BJJ tournaments. Had serious knee injury/surgery about 10 years ago and have not gotten back into it steady after healing up. And have now put on quite a bit of weight so it's not convenient. Always an excuse but Life has had some boomerangs that has made it difficult to commit to steady gym attendance I miss it and its really good for the soul and body... I need to make the commitment. Life issues are settling back down so maybe it would be a good time

 

[2-Stix]

Wrestled in high school in the early and mid 90's. Did bjj for 6 months when I was 45...my low back and other injuries could not keep up with how hard I was pushing in there. I was hanging with blue and purple belts, thumping the whites...but I didn't love it and it was just killing my back, tore my hands up, slipped a rib, hurt a wrist and a few toes. The gym was all 20-35 year olds still looking to prove it a bit. I didnt care, but when they would elevate so would I and I would go air time on them. Lol. I never loved it like I did wrestling. I was in there becuase my 6 year old was going.

 

[solarshooter]

BJJ blue belt, have trained for 4 years cumulatively with a break for COVID. Absolutely love it, wish I could train every day but family, work, and other hobbies cut that down to 2-4 times per week. I have picked up my fair share of injuries but nothing horrible, and the overall effect on my physical and mental health is very positive. I changed gyms a year ago when I moved and that really reignited my passion for it. The right vibe in the gym and training partners you trust make all the difference.

Edit: I dabbled with Judo in college but not enough to mark as relevant. I've done a fair amount of wrestling and judo as part of BJJ training but I consider that pretty standard "BJJ" these days, so I just marked that. No striking sports experience for me.

Second edit: I had to finish a deer with my knife one time because he was holed up in a dead end tunnel in some insane blackberry bush thicket where it was impossible to shoot him a second time (bow). Was not a BJJ meta I ever expected to discover but it works pretty well on ungulates too

 

[TaperPin]

A profession female face slapper dated a friend of ours for a bit. Is face slapping a combat mat sport? The mat seems to cushion the fall. When every hit is killing brain cells I don’t see these gals aging well. Already her face reminds me of someone in an abusive relationship - kinda puffy in a weird way.