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So Im really thinking about enrolling at the local BJJ academy but I think Im a bit too old to get any good.

I know there are people who start a lot older than me but I want to actually get good at it. Im thinking, when Im in my 40's, I shouldnt be getting subbed by everyone. Can I do it?

If you're 28, you won't be getting subbed by everyone at 40. In fact, if you train hard and frequently, or have a natural ability for it, you'll be a black belt by then.

I started BJJ at 33 so you're never too old. Plus I know plenty of guys older than me that started (my instructor was 39 and he's now a first degree black belt and one of the best in Europe). We even have a blue belt with no legs.

What area are you?

Philippines.

Ive been going around town lately looking for a nice gym and have only been impressed by one. A Deftac Rebeiro gym. They are mostly a local MMA team here but their facilities are top notch. Unfortunately I dont see a lot of normal looking dudes there training. I see a lot of savage looking dudes who might break my arm

I've started training MMA at 30 and pure BJJ at 32...

darren_simion wrote:Philippines.

Ive been going around town lately looking for a nice gym and have only been impressed by one. A Deftac Rebeiro gym. They are mostly a local MMA team here but their facilities are top notch. Unfortunately I dont see a lot of normal looking dudes there training. I see a lot of savage looking dudes who might break my arm

That used to be GB Phillipines and is run by Alvin Aguilar, who's a monster.

Also Pinas ATOS is a great gym.

Kamphius BJJ has a third degree black belt running it who's the most experienced in the country.

There's also a Carlson Gracie gym there under a Jacare brown belt. But Carlson guys are fornicating nuts. Always have been. Might want to avoid that unless you're huge and want to train hard.

do u teach urself poncey? I wana learn a bit of ground but i keep weird hours so need a teacher that could work around me.

I started MMA (Kempo jujitsu) early this year as I wanted to expand on just punching someone unconscious. Real eye opener, a closed fist is now probably the last method of attack I'd use. We have a BJJ instructor come in every couple of weeks and tbh I enjoy this aspect more than the stand up stuff. I'm now 35 and its header than when I did other combat sports in my teens and early 20's. Mullered my shoulder the other week when I didn't get a proper break fall in from a Hari Goshi. Really enjoying it and plan on upping my classes from my current 2 x 2hrs a week as I progresses through the belts/syllabus.

Nah mate. I'm only a blue belt. But my mate takes a class at ours late at night. It's at 8pm ona Wed.

Poncey wrote:Nah mate. I'm only a blue belt. But my mate takes a class at ours late at night. It's at 8pm ona Wed.

still too early for me im afraid. its a bastard and costing me a fortune in privates. if u fancy earning a few quid in the new year let us know, im a total blank canvas when it comes to BJJ so wouldnt give a fornicate about ur ranking.

Who do u get privates with at the moment?

Once I get this baby thing sorted into aroutine Ill be back training more and have the mats in my garage for u to come over. Just roll to start and I'll show u stuff. No charge. I'll then get my mate to come and help u for privates.

Poncey wrote:Who do u get privates with at the moment?

Once I get this baby thing sorted into aroutine Ill be back training more and have the mats in my garage for u to come over. Just roll to start and I'll show u stuff. No charge. I'll then get my mate to come and help u for privates.

all over the shop at the mo, like u im adjusting to family life plus got a second on the way. do a bit with lee morrison at urban combatives which is brutal, street realistic stuff (hes considered one of the best in his field worldwide). JKD at the gym in romsey, privates with pete from soton school of taiji (tho hes a friend and superb martial artist), and try to get to exile for muay thai/boxing if i can. even see the two girls at new generation for a bit of padwork (suprisingly good) cos they will stay open late for me.

Its just set times are a real problem for me. Im only a 5 min drive from minotaur but their hours are pretty rigid (quite a good little gym tho, nice guys and good sparring). I have seen jev from kings a few times as well but hes quite busy now.

As i say I have zero ground game and obv. thats a real glareing fault i'd like to correct, so yeah cool keep me posted. as i say im happy to slip u a few notes for your time, and wouldnt expect a masterclass or anything just want to get comfortable knowing the range. i literally dont know how to pull guard or the mount or any of that stuff outside what ive seen on the tele. Been taught a lot of "counter MMA" by Lee which is all illegal shit like biting, using the floor as impact, small joint manipulations, gouging etc, but i dont think i will be confident without actually knowing the range proficiently if that makes sense.

Would really appreciate u bearing it in mind for the future.

Yeah, remind me in Jan/Feb in case I forget tho.

Also if you're ever free Sat 11 to 1, come and train with us.

Also Exile has a decent purple belt, Ken. If he's ever around talk to him. Very nice guy.

nice 1 mate, will do.

Is 28 to old to start learning BJJ? No! One is never to old to start learning something new, if it takes you ten years to achieve black belt the you will only be 38, and due to you regularly giving your body, and mind, a regular workout, then you'll probably be a young 38. Remember this ancient proverb "when one stops learning one starts dying".

As a point of interest, Eddie Delic, Bruce Whore and I were involved with training young amateurs in a small gym in a bad suburb. Many years ago a guy came to train with us, to learn the martial art of boxing. He had never even stepped foot in any type of martial arts gym before. Anthony was twenty eight, the age you're wondering weather or not to start learning the martial art in question, and trained every night, went regularly to the fights, after a while he started doing some 'sparring' which was more drill work than fighting, then progressed to real sparring. He applied himself really well and took in everything he saw, the good and the bad, and learned from it all. After less than two years of training, Anthony won the Victorian state amateur title and retired having more amateur boxing fights than me, in fact I think he may have had more ring fights than me all up for a terrific win/loss ratio.

darren_simion wrote:So Im really thinking about enrolling at the local BJJ academy but I think Im a bit too old to get any good.

I know there are people who start a lot older than me but I want to actually get good at it. Im thinking, when Im in my 40's, I shouldnt be getting subbed by everyone. Can I do it?

28 is no age oh my goodness. Thats why i love grappling so much. I have been beaten up and subbed (and im a black belt) by fellow black belts in judo, 2 of whom started in their early 40s and now 46-47 respectivelly are black belts of unnatural strength and technique. Judo and in particular ground fighting like BJJ does not rely on reflexes like boxing. Go for it kid.

stevieb_8006 wrote:nice 1 mate, will do.

you realise this is how Poncey gets laid, don't you? a soundproofed garage and rohypnol, and 'MMA sparring'...

@matt___s wrote:

stevieb_8006 wrote:nice 1 mate, will do.

you realise this is how Poncey gets laid, don't you? a soundproofed garage and rohypnol, and 'MMA sparring'...

Massacres
Men's
Arseholes

No, 28 is ok; in 5 or 6 years you'll have the basics down and be used to a bit of rough and tumble; you'll be in better physical nick than most others your age and will have enough confidence that no one sees you as easy meat to be pushed around or intimidated. (Longest ever sentence on BoxRec?)

@matt___s wrote:

stevieb_8006 wrote:nice 1 mate, will do.

you realise this is how Poncey gets laid, don't you? a soundproofed garage and rohypnol, and 'MMA sparring'...

You're just jealous that I refused you, even after you offered payment

Poncey wrote:

@matt___s wrote:

stevieb_8006 wrote:nice 1 mate, will do.

you realise this is how Poncey gets laid, don't you? a soundproofed garage and rohypnol, and 'MMA sparring'...

You're just jealous that I refused you, even after you offered payment

If I'd wanted it, I'd have taken it.

I take it all back. Your too old. I'm too fvcking old. Drop knee throw = Broken 5th rib!!!!

Did the other side before but they healed well. Give me the usual......


Might have them with a nice glass of Merlot :)

Poncey wrote:

darren_simion wrote:Philippines.

Ive been going around town lately looking for a nice gym and have only been impressed by one. A Deftac Rebeiro gym. They are mostly a local MMA team here but their facilities are top notch. Unfortunately I dont see a lot of normal looking dudes there training. I see a lot of savage looking dudes who might break my arm

That used to be GB Phillipines and is run by Alvin Aguilar, who's a monster.

Also Pinas ATOS is a great gym.

Kamphius BJJ has a third degree black belt running it who's the most experienced in the country.

There's also a Carlson Gracie gym there under a Jacare brown belt. But Carlson guys are effing nuts. Always have been. Might want to avoid that unless you're huge and want to train hard.

Your knowledge of different gyms is freakish!

No, you cant learn BJJ at any age.

I started at 35 ....40 now
But i can tell u that u will pick up injuries quicker than an STD in a whore house
I don't think i have eva picked up as many in any other sport .

your never too old to learn any martial art, its all about discipline and practise and remember even black belts can be made to tap out.

martial arts is all about learning the more effort you put in the more you will learn and remember helio gracie had his arm broke against masahiko kimura and taught regularly up to the age of 95 and from what I've read about him he was still teaching and grappling only days before his death.

good luck when you start and I hope you enjoy it.