Don't be this Guy at MMA Class or at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club

The Tough Guy

Most of the personas on this website fall under the category of The Tough Guy. While he comes in many varieties, he always has the same basic characteristics. The Tough Guy has to look tough all of the time. Oftentimes when working MMA he has really crappy technique and clings to using his attributes as best as he can to get by. He's stiff and uses his strength all of the time. This resulst in the Tough Guy gassing out a lot or the Tough Guy tweaks a lot of people. Typically its both.

When Tough Guys show up for MMA training you can recognize them from a mile off, as the tough guy is often throwing off image for miles. Give the Tough Guy a chance - some of them change right away when you explain the training techniques used at the gym. If not, then meet the Tough Guy at his level and then give him just a little more. If he starts being rough, then meet him with energy and solid MMA technique. Show him you can own him with a technical game, using less energy, and often times they will relax. If a Tough Guy never relaxes and never learns the technical game, the MMA coach can keep him around so long as he isn't hurting people. They are typically fun for the more skilled grapplers to play with as they represent the "all go" type attacker that has a lot of strength and energy but very little ability.