Episode 146 - Why Brown Belts Should Be the Most Dangerous People in the Gym

Fresh off our massive episode with Craig Jones, BJJ Balance is back to business—and Episode 146 goes exactly where you'd expect: completely off the rails before somehow finding its way back to jiu-jitsu.

Matt and Kenny kick things off recapping the Craig Jones episode before breaking down what they believe was a massive missed opportunity in the UFC. From there, we discover that Kenny apparently doesn't believe in wearing socks, Matt is forced to address the ongoing accusations about his appreciation for feet, and the conversation somehow gets even worse from there.

Eventually, we actually talk Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Matt reveals that his rib injury is officially a broken rib, putting him out of training for several weeks and potentially jeopardizing his plans to compete at Worlds. The guys also discuss Kenny getting back into training, possible future superfights, competition intensity, and why you need to stop lowering your level when you roll with your teammates.

Then we get into the big debate of the episode:

Is the BJJ brown belt the ultimate villain belt?

Matt explains why he believes a brown belt's job is to become an absolute problem in the gym, smash the lower belts, push toward black belt at all costs, and stop worrying about being everyone's favorite training partner. But does that philosophy change when you're the highest-ranked student at a smaller academy?

The guys also talk about Matt's own brown belt experience, his regrets from that stage of his jiu-jitsu journey, how to build a successful kids BJJ program, opening your own jiu-jitsu academy, loyalty to your team and coaches, gym drama, washing your jiu-jitsu belt, and why controlling someone in MMA is completely different from controlling someone in a normal BJJ round.

And because this is BJJ Balance, there's also Yankees vs. Dodgers talk, Raiders fans, Taco Bell, being broke, growing up on the wild west internet, and several conversations that probably should have never been recorded.

Welcome to Episode 146.

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Let us know in the comments: Is brown belt really the villain belt—and should brown belts be trying to smash everyone in the gym?

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