The 97 % vs. 3 % ( The Reverse Truth)

The past 3 weeks has been a rocky moment for the BJJ community. From rape allegations to ethic/ moral beliefs it clear that this is a sad and intriguing moment for everyone involved in BJJ. Emotions have definitely erupted over the past weeks causing a serious separation in two classes almost like a religious war –lol- which pits the proud 97 %ers against the almighty 3 %ers.

For those that don’t know what these #’s mean let me give you a brief synopsis. (don’t worry I will be unbiased)

3% er- is one that strives to reach his highest potential at all cost. In our world it is those competitors who aspire to be world champions with no other obligations but toward himself and his ascension in the ranks.

97% er-  a person who isn’t concerned with glory or gold medals but more centered toward personal growth. They carry a strong since of “martial art values” which upholds the standards of those who love the martial arts, and train to build strong Character, for Sport and to develop skill and awareness for Self-defense.

Each class carries a sense of pride in what they believe in. And with the recent letter from Ryan Hall and the picture of Keenan shown here, it is clear even the top dogs are choosing which class best fits them.

Reflecting back on my 8 ½ years of being in BJJ. I think it has evolved a lot especially with the rising stars many of us look up to, the world championship tournament now being in America, and many other components which got us to where we are today.

C’n all this change in front of my eyes Itruly believe the 97 % and 3 % is a little mixed up in terms of their classification. I truly believe that 3%er’s are really the 97 % and vice versa. Before you blow a fuse let me explain why.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is not a sport it is technically a martial art and if you know anything about martial arts you know what is true purpose is intended for. As this martial art progressed turing into a sport  especially with the rising popularity of MMA there became a shift in a practitioners mind frame from becoming martial artist to more of a competitor practicing martial arts. Even BJJ schools have shifted their philosophy to the point where $$$, becoming popular, and making prized athletes   is the central survival goal intheir expansion.

When I started BJJ in 04 the promotion for most schools was “learn techniques, lose weight, life changing, honor, integrity, -etc-“  NOW with the rise of competition teams you see promotions of a guy holding 50 medals and belts around his neck, Competition Team references, and all things closely related the sport aspect of being the best.( with no emphasis on growing as a person – at least from what I c these days-), which clearly displays what 97 % of the community thinks these days.

I guarantee you if you walk up to any person ( especially from a major competition team) they will tell you their goal is to become a world champion.

Then you have the 97 %ers ( aka IMO 3 % ers) these are people who carry the same values they were taught years ago . Although expansion and being good in competition is a plus for their team, above all else they carry strong values they were taught when they first started which centers on having integrity and respect for their fellow brothers and sisters - on and off the mat (along with the stuff I mention at the begining of this blog). With the state the community is in now reflecting back on their growth these few competent individuals realize more than ever what being in martial arts is all about. This is why they choose to take a stand for the foolishness going on today.

Being in this practice myself and looking back on my life in it I am most certainly a 97 % ( aka 3 %). Experiences, people I meet, and other concepts have molded my mind to believing this practice is made for helping people on a personal level bring positivity and strength in a person’s life. Sure it nice 4 me to learn new stuff or win a medal. .but lifelong friendships and personal growth is the biggest prize I’ve been blessed to obtain.

Some people (mainly those who chase gold) who aren’t from my time or understand my story might see things differently, just as I will never understand what make getting Gold so important in a person’s life as a martial artist. But hey everyone has opinions and views of things based on what they see or think.

Overall it is a serious fight going on now.

·         Beliefs vs. Glory

·         Medal Chasing vs. Personal Chasing

·         Competitor vs. Martial Artist

·         Good vs. Evil

However you want to call it this situation of 97 % vs. 3 % is on and popping…which is a battle I believe will never go away. Like hungry politicians grappling for supremacy  or Crips and Blood banging it out…if someone feels strongly about something in their heart they will fight 4 it to the bitter ends. Sux it had to be this way..but in my opinion it was coming eventually

In closing all I gotta say is dig deep and look at everything BJJ has to offer. I guarantee you will finds things you didn’t know exist that would help you big time on and off the mat

 

monta

Lost Principle

Ok I wasn’t going waste my time on the situation but by the request of some people looks like I going to step up and put my two cents in on this horrific incident that transpired 2 days ago. This will be the one and only time I talk about this so check it out.

I am not going sit here and waste my time bashing the two particular individuals that obviously have gotten an ear full from thousands of other angry people ( if u want to know what I’m taking about  check the link to the story here http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/01/matthew-maldanado-nicholas-schultz-accused-in-new-year-s-eve-rape-83850.html

Or

Center this blog another incident the sprung up which relates to the person who teaches these guys (if u want to know what I’m talking about check out the link to that story here  http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/1/10/3856994/team-lloyd-irvin-rape-case)

 

However what I will focus on is the forgotten principle that so many people have overlook/ignored when stepping into Martial arts. Since my return to competition as you have read in many of my past blogs I have talked about how experiences and practice in BJJ should be used to better yourself. When some people read my views they called me a HATER because I am not a medal chaser or compete at the highest level. Hmm pretty valid stand I guess. However let me tell u the problem with people’s opinion on my views.

There are A LOT people from different timelines that come into martial arts ( BJJ in this case) for the wrong reasons. Back in the early 90’s people saw Royce Gracie and wanted to be tough and break arms like him. Today one glimpse of the UFC boom everyone want to learn BJJ. As some of these people start to grow  (most likely) their ego gets bigger, the accomplishments/ medal stack rises then all of a sudden they have this “I’m feeling myself” attitude about themselves. The sad part is a lot of you Man fans/ Stans in BJJ end up falling in love with these people because they are WINNING and are such “GREAT PEOPLE” not knowing the truth behind the medals and happy faces in their moment of glory.

Now how does what I say relate to the incident. One’s attitude during practice and as an martial artitst transfers off the mat in their daily lives which causes them to make bad choices some of which lead to serious consequences. These clowns that did this to the girl are an example of  people that exist in our sport that have learned nothing but how to chase medals, brag about hurting people, and wanting people to adore them. Then when shocking news like this pops up everyone is so shocked and say it a “sad day for BJJ” no genius it’s not a sad day for BJJ.. BJJ is literally sad by the minute ….

If anything It’s a Sad day for the Victim.

There are two points I want to make concerning my above analogy…..

1.       We as a community need to focus on what this sport original purpose was which is to help you grow as a person in a positive way. Don’t get a wrong it cool to win in competition and learn stuff however acquire that through your journey of your purpose of becoming a better person. I can’t begin to talk about how much this sport has helped me. Also instructors need to start promoting the sport properly to prevent problems like this. The biggest problem I always had with Lloyd JJ marketing is he  promotes it as a way to draw people to become “champions” nothing else which is all a person will think about no matter if they grow positively on the inside or not. I learned long ago u can have all the money and all the medals in the world. But when you die and leave this earth your real legacy will be defined by what you have done for your fellow man.
      

        When it come to Monta Wiley (ME) Everyday of my life I am always striving or finding a way to become a better person than I once was yesterday.  Am I perfect.. NO......however it doesnt mean I cant attempt to move one step closer at being just that.Correcting my  mistakes, learn how to treat people, and make decision for a positive change. These are things I learned through martial arts.

2.       For you people admiring these rising stars who are medal chasers or top BJJ personalities  this is a prime example of what you don’t know will shock you.  Alot of these people you ended up adding on facebook because they great don’t give a damn about your friendship. You have NO clue who these people truly are or what they do are after the grappling medal festivities is over. If anything start focusing on being inspired by your instructors who actual have hearts that care about you, training partners you bleed on the mat with, or people stories that actually have some personal struggle in their rise to the top you can relate too.

 

 I’ll end this blog with a quote from a great martial artist i did an article on. Learn it well folks

 

"There's a lot more to it than just learning different techniques on the mat and winning medals in competition. What Jiu-Jitsu really is at the end of the day, is a vehicle to better your life in every single aspect.”- Harryson Franz