As Ben walked into Barbosa's MMA Gym and exchanged glances with big Terrence at reception, Ben couldn't help but notice Terrence take a couple of extra seconds to look at him curiously.
'This little guy really won the purple belt tournament? That's amazing…' As a lover of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Terrence's heart was filled with respect.
Ben stared back. 'This guy might be a lover of the schvontz…'
…
Ben hadn't even started training but he was already starting to sweat…because he knew Terrence was a purple belt and Ben was going to start purple belt classes soon. 'If we have to roll together…'
Ben's mind entered strategist mode, as he visualized various attacks and defenses in the situation where he'd have to grapple with Terrence. Although in normal circumstances, Ben was very attack-minded. In this particular matchup, he decided to focus on defense. 'Must defend the bunghole.'
…
"There you are!" A powerful voice shook the reception area, as an equally powerful frame walked out from the other end of the room. It was Ricardo Barbosa, showing a slight smile as he nodded at Ben. "Young man, are you ready to learn the art of striking?"
Ben's eyes flashed. 'So it's finally time to move to the next step.' He'd been practicing BJJ since he started training, and had become more powerful by leaps and bounds, but that strike from Nick gave Ben a cruel awakening: MMA was a dynamic multi-level sport. To put it in other terms: fighting wasn't that simple.
Modern MMA, like the world, was 3 dimensional: grappling, stand-up grappling, and striking. Up until now, Ben only practiced the grappling aspect. This was the fighting that took place on the ground. Although he'd gained some experience in stand-up grappling due to often starting his BJJ matches standing up, Ben hadn't yet experienced any aspects of striking.
At times when he was training though, he was able to observe through the door into another room, watching the striking practices and even sparring matches in the gym's MMA octagon cage. The first time he saw that thing, with the bold black chainlink fence, he thought to himself, 'This is how one goes back to monke…'
Yet, he couldn't deny that striking looked interesting. Furthermore, when he thought of typical fighting, it was that—punching. This was how fights between amateurs always started, with wide-looping strikes, and the occasional "World Star" declaration…
Which was the Millenial's "Fatality…"
In any case, Ben wasn't trying to get any of his hearts ripped out…
'I need to learn how to defend myself.' He was determined to win at least 2 out of every 3 deathmatches…
"Good! That's a good look in your ey—" Ricardo was about to finish his sentence before Ben glanced at Terrence and grimaced…before jogging over to the other side of the lobby like he was running away from something.
Ricardo blinked but not knowing what was going on, he soon recovered. "All right, follow me." Then he led Ben into the training area of the gym where they trained striking. As the two walked inside, Ben took a wide look around. Although he'd been here before, the space now held a different feel to it, because he knew that he would now experience it first hand.
Higher ceilings. No mats on the walls. Just concrete. Brutal and direct. There were fewer protections here.
In the center of the space was the octagonal ring, where several men were now throwing powerful strikes against each other. The loud sounds of gloves making impact couldn't compare to anything in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This wasn't a body hitting a mat from gravity and momentum. This was the full force of muscle and bone impacting on someone else. Crunching and thundering.
Ricardo watched Ben as the young man walked around the gym, getting a closer look at the facilities than he'd ever had before. Ricardo nodded in appreciation. He was looking forward to how this young man could develop. Ben had already surprised him in his genius-level talent at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Would it be the same for striking?
Ricardo wasn't sure. He'd seen many people that only possessed a talent for one area of MMA. In fact, this was very common. After all, it took years to develop in one area. It wasn't easy. Somehow though, Ricardo's instincts told him that maybe Ben could surprise him, so the veteran instructor couldn't help getting his hopes up.
Was this the student he'd been waiting for all this time? Up until now, although his gym was reputed due to his family's pedigree, it hadn't produced a home-grown champion. So, when Ricardo saw Ben, bells rang in the Brazilian's head. Ben had unique talents Ricardo admired!
He appreciated Ben for his psychological warfare. Back in Ricardo's offices, bookshelves were filled with various classics on strategy.
The Art of War.
The Book of 5 Rings.
Glow Up: The Cardi B Biography On Being a Bad B*tch.
That wasn't his!
…
A student's child left that last book…
Had Ricardo looked through it and found a couple nuggets of wisdom in her quotes? Yes!
…
Because he was a person that was willing to learn from any master…
However, he wouldn't admit that in public! In any case, the point was that he admired Ben's ability to attack his opponents' through verbal and psychological warfare. Beyond the young man's ability to grapple, this was a unique talent, and it was effective. So Ricardo saw Ben's potential, even if the particular curses he'd heard Ben spew were revolting at times and even made Ricardo regret searching on the internet for the meaning of "Arabian sand-goggles."
…
In any case. Now, he'd find out if this seedling he'd had his eyes on would become anything more than a prospect; if he had the talent to become a fighter, no…a champion. Ricardo didn't know why but his heart accelerated at the thought. His eyes shined as he watched Ben approach a punching bag. Then Ricardo's eyes died when Ben gave it a quick hump.
