Olympic Boxer Quit BJJ After This Happened…
The Footwork Boxing Academy Program https://boxingfitness.com/footwork-boxing?video=y5zxxIJVrgk The Heavybag Boxing …
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February 10, 2026
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"Harmony in Every Heartbeat
The Footwork Boxing Academy Program https://boxingfitness.com/footwork-boxing?video=y5zxxIJVrgk The Heavybag Boxing …
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What are your thoughts on BJJ Injuries? Let me know in the comments
Pro Boxer vs Cyborg – BJJ World Champion (Who wins?): https://youtu.be/A6-tjWc_glQ
I think its cool that an olympic boxer, professional boxer trained in jiu jitsu. So many boxers say they dont need any graplling and think boxing is all they need. Its cool to see a prof boxer learning to grapple
dude, the "life on hold' is such a percise description of state when you are healing / rehabilitating
Hey Tony ….
Try some aikido. The harder styles like Yoshinkan are similar to BJJ and technically demanding. Some schools will include Jo and Bokken training. You will not be bored.
I practiced Aikido for some time and even went to Japan. Many of the principles are the same as other martial arts. I started boxing about a year ago and I am really enjoying it.
My aikido practice made me a better boxer.
I trained BJJ for years, and some of my joints (mostly in my fingers and shoulders) didn't stop hurting for years, after I stopped.
Respect, it's the tough decision but the right decision.
He has boxer muscles and body he can train super hard and long, but this other BJJ is another muscle burn or development time can't go the same pace with new things that need to recover more and stress more new pressure and power to absorb become
I always hate to see people stop coming to Jiu Jitsu, but there are cases where it’s completely okay. Your case is a completely fine reason to stop going to Jiu Jitsu
We need to be honest about one thing- you didn’t tap when you should have and you probably got stacked in your neck both are avoidable.
You might want to look into the Ring Dinger decompression if that may be of any use.
This is why I no longer train, I've had multiple injuries in BJJ. First time, I pulled guard, and tried to an elbow escape and take my training partners back, and I tore my MCL, and was out for nine weeks. The second time, I was rolling with a guy who was 300+ pounds, and when I had him in the guard he dropped down on me and I tore three intercostal muscles, I was out for months. I left jiu-jitsu because I just didn't want to sustain any more injuries. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is great, and I really love the years of doing it, and I encourage anybody to try it out.
As a former TKD and Taiho Jutsu/Aikido/Judo practitioner, I began Judo/Jiu Jutsu with my son, at over 60! At first, it was ok, but months later, ( coz I’ve got a long metal bar in my left leg from a Mtb crash) a throw stopped my training. It became “weak” unstable, so I switched back to Mtb, cycling, circuits, weights and stretching. I miss the martial arts, but can still train hard with less injuries.
I genuinely don't think my body can do grappling the way these guys do, striking works but grappling is just too intricate for my joints to take. Super balanced and flexible but I have some super tight wrists and elbows, hips, knees etc. They all make clunking sounds when i punch since im in my 30's and shit isn't gonna hold up in Jiu jitsu me thinks.
I ve been having the same issue with my neck before i even started jiu jitsu from snapping my neck when falling (never had a concussion) from my sk8board for 15 years. It,s the constant snapping back that did it
unfortunately i think you just went too hard, especially as a white/blue belt, it's a killer at ANY age both mentally and physically
Now I know why I can barely turn my head after a bjj training session. I only started like 2 months ago and after a hard sparring session I have neck issues and a guy fell on my knee and I thought he broke my leg. There's a lot of hype around bjj but not enough people talking about drawbacks. I changed my training routine to do Muay Thai, MMA classes and a bit of grappling but no full time bjj. Also realised I love the variety and loved hitting the pads.
As a older practitioner of bjj i seen this a lot.. new ppl is very competitive and sometimes they do stuff and do whatever without preparation etc.. one key thing for new ppl is to learn to move, dont over train and lower aggression on sparing.. something that i find disappointing about bjj in general is that for the most part gyms police random crap on a whim but a general rule, they let you do whatever and don police you behavior on sparring, the most common excuse i heard is " my teacher never did, so i wont do it" or say that since bjj is more relaxed on rules because is Brazilian and talk about how some other sensei did stuff, blah blah.. to me this is absurd.. as a consequence i dont spar with big or crazy ppl or new, i point out bs to ppl that fight like its a tournament, a try to inform what to look for to ppl that will hear it.. this are things i think a sensei should do, most won't.. so i do it to protect myself, little by little im reaching the same breaking point than he did..
Sorry you had to drop it. But smart move. I'm sure your family appreciates it.
fuck. i have most of those symptoms right now. i was doing dumbell OHP and felt a sharp pinch. has been hurting for a week now. luckily this has happened many times before and goes away eventually.
Thank you for this video, Tony! Interesting to hear such stories from ex-pro athletes. It seems like after 40 we all will need to leave our egos and competitiveness outside of the gym, to maintain happy and healthy life. However, it’s easier said than done… 🙂
Tony, have you thought of training in Wing Chun to keep yourself training in martial arts? It's another striking art but the risk of injury is much lower. It might be something to keep yourself focused until your neck gets better.
Saw an analysis video anout the effect of age & weight on various belt levels. 10 years age difference and 20 lb. weight difference are equivalent to a one higher
belt levels.
The aging profile in striking and throwing arts actually improves with age combined with continued refinement of techniques.
He is no quitter. He did what led to a improved future
It seems to have little to do with BJJ itself, and more with starting a new sport at an older age, and training almost every day of the week. Especially with white belt, where you try to resolve situations with force instead of skills. That’s a lot of stress to your body. Start slow, and ramp it up gradually, and then no need to quit.
The reason why I walked away from BJJ is because of all the injuries I was getting. I never got any injuries when I was striking but I did when it was grappling and also, BJJ tends to be hard on the joints after a while.
There's no shame in trying something out and then not being interested in it anymore because that's just how life is and I'm proud of you for having the courage to at least give it a shot!
Most people would just sit on the couch, eating potato chips and running their mouth on the internet.
Take care of yourself. I have returned to BJJ training after a 15 year break. At 53 years old, I have to listen to my body and respond appropriately to injuries and recovery requirements. I am currently not at a competition school as I was before and will do everything I can to minimize injuries. Currently, my self defense oriented school allows me to focus upon the techniques and fight simulation against non-trained & trained opponents. With a less competitive training environment, I hope to minimize the more serious injury risk. A more serious injury such as yours (spine, knees, and shoulders) would cause me to consider quitting for good as well. I am hopeful to keep training for as long as possible and achieve the goals that I have set for myself. Thank you for sharing your story Tony! I can definitely relate. Cheers from the USA!
Really appreciate you making this video.
Im 38 and am looking to start training bjj soon. Ive only dabbled in martial arts before and bjj looks fun. I have zero desire to compete in any combat sport. I have zero desire for hard sparring or hard rolling. Ive got nothing to prove. Im just here for fun and personal enrichment plus i already have neck/back issues though very minor.
I quit at 43 after bad back, torn rib muscles, legs popping everytime i walk.
But mainly quit cause in the summer i got tired of the heavy sweating people with nasty smelling Gi or Rash guards and it was unbearable.
Even if you tap early, there is considerable risk when the neck and knees are involved. Things become even worse when you begin standing. Crappy wrestling is high risk.
Yeah…I was like ok click bait I’ll bite…. Then he said blue belt LMAFO what a joke, not like yeah 3rd degree black belt, giving it up. lol blue belt you just got the blue belt sickness homie
I went too fast and got injured it’s too fun and you don’t realize how much adaptation you need.. tendons adjust VERY slowly