Chapter 335: -Dimensional maneuvering (1/2)
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.