Dancing by the Light of My Burning Bridges

[Vince Tortelli]

Some of you may notice that I now longer list Gracie Jiu Jitsu in my style field. There are two reasons for this:

1.My style field is now a reference to one of the greatest movies ever made, starring Terry Funk

2. Due to recent events, I am no longer training at Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Mississippi, web site gjjms.com

A timeline to how this came about:

Wednesday of last week: I travel to Remix MMA on the MS Gulf Coast, a mixed martial arts gym owned by UFC veteran Alan Belcher. I roll with everyone there, go through a Muay Thai class, and generally have a good time. While there I recieve several fliers for a grappling tournament Remix will be hosting this Saturday, and promise to hand them out at my school.

Monday: Due to work, I arrive at GJJMS during the open mat period, and begin handing out fliers. Allen Hopkins, Pedro Sauer black belt, asks me where I got them, and I relate the events that took place last Wednesday. Then I get the following speech:

I don't know what your fucking problem is, man. I am the only fucking person who knows anything about Jiu Jitsu, MMA, or whatever the fuck you wanna call it, in Missisppi, Louisiana, Alabama, or Tennessee. If you'd fucking come in HERE and learn some jiu jitsu, instead of just jacking around...you're in the zero percentile of people who know jiu jitsu. You've fucking wasted my time for six months. I'm gonna give you some advice...get your fucking shit togather.

Today: I spend all day contemplating Allen's little speech. Then at 8:30 I drive to GJJMS and deliver a little speech of my own, to his face.

You know, I've been thinking about what you said, and I think you were right. I probably can't find another school whose jiu jitsu instructor is as good as you, but I bet I can find one where the instructor is not as big a horse's ass as you are. I'm gonna give you some advice...pull the stick out of your ass and quit acting like you are God's Gift to the World. Goodbye, sir.

Then I walked out the door, never to return.
:copdance:

[johnny3443]

Was he mad that you just started handing out fliers without asking? Is there more to this?

[Deadmeat]

That's ... strange.

From what you've described it seems as if your (former) coach feels somehow disrespected. Has he reacted this way to other people before?

[Vince Tortelli]

I know of at least one blue belt who left because, in his words:

"Allen is a prick. He has good jiu jitsu, but he's still a prick."

Also, I didn't simply start shoving fliers into people's hands, I asked him if I could put one on his desk for people to watch.

I was pretty stunned by the whole thing, I'm one of the few people from his school who flies the flag at competitions (And generally puts in a good showing, not bragging but I have placed at least 3rd in every tournament I have entered, none of which have been the Mundials or the Pan-Ams but I'm trying, dang it!)

[Deadmeat]

I don't know what your fucking problem is, man. I am the only fucking person who knows anything about Jiu Jitsu, MMA, or whatever the fuck you wanna call it, in Missisppi, Louisiana, Alabama, or Tennessee. If you'd fucking come in HERE and learn some jiu jitsu, instead of just jacking around...you're in the zero percentile of people who know jiu jitsu. You've fucking wasted my time for six months. I'm gonna give you some advice...get your fucking shit togather.

Well... it seems from that tirade that the problem is the fact you went to another club to train? Is that generally frowned on?

Also, is he "the only fucking person who knows anything about Jiu Jitsu, MMA, or whatever the fuck you wanna call it, in Missisppi, Louisiana, Alabama, or Tennessee."?

Honestly, it seems to me you would be best off leaving a school with an environment like that, but I also don't think there was any need for you to respond to him as you did. As your thread title implies, you're burning bridges, and aren't phased by the prospect.

Generally, if someone acts like a douche, the best way to make them feel like the douche they are is to respond civilly, and politely go about your business.

Just my $0.02

More importantly, what are you going to do about training now?

[Naszir]

Wow, Tim Credeur and Rich Clementi may disagree. Also, isn't one of his students teaching in West Monroe, LA? I wasn't there and I don't know the guy but his reaction doesn't make any sense. Is there any ill will between your former instructor and the place you visited?

[Kid Miracleman]

Fuck him. If he doesn't want his students visiting or associating with other GJJ/BJJ/MMA schools, that's his problem. He had no right to insult you (a paying student/customer) in that manner.

I don't care how awesome his jits is, he can go suck on his mama's bloody frozen tampon popsicles.

[Rivington]

Yeah, fuck that guy. Did you really say all that stuff though, Vince, or did you just think it? If the former, what was his reaction?

[Pandinha]

Sucks to hear man.

Fix your style field. If you aren't training, put that in there.

Thanks.

[FLMikeATT]

Damn that sucks. Guy sounds like a major asshole with insecurity problems. You definitely made the right call, and the instructor is clearly in the wrong. Fuck him.

[Squerlli]

Wow... epically weak.

Wtf is with some coaches and getting pissed if you train at another gym? You're still fucking paying, whats the deal???

[Lily]

Good for you for making your own decision.

However, think on the fact that you did train with him and may not be in the most objective mental space to be starting a thread slamming the guy. You both had your say to each other and you should man up and leave it at that.

[mrblackmagic]

1. Martial arts instructor is not a lucrative profession. Potentially losing clients is kind of a big deal. You should have asked.

2. He really really overreacted. There's always a better way to handle something. That was not professional at all.

[dokomoy]

1. Martial arts instructor is not a lucrative profession. Potentially losing clients is kind of a big deal. You should have asked.

If the guy was worried about losing a student he probably wouldn't have gone off on Vince like that.

[aaaargh]

BJJ wins again!