conflict of interest

[wagon]

With Bjj becoming more and more wide spread in the UK and mma gyms having specific Bjj classes and coaches is there an increased likelihood that a Bjj coach teaching at more than one mma gym will have to deal with conflicts of interest. If so how would you deal with it.

Personally I've had guys want to train with me who I know have mma fights coming up with guys from the same Bjj team as me (though different academies) I have politely told them to return once the fight is done and we can talk then. Most have, or they have asked the promotor to change the fight.

[Rob T]

I teach in different MMA gyms and don't find there to be any problem. I'm not an MMA coach though, I just make people good at jiu-jitsu. I don't discuss fighters abilities with other gyms so there is no problem.

I can see it would be a problem if someone was acting as a jiu-jitsu instructor and MMA coach to someone and then also had their opponent/potential opponent wanting tuition, because then you'd be involved in forming a gameplan for your guy while knowing his opponent's ability.

[wagon]

So do you or would you coach two guys Jiujitsu for mma who were to fight each other? As an example gracie barra swansea (sorry I forget the name of the mma team) against a guy from another mma gym you teach at?

[Rob T]

Yes, I just teach people jiu-jitsu. I don't corner MMA fighters nor do I train/organise the MMA team. I wouldn't treat them any different from any other person in my classes.

[wagon]

Genuinely interested in your thought process. I would really struggle to do that if I'm honest. Not sure I could differentiate between the Bjj team and teaching at mma gyms.

[EdRobinson]

Surely by raising the level of any and all fighters improves the skillset of the mma in the uk and is a good thing. The win loss thing is irrelevant compared to the improvement of your skillset/self etc.

Question: Do you want your opponent to be underprepared compared to you? maybe a bit of you does, but the true warrior surely wants the hardest test possible. This after all is a better test of your skills, determination, mindset etc (and has the biggest reward)

Summary: by keeping techniques to yourself you are only hurting yourself, the optimum level development in my mind is when your opponent knows whats coming but cannot stop it because you are so good at it.

That and please dont put a stop to cross training between gyms. (training at Gracie Barra Swansea is awesome)