Grant Bogdanove, a seasoned BJJ and Judo black belt, and an MMA fighter with a 3-0 record, shared an eye-opening experience. In a recent video titled, Bogdanove narrates how he was surprised by a trial student at his gym.

Bogdanove often tests new students by having them attempt to escape from a mounted position, a standard drill. Reflecting on this, he said:

“One of the things I always put into the trial lesson is a fun activity where I have the trial lie down, I take full mount, and I say try to escape.” Typically, students fail to escape and grow tired. But this time was different.

In this instance, Bogdanove allowed two of his more advanced students, “Fred” and “Cassie,” to try holding down the trial student. Both failed to maintain their positions as the trial student managed to escape swiftly. Commenting on the student’s physicality, Bogdanove was taken aback, noting: “I was starting to get a little nervous.”

Bogdanove finally decided to step in himself. “I mount the guy, we get ready to go, and I already knew he was good, I knew he was strong… but he almost shook me off the top.” Despite his best efforts, it took all of his strength and technique to keep the trial student pinned down.

Afterward, Bogdanove discovered that the trial student had no wrestling or grappling experience but had trained in powerlifting and gymnastics. This revelation was a humbling moment for the experienced black belt, who remarked: “It made me learn that I got to be ready for these guys if they come.”

The encounter, while challenging, was one that Bogdanove found invigorating. “It was an awesome experience for me — very humbling, very fun,” he concluded.

This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of martial arts, where raw athleticism and instincts can sometimes challenge even the most seasoned practitioners.

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