Army Vet Gets a BJJ Black Belt & 15-Year Blue Belt Finally Gets Purple

Today's video is going to be a special BJJ promotion day video.
You'll see some general rolling, some specific belt rolls, and then promotions.
Because our gym is pretty big, many of our students don't ever see each other besides this belt promotion event, so it makes it a pretty special day for a few reasons.
When I promote my student in Jiu-Jitsu, the promotion is already decided before the day of.
Therefore, I try to let my students know they don't need to kill each other during the rolls, but obviously it's important to watch them roll/train with other students at their current rank.
The other coaches and I also give out stripes in the video, but this is more based on time than anything. Whereas the belts themselves have a few different qualifications.
Lastly, there was one Black Belt promotion in the video from a close friend, who is genuinely a great person. His name is Tony (Aka Uncle Tony).
He's a big help around the gym, a great Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, and an all-around sweet guy.
Once again, congrats Tony and everyone else for their promotions.
Hopefully you guys enjoyed the video!
- Chewy
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Intro/Outtro Music : bknapp.bandcam...
If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.
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[@derrickrobinson7269]

Seeing all those Black belts lined up under Chewy is mind blowing.

[@shabblabbat]

Chewy's been around the block, he's old school for sure.

[@Chewjitsu]

Used to be just me out there by my lonesome.

[@nusa8498]

I like how the pup walked with tony while being belt whipped LOL congrats all on your promotions!

[@evertonhenriques6152]

I visited the gym a few years ago and Tony went out of his way to help me and make me feel at home. Nice to hear all those great words said about him. Congrats to everyone who got promoted!

[@Chewjitsu]

I believe I remember you. You're a teacher, if I am correct?

[@andypowell141]

I visited your gym in September and Tony offered to pair with me and made me feel very welcomed along with Chewy. Thank you Tony for making me feel comfortable and welcome!

[@tonyclemente5815]

You are welcome. Its my job as an upper belt to welcome people into the gym and community. Also, I enjoy it.

[@jamieboelter3049]

After hearing everyone said about Tony I was like, "Tony is my favorite person now too!" When they finally showed him on screen I remember Tony sending me a shoyoroll gi for my birthday years ago. One of only 3 in our size. Never even met the guy in real life!Tony's the best! Congrats brother on your promotion to black belt!

[@ChickenAndACanOfCoke]

I've never met tony, but we all love tony.

[@jimmyshookog3509]

I've been training for 18 years. I've had two long layoffs totaling 9 years. I received my purple belt 2 1/2 years ago and have been consistent since starting again in 2019. I know how hard it is to come back from layoffs and I feel those purple belt promotions in my soul. Great to see the atmosphere. Congratulations to everyone.

[@jamiller83]

Congrats on the promotions! My wife and I just received our Brown belts 2 weeks ago!

[@stevecruz779]

Brown? That’s dope congrats to you and your wife I hope to be there 1 day

[@jamiller83]

@@stevecruz779 Don't quit. Show up. Apply yourself. That's all it takes. It took me 8 1/2 yrs to earn a Brown belt.

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

that’s awesome man. I’m a purple belt for about a year. Brown feels so far away lol

[@kameronsun]

@@Jiu-JitsuJourney257don’t worry brother been a purple for 6 years, just get better and the belt will come

[@mamabearthrives7815]

19:14 The pups reaction! 😂🐶🧐 pup: “hmmm, this isn’t quite like the loving hug-line from earlier” 😍

[@NicholasDaniels-ru2cg]

Met Tony at Chewy’s camp in 2022 as a fresh faced 1 stripe white belt. First thing he said to me was “i apologize for any discomfort this is going to cause you” as he proceeded to handcuff me and bend me into an accordion with a São Paulo pass haha people talk about their first experience that hooked them and this was one of my formative moments. You could tell he was a special person from the reverence everyone had for him and he had the skills to match. Congrats!

[@tonyclemente5815]

Sssshhhh you are ruining my reputation as a nice guy. I'm not supposed to really know any Jiu-jitsu. I'm glad I made an impact. Also, you now have a pass you can use for life.

[@trentmoe]

What an honor! I will not stop until I get my black belt!

[@gabecortez7419]

I love watching people get promoted!! OOS👊

[@Theblackprogressive1911]

Dang this brought tears to my eyes

[@bennewport83]

Love me some Chewjitsu videos. Always an encouragement for older guys like me who are starting in their 40's and can't make it to train more than a couple of days a week.

[@CBraxton]

49 here. Blue belt. Purple is still off in the distance. And I’m fine with that. I get you though. Sometimes it feels like I’m so far behind and encouragement is good. (Of course, I have to remind myself, “Behind who or what exactly?”)

[@tededo]

Well, you're 15 years away from the purple LOL@@CBraxton

[@JustAnotherSomeDude]

⁠@@CBraxtonEither way you’re doing it and hopefully enjoying. Even at blue belt you should be proud for knowing bjj

[@Chewjitsu]

Everyone has their own path bro!

[@Eganja.]

Brother the fact you are making it any days a week shows that you can prove yourself worthy of your own validation, take it day by day and you will succeed in whatever you want💪

[@apollion1]

wow, what a testament to that dude tony. he sounds like an extremely impressive person both on and off the mats. congrats my man. and he handled the gauntlet like a boss.

[@tonyclemente5815]

Thanks! I'm just a normal dude that is to stubborn to quit and have to look my daughter in the eyes. After all the bionic implants and time spent getting cut on, I've developed an immunity to iocane powder....I mean minor pain. Sorry Princess Bride joke.

[@judosailor610]

Belt promotions are fun! I recently got my blue belt, which was awesome of course. But I have to say I think I was just as excited if not more so to see some of my blue belt buddies get promoted to purple. They deserved it, and it was cool to see.

[@MichaelAres]

This already put tears to my eyes, then the dog comes out and I’m like aaaaww cmon man! 😭 I’m a softee, but love to see this!

[@Thawolf878]

For someone like Chewy who owns the gym, how does he get more stripes on his black belt. He's the highest rank there, so there is no one to give him more stripes. Anyone know how that works??

[@mrorbit2u]

Damn!!! I don't know Tony, but I know we need more guys like him. Let's go Tony!! Congrats!!

[@draganxgaming]

I think this is awesome 👏🏻. I’ve been training for a little bit now to get my first stripe as a white belt. But I haven’t gotten even 1 stripe yet. I’ve submitted people who have 1 or even 2 stripes. I’ve dedicated myself a lot to the self defense and sport of it. Never asked for my stripe and it sucks because people who started after me got their stripe before me? This is what’s making me want to quit jiu jitsu… it’s almost like they have some ought against me? I’m socially awkward… I’m more of a introvert person. And jiu jitsu was a way for me to try to learn to have social graces. I’m super discouraged now. And feel as though I am wasting my money. The owners wife came up to me like 3 separate times randomly saying “you might not get your stripe because you weren’t here for awhile…” I am SOOOO confused….? If I hit the time marker on my card and am displaying the technique in rolls I shouldn’t be dinged for being gone 1 1/2mo-2months. I was gone for medical and because I got a sleeve done (tattoo). I hate this bs. I feel like if I haven’t gotten my 1st stripe. That is inadvertently telling me I’m not getting any better (despite submitting people and showing technique), that I should just quit.

[@Zeitgeist3679]

Congratulations Tony!

[@BretSiakel]

Congrats Tony!

[@gboyhitdaspot]

Congratulations all!!!

[@asaiya705]

lol i love the guy at the end, sending em off with something to remember lol

[@bigjakes2006]

I see some familiar faces. Me and Kenny trained together when I was a white belt!!! He was my inspiration. I also think I see 2 of my gym partners out there as well

[@christophervelez1561]

Congrats y’all

[@robertwhelan9132]

Those belts looking handsome 😍🤗 Congratulations 🎊🎉

[@jeremygermenis8036]

No matter how much time you have on the mats, everyone looks down while getting a stripe.

[@Lpass2020]

Congrats and thank you for your service!!

[@SANJURO1973]

Congrats to Tony!

[@randallsteiger4860]

Love and respect from wyoming.

[@will-ehawk349]

If i can find an instructor like this guy here in NYC i would definitely get back into BJJ along with my Muay Thai.

[@matethegreat1221]

I initially thought that the guy behind chewy at 4:08 was ben rothwell 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@franciscoramos7339]

Congrats to all!!

[@alexandregerrits8808]

Dang, now I understand why the stripes I put on my students' belt fall off. Chewie put foot long stripes... I'll try that.

[@Chewjitsu]

😂

[@EricandWolfy]

Great to see the old crew! Tim looks great since he got his black belt. Chad, of course always looks so great! So many bad ass black belts!! Where is Chris?!? Miss and love you guys. ☮️

[@Chewjitsu]

Hope you're doing well Eric!

[@EricandWolfy]

I’m doing great Nick! So happy for all your success. Love the videos. Never miss them. Happy New Year my friend!!

[@Ccpthorne]

Damn Eugene is looking jacked!😮

[@tonyclemente5815]

Facts....he made my dad bod look sad lol.

[@dl6225]

Nice one!

[@m.douglas5406]

Eugene straight ripped.

[@Craigbishop-hy8rx]

brilliant

[@billgo4th]

Well said! Grats!

[@delljohn]

I love this 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯 Tang Soo

[@chriso8726]

I want to preference this with what I’m about to say is not intended to be disrespectful or argumentative. I really dislike the belt whipping for promotions. Something about a white belt whipping a black belt doesn’t sit right with me. Where I train all the higher belts get to throw those promoted 3 times. Again no disrespect intended, to each their own and congrats to all who got belts and stripes. 🤙🏼

[@Paintballman251]

I’ve heard in some places it’s optional to do it. 100% fuck doing that. Your point about a white belt getting to whip a black belt sitting weird is weird to me. If you see the belt as more than just a representation of someone’s time and acquired knowledge, as something that like makes them not an equal (apart from skill obviously) in some way, then that’s strange to me. The throwing idea is cool, that’d be funny to see.

[@chriso8726]

@@Paintballman251 I don’t think higher belts are better people. You identified in your reply, they have more time on the mats which is why I don’t like that lower belts get free shots at them. Now if you tap me as a higher belt when we roll more power to you. That’s something I have to live with 🤙🏼

[@LiamEryt182]

Our gym when you’re promoted you do an “iron man” where you roll with everyone white to black, then while rolling with the final black belt they swap your belt mid roll and tap you. Good times 😂

[@Chewjitsu]

No offense taken brother. I get it, looks kind of rough. Personally, I'd rather do the gauntlet than an iron man / shark tank or get thrown. I remember at 1 point we did throws and getting launched by several of the higher belts. The whacks sting for a minute, but the throws scared me with an injury. Either way, it's all just an uncomfortable ritual in the final point of separation between 1 rank and the next. Appreciate you throwing out your thoughts like a mature human rather than going bananas about how awful someone else is. You're one of the goods ones! 😂

[@chriso8726]

@@Chewjitsu you can tell when promotions are coming because we usually start practicing throws a week or so ahead of time 🤣. I’ve trained at the same place since starting in 2010 and there have been a couple injuries over the years but mostly just some soreness. I usually do 1 throw and 2 trips unless I like you then it’s 2 throws and a trip lol. Really like your channel and videos. You seem like a great guy who knows his stuff. Thanks for the reply and thoughts 🤙🏼

[@skywatchers9675]

Started bjj 2009 4 stripe blue belt

[@raywill2007]

Aye, CHAD!!!

[@Bradley9967]

Do they do belt whipping with kids? I can only imagine how that would go.

[@rogerteaminski6351]

You can't get a blue belt until you are 16? I believe, so by the time you get belt you would be an adult and can make your own decisions. I doubt there are very many gyms that would make the gauntlet a required thing.

[@theaouch4749]

BJJ = Basically Just Judo Newaza.

[@RoyBlumenthal]

Lovely video... Until the gauntlet. There is absolutely no chance I would train anywhere that does that. Hazing doesn't belong anywhere.

[@Chewjitsu]

👍

[@1lostinspace]

Why is that guy a blue belt for 15 years?

[@Theblackprogressive1911]

Probably was just inconsistent, life happene

[@tededo]

Nick said, he had a lot of things going on in life outside BJJ. Hey look, I've been a blue since 2005. Maybe, like this guy, I cant earn a single stripe to save my life, until my new instructor will surprise me, cause I think you know like me, instructors love to surprise their students.

[@gboyhitdaspot]

Because that's his own personal journey. What matters is that he's still on the mats.. don't the belt fabric define you

[@1lostinspace]

@@gboyhitdaspot what does that mean in his journey he gets to be a blue belt for 15 years lol wtf does that mean?

[@1lostinspace]

@@gboyhitdaspot so his personal journey is to held back for 15 years?

[@mannyzification]

15 years to get blue belt...he must have not trained for long time...

[@tededo]

I've been a blue belt since 2005. I love interferences. I boxed 25 years, catch wrestling, name it. Each TMA and combat sport I engaged in was to the fullest, so I took several pauses to my BJJ to be committed to other arts.

[@devriestown]

Why even train in gi😐😐😐😐🤦

[@RocArio]

Because that’s the sport of jiu jitsu

[@cobraarms2466]

Do both

[@bigsarge1982]

Been in the army 18+ years.. took me 21 years to get my black belt... it's rough with switching professors every few years so big grats for ya boy.

[@raywill2007]

As a 7-year blue belt, this gives me hope.

[@bencll]

Congratulations to all the belt promotions, stripe earners, and everyone else who showed up for class tonight.

[@tonycruz7186]

Solid gym man

[@archeign7769]

That dog has a black belt in cuteness.

[@tonyclemente5815]

She knows it lol.

[@stephenroach8033]

My gym just did promotions last weekend. I have never been so happy for my friends to be promoted. By that, I mean that as someone who is retiring in a couple of months from the Army, I've seen so many people promoted for all the wrong reasons. In BJJ, if you get promoted, it's because you EARNED it! Congratulations to all your gym members. They earned it!

[@Chewjitsu]

Appreciate it.

[@ChoonMa]

These are always great days to be a part of this gym! Love it!

[@seanbanner2705]

Chewy i hope you read this. I was so happy, excited and nervous at the same time to train at your gym. I traveled from arizona to visit kentucky and other neighboring states. When i got to your gym i was welcomed like i had already been training there. Seeing you speak about those you promoted was very heart warming. There was a blind student there that i had rolled with and saw he had gotten a stripe on his belt. Him gaining that stripe made me really happy to know that i got to roll with him and got to be apart of his journey. I am glad i got to see this video and spead time out in your gym. I plan to come back out as soon as i can. If it helps you remember me i called you nick when you were warming up for class and i am a student of gracie barra arizona.

[@Chewjitsu]

Hey bro. I remember you. The blind student is Brandon . . . he's becoming a monster haha. Appreciate the message Sean!

[@mamabearthrives7815]

14:38 😭👏😭👏😭❤️❤️💪😎💓💓💓 This folk’s, is how it’s supposed to be! Absolutely beautiful promotion ceremony Chew! Thank you so much for sharing this! Congratulations Tony!💪🥰

[@tonyclemente5815]

Thank you very much.

[@TCMGraduateTV]

Chewy’s stripes are thiccc.

[@sravlca2147]

What a group😮!, in my gym we are around 10 people on a good day 😂

[@caspian7151]

Eyyy Brian Moore’s my professor and Kenny used to be before he moved away from Huntsville. Great vid - love your content Chewy. Congrats Tony!

[@BothSidesAreTrash89]

Congrats Tony! 🙏👍 well deserved!

[@Psichlo1]

Me and my wife had the pleasure of traveling to Derby City and train with Chewy awhile back and it was great. Everyone was really nice as was Chewy. I actually enjoy other peoples promotions more than anything else, including stripes and promotions. I think Chewy made good points about everyone's life and journey being different. There seems to be quite a few gyms that only focus on students that compete, or students that are there doing two a days seven days a week. It's nice to see the understanding that some people have lives outside of jiu jitsu, and while that may extend their time in belt, it doesn't stop them from coming and training hard when they can.

[@JonOcasio]

Let's go Tony!! Proud of you brother!!!

[@caa9940]

The corgi is the real blackbelt ^^

[@BradGE909]

Really great to see this, Tony trained with us out near Chicago when he came out for Steve's wedding, loved meeting him and Miss Mischief, he's a really good dude and it's good to see so many people there for him

[@yvnginfinity]

Watched this guy many times before I knew he was in my hometown, what a goat

[@vincentcapaccio2033]

Love your show...I'm 59 yrs old...grew up in a tough neighborhood and had my share of fights...was on both sides of the wins and losses...but i recently was assaulted by 4 people...I survived, but was a little beat up...I realized that day, that there are people and situations that can take me out...I've always wanted to take up the sport...now more than ever...I'm in pretty decent shape for 59yrs...and I'm very interested in getting started....do students have to compete in tournaments, or could I just pursue it practicing? Thank you for your knowledge and time...

[@fstjeanm]

Personally I prefer when promotions are not organized and that you get it individually during the class when the professor judges you are ready. Feels more like a unique moment.

[@dethcorebree]

Congrats on your black belt man man I trained a little with you down in Fayetteville at Conner stone bjj thanks for your service as well

[@archibaldmainsfield]

AND the dog’s a corgi!! Love it

[@quentingoins4758]

where is this guys gym he really articulates the zone well. I can listen to this guy... he looks alot more intimidating in his Gi .lol I have listened to him talk , i bet hes a nightmare

[@jccharly2000]

great vid!! lots of blackbelts. Congratulations to all.

[@xChrisSoaresx]

What a great video! Also that Corgi! ❤

[@tonyclemente5815]

She has her own IG...and is absolutely not spoiled...not.

[@GLGForgeworks]

Uncle Lazy Lizard grats bud

[@tonyclemente5815]

Thanks my brother.

[@michaelparker8928]

It means you have swallowed a hell of a lot of other peoples sweat

[@lukegrant7452]

I spot a contestant from Outlast!

[@Chewjitsu]

Yes you did.

[@craigmiller7686]

Congratulations Tony! I met him at the August Jiu Jitsu Camp there at Derby City. He was super polite and very welcoming. Even when he folded me up during the no-gi session! It awesome to here about his training journey from his friends and instructors!

[@salvadorjlopez92]

Tony's the man! Was super helpful when I came down for the August seminar. Spent some 1:1 time to make sure I was getting the techniques as a lost white belt. Happy to see this promotion! Cheers to Tony, Chewy, and the rest of the gang. Hope to se yall again soon. -Sal

[@MrPopeye722]

That's awesome! I used to be FB friends with him and sold him a Kauai Kimono maybe like 8-9 years ago. Congrats Dude!

[@georgey2tymes271]

This had me tearing up. Love a great community like this.

[@kevinloerch7540]

I loved this! Congrats to all. Thank you for sharing

[@lindenlee3957]

Good stuff Professor Chew!!

[@talesfromthegripz]

Wait, flogging is what happens when you promoted! I’m quitting tomorrow!

[@Chewjitsu]

Hah, not everywhere.

[@gladiumcaeli]

Chewy, what do you think about this? The 3 most useful takedowns for beginner bjj'er (IMO) would be; arm drag, ankle pick, and tomoe nage (balloon sweep). The reason is that you can do all 3 of them even if you are in bottom position

[@Chewjitsu]

If that's your experience that's perfectly reasonable. But they were never my best sweeps. My takedown game is not the same as my sweeping game. That said, using ankle picks and arm drags to wrestle up is a great option.

[@robirhodes7411]

Amazing