Hey folks. This is the Roll Report, the only newsletter where you’ll find stuff you actually want to read from the world of grappling. Today we’ll tell you about a rockstar who gave up being on stage to be on the mats.

A Tale of Two Passions

Daniel Fornasa's journey has been a captivating blend of pursuing his passion for music and his childhood dream of becoming a jiu-jitsu star. At 14, Fornasa embarked on his music career and, by 17, was already performing in bars across New York City. Recalling his early experiences, Fornasa (also known as King Daniel) reminisces, "Those were my first encounters with live music, playing in empty bars in New York and Brooklyn."

Later, he relocated to Philadelphia, where he enrolled in a college music program. "I thought that was the best way to get a record deal was to major in music in college," he says. Before turning 21, Fornasa achieved his first publishing deal with the renowned company Wonderlust Music. In addition, some of his songs found their way into commercials, and he embarked on his initial cross-country tour with his band, edging closer to his dreams of rockstar success.

While his aspirations for rock stardom had captivated him since he was 14, another passion predates his musical journey by four years. At the tender age of 10, Fornasa began his studies in jiu-jitsu, nurturing dreams of becoming a UFC champion. However, when his father passed away during high school, Fornasa momentarily abandoned jiu-jitsu and instead picked up a guitar.

"I always had the desire to get back into jujitsu," he says. But he questioned whether he could juggle both jiu-jitsu and his music career.

At 24, Fornasa relocated to California, still fervently pursuing his dreams of musical success while reigniting his passion for jiu-jitsu. Earning a living as a musician proved challenging, leading him to take on jobs with Uber and food delivery. Yet, California offered more than just palm trees and beaches—it provided him with wealthy and famous parents willing to support their children's aspirations of becoming rock stars. As a result, Fornasa shares, "I wrote and produced albums for the children of wealthy parents," allowing him to sustain his music career while financially supported by a famous director and an 80's rock star.

Throughout this period, Fornasa continued playing music, writing songs, and training jiu-jitsu, relentlessly pursuing his goal of attaining a purple belt. He soon realized that jiu-jitsu played a pivotal role in maintaining his mental well-being. The academy where he trained provided a breath of fresh air, fostering a supportive community and offering valuable advice from one of the gym's coaches: the most significant aspect of jiu-jitsu lies in the friendships forged on the mat.

Balancing his passions, music, and jiu-jitsu, Fornasa found contentment in life. However, the advent of COVID-19 disrupted his routine. With jiu-jitsu gyms closing their doors, Fornasa recognized the immense impact training had on his overall well-being. So, he resorted to drilling with a friend every morning at 6 am in a garage, seeking solace amid uncertainty.

During this introspective period, Fornasa contemplated his future, considering the realms of music, jiu-jitsu, and family life. Having gotten married and becoming a father, he realized that the rock star lifestyle was not conducive to being a dedicated family man.

Conversely, he found the jiu-jitsu lifestyle more aligned with his familial aspirations. So, surprising many of his training partners, including the founders of The Roll Report, Fornasa made a life-changing decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Teaching jiu-jitsu brought him immense fulfillment, leading him to establish his academy, initially starting in his garage and now flourishing in a dedicated space in Boulder City, Nevada, under the name Rebel Jiujitsu.

"Rebel Jiujitsu is 1,400 square feet, a tiny spot compared to other places I've trained," he says. "But it's like my own little slice of jiu-jitsu heaven."

Teaching an impressive six classes a day, alongside training with his students, and taking care of the daily maintenance tasks like mopping and vacuuming, Fornasa's commitment knows no bounds. With unwavering enthusiasm, he exclaims, "I love it."

Fornasa speaks with profound passion about the significance of jiu-jitsu in his life. He firmly believes that it serves as a means to enhance his and his family's lives but also to impact the lives of others positively. Jiu-jitsu, to him, is a transformative journey that extends beyond the confines of the academy.

As for his music, Fornasa acknowledges that it has taken a backseat for now. However, once he achieves his black belt in jiu-jitsu, he plans to dust off his guitar strings and reignite his musical pursuits, again merging his two cherished passions.

What else is happening?

• Today would have been Leandro Lo’s birthday. He would have been turning 34. The IBJJF announced they will be inducting the legend into the Hall of Fame

• Dana White announced Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29th, headlined by Felipe Pena and Craig Jones and UFC fighters Glover Teixeira and Anthony Smith as the co-main event

• Rose Namajunas, the 2x UFC champion, plans to compete at the ADCC U.S. Open happening in Denver on Saturday, May 13th

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