Hey folks. This is the Roll Report. We took week off for IBJJF Worlds, but we’re back.

There were many upsets, heartbreaks and feel good stories at Worlds this year. Most of you will be familiar with the big names and outcomes in the finals, but there were some interesting names in the matches prior. Two in particular.

We saw the return of Atos’ Rolando Samson at Worlds. He met Tainan in the semifinal where he lost via points - an improvement over his submission loss to Tainan at Pans. For those that aren’t familiar, Rolando has an aggressive exciting style. He has been around a long time - winning nogi Worlds at purple belt in 2013. He also has one of the best motivation / highlight videos you’ll see.

Another interesting return to Worlds was Alexander Trans who we have not seen in several years. He place 3rd in the ultra-heavyweight division. Trans has been around so long, he competed against former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum as a brown belt at ADCC in 2011.

Anyway, that’s our recap of Worlds. We aren’t going to bore you with stuff that everyone else will cover. Onto our main story of the week.

Building a Jiu-Jitsu Community

In a small town located about 30 miles west of Houston, Texas, lies Liberatus Jiu-Jitsu, a thriving academy owned and operated by Jonathan Naranjo. Opening and operating an academy has presented numerous challenges and obstacles, but the rewards have far outweighed them.

Back in 2019, Naranjo was committed to opening his academy. However, the initial plan had to evolve due to various factors, including family and business obligations. Eventually, an opportunity arose to collaborate with a friend and establish the Liberatus Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Fulshear, Texas, a fast-growing suburb. When asked about the decision to open the academy in Fulshear instead of Austin, a city known for its vibrant jiu-jitsu scene, he stated, "Austin was too crowded with numerous gyms and high price tags." Fulshear provided a more favorable environment for growth and success.

"Liberatus" is derived from the Latin word for "liberated," Naranjo explained. The name was chosen to embody living a liberated life through jiu-jitsu.

Naranjo found the legal and business aspects of opening his academy to be the most surprising. Despite having trained and taught jiu-jitsu for over 17 years, the Mendes Brothers black belt discovered that navigating the legal side of the business, such as obtaining a business license and filing taxes, was a constant learning process. Nevertheless, Naranjo expressed that the challenges and obstacles have been worthwhile, as he thoroughly enjoys teaching and finds satisfaction in witnessing his students' progress.

As a new academy owner, Naranjo has gained insights into how beginners behave when they embark on their jiu-jitsu journey. He stated, "It's common for beginners to either be timid or go all-out like they're in a UFC match. It's important to help new students find a balance." Naranjo's coaching philosophy centers around guiding new students through these situations and encouraging them to adopt a more relaxed and controlled approach to training.

There are several common misconceptions about jiu-jitsu, particularly among those unfamiliar with the martial art. Naranjo remarked, "Many people expect jiu-jitsu to involve striking or to be similar to what they've seen in movies or bar fights. I'll have parents come in with a child and want them to learn how to throw or take a punch." When clarified that jiu-jitsu primarily focuses on grappling, self-defense, and submission techniques, with no striking involved, these parents often appear surprised.

Naranjo emphasizes the importance of having fun and enjoying the jiu-jitsu journey, especially for those struggling or contemplating quitting. He advises seeking guidance from more experienced practitioners and finding training partners to connect with to improve their skills. He discourages focusing solely on belt promotions and instead encourages setting personal goals, such as competing or teaching, to continue progressing in the art.

Owning and operating Liberatus Jiu-Jitsu has been a rewarding experience for Naranjo. He remains dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for practitioners of all levels. By providing a positive training environment and dispelling misconceptions about jiu-jitsu, Liberatus Jiu-Jitsu continues to thrive and make a lasting impact in Fulshear, Texas.

What else is happening?

• UFC 289 this weekend at 7pm PT. We expect the fans to be the real winners in the Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush match up

• Worlds is over but that now means its time to get ready for Master Worlds at the end of the summer - give those old folks some intensity and help them get ready

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Memes to get you through the week