Hey folks. This is the Roll Report.

We forgot to mention Kade Ruotolo and Tommy Langaker’s match at ONE in the last newsletter. Turned out to be a great match, with Kade winning by decision. Kade talked about moving to MMA before the end of the year in his post fight interview. We have thoughts.

With the level of grappling at an all time high in MMA, one wonders how Kade approaches this. Coming in as a pure grappler with specialized tactics to get opponents to the ground, a la Ryan Hall and Demian Maia, produces mixed results. Garry Tonon had some excellent fights in ONE, winning several by submission (and one KO) but failed to capitalized on a heel hook in a match against Thanh Le (training partner of Ryan Hall) and paid dearly for the price. None have reached the highs we would have expected of them.

Kade may be different. His unique body type, incredibly diverse grappling ability, and young age are differentiating factors that could make him not just a serious contender, but an all time great fighter. In any case, we’re just excited to watch him no matter what.

And now, on to more serious matters…

We’re not here to fuck spiders

Situated on the Gold Coast of Australia, Full Metal Jiu Jitsu is a leading Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, founded by Justin "Juggs" Dee. A highly respected jiu-jitsu instructor, Juggs' journey toward opening his academy was anything but ordinary.

Juggs vividly recalled the turning point in his career path. "I got to a point where I was working, and I fucking hated my job," Juggs said. He questioned his purpose and wondered what he truly wanted to do with his life. But it was during his time teaching jiu jitsu that something clicked.

While a purple belt, Juggs discovered his affinity for teaching nogi and wrestling. In these moments, after receiving positive feedback from one of his students, he realized he found genuine joy in sharing his knowledge. "I think I want to do this," he remembered thinking but was surprised by this unexpected direction his life was taking.

Juggs approached his coach and expressed his desire to pursue it further. Initially met with skepticism, Juggs emphasized the seriousness of his intention. He boldly committed to giving himself a year to explore teaching jiu jitsu more extensively, even if it meant reducing his other work commitments.

His dedication to teaching grew steadily over the months, and he discovered that it had become his "happy place." The joy he experienced while teaching overshadowed any dissatisfaction he felt elsewhere. "I thought, I'm gonna give myself a year," he said. But he also promised that if it didn't work out, "I'm going to quit jiu jitsu altogether."

As the year approached its end, word began to spread throughout the gym about Juggs' potential plans to open his academy. Rumors and speculations circulated, but he remained focused on his goal and maintained open communication with his coach. He was determined to make an informed decision that aligned with his aspirations. "Australians are fucking lazy," Juggs said. "We are hard workers, but if we can take that lazy route out, we will."

After careful consideration and accumulating enough savings, Juggs committed himself wholeheartedly to his dream of opening his academy. His vision was to create a franchise-like establishment, emphasizing a strong brand identity and the values he held dear. However, the process was not without its challenges.

Juggs' plan was met with disapproval from his coach. "Opening my academy was never about competing with my coach or solely driven by financial gain," he said. Instead, teaching jiu jitsu was his true calling, and he desired nothing more than to impart his knowledge and create a welcoming space for students to learn and grow. But Juggs was forced to leave his academy to chase his dream. "I was a brown belt ronin."

When he opened Full Metal Jiu-Jitsu, Juggs boldly decided: "No advertising for the first year. Instead, I harnessed the potential of social media to connect with my audience." Facebook became his primary platform for spreading the word about their gym. Through consistent and frequent posting, he aimed to blanket his gym's presence on social media, sharing photos and updates to let people know about the academy. This dedication to building a reputation and brand through social media paid off tremendously. He realized that building a strong reputation would be more beneficial in the long run than focusing solely on selling their product. "It's easier to sell a product than to build a brand," he said. As a result, his gym's brand began to flourish through consistent social media engagement and cultivating relationships within the community.

But there were challenges off the mats.

Shortly after returning from his road trip through America, Juggs had a sudden pain in his groin. "When I jumbled my bits, I went, holy shit. There's actually a lump there," he said.

Juggs received the diagnosis from his doctor: testicular cancer.

He recalled the experience, comparing it to a scene from the movie "Deadpool," where the protagonist's hearing fades as the doctor delivers the devastating news. "I'd heard the doctor, but I wasn't listening. I zoned out," he remembered. "Like, holy shit. I'm gonna die."

The doctor outlined the treatment plan, which involved surgery to remove the affected testicle and further assessment to determine if chemotherapy or radiotherapy would be necessary.

With surgery scheduled, Juggs grappled with the reality of facing an operation and the subsequent treatment. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the uncertainties that lay ahead. "The operation revealed that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes," he said. This development necessitated chemotherapy. Despite the fear and initial shock, Juggs decided to share his journey on social media to break the silence surrounding men's health and encourage open discussions.

Juggs' love of teaching jiu jitsu has him embarking on a new project: @juggsjitsu. It is an instructional Instagram account that teaches "black belt tips for white belts." Juggs leans into his Australianism and gives no-nonsense, efficient tips yet simple enough for white belts to incorporate into their jiu jitsu quiver immediately. The account credo is: "Let's cut the bullshit."

Juggs' journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery and following one's true passion. He found fulfillment and purpose by embracing his love for teaching jiu jitsu. Through his academy and instructional videos, Juggs hopes to inspire and guide students on their paths, nurturing a community built on dedication, respect, and the love of martial art that changed his life.

"We're not here to fuck spiders," Juggs said.

What else is happening?

• UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Cannonier is on June 17th at 7pm PT

• Meregali vs. Kaynan at WNO was announced for Thursday, August 10th

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