[Podcast bits #2] Stephan Kesting with "Aikido vs MMA" guy (Rokas Leonavicius)

Podcasts - a double edged sword. Several years ago, when I've discovered them, I was blown away. New information daily, during shopping or commuting. Isn't that awesome? I don't have to read all those loong articles anymore and can spare some time like this. Well, over years, so many cool podcast emerged, my lack of time problem is back. It's hard to listen to them all...If you have the same problem, I'm here for you :)

In these series of posts, I'll be summing up the latest interesting podcasts I've listened to, so you can save up some time for another ones.

Stephan Kesting - The battle to make aikido functional with Rokas Leonavicius

Rokas Leonavicius - the guy many know from his Youtube video where he tried if Aikido actually works in real life. He went to an MMA gym and tried to sparr with an average guy. It didn't work a bit. Well-known jiu jitsu Blackbelt and popular Youtube instructor Stephan Kesting invited him to his podcast and they discussed the topic.

Here are the points I've found interesting:

• Trains Aikido for 14 years
• He used to question a lot of techniques when he was younger but he was always told just that "it's right way to do it and that's it"
• In traditional Japanese culture, one doesn't question sensei's authority. He therefore believes Aikido developed in the unfunctional way, because students just didn't point out weaknesses of techniques even if they could see them
• He tried to bring up the topic in the last couple of years, but was often told that "Aikido is too deadly to be used to show it really works"
• He knew he will get his ass kicked from that MMA guy, but his plan was to show it publicly on Youtube and hoped it will be the end of the discussion if Aikido works or not
• After he released a video, the reaction from aikido community was that he hasn't been training long enough or he's doing the techniques wrong (despite he's been training for 14 years)
• His current thoughts of Aikido within MMA are "You shouldn't bring a bike into a motorrace"
• He currently trains BJJ 2 times a week and does little bit of striking here and there
• As soon as he feels his message regarding functionality of Aikido is finished, he wants to dive full into BJJ and MMA
• He still feels Aikido has its place in the martial arts, not necessarily as a functional art but rather a mental and spiritual training
• Aikido founder and his first students were all Judo blackbelts so that's why there are all the stories how their art worked on the street.
• He hopes once he gets better in BJJ and some striking, it will all connect and he will find some of his aikido skills useful, but at the same time his hopes are not high - "You can fine-tune bike to maybe go as fast as a car, but what's the point if you can just get a car and a driving licence"
• Regarding Aikido in BJJ, he often feels the wrist locks are there but he doesn't manage to finish them. But during competition (video is down), he created an opportunity for a takedown with unsuccessfull wristlock first

Here is Rokas's video which started it all:

Here is Rokas's first bjj competition with his commentary:

My current podcasts

On my current to-listen list are these podcasts. If you find here some overlap, you might want to keep an eye on these series :)

• Joe Rogan Experience - martial arts, diet, lifestyle, health, important people, mix
• CryptoBasic Podcast - all about cryptocurrency news
• The Raspberry Ape Podcast - brazilian jiu-jitsu
• London Real - discussions with "people worth watching"
• This Week in Tech - tech news

Thanks for reading!Martin

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