team @kuwaitmma in Monaco TODAY Khalid Al Saleh!!

Today Kuwait Combat Athletics grappling competition team member Khalid Al Saleh will be competing in the Monaco NAGA grappling tournament.

While still a white belt, competition is something that is very important during a fighters journey into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Doing a triangle or armbar submission in the gym is nothing like trying to do that against an opponent you know nothing about, in front of a crowd of people, especially when the tournament isn’t even in your own country!

This will be Khalid’s fourth tournament. While still young in his career, Khalid has already done several international tournaments including Paris, Boston, Abu Dhabi, and now Monaco. Having won the ”Novice” division last year in Paris for NAGA, Khalid will be entering the next step up in competition and competing as a beginner.

Talking to Khalid Al Saleh of Kuwait Combat Athletics and KuwaitMMA earlier today, I tried to explain to him not too put too much pressure on the ”WINNING” aspect of competing. Especially as a White/Blue Belt the goal in BJJ competitions should be to gain your fight presence. Learn to be comfortable competing. Develop strategy, breathe, listen to your coaches, and overall learn how to think in the heat of battle. Part of competing is dealing with all of those emotions of being nervous, unsure, doubt, etc.

Our strongest opponents is always our minds!!! The scariest is always the unknown. This is where martial arts can help us gain tools far more valuable than ”fighting”. Win-Lose-or DRAW my hope for Khalid is that he comes back with a new set of goals, and even more motivation to continue training.

….Not gonna lie though…a few videos of him catching a Triangle choke would be sweet too :)