Imagine signing up for your regional jiu-jitsu tournament as a blue belt, and learning that your first opponent is none other than Batman’s nemesis, Bane- or legendary criminal Charles Bronson- or even Spider-Man’s dangerous foe, Venom… or maybe the guy who played them.
Well, for a handful of competitors this weekend at the REORG Jiu-Jitsu Open, that was their reality as famed actor Tom Hardy suited up for a different type of performance than we’re used to seeing him in.
Hardy has been known to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for years, even serving as an ambassador for the REORG foundation, an organization which sponsors Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for combat disabled veterans in the UK, much like the We Defy Foundation in the United States.
While it has become popular and chic for celebrities to take on jiu-jitsu, very few have actually gone out to test their game in competitions. And understandably- it can only be imagined how many people would be lining up at the opportunity to say that they defeated a celebrity.
However, Hardy has now joined a small, special group of people, let alone celebrities, who have stepped onto the mats in competition. Hardy and fellow performer/blue belt Mario Lopez have both stepped into tournaments within the last month, potentially furthering the BJJ-celebrity trend and setting the pair up for a purple belt promotion in the not-too-distant-future.
As the rise of YouTuber Boxing matches continues to sweep the masses with sensationalism, maybe we could see Celebrity Grappling matches begin to generate revenue and benefit some of these charitable organizations.
A video below shows Hardy defeating one of his opponents via armbar:
