MixedMartialArts.com shows what really works, or fails, in arena, and on the street, or in this case, in an informal bout in a backyard. Check out more stories on:
1. Martial Arts on The Street
2. Dojo Storms
3. Informal Bouts
We all know That Guy. If you don’t, That Guy could be you.
He’s a middleweight – as in, all his weight is in his middle. This is his favorite nutritional supplement.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p:CYxdr75l2XL
That Guy’s sense of self is wrapped up in some convoluted martial art that bears an unfortunate resemblance to LARPing. He gives himself a ludicrous nickname, like Shinigami (it means “the personification of death,” in Japanese). He mindlessly adorns his apparel with Chinese and Japanese lettering, and logos from randomly different martial arts. Instead of putting in the time on the mats, That Guy heads outdoors and does his third runner-up in a Ninja Lookalike contest.
And, of course, he wears a headband, sort of like what Georges St-Pierre wears. Except he’s not GSP.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p:CGvJcThhYqI
His fighting skills are hopeless, to the same vast extent he believes them to be basically unstoppable. And every once a while, That Guy gets so high on his own supply of bullchit that he takes a fight.
Shinigami, real name Daniel Uribe, is also a Goth – shocker. He even sometimes goes by Shinigami The Reaper, which basically translates as Death The Death. One day Death The Death decided to test his skills in the truly-grassroots combat sports organization Streetbeefs. It’s a USA-based bi-coastal backyard fighting club and YouTube channel, that’s been around for 15 years or so. Participants can choose varying rule sets, including boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts. Shinigami chose MMA. There is no charge for spectating. It’s a real fight club.
This is what Shinigami looked like, right before the fight.
On the one hand, you have to admire his courage for actually testing the White Eyebrow Korean Kenpo system, or whatever it is. On the other hand, maybe it’s stupidity.
To be frank, it may be a little mean to make fun of That Guy Shinigami. However, actual fighting is serious business, vs. someone who is trying to hurt you. If That Guy isn’t somehow made aware of reality, he could find out the truth about his bogus skills on the unforgiving streets, and that can be fatal. So having a little fun with Shinigami, it’s ultimately good for him.
Right before the fight, his opponent said, if you don’t know me, you’re about to. That came true, sort of.
My Apologies
Apologies for the misleading introductory text about Shinigami. It was an attempt to recreate for you, dear reader, what was going through the author’s mind immediately prior to watching the video. The jolt into reality from my utterly mistaken view was compelling for me, and the hope was to share the feeling with you.
Shinigami is someone who wanted to become an anime hero, put in the work, and succeeded, making his dream a reality. He’s a pocket Roxanne Modafferi.
The Lesson
The lesson is don’t make fun of people like I did in my mind right before watching that video, and recreated above. Being polite is the right thing to do, and as well could save you a beating.
Shinigami is a devoted karate student, a Goth Kid, absolutely as geeky as he wants to be, trains at The Lab BJJ in Lancaster, California, and has gone 8-2 in Streetbeefs.
He’s a badass. Follow him on Instagram. There’s even a fan thread about him on The UnderGround forum.
Share your thoughts about Shinigami on The StreetGround at MixedMartialArts.com.