When most people think of martial arts like Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), they imagine intense training sessions, powerful techniques, and competitive matches. But at the heart of both disciplines lies something far more important than strength or skill: respect. Respect is not just a tradition carried over from ancient martial arts it is a cornerstone of how modern MMA and jiu-jitsu practitioners train, grow, and compete. For veterans, this focus on respect can feel familiar and even therapeutic, mirroring values learned during military service. Foxhole Veterans Charity Foundation would like to share how important respect is when training in martial arts.
Respect The Foundation of Martial Arts
Martial arts, regardless of style, are rooted in principles of discipline, humility, and mutual growth. In MMA and BJJ, these values show up in every class and competition:
• Respect for Instructors: Instructors guide students through technique, strategy, and mindset. Their role is similar to leadership in the military, where clear guidance is given and followed with trust.
• Respect for Training Partners: Every sparring session depends on cooperation. You can’t improve without a partner who’s willing to work with you safely and seriously.
• Respect for the Art Itself: MMA and BJJ have evolved from centuries-old traditions of self-defense and combat training. Practitioners carry that legacy each time they step on the mat or into the cage.
How Respect Shapes MMA Training
MMA brings together striking, grappling, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu styles that can easily become dangerous without control and courtesy. Respect is what keeps training environments safe and productive:
• Fighters touch gloves before and after a round to acknowledge their partner.
• Coaches emphasize sportsmanship as much as they do technique.
• Even at the highest competitive levels, MMA fighters are expected to show restraint and professionalism, regardless of personal rivalries.
This culture of mutual respect teaches humility, patience, and accountability skills that veterans already value deeply.
Respect on the Jiu-Jitsu Mat
BJJ places an especially strong emphasis on respect because of its close-contact nature. Every roll requires trust between partners. You are putting yourself in vulnerable positions, and so is your partner.
• Bowing or shaking hands before and after sparring is a sign of gratitude.
• Higher belts support and mentor lower belts, while lower belts show deference and eagerness to learn.
• Tapping out and respecting a tap ensures safety and long-term growth for everyone.
For veterans who understand chain of command and the importance of trust, this environment can feel like a natural extension of their service values.
The Benefits of Respect for Veterans
For veterans transitioning to civilian life, the respectful culture of MMA and BJJ offers more than just good manners. It provides:
• A Sense of Brotherhood/Sisterhood: Respect fosters strong bonds with teammates and instructors.
• Emotional Regulation: Learning to control aggression and frustration on the mat carries over into daily life.
• Confidence Without Ego: Veterans discover they can be strong and skilled without feeling the need to dominate others.
Training Veterans Out of Victorious Gym in Milford, The Crown MMA Gym in Troy, Champion Jiu Jitsu & MMA in Chesterfield, Voyage Jiu Jitsu in St. Clair Shores & Longhouse Submission Grappling in Grand Blanc, Michigan
Respect is not just a rule in martial arts. It is a way of life. In MMA and jiu-jitsu, respect transforms training rooms into communities, sparring partners into friends, and challenges into opportunities for growth.
At Foxhole Veterans Charity Foundation, we encourage veterans to experience martial arts not only for fitness and self-defense but also for the deeper values they teach. Respect is at the core of everything we do and it is one of the reasons martial arts can be so powerful for veterans looking to reconnect, heal, and grow after service. Step onto the mat. Learn the art. Contact Foxhole Veterans Charity Foundation today to join our veteran-focused martial arts programs.
