i am a 25 yr old whitebelt and started BJJ/MMA at the first gym I walked into during the summer of this year (2016) and I am scheduled to be promoted to blue belt in April (after 9 months). I train roughly 2-4 times a week and have only taken a couple weeks off due to minor injury and personal issues. I'm looking for some advice on my current situation. I'm considering changing my academy. it’s a small MMA gym with a BJJ black belt instructor who also teaches striking based on his previous MMA background. My first concern is almost all of the students at my current school are older hobbyists who do not compete, we have no competition team, and only start rolls standing and do takedowns one week every few months. We have one mma fighter who does not compete bjj. He’s the only other student under 30. I’ve competed once during my time here and went alone without a teammate or coach. I did ok in the tournament but feel I could have benefited from having more preparation. My second concern is the way in which we are promoted. We are told months in advance when we will be promoted and charged a fee on promotion day. We call it a test but there is no real test it’s just a timed roll and no failing. For blue belt its $100. We are also charged $30 for each stripe. I didn’t learn about paying for promotions until my third stripe. Apparently the first two stripes he gives are free. My training partners and the belt promotion system here have me questioning not only my current progress but my future progress in regards to competing. Standing back and looking at my time here I have begun to wonder if it is the right place for me. I would like to leave amiably as I harbor no ill will towards any of my training partners or instructors. I’d like to even go back if I wanted. Thing is, I signed a new contract last month for 6 months and will have to buy it out if I leave for a $100 and im expected to receive my blue belt next month. I feel like It is definitely poor timing on my end but I can’t shake this feeling of checking other gyms out. Is it for there to be a fee for promotions? Also any advice on switching schools and possibly even stay within the same affiliation without any would be appreciated.
-thanks
-thanks