Rikki Rockett is the renowned drummer from the legendary rock band POISON. It reached a significant milestone this week by earning his fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The 62-year-old musician trains under the esteemed Renato Magno at Street Sports Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Santa Monica, California. He proudly shared this accomplishment on his Instagram account on January 27.
Accompanying a photo of himself with Magno, Rockett expressed his gratitude and humility. He stated on his Instagram: “So this happened today… 4th degree. In just a few words… I am humbled by the journey. Congrats to my Jiu Jitsu brethren and a huge thank you to @renatomagno.streetsports ! @streetsportsbjj @bjjc_streetsports @originusa”
Rockett began his Brazilian jiu-jitsu training in 1998, initially studying with Rigan and Jacques Machado. He further honed his skills through private lessons with Renato Magno.
Reflecting on his entry into jiu-jitsu during a 2019 interview with Jiu-Jitsu Times, Rockett recounted: “Like many people, I saw Royce Gracie in the UFC and wanted to know more. This was around the time of UFC 3. I met Jean Jacques Machado and John Machado at a rally and they invited me to their school. One of the first people I met there was Eddie Bravo. I got tapped about a dozen times by a few people and signed up the next day. I never looked back. I trained at the Tarzana school until purple belt, and when Renato Magno (who came over from Brazil with the Machado brothers) opened Street Sports BJJ, I switched over to that school.”
Balancing his passion for jiu-jitsu with his demanding career as a touring musician presents unique challenges. Rockett explained, “I hardly get to train on the road, and it sucks. It’s risk versus livelihood. If I get hurt, a lot of people go home. Promoters don’t like ‘fill-in’ players in this band, and it affects ticket sales. When the original four don’t show up, it’s a pretty big problem. However, I have done a few seminars on the road, and I really love teaching. I can control and sort of ‘read’ who I want to roll with. If I just walk into a school to train, come free training time, every swinging dick in there wants to tap me out so they can say they did.”
Rockett was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015, a battle that profoundly influenced his outlook on health and resilience. He credits jiu-jitsu with contributing significantly to his survival and recovery.
He explained: “Going through all of that made me realize just how damn easy it is to take your health and mobility for granted. I was braver because of jiu-jitsu training. I know that to be a fact. I knew I had survived some really tough rolling experiences, so I knew I could handle the treatments… Jiu-jitsu helped me through treatment. Seriously. I got the strength knowing that I could make it because of all the years of blood, sweat and tears on the mat.”
Rockett’s dedication to Brazilian jiu-jitsu has also had a positive impact on his lifestyle as a rock star. He emphasizes the importance of nutrition, sleep, and overall health to sustain his performance both on the mat and on stage.
He stated: “When you don’t pay attention to nutrition, sleep, your routine, and your overall health, your time on the mat will suffer. In fact, since I am older, I have to pay attention to all of these things in order to play the best I can. Who knows what I’d look and sound like if I didn’t? Who knows if I would pay attention to these things if it weren’t for jiu-jitsu? I think jiu-jitsu has helped me as a musician… usually, unless I get hurt. Again, it is a second reason to maintain a healthier lifestyle. I have zero desire to get loaded on tour anymore.”
Rikki Rockett’s achievement of a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a testament to his dedication, discipline, and resilience. His journey from a novice inspired by UFC legends to a seasoned practitioner and instructor highlights the transformative power of martial arts.
