Imagine Dragons Frontman Dan Reynolds Wins Bronze Medal at BJJ Tournament Days After Tom Hardy and Dave Bautista Took the MMA World by Storm

Seems like crossovers are a growing theme! Especially among icons like Tom Hardy, Dave Bautista, and the most recent entree – Dan Reynolds– the lead singer of the globally celebrated band Imagine Dragons. And what do they have in common? They’ve all made headlines for their spectacular MMA/BJJ accolades.

Tom Hardy has been winning tournament after tournament, proving his mettle as more than just an actor. Bautista, the iconic WWE wrestler, recently got promoted to the BJJ Brown belt. Considering his background in showbiz, that’s a serious leap. But Dan Reynolds has turned the most heads with his unique 4th of July celebrations.

Dan Reynolds: The Imagine Dragons’ lead singer who won a medal in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

While most people are relishing Independence Day celebrations, the Imagine Dragons’ lead was busy in a jiu-jitsu tournament. He was competing in the Masters 2 tournament, in a weight bracket of 222 & under, at the Jiu Jitsu World League 2023 event hosted at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.

With a brilliant display of his grappling and BJJ skills, the singer captivated fans and critics alike. Hailing from the Renzo Gracie Los Angeles school of Jiu-Jitsu, Reynolds beat a seasoned Rocky Bang but ended up losing against Tyree Saxton Jr. Nevertheless, he concluded his stunning performance with a bronze medal – thanks to back-to-back wins against Moises Lister and Kent Brower.

But that’s not all – there’s a reason the singer is so engrossed in his fitness. The Imagine Dragons’ lead was diagnosed with what’s now called ankylosing spondylitis – a form of autoimmune disorder. In order to cope with the struggles of maintaining blood flow and pressure, he began lifting weights. But it’s always been all about recovery for the American, as he often enjoys some yoga or simply just stretching.

However, it wasn’t the first time he has competed. His first BJJ tournament was back in 2021, which he described as an “incredible experience“. Now, just like the musician, another showbiz personality has been creating ripples with his achievements in martial arts.

Tom Hardy’s ‘belt upgrade’: Promotion to the purple belt in BJJ

Tom Hardy has been learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for a while now. He’s under the tutelage of former UFC fighter Tom DeBlass. Coming from Hollywood, expectations were quite high for the actor. But he shunned all critics and surprised fans with his most recent accolade – promotion to a Purple belt.

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The ‘Legend’ actor shared a picture of his accomplishment on his Instagram handle, and fans couldn’t get enough of it. The image was even reposted by the company ‘Iron Belts’ – which customized the Purple belt for him. With a belt promotion, Hardy has opened gates to more fierce and tougher opponents. Fans are rooting for him to prove his dedication and perseverance in any realm of life.

With the list of actors, celebrities, and even business tycoons like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk crossing over into MMA – could there be an underlying trend? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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