Maynard James Keenan recently took to Instagram to share his story of giving UFC lightweight fighter Drew Dober a black eye.
This incident occurred after Dober made light-hearted comments about Keenan’s ‘white legs, aka Irish chopsticks.’ Keenan’s response was as follows:
“Denver Training Photo Dump. Drew Dober made fun of my white legs aka Irish chopsticks. Had to give him a shiner, so think before you type. Thank you for the tour training.”
Dober is a mixed martial artist, and competes in the UFC’s lightweight division. With a professional career starting in 2009, Dober has competed across various promotions, including Bellator MMA and Titan Fighting Championship. As of late 2023, he ranked #15 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
Keenan’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey
An avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, Keenan’s dedication to the martial art is well-documented. He famously showed his skills during a 1997 concert by subduing a fan who stormed the stage, and he has trained under notable figures like Rickson Gracie.
In January 2024, the singer achieved a significant milestone by earning his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This achievement was celebrated with friends and fellow practitioners. Maynard noted, sharing his feelings about it:
“New Chapter. Thank you all for helping me write the previous.”
From Brown To Black Belt
The vocalist’s promotion to black belt follows his previous milestone of receiving a brown belt in November 2021, marking his progression through the ranks of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His journey in the martial art began in the 1990s, and he has since demonstrated his skills and commitment through various belt promotions and notable incidents.
His recent training sessions come ahead of Keenan’s busy touring schedule with his bands Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, and Primus across America, followed by a European tour with Tool.
You can see the photos he shared on Instagram below.
Photo Credit: Maynard James Keenan – Instagram
