The BJJ Fanatics Podcast

Amal Easton joins the show to talk about being one of the first Americans to travel to Brazil to learn BJJ in the early 90's, meeting Renzo Gracie, BJJ for every day people and training for longevity. He also discusses some of BJJ's cultural nuances

Jackson Sousa shares his powerful life story, from beginning his life in the Favela (slums) in Rio to becoming a decorated champion. He also talks about Terere's influence on him and for the first time in an interview opens up about beating drug addiction

Master Luiz Palhares joins the show and talks about BJJ in Brazil in the 1970's and 80's, Training under Rolls and Rickson Gracie, Vale Tudo in the 90's and why he is a firm believer of training in the gi. He also talks about teaching Navy SEALS

Mike Palladino joins the show and discusses how Pro Wrestling led him to BJJ, learning from Vlad Koulikov and Formiga, online learning, why you shouldn't worry about rank, and competition mindset. He also talks about self defense and sport grappling.

Anthony Ferraro is a NJ State Greco Champion, An accomplished high school wrestler and a Judo brown belt. He has accomplished all this despite being blind. He is the focus of the film "A Shot in the Dark" and shares his inspirational story

After a brief hiatus, Kurt is back! We catch up with him and talk about his upcoming Asian tour, his new drum room, rock stars fighting with fans, options for going bald, Kurt's mustache and his naked arrest story. Kurt also gets triggered by toothpaste.

Robert Drysdale has been traveling all over Brazil and Japan gathering historical data for the documentary film "Closed Guard". Some of what he's found may make you question what you thought you knew about BJJ's history!

Fresh off winning the EBI Featherweight championship, Jonathan Calestine joins the show to recap the event and talk about his rise in the sport. He also talks about the struggles of being a full time grappler and managing injuries.

Matt Kaplan joins the show for a hilarious and entertaining episode! Topics include pro wrestling death matches, pro wrestling moves in MMA, leg locks, punk rock and rolling drunk. He also talks about training with Garry Tonon and Eddie Cummings.

David Aguzzi is back to talk about the growth of Grappling Industries, the BJJ ban in Montreal and training referees. He also gives a deep breakdown of what it costs to run a tournament and why entries cost what they do for competitors.

Justin "Master Chim" Garcia makes his second appearance on the show for a deep discussion of self defense, dealing with armed attackers from a grappling standpoint and building muscle memory. He also talks about the direction of competitive grappling.

Ben Kovacs is the founder of The Guardian Gym, a martial arts school that allows disadvantaged kids and adults train for free or for a rate that they can afford. He talks about how the project started and the impact it has had on the community.

Daniel Perez is the first American to get a Black Belt under Demian Maia. He talks about training with Demian, running his own school, finding the right training environment for you and the blue belt blues. He also talks about self defense in the street.

Sgt. 1st Class Matt Larsen is the man behind the US military's Modern Combatives Program. He explains why BJJ is the base style in the system, effects of adrenaline in a fight, self defense for civilians and how a bar fight opened his mind to new tactics

Vlad Koulikov returns to the show to talk about his recent promotion to BJJ Black Belt, winning the Combat Wrestling Worlds in Japan, training through injuries, conditioning and his views on the modern leg lock game from a Sambo perspective

Joao Assis joins the show to talk about how Jiu-Jitsu helped him on a better path in life, learning from Leo Vieira and Mario Sperry, being a purple belt for 6 years and moving to the US without knowing anyone and with limited English

Luiz Panza joins the show to talk about his recent trip to Brazil, his intro to martial arts, why his mother banned him from training as a young man, Chuck Norris jokes and his rap song he recently write for his friend Buchecha!

Spenser Mango is a decorated Greco Roman Wrestling champion and a 2x Team USA Olympian. He talks about finding his style, strength & conditioning, the benefits of being smaller and his Olympic experience. He also gives advice on diet and cutting weight.

"Pe De Pano" joins the show to talk about how BJJ saved him from his troubled youth, the Colby Covington incident, Brazil in the 90's vs today, the ingredients of a champion and facing weaknesses head on. He also gives technical insight on the armbar

UFC veteran and BJJ champion Eliot Marshall joins the show to talk about finding BJJ in 1997, cult mentalities that exist in BJJ, the UFC, his love for teaching and meditation. He also provides one of the funniest answers The Pummel has ever seen.

Dan Camarillo joins the show to talk about keeping kids interested in Jiu-Jitsu, structuring a curriculum, injury prevention, training take downs safely and taking breaks from training. He also tells stories from the old days of Ralph Gracie's Academy.

Justin Flores joins the show to talk about learning online, universal truths in grappling, broadening your horizons and being the captain of your own ship. He also talks about coaching Ronda Rousey and opens up about his crippling fear of mustard.

Shintaro Higashi joins the show to talk about the pressures of being the son of a Judo legend, how rule sets impact grappling styles, his diverse grappling experience and pursuing the Olympics. He also covers improving take downs for any grappling style!

Mario Sperry talks about the early days of Carlson's academy and shares several epic stories including fighting Wallid Ismail on a bathroom floor, surfing brawls and his old rivalry with Royler Gracie. He also talks about the Pride days and his new school

Abmar Barbosa is a respected BJJ champion and instructor known for his exciting, fast-paced style. He talks about how bullying led him to BJJ, overcoming adrenaline dumps, money in Jiu-Jitsu and defeating Kron Gracie. He also talks about his time in Japan

Gustavo "Siri" Pires is a decorated champion and instructor. He talks about appreciating the basics, having a sibling who trains, closed guard and competing against friends. He also talks about competing against Demian Maia and Comprido back in Brazil

Joey Alvarado is a BJJ champion, retired MMA fighter and founder of KettleJitsu. He talks about the seedy early days of MMA, bullying in modern times and his exposure to influential black belts. He also gives great insight to kettlebell training for BJJ!

Karel "Silverfox" Pravec is a highly respected instructor. He talks about the early days of BJJ in the US, dead ends to avoid in training and staying ahead of younger opponents as a middle aged practitioner. He also gives insight to his water training

U.S. Sambo pioneer Gregg Humphreys joins the show to talk about how bullying led him to martial arts, misconceptions about Sambo, coaching at Militech Fighting Systems and kettlebells. He also talks about training extensively in the U.S.S.R. in the 80's

David Adiv joins the show to talk about transitioning from Judo to Jiu-Jitsu, the differences between BJJ and Judo newaza and self defense applications of sport BJJ. He also gives great insight on self defense and why he chose BJJ over Krav Maga

Fresh off EBI 14, Craig Jones joins the show to talk about his performance, the evolution of his game, flexibility, leg locks and avoiding complacency. He also talks about his upcoming superfight rematch against Murilo Santana at Kasai Pro

Rolles Gracie joins the show to talk about growing up in the Gracie family, how to keep kids interested in Jiu-Jitsu and the early days of Renzo's academy. He also talks about prank calls with Draculino and Romulo Barral, Pro Wrestling and Hulkamania!

Professor Gui Valente joins the show to talk about best practices for running a school, growing up in a Jiu-Jitsu family and self defense! He also shares some great knowledge about the history of Jiu-Jitsu!

Jeffrey Cummings is a BJJ black belt and former Wrestler. Dylan Whyte is a brown belt and experienced youth instructor. Together they run a new academy in FL called Positive Balance Grappling and give insight to what its like to open a new school!

One of Greco's biggest stars and a fan favorite for his fun personality and exciting style, Robby talks about his origins, making the Olympic team and crazy stories from the road which include dodging Russian mobsters and accidentally eating cat meat.

Steve Bongiorno is a Ricardo Almeida Black Belt and a highly respected instructor. He talks about the early days of BJJ on the east coast, the change in martial arts that BJJ created, managing the ego and dealing with larger opponents.

Alberto Crane joins the show to talk about the early days in BJJ in the US, training in Rio, his time spent with Master Draculino, building your game and how personality an determine your style. He also talks about his MS diagnosis.

Paul Schreiner joins the show to talk about evolutions he's seen in BJJ over time, meditation, the underlying physics of Jiu-Jitsu and the Half Guard. He also talks about adjusting to NYC, getting robbed in Brazil and corporate fight clubs.

A US Marine combat veteran turned BJJ Champion, Chris Jones shares his story and discusses finding purpose after the military, competition mindset, building your game, his wrestling background, balancing life with training and how BJJ can help PTSD.

Roger Gracie returns to talk about the Buchecha match, retirement, competition strategy and mindset, athleticism in Jiu-Jitsu and why he doesn't believe in complex drilling. We also debut a new game on the podcast!

Gabe Dean is one of the top Wrestlers in collegiate history. He talks about his intro to Wrestling through his father, why motivation isn't as important as discipline and some of the hurdles Wrestling has helped him overcome.

Kurt's back for the second GCP Halloween Special! Ryan and Kurt determine the BJJ styles of horror movie killers and ramble about getting fired from jobs, aliens, psychics, astrological signs and belly button lint. Kurt also gets triggered twice. Intro music by Dan Cole: TUBULAR BELLS COVER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAWOJXJtx7M Dan Cole Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxsTsvea6TAckWZCJcc_7A? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__dancole/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dan-Cole-549209275229053/

Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro returns to talk about his recent superfights, balancing teaching and competing and the superfight he wants next. He also issues a challenge to ANYONE who has the guts to face him in Ping Pong!

Marco "Gigante" Villela is a respected instructor in Australia. Originally from Brazil, he talks about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, learning from Carlos Gracie Jr and Relson Gracie, refereeing and why he thinks the IBJJF's rules should be the standard.

Leo Vieira returns to talk about his promotion to 5th degree, returning to competition at 41 and Superfights that he is interested in. He also shares his thoughts on Roger Gracie vs Buchecha

A powerful conversation with Ronald Mann, a blue belt amputee who has found new life through Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about the details of his accident, hitting rock bottom and rising from the ashes to become a Para Jiu-Jitsu World Champion.

Ryan Murphy joins the show to talk about the old days of Jiu-Jitsu in Northern California, his transition from Wrestling to Jiu-Jitsu, and his favorite things about teaching. He also talks about how personalities influence styles

Frank Mir returns to talk about his release from the UFC, Bellator, USADA, Yoga and his ADCC Superfight against Chael Sonnen (later canceled after recording this interview). He also talks about cult mentality, loyalty and frauds in martial arts.

Abraham Marte is the first BJJ champion out of the Dominican Republic. He talks about closed guard, training through injuries and strength & conditioning. Also, Ryan makes a recording error which results in a Beavis & Butthead convo intended for off air..

Professor Crosley Gracie joins the show to talk about the challenges of growing up as a Gracie, fighting for Pride and Pancrase, Jiu-Jitsu for MMA and his epic match against his cousin Ryron Gracie!