By Coach Kevin At 5’4” and 167 pounds, Marcos “Parrumpinha” da Matta has no business in the Super Heavyweight division. Yet at this year’s Masters Worlds, he battled opponents outweighing him by 75–100 pounds — and walked away with a silver medal. That kind of mismatch doesn’t happen by accident. It’s living proof of Jiu-Jitsu’s […]
Marcos da Matta: How Great Technique Makes Us All Giants Read More »
Profiles & Interviews
By Kevin Certain moments in life remind us there is still magic left in our often predictable world. Rarely, we get to witness greatness in real time. In 2017, Roger Gracie faced Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida in Rio de Janeiro to determine who was the greatest grappler of the 21st century. The result didn’t just shake
The Day Roger Gracie Shocked The World Read More »
Jiu-Jitsu Life
By Coach Kevin A local promoter contacted me about a BJJ superfight on his MMA card a couple of months ago. I’ve been active on the regional jiu-jitsu scene for years and built a bit of a following here in Florida, so I get these offers often. There was a time—really not that long ago—when
Talent Gets You In The Game; But Pride, Character, And Accountability Keep You There Read More »
Coaching & Culture
By Coach Kevin Written in 2022 Ricardo De La Riva is a pillar of the jiu-jitsu community — a living link to the foundations of our art. To many, he represents honor, mastery, and the Bushido code. But for decades, the same patriarchal values promoted by the old guard have been handcuffed to an outdated,
Ricardo De La Riva’s Legacy of Misogyny Read More »
Coaching & Culture
By Kevin The phrase “timing” gets thrown around a lot in jiu-jitsu—but it’s one of the most misunderstood concepts in the art. Technically, timing means “the choice, judgment, or control of when something should be done.” But that definition doesn’t capture the intuition required to implement it on the mats. In truth, timing is what
What Does Timing Mean in Jiu-Jitsu? Read More »
Jiu-Jitsu Life, Mindset & Motivation
By Coach Kevin The first day of any Jiu-Jitsu practitioner’s journey is always the most important. The moment a grappler decides to step on the mat signifies the beginning of a new lifestyle. Many people start training for different reasons, and the allure of a Jiu-Jitsu academy takes many shapes. Some are interested in losing
White Belts: Jiu-Jitsu Will Give You What You’re Missing Read More »
Mindset & Motivation
By Coach Kevin Written in 2020 The IBJJF has a long history shaping the sport of Jiu-Jitsu, taking over in 1994 from the Guanabara Federation, founded in 1967. The often-criticized organization has acted as both a venue for competition and a governing body for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which was chaotic in its early stages. But bias
The Real Story of Heel Hooks and the IBJJF The Real Story of Heel Hooks and the IBJJF Read More »
Jiu-Jitsu Life
Written in 2022 The art of BJJ has as many championships as it does competitors. But the only title that truly matters is making it to the ADCC. You can win a world championship in the IBJJF, EBI, or any other belt from the alphabet soup—but any grappler who’s ever stepped on a mat will
Mo Jassim and the Trials That Changed Pro Jiu-Jitsu Forever Read More »
Profiles & Interviews
Opening Closed Guard: The True Origin Story of BJJ Winston Churchill famously said, “History is written by the victors.” The story of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is no different. Without the tireless self-promotion of a few charismatic founding members—rebelling against dogma and resisting pressure to conform—BJJ might not exist in the form we know today. But a
Opening Closed Guard: The True Origin Story of BJJ Read More »
Profiles & Interviews
Throughout anyone’s grappling career, there are moments where you level up. These upgrades don’t always happen under the lights of a competition mat. Sometimes, they happen in your own academy—when you finally have a breakthrough roll with that purple belt who’s always one step ahead of you. When these moments arrive, your toughest opponent is
Go to Win or Don’t Go at All: Lessons from My Match with Boogeyman Martinez Read More »
Mindset & Motivation