His crystal blue eyes stare into your soul, but it’s the pristine smile—somehow untouched by a lifetime of smoking off-brand cigarettes—that captures your imagination. For 33 years, Texas Tim has been drinking Busch in the can on a bar stool in downtown Tampa’s Hub Bar. Born in Arlington, Texas, in a year unknown—because this vain […]
Texas Tim and The Church of The Hub Bar Read More »
Personal Writting
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s place in Western culture has grown exponentially over the last 25 years. What began as a self-defense art for surviving the tough streets of Rio has exploded into an international phenomenon, with major competitions now held around the world almost weekly. This growth has given rise to standout practitioners who—whether through competition glory,
The Calm Killer: Karel “Silver Fox” Pravec’s Quiet Impact on Jiu-Jitsu Read More »
Profiles & Interviews
Written in 2018 The IBJJF has never been short on controversy. A confusing, often inconsistent scoring system and a limited rule set banning many popular submissions have fueled debates over whether this almost antiquated format still serves the sport. Many younger grapplers now boycott IBJJF events altogether—some publicly calling the organization a money-grabbing machine holding
Gordon Ryan Dominates No-Gi Worlds: Why the IBJJF Needs Its King of Sub-Only Grappling Read More »
Jiu-Jitsu Life
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