I’ve competed in almost every ADCC trial since 2016, so many, in fact, that I’ve lost count of the exact number. I remember watching Eddie Cummings, Enrico Coco, Rousimar Palhares, and so many other forgotten names of our sport lay it on the line for next to nothing. A few of my teammates and coaches […]
ADCC EAST COAST TRIALS: BACK TO OUR ROOTS Read More »
Profiles & Interviews
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
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
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
What Do We Do About Gordon Ryan?By Kevin Written in 2022 I’ve been covering Gordon Ryan as a “journalist” since the beginning of his career—long before professional jiu-jitsu got attention from mainstream outlets. I’m not a professional writer. I’m just a guy who loves jiu-jitsu and happened to write for a few decent publications at
What Do We Do About Gordon Ryan? Read More »
Mindset & Motivation, Profiles & Interviews, Uncategorized
Written in 2021 Saturday’s knockout defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier seemed to answer many long-standing questions about Conor McGregor and his legacy. The former two-division UFC champion turned whiskey mogul captivated the fight world for nearly a decade. Watching it all come crashing down felt like a mix of cathartic schadenfreude and sadness.
Conor McGregor’s Complicated Legacy Read More »
Mindset & Motivation, Profiles & Interviews, Uncategorized
Jiu-Jitsu is an art, make no mistake about it. Which means a lot of its practitioners carry an artistic mindset — passionate, creative, and obsessed with the craft. But like any artist, that passion can consume your focus, leaving little room for other survival skills… like running a profitable academy. Having the same drive to
Jiu-Jitsu, Business, and Belief: How Cristina “Midget” Rodriguez Is Redefining Success Read More »
Profiles & Interviews