Interview: Mario Reis teaches how to motivate BJJ champions
Considered to be one of the best coaches in BJJ worldwide, Mario Reis details, in the following interview, how he thinks and works with his…
Interviews
Interview: Duzão Lopes’s tips for shining in your first year as a black-belt
Even without reaching the ultimate goal at the 2019 Worlds, Duzão Lopes has been making noise in the competitive BJJ scene in his first year…
Philosophy and technique, with John Danaher
[First published in 2008. Scroll down for plain text.] A visit to Renzo Gracie’s academy means, almost certainly, meeting the character in this profile.…
A champion’s mind: Gezary Matuda’s lessons for you to win in BJJ
Although it may not look that way to you, Gezary Matuda is 35 years old. Yes, 35, the typical age of a fighter in the…
João Gabriel on sitting out Worlds, beating the odds at King of Mats
Imagine, if you will, preparing for an entire year for a tournament and then being forced to skip it. It would be a big hit…
Xande Ribeiro on building one of the best guard systems in history
[First published in 2016. A companion to this piece. Scroll all the way down for plain text.] The main subject of this issue, Xande Ribeiro…
Lightweight king Lucas Lepri analyzes campaign at the 2019 BJJ Worlds
No one disagrees that Lucas Lepri is the greatest lightweight in BJJ today. With six world titles in the division (2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,…
Mikey Musumeci reveals his pact with Bruno Malfacine prior to the 2019 Worlds
With three world titles across two weight divisions, Mikey Musumeci this year put his name side by side with the likes of Leandro Lo, Saulo…
Sensei Georges Mehdi’s most valuable lesson in humility, per Marcos Ayala
Master Georges Mehdi (1934–2018), who died six months ago in Rio de Janeiro, left behind many good memories, lessons, and a slew of tough students…
Interview: The art of beating a favorite in BJJ, with Vinicius ‘Trator’ Ferreira
The men's heavyweight champion at the 2019 Brazilian Nationals, held in early May in Barueri, Vinicius “Trator” Ferreira had some hurdles to clear on his…
Exclusive: B.J. Penn remembers winning BJJ world title
A former champion of two divisions in the UFC and a Hall of Famer of the organization, B.J. Penn will be fighting at UFC Rio…
Interview: Rudson Mateus opens up about the 2019 Brazilian Nationals
The men's medium heavyweight champion and absolute runner-up at the 2019 Brazilian Nationals, Rudson Mateus starred, next to Nicholas Meregali, in one of the most…