Happy again: Michael Musumeci’s win over depression between the 2017 and 2018 BJJ Worlds
The Copacabana room at the JW Marriott hotel, on the Rio de Janeiro waterfront, usually houses chairs, a bunch of jackets and slides for business…
Interviews
Rodolfo Vieira analyzes return to BJJ, possible match with Gordon Ryan
Absolute world champion Rodolfo Vieira went through a hiatus away from competitive BJJ. But like every good son, he has returned home. At October’s 1st…
Isaque Bahiense on winning gold at A.D. Grand Slam Rio: ‘The pressure fascinates me’
Isaque Bahiense, 22, is living his best phase in competitive BJJ to date. After conquering a world championship in June, the Alliance black-belt has done…
Interview: Gabi Pessanha’s lessons in tenacity to win at A.D. Grand Slam Rio
A brown-belt aged just 18, Gabrieli Pessanha is continuing to carve out her space among the elite of international BJJ Born and raised in Cidade…
Video: Keenan Cornelius slams trash talk, analyzes Gordon Ryan
At 26 years old, the blue-haired fighter adjusts himself in a chair at the Brasserie, in Seoul's InterContinental Hotel. A special guest of Spyder BJJ in…
Interview with Ricardo Libório
[First published in 2013.]
Graciemag catches up with BJ Penn after 15 years
The first American to ever win an IBJJF world championship, and a UFC Hall of Famer, BJ Penn is a legend of the sport who…
Interview with Cláudia do Val, the world’s No. 1 female BJJ fighter
Gold in the black belt may seem like the pinnacle of the career of a BJJ fighter, but to other, hungrier competitors, it goes beyond…
Interview: Mackenzie Dern on the lessons learned trying to cut weight for UFC 224
Mackenzie Dern's second UFC fight was a roller coaster of emotions. As well as fighting in Rio, a city that has always welcomed her like…
Demian Maia’s bossa nova BJJ
[First published in 2016.] With elegance, finesse and efficiency rare in MMA, the black-belt from Sao Paulo consolidates himself as the greatest finisher of his…
Profile: Antônio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira
[First published in 2008.] Jiu-jitsu to the limit Celebrating ten years of his MMA career, Rodrigo Minotauro passes on to readers the best of what…
Fernando Tererê’s tips to get better at takedowns
An immortal of BJJ, the charismatic Fernando Tererê is known for the volume of his game as well as for his sneaky takedowns. Having won multiple…