Blog

John Danaher went from philosophy PhD student to the most influential coach in grappling. How his systems, leg locks, and squad changed BJJ.

Rickson Gracie is the Gracie family's most mythologized fighter — invisible jiu-jitsu, Japan vale tudo, and why his ideas still shape how BJJ is taught.

Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida won more IBJJF world titles than anyone before him — here's how a kid from São Paulo became the greatest heavyweight ever.

Mikey Musumeci — first American-born male IBJJF black belt world champion, the famous pizza diet, the footlock game, and his rise to no-gi stardom.

A factual profile of the Ruotolo brothers, Kade and Tye: twin American grapplers and ADCC, ONE Championship, and Craig Jones Invitational champions redefining modern jiu-jitsu.

A factual profile of Roger Gracie, the 10-time IBJJF World Champion widely regarded as the greatest gi competitor in BJJ history: his record, ADCC titles, lineage, and MMA career.

A factual profile of Gordon Ryan, the American submission grappler widely called the greatest no-gi competitor of all time: his record, ADCC titles, team, and legacy.

A welcoming beginner's guide to BJJ for women: why it's great for women, what to expect, how to handle a male-dominated gym, what to wear, and finding the right gym.

Confirm the class, fee and visitor rules before you travel. Then make clear agreements with the people sharing the mat.

Open mat is where most of the actual progress happens. A guide to what it is, why it matters, and how to use it whether you're new or twenty years in.

The social side of BJJ that nobody explains — what it means to be part of a "team," how friendships form on the mats, and why community is the thing that makes the sport stick.

What to look for in a kids jiu-jitsu program, what to avoid, and how to tell whether your child will benefit. The honest parent's guide.

How jiu-jitsu has shifted in the last decade, where it's headed, and what to expect as a new practitioner walking into the sport today.

San Diego is the deepest BJJ city in the United States. Here's a guide to picking the right gym out of the dozens — by neighborhood, lineage, and what you're actually looking for.

LA is the spiritual home of no-gi BJJ in America. Here's how to find the right room, whether you're a beginner or a competitor.

Saulo Ribeiro won across weight classes and rulesets. His longer contribution asks how a champion's knowledge becomes something another person can learn.

Two ADCC titles explain part of Leo Vieira's influence. The rest involves teaching, Checkmat, and the move from winning matches to shaping the sport.

Sharing a ride to jiu-jitsu does not mean sharing a pace, a belt schedule, or a reason to train. A practical approach for families with two students.

Remove the colored fabric and the room still needs trust, teaching, and a way to recognize progress. A thought experiment about rank in BJJ.

Braulio Estima's 2009 ADCC double gold was more than a medal count. Two brackets show the different problems a complete tournament run has to solve.

The quiet technician, the enthusiastic beginner, the useful skeptic: seven familiar training roles and how to make the most of each pairing.

Romulo Barral's career connects elite gi guard work, an ADCC title, and academy life. The interesting part is how those achievements differ.

Hannette Staack's record includes ADCC double gold, but her own interviews reveal an equally persistent commitment to students and teaching.

Robert Drysdale won world titles in the gi and at ADCC. His books and interviews open a different question: how did jiu-jitsu become this sport?