Open Mat Radio

Riccardo Ammendolia returns to OMR and things get interesting. This time we delve into his jiu jitsu journey on and off the mats. Riccardo discuses his training history including his time on the mats with the greats like Terere, Leo Viera, Comprido, Jacare and the Mendes Brothers. We discuss some big things happening at Atos, Gui Mendes’ decision to retire from active competition and much more. This is just the first half! Later in the show we get an insider’s breakdown of how events are put together. Riccardo may be the most active behind-the-scenes man in the game. He has worked with ADCC, World Pro, Five Grappling, Copa Podio, Ultimate Absolute and more. Widely regarded as the best commentator in jiu jitsu Riccardo discusses what makes a quality grappling broadcast and event. We also discuss what it was like running a fight shop in the MMA/BJJ boom after TUF 1. Whether you compete, host tournaments, run a jiu jitsu realted business or just love to train this is a must listen to episode. Without Riccardo’s support and guidance Open Mat Radio might not even be around. Please enjoy the show!   Open Mat Radio is brought to you by OnTheMat Lucky Gi Jiu JItsu Style Mag ScrambleManto Please support the show by dropping a rating and review on iTunes. Looking for more off the mat content? Check out theJourneyPodcast  

We welcome Kenny Savercool to this weeks episode of OMR. Kenny has trained with Ryan Hall since the inception of Fifty50. We discuss what it’s like training with Ryan, how Ryan’s game changed since focusing on MMA and what might surprise people about training at Fifty50. We also discuss Kenny’s training and competition in both Santos and Rio in Brasil. Kenny gives advice for life on and off the mats when traveling to Brasil. Learn what it’s like to navigate the favelas, train with Terere and live with Michelle Nicolini.   This episode is brought to you in part by VaiCantagalo.com Learn more HERE Shop and Support HERE   Special thank you to everyone that listened to the last episode of theJourneyPodcast and has given/offered me support. This week’s News: Sergio Penha Seminar Sunday 9/27 @125 at the door or $100 if you pre-register by emailing HERE or messaging OMR on Facebook   We encourage you to check out Around the Mat and Newazza Challenge .     Looking for more grappling podcast goodness? Check out Daniele Bolleli’s Drunken Taoist as he discuses the Gracie vs Fadda challenges and Adisa Banjoko‘s podcast with Ryron Gracie,  Bishop Chronicles   Always a special thanks to OTM, Lucky Gi, Jiu JItsu Style Mag, Gawakoto and Scramble for their support.   Ke

“Sambo” Stephen Koepfer joins the show to breakdown the inaugural World Combat Wrestling Championships that were just held in Bulgaria. Steve is the President of the American Sambo Association, head coach of New York Combat Sambo and a producer on “Girl Fight: A Muay Thai Story”. For more on Girl Fight check out www.TheGirlFightStory.com including where you can see a festival screening this month! In this podcast we get an introduction to the art of Sambo. We learn the parallels and differences it shares with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and other martial arts. Steve also explains the resurgence of Combat Wrestling. We learn which EBI fighter beat the great Roli DelGado to win gold at the inaugural World Combat Wrestling Championship? How did Team USA do overall? We also learn how YOU can get involved for the next season. New York Combat Sambo http://www.nycombatsambo.com/ Sambo Summit this October http://www.ussambo.com/summit/index.html Rare Opportunity to attend a seminar with Red and Black belt Sergio Penha after the Master’s World’s in Las Vegas. Register by emailing or messaging us on Facebook Check out an amazing social project helping kids get gis in the Cantagalo Favela http://www.vaicantagalo.com/ Thanks to our supporters On The Mat Lucky Gi Gawakoto Jiu JItsu Style Magazine Fight Logs The Journey Podcast The last episode of TheJourney we discuss my latest battle with cancer and Nic Gregoriades’ departure from the show.

James Puopolo returns to OpenMatRadio! James is an American grappling standout representing Ribiero/Lovato. In this interview we discuss James’ transition from full time school teacher to professional jiu jitsu competitor. James explains how he found the balance between work, home and competition. We discuss various educational and learning strategies borrowed from an eclectic range of disciplines including meditation, buddhism, wrestling and of course jiu jitsu. Learn what had to happen for James to say, “Now i’m a martial artist.” All this and much more on this week’s episode. Thanks to those that support OpenMatRadio: Onthemat.com Manto Fight Logs Jiu JItsu Style Magazine How to reach James: Facebook InstaGram: jrpuopolo Salem-Keizer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy • 4122 River Road N., Keizer, Oregon 97303 • (503) 877-7356 Resources discussed inculde: Water the Bamboo: Unleashing The Potential Of Teams And Individuals Teach Like a Champion Headspace App Support those that Support James: Rafael Lovato Jr, Xande and Saulo Ribiero, Ben Baxter, Andy Hung, Luke Tirey, Elite Flexability with Rob Nahar, Hyperfly, Five grappling, Iron Lion Soap, FloatOn

We are happy to welcome back long time friend and fan favorite guest, Tom DeBlass back to the show. This time around we check in on the status of Tom’s MMA career, his match with nogi specialist Joao Assis at Sub Series Pro, exclusive contracts in grappling and of course ADCC preparation. Aside from Tom we also discuss his student Garry Tonon and Garry’s student Gordon Ryan. Learn more about the Renzo/Almeida/Danaher system and how their footlock game might just change grappling and MMA forever. For more about Tom be sure to check out our podcast archive as well as the following links… Facebook info@OceanCountyBJJ.com http://www.oceancountybjj.com/ As always, a huge thank you to our supporters. Onthemat.com, Jiu JItsu Style Magazine and TheJourneyPodcast.com Photo Credit: Jeff Chu

Once again Dominyka has made history by becoming double gold champion in the Women’s Blackbelt division of the IBJJF. How many people outside of Brazil can claim such accolades at such a young age? Aside from crushing double gold this year she also has the distinction of being Marcelo Garcia’s first female blackbelt, at under 20 years old! We discuss her journey from a child taking private lessons to the double gold champion she is today. Dominyka introduces us to her campaign for equal rights in the competitive jiu jitsu scene. Check out EqualPayForBJJ on Instagram and www.EqualPayForBJJ.com (coming soon). We also preview the next few shows and ask for feedback on the NEW OMR design. Thanks as always to OTM, Lucky Gi, Five Grappling and Jiu Jitsu Style for supporting the show, each in their own way. Save a few bucks on the FiveGrappling Super League by using code OPENMATRADIO at FiveGrappling.com before July 30!

Marshal Carper is today’s jiu jitsu renaissance man. He is a highly respected author of jiu jitsu instructional books such as, Marcelo Garcia’s Advanced Jiu Jitsu, his fantastic autobiography The Cauliflower Chronicles: A Grappler’s Tale of Self-Discovery and Island Living, and even a new video game (Super Dojo Storm). Marshal is an accomplished entrepreneur with his company ArteChoke Media and expert in marketing/social media. This interview has something for everyone. We discuss the second edition of Cauliflower Chronicles and what Gawakoto had to do with it. How making your drilling dirty could improve your game. Why we shouldn’t always look at our stars on the podium to model our games after and much more. Check out the links below to see how you can support ArteChoke Media and Marshal! www.superdojostorm.com http://artechokemedia.com/mtc/

This week we are excited to bring you another history lesson from fan favorite guest, Pete The Greek Letsos! PTG was training with the best in the world when others hadn’t even heard of jiu jitsu. Find out what it’s like to roll with Carlos Gracie Jr, survive the brutal training from Osvaldo Alves, have BJ Penn get you into a bar scrap, train with Carlson Gracie Sr, Carlson Gracie Junior and Terere plus much more! To learn more about Pete be sure to check out: http://riojj.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PTGRIOJJ/videos https://www.facebook.com/riojiujitsuchicago Please help support the show by writing a review and rating on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/open-mat-radio-podcast/id507025250?mt=2 and check out theJourneyPodcast.com here https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-journey-podcast/id721817391?mt=2

Episode 112 Pete The Greek Letsos Returns to OMR

This week we welcome back Mike Fowler! We discuss Mike’s upcoming match against the legendary Eduardo Telles at Polaris Pro. Mike also takes us through his pilgrimage through over 100 Japanese temples, on foot! We learn what Mike gained from this over forty day journey, the dangers involved and some of the folks that met him along his path including MMA Hall of Famers Megumi Fugi and Enson Inoue. We wrap up with a candid discussion on the perils of the competitive jiu jitsu scene. This is a must listen for any competitor. Also on this episode, Level Ground MMA/Newaza Apparel contest details, TapCancerOut Winter Open news and the details for Polaris Pro!

Mike Fowler Returns to OMR

Happy New Year! This week we are lucky to have Jon Thomas update us on what TapCancerOut.org has been up to. We also discuss the upcoming Tap Cancer Out Winter Open in San Diego on January 17th. Registration ends the 13th so sign up now! We dig into the archives for interviews with Gracie Barra star Orlando Sanchez and his student Josh Valles. These interviews were recorded at the OnTheMat booth at the Long Beach Expo. In the news section we give some new details regarding Polaris Pro, Garry Tonon’s upcoming superfights and how you can win some Newaza Apparel while supporting Boston’s finest non-profit Level Ground MMA. Home      

Episode 110 TapCancerOut Updates Orlando Sanchez and Josh Valles

We are honored to have Ali Fuller and Freddy (her student) from Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts on the podcast. Level Ground is an amazing program in Boston that motivates and empowers at risk populations through the power of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. Learn how Ali founded, molds and maintains Level Ground, the impact it has made on Freddy’s life, how LG ensures success on and off the mat and much more.   Please visit their IndieGoGo Campaign at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/create-a-level-ground-for-boston-s-urban-youth–2#home   Anyone that shares this post or any of our posts regarding Level Ground  on social media and/or the martial arts message boards we frequent will be entered to win prizes from Newaza Apparel. We will pick a winner at the end of their IndieGoGo Campaign.

Level Ground MMA Ali Fuller