Open Mat Radio

Episode 93 - Emily Kwok

On this week’s episode we have Matt “Aesopian” Kirtley. Matt is an Eduardo deLima blackbelt and founder of Aesopian.com. Known for his high level instruction we discuss what exactly makes a good instructor, when to teach concepts versus moves, how to utilize multimedia to improve your game and why the crucifix should be in your arsenal! We also discuss his collaboration with ArteChokeMedia.com and how the instructional market will be forever changed with their 3D Jiu Jitsu mixed media platform. Find out how you can support ArteChokeMedia from the ground up via their IndieGoGo Campaign http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aesopian-s-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-instructional

Episode 92 - Matt Aesopian Kirtley

Episode 91 - World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Mixtape Vol. 1

Broadcasting from the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo in Long Beach, CA, OnTheMat.com and Lucky Gi present the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Mixtape featuring Dayan Henson and Riccardo Amendolia from Five Grappling, Ricardo Franjinha Miller, Cleber Luciano, Dave from Jits Mag and Blayne from CTRL Industries. Please check out fivegrappling.com, paragonbjj.com, cleberjiujitsu.com, jitsmagazine.com and ctrlindustries.bigcartel.com.

On this weeks show we join Adisa Banjoko of the HipHopChessFederation and the Bishop Chronicles Podcast. Adisa talks about training in the early days of Raplh Gracie’s where BJ Penn and Dave Camarillo were white and blue belts. We go on to talk about the parallels of the chess, hip hop and jiu jitsu/martial arts subcultures. Adisa explains how he uses principles of these cultures to educate people and promote nonviolence. We also drop the first single off of Street Games Vol 1 featuring Ryron Gracie. Please check out hiphopchessfederation.org, bishopchronicles.com and https://soundcloud.com/bishopchronicles for more information on Adisa , his podcast and HHCF!

Episode 90 - Adisa Banjoko

On this week’s show we welcome Tom DeBlass. Tom is a UFC and Bellator veteran and jiu jitsu world champion. We discuss both sides of his lineage including his coaches Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida and his student Garry Tonon. Find out what it takes to not only make it to the world class level but to get your students there as well.

On this week’s show we have Matt Godden. Fatt is an Alliance brown belt and has trained with some of the best in the game. We discuss the challenges of training without a black belt head coach in the academy, how to choose an affiliation and tips for training in Brazil. We also discuss the grappling scene in Western New York and Toronto. You’ll hear some great stories about Jordon Schultz, Chuck Anzalone and how Paul got smoked in his first tournament. Be sure to check out Facebook.com/DoubleGoldBJJ for more  about Matt and www.OpenMatRadio.com for more on OMR.

This week we welcome JSho, who is one of the most knowledgeable people out there when it comes to the history of jiu-jitsu and jiu-jitsu statistics. Jsho is going to break down the upcoming edition of ADCC and give us his picks, plus he’s going to talk about it’s history and he’ll finish up the interview with some statistics.

This week we welcome Roger Gracie black belt Kev Capel to the show. Kev talks about his military background, being exposed to so many different martial arts and how that shaped his view of BJJ, Grappling and MMA, how to have a strong women’s team, tips on creating a jiu-jitsu family, behind-the-scenes of the Stuart Cooper and Nic Gregoriades film, The Spirit of Jiu-Jitsu, and much more!

This week we welcome legendary red and black belt Mauricio Gomes to the show. Mauricio talks about the impact Rolls Gracie had on jiu-jitsu, how MMA and jiu-jitsu has changed over the years, being the father of Roger Gracie and his competitive future, bringing jiu-jitsu to the UK and much more!

This week we welcome Budo Jake from BudoVideos.com to the show. Jake talks about his journey through martial arts in the US and Japan, the growth of Budo Videos, how technology is changing how we experience jiu-jitsu, new projects and much more! We are also joined by Callum of Jiu-Jitsu Style Magazine who discusses the latest issue featuring Andre Galvao, JT Torres, Bernardo Faria, Rener Gracie and more.

This week we welcome Tom DeBlass black belt Garry Tonon to the show. Garry talks about his recent black belt promotion, competing in the upcoming ADCC, his friendly rivalry with the Miyao brothers, his style of jiu-jitsu and he talks about training with GSP, Chris Weidman, Rory MacDonald, Frankie Edgar and much more!

This week we welcome Ralph Gracie black belt Kurt Osiander to the show. Kurt talks balancing drinking and jiu-jitsu, getting inked and still training, Ralph’s old school style and today’s jiu-jitsu, keys to success in training and longevity, the Brendan Schaub situation at Metamoris, hitting his 10,000 hours in boxing, wrestling and MMA and much more!