Dirty White Belt Radio

D'Juan Owens got off a plane from his third trip to Uganda teaching MMA, jiujitsu and self defense and came right to the studio to talk to us about using art to combat gender-based violence, break down Jordan Rinaldi's submission win at last night's UFC Mexico City, and remember his trip to Senegal with Isaac July Jr. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Mark Cukro, Cody Maltais, Karl Krebs, Chris Holmes and Betty Broadhurst did this month -- thanks, y'all!

We are in the midst of competition season, and Submission Only Raleigh from US Grappling gave us the chance to bring you lots of voices of local competitors. You'll hear from Eric DeVere, who lost 110 pounds doing jiujitsu and brought home two gold medals; Jordan Wise, who loves nogi; the participants in an hour-long match; and David Porter, who joins us live in studio to talk about the black belt division and tell epic stories of PokemonGoFest in Chicago, explaining how The Art of War applies there. We also hear from elite purple belt Junny Ocasio of Unity Jiujitsu, talking to Lourdes about the New York Open, superfight schedules and cheat meals. We usually have one long interview as our feature, but today we're going to do a series of shorter interviews, most with people you haven't heard from before on the podcast. A lot of those center around the fact that US Grappling Sub-Only Raleigh was yesterday -- and believe me, some amazing stories came out of that event. But Lourdes Cantu, rockstar co-host, al

What if you could travel, surf and train jiu jitsu for the rest of your life? And what if, by building a for-profit business with a new economic model, you could help other people live that lifestyle, too? That's one of the dreams of the Kekoa Collective, a business rooted in Hawaii, but with big plans to make a splash across the jiujitsu world. We talked with founders Dewey Doan and Aubrey Koenig and recent partner Jeffrey Huang about Kekoa's vision, its innovative revenue sharing model designed to help other jiujitsu academies grow, how they actually open their store space for community projects, the real story behind an iconic brand photo and much more. You can meet these folks at Masters Worlds in Las Vegas in a few weeks, and learn more about the company at kekoacollective.com! Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Submission-Only Raleigh on July 29, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find

Daniel Sandlin earned his black belt this week: he joins us to explain how the Marine Corps martial arts program compares to training jiu-jitsu, what the black belt means to him, whether a sport jiujitsu practitioner is generally adept at self defense, and the story behind his promotion ceremony -- including the first emotions he felt upon receiving the belt, which may surprise you. He also shares with us his plans for his first black belt competition, his favorite rulesets, and more. Plus, learn the toughest people he's rolled with, gi or nogi. One of Daniel's earliest training partners was Josh Murdock, now a black belt also. We talk to Josh both *before* and *after* his first IBJJF tournament at black belt, the New York Open where he wins bronze. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Submission-Only Raleigh on July 29, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com

Black belt Marcela Sorrentino Lawton began jiujitsu 20 years ago. She talks with Lourdes about the changes she’s seen, What she thinks about women-only classes, or classes for smaller people, and how they do it at the De La Riva academy in Rio, how she met her husband Jarod Lawton when training at American Top Team, what her favorite Toro Cup match was -- and whether she might compete at the next one! She also talked to us about the difference between training in Florida and training in Maine, how she and Jarod balance having a gym and training for tournaments, and about the ultimate jiujitsu road trip. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Submission-Only Raleigh on July 29, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Cody Maltais, Karl Krebs, Chris Holmes and Betty Broadhurs

We've always believed in the power of jiujitsu to change lives for the better -- and to bring people together across the lines that often divide us. RefugeeJitsu, a program in Charlotte founded by Renzo Gracie brown belt and Bible teacher J.M. Smith, is proving it. Every week a group of kids from all around the world, from different cultures and faith traditions, meets to train -- and learning jiujitsu together is having a tangible impact on their lives and the lives of others in the community. It's a beautiful story of what's possible from jiujitsu. You can learn more and get involved here: http://jmsmith.org/about/refugee-jitsu/ Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Submission-Only Raleigh on July 29, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Mark Cukro, Cody Maltais, Karl

Kristin DeBruycker joins us to talk the early days of women's MMA, her first Muay Thai fight, and training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with Pedro Sauer -- plus, why you shouldn't wear white or fight without health insurance. Also, Moises Antonio Lopez -- the Honey Badger -- stops by to talk about his footlock seminar at Elevate MMA, how he ended up training with Robert Drysdale and what he learned most from him, balancing training with family and work, and much more. Plus, we recap US Grappling Richmond, and Betsy joins Jeff to Ask a Random Purple Belt an etiquette question. You can learn more about Kristen at http://kristendebruycker.com/ and check out the new Throat Punch Thursday here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cetqSZkDXk&feature=youtu.be If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Mark Cukro, Cody Maltais, Karl Krebs, Chris Holmes and Betty Broadhurst did this month -- thanks, y'all! Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight C

Packed show this week, featuring pre- and post-match interviews with Toro Cup competitors Adli Edwards, Summer Carpenter, Chelsea Kurtzman and CJ Murdock -- plus a long featured interview with two-time Toro Cup winner Sa'idah Durkee and her coach, Isaac July, Jr.! Also, we announce some details about upcoming events, including a special show and a seminar you shouldn't miss. If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Mark Cukro, Cody Maltais, Karl Krebs, Chris Holmes and Betty Broadhurst did this month -- thanks, y'all! Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Richmond on June 24, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com!

The biggest and best Toro Cup yet featured 20 matches and 16 submissions. Jeff and Lourdes recap the whole card, including a featured talk with Nicky Ryan and Ethan Crelinsten, where we ask them about their biggest wins, toughest training partners, the most important thing they've learned from John Danaher (and whether they've ever seen him without a rash guard), the key to hitting triangles, Paul from the Mat Tricks Podcast's cats, and whether you'll see them competing in the gi soon -- and the answer to that may surprise you. We also do post-match interviews with Junny Ocasio of Unity, Gavin Corbe of Coastal BJJ, Amber Hable of Triangle Jiu-Jitsu, Cody Maltais of Elevate MMA and Andrew Bitner of Gracie Raleigh -- and a bunch of other people we'll get to in a bonus show! If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Mark Cukro, Cody Maltais, Karl Krebs, Chris Holmes and Betty Broadhurst did this month -- thanks, y'all! Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grapplin

It's time to recap the locals' performance at the Mundials, and to preview next week's Toro Cup 7 -- the biggest Toro Cup yet, to benefit the Women's Center of Raleigh! Plus, Betsy gets off on a rant about the IBJJF, and Fletcher the bloodhound joins us in studio to try to rein us in. Also, we break some special news about exciting events next week. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Richmond on June 24, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com!

Not one but TWO legends of jiujitsu are on the show this week. Our featured interview guest is Pedro Sauer, the legendary 8th Degree Red/Black Belt Instructor under Helio Gracie and Rickson Gracie. We cover a lot of ground, including: the first time he met Helio Gracie; his time living in Rickson Gracie's garage with Luis "Limao" Heredia, and how he wound up in Utah and now Virginia; How his famous fight with Mr. Utah came to be (and he tells us at least one detail about that fight that I'd never heard before); The story of the log that Helio Gracie used to practice #chokes on, that he got from his friend Bauru, that now resides at Pedro Sauer HQ -- and the one story about Bauru he can tell in public; advice on keys to longevity in jiujitsu, whether he advises people to compete, and what true self-defense means, including how to protect your joints; why the black belt means something more than what you can do on the mat, but how you can make a difference in the community as well. He also tells us who the most

Who should I watch at the Mundials, the jiujitsu world championship coming up in 10 days? If I can't go in person, how can I watch and follow along? We have you covered with a preview, where we highlight the local competitors to watch at EVERY belt level. Plus, Jeff shows you his nerdy method to make sure you don't miss a minute of the action and you get the latest results even if you can't attend! (Check that out at https://dirtywhitebelt.com/2017/05/21/how-to-watch-the-ibjjf-mundials-and-who-to-watch-locally/ ) We also congratulate some folks on belt promotions, performances at US Grappling Greensboro, and trips to the MMA cage. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Richmond on June 27, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com!

Jiu-jitsu is part of the fabric of Jay Yovanovich's being. The new Pendergrass Academy black belt started his journey almost 17 years ago, and along the way he's become a core part of the Carolina scene and embedded in jiujitsu culture all over. He talked to us about what the black belt means to him, about the training partners who were there at the beginning (some of whom are still around), and about why jiujitsu is an expression of your personality. We also talked about BJJ culture, including Jay's keys to a great rolling playlist and the best craft beers he's traded and received with the Good Vibes Crew. Plus, learn his keys to a great open guard. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Greensboro on May 20, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com!

BONUS episode! Two interviews with elite level competitors, including Norwegian #jiujitsu artist Ida Fløisvik, the reigning IBJJF New York Open black belt Absolute champion and Edwin "Junny" Ocasio of Unity BJJ, one of the best purple belt jiujitsu #athletes competing today. We're excited to bring you these interviews, and we're going to continue to focus on the Carolinas and beyond, bringing the best folks we can find on the show to support East Coast BJJ. Norwegian Ida Fløisvik is the reigning New York Open black belt Absolute champion, has a fascinating means to fund her training, and has an awesome Viking sword. The Roger Gracie black belt talked to Lourdes after training at Renzo Gracie Manhattan about her training, her kids classes, and much more! Edwin "Junny" Ocasio has won most of the IBJJF open tournaments and has his sights on a Mundial gold medal this year. He talked to Jeff about the importance of hard training, the importance of drilling, his training partners at Unity BJJ, and fighting fo

Everyone remembers their first time competing at a jiujitsu tournament! We talked to people from white to black belt about their first tournament -- and followed Betsy through her first-ever jiujitsu competition, at US Grappling Charlotte at the Europa Games. Voices you'll hear: Black belts Caitlin Huggins and Samantha Faulhaber, brown belt Mary Holmes, purple belt Betty Broadhurst, and blue belt Heather Kasey, Plus, we got some great bonus content, including VIDEO from many of these first matches! Go to dirtywhitebelt.com/blog or our Facebook page to see that. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, Cageside Fight Co. and the Armbar Box! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Greensboro on May 20, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com!

Excited to see Next Level Fight Club's #NLFC7? You will be after this interview with Adli Edwards, pro fighter, all-American wrestler, jiujitsu artist since the age of 14. We welcome Trevor Hayes back to the studio to break down Adli's training and the fight card! Ticket information in the comments. You can get your tickets from Adli (or another fighter on the card), or get them online now at www.nextlevelfightclub.com/tickets. Use the code "Edwards" so Adli gets credit for the tickets. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, Cageside Fight Co. and the Armbar Box! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Greensboro on May 20, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! For the Armbar Box: go to www.armbarbox.com/dwb for a chance to win a free new gi. Arm Bar Box is a subscription Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Box delivering full sized jiu jitsu products to your door every month. Pre-orders start May 1!

One of the best nogi competitors in the world, Garry Tonon, joins us to talk about what medals matter most to him, the main mistakes leg lockers make, about his match against CJ Murdock, about what he’d tell himself as a blue belt, and exactly how much power he gains from his facial hair. Lourdes interviewed Garry on the mats at Renzo Gracie Manhattan! We also recap US Grappling Charlotte, and Jeff does brief interviews with veteran competitors David Porter and Andrew Bitner, along with first-time competitor Dylan McGrath. And ... we might have a bonus show this week, so stay tuned. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, Cageside Fight Co. and the Armbar Box! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Greensboro on May 20, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! For the Armbar Box: go to www.armbarbox.com/dwb for a chance to win a free new gi. Arm Bar Box is a subscription Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Box delivering full sized jiu ji

Jake Whitfield's stack pass is dangerous, and he taught a popular seminar earlier this year teaching you how to do it. Now, his April 29 seminar at Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is all about how to *defend* the stack pass! He shares with us some details in advance about the most common mistakes people make while defending the pass, talks about teaching kids jiujitsu, discussing who should call themselves a "competitor," and more -- including some pro wrestling history and wrasslin' podcast in-jokes. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, Cageside Fight Co. and the Armbar Box! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Charlotte April 22-23, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! For the Armbar Box: go to www.armbarbox.com/dwb for a chance to win a free new gi. Arm Bar Box is a subscription Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Box delivering full sized jiu jitsu products to your door every month.

Two outstanding local performers from the weekend call in to break down their efforts! James Quigg wins his 3rd pro MMA fight, against his toughest opponent yet, by TKO in the 1st, and Josh Murdock wins bronze at the NY Open after winning two adult brown belt matches. Both guys are introspective and thoughtful about their performances, martial arts and the future, so check it out! Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, Cageside Fight Co. and the Armbar Box! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Charlotte April 22-23, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! For the Armbar Box: go to www.armbarbox.com/dwb for a chance to win a free new gi. Arm Bar Box is a subscription Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Box delivering full sized jiu jitsu products to your door every month.

Royce Gracie black belt Seth Shamp, owner of Triangle Jiu-Jitsu in Durham (and Jeff's instructor), talks self-defense, the process of teaching and learning -- and explains why you shouldn't hate on those guys who take home medals when their tournament divisions are empty. Plus, Seth flips the script on Jeff and starts asking some questions of his own! We also welcome a new sponsor, The Armbar Box: go to http://www.armbarbox.com/dwb for a chance to win a free new gi. Arm Bar Box is a subscription Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Box delivering full sized jiu jitsu products to your door every month. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ and Cageside Fight Co.! Register online at usgrappling.com to compete at US Grappling Charlotte April 22-23, and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! And check out trianglejiujitsu.com for more information about Seth's school, Triangle Jiu-Jitsu.