In this episode, we talk to former LFA featherweight champion and current UFC fighter Bruno Souza. Bruno is a dual black belt in Karate & BJJ with origins in Recife, Brazil. Most people might recognize him as a Machida Karate prodigy, but he is beginning to make a name for himself in the big leagues as a dangerous Karate fighter. He talks to us about his martial arts journey and the mindset that it takes to become a world champion. He also reveals to us a big goal that he has, which he hopes to achieve by the end of his career. 

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Chris Passarello is a BJJ instructor and competitor that trains out of Pittsburgh, PA. Although Pittsburgh is not often represented in the BJJ scene, Chris promises that there will be stars emerging from that region in the next few years. 

It is difficult to not get inspired to hit the mats after listening to this episode. Chris highlights the struggles he had to overcome to get to where he is today. 

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 1:29 BJJ scene in Pittsburgh

7:38 McDojos

9:35 What makes his gym different

13:20 Introduction to BJJ

20:50 How BJJ humbled him and changed his life

22:54 End goal of becoming world champ

25:05 Biggest setbacks

32:07 Lessons learned from each setback

37:12 What pushed him through hard times

42:34 Black belt

47:56 True test of a person

55:02 Are people born with that drive?

1:00:15 What is it about BJJ that has that effect on people?

1:04:06 BJJ effect on mental health

1:08:04 Uncomfortableness

1:09:55 What BJJ meant to you throughout life

1:13:37 Advice to anyone who wants to be a blackbelt in life

In this episode, we chat with one of the Godfathers of Mixed Martial Arts on Guam. Melchor Manibusan is a jack of all trades - he is an internationally renowned wrestler, mixed martial artist, gym owner, coach, entrepreneur, and a proud father. His journey from high school dropout to a respected entrepreneur is an inspiration. However, what really caught our attention are the crazy stories that happened in between. 

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Enjoy!

02:15 Where he’s from

11:25 Moving to Washington from Guam in high school

13:04 Being in street fights

14:40 How he started wrestling

21:38 If he was naturally gifted in wrestling

26:05 What he did next after high school wrestling

27:10 Dropping out of high school

30:08 Dad flying in coaches for wrestling

33:20 ADCC and facing Royler Gracie

37:20 How SPK 22 started

40:23 Guam the real fighting island

44:11 Brawl FC

46:30 Favorite out of fighting MMA, coaching, and wrestling

47:30 Crazy story of fighting in Russia

56:07 Dream for Brawl

57:20 Entrepreniurship

01:01:14 Favorite project

01:05:00 Advice for anyone who wants to be a black belt

01:07:33 Dream match up for MMA

In this episode, we talk to Bellator fighter and Karate-ka Weber Almeida. 

Weber is a phenomenal martial artist, representing Machida Karate inside the Bellator cage. We talk about his journey from Brazil to the United States, deciding to train MMA after a lifetime of training Karate, and how he was invited to the Machida Academy. He also leaves us with valuable advice about how far discipline can take anyone. 

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Enjoy! 

05:10 Returning to Brazil after China

05:35 Sleeping at dojo

06:46 Meeting Vinicio Antony (Lyoto Machida’s coach)

07:58 How he made money to train with Vinicio Antony

10:16 Meeting Lyoto Machida and being invited to their camp

15:52 What Lyoto saw in Weber to invite him to camp

18:39 How special was it when he was recognized by Lyoto

22:43 How he went from Welterweight to Bantamweight

25:12 Where does his indomitable spirit come from?

29:07 Transitioning from music to martial arts

31:49 How he started Karate

35:10 Different styles of Karate

40:56 Training different martial arts

44:27 Using Karate mindset in fighting

47:00 Update on next fight

47:39 Opinion on modern day Karate

53:19 Training Karate in Brazil vs in USA

55:27 Fight atmosphere in Brazil

59:24 How much last win meant for him

1:03:19 Acting dreams

1:08:10 Advice for anybody trying to be a blackbelt in life

In this episode, we talk to 2021 IBJJF World's Finalist Malachi "Magic Man" Edmond. We discuss a range of topics from training at the legendary Lloyd Irvin Academy, the sacrifices one must make to become a champion in BJJ, and his journey so far as a black belt. 

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Enjoy

3:16 BJJ Scene in Maryland

5:29 How he got started in BJJ

9:20 when he realized he’s going to pursue the sport

15:09 Where his focus came from

17:42 The time he used his BJJ on someone

19:38 Training at Team Lloyd Irvin at a young age

24:20 What separates team Lloyd Irvin from the rest

27:21 Master Donny

31:49 How important is a good coach relationship

35:27 Sacrifices he made

37:59 When he realized he can do be a world champ

38:58 Favorite moment in career

39:40 How he got nickname

41:07 Getting his blackbelt

45:10 South Korea Trip

49:53 Bittersweet feeling of earning black belt

52:33 First Black Belt IBJJF World’s

01:01:05 Difference between winner and loser at higher level

01:03:42 Ultimate goal as black belt

01:04:32 What has jiu jitsu meant to him

01:06:07 What’s next?

01:07:35 Most important traits to instill in kids

01:08:20 Advice to anyone trying to be a black belt

In this episode, BJJ World Champion Gabriel Sousa walks us through his incredible journey from the streets of Fortaleza, Brazil to the grandest stages in the sport of BJJ. His journey shows the toughness and discipline that is demanded of a world champion. Fortunately for us, we were able to get the inside scoop of what he had to endure to get to where he is today. 

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12:39 Why he started BJJ

18:36 When he realized he wanted to do BJJ for the rest of his life

19:50 The BJJ scene in Fortaleza

25:05 The moment he realized BJJ will take him out of the Favella

28:35 Training in Favella vs USA

32:39 The Brazillian Nationals

33:16 Why Brazil Nationals is the toughest tournament for colored belts

36:20 Mysterious woman who helped him get VISA

46:12 IBBJF World’s first time

47:34 Shift to US training

52:30 Happiness travelling the world

57:38 Setbacks throughout career

1:09:56 Shift in focus to No-Gi

1:12:27 Favorite moment in his career

1:15:04 Fighting Mikey

1:23:34 What’s next; goals?

1:26:58 Importance of giving back

1:32:34 Advice to those trying to be a Black Belt in life

In our first episode, we talk to UFC Fighter Frank The Crank Camacho about his martial arts journey. He talks to us about the history of Mixed Martial Arts in the Mariana Islands, his journey from an Island Boy to fighting on the grandest stage - the UFC, and other crazy stories such as the time he fought his uncle in a professional fight. 

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Enjoy