The Grappling Monthly Podcast

What's your preferred set up for grappling competitions? A mat, the pit, the bowl, a cage? This week's guest has experience in all 4! This week the Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to Encinitas, CA to chat with one of jiu jitsu’s elite competitors Prof. Keith Krikorian!

On this episode Keith shares his passion for martial arts, competing in wrestling and Jiu Jitsu, the sacrifices and discipline it takes to reach the highest levels, and his experiences on jiu jitsu’s biggest platforms such as IBJJF, ADCC, and UFC BJJ. Jump into the mind of an elite level athlete and competitor on the modern Jiu Jitsu scene. Episode airs this Wednesday January 21 at 7am PDT. Keith Krikorian is a professional grappler and a back belt in jiu-jitsu under Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez of the 10th Planet Team. An experienced athlete under the submission-only and EBI ruleset, Krikorian first made waves in the sport while competing at the ADCC United States Trials as a colored belt, where he conquered 2 second places (2018 & 2019), performances that earned Keith an invitation for the ADCC World Championships of 2019. Keith would later earn the rank of black belt and continue to prove his worth on the professional circuit. Keith Krikorian was born on October 14, 1997, in San Diego, California, USA.

Drawn to combat sports from an early age, Keith started boxing as a 9-year-old, pursuing the Sweet Science competitively in the amateur circuit for a number of years. During this period, Krikorian also added other striking sports to his tool kit such as kickboxing and muay Thai with the long-term goal of competing in mixed martial arts. During high school, Keith finally started training in mixed martial arts, a discipline that led him to jiu-jitsu under the guidance of Shannon Gugerty. As part of his grappling introduction, Krikorian also decided to join his school’s wrestling team, competing extensively in the folkstyle ruleset. During his progression in jiu-jitsu, Keith worked with the aforementioned Gugerty as well as Walel Watson before finding his way to instructor Richie Martinez of 10th Planet, the man responsible for much of Krikorian’s sporting success. Under the guidance of Martinez, Krikorian earned his purple, brown, and black belts, the latter in October 2020.

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs. Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

https://www.grapplingmonthly.com

#jiujitsu #jiujitsubrésilien #brazilianjiujitsu #combatsports #martialarts #selfdefense #selfimprovement #bjj #blackbelt #grappling #thegrapplingmonthlypodcast #gi #nogi #ibjjf #adcc #keithkrikorian #10thplanet #10thplanetsandiego #encinitas #california #usa Many thanks to our sponsor https://www.baitapparel.com

This week, The Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to South Los Angeles to sit and get to know professor Dominick Haider (aka Coach Nick). Prof.Dominick Haider is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the founder of Guardian Project Los Angeles. Martial arts is a deeply personal and rewarding practice that help set him on a path of growth and helping others.

From Kickboxing, to MMA, to BJJ, prof. Haider has decades of experience in martial arts and a passion for giving back to the community by ensuring anyone interested gets the opportunity to learn the art and work on themselves. Partnering with the international Jiu Jitsu charity Guardian, has helped Prof. Haider realize a dream of making martial practice accessible to all. Prof. Nick is the owner and head instructor of Omni Jiu Jitsu in South LA. He is also the head of the Guardian Project in Los Angeles.

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

Grappling Monthly is starting the year off strong with our latest guest: Professor Jaime Mendez III. Prof. Mendez is the owner and head instructor of Renzo Gracie, Los Angeles. He is a former American collegiate football free safety, who was an All-American at Kansas State University. He is the Wildcats' all-time career leader in interceptions with 15 and a lifetime practitioner of the martial arts with decades of experience in striking and grappling.

In this episode we discuss:

And so much more!

Tune in for the full podcast episode this Wednesday January 7 at 7am PDT.

This week The Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to the newest location in the Legacy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community, Legacy Santa Clarita. Join us and get to know Professor Victor Yushin, owner and head instructor of Legacy Santa Clarita.

Victor is a 2nd degree black belt under Prof. Alberto Crane. In this episode, we get to know prof. Yushin and his journey in competitive sport, dance, and martial arts.

Grappling Monthly is a media platform dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts.

We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short- and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community—from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Driven by a passion for the arts, our goal is to engage everyone—from committed practitioners to curious fans—through stories that explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today. Our content reflects the spirit of the grappling arts through media that motivates growth, strengthens connection, and conveys the ingenuity, discipline, and shared commitment that define this community.

The Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to Pasadena as we sit with Professor Erik D. Cruz aka "Compella", owner and head instructor of 10th Planet Pasadena. 

Professor Compella is a third degree black belt under Eddie Bravo. He is an OG of the 10th planet system who has over two decades of experience on the mat training, competing and teaching jiu jitsu and MMA. A lifelong martial artist, in this episode we get to know professor Compella, how he was first exposed to jiu jitsu, what it is about the 10th planet system that attracted him.  We talk about the early days of submission-only tournaments such as the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) and how the no gi grappling game has evolved, depending on the rulesets and the desire to deliver exciting displays of jiu jitsu, and much more! 

This episode was filmed on October 19, 2025 at 10th Planet Pasadena on 2333 Lake Ave, in Altadena CA. You can view the full episode with video on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly

For more information on the school, check out their website: https://www.10thplanetpasadena.com/ 

Grappling Monthly is a media platform dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short- and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community—from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Driven by a passion for the arts, our goal is to engage everyone—from committed practitioners to curious fans—through stories that explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

Our content reflects the spirit of the grappling arts through media that motivates growth, strengthens connection, and conveys the ingenuity, discipline, and shared commitment that define this community.

The Grappling Monthly Podcast stops by at Gracie Barra Montreal to visit 6th degree BJJ black belt and founder of GB Montreal, Professor Bruno Fernandes! Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, professor Bruno Fernandes is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior, a multiple time world champion and was the grappling coach of numerous jiu jitsu and mma fighters, including former UFC champion George Saint Pierre.

Professor Fernandes moved to Canada in 2005 to do a speciality course in ophthalmology and a PhD at the McGill University in Montreal, where he started coaching BJJ part time. He was ultimately invited to teach at the prestigious university and has called Canada his home since then.

In part 2 of this 2 part episode, we discuss:

• Getting older and staying healthy in Jiu Jitsu

• What is it about Gracie Barra?

• Building Gracie Barra Montreal and bridging two cultures

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to tune in to part 1 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly , subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a comment! Let us know who you would like us to interview and visit next!

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short- and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:44 Getting to know Professor Bruno Fernandes

21:31 Rio de Janeiro, Jiu Jitsu & Surfing

32:00 How Jiu Jitsu can help tackle mental illness and suffering

51:17 Outro - Reminder to tune in to Part 2 on Oct.28

The Grappling Monthly Podcast stops by at Gracie Barra Montreal to visit 6th degree BJJ black belt and founder of GB Montreal, Professor Bruno Fernandes!

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, professor Bruno Fernandes is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior, a multiple time world champion and was the grappling coach of numerous jiu jitsu and mma fighters, including former UFC champion George Saint Pierre.

Professor Fernandes moved to Canada in 2005 to do a speciality course in ophthalmology and a PhD at the McGill University in Montreal, where he started coaching BJJ part time. He was ultimately invited to teach at the prestigious university and has called Canada his home since then.

In part 1 of this 2 part episode, we discuss:

• Starting jiu jitsu at age 11 at the Gracie Academy on Rua Figueiredo Magalhães in Rio de Janeiro

• How Jiu-Jitsu evolved from self-defense to global sport

• Surfing, discipline, and longevity on and off the mats

• Building Gracie Barra Montreal and bridging two cultures

We hope you enjoy this episode! Stay tuned next week for Part 2!

Season 4 of The Grappling Monthly Podcast rolls on as we explore jiu jitsu in Las Vegas. On this episode we had the privilege of sitting with coach Casey Halstead of 10th Planet Las Vegas. 

Wisdom comes with experience. Thank you to @coachcasey10 of @10pvegas for sharing your knowledge and lessons learned with me for SE4 of The Grappling Monthly Podcast!

On this episode we get into:

Tune in on our YouTube channel for the full episode with video www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly

If you're new here, please subscribe to our channel, leave a comment! 

On August 26, 2025 I had the privilege of sitting with former ADCC absolute and IBJJF worlds champion professor Robert Drysdale in his home. Prof. Drysdale is an accomplished fighter, teacher, competitor, and historian who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence in jiu jitsu.

For prof. Drysdale, jitsu jitsu was a means to prove himself. An art he threw himself tirelessly into for decades. Now he also sees it as a responsibility to future generations to preserve the history of the art by documenting its inception, its evolution, and its proliferation to almost every corner of the globe. Robert has published 4 books on the history and modern state of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and continues to teach students and competitors in Las Vegas Nevada at his facility: Zenith Jiu Jitsu by Robert Drysdale.

In this episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, we discuss:

- what it was like coming up in the late 90s early 2000s

- jiu jitsu as a means to prove one's self

- taparia and other practices that have fallen by the wayside

- modern day competition and so much more!

If you like this content, please subscribe and leave a comment! Visit our YouTube channel for the video: www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly 

Many thanks to Professor Robert Drysdale for generously sharing his time and his experience with me on a busy afternoon during the IBJJF's jiu jitsu con.

Season 3 of The Grappling Monthly Podcast is all about diving deep into the jiu jitsu scene in the San Fernando Valley. In this episode, I sit with Professor Gabriel Goulart in their beautiful new facility in Arleta: Alliance San Fernando Valley. Born in the city of Uberlandia in Brazil, Professor Gabriel is an accomplished competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu having won numerous IBJJF titles. He has travelled and competed around the world and has settled in Arleta, CA to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in one of Alliance Jiu Jitsu's newest facilities: Alliance San Fernando Valley. 

In this episode we discuss: 

- What it takes to succeed in jiu jitsu competition

- The experience gained by hosting foreigners who wanted to train and compete in Brazil

- Friendships, mentorships, and their impact throughout the journey

- Training with hobbyists and competitors alike

Thank you to Professor Gabriel Goulart and the Alliance Jiu Jitsu San Fernando Valley team for welcoming me into their academy and sharing their passion for jiu jitsu with me!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly , and IG www.instagram.com/grapplingmonthly for more videos and jiu jitsu content posted regularly!

Oss!