The Open GuardCast

Episode 75 of OGC is an interview with Rico "Astro" Staton. Rico is a TLI purple belt and creator of Astrologi Worldwide. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Rico's start in Jiu Jitsu as a young kid
• Competing and winning at an early age
• His experience competing on Flograppling's Who's #1 event
• Rico's brand Astrologi Worldwide and his long term vision for the project
• And much more...

Follow Rico @astrobjj on Instagram!

Episode 74 of OGC is an interview with Gabi McComb. Gabi most recently won the 2020 IBJJF Pans and has won many other important titles in her career. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Gabi's start in Jiu Jitsu
• Transitioning from Brazil to the US
• Training under Leticia Ribeiro
• Competing on F2W's first female only card
• And much more...

Follow Gabi @gabimcbjj on Instagram!

Episode 73 of OGC is an interview with Pedro "Paquito" Ramalho. Pedro is a black belt under Manoel Neto and has won the achieved amazing competitive results in the IBJJF major championships. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Pedro journey through the kids' ranks
• Winning the worlds as a purple belt
• Managing highs and lows from competition
• Strength and conditioning
• Learning in different training environments
• And much more...

Follow Pedro on Instagram @pedropaquitoramalho!

Episode 72 of OGC is an interview with Jakob "Spatchy" Brooks from the Daisy Fresh Crew and PSF. You may know Spatchy from the competition circuit or from the new Flograppling Daisy Fresh documentary series. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Jakob's transition from the work world to the Daisy Fresh team
• Overcoming obstacles to start winning tournaments
• Jakob's future plans with the Daisy Fresh team
• And much more...

Follow Jakob at @spatchzilla on Instagram!

Episode 71 of OGC is an interview with Ariel Tabak. Ariel is a black belt currently living in Australia. He released a BJJ Fanatics guard retention instructional that everyone should study! Topics covered in this episode include:

• Ari's start in Jiu Jitsu
• Developing good guard retention
• Training at Cicero Costha and Unity Jiu Jitsu
• His future teaching and competition plans

Follow Ari at @arieltabakbjj on Instagram!

Episode 70 of OGC is an interview with Bruno Reagan. Bruno recently won double gold at the IBJJF Pan Ams in the adult blue belt division. Before the pandemic, Bruno was playing football in the XFL. Topics discussed include:

• Bruno's judo background
• Why he considers himself a judoka above all else
• His professional football career
• Aspirations as a Jiu Jitsu competitor and martial arts academy owner

Follow Bruno at @brunoreagan and be sure to check out his academy, Reagan Martial Arts, if you're in the Nashville, TN area!

Episode 69 of OGC is an interview with Cade Roque. Cade is currently ranked #3 in the adult male purple belt middleweight division. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Training at Maracaba BJJ
• Tournament experiences with Jake
• Cade's favorite competitors to watch
• His goals for Jiu Jitsu and beyond

Follow Cade @crbjj on Instagram!

OGC episode 68 is an interview with Varun Mehrotra. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Varun's start in Jiu Jitsu
• Training in Australia
• Levi Jones Leary
• Varun's goals in the sport

Follow Varun @shortthicboy on Instagram!

Episode 67 of OGC is an interview with Raf Esparza. Raf is the host of Verbal Tapcast & The Grappling Hour, two of our favorite Jiu Jitsu podcasts. Topics in this epsiode include:

• Raf's start in Podcasting
• Raf's start in Jiu Jitsu
• Finding a niche for his podcasts
• Advice for Jake and Danny
• And much more...

Be sure to follow Raf @verbaltapcast, @grapplinghour, and @earlylatenight!

Episode 66 of OGC is an interview with Haisam Rida. Haisam was born in Ghana before relocating to Japan, where he spent most of his youth and young adulthood. He is a black belt under Yuki Ishikawa and recently moved to Detroit, Michigan to train at Assembly Jiu Jitsu with David Garmo. Topics in this episode include:

• Haisam's start in Jiu Jitsu
• Training in Japan
• Developing his unique style
• Meeting and training with David Garmo
• His recent move to the United States
• And much more..

Follow Haisam @haisamajj to keep up to date with his career!