The Grapplezilla Podcast

The Hard Truth About Wrestling at the Highest Level in America.

Greco-Roman wrestling is not just a style—it can rebuild your confidence, conditioning, and entire mindset.In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, Santonio Antoine Thompson Jr.—a four-time Greco-Roman All-American, 4-A state champion, world team qualifier, and Coach of Champions—breaks down how elite upper-body wrestling shaped him as an athlete, coach, and leader.

From starting wrestling in seventh grade to catching up in Greco-Roman wrestling later than most, Santonio shares the hard-earned lesson that changed everything: you do not have to be the mo...

How does the intense pressure of a Navy SEAL deployment translate to the MMA cage? In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we sit down with 10-year U.S. Navy SEAL veteran, BJJ Black Belt, and professional MMA fighter Mitch "Smashin' Frog" Aguiar.

We dive deep into the mechanics of transitioning from Tier 1 military operations to the mats, analyzing how high-level grappling systems and takedown defense hold up in the chaos of modern combat sports. Mitch also unpacks the philosophy behind his "Violent Hippie" brand, the critical importance of his charity Adopt A Cop...

In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we sit down with a true martial arts unicorn: Leonardo "Léo" Leite. Léo is a multi-time Pan American Judo Champion, a two-time IBJJF World Champion, and a former Legacy FC Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA Champion.

We dive deep into the technical and mental aspects of mastering three distinct combat sports. Léo breaks down exactly what it took to defeat the legendary Zé Mario Sperry just two weeks after receiving his black belt from Alexandre "Gigi" Paiva, and how he successfully adapted his elite Judo...

Kevin Jackson breaks down what it really takes to become a wrestling legend—and why the mindset behind Olympic gold matters just as much as the medal itself. 

If you care about elite performance, championship culture, or coaching athletes under pressure, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons you can use immediately.

From his 1–0 overtime Olympic final in Barcelona to leading Team USA’s rise in the 1990s, Coach KJ pulls back the curtain on the mental game, tactical adjustments, and team chemistry that fueled his career. 

He also reveals how he helped shape wo...

Chidaoba is not just Georgian wrestling - it is a brutal, beautiful system where sand, music, posture, and timing decide who gets thrown. 

Grapplezilla and the Georgian Samurai break down why this ancient jacket grappling art produces such explosive trips, why its rhythm feels almost impossible to ignore, and how its mechanics quietly shaped modern judo, sambo, wrestling, and even MMA.

The conversation starts with the hidden engine behind Chidaoba's most feared attacks: Sarma, the dynamic footwork and leg-tripping system that turns upper-body torque into devastating off-balancing. 

From there, the discussion moves into th...

In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, Josh sits down with Alonzo Davis, the mind behind Earn Your Gold, to break down the film study, systems, and technical details that are changing how wrestlers train and compete.

Alonzo shares how he got into wrestling, why he became obsessed with film analysis, and how that obsession led him to create highly effective resources like Become a Low Risk, High Reward Wrestler, the Cross Wrist System, and his pressure-heavy wrestling concepts.

We dig into:

- Why wrestling film study...

Wrestling is not just a base for MMA - it is a complete rewiring of how you fight, think, and survive. Jacob Alexander Torres breaks down what it really takes to translate elite wrestling into the cage, from stance changes and fence work to the brutal adjustments that separate a great mat wrestler from a dangerous mixed martial artist.

Raised in Ontario, shaped by boxing, and forged through years of grinding in the SFU wrestling room, Jacob shares how wrestling pulled him out of anger, chaos, and low confidence and gave him direction. He...

Kyven Gadson is bringing elite wrestling mechanics into the cage, and if you care about MMA grappling, this is the blueprint.

The NCAA champion and undefeated heavyweight breaks down how he is turning world-class takedowns, overhooks, and chain wrestling into a dangerous pro MMA game.From his Iowa wrestling lineage to training under USA Wrestling Legend Kevin Jackson, Kyven Gadson shares how a lifetime of pressure-tested grappling shaped the way he fights now.

He explains why the overhook is more than a tie-up, how heavyweight opponents change leverage and timing, and why the smartest fighters...

Sambo is not Russian judo, and Pierre Longblade Shepherd a.k.a. Sambo Shepherd is here to prove it. Sambo Shepherd breaks down why this brutally efficient grappling art rewards urgency, punishes stalling, and produces fighters who can strike, throw, pin, and submit with real-world purpose.Pierre is a three-time National Combat Sambo champion, a Pan American medalist, and a coach who has spent seven years inside the Sambo Nation system. He shares how a movie, a nearby gym, and a mission to become a more complete fighter pulled him into the sport - and why combat sambo’s “grap...

In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, Josh sits down with Patricky Freire—better known to MMA fans around the world as “Pitbull”—for a deep, high-energy conversation about the mentality, discipline, and lifelong combat culture that built one of the most dangerous lightweights in the sport. Patricky opens up about growing up in Natal, Brazil, training with his brother every day, fighting in the streets and in the gym, and developing the fearless pressure style that made him a Bellator Lightweight World Champion.We dive into Patricky’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu roots, the influence of Hélio Gracie’s lineage, and...

Unlock the secrets to reviving lost martial arts and mastering the art of hybrid grappling in this compelling episode featuring Tom Headhunter Higgins—one of the world's top crossover fighters and cultural revivalists.

You’ll discover how Tom’s deep journey from folkstyle wrestling to catch wrestling, Irish collar and elbow, and assorted global styles has fueled his mission to revive ancient traditions that once dominated the sporting world. 

With titles in world catch wrestling and a passion for cultural heritage, he shares how these styles influence his fight philosophy, coaching, and the rising movement to reaw...

Unlock the secrets behind Georgian wrestling’s legendary resilience and discipline as Shako Bentinidis, a three-time Olympian and renowned coach, shares his extraordinary journey— from competing against Olympic legends like Buvaisar Saitiev to transforming global wrestling programs, including India’s. 

Discover how mental toughness, disciplined habits, and cultural roots shape champions, and learn the true power of psychological resilience in sports.In this episode, you'll break down:

The Georgian wrestling mindset rooted in centuries of warrior tradition and how it fuels elite performance

How to fix bad habits in wrestlers—techniques that go beyond dr...

Uncover the relentless mindset and technical mastery that shaped one of the world’s greatest wrestling coaches—whose principles extend far beyond the mat. 

Kenny Johnson’s 42-year journey from high school wrestler to coaching UFC champions and revolutionizing martial arts training will challenge how you think about discipline, performance, and lifelong learning.Imagine a system so comprehensive that it democratizes wrestling for all levels—whether you’re a seasoned athlete or brand new to grappling. 

Kenny shares the origins of the Bolt Wrestling Program, a groundbreaking approach that distills complex techniques into a universal teaching fra...

Most wrestlers never unlock the secret to dominating on the mat—and Jabari Irons is here to change that. 

From competing at the world level to pioneering beach wrestling in the U.S., he reveals how embracing a Soviet systematic approach has unlocked explosive power and tactical mastery that elite athletes swear by. 

Curious how high-level principles can translate to beach battles or youth training? This episode is your inside look at what truly makes a wrestler unstoppable.

Jabari, the founder of Irons Elite Wrestling, combines his college wrestling experience—including a national title—...

Unlock the secrets that turn martial arts into life-saving skills with Chad Lyman—law enforcement veteran and relentless self-defense expert. 

Discover how real-world Jiu-Jitsu principles can be your ultimate tool in chaos, from controlling suspects calmly to utilizing walls and vertical surfaces in street confrontations.

In this raw, no-nonsense conversation, Chad shares how his police career—spanning SWAT, Homeland Security, and MMA—shaped a street-tested approach to self-defense. 

You'll learn why fundamentals outshine fancy techniques, how to adapt Grappling and striking for unpredictable encounters, and the importance of mental calmness in life-or-death moments.

We...

Most grappling podcasts focus on just one style or forget the deep roots of combat sports. This episode flips the script, diving into the chaos, technical mastery, and brutal efficiency of Catch Wrestling, Sambo, Wrestling, BJJ and old-school Judo—all from a wrestler’s perspective who’s trained across continents for over 50 years. Adam Tibbitts, a true polymath in martial arts, shares insights from his extensive experience, explaining why understanding these roots can take your fighting to the next level and why modern grappling is drifting further from its combat origins.For coaching tips, great content, proper world class traini...

Most wrestlers and coaches focus so much on technique that they overlook the ONE invisible trait that separates the good from the great: the mindset.

Shannon Gillespie, a top-tier coach with Olympic tracking experience and over 29 national titles, unveils the secret that often goes unnoticed—until it's too late.

In this eye-opening episode, Shannon shares how mental toughness, motivation, and strategic psychological training are the real keys to turning a skilled athlete into a champion.

You'll discover why technique alone isn't enough at the highest levels and how cultivating the right mindset can dr...

Most wrestlers and grapplers focus heavily on techniques but often overlook the critical foundation of pressure and control that separates good from great. 

Valentin Kalika, one of the world's top wrestling coaches, shares his revolutionary philosophy that turns traditional training on its head—showing how pressure, stance, and the art of control are the real keys to domination. 

In this episode, Valentin reveals the science behind creating unstoppable pressure, the importance of mastering the clinch, and how to develop a full-spectrum coaching system that unites biomechanics, psychology, and instinct.

Most fighters stick to one martial art, but Taylor Weber combines Sambo, Judo, BJJ, and MMA into a relentless, fight-effective system that’s breaking barriers. His unique approach, blending seamless transitions, unorthodox grips, and explosive takedowns, demonstrates how versatility can dominate the cage—especially at lighter weights where he aims to shine in MMA with his eye on competing Ryzen and UFC.In this episode, Taylor shares how his diverse martial arts background fuels his success—winning multiple Pan-American Sambo titles, beating world-class opponents like Merab Dvalishvili, and earning selection to the Sambo World Team. He reveals his viewpoint on fig...

In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, I sit down with my coach and BJJ black belt Gabriel Kitober to dissect the shifting landscape of ground fighting. From his early days training in Brazil to the coaching Olympic Judo athletes, Gabriel shares his unique perspective on how the art of BJJ has transformed.We dive deep into:Gabriel's Brazilian Roots: How BJJ has changed since Gabriel’s time in Brazil.Newaza for Judo: Implementing high-level BJJ inside the specific constraints of Judo.The Kitober Methodology: A look at his universal training planning for MMA, Wrestling, and elite grappling athletes.I...

The Art of Weaponizing Violence for the Everyday Man.

In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we sit down with Greg LeBoeuf, a 30-year professional combat instructor who has trained military, law enforcement, and serious civilian men in real-world violence preparedness.

Greg is the creator of the Weaponized 16, a private training program designed to help responsible men develop the clarity, judgment, and control needed to protect life without losing their freedom.

His work focuses on understanding violence, managing pressure, and ensuring the man you believe you are...

🎙️ Wrestling the Soul of China: Shuai Jiao, Bokh, and the Philosophy of Grappling.In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we sit down with Emanuele Papa, a dedicated Shuai Jiao practitioner living and training in the heart of China.

Emanuele isn't your average grappler. With an Anthropology degree and a Master’s in Philosophy, he offers a profound, high-level perspective on why we fight and how culture shapes the way we grab each other.

While his primary focus is the fast-paced, jacket-wrestling art of Shuai Jiao, Emanuele also shares his unique experiences training in Mongolian Bokh an...

🎙️ Welcome to The Grapplezilla Podcast! In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking to Les Allen who is an absolute legend and pioneer in the world of Pancrase and MMA.

Get ready for a great insight into how it was in the early days of MMA and how it was to be part of Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den, training in Japan, Training in Brazil and the UK’s MMA scene.

Whether you're a seasoned Grappler or just starting your journey, this one's packed with insights, stories, and techniques that'll level up your game. Don't...

🎙️ Welcome to The Grapplezilla Podcast! In this episode, we're diving into North American Style Catch Wrestling with Val Childs! Get ready for a great insight into this style of Catch Wrestling as we explore the Val's viewpoint nd experience in the world of Catch Wrestling! Whether you're a seasoned Grappler or just starting your journey, this one's packed with insights, stories, and techniques that'll level up your game. Don't miss it!You can check out Val Child's socials and website here:Website: https://combatcitysa.comInstagram: @cc_catchwrestlingThreads: cc_catchwrestlingI highly recommend checking out Val's accounts and if you are in th...

🤼‍♂️ THE HIDDEN SCIENCE OF ELITE WRESTLING 🧠

Ever wonder why Olympic champions seem to react before their opponents even move? Or why your shots stop working in the third period even though your legs feel fine?

This video reveals 10 scientific principles that elite wrestlers understand—but only 0.01% of competitors actually know. These aren't just techniques. These are the invisible systems that make techniques work.

⚡ WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:

- Why elite wrestlers react in 120-180 milliseconds (while others take 300-500ms)

- The exact...

The Karelin Lift…one of the most iconic Heavyweight Greco Roman Wrestling Techniques of all time and synonymous with the Great Aleksandr Karelin.Here’s the inside story of why and how Karelin added and perfected the Karelin Lift to dominate the Greco Roman Wrestling World and trust me…you’ll enjoy this one!If you enjoyed this Aleksandr Karelin video, we invite you to subscribe to Grapplezilla’s Spotify channel for more great Wrestling and Grappling content uploaded regularly.You can get the awesome Aleksandr Karelin T-shirt I’m wearing in the video at the Grapplezilla Shop in the link bel...

The Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis fight at UFC 319 was one of the biggest MMA Fights of the year.

The fight was a very one sided fight but had many many lessons to learn for both Khamzat and Dricus as well as the MMA community and in this video, I discuss what I think the main mistakes Dricus made are as well as I touch on something that Khamzat could add into his grappling game.

So sit back, enjoy and let me know what you think and share your thoughts in the comments.

On this episode of the Grapplezilla podcast, I had the pleasure of having Enrique Matute as a guest.

Enrique is a great Sambo and Judo practitioner as well as has one of the most solid grappling backgrounds a martial artist can have.

Enrique Matute has been consistently training in martial arts since 13 years old. His first two martial arts were Judo and Freestyle wrestling.

After a few years of some modest success at competing Enrique wanted to try something new. He began his journey in BJJ and...

On this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, I had the pleasure of having Liav Ben Shalom as a guest on this episode..

Liav is an excellent coach with kids and his methodologies produce results when coaching kids.

He has over 15 years experience in guiding and coaching children, youth and adults as well as Liav has been practicing martial arts since 2004.

Liav holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has a very good striking and self defense background and currently runs the Akachi Academy in Tel Aviv Israel.

He also holds an...

🎙️ Grapplezilla Podcast Ep.33 | Tariel Abbasov: Combat Sambo World Champion and MMA Fighter 🥋💪Join us for an explosive episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast as we sit down with Tariel Abbasov, a powerhouse in MMA and Combat Sambo World Champion! 🥊 Tariel shares his journey from the mats to the cage, diving into his training, mindset, and thoughts on combat sports. From Sambo's technical mastery to MMA's raw intensity, this convo is packed with insights for fighters and fans alike! 🔥In this gripping episode, Tariel opens up about the challenges he faced breaking into the competitive world of Combat Sambo, including the sacrifices and di...

Are you having a hard time at BJJ class? Feeling like quitting going to Jiu-Jitsu? Here we discuss some strategies for common reasons people want to stop practicing Jiu-Jitsu and many of these can really help you deal with tough times in BJJ.Have a listen and hopefully this video motivates you to keep on training and get through the tough times you are going through in Jiu-Jitsu.If you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to our podcast for more great BJJ, Grappling and Wrestling content uploaded regularly.Until next time….Grab, Th...

There is one common theme around all grappling arts which is to achieve a good grip as getting a good grip can open up an opponent to a huge amount of techniques and without a good grip there are only a small number of techniques possible and generally they are low percentage in success.Arguably the most effective grip and position to work off is the underhook, both in wrestling and in ground grappling arts like BJJ and Catch Wrestling, the underhooks opens an incredible amount of attacking opportunities. Many competitive matches are won or lost on attaining a...

Everton “Alemao” De Goes Vieira is a Top Level Wrestling Coach who specializes in teaching Wrestling for MMA and BJJ.

Coach Alemao has had many fighters compete in top tier MMA organizations such as the UFC, Jungle Fight and LFA as well as he has an amazing and intelligent approach in how he teaches MMA fighters how to Wrestle.

So sit back, relax and enjoy this awesome Grapplezilla podcast episode as this one was a really entertaining and informative one and shows a great insight into the Brazilian Wrestling for...

MMA is an extremely dynamic sport which has been heavily influenced by Brazilian jiu-jitsu. That doesn't mean that if you practice the art of BJJ that you’ll be successful in the MMA cage as most BJJ practitioners are not learning the art with MMA as their main focus, in fact most Jiujiteiros practice for self defence and sport BJJ purposes. A totally different approach is needed to succeed in the cage at the highest levels and with certain fine tuning of your BJJ engine, you will be a totally different animal when entering the cage and a force to...

On the episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, I had the pleasure of having Tyson LaRone as a guest.

Tyson, is a BJJ Blackbelt and a tier 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach who runs Ironside Martial Arts in St.Albert, Canada.

An absolute encyclopedia of information, Tyson shares his martial arts background, his views on Jiu-Jitsu, Self Defense and Strength and Conditioning for Grapplers.

You do NOT want to miss this episode as it’s really informative and Tyson shares some great knowledge about Martial Arts an...

Andreas Achniotis Perales is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo Blackbelt who is the owner of Palestra Jiu Jitsu in Nicosia, Cyprus. 

I had the pleasure of having Andreas on our latest episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast and it’s a great episode that is eye opening into the world of BJJ in the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

On top of running a world class BJJ school, Andreas is the founder of the “BJJ and Beach Camp” which is a week long camp in Cyprus where Jiujiteros and Grapplers come to train, meet each other, enjoy the Cyp...

I had the pleasure of having Eduardo Walmory who is no doubt the most interesting Grappler I’ve had the pleasure of speaking within a long time.

Eduardo is a BJJ Blackbelt and an Expert Catch Wrestler who resides in Brazil and has a training school called the “Centro de Estudos de Jiu Jitsu e Catch Wrestling”.

Having an insane amount of experience in both arts as well as being the cousin of Rodrigo Artilheiro, Eduardo shares his incredibly intelligent viewpoint on Catch Wrestling, BJJ, MMA and more.

This is one episode you do NOT...

One of our best episodes yet, I had the pleasure of having Brian Roig of PCI Jiujitsu who is one of the most interesting grapplers and martial artists in the world.

Brian is the owner and founder of PCI Jiujitsu as well as the Level Up Grappling Podcast. He is a top tier Catch Wrestling Coach as well as a 3rd degree Blackbelt in BJJ under Chris Haueter.

Brian is also has blackbelts in Luta Livre, Judo, Hapkido and an extremely deep background in Kickboxing, Pankration and SAW (Submission Arts Wrestling).Brian drops some serious...

This episode of the Grapplezilla is a short memorial for Calen Paine, the martial arts instructor who had the biggest impact on me, a mentor of mine and a very close friend. Calen Paine passed away and this is just some memories of him, training with him and a final goodbye. Miss you Calen, you really impacted me more than anyone and you were one of a kind. #calenpaine #wisewarriorgym #edmontonmartialarts #edmontonselfdefense #calenpaineedmonton #martialartsedmonton #dougdobish #dougdobishedmonton

On the episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we speak to Roy Newman who is a 3rd degree BJJ Blackbelt and runs Pitbull BJJ in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Roy has a great BJJ pedigree, he has fought many times in MMA and is a top level BJJ coach.
Here’s his interesting story and we are sure you will love this episode!

If you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to our podcast for more great BJJ, Grappling, MMA and Wrestling content uploaded regularly!

You can check out Ro...