Ask Coach Ben: Fitness, Nutrition, S&C, BJJ, and Random Q&A Podcast

Hard work.

Belts do not Matter

Dealing with a Problem Student

Ben and Jim discuss whether the Gi or Kimono is on it's way out of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Jim and Ben talk about where confidence comes from.

Mentors are overrated.

Copying the greats will only lead to mediocre results, if that. Jim and Coach Ben talk about the reasons why.

Coach Ben and Jim talk with Erik Paulson. Rickson Gracie. Josh Barnett. CSW.

The Gordon Ryan and Andre Galvao Situation Coach Ben and Jim discuss the Gordon and Andre situation and the slap as well as the apology from Andre and what we can learn from this.

Rigan Machado on his match with Rickson Gracie and on becoming the go-to man for training Hollywood celebrities at his academy in Beverly Hills, California. Rigan's celebrity clients include Ashton Kutcher, Marlon Wayans, Freddie Prinze Jr, Shaquille O'neal, Paul Walker, Scott Caan. There is a great story about Chuck Norris in here as well.

Coach Ben and Jim talk to undefeated MMA fighter, former Bellator middleweight champion, and American Jiu-Jitsu legend Rafael Lovato Jr.

Coach Ben and Jim talk about Critical Thinking and it's importance to jiu-jitsu and to personal development in other aspects of life.

How to change your mind... and why it is an important attribute, value, virtue (whatever you want to call it) Coach Ben and Jim talk about the importance and strategies of changing your mind.

Coach Chong Xie (Hyperarch Fascia Training) Coach Chong is the performance coach for UFC Champion Zhang Weili and UFC Hall of Famer Allistair Overeem.

Drilling vs Sparring. Specific Training, Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ.

Fight2Win 160 is a submission-only grappling event taking place on *Saturday January 16, 2021* in *Miami, FL* and streamed live on FloGrappling. William Tackett (-350) vs John Combs (+290) Jonnatas Gracie (-200) vs Hugo Marques (+165) Gabriel Almeida (-200) vs Pedro Marinho (+165)

Goal Setting and Jiu-Jitsu Trends for 2021

Coach Ben and Jim have Tom DeBlass on to talk about Haters in Jiu-Jitsu. How he deals with them, and how he needs them and even appreciates them. We also get Tom's opinion of loyalty and get some insight into how he runs his academy, Ocean County BJJ. Check out Tom's excellent instructional videos by going to his instagram page @tomdeblass and clicking the Link in Bio.

Coach Ben and Jim talk to Nicky Rod about his future. On the team's move to Puerto Rico. Why John Danaher follows him? and more.

Please go to the JiuJitsuMag YouTube Channel or click the link below. Thanks! Coach Ben and Jim do a lesson with Ryron Gracie on Ego during training and having a different mindset during training to MAXIMIZE learning, fun and enjoyment of jiu-jitsu. Filmed at GRACIE UNIVERSITY in TORRANCE, CA. https://youtu.be/z-GnJ1ogyrY

Coach Ben and Jim talk about 5 topics you should probably avoid in the jiu-jitsu academy, gym, or training facility. Please subscribe to the RSS feed!

Coach Ben and Jim talk to CARLA ESPARZA about JIU-JITSU, wrestling, MMA, her career, weight cutting, How she got her nickname etc. Carla "Cookie Monster" Esparza #4 Ranked UFC Strawweight 

Is Jiu-Jitsu a good base for MMA?

Coach Ben and Jim discuss standing back up.

Coach Ben talks about experimenting with conditioning the feet and the transfer to sports performance.

Robert Drysdale came on the podcast to talk about his NEW documentary about jiu-jitsu dropping SOON. CLOSED GUARD: The Origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil www.closedguardfilm.com We also talk about his training philosophy and how he transitioned from becoming an elite jiu-jitsu competitor to becoming an elite mma coach. His online back and forth with Gordon Ryan. His student Max Rohskopf’s future. And what it’s like being half Brazilian and half Caucasian in a sport dominated by Brazilians. I learned a lot just from his mindset. Once again, YouTube version on @jiujitsumag YouTube Channel has our faces. RSS feed on coachbz.net will be uploaded within the next 30 minutes. coachbz.net closedguardfilm.com drysdalejiujitsu.com

Main Event: ### Edwin Najmi (-125) vs Michael Liera Jr. (+100) * GI Match * 10 Minutes * 170LBS The main event of F2W152 features Edwin Najmi taking on Michael Liera Jr. Edwin is one of Gracie Barra’s top competitors and likewise Michael Liera Jr. is one of the top competitors from ATOS. Edwin’s game involves aggressively attacking for submissions and the F2W rules favor this style since submission attempts are scored. Liera Jr. is considered the more fundamentally sound athlete and may be more technical. I favor Edwin in this match-up for several reasons. He has been the more active competitor and has fought several times recently at F2W. He should also have a slight size advantage. Liera Jr. is also a F2W veteran but we haven’t seen him for awhile in competition. He recently opened his own academy and his access to quality training partners is an unknown. Edwin also runs his own academy but he is very close to his home gym Gracie Barra Northridge where he has the highest level training partners including his teacher Romulo Barral. This is a tough one to call but I favor Edwin and expect him to win by judges decision. Edwin Najmi -125 / 1.8 / 56% implied probability to win Michael Liera Jr +100 / 2.0 / 50% implied probability to win *Prediction: Edwin Najmi by judges decision.* --- Co-Main: ### Johnny Tama (-110) vs Johnatha Alves (-110) * GI Match * 8 Minutes * 170LBS The co-main event of F2W152 features Johnny Tama of Alliance taking on Johnatha Alves of Art of Jiu-Jitsu. Both men are black belts and veterans of F2W with both competing recently against other opponents. Johnny Tama is a dangerous submission artist with an exciting style. His style better suits the F2W judging criteria. Johnatha is a rising star but most of his experience doesn’t come from submission-only rulesets. He may be the more technical fighter, but F2W is about submissions and submission attempts. I favor Tama under this ruleset but there are a lot of unknowns with Johnatha which explains why Tama is not the betting favorite. For one, Johnatha is young and can be making big improvements training with the Mendes Bros (his teachers). Also, due to his name value I believe he will end up as the betting favorite anyway. I consider Tama a great bet at any +money odds. I can see Johnny Tama winning by judges decision via more submission attempts in this match. Johnny Tama -110 / 1.91 / 52% implied probability to win Johnatha Alves -110 / 1.91 / 52% implied probability to win *Prediction: Johnny Tama by judges decision* --- ### Romulo Barral (-240) vs Gabriel Almeida (+195) * GI Match * 8 min * 200lbs Gracie Barra Northridge’s Romulo Barral is back again and this time taking on Gabriel Almeida of CheckMat. Most fans of jiu-jitsu recognize Romulo as one of the greatest competitors of his generation. Gabriel Almeida is one of CheckMat’s most active competitors at the moment. I think Gabriel Almeida is live here in this match-up especially under F2W rules. He knows this ruleset very well and understands the judging criteria. However, I do expect Romulo to win and the GI does favor him greatly. Romulo is a legend but he is aging and Gabriel is a rising star with several big victories in F2W. I know that Romulo was somewhat disappointed in his last performance and he could come out looking like a -500 favorite if he outclasses Almeida. It is a possibility and Romulo does have that capability. I see Romulo Barral winning a judges decision here, 8 minutes is not a lot of time for either man to secure a submission. Romulo Barral -240/ 1.42 / 71% implied probability to win Gabriel Almeida +195 / 2.95 / 34% implied probability to win *Prediction: Romulo Barral by judges decision*

Ryron Gracie on "Ego" Coach Ben and Jim talk about the EGO with a man that knows a thing or two about it. Gracie University founder Ryron Gracie comes on the podcast to discuss this very important topic in relation to Jiu-Jitsu. Thank you Ryron for coming on. I learned a lot. We talk about what caused Ryron to take a match on days notice against Josh Barnett when 10 other black belts turned the match down. We also talk about the Ego and mindset in jiu-jitsu. Must listen for anyone who wants to train jiu-jitsu for life. Check out Ryron's website and academy: https://www.gracieuniversity.com/ http://www.Patreon.com/coachbz Help us out by donating to our patreon (only if you can), we don't have sponsors yet!

We talk about Ego. Apologies for our state of being. We both had no sleep and probably sound drugged up.

Coach Ben recaps the weekend of betting from:   Submission Underground 17 Wrestling Underground 1 Subversiv 3 and UFC Fight Night

Betting Analysis - SUG17 presented by Chael Sonnen Coach Ben gives the betting analysis and breakdown for this weekend's upcoming Submission Underground 17 event taking place live on UFC Fight Pass. Craig Jones vs. Mason Fowler Amanda Loewen vs. Gillian Robertson PLUS Roberto Jimenez, Ethan Crelinsten, Ben Egli, Jesse Taylor, PJ Barch, Richie Martinez

Coach Ben welcomes Chael Sonnen, former UFC title challenger, collegiate All-American, and the FOUNDER of Submission Underground. Listen as they breakdown this weekend's SUG 17 event and the launching of "Wrestling Underground". All action can be caught on UFC Fight Pass.

Ben and Jim recap the past weekend's Who's No.1 results as well as UFC Fight Night. Betting Recap.

Jim and Coach Ben recap the betting action from Fight2win 148 as well as UFC Fight Night. Then Coach Ben goes over the betting analysis and new matchups of Who’s #1. Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones are OUT. Vagner Rocha is IN. 

Coach Ben and Jim discuss Fight2Win 148 AND recap Figh2Win 147.

Coach Ben recaps last weekend's events and goes over the betting analysis for Fight2Win and Submission Underground.

Jim and Coach Ben talk about sports betting and gambling on grappling and whether or not it’s the future of the sport.

Coach Ben and Jim talk to Seth Daniels the owner and founder of Fight 2 Win. They talk about a wide array of topics including the plans for the next few F2W shows, ADCC preparations, The rules and judging, and plans to get sports betting into grappling.

Life Lessons #3 - How to know WHO to believe I talk about my method of assessing someone's believability.

Life Lessons #2 - There is no GOOD or EVIL There is no good or evil, only perspective.

As events begin to start back up, Coach Ben recaps the past weekend's action. Who's #1 UFC 250 3rd Coast Grappling Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts

Through pandemic, jiu-jitsu academies have many obstacles to face on the road to recovery. Whether through regulations or academy owner's treatment towards their student base, Coach Ben covers the topic through these multiple angles.

Not all that comes out of a bad situation is "bad". Starting with a positive mindset will be key to moving onward and positioning yourself for the highest probability of a full recovery through this pandemic.

Coach Ben welcomes "TrumpetDan" Dan Lukehart as they discuss some ideas on how to reopen once the stay at home orders end. Brea Jiu-Jitsu

Dan Lukehart on re-opening BJJ academies after the coronavirus outbreak. Dan or "TrumpetDan" is the owner of Brea Jiu-Jitsu in Brea, California and a black belt under Beneil Dariush.

Uniform requirements in martial arts. Culty or not?

Life Lessons #1 - Play long term games with long term people If you can’t see yourself working with someone for life, don’t work with them for a day.

Covid-19 Update #2, The road to recovery

Submission Underground 13 RECAP SUG13, Craig Jones, Vinny Magalhaes, Gordon Ryan, Betting Advice, Betting Lines, Ethan Crelinstein, Ritchie Boogeyman Martinez, Austin Vanderford, Mr. VanZant, Jake Ellenberger, Chael Sonen

Coach Ben and Jim Lawson talk about whether or not we should continue the tradition of "the gauntlet" when students are promoted to the next belt rank.