BJJ Balance

Welcome back to BJJ Balance!

In Episode 161, Matt and Kenny bounce through a little bit of everything — from why MMA fans seem to hate jiu-jitsu, to why “just stand them up” is easier said than done, to whether anyone actually enjoys going back and rewatching old fights.

The conversation also drifts into holiday season chaos, worst Thanksgiving/Christmas foods, social media growth, Facebook comment wars, big guy jiu-jitsu strategy, the “Never A2” mindset, PGF team format talk, and how to get kids — especially daughters — interested in training.

This one has a little bit of everything: jiu-jitsu philosophy, coaching mindset, MMA crossover talk, internet nonsense, and the kind of off-the-rails conversation that makes BJJ Balance what it is.

In this episode:- Why MMA fans get frustrated watching jiu-jitsu- Why “just stand up” doesn’t work like people think- Christmas season talk and worst holiday foods- Social media, Facebook backlash, and online brand growth- Coaching seriously vs. being misunderstood online- Why rewatching old fights doesn’t hit the same- Advice for shorter, stockier grapplers- The meaning behind the Never A2 mentality- Why stalling isn’t always a bad thing in jiu-jitsu- PGF team format and why it could be better than ever- Helping kids and daughters connect with training

If you’re enjoying the show, make sure to like, comment, subscribe, and share the episode.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Follow BJJ Balance and OSS Nation BJJ on socials for more.#BJJBalance #JiuJitsu #BJJ #MMA #BrazilianJiuJitsu #Grappling #JiuJitsuPodcastPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In Episode 160 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Matt opens up about one of the most stressful weeks of his life. After dedicating 24 years to his career, he unexpectedly found himself unemployed, questioning his financial security and what the future would look like for his family.

But the story doesn't end there.

Matt explains how he fought to clear his name, how his union helped get him reinstated, and how faith, prayer, and the lessons learned through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helped him navigate the experience.

Kenny and Matt also get into some major conversations happening in the grappling world, including a message reportedly sent by Craig Jones about CJI 3, whether slams should be legal in BJJ competitions, and the importance of continuing to develop your jiu-jitsu game as you get older.

In this episode:

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Matt's unexpected firing after a 24-year career and how he got his job back

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Craig Jones, CJI 3, and speculation about the next Craig Jones Invitational

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Should slams be legal in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments?

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Why men over 40 need something that belongs to them

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The relationship between faith, masculinity, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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Is there a conflict between being Christian and hosting an unfiltered podcast?

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Why developing your leg-lock game matters in modern BJJ

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Cross-training at other academies and dealing with gym loyalty

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When should a beginner enter their first BJJ competition?

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Why side control is still one of the most effective positions in grappling

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The pressure of creating content while dealing with real-life problems

This episode is a reminder that jiu-jitsu is bigger than submissions, medals, and belt promotions. Sometimes the lessons you learn on the mats become the same lessons that help you fight through the hardest moments of your life.

Whether you're a white belt just beginning your journey or a seasoned practitioner balancing training, work, and fatherhood, there's something here for you.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Should slams be legal in adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions? Would making them legal actually discourage dangerous guard jumping? Let us know in the comments.

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Kenny is BACK on the BJJ Balance Podcast, and this week we're talking about everything from Craig Jones teasing CJI 3 to why modern dating might be completely broken.

In Episode 159, Matt and Kenny get into the chaos of dating apps, relationships in the age of social media, meeting their wives, and whether dating someone at your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym is actually a good idea.

But this wouldn't be BJJ Balance without some jiu-jitsu news and absolute nonsense.

Craig Jones has dropped another teaser, and we're wondering what it means for CJI 3 and the future of professional submission grappling. With fans hungry for more major BJJ events, could something big be on the horizon?

We also get into Matt's upcoming NEVER A2 tattoo, the ongoing A2 vs. A3 rivalry, which Mario Kart and Street Fighter characters represent our favorite grapplers, and what every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt rank should actually know before moving up.

Plus, we talk about our partnership with Level Black and what having support from an established jiu-jitsu brand means to the podcast.

Whether you're a white belt just starting out, a purple belt developing your game, or a black belt who's seen it all, there's something for everyone in this episode.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Would you ever date someone from your jiu-jitsu gym? Is modern dating really as bad as people say? And what do you think Craig Jones has planned for CJI 3?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Subscribe to BJJ Balance for weekly conversations about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, BJJ culture, professional competition, and everything happening on and off the mats.

Find BJJ Balance on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, and Discord.

#BJJ #JiuJitsu #CraigJones

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Could Kenny actually beat Joe Rogan in a jiu-jitsu match? Why do A2s refuse to wrestle? And what would it feel like to roll with Craig Jones at 100%?Welcome back to the BJJ Balance Podcast! Episode 158 is a little different. Southern California weather has Kenny fighting for his life at home, so Matt is flying solo — and absolutely nothing is off-limits.Matt kicks things off with a special moment at Checkmat Murrieta, celebrating his professor's fifth-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt promotion and reflecting on the opportunities that BJJ has created.Then we get into the good stuff.Are guard pullers ruining the stand-up game? Matt has some strong opinions about A2 competitors who sit down before the match even starts. He also answers listener questions about dream superfights, including the hypothetical matchup nobody asked for: Kenny vs. Joe Rogan.And when it comes to Matt's own dream matches? Forget easy wins. He wants to experience what it's like to grapple with the best in the world, including Craig Jones, Gordon Ryan, Mikey Musumeci, and other elite athletes.Plus, we talk about potential PGF opportunities, a possible BJJ retreat in Costa Rica, classic martial arts movies like Bloodsport, Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat, and what it's really like to be a 42-year-old gamer.Matt closes the episode with a hilarious story about his very first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in 2009, where he learned that losing on the mats might be the least embarrassing part of competition.IN THIS EPISODE:Matt's solo takeover of BJJ BalanceA fifth-degree BJJ black belt promotionThe future of BJJ Balance and potential PGF coverageWhy A2 guard pullers need to learn takedownsCould Kenny beat Joe Rogan?Dream superfights with Craig Jones and Gordon RyanRolling with the best grapplers in the worldBloodsport and the greatest martial arts moviesStreet Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and classic gamingMatt's first BJJ tournament and the brutal lessons of losingABOUT BJJ BALANCEBJJ Balance brings you unfiltered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu discussions, grappling news, competition breakdowns, training advice, and the occasional completely unhinged conversation about life outside the mats.Hosted by Matt, a second-degree BJJ black belt, and Kenny, a Checkmat purple belt.With over 500,000 downloads across podcast platforms, we're building one of the most entertaining communities in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.JOIN THE COMMUNITY🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @bjjbalance📱 Follow us on Instagram and join our Discord to submit questions for future episodes.🔒 Want more BJJ Balance? Check out After the Roll, available to Tier 2 and higher subscribers on YouTube and Spotify.LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE!Would Kenny beat Joe Rogan in a grappling match? Are guard pullers getting too comfortable? And who would you choose for your dream BJJ superfight?Let us know in the comments!#BJJ #BrazilianJiuJitsu #BJJBalance #joerogan #CraigJones

Could Mikey Musumeci actually make the jump from elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to MMA — and eventually the UFC?

On Episode 157 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny and Matt break down Mikey Musumeci’s interest in MMA, what his game could look like when punches, kicks and the cage enter the equation, and the potential matchups that could make his MMA debut must-watch television.

But this episode goes much deeper than the professional grappling world.

We talk about why today’s generation of young Jiu-Jitsu athletes could eventually become the best grapplers the sport has ever seen, how specialized training is changing the level of kids coming through BJJ, and what happens when athletes essentially grow up training Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling year-round.

Then we get into one of the biggest problems experienced blue belts run into:

You’re destroying white belts.

You’re beating other blue belts.

But purple, brown and black belts are still eating your lunch.

So what do you do?

Sometimes getting better means deliberately putting yourself in bad positions, abandoning the game you're already good at and becoming comfortable LOSING again.

We also answer listener questions about submissions, the transition from blue to purple belt, what kind of black belt you should aspire to become, competition experience, lineage, coaching, accountability and why the culture inside a Jiu-Jitsu academy ultimately starts with the person leading the room.

Plus: '90s cartoons, getting old, gray hair, cheap Corvettes, gas-station glizzies, UFC nostalgia and considerably more nonsense than any respectable Jiu-Jitsu podcast should contain.🥋 BJJ Balance Podcast — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, MMA, training culture and everything that happens in between.Follow Kenny:@KennyDoesBJJFollow Mat:@OSSNationBJJJoin the BJJ Balance community and send us your questions for future episodes.Subscribe on YouTube and follow BJJ Balance on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.#BJJ #JiuJitsu #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MikeyMusumeci #UFC #Grappling #BJJPodcastPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalance

Can UFC BJJ keep growing — or does PGF have the better long-term model for professional jiu-jitsu?

On Episode 156 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny and Matt get into the future of professional grappling, UFC BJJ’s move behind a paywall, and why PGF’s team-based format, franchises, trades, free agency and city-based teams could eventually turn jiu-jitsu into something that looks much more like a traditional professional sport.

But before we get there, Matt has another idea: Judo needs to be Americanized.

Not changed. Not renamed. Not stripped of its history. Just given the same American flavor that helped Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolve in the United States. Less worrying about what everything is called and a little more “can we just toss somebody?”The guys also discuss the controversy surrounding a UFC BJJ competitor celebrating after an opponent’s arm was injured, why competitors are responsible for tapping, and whether combat sports athletes sometimes need a little showmanship to separate themselves from everyone else.Then things go completely off the rails.Matt explains how a normal round of jiu-jitsu somehow ended with him getting thrown out the front door of the gym, receiving another black eye, and immediately turning the injury into content. That somehow leads to combat-sports injuries, Noah’s Ark, internet trends, Sydney Sweeney, No-Gi Worlds, and Kenny once again reminding Matt about the time he took him down.Just another completely normal episode of BJJ Balance.🥋 IN THIS EPISODE:• Why Judo hasn't caught on in America like BJJ• Should Judo get an “American” makeover?• What Eddie Bravo got right about branding techniques• UFC BJJ moving behind a paywall• The controversy over celebrating after an arm break• Why fighters sometimes need to be the villain• Matt gets thrown OUT OF THE GYM during a roll• 15 years of black eyes from combat sports• Noah’s Ark somehow enters the conversation• UFC BJJ vs. PGF• Why team-based professional jiu-jitsu could be the future• How UFC BJJ could instantly improve its live atmosphere• “DON’T STAND THEM UP” is born• No-Gi Worlds in Las Vegas• The BJJ Balance guys volunteer themselves for Hero Retreat• Kenny vs. Matt gets brought up… again• Matt prepares for another competition seasonSubscribe to BJJ Balance for weekly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu conversations, current events, terrible opinions, life, training, competition, and everything happening around the sport.Follow BJJ Balance on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and social media.#BJJ #JiuJitsu #BrazilianJiuJitsu #UFCBJJ #PGF #Judo #Grappling #BJJPodcast #NoGi #JiuJitsuPodcastPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

#BJJ #JiuJitsu #PGF

PGF is changing — and the new format might be exactly what professional jiu-jitsu has been missing.

On Episode 155 of BJJ Balance, Kenny and Matt break down the evolution of the Professional Grappling Federation, the move toward true TEAM competition, the new playoff structure, the possession arrow, All-Star weekend, performance money, and why creating actual team loyalty could completely change the way fans follow professional jiu-jitsu.

Could PGF eventually become something that every elite grappler NEEDS on their résumé?We also somehow go from ringworm and peptides to Matt telling one of the wildest stories we've ever heard about hiding a high-school hickey, why jiu-jitsu might be the answer for dudes who need confidence, and Matt discovering that his mom may have faked personalized autographs from Budweiser girls when he was a kid.Yeah. This one goes places.Later, we get serious about why women should train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, the false confidence untrained people can carry around, and what BJJ can realistically give someone during a dangerous encounter.Then we answer listener questions, including how to train when all you have is a grappling dummy, what to do if a normal BJJ membership isn't financially possible, finding open mats, becoming a temporary “jiu-jitsu nomad,” and building your own group of training partners.🥋 BJJ Balance — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, culture, competition, and everything that happens when the conversation goes completely off the rails.Follow BJJ Balance on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram and Discord.Train this week.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Shawn Melanson joins the BJJ Balance Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on everything going on in grappling right now. He gives his honest take on the viral ADCC biting incident and the chaos of a stalled-out match with zero action, breaks down why he thinks jiu jitsu will never turn into serious money no matter how viral moments like knockouts and slams get, and predicts the next generation of teenage prodigies is about to change the sport in the next decade.

From there Shawn goes deep on his side of the PGF Phenoms fallout — becoming a team leader, the disrespect he says happened behind closed doors, the ask for better pay and recovery support that got turned down, and why he still thinks he's worth picking up as a free agent this season. He talks openly about wanting to coach and build a fly-fishing-guide future, running his Precision Jiu Jitsu gym in New Hampshire, his upcoming match against Owen, his brutal reverse omoplata story from a 15-year-old at a seminar, his reptile collection, and how he's grown his social media brand past half a million followers through pure daily consistency.

This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

On episode 153 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Mat and Kenny open up about the wild growth of this show — three and a half years of grinding, doubters turning into supporters, and finally meeting longtime listeners face to face at World Masters Worlds in Las Vegas. They break down the shoutout-worthy moments from the trip: legends like Marcelo Garcia, Xande Ribeiro, and Robert Drysdale in the building, a brutal arm injury on the mats, and Kenny's very on-brand souvenir choice (squishy toys for the kids over a night of gambling). From there the conversation turns real: Mat challenges Kenny on how much he's evolved over the last three years — as a competitor, a father, a husband, and a man of faith — and they dig into why staying stagnant is the real enemy, how seasons of friendship (and relationships) naturally end, and why "going blind" toward a goal nobody else can see yet is the whole game. It's not all heavy, though — they get into practical jiu jitsu talk on go-to submissions and the importance of building a favorite move set, debate the best way to get your boss addicted to jiu jitsu for the ultimate long-term flex, and close out with an all-time riff on which billionaire or celebrity they'd fight for the right price. If you're into BJJ podcast content, competition recaps, jiu jitsu mindset and mental health talk, and grappling community stories, this episode has it all.This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

On episode 152 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Mat shows up to the soccer field mohawk and all, and the guys open up about the side-eye he gets from suburban dads, his wife's reaction to the new look, and why 42 felt like the last chance to try it. From there they get serious fast, breaking down a viral video of a grappler getting stacked in a triangle and reportedly left paralyzed, and Mat lays out his hard rule for staying safe when your legs go over your head. That leads into a genuine, respectful tangent on why older jiu jitsu athletes — the "jiu jitsu dads" sacrificing family time and health to keep training — deserve more credit than they get, and how context gets stripped out of viral clips to manufacture outrage. Mat and Kenny dig into the messy business side of the sport too: whether mega gyms and 30-40 school empires like Eddie Bravo's or Tom DeBlass's are smart business when an affiliate's scandal can blow back on the whole brand, the ongoing "poke the bear" beef around online jiu jitsu credibility, and Mat's own personal story of splitting from one team to follow his black belt lineage to a different professor. They talk ADCC's uncertain future and why Saudi money could bring it roaring back, ADCC-style, the culture clash between mega gyms and boutique schools, and ongoing "exposing" callouts in the jiu jitsu community that require better vetting before piling on. Later, Mat shares his most embarrassing white belt story — losing his cool and slamming the mat rolling with an ADCC champion who was barely trying — plus real talk on why competing (not just rolling in the gym) is the fastest way to get better, why there's no timeline on skill, and a rapid-fire top five clowns list to close it out. If you're into BJJ podcast content, jiu jitsu safety talk, gym business and culture debates, and grappling community stories, this episode has it all.This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

On episode 151 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Mat and Kenny open up sore, tired, and fully unfiltered after a rough training week, riffing on recovery supplements, cardio jokes, and one very cursed tangent about blue chews before pulling it together for real BJJ and MMA talk. They break down the big ADCC news: Jayrod's exit from the 88kg bracket, and the confirmation that Craig Jones was officially asked by ADCC to fill that open slot. They dig into Craig's recent rolling footage, whether he's ramping up training for a possible run, and what it would mean for his legacy alongside his no-gi and gi accolades. From there it's a full UFC BJJ breakdown: the Mikey Musumeci vs. Bryce Mitchell matchup, why crossover MMA talent could be the promotion's biggest advantage, the case for letting athletes wear their own sponsor kits instead of locked-in Hayabusa gear, commentary team gripes, and hopes for Matt Serra behind the desk. They also get into a serious, heartfelt tangent on parenting, postpartum depression, and why they're holding back on discussing a certain ongoing court case out of respect for the people involved. Mat shares his social media growth playbook — trial reels, carousel posts, and the tricks for getting old content to go viral again — before the guys dive into a big fan Q&A covering purple belt pimp energy, dick moves in jiu jitsu, black belts who avoid rolling with bigger opponents, why the meta in jiu jitsu keeps shifting (buggy chokes, leg locks, body locks, octopus guard), gi versus no-gi debates, and why clock-in systems at big gyms matter for accountability, not skill. Plus: a Two Truths-style celebrity guessing game, conspiracy theory talk, and the usual chaos. If you're into BJJ podcast content, ADCC and UFC BJJ news, jiu jitsu culture, and grappling community talk, this episode has it all.This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

On episode 150 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Mat and Kenny go deep on the algorithm rabbit holes we don't tell our friends about before breaking down why women's MMA has struggled to build the same rivalries and star power as the men's division, using Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Amanda Nunes as the exception, not the rule. From there it's a full GOAT-style MMA debate: Mat makes the case that a prime GSP would give Islam Makhachev fits, breaks down why title fights produce fewer finishes, and explains why Khabib's Dagestani camp (allegedly 102 wins, 2 losses) might be the greatest MMA camp in history compared to AKA, Jackson's, American Top Team, Team Quest, and Extreme Couture. They talk BJJ and MMA camp loyalty, GSP's unique path training everywhere from Tristar to Greg Jackson's, and UFC roster depth. Then it's tattoo talk: neck tattoos, back pieces, tramp stamps, Craig Jones' leg piece, Prince Albert piercings, and the "no-gi guy" tattoo stereotypes. Mat also tells a legendary UPS route story about blown-out socks, a busted shin, and Lieutenant Dan wisdom about keeping your feet dry. They get into a real breakdown of technique versus power in grappling, why smaller technical guys need longer rounds to win, and Mat's advice to stop being "too nice" when you roll. The episode closes with a hard look at attendance-based belt promotions at big-name BJJ gyms, why some professors care more about commas in their bank account than real practitioners, and Mat's own belt journey from starting jiu jitsu at 21 to getting his black belt at 32. Plus: Gordon Ryan's "Moneybagg" versus Craig Jones' Jonah Hill debate, tongue ring stories, and the usual chaos. If you're into BJJ podcast content, MMA GOAT debates, jiu jitsu culture, and grappling community talk, this episode has it all.This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

On episode 149 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Mat and Kenny cover a little bit of everything: coaching a student to a second place finish, why "no-gi guys" get labeled emotional, and an honest, no-filter conversation about past steroid use, bodybuilding culture, and knowing when to walk away from it. They dive into the male period, showing vulnerability as a man, and why having a group of like-minded guys to talk to matters. From there it's straight into the GOAT debates: Michael Jordan's case as the greatest basketball player ever, and why GSP and Jon Jones are the two names that matter most in MMA history. They also talk BJJ gym culture and cross-training, how the internet changed jiu jitsu instruction forever, respect for old-school professors who had no resources to learn from, and shoutouts to Pantcho, B-Mac, and Craig Jones for their influence on the BJJ Balance brand. Plus: casting a BJJ Balance biopic, celebrity look-alikes, white boy stereotypes, conspiracy theory rabbit holes, and a wild story that gets saved for the After The Roll bonus segment. If you're into BJJ podcast content, jiu jitsu culture, MMA GOAT debates, and grappling community talk, this episode has it all.This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.In this episode, Kenny & Mat dive intoPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

On this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we dive deep into one of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu's most debated topics: leg locks. Should white belts and blue belts be taught leg locks, ankle locks, kneebars, toe holds, and heel hooks early, or does it stunt growth in guard passing, takedowns, and overall jiu jitsu fundamentals? We break down the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu leg lock system versus traditional gi jiu jitsu, why heel hooks are illegal in the gi but allowed in no gi grappling, and how leg entanglements like ashi garami, saddle, and inside heel hook fit into a well rounded BJJ game. We talk IBJJF rules, belt progression from white belt to black belt, the fear that comes with leveling up in jiu jitsu, gi versus no gi training, and the character issues facing the jiu jitsu community right now. Plus, UFC talk, ADCC references, leg lockers like Craig Jones, Gordon Ryan, and Lachlan Giles, funny childhood stories, gym life, and much more. If you're a BJJ practitioner, grappler, MMA fan, or jiu jitsu lifestyle fan looking for real talk on BJJ training, belt ranks, self defense, and the grappling community, this episode is for you.

This episode is brought to you by Optiva Wellness. Head to OptivaWellness.com and use code BJJBALANCE10 to save 10% on your entire order.

Subscribe for more BJJ podcast episodes, jiu jitsu talk, grappling breakdowns, and MMA discussion every week.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This episode starts with heatwaves and trashy beaches in Southern California and somehow ends with a full‑on intervention for modern men. We clown on hiking with bears, talk real jiu jitsu life, and then dive deep into one of the biggest issues we see: husbands who refuse to grow up and hand all the responsibility to their wives.

We break down what happens when men act like permanent teenagers—letting their partner run every dollar, asking for “allowance” from their own paycheck, and wondering why there’s zero respect in the relationship. We talk shared accounts, leadership, paying bills, and why both people in a marriage need to be adults with their money.

Along the way there are stories from the UPS days, wild doctor visits, building a 4 a.m. BJJ class at Checkmat Menifee, and a heartfelt tribute to the uncle who paid for that first year of jiu jitsu and sparked everything. It’s raw, funny, uncomfortable, and exactly the kind of conversation that usually only happens after training on the mats.

Topics: Brazilian jiu jitsu, modern masculinity, marriage and money, shared bank accounts, men’s self‑improvement, gym culture, community, mentorship.

If you tell me which of the five titles you’re leaning toward, I can tweak the first 2–3 lines of the YouTube description to match that hook perfectly.

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Fresh off our massive episode with Craig Jones, BJJ Balance is back to business—and Episode 146 goes exactly where you'd expect: completely off the rails before somehow finding its way back to jiu-jitsu.

Matt and Kenny kick things off recapping the Craig Jones episode before breaking down what they believe was a massive missed opportunity in the UFC. From there, we discover that Kenny apparently doesn't believe in wearing socks, Matt is forced to address the ongoing accusations about his appreciation for feet, and the conversation somehow gets even worse from there.

Eventually, we actually talk Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Matt reveals that his rib injury is officially a broken rib, putting him out of training for several weeks and potentially jeopardizing his plans to compete at Worlds. The guys also discuss Kenny getting back into training, possible future superfights, competition intensity, and why you need to stop lowering your level when you roll with your teammates.

Then we get into the big debate of the episode:

Is the BJJ brown belt the ultimate villain belt?

Matt explains why he believes a brown belt's job is to become an absolute problem in the gym, smash the lower belts, push toward black belt at all costs, and stop worrying about being everyone's favorite training partner. But does that philosophy change when you're the highest-ranked student at a smaller academy?

The guys also talk about Matt's own brown belt experience, his regrets from that stage of his jiu-jitsu journey, how to build a successful kids BJJ program, opening your own jiu-jitsu academy, loyalty to your team and coaches, gym drama, washing your jiu-jitsu belt, and why controlling someone in MMA is completely different from controlling someone in a normal BJJ round.

And because this is BJJ Balance, there's also Yankees vs. Dodgers talk, Raiders fans, Taco Bell, being broke, growing up on the wild west internet, and several conversations that probably should have never been recorded.

Welcome to Episode 146.

🥋 Subscribe to BJJ Balance for weekly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu news, BJJ culture, grappling discussions, comedy, and completely unfiltered conversations from Matt and Kenny.

Let us know in the comments: Is brown belt really the villain belt—and should brown belts be trying to smash everyone in the gym?

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjjBJJ Balance, BJJ podcast, jiu jitsu podcast, Brazilian jiu jitsu podcast, BJJ, jiu jitsu, Brazilian jiu jitsu, jiujitsu, grappling, BJJ news, jiu jitsu news, brown belt BJJ, BJJ brown belt, brown belt jiu jitsu, BJJ black belt, road to black belt, BJJ belt rankings, jiu jitsu belts, BJJ training, jiu jitsu training, BJJ competition, jiu jitsu competition, BJJ Worlds, IBJJF Worlds, BJJ injuries, broken rib BJJ, rolling in jiu jitsu, BJJ training partners, BJJ gym culture, jiu jitsu gym, opening a BJJ gym, kids jiu jitsu, kids BJJ, MMA jiu jitsu, MMA grappling, cage wrestling, wall wrestling, Craig Jones, UFC, Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, BJJ comedy, martial arts podcast

Craig Jones joins BJJ Balance from Mexico for the biggest and wildest episode we have ever recorded.

Craig tells the unbelievable story of filming with cartel members in Mexico before opening up about CJI 3, what went wrong at CJI 2 and how he plans to bring the original Craig Jones Invitational “fever dream” energy back. He discusses athlete contracts, promotional politics, the future of professional grappling and why some of the sport’s biggest competitors do not understand the leverage they possess.

We also talk about the return of B-Team, his ongoing rivalry with Gordon Ryan, the genius of John Danaher, Gabi Garcia’s transformation into a CJI star and the Leandro Lo upset that completely changed Craig’s career.

Craig explains how heel hooks allowed him to defeat more technically complete grapplers, what really happened during his match with Chael Sonnen, his plans for the Gable Steveson matchup and why controlling his own content became one of the smartest decisions of his career.

Plus, Craig discusses sponsorships, Moneyberg, social-media censorship, rich friends, Masters Worlds, B-Team Mexico, the Zamaya training resort and several stories that probably should never have been told publicly.

This is Craig Jones completely unfiltered.

Explicit language and adult humor throughout.

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Episode 144 of BJJ Balance starts with Fourth of July chaos, AI photo edits, old-school road trip memories, Game Gear nostalgia, e-bikes, childhood stories, and the kind of random tangents only this podcast can produce.

Then the boys get into Craig Jones potentially building a jiu-jitsu destination in Mexico, whether it could become a BJJ retreat-style hub, what that might mean for CJI, and why now might be the perfect time to finally get Craig Jones on the podcast.

The episode also gets serious for a bit as Kenny talks about a recent health scare, what it felt like for the people around him, the reminder to appreciate family and the life you already have, and the nerves that can come with returning to jiu-jitsu after something scary happens.

From there, the listener questions take over: big guys avoiding other big guys, why smaller grapplers may have a harder road to black belt, calling out tough rounds, Gordon Ryan vs Kron Gracie in MMA, why the teepee choke and gogoplata comments are getting out of control, flow rolling, purple belts giving stripes, knee on belly escapes, traditional jiu-jitsu warmups, and more.

This one has everything: comedy, jiu-jitsu debates, life perspective, Craig Jones talk, Gordon Ryan talk, listener questions, and classic BJJ Balance chaos.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In Episode 143 of BJJ Balance, Kenny and Matt open with one of the most important questions in modern jiu-jitsu:

How long are you allowed to wear your medal after winning a tournament?

From there, the conversation goes exactly where you’d expect — gi vs no-gi, why Matt is officially “gi till I die,” Kick livestream plans, Craig Jones being back around the B-Team, ADCC/CJI rumors, internet criticism, Dana White on the mats with shoes, Sean Strickland being Sean Strickland, gym drama, relationships inside jiu-jitsu schools, fake glory from empty brackets, and why the respect of your training room matters more than social media followers.

This one gets wild, honest, uncomfortable, and very BJJ Balance.

Follow us on all socials and subscribe for more jiu-jitsu talk, podcast chaos, and weekly episodes.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week on BJJ Balance, Matt and Kenny start with the World Cup and somehow turn it into one of the most honest conversations about culture, America, jiu-jitsu, and why people are not as divided as the internet wants us to believe.

The guys talk about how the World Cup brings countries together, how jiu-jitsu does the same thing inside the gym, and why shared struggle can break down walls between people from completely different backgrounds.

Then the episode goes exactly where you’d expect: action movie legends, old video stores, N64 GoldenEye, magician riz, Father’s Day strategy, marriage, listener questions, wives training jiu-jitsu, beginner classes, live sparring, cutting weight, competing as a master, what it really means to be a world champion, and the emotion of watching someone receive their black belt.

This one has jokes, real talk, BJJ advice, and a lot of chaos.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj