Ep. 11 | UFC BJJ Welterweight Champion Andrew Tackett

What does it really take to become one of the best in the world?In this episode of Coffee Time with Carlos Machado, Carlos sits down with elite grappler Andrew Tackett for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about competition, mindset, fear, and growth at the highest level of jiu-jitsu.Andrew is one of the most exciting rising stars in modern Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. Born on May 1, 2003 in Orange County, California, he grew up in Austin, Texas, where he began jiu-jitsu as a young kid after his father signed him up at a local gym. He later trained at Brazilian Fight Factory under coach Rodrigo “Brucutu” Cabral, a member of the Checkmat lineage. He’s known for an aggressive, high-pace grappling style and relentless submission chasing, earning him buzz on national circuits and major events.Here, Andrew opens up about why he chases the toughest opponents — the names that make him nervous — and how that fear fuels his work ethic. He talks about the competitors he respects most, the difference between training and competition, and much more.This episode is a real deep dive into pressure, clarity, and what it means to choose environments where the best fighter wins! ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & welcoming Andrew Tackett 02:15 – Andrew’s competitive mindset and love for tough challenges 06:40 – Why fear is a signal for growth 10:55 – Naming dream matchups and respected opponents 16:30 – Respect for technicians and “gamers” of jiu-jitsu 21:45 – Gi vs no-gi: training vs competition 27:10 – Why Andrew loves training in the gi 32:40 – Competition systems and fairness 38:15 – Choosing environments where the best fighter wins 44:20 – Art vs business in combat sports 50:05 – Lessons learned from high-level competition 55:30 – Final thoughts on growth, pressure, and longevity 58:45 – Closing remarks☕ Grab your coffee and enjoy Episode 11.🔗 Official Links 🔗 Watch more episodes & updates: https://coffeetimewithcarlos.com/Carlos Machado: 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeTimeWithCarlosMachado 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeetimewithcarlos/ 📸 More from Carlos: https://www.instagram.com/carlosmachadojiujitsu/ 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeetimewithcarlos 📘 Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu: https://www.facebook.com/CarlosMachadoBJJAndrew Tackett:🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tackett.andrew/📺Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Andrew.Tackett