Erik Paulson: First American Shooto World Champion & MMA Pioneer | Combat Submission Wrestling Ep 36

In this episode, I sit down with Erik Paulson, a true pioneer of mixed martial arts and one of the first Americans to compete professionally in Japan's Shooto organization. Erik is the first American Shooto World Champion, a BJJ lback belt under Rigan Machado, and currently coaches top-level grapplers and fighters including the Ruotolo brothers.Links for Show notes:https://erikpaulson.com/https://www.instagram.com/erikpaulson/https://www.instagram.com/csw_headquarters/https://cswfullerton.com/Rorion Gracie: https://www.roriongracie.com/Royce Gracie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_GracieRickson Gracie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickson_GracieDan Inosanto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_InosantoKen Shamrock: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_ShamrockFrank Shamrock: https://frankshamrock.com/Chad Stahelski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_StahelskiEddie Bravo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_BravoRuotolo Brothers: https://ruotolobrothersjiujitsu.com/Cesar Gracie: https://www.graciefighter.com/Robert Drysdale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_DrysdaleKeenan Cornelius: https://legionsandiego.com/instructors/keenan-cornelius/Burton Richardson: https://jkdunlimited.com/pages/about-usMitch Gaylord: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_GaylordSatoru Sayama (founder of Shooto): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoru_SayamaMitsuyo Maeda (Count Koma): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuyo_MaedaMatt Hume: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_HumeShooto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShootoPancrase: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PancraseCatch Wrestling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_wrestlingPride FC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Fighting_ChampionshipsThe 48 Laws of Power": https://a.co/d/0cAyZb61"The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu": https://a.co/d/00DUQjUMMusic “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5AGet in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.