Grapple with the Bat

In this episode we sit down with rhe new M16 Open 61kgs Champ and discuss ALL THINGS GRAPPLING. There has been an incredible amount of action in the world of Grappling so we dive right innto all the recent happenings including the history maling Grapplemania event, Adele vs Ffion, Australian Grpapling League, Declan and Kit on WNO, the M16 Open itself and some exciting future announcements!! Some real highlights are hearing first hand from Jackie some incredible insights regarding preparing and performing in her Championship match, along with some truly inspirational words about what being a role model really means to her amd the vision she has for our community. So many highlighted athletes and performances in this episode as well, we really get to shine a light on some amazing athletes thay are making waves in the competition scene. Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

As soon as those brackets were dropped, we knew it was going to be something special... and it DID NOT disappoint!!!! The biggest event in Australian Grappling History just went down and in this episode we take a deep dive in to what was; THE GILES TRIALS 2025. We kick off with some pre event bracket predictions with Jackie Hughes, Laith Kayali and Caleb Branson. We are then joined by King Dot to ring in the event and get a feel for its impact as it happened live. And finally, we are joined by Khoa Ly Lam who attended the Leg Lock Camp held at Absolute only one week prior to the event to get all the training room insights, insider information and keen analysis on the performances on the night as a whole. We break down the Top Ten Highlights as voted by YOU the listeners before surveying the lay of the land globally in the world of CJI 2!!!! Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

Re live all of the intense action, highlights controversy and outstanding performances from the recent Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament on BJJ Stars in Brazil! Full match and bracket breakdowns with technical analysis and insights of every key moment in the event with some cool ongoing rivalry stories and behind the scenes talk with some strong future implications! Along with this, we get a full match breakdown of the ONE Championship Showdown between Tye Ruotolo and Dante Leon in a bonus breakdown segment! Get the low down, on what went down, on this episode. Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

Episode kicks off with a Very Special Announcement for The Batman Bundle Fundraiser Auction!!! I give you breakdown of what it is, what it's for and how you can get involved! We then kick in to gear with some international matchup announcements before stepping in to the MatLab Grappling Academy to analyse the most recent Who's Number One event with the Lab Rats, leading to some very interesting discussion regarding current technique Meta in the sport. Last but not least, we get to touch on Adam Jones' most recent addition as part of the coaching group at the Lab and how his impact is being felt on all fronts... take that as you will. Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

In this episode we get a full recap and highlight review of the epic event that was Grapplemania 18!!! From insane submissions to dominant performances and every high intensity, spiralling, spinning, inverting and charging transition in between; this show delivered big time. Full match analysis and some stand out performers of the night, tune in for the insights and listen out for what comes next! Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

In this episode we get a full recap of the new and exciting Australian promotion; Winners Circle FC, that showcased a massive Submission Grappling Team Quintet Showdown between Sydney West Academy vs The Catch Wrestling Syndicate. Then we dive right in to news and updates including even more exciting matchup announcements from Grapplemania, WNO and UFC Fight Pass along with incoming results and highlights from One FC and the Enigma Invitational. The Big news of course is the announcement of the lineup for the CJI 2 Australian Trials Event dubbed "The Giles Trials". We take a deep dive in to who has been announced as participants for what is going to be the most elite tournament in Australian Grappling History and get in to the details of how it will run, what is required for success and get a step by step break down for who we think will make it in to the round robin, and predict who will take those coveted spots on the team!!!! Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

Quick Episode this week keeping you updated as we jump in to some exciting matcup announcements for Enigma and Grapplemania along with recapping the very first event for the new and exciting Who's Next Grappling promotion that took place in Queensland over the weekend! Match Breakdowns Athlete Highlights Callouts???? Tune in for all of the action. Along with all of the on the mat chat, I give some insight in to what this community, and this podcast, means to me and how we get to share in the Progress together by supporting the people around us. Available now on your favourite listening platforms.

Huge Episode Alert! We have Breaking News and Matchup Announcements from all over the world before jumping in to recaps and reviews from three Massive Events, all taking place within a week of eachother. First up is Samurai Fight Series where three new Submission Grappling Champions were crowned. You get all of the tactical insights and behind the scenes perspectives for the show as we travel and compete for the titles ourselves! Then, a Full event review of the Sapateiro Invitational 100k Tournament where some major upsets, epic matches and performances for the ages went down. And last but not least, Subversion: Paradigm where the top Australian Grapplers faced International Superstars for Championship Belts and the bar was raised yet again, giving us all something to strive for. Available now on your favourite listening platforms!

In this episode we cover Competition Resutls and Highlights from around the world as well as Exciting Matchup, Event announcements, Big Belt Promotions and News Updates. UFC Fight Pass Invitational was a massive sucess, so we review the highlights, matches of interest and technical analysis of the top level athletes performing at an elite level on the world stage. On the regional scene, Battleground Invitational hosted one of their best shows to date with some standout performances by up and coming talent from all over the country. I'll talk about everything that went down and highlight those epic performances from the night in detail. As always, there is even more Grappling action on the horizon so tune in to hear about what's Next including some Championship Matchups going down at Samurai Fight Series!!

In this Episode we discuss all the news and happennings in the world of Grappling, keeping you up to date and informed. Along with this I give a recap and review of all the Grappling action from Fusion Fighting Championships and Grapplemania as some huge match ups and memorable moments took place that you need to know about! Definitely some break out performances and solid technique on display that gets highlighted throughout aswell Finally we finish with the match analysis of Gianni Grippo vs Gabriel Sousa with a very interesting outcome indeed. Tune in to heR my thoughts on the match with watch along commentary and review. Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!

In this episode I'm joined by one half of the 66kgs Championship Bout at the recent M16 Open Round 14 Event Jackie Hughes. We break down the whole show and the litany of breakout performances that went down along with providing some insight in to the mental and physical challenges that are overcome to consistently step on to the mats in competition at this level. We also look forward to the host of exciting events on the schedule with so many amazing matches announced and some big opportunities for homegrown athletes onnthe horizon. There are so many Mentions in this Episode that I can't even tag them all in one post! Listen all the way through and you will be rewarded with some great insights in to just how special the scene is right now with the talent level at an all time high, and it's growing every day in academies across the nation.

In this episode we dive in to a recap and play by play of the massive weekend of Grappling we just had, along with preview the epic matchups both locally and internationally that we have to look forward to. Starting with the feature bouts that went down at Who's Number One and then a match by match follow of the brilliant event that was Polaris Squads, I break down the results and stand out performances by all competitors and make some recommendations on key matches to watch and learn from. ONE Championship also had a high level Grappling Bout take place in Thailand between two IBJJF Black Belt Champions so I make sure to dig up the details there too. Moving forward we get a Preview of the M16 Open, Fusion Fighting Championships and Battleground Grappling Invitational all taking place within the next month. It's an exciting time for Grapplers Worldwide and we've got it coveted right here on Grapple with the Bat.

In this Episode we cover recent news and events from around the Grappling World before travelling to the Inagural Australian Grappling League!! We here from Superfight Winners Connor Kearney, Nicole Alexander and Luke Marko as they break down their experience and give insights in to their matches, along with break some news about their upcoming opportunties. Winner of the Professional Open Weight Gi Division Keegan Jones also drops in for a unique perspective as both a successful competitor and referee of this completely new rule set. And of course, we speak to the man behind it all Jesse Hughes and here first hand what went in to making this all happen and where he wants to the this comp in the future. Along the way we all highlight our favourite moments and competitions from throughout the competition and shine a light on some outstanding members of the community.

There was only one way to start this podcast off, and it's with the Clown Prince of Crime based Submissions, Adam Jones. We talk everything M16 Open discussing the history of the event and how it has grown to be one of the most watched shows in Australia. The upcoming card has an International standard of athlete and we highlight some of the epic matches that will be taking place. Along with this, we talk about Belt Rank Philosphy in the modern era, New Waves' Secret development programme and get in to detail about Adams own competition aspirations with insights in to mentality, motive and training practices that reflect his goals. A Super fun sitdown with classic Jones humour and some important insights all in the same sentence. Not to be missed!!!!

We kick off this Episode with a special mention for a very deserving cause before answering your questions about Las Vegas and the World Championships, giving shout outs to some incredible stand out athletes of 2024 and up and comers for 2025. We preview some exciting M16 Open Matchups and I ask Jackie Hughes and Daniel Muenchow about their highlights of 2024 + goals for 2025, getting some insider info about upcoming opportunties. We also discuss potential CJI 2 Quintet teams with Guy Renn and highlight some local teams doing big things in the scene. Lastly, I give some insight as to what comes next for the Podcast as we move in to a new focus for the future.. listen in for the details!!!

Join your hosts Nick Hughes and Jackie Highes as we Journey across the World to Compete in the 2024 IBJJF No Gi World Championships in Las Vegas. Hear first hand the trials and tribulations, behind the scenes insights, thoughts on preparation and execution as well as post event breakdowns from the perspective of two competitors who faced down the challenges and stepped on the mats at the highest level. In this Episode you will get a great feel of what the true test is when it comes to international travel and keeping it all together in a difficult environment, whilst at the same time getting to hear candid and honest thoughts along the way regarding the entire process from start to finish. We really hope you enjoy this one and can benefit from the lessons of our experience, as well as get some entertainment and laughs at our expense. Viva Las Vegas. Available now on your favourite listening platforms!!!!

In this Episode we take a unique look back at the Outstanding M16 Open Event by diving in to some match analysis with the 4 Victorious MatLab Athletes who represented on the night. Gaining insight in to the Preperation Process, thoughts on Execution in the match itself, Post match Progress Points and all of the behind the scenes stories that make up the over all Experience of Competing on an Elite Superfight Event! We sit down one by one and watch the matches back with and you can hear for yourself just how much they put in to it and what it meant to them. Along with this, we take it to The Lab and discuss the long lasting impressions from the day, getting everyone's perspective on just how game changing this event really was for the SA scene... and indulge in some relentless Banter on the way.

In this Episode we begin by assessing the strengthening Australian Grappling Community in the post CJI era by acknowledging the Elite Teams both old and new and how they are all playing a role in pushing the scene forward. We also travel to Battleground Grappling Invitational and get a Full Preview, Interview and Review Experience with the promoter himself George Garley, along with multiple athletes who competed on the epic show. We break down the upcoming M16 Open Card which is set to be the biggest yet, and then get out to the SA State Championships with some Black Belt Match Commentary and a catch up with Jesse Hughes to talk about his new exciting Competition; Australian Grappling League, and his vision for the future of the event. Packed with great guests and candid cameos, this Episode is sure to entertain!

In this Episode we cover the most Historic Grappling Weekend in History!!! With so much happenning all at the same time, join us on this ride as we begin at the Synergy Pro Event in South Australia, before travelling to the Australian National Championships in Melbourne, whilst at the same CJI, ADCC, Eternal MMA and UFC Perth are all in full affect. We got predictions, analysis, competition perfromance results, match commentary, interviews and live reactions to what was surely the most chaotic, intense and action packed Combat Sports Event of ALL TIME!! With so many individuals forging their path and writing their stories, the fallout of this weekend will be felt long in to the future. Upset after Upset, Record after Record. Million Dollar Prizes and Legacies Cemented. What a wild experience. So now we attempt to answer the question.. who won the War of 2024????

In this Episode we travel yet again to the massive Fusion Fighting Championships Melbourne for some behind the scenes interviews and reactions, along with candid moments and insights from athletes before, during and after the event. We also discuss some recent Gradings in the Jiu Jitsu world and in response to heavy requests; I expand on the Concept of Gatekeeping in the Competitive Grappling World, offering some examples and solutions. Last but not least, we open the forum up to the students to give predictions on the recent CJI bracket release and get everyone's bets in on who takes out the Million Dollar Prize!!!

This Episode goes everywhere! We visited Grappling Industries Adelaide and get some live candid reactions as the day unfolds before heading back to The Lab to find the foremost leaders in the world of geopolitics to discuss the implications of the Trump Assassination Attempt. We also recap the recent Subversion Event with some important notes on Leg Lock Ideology in the modern era, Preview the Upcoming Fusion Fighting Championships and cap off the Podcast with some insights in to the M16 Open Invitational Main Event with Jake O'Drisscoll himself, fresh off of his 35 second Heel Hook Victory!!! .... (over me).

Welcome to the new format here on the Bat-Phone Podcast!!! We are taking the Bat-Phone on the road full time to bring you a more consistent release schedule and to create regular catchups with all of the absolute stand outs in our community!!! Tune in for some classic BatPhone Breakdowns, Interviews and Banter!!! In this Episode, myself and Jackie "Eevee" Hughes breakdown the epic Tye Ruotolo vs Jozef Chen match before chatting about upcoming competitive opportunities and the state of the scene. We travel to Diamondback FC for and catch up with Oppa Team, whilst getting some insights from the competitors on the night. We also hear from Laith Kayali about his plans to take on ADCC Oceania as a fresh new Blue Belt and finally get to catch up with the highly requested Shaun "The Blind Boxer" Edwards!!!

In this Episode I do a quick breakdown of the exiting upcoming Events including CJI vs ADCC, the M16 Open, Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan vs Josh Saunders as well as share some perspective on the experience of competing at the most recent ADCC Trials in Thailand and give some inside analysis on the host of awesome matchups across all platforms in the near future.

In this episode we bring in the Superfight crew of Daniel Muenchow, Jackie Hughes, Dylan Voncina and myself, Nick Hughes, and dive in to all of the recent matchups and events from the past few months and how we got to this point. From all the way back at Battleground, though Pan Pacific Championships, Samurai Fight Series, Fusion Fighting Championships Volume 5 and the Inagural Fusion Fighting Championships South Australia, we dive in to detail about the preparation, mindset, execution, process upgrades and each individual perspective on what it takes to step in to the superfight arena. We also give some big shout outs to the rising stars of the scene, give some advice regarding sponsorships and local competition, share some views on how to make exciting and constructive events come to life in the future and what the plans are for the rest of the year for all of us.

This is possibly the most important podcast episode I have ever recorded. In this episode, Shaun bravely recounts his story from early childhood, though to the sudden event that took his sight, and the epic journey he has been on ever since. Shaun has stepped in to the world of combat sports in an effort to pave the way and live outside of his comfort zone. He recently competed in his first ever Grappling competition, being the first blind South Australian Athlete ever to do so. But more importantly that that outstanding achievemnt, the way that Shaun has re aligned his body and spirit and the every day process that he goes through will no doubt inspire you to upgrade your own existence for the better. Disclaimer; the themes in this episode are of a serious nature, dealing with severe trauma and mental health distress. With that being said, the insight, the story, and the lessons we can learn from this human being, are immeasurable in their importance. Shaun is living proof that we can all do anything we put our minds to, and we can all.make a difference.

Finally, The Spartan, Has Come Back, To Adelaide... as the New Solod As A Rock FC Lightweight Champion! Sitting down for a catch up was an absolute blast and hearing all of the new insights about training and competitive mentality at Kill Cliff Fight Gym from a man who walks the walk in its highest form is a true privilege. This Episode is packed with knowledge, laughs and honesty in true Trademark Positive Spartan style.

EPISODE 100 IS HERE!!! The Outsiders Takeover the Podcast as Declan Moody and Lachlan Conway trash the set and break in a new era of podcasting excellence. This is honestly one of the most fun sessions I've ever had as we go from serious moments to shock banter in a heartbeat. Diving straight in to Fusion Fighting Chanpionships behind the scenes and the match itself before starting on a huge discussion chain of the current state of the Grappling scene. Of course, Declan talks about his recent international experinces at B-Team and ADCC Trials along with some classic off the mat insights about his time in Austin. We break down the Top 10 Highest Rated episodes in BatPhone History plus reveal the People's Choice Winner and reminisce about classic moments from the show. This is a true not to be missed episode sure to drum up some conversations in the future and I'm just glad I got to be a part of it.

On this Episode, Conway Hijacks the show immediately and brings the BatPhone to the host! We cover everything Battleground related as we both just competed on the show, breaking down strategy, performance, hospitality of the locals and the over all Awesome Experience. Along with this we discuss the upcoming superfight on Fusion that is Conway's next challenge as well as highlight some brilliant up and comers from South Australia set to make waves on the scene in the near future!

For a truly unique experience, follow me on this episode of the Podcast as we take a ride along approach to an entire week of training at the MatLab Grappling Academy!!! You will here exactly what goes in to running a full time Grappling Academy from the first person perspective of a full time coach including formulating class content, structure of the schedule, the day to day skill development focus, the effort that goes in to maintaining a positive environment and even reflection on the week that was as well as our goals for the future of the Academy! Each From Monday to Sunday, each day is a new opportunity and this episode really details what it's like to be in and amongst the team. If you are a coach or athlete, you will definitely be able to relate to all of themes we discuss and if you have never stepped foot on the mats, listening to this may encourage you to do so as you hear the happiness in everyone's voice as they relay their experinces in the art of Grappling. You can tell by just how many names are on the featured list how lucky we are to have such a strong community, and this one goes out to everyone who puts in that effort each day to bring to bring the dream to life.

Hot off the press from the live event! This Episode is packed with pre/post match interviews, live breakdowns and commentary, match reactions and candid moments from Competitiors and Spectators alike, capturing the electric atmosphere of the day. From the Blue Belt Tournament to the last 10 Seconds of the Main Event, this show was epic all the way through.

The Fire Returns!!!! On this episode we get to have a 1 on 1 session woth Mr Alec Burns and answer ALL of your listener questions including which is more important to cycle: Acai or Jesus? What's your Strength and Conditioning Programme? Hardest Rolling Partner? Favourite Session of the Week? Who is Eric Cartmans Father? Along with all of the insightful answers to those well thought out questions, we break down the fight between Islam and Folks, with some thoughts on MMA Scoring, as well as preview the highly anticipated 4th bout between Gordon Ryan and Felipe Pena!!! Super Fun Episode with a truly bright future prospect.

Double Guest Episode!!!! The M16 Breakout Performance Award Winner Luke Marko alongside another standout performer in Alec Burns jumped on the Podcast to share their story! In this episode we get to hear their Grappling Origin stories ranging from Full Contact Karate to Back Oval Challenge Matches... These guys really have come a long way. It is always enlightening to hear the perspective of the new generation and of course they surprise me every time with their outlook on training, competing and goals for the future. Very well spoken and full of potential, we barely scratched the surface woth this episode so we are officially going follow up with ROUND 2 next week!!! Give this episode a listen for a chance to be introduced to two humble and respectful athletes, then fire me some questions to ask them on the next episode.

EPIC EVENT!!!! Another incredible showcase took place At the M16 Invitational and as always the Bat-Phone was live at the evebt to get all the behind the scenes action. In this episode we hear from competitors before and after their matches, we get spectator reactions as well as on the spot match breakdowns and commentary. Of course, it wouldn't be the same without the banter so plenty of that too! Being that this was truly a standout event with some breakout performances, upsets and sharp technique on display, it really was a privilege to cover this one and I hope this listen reflects just how much enjoyment we all got on the day!

Only the most serious faces for the most serious podcast on the most serious topics regarding the most serious sport.... With no Razz, No Bullying, No Banter and Absolutely No One Getting Cancelled. I can honestly say, this episode is likely the most fun I'm going to have all year and it's barely mid way through January. Any time Declan Moody and Adam Jones are in the house you know it's going to be a fun show and adding fellow podcast and combat analyst Gingerbeard in to the mix only made it slightly worse. Of course we got all the B team inside knowledge and stories straight from the source. We also broke down every single match on the upcoming M16 Invitational which is set to be an absolutely massive event. And in an interesting turn we even got live commentary for Nora's match on CSC from Declan and the table as this episode was recorded as the event was in progress. Jam packed with so many insights, tangents and stories, this one can not be missed.

In this episode we break down all of the aspects that go in to gradings in the art of Grappling and Jiu Jitsu from the perspective of the coaches as well as the students. In the lead up to the end of year 2022 Grading at The MatLab Grappling Academy, I decided to chronicle the entire experience, gain insights through interviews on the day as well as share my own personal views on what goes in to the Decision making process. Ever wondered what your coach is thinking? How they choose who to grade? Curriculum vs Syllabus? Hobbyist vs Competitor? Gi vs No Gi? Sandbagging? Knowledge vs Application? Intent vs Outcomes? Grading on a Scale vs Standardized approach? We tackle all of these issues on this episode with a candid and honest approach as well as get immediate reactions and feedback from students who were present, and who graded on the day. This is a really unique take and I'm very happy to share this with everyone. Enjoy!

This Episode we dive deep in to the passion one must have in order to set up, progress and expand a small business in the field of Grappling and Jiu Jitsu. Nathan shares his experience and reveals exactly what goes in to this labour of love behind the scenes from concept design to fabrication, keeping up with order shipment and even dealing with online negativity. We also get to hear about the inspiration behind the truly unique and creative designs that Continuous Flow are known for and give credit where it's due to all of the local artists involved. Of course, what would the Bat-Phone be without some analysis, banter and candid insights regarding recent Grappling events including Pan Pacs, Acai & Jesus vs Naturuotolo, Extreme Heel Hook Rippery and Nerd Life... but most importantly: Our collective responsibility to create a welcoming environment for all who wish to join our Grappling Community.

This Episode is all about insight in to the mind of a Competitor. I recorded this on the days before, during and after the IBJJF Pan Pacific Championships in which I competed in the Adult Black Belt Heavyweight and Open Weight Class Divisions. My goal was to provide a timeline of thoughts and processes to relate to as I know so many of us go through competition anxiety and have trouble overcoming those mental barriers. From watching the Division fill up, the Bracket Release, Pre Competition Strategy, Travel and Road Stories, Comp Day Mentality, Post Match Breakdowns and Honest Reflections, it is all in here and it's as real as it gets. I really hope that when you listen to this you can relate to the experience, find some value in the lessons and of course, have a good laugh at my expense!

*Internationally Credentialed Strength & Conditioning Coach with decades of experience. *Current Head Coach of Strength and Power for the Adelaide Crows. *Founder of Grip Strength & Conditioning, working with Grappling and Combat Sports Athletes across the globe. Sam Dodge is an amazing resource of elite level knowledge currently residing right here in Adelaide South Australia and I have finally had the opportunity to sit down with him and talk shop regarding all things S&C. In this episode we get so many great insights in to Sam's depth of knowledge as he recounts his first hand experiences with the evolution of S&C all over the globe. Elements such as individual vs team programming, intensity scheduling, coach/athlete accountability and constructive communication are discussed and Sam even breaks down my own current planning and helps me re configure session live on air!!! Along with being an elite Coach, I count Sam as a great friend and as you can tell by the tone of the recording, we get along like a house on fire, so aside from everything else, it was a great chat between friends as well.

In this episode we introduce to you the First Ever Blue Belts graded at the MatLab Grappling Academy!!! I believe one of the largest gaps in grappling is from white to blue and this was such a fascinating look at how two great yet very different practitioners were able to walk in the doors, open up to a whole new world of knowledge, experience the trials and tribulations of rolling and then finally find the clarity of technique that allowed them to be awarded the new rank of Blue Belt. This journey is one we all undertake and is a path that some of you are still on! It's always great to hear how people with such different lifestyles whther it's family, work, athletic endeavour of hobby pursuit can come together and share in the process of bettering their life through grappling. We discussed so many great topics including the impact of the grappling community for positive Mental Health, finding the right weight class for competition, the different schools of thought regarding Strength and Conditioning for combat sports, the process of technical programme development at MatLab and of course fan out over the many outstanding performances at ADCC.

Incredible. As I was recording this podcast I found myself consistently realising, moment after moment, just how lucky I was to have the privilege to sit down and speak with this man. We hear everything from Richies early home life in Ireland, joining the French foreign legion, travelling to Australia and entering the world of coaching. From there, well the journey truly begins. From the perspective of a man with a degree in Sports Psychology, we learn all about the mentality structure that generates successful high level athletes and we both speak candidly about our own learned experinces on the job regarding the truth and honesty behind combat sports, necessary for some much needed life progression. Honestly, I learned so much from listening to Richie speak and I kept my promise by shutting my mouth and allowing the wisdom to flow forth. So much can be gained from this that I can't do it any justice with a written description, all I can say is, please listen.

Highly requested guest did not disappoint!!!! We get to hear the full story on how Nora began her Jiu Jitsu Journey as well as gain great insights in to competition mentality, training focus and methodology, technical goals and what the future holds. Of course when you get two grapplers having a chat it always turns to current day, so we discuss the state of grappling in South Australia as well as what Nora's experience has been like whilst travelling nationally / internationally to train and compete, including her trip to Poland for ADCC European Trials. I can certainly see why Nora has risen so quickly in skill as she has a great outlook and perspective on the game as well as keeping everything in balance, ensuring the fire always burns bright.

In a Super Sized episode we finally get to hear from the big man himself and what an incredible story he has to tell. There are so many important lessons here for young Athletes as well as those who are looking to make big changes in their life, improving their existence and the quality of life for their loved ones. We get insights in to Brand's life story, day to day training, mid fight thought processes and his plans for the future, along with some classic Brando stories for some solid entertainment value. Over all we really hear what has shaped his career from an Amateur athlete to a true Professional with some important life lessons racked up along the way. I am lucky to count Brando as one of my close personal friends and I really encourage you to take the time out and listen as he has come such a long way and now stands at the doorstep of the entire world. The big man has a big heart and an even bigger future!!

Epic Sit down with the winner of the Bat-Phone Breakout Performance Award Winner Mr Muenchow!!!! Two Grappling Nerds doing a deep dive in to Technique, belly down footlocks and our shared passion for the art. It's always very illuminating to hear the perspective of new practitioners and I really take so much joy in hearing how much the sport means to to them. Daniel is exactly the same and it was an honour to have the chance to get his story and tales of his journey so far, out there for you all to relate to and enjoy. We also reveled in the opportunity to talk M16 Open and I proposed some interesting matchups for the 77kg division, including one for Daniel himself! Great Vibes and a Great Chat so round.

Another fantastic event in the books at the M16 Open with some incredible matches and stunning progression shown by all. In this episode we got to hear from some OG's of the game, get behindnthe scenes insights in to the mind of a competitor and even a post match recap from both competitors themselves! Always fun and Always insightful, stay tuned to the very end to find out who won the Bat-Phone Breakout Performace Award!

FINALLY. Epic sit down with the better Jones brother is in the books and we go through everything including his B-team Trip, The upcoming M16 Open, The Batman Movie and Knee Fluid Drainage comparisons. Absolute legend. This was fun from start to finish. Enjoy!

Ever wondered what's it's like to open new Grappling Academy? In this episode you will find out exactly what it is like from behind the scenes for those who set up and build the academies that we all love to attend. We get a very interesting snap shot in to the day before openning, on the mats in day one, and then the following day reflections on how it all went from myself and co-owner of The Mat Lab Grappling Academy - Jackie Evans.

In this special episode we break down each match from the most recent WNO Grappling Event, headlined by Gordon Ryan vs Jacob Couch. You get my immediate reaction from watching the matches for the first time and some on the spot analysis of lessons we can learn from the best in the business!!! This was a fun episode and I know I certainly learned some things in the process. Give this a listen for some insights and technical perspective on the best grapplers on the planet.

WARNING! Epic content contained!!! In this second round with the Gingerbeard, EVERYTHING gets covered as we jump straight in to paying tributes to the late great Scott Hall/Razor Ramon. We theb break down the recent APEX Sports event and highlight the incredible standout performances we witnessed on the day. Tommy asks me some questions about moving away from MMA as a coach and focussing on the grappling community which gets us in to a deep technical discussion on all things evolution... And yes.... the moment you have all been waiting for... my opinion on The Batman and the entire nerd-out breakdown of my perspective on the film.

The King has Spoken!!!! This episode is an absolute masterclass on how to cultivate a positive community atmosphere within a Martial Arts Academy. The big wrap on the big man is that he is kind, generous, caring and an absolute Killer on the mats!!! This reputation is not unfounded and as you will learn in this episode, comes from a place of honest passion for Martial Arts as well as a natural dedication to the betterment of those around him. Hear about his history, pathway and perspective on his journey as well as his thoughts and opinions on the current MMA/Grappling scene here in South Australia. Honestly, you will be hard pressed to find a more genuine and respectable human being, the honour was all mine in this one and I am just thankful to have had this opportunity.

Jerick Panes + Sean D'Ambrossio = Two True Legends of our Community. This episode is exactly what happens when you sit three guys down who love Jiu Jitsu and record whatever they say. Such a great insight in to what makes the community work and the differing approaches to the game that make evolution possoble. We get deep in to technique, discuss old skool vs modern games and fan boy put about how exciting the current scene is for Grappling in Australia. Tune in to heat all about Dan Lawsons Striking, Sean's Juicing Advice and the lifestyle choices of Jesse Hughes.