NO HOLDS BARRED

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA legend Renzo Gracie.

Although he is now 51 years old, Renzo Gracie is still fighting. His next competition will be an MMA fight against another veteran, Yuki Kondo of Japan. This will take place on the ONE: REIGN OF KINGS card put on by ONE Championship, on Friday, July 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Metro Manila, Philippines.

ONE: REIGN OF KINGS will be shown on many TV networks around the world, so check your local listings. It will also be shown for free on the ONE Super App.

We spoke with Renzo Gracie by phone this past Thursday.

Asked why he would still compete in a professional MMA fight at 51, he even questioned if this will be his final fight.

"I don't even know if it's the last fight. I'm going in there to have fun. I'm doing it because I love it. You know how much I love it.

"I was busy the past eight, nine years like crazy, blowing up my schools, working my business, which I became very successful. It was worth it every step," he said.

"But I have to do what I love. And I was waiting, and I kept training. I didn't stop. I'm feeling great. I can't wait to be back in the cage and test myself.

"And not only that, I'm waiting to acquire the knowledge of stepping in the ring at 51. I know it's going to be something different and very unique."

We also discussed: how this fight was made; how he matches up with Yuki Kondo; how different types of grappling such as catch wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu merged in MMA; how ONE Championship has grown and is featuring fights from several martial arts on their shows; how he has had to change his approach to this fight at age 51; what techniques to expect in this fight; plans to compete in a grappling superfight at ADCC 2019; why grappling is still necessary and mandatory for MMA and fighters cannot be one-dimensional; the success of the Muay Thai team at his academy; the opening of a new academy on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the fall; and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eddie Goldman, grappling, MMA, No Holds Barred, ONE Championship, Reign of Kings, Renzo Gracie, Yuki Kondo

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Arthur Andre, head of operations, and Maher Aseeri, head of the referee committee, of Grapple Asia.

Established in 2014 and based in Singapore, Grapple Asia has hosted numerous grappling competitions under varying rulesets, including the first-ever ADCC event in Singapore, the ADCC Singapore Open 2018 on March 10.

We spoke with them by Skype Tuesday.

"We are grapplers organizing and helping out the grapplers in the region" of Southeast Asia, said Arthur Andre.

"We have to address that the thing is pretty new here. For example, the amount of black belts that we have here, compared to, let's say, the States, for example, the numbers are just way different. So the thing here is really new, still on the rise, still gaining popularity."

While competitions there are not as frequent as in other regions, he noted, "We are giving platforms for competitors and as well giving them that opportunity to live that jiu-jitsu lifestyle."

We discussed how the reaction of MMA fans in their region to grappling has sharply changed over the years to become positive; the important influence of Evolve MMA and ONE Championship in building understanding and interest in grappling; why grappling as a sport stands alone and separate from MMA; why the creation of a major professional grappling organization "is going to happen"; how the Grapple Asia tournaments have evolved since 2014 and now emphasize no-gi grappling; why the ADCC ruleset is the most neutral in grappling and does not favor one discipline over another; the role of Synergy Jiu-Jitsu, which was named best team at the ADCC Singapore Open 2018; how catch wrestling is a "sister sport" to grappling and how catch wrestling matches have fit into their tournaments; the growth of boxing in Singapore, including the role of the undefeated Muhamad Ridhwan; plans for upcoming tournaments including kids' competitions and a possible return of ADCC; and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: ADCC, Arthur Andre, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, Grapple Asia, grappling, jiu-jitsu, Maher Aseeri, No Holds Barred, Singapore

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with grappler Tom Maenurm of Team Scardovelli in Italy.

We spoke with him by Skype Thursday.

His path to competing in ADCC events did not begin with grappling, but MMA.

"With MMA, of course, I had to do some ground work and jiu-jitsu, and I started to like it very much," he said.

After achieving success in MMA by grappling, he decided it was grappling he liked better.

"So, I stopped doing MMA and I started dedicating more time to jiu-jitsu."

Now, after a series of grappling victories, he is ready to move up to the professional level at ADCC events.

We also discussed more on his background and plans for future competitions, how he likes to go for submissions and not stall, how he has not yet decided if he will try to compete at the ADCC European Championship 2018 in Bucharest, Romania, and much more.

(Photo courtesy of Tom Maenurm.)

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.

Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Italy, jiu-jitsu, No Holds Barred, Team Scardovelli, Tom Maenurm

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Tom DeBlass about the 2016 ADCC North American Championships and World Trials.

This event will feature two days of competition, both at the Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey. The Pro Trials will take place Saturday, November 19, followed by an amateur event on Sunday, November 20. The Pro Trials will be webcast on FloGrappling.

The Pro Trials is a qualifying event for the 2017 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship, which will take place September 22-24, 2017, in the Espoo Metro Areena in Espoo, Finland.

At the Pro Trials, there will be grappling competition under ADCC rules in five men's weight classes: -65.9kg, -76.9kg, -87.9kg, -98.9kg, and +99kg.

We spoke with Tom DeBlass, who is the owner of Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the organizer of this event, by phone Thursday.

The ADCC World Championship "100 percent, hands down has the highest level of competition," he said.

"It is the most prestigious no-gi grappling tournament in the world. And there are qualifiers: there are eight qualifiers from around the world, and there are eight invitees. The one way to secure your spot is to compete in one of the qualifiers and win the qualifier. When you win the qualifier, you get a fully-expense paid trip to the finals in Finland, which will be 2017, which is a pretty incredible trip."

We discussed how this event has open registration which closes November 12, how this shapes up to be the biggest ADCC North American Trials ever, some of the well-known competitors and former ADCC Trials champions who have already registered, the ADCC rules and how they encourage action, how he will also be competing in the Pro Trials, the potential for professional grappling as a spectator sport, the likelihood of a second North American Trials in the spring of 2017, the important differences between competing in MMA and grappling, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is sponsored by:

The Boxing Tribune, boxing's independent media. Unlike every other major boxing website, The Boxing Tribune is not funded or owned by promoters, managers, or networks, and is fully independent and free to write the truth. For independent boxing news and views, go to http://boxingtribune-news.com.

The North American Catch Wrestling Association, a grassroots organization designed to help rebuild the sport of catch-as-catch-can-wrestling. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthAmericanCatchWrestlingAssociation.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, No Holds Barred, North American, submission fighting, Tom DeBlass, Trials, World Championships, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with our colleague and correspondent Kid Peligro.

Our main topic was the 2015 ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Fighting World Championship, which will be held Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, at the Ginásio Poliesportivo Mauro Pinheiro (Ginásio do Ibirapuera), Rua Manuel da Nóbrega, 1361 - Ibirapuera, São Paulo - SP, 04001-140, Brazil.

It is the most important and prestigious grappling tournament in the world, and as always will feature competition in no-gi grappling.

Besides the competition in the five men's and two women's weight classes and the absolute division, there will be two superfights. Defending superfight champion André Galvão will face 2013 Absolute Champion Roberto Cyborg, and in a masters' superfight, two legends will compete: Zé Mario Sperry and Ricardo Libório.

The 2015 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship will be shown live on an Internet pay-per-view on Budovideos.com.

We spoke with Kid Peligro by phone Wednesday.

While there are a number of returning champions in this year's competition, the 2015 ADCC event will also see many new competitors from around the world going for their first world championship.

"ADCC seems to somehow every year come up with a whole new group of fighters that compete real well, and exciting names," said Kid Peligro. "The ADCC committee just always seems to bring up new names, and there's a whole new crop of competitors that are pretty exciting."

We discussed each weight class, who are the favorites and the underdogs, the many national and regional qualifiers which led up to this world championship, and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web, at http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/no-holds-barred-with-eddie-goldman.

The PodOmatic Podcast Player for iOS is available for free on the App Store.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at AmericanTopTeam.com.

Defense Soap, an effective, deep penetrating body soap with natural antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial soap ingredients. Defense Soap is the best cleansing body soap for men and women athletes who are involved in contact sports such as MMA, wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and judo, to help their antifungal, anti-ringworm, anti-jock itch strategy. Check out their web site, at DefenseSoap.com.

Gracie Tournaments, featuring regional, national, and world competitions in submission-only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For more information, go to GracieWorlds.com.

Labels: Abu Dhabi, ADCC, BJJ, Brazil, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Kid Peligro, No Holds Barred, no-gi, São Paulo, Submission Fighting World Championship

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling legend Ricardo Liborio, who is the co-founder and head instructor of American Top Team.

Our main topic was the 2015 ADCC North America Trials.

This event will be held Saturday, May 9, at Monarch High School, 5050 Wiles Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, not far from the headquarters of American Top Team. The winners in each weight class at the 2015 ADCC North America Trials will earn a spot in the 2015 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship, which will be held August 28-30 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship is the most important and prestigious grappling tournament in the world, and as always will feature competition in no-gi grappling.

The 2015 ADCC North America Trials also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/ADCC-North-America/1412328512417071.

We spoke with Ricardo Liborio by phone Saturday.

"We just had one month to prepare for these trials, for the qualifiers for the ADCC in Sao Paulo, Brazil," he said. The winners will be "flown in and all expenses in terms of lodging and food going to Brazil" will be paid, he noted.

"You're really actually competing in a world championships. It is just an amazing opportunity for all North Americans," which for this event includes all citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, he said.

"I think this is incredible. This is an amazing opportunity," he added.

We also discussed his own upcoming match at the ADCC Worlds where he will face another Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling legend, Zé Mario Sperry. "I'm happier that I'm doing this," he said, noting the many benefits of returning to training for competition after a hiatus of many years and the needed "lifestyle changes" he has undertaken.

Another key issue we discussed was grappling for the visually impaired. This has become a major focus of his work, as his daughter, Bella, is blind.

"One of the biggest missions" of his life is to work to improve the quality of life for the visually impaired, he said. He thus is working to expand opportunities in various styles of grappling for visually impaired people.

There is "nothing more custom-made for the visually impaired than grappling and jiu-jitsu," he said.

We thus discussed how he is doing that, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at AmericanTopTeam.com.

Defense Soap, an effective, deep penetrating body soap with natural antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial soap ingredients. Defense Soap is the best cleansing body soap for men and women athletes who are involved in contact sports such as MMA, wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and judo, to help their antifungal, anti-ringworm, anti-jock itch strategy. Check out their web site, at DefenseSoap.com.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eddie Goldman, grappling, No Holds Barred, North America Trials, Ricardo Liborio, visually impaired

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Ulf Elm of the Växjö Titans gym in Sweden, and Steve Koepfer of New York Combat Sambo.

We spoke with them Monday while Ulf Elm was visiting New York and conducting grappling seminars at New York Combat Sambo.

With a background in multiple disciplines in the martial arts and combat sports, Ulf Elm has been spending much of his time instructing people in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling in Sweden. There he has seen the growth and development of both BJJ and grappling organizationally.

"I would say it's getting more and more formalized," he said. While in the U.S. there are many disparate jiu-jitsu and grappling competitions and organizations, "In Sweden, it's more formalized. Jiu-jitsu competitions with IBJJF rules -- it's really big. It's huge."

As for no-gi grappling, the main organization is ADCC.

"The Swedish Submission Wrestling Federation, now they are starting again with ADCC rules," he said. "They tried to go with FILA, the FILA grappling rules for a couple of years, but that basically broke down. FILA dropped grappling, and no one picked it up. So now they are back to ADCC rules and sending the national team to the ADCC European Trials."

We also discussed the controversy involving Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler Ara Abrahamian, who handed back his bronze medal after losing a highly controversial semifinal match in the 2008 Olympics, in which almost all observers felt that he had been robbed. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later sided with Abrahamian in his appeal of a ban from wrestling, but the damage from this scandal once again disgraced the international wrestling authorities. Thus, we discussed how since this mess, which received wide attention in the Swedish media, wrestling has declined in Sweden.

In addition, we discussed with both Ulf Elm and Steve Koepfer the state of sambo and catch wrestling in Sweden and Scandinavia, what they need to do to expand there and around the world, and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at AmericanTopTeam.com.

Defense Soap, an effective, deep penetrating body soap with natural antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial soap ingredients. Defense Soap is the best cleansing body soap for men and women athletes who are involved in contact sports such as MMA, wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and judo, to help their antifungal, anti-ringworm, anti-jock itch strategy. Check out their web site, at DefenseSoap.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to TakedownRadio.com.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, New York Combat Sambo, No Holds Barred, sambo, Steve Koepfer, Sweden, Ulf Elm, Växjö Titans

Photos 1-4, Tom DeBlass (on right in first photo) and Babalu





Photos 5-8, Cedric Smith (on left in first photo) and Marco DeLima




Cedric Smith wins ADCC sword.


Eddie Goldman and Keisha Morrisey at MMA World Expo.


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with grapplers Tom DeBlass, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, and Cedric Smith at the ADCC tournament in New York on July 26 at the MMA World Expo.

In the ADCC superfight at that event, Tom DeBlass defeated Renato "Babalu" Sobral by a score of 4-0, getting a late takedown and sweep.

In the finals of the absolute pro division of the no-gi tournament, a relative newcomer to ADCC, Cedric Smith, defeat Marco DeLima. The score of this match was 3-0, as Cedric Smith established side control late in the match.

We spoke with Tom DeBlass, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, and Cedric Smith right after their matches.

"I really believe in my jiu-jitsu. I have a very tough game to beat," said Tom DeBlass. We discussed how this match went, as well as his plans to continue competing in jiu-jitsu, grappling, and MMA. His next MMA fight will be September 5 in Bellator against "King" Mo Lawal.

Babalu discussed how he is retired from MMA but is continuing to grapple. Cedric Smith is a former wrestler, and we discussed his transition to jiu-jitsu and grappling, as well as much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

The Liberty Bell Classic / King of Catch Wrestling Tournament, presented by the North American Catch Wrestling Association and Scientific Wrestling. In this tournament, you can only win by pin or submission, with no points. It all takes place Saturday, August 30, at Primal Gym, 231 Bakers Basin Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648. For more information, go to kingofcatchwrestling.com.

Snake Pit U.S.A., whose primary mission is to breathe new life into real catch-as-catch-can wrestling and help lead the catch wrestling revolution for martial artists and those pursuing recreational training and fitness alike. For more information, go to SnakePitUSA.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Cedric Smith, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, MMA World Expo, New York, No Holds Barred, Renato Babalu Sobral, Tom DeBlass

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with grappler, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor, and MMA fighter Tom DeBlass.

Besides being the owner of Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he will be competing in a grappling superfight as part of the ADCC competition at this year's MMA World Expo in New York. His opponent will be the veteran Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

This superfight, under ADCC grappling rules, will take place Saturday, July 26, on the first day of the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001. ADCC will be running two days of tournaments at the MMA World Expo, with the no-gi competition on Saturday, July 26, and the gi competition on Sunday, July 27.

We spoke with Tom DeBlass by phone Monday night.

Calling his opponent, Babalu, a legend, he is still confident that he can emerge victorious.

"I know how to win in jiu-jitsu and grappling," he said. "I came back in grappling competition after four years away last year, and I won the Pan American Games, in the adult black belt division. Then I took third in the Worlds, no-gi division, two weeks before I beat [Jason] Lambert" in MMA in Bellator on November 15, 2013. He is also a 2009 ADCC North American Trial Champion, and holds victories in Grapplers Quest and other competitions.

"I believe in my jiu-jitsu. I believe in myself," he added.

"I'm really honored. I'm excited to go against him. And I'm super-excited that ADCC and Carlos Carvalho wanted me to headline their event. It's a pretty amazing honor."

We also discussed the potential for grappling to emerge as a popular spectator sport, his training in both grappling and MMA at the same time, the plans for him to continue fighting in Bellator, how his studies in college in education have helped him as a coach and instructor, how he got involved in jiu-jitsu and grappling, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

The 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, MMA World Expo, No Holds Barred, Renato Babalu Sobral, superfight, Tom DeBlass

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Carlos Carvalho and Jennifer Golden of the ADCC North American Federation.

It is a happily busy time in the U.S. over the next several weeks for ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), which runs the world's most prestigious and important grappling world championship. Three major events will be taking place over the course of the coming six weekends.

This Saturday, June 21, ADCC will hold both gi and no-gi tournaments in the Chicago area, at the Frontier Park Fieldhouse, 9807 S. Sayre Avenue, Chicago Ridge, Illinois 60415.

Besides these tournaments with numerous divisions, there will be two superfights under ADCC grappling rules. In a battle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champions, Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros will face Leonardo Pecahna. In what promises to be a very active and competitive match between two grappling masters, Jeff Curran will take on Omar Choudhury.

Next up is North Carolina. This event, also with gi and no-gi tournaments, will take place Saturday, July 12, at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 US Highway 49, North Concord, North Carolina 28025.

ADCC will also be making its debut at this year's MMA World Expo in New York, running two days of tournaments, also with gi and no-gi divisions. The no-gi competition will take place Saturday, July 26, with the gi competition Sunday, July 27. The location is the Jacob Javits Center, 655 W. 34th Street, New York, New York 10001.

Expect more information soon on superfights for the North Carolina and New York events.

We spoke with Carlos Carvalho and Jennifer Golden by phone Tuesday.

"It's the first time that we are getting into the area of Chicago," Carlos Carvalho said. The superfight between Comprido and Pecanha involves two well-known athletes in grappling and BJJ. As for the superfight between Jeff Curran and Omar Choudhury, he said, "It's going to be another small guy fight, but you know how they work, man. They are crazy. They are electrical. They jump around. They do things that the big guys can't do."

Jennifer Golden pointed out that ADCC is much more than the world championships which are held every two years, with the next one slated for 2015.

"We want our name out there all year long," she said. "So these national tournaments are ways for us to build our name and also for people to get experience with ADCC and our rules and the way we compete. So we're doing our best to try to hit all these major cities and give everyone an opportunity to compete with us."

We also discussed how these national tournaments are leading up to both East Coast and West Coast qualifiers in the U.S. for spots at the 2015 world championships, the importance of growing ADCC at the grassroots level, the significance of running ADCC tournaments at the MMA World Expo, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

The 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: Abu Dhabi Combat Club, ADCC, BJJ, Carlos Carvalho, Chicago, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Jennifer Golden, MMA World Expo, New York, No Holds Barred, North Carolina

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Team Lloyd Irvin grappler and fighter DJ "The Kimura Kid" Jackson, and radio host and MMA journalist Bob Carson of Carson's Corner.

We were all at the ADCC New York Nationals 2014, which took place Sunday, April 6, in the Fitzgerald Gymnasium at Queens College in Flushing, New York. We spoke with both DJ Jackson and Bob Carson at this event.

It was a big day for DJ Jackson, as he went 5-0 on the day in this grappling competition, including getting two wins by submission. In doing so, he captured both the superfight and the gold medal in the absolute division. He defeated Garry Tonon of Brunswick BJJ in the superfight by a score of 2 to -1. It turned out that both DJ Jackson and Garry Tonon advanced to the absolute finals, setting up a rematch of the day's earlier action. DJ Jackson won again, but this match was closer, with him edging out Garry Tonon by a score of 0 to -1.

"It went as I expected, because Garry's a tough competitor," DJ Jackson said right after his superfight victory. "The goal is always to get a submission, but getting a submission on a top-level competitor is always hard."

Right after his win in the absolute finals, he said, "Garry played it a lot smarter. After points [started, after five minutes], he never came up again, so there was never an opportunity for me to get a takedown for two points. That was real smart."

We also discussed what he learned from these matches and has to work on, his plans for fighting in amateur MMA and eventually professional MMA, and more.

Bob Carson left this event with an excellent impression.

"I was really, really impressed," he said shortly after leaving the gymnasium. "I was impressed with the level of grappling that we saw." He also noted that the ADCC rules made for a top-notch tournament.

"I was really impressed with the camaraderie among competitors. Very, very good sportsmanship," he added. "The individuals running this event made sure we could see all the action."

He did also emphasize, "The big take home story is, of course, DJ Jackson." And we discussed more about the ADCC New York Nationals 2014, grappling and MMA, and much more.

There is a photo gallery from this event on the ADCC News here.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Bob Carson, Carson's Corner, DJ Jackson, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, Kimura Kid, New York Nationals, No Holds Barred, no-gi, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with grappler DJ "The Kimura Kid" Jackson.

He will be grappling in the superfight at the ADCC New York Nationals 2014, which will take place Sunday, April 6, at Queens College in the Fitzgerald Gymnasium (South Gym), at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, New York 11367.

His opponent will be Garry Tonon of Brunswick BJJ, in a match held under ADCC rules.

There are also many divisions at this event, which will be open to all ages and skill levels, including no-gi grappling under ADCC rules, followed by a BJJ gi tournament. There will be both professional and amateur divisions, and men's and women's as well.

To register or for more information about the ADCC New York Nationals, click here.

We spoke with DJ Jackson by phone Thursday.

"You can expect a super-exciting match," he said.

He and Garry Tonon have met on the mat before, although not under ADCC rules.

"All three matches were real tight, none of them decided by more than four points, I think, and the one I won the most by. And I won all three of them." he said.

"But thanks to the ADCC rules, since there's no advantage or anything like that, you have to win more decisively. So I'm excited," he added, "to fight him under those rules."

We also discussed his transition from college wrestling to grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his fighting in amateur MMA, why the ADCC rules are the "best" ruleset for grappling and more spectator-friendly than other sets of grappling rules, how he got the nickname "Kimura Kid", and more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, DJ Jackson, Eddie Goldman, Garry Tonon, grappling, jiu-jitsu, Kimura Kid, New York Nationals, No Holds Barred, no-gi, Queens College, rules, World Submission Fighting Championships, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Carlos Carvalho, the executive officer of the USA ADCC Federation.

Our main topic was the ADCC New York Nationals 2014, which will take place Sunday, April 6, at Queens College in the Fitzgerald Gymnasium (South Gym), at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, New York 11367.

There are many divisions at this event, which will be open to all ages and skill levels, including no-gi grappling under ADCC rules, followed by a BJJ gi tournament. There will be both professional and amateur divisions, and men's and women's as well.

The main event will be a superfight under ADCC rules between grapplers Garry Tonon of Brunswick BJJ and DJ Jackson of Team Lloyd Irvin.

To register or for more information about the ADCC New York Nationals, click here.

We spoke with Carlos Carvalho by phone Thursday.

In our discussion, he explained how the ADCC Federation is getting more active in North America, in both the U.S. and Canada. "We have a series of tournaments," he said, with the first one this year in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on February 22.

"The second right now is in New York on April 6," he said. "This one is going to be a great one. We have a great superfight lined up, and a lot of pre-registrations already coming in. We're looking to be a big show."

We discussed how these events can showcase grapplers when selections are made to compete in qualifiers for the ADCC World Championships, the growing presence of the ADCC Federation in North America, how the ADCC rules encourage action and thus are liked by the athletes, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Carlos Carvalho, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, New York Nationals, No Holds Barred, no-gi, Queens College, World Submission Fighting Championships, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Carlos Carvalho, the executive officer of the USA ADCC Federation, about the ADCC Virginia Beach Nationals 2014.

This event will be held Saturday, February 22, at the Fort Monroe Recreation Center, 100 Stillwell Road, Hampton, Virginia 23651. It is the first in a series of tournaments, under ADCC rules, to be held in the U.S. in 2014. The next ADCC Submission Fighting World Championships, the most important and prestigious grappling tournament in the world, will be held in 2015, at a date and location to be announced.

To register or for more information about the ADCC Virginia Beach Nationals, click here.

We spoke with Carlos Carvalho by phone Thursday.

"We are having a plan for a series of tournaments this year," he said. "Last year, we held four. This year we're doubling up. We are looking to between eight and ten events."

For the first one this year, the ADCC Virginia Beach Nationals 2014, between 300 and 500 hundred competitors, including children, adults, and masters, and male and female grapplers, are expected. There will also be superfights.

"It's looking awesome, the competition," he said.

We also discussed how these events help grapplers get used to the ADCC rules and advance to the world championships, and how the winners of these national tournaments will have expenses paid to compete in the 2015 trials for the world championships.

In addition, we discussed the next ADCC national tournament, which is scheduled for April 6 at Queens College in Queens, New York; how the ADCC rules of no-gi grappling differ from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are attractive to grapplers from all disciplines and styles; and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

GrappleGnostic, sponsored by Defense Soap. Where the will to win meets the power of knowledge. Features, interviews, analysis, health tips, and information on wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and all the grappling arts, written by some of the best writers and experts in the world. Check out their web site, a http://defensesoap.com/grapplegnostic.

Defense Soap, an effective, deep penetrating body soap with natural antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial soap ingredients. Defense Soap is the best cleansing body soap for men and women athletes who are involved in contact sports such as MMA, wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and judo, to help their antifungal, anti-ringworm, anti-jock itch strategy. Check out their web site, at http://defensesoap.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Carlos Carvalho, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Hampton Roads, jiu-jitsu, No Holds Barred, no-gi, Virginia Beach Nationals, World Submission Fighting Championships, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Carlos Carvalho, the executive officer of the USA ADCC Federation, about the ADCC U.S. Nationals.

This edition of the ADCC U.S. Nationals will take place this Saturday, December 7, at the John Adams Middle School, 2002 Presidential Drive, Charleston, West Virginia 25314. There will be both professional and amateur divisions for men and women, as well as superfights. This will be the last edition of the four ADCC U.S. Nationals events held in 2013.

To pre-register or for more information, click here.

We spoke with Carlos Carvalho by phone Tuesday.

The ADCC U.S. Nationals have been established "with the objective of trying to find new athletes, new competitors to be able to compete in the ADCC" world championships, the "most prestigious" no-gi championships in the world, he said.

The ADCC rules of no-gi grappling are unique. Thus, he said, amateur athletes need experience competing under them "so when they become professionals, they are used to the rules and regulations for the ADCC."

We also discussed the many pro and amateur divisions at this event, the superfights, the plans for ADCC to run more events in 2014 in the U.S., and more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

LenneHardt.com, the web site of the world's greatest ring announcer, Lenne Hardt. Need a unique and cool combat sports-related gift? At LenneHardt.com, you can order personalized messages, wedding calls, ringtones, phone answering messages, and more, all recorded by Lenne herself, in the style of your choice. For more information, go to LenneHardt.com.

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

GrappleGnostic, sponsored by Defense Soap. Where the will to win meets the power of knowledge. Features, interviews, analysis, health tips, and information on wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and all the grappling arts, written by some of the best writers and experts in the world. Check out their web site, a http://defensesoap.com/grapplegnostic.

Defense Soap, an effective, deep penetrating body soap with natural antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial soap ingredients. Defense Soap is the best cleansing body soap for men and women athletes who are involved in contact sports such as MMA, wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and judo, to help their antifungal, anti-ringworm, anti-jock itch strategy. Check out their web site, at http://defensesoap.com.

American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: ADCC, BJJ, Carlos Carvalho, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, No Holds Barred, no-gi, U.S. Nationals, World Submission Fighting Championships, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with our colleague and correspondent Kid Peligro.

It is now time for the 2013 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship, the most important and prestigious grappling tournament in the world, which will as always feature competition in no-gi grappling.

It will take place Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, in Beijing, China, at the Beijing Ditan Sports Centre.

It also was just announced that ADCC 2013 will be available as an online pay-per-view, on Ustream. For more information on that, go to http://www.adcombat.com/adcc-worlds-2013-live-sream.

Besides the competition in the five men's and two women's weight classes and the absolute division, there will be two superfights. Braulio Estima will take on Andre Galvao, and in a masters' superfight, Mario Sperry will face Fabio Gurgel.

To preview this event, we spoke with Kid Peligro by phone Monday.

Much attention has been given to the ADCC debut of the 23-year-old phenom, Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida of CheckMat. He has won double gold, at +100 kg and in the absolute division, in both the 2012 and 2013 Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, also known as the Mundials. That, however, is no guarantee of a victory for him in ADCC, where he will be competing at +99 kg.

"It's a different transition. ADCC is not jiu-jitsu without a gi," said Kid Peligro. "It's got its own set of rules, and it's got its own little quirks, how points are scored. And I've seen some great people stumble, especially first year."

He cited how it took Andre Galvao, now in this year's superfight, three times to win his weight and the absolute. "He didn't translate to the top form that he reached."

While there are returning champions including Rafael Mendes, Dean Lister, Vinny Magalhaes, and Gabrielle Garcia, this event has historically seen some unexpected winners.

As for this year, "It's really hard to determine a dark horse, because you just see it when you see it," said Kid Peligro.

Asked to name a possible dark horse, he said, "I think Rustam Chsiev is the one. That's the one I can see, off the top of my head.... I could see him going to the finals." Chsiev will be competing at -87.9 kg, which is expected to be one of the most wide-open weight classes.

We also discussed who is in and who is out in each weight class, who are the favorites at each weight, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.

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American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.

Labels: Abu Dhabi, ADCC, BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, China, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Kid Peligro, No Holds Barred, no-gi, Submission Fighting World Championship