Robin Gracie (right) with his nephew Kron Gracie (left). Image courtesy Robin Gracie.

Robin Gracie is the youngest of Helio Gracie’s sons, and the only one of them to settle in Europe. In this exchange we hear straight from Robin and his academy in Barcelona about the popularity of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Spain.

The FightWorks Podcast: How long have you lived in Spain?

Robin Gracie: I arrived in Spain in December 1997, a little over 12 years ago.

The FightWorks Podcast: When you left Brazil to live in Spain, did you know you would remain there for so long?

Robin Gracie: I did not know exactly what I would find here. The only thing I knew was that BJJ was little-known or unknown in Spain.

The FightWorks Podcast: You were one of the first to offer jiu-jitsu in Spain. What was it like in those early years?

Robin Gracie: There were only a few curious folks who surfed around the web, which was not as used back then as it is today, and there were martial arts magazines but there were no instructors. I was the only one. All of my students were of course white belts and did not have anyone to train hard with.

The FightWorks Podcast: How would you describe the Spanish who train jiu-jitsu? How are they similar to Brazilians and how are they different?

Robin Gracie: The truth is that there is a lot of diversity among them, from humble workers to famous businessmen. I believe something similar happens in the United States. In my gym there are many foreigners. I believe 30% or 40% are. In Europe it is very easy to get around by train, car or plan. You can be anywhere quickly. The Spanish, being Latinos, are as impulsive as the Brazilians but when it comes time to train are somewhat more explosive and they look for a faster pace, maybe because of the cold there is in the winter.

The FightWorks Podcast: How do you see the spread of jiu-jitsu in Spain today?

Robin Gracie: After all these years the BJJ community has grown and now there are gyms everywhere. The number of competitions has increased as well and people are looking for more information about our martial art all the time.

The FightWorks Podcast: Did you attend the 2010 IBJJF European Championship? What did you think?

Robin Gracie: Yes, it is always growing. It seems like every time there are more mats out and more competitors. The only bad thing in my opinion are the details in the rules that change every year and they confuse the coaches, fighters, and referees, who in the end make mistakes. I think they should not change the rules more than every five years to give everyone a chance to understand them before changing them.

The FightWorks Podcast: Your father, Helio Gracie, passed away in January of 2009. Do you have any favorite memories of your time with him?

Robin Gracie: Since I came to Spain I would only see him on my vacations in Brazil when I got the opportunity to visit him in his house in the mountains. I remember that even in his final years he liked to put on the gi and train. He did not speak or think about anything other than jiu-jitsu.

The FightWorks Podcast: What is your favorite thing about Spain?

Robin Gracie: Of all European countries, Spain is the warmest and also the one with the most beaches, where it rains and snows the least, and the people are friendliest. Perhaps it is the Brazil of Europe. That is why I like it.

The FightWorks Podcast: Thanks Robin! Gracias! Obrigado!

Robin Gracie: Thank you Caleb.

Jake Mackenzie on the podium in Lisbon. Photo courtesy Jake Mackenzie.

Bruce Hoyer, a regular contributor to the FightWorks Podcast sends us this quick interview with Jacob Mackenzie, the lightweight gold medalist at the 2010 BJJ European Championships.

The FightWorks Podcast: For those people that may not know you yet give everyone a little background on you and how you got started.

Jake Mackenzie: I am 24 years old, I train at Fightsports South Beach in Miami, and I am a brown belt under Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu. I am originally from Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. I began training jiu-jitsu there 9 and a half years ago, and I trained exclusively in Canada until I was 17 years old. At 17 I began spending 6 months at a time in Rio de Janeiro, so that I could improve my jiu-jitsu, and so I could compete almost every weekend. The last 3 years I have been living 6 months in Miami and 6 months in Rio to learn and compete as much as possible.

The FightWorks Podcast: You recently won the European Championships, talk a little bit about some of the matches that you had this time around.

Jake Mackenzie: It was my first time competing at the Euros, and I am really glad that i made the trip over to Lisboa to compete. I had 15 guys in my division (brown belt, lightweight). I was able to submit all of my opponents except for my opponent in my semi final match, he was a really tough competitor from Manaus, Brazil, and was a former world champion at purple, he was able to take me down at the start of the match, and was up to 2×0 for the first four minutes, I eventually swept him from my guard and I almost mounted and took his back. The fight ended 2×2 but I had 3 advantages points, so was able to secure the win. In the final, I was able to submit my opponent in 2-3 minutes with a choke from the back.

The FightWorks Podcast: Talk about your experience with traveling all over the US and the world frankly competing and training in BJJ.

Jake Mackenzie: I travel all year round, trying to compete as much as possible, I usually fight 16-20 tournaments a year. I love competing every chance I get. I really like traveling as well, so being able to compete internationally is something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

The FightWorks Podcast: Where is your favorite place to compete?

Jake Mackenzie: I really like competing in California and in Miami, but I think Rio is my favorite place to compete, I fight almost every weekend when I stay there, and the majority of my tournament experience has been in Rio. There is something special about fighting in Rio, it is where everything started!

The FightWorks Podcast: Do you ever find that people from other gyms are not welcoming or is it pretty much open doors everywhere? Or in competition when you travel overseas do you feel an extra pressure?

Jake Mackenzie: I really like getting a chance to train with new people and learn as much as I can. Here in Florida, a lot of the best academies train together. I get the chance to train Cyborg, Pablo Popovitch, Boca, Denis Mitchell, Wagner Rocha, Paulo Azambuja and many other top level black belts, so I am learning every time I step on to the mat. I would highly recommend all these gyms and instructors, they are all extremely technical and have a very open and friendly atmosphere. I don’t feel any extra pressure competing overseas, I have more tournament experience in Brazil than anywhere else, and I began competing there while I was still a blue belt, so think i got used to fighting overseas at very young age.

The FightWorks Podcast: You recently moved from Canada to Florida to train and teach at Fight Sport, how has the transition been?

Jake Mackenzie: I started training here in Florida about 3 years ago, that’s when i officially started training with Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu. Cyborg and I were friends before he opened his academy in the US, so when he opened the gym, he invited me to come down to Miami and train with him and help him teach a little bit as well. Shortly after moving down to Miami, I decided to train and compete exclusively under Cyborg, it was one of best decisions I ever made. He is amazing instructor and coach, it is so easy to stay motivated and train hard all year round, because Roberto brings so much positive energy to the gym everyday, and he really cares about making his students better, every class he teaches.

The FightWorks Podcast: Do you feel like you are able to learn faster training with like Cyborg and Marcel?

Jake Mackenzie: Absolutely, I feel like my jiu-jitsu has improved drastically in the time I have spent training with Cyborg and Marcel. Here at Fightsports I train 2 times a day, 6 days a week, every class that Roberto teaches he pushes me to train 100 percent. Marcel, is amazing training partner, he is a great competitor, and whenever we train, I know it is going to be war, a lot of the times we train together we will roll for 40-60 minutes straight. I also couldn’t ask for a better master and group of guys to train with.

The FightWorks Podcast: Anyone you would like to thank?

Jake Mackenzie: I really want to thank my mom and dad first and foremost, they have always supported me 110 percent. I really want to thank Cyborg, and all my family from Fightsports. Also I want to thank Pablo Popovitch, Wagner Rocha, Boca, and all the guys from their academies that help me train all year round. I really want to thank my friend and training parter Denis Mitcell too, he helps me soo much, he always get me makes sure I am 100 percent mentally before I fight, him and Cyborg are always with me whenever I compete. I want to also thank all my sponors, Shoyoroll Kimonos (the best kimonos period!), Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear, Legacy Fit, Source Security, Murphies Resteraunt, Inglis Jewellers. Without all of their help and support it would be impossible for me to compete and travel year round. I can’t thank enough.

Rafael Lovato Jr. (UNIJJ, white gi) faces Nivaldo de Oliveira Lima (CheckMat) in a Grapplers Quest pro division in March 2009.

The warmer months usually make for an intense season of grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments, and Grapplers Quest has announced that they will be putting on an event with a significant cash prize for competitors on July 10th and 11th in California. We sent some questions to Grapplers Quest CEO Brian Cimins about the event for some details.

The FightWorks Podcast: You are accepting resumes of competitors who wish to enter the 32-man 2010 Tachi Palace Grappling Challenge, which features a $10,000 cash prize. Is that gi or no-gi?

Brian Cimins: 100% no-gi.

The FightWorks Podcast: What are the qualifications you are looking for in competitors who wish to enter?

Brian Cimins: Professional MMA fighters, ADCC champions and finalists, pro Grapplers Quest champions & multiple advanced division winners, CBJJ black and brown belt World or Pan American champions, All-American and Olympic alternate class wrestlers, judo & sambo world champions – the best grapplers in the world

The FightWorks Podcast: The Grappling Challenge will take place alongside the normal Grapplers Quest gi and no-gi divisions, right?

Brian Cimins: The Pro Grappling Challenge will begin on Saturday, July 10th at 6:00 PM, where the first 3 rounds will be conducted. All amateur No-Gi divisions will be conducted on Saturday starting at 10:00 AM. The final 4 pro matches will happen on Sunday, July 11th at 3:00 PM in conjunction with the amateur BJJ divisions. Also, Tachi Palace Fights will be conducting a huge outdoor MMA show on Friday, July 9th, so it’s an action packed MMA and grappling weekend.

The FightWorks Podcast: Despite it being several months before the event, are you able to name any of the athletes who you believe will be taking part in the 32-man Grappling Challenge?

Brian Cimins: Jeff Monson has committed to fighting in the 32-Man.

The FightWorks Podcast: Will there be cash prizes for both male and female divisions?

Brian Cimins: For amateurs, Grapplers Quest offers cash prizes for men and women absolute divisions at every show nationwide.

The FightWorks Podcast: Your site mentions a $10,000 cash prize. Is that indeed all to be paid in cash (as opposed to gear, DVDs, etc)?

Brian Cimins: The $10,000 cash prize, is 100% just that, sponsored by Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.

The FightWorks Podcast: How will that be broken down among 1rst, 2nd, and 3rd place winners?

Brian Cimins: $7,500 for 1st Place, $1,500 for 2nd Place, $1,000 for 3rd Place, with the following bonuses: $500 for the fastest submission and $1,000 for winning all matches by submission.

The FightWorks Podcast: Anything else our audience should know about this event?

Brian Cimins: Tickets will be on sale by the Tachi Palace within the next few weeks, but only 900 tickets will be available for sale. This is the largest cash prize in the history of American grappling and will feature the best of the best. We will be crowning the Best Grappler in the World on July 10th and 11th and it’s not to be missed… the event will be streamed live on internet Pay Per View as well.

Rodrigo Cavaca in action against Paragon Jiu-Jitsu’s Bill Cooper at a Grapplers Quest event in 2009.

Rodrigo Cavaca, winner of the gold medal in the ultra heavyweight division and the silver medalist in the absolute division, speaks about his experience on the mats at the 2010 European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Lisbon, Portugal last weekend.

The FightWorks Podcast: Can you please introduce yourself to our audience, with your team name, how long you have been a black belt, and size and weight? Where do you live?

Rodrigo Cavaca: My name is Rodrigo Cavaca, I’m a member of CheckMat. I’m a student of Leo Vieira and I’ve been a black belt since 2006. I’m 1.91m (6 foot 3 inches) and 105 kg (231 pounds). I live in the city of Santos outside Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have my own academy and I’m responsible for 10 affiliate schools in my region.

The FightWorks Podcast: Talk about your fight with Gustavo Campos in the finals of the IBJJF European Championship.

Rodrigo Cavaca: The fight against Guto Campos was going according the way I’d planned it. My strategy was going correctly: I was in the guard, I set up a few attacks where I had a chance to submit him twice near the beginning of the match. Once was a leg lock and another was a foot lock, but he defended well. There was one moment where I got careless. He attacked me quickly and deservedly walked away the winner of this fight. Congratulations to him. Jiu-jitsu is like that: he who is not afraid to risk things will always go further.

The FightWorks Podcast: How exactly did you hurt your arm?

Rodrigo Cavaca: As for my arm, it’s fine. At the time it hurt a lot. I thought I had torn all the ligaments, but today it’s doing better. I am icing it a lot and taking an anti-inflammatory. I am even giving some classes with the crew here in Poland and my friend Przemo Gnat, who is a student of my good friend Robert Drysdale.

The FightWorks Podcast: When will you be able to train jiu-jitsu again?

Rodrigo Cavaca: I’ll be ready to return shortly. I arrive in Brazil on February 10th and from there I’ll be traveling again to the United States to give some seminars. I’ll stay there about 10 ten days. Then I return to Santos where I’ll remain in my academy, training with my students until 2 weeks before the Pan-Ams. At that point I travel to California with my students to regroup with the rest of the team (Lucas Leite, Joao Assis, Pantcho, Lapela, Marcel Louzado, Mike, Leandrinho Vieira) for our camp to prepare for the Pan-Ams.

The FightWorks Podcast: Was it difficult to get medical treatment the hospital in Portugal?

Rodrigo Cavaca: I didn’t go to the doctor in Portugal. I’m going to wait until returning to Brazil to see my physiotherapist Bruno Brito to treat my arm.

The FightWorks Podcast: Any other thoughts about your experience at the Tournament?

Rodrigo Cavaca: What I can say about the European Championship is that every year the talent gets better. The athletes are looking to start the year 100% prepared to take this important title on our [jiu-jitsu] calendar. With God’s help I earned first place in my weight and second place in the absolute division. I have seen comments out there that I am unlucky in Lisboa, as I lost last year to Marko Helen in the early rounds and this year I hurt my arm in the final of the absolute division. That doesn’t make sense to me – last year I was returning from elbow surgery and I hadn’t competed in a year… I returned and won [my weight class at] the European. It’s true that I lost to the Finnish guy but I can say that he’s not as unknown as he was made to seem. When it was time to put together the brackets no one wanted to fight him and every one ran from him. So he’s not so unknown! And this year I did lose in the final and hurt my arm, but let’s think – I had 8 fights in the Europeans this year and of those, I won 7 and lost one. I made one mistake in 8 fights. Where is the luck in that? Ending 8 fights in 30 seconds each?! So, that’s what I had to say. Thanks for the help and the interview. I’m available whenever you need me.

The FightWorks Podcast: Any other thoughts about your experience at the Tournament?

Rodrigo Cavaca: I’d like to send big thanks to my students, my physiotherapist Bruno Brito, my trainer Marcelo Zanellatto, all my family and my sponsors Koral Kimonos and GT Nutrition. Thank you.

Rodrigo Gracie. Photo courtesy Rodrigo Gracie.

Bruce Hoyer, a regular contributor to the FightWorks Podcast and owner of Next Edge Academy sends us this quick interview with Rodrigo Gracie, author of several books on Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts fighter.

The FightWorks Podcast: Growing up a Gracie when did you start training Jiu-Jitsu?

Rodrigo Gracie: I started training at 4 years of age. Growing up being a Gracie can be a bless or a curse. You have to be tough and exceptional cause otherwise it will be a curse.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: For folks that don’t know you, give a little background on yourself?

Rodrigo Gracie: I’m the grandson of the founder of Gracie jiu jitsu Carlos Gracie and the son of Reylson Gracie. I was taught under my Father,but I also trained with my uncle Rillion, my cousin Renzo and I’m currently living in California where I train with my cousin Royce.

• Pride 19 and 24 Champion
• Pride Bushido 1 and 2 Champion
• K-1 heroes Champion
• Abu dhabi Champion
• New York Grappling Challenge Superfight Champion 
• 4 time NAGA superfight Champion

The FightWorks Podcast: You wrote Path to a Black Belt, what made you write this book?

Rodrigo Gracie: I wanted to make Gracie jiu-jitsu easier for people to teach and learn. The book its great for instructors and students to improve. 

The FightWorks Podcast: In the book you breakdown basics more than most books, do you feel this is an area where other books are lacking?

Rodrigo Gracie: There are a lot of great books out there but some of them don’t explain the whys. A lot of practicioners of the art when they execute the techinique have no idea why it works or why they put their hand, feet, head, shoulder, hip, etc in a certain way. Every little step has it reasons.

 The FightWorks Podcast: Also in the book you speak of subjects like using different body types and strengths like taller guys developing good guards, can you expand on this?

Rodrigo Gracie: Gracie jiu-jitsu its like water,it adapts to any form.It doesn t matter if you are tall, short, fat, flexible, strong, etc, you can find the right techniques that will be good for your body type. An example is the triangle from the guard: it doesn’t mean that its impossible for a person with short legs from applying a triangle on a big partner but for a person with long legs it will be easier to do it.

The FightWorks Podcast: When some one first comes to you to learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, what are some of the ideals you try to instill in them?

Rodrigo Gracie: Lots of repetitions and lots a drilling. The teacher has to know the right time for the student to start sparring. I’ve seen many people getting injured or frustated cause they don’t know what they are doing.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: Any plans for another BJJ book?

Rodrigo Gracie: Yes, I’m coming out with a advanced no gi book.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: We saw you compete several times in the ADCC’s, but not much as of recently, what are you plans for BJJ competitively?

Rodrigo Gracie: I love watching those talent guys going at the ADCC but I prefer training for MMA. I’ll be back in the cage in 2010! Took some vacation time but I know where I belong.Time to have some fun in the ring again.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: Who are some of the guys that  helped shape your style of grappling?

Rodrigo Gracie: My father and my cousins.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: Where are you teaching these days?

Rodrigo Gracie: I travel in the US and overseas teaching seminars. I currently live in Los Angeles , I go train in Long Beach at Neutral grounds with Evaldo Lima and to Hollywood Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Shawn Williams.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: We haven’t seen any crazy hair colors from you lately. Was that just a phase or will we see them again?

Rodrigo Gracie: That was some crazy times lol.
 
The FightWorks Podcast: Where can folks get more information about you? and anything you would like to bring up?

Rodrigo Gracie: Go on my websites:

• www.virtualgracie.com (online training with me)
• www.rodrigogracie.com (my official website)

This week on The FightWorks Podcast we will speak with Claudio Franca, who is the man behind the Abu Dhabi North America West Coast Qualifiers that take place January 24th in Santa Cruz, California. These qualifiers are significant in the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in that, thanks to the gracious support of H. H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the winners of this event will be given airfare, lodging, and meals paid for in the Abu Dhabi Pro World Championships in the United Arab Emirates, April 15-17th. In total, $148,000 in prize money will be given to the winners in April. For his part, Claudio Franca has been holding BJJ tournaments in California for 15 years, and was a natural choice to organize the qualifier on the west coast of the USA. Franca will provide details on what looks to be a very exciting event.

We will also spend some time with Keith Owen, an Idaho-based black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Owen received his black belt years ago from Pedro Sauer, one of the few red and black belts in jiu-jitsu. To be honest, I am not sure if we cover 15 topics. It just felt that way after our conversation! We discuss training BJJ in today’s world of more jiu-jitsu instruction than ever before, how people in areas without BJJ can best train, and tons more. Keith can be found online at BJJMoves.com.

We will also include a voicemail from one of the Mighty 600,000. Please call and leave us a message or question for the show! The number is 877-247-4662!

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Keith Owen