We're taking on a tough topic in today's episode and to be honest we need your opinions on this. Exclusivity is currently one of the dirtiest words in jiu-jitsu as fans are complaining that contracts are holding back the sport and preventing us from seeing the best possible matches.

Matt and Hywel discuss the UFC BJJ's recent signing spree and how the exclusive terms will even go so far as to prevent athletes from competing on ADCC, which has always been seen as one of the biggest and most important events in the sport.

Speaking of ADCC, they recently announced they would finally be changing their prize structure, doubling the cash prizes for champions and podium finishers. The women are still getting short changed though, and good old Craig Jones has stepped in and said he'll make up the difference to ensure they're equally paid. Common Craig win.

We also discuss the possibility of Grappling (capital G) ever making it into the Olympics. This follows the recent news that UWW, the global governing body for Olympic wrestling, has partnered with AIGA to develop their presence in the jiu-jitsu world, but with a clear eye on and path to Olympic inclusion. Matt's suspicious, Hywel's cautiously interested.

Matt opens up about his first Quintet experience in Tokyo, where he took a now-legendary team to compete in Sakuraba's first grappling event. He gives us an inside look at what it was like to be in Japan with Craig and co, it's fun stuff.

Episode 21 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else. Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id183800158

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:20 Exclusive contracts in jiu-jitsu

24:36 UFC BJJ vs ADCC

42:58 ADCC prize money

Love them or hate them, you're always going to tune in to see the "heel". From Gordon to Dillon Danis, bad guys bring the heat. Even UFC BJJ knows the value of a bad boy gatekeeper, as we discuss in the latest episode of Unknown Pressures.

It's a bumper episode for you today. There were two big no-gi events to recap, namely the wild 2nd ADCC European Trials in Serbia, and the return of Nicholas Meregali at the most recent UFC BJJ.

We also discuss the announcements that Gordon is retiring, Craig Jones may face or may not face Dillon Danis in a grappling match at CJI 3, and that Netflix is getting into the MMA business by booking a weird yet wonderful fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano (it's not really about jiu-jitsu but it's too crazy to ignore).

We also look ahead to Polaris 36 (Match 7th), and Matt shares some of the inner workings of what it's like to be Creative Director of Scramble – be warned, he nerds out about Japanese fightwear brands but does reveal his biggest sources for inspiration.

Episode 20 of @UnknownPressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

Timestamps

0:00 Matt went on holiday without telling anybody

2:21 Gordon Ryan is retiring

12:50 Craig Jones vs Dillon Danis is legit?

19:03 Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano

23:56 What can jiu-jitsu promotions learn from the Netflix model?

26:00 A look ahead to Polaris 36

32:09 Matt still doesn't love UFC BJJ

34:38 UFC BJJ's biggest draw was Meregali

37:25 Why Mikey Musumeci vs Arman Tsarukyan would be sick

43:46 Why bad guys can lose and still get called back to pro BJJ events

45:53 ADCC Trials: a real moment for the European no-gi scene

54:24 Standout non-winners from Trials

1:03:25 The ethics of charging media for coverage

Even in a sprawling family of world-class fighters, there are some who stand apart from the rest. Through their titles and accomplishments they have earned the right to be included on this list of The Five Greatest Gracie Family Fighters of All Time. And nope, Rickson doesn't make it onto the list!

Support us on Patreon for uncut, extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more! We also include some honourable mentions of Gracies who didn't quite make the list but still deserve to be included.

Episode 19 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague