Weslee Weighs In

Fresh off winning the 16-man Friday Night Lights Pro bracket and taking home the $10,000 prize, Jett Thompson joins us this week for a deep dive into his journey, his game, and an unforgettable night on the mats.Jett takes us back to his beginnings in a shed in Oklahoma, shares stories from living with Giovanni Rubio at just 16 years old, and whether being known for one submission can actually hold you back. We also get into the details of his very unique high body lock passing system, including the stapler-style grip, trapping the arm, and how to counter the sweep.We break down his Friday Night Lights run match by match, discuss why PGF is his favorite competition format, and get his perspective on UFC BJJ exclusivity and what it would take to make signing an exclusive deal worthwhile. Jett also shares the opponents he’d love to face, his approach to training and competition, and why focusing on getting better matters more than preparing for one specific tournament.Another great conversation with one of the most exciting young athletes in the sport. Don’t miss this one!Follow Jett on Instagram: @jetthompsonbjj

Elijah Dorsey has been doing jiu-jitsu since he was six years old, and he’s built a career that goes far beyond the mats. From ADCC to a Pans title run, international seminars, and a UFC BJJ main event opportunity, Elijah joins Weslee and Bailey to talk about the highs, the setbacks, and what’s next.In this episode of Weslee Weighs In, we get into the ADCC match that still stings, why Elijah believes gi competition is harder than no-gi, and what went into his UFC BJJ title fight opportunity against Andrew Tackett. We also discuss Daniel Deeder’s callout, whether Elijah is ready to take that fight, and why a trip to Brazil might be in his future.But jiu-jitsu is only part of the story. Elijah and his brother turned childhood odd jobs into a power washing business, grew it to its first $10K month during COVID, and figured out how to balance entrepreneurship with training twice a day. He also shares his plans for a mat-cleaning business and the surprising story behind a sponsor he almost left off his rash guard.Plus, we tackle listener questions about dating at the gym, navigating barriers as an African American in jiu-jitsu, and what to do after a bad experience at a gym. And, of course, we finish with Disney rides and the ultimate post-tournament breakfast.From the competition scene to building a business outside the gym, this episode is all about what it takes to make jiu-jitsu work in the real world.Follow Elijah: @bigbreakfastbjj

Fran Papasidero’s journey in jiu-jitsu is a story of persistence, calculated risks, and learning how to train with purpose.On this episode of Weslee Weighs In, Fran joins us to talk about his path from being a teenager in Mar del Plata, Argentina, to pursuing a career in jiu-jitsu in the United States.Fran opens up about his early days as a teenage white belt, getting overwhelmed by bigger and stronger training partners, and learning that hard work alone isn’t always enough to improve. From the coaching of Pablo Lavaselli to the training culture at AOJ and the opponent-specific preparation he now gets at Brea, Fran breaks down how the right environment and a more intentional approach to training has helped shape his game.We also get into the details of preparing for competition: studying match footage, identifying patterns, developing new skills, and knowing when to stick to your A-game instead of making major changes before a tournament. Fran shares how he handles self-doubt, why confidence comes from knowing you’ve done the work, and what it was like to compete at Crown on just six days’ notice and walk away with third place.Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or jiu-jitsu fan, this episode is packed with insight into the mindset, preparation, and decisions that help athletes reach the next level.In this episode:Fran’s journey from Mar del Plata, Argentina, to the U.S.Overcoming the challenges of being a smaller, less experienced white beltWhy training harder doesn’t always mean training betterWhat effective coaching and purposeful training look likeHow to study opponents and turn match footage into a game planBuilding confidence through preparation and managing competition nervesCompeting at the Crown on six days’ notice and earning third placeTune in for an honest conversation about the work behind high-level jiu-jitsu and what it takes to keep improving when the competition gets tougher.Follow Fran on socials: @fraanbjj 

As the first athlete signed to UFC BJJ through the UFC BJJ Opens, Daniel Deeder is making waves in the sport, , and his viral kimura finish has everyone talking.This week, we down with Daniel Deeder, black belt competitor and Kingsway athlete, to break down his journey to UFC BJJ, the opportunity that changed his career, and the viral submission that put him in the spotlight.Daniel takes us behind the scenes of the UFC BJJ Opens, explaining how he went from competing in the events to earning a contract and stepping onto one of the biggest stages in the sport. We talk about how UFC BJJ is changing the competitive landscape, what it takes to stand out, and what the experience has been like for an athlete helping pave the way for future signings.We also get into his viral kimura finish on Kolby Gonzales, the technique and mindset behind taking risks in competition, and the reactions that followed including the backlash and death threats he received.Beyond UFC BJJ, Daniel shares his journey from childhood jiu-jitsu champion in California to black belt, what his time training at B-Team was like, and what he’s learned training under John Danaher at Kingsway.In this episode, we discuss:Daniel’s journey from the UFC BJJ Opens to signing with UFC BJJWhat it means to be the first athlete from the Opens signed to a UFC BJJ main cardHow UFC BJJ is changing opportunities for jiu-jitsu athletesBreaking down his viral kimura finish and the reaction it sparkedThe backlash and death threats that followed his match against Colby GonzalezHow Daniel approaches risk-taking, leg locks, and creative submissionsTraining under John Danaher at Kingsway and what makes the system uniqueWhy brown belt is the real proving ground for developing competitorsHow to turn losses, criticism, and being underestimated into motivationUFC BJJ is creating new opportunities for athletes to turn their competition careers into something bigger, and Daniel Deeder is right in the middle of that evolution. Whether you’re curious about the future of professional jiu-jitsu, the story behind his viral kimura, or what it takes to get noticed on the biggest stage, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Follow Daniel Deeder:Instagram: @danieldeederjj🎙️ Subscribe to Weslee Weighs In for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and personalities shaping the world of jiu-jitsu and combat sports.

At just 14, Icaro Moreno has already lived the kind of jiu-jitsu journey most athletes spend a lifetime chasing. In this conversation, he breaks down how a kid from Boston became one of AOJ’s most talked-about young stars, why his family moved across the country to fuel his career, and the mindset that helped him turn criticism, pressure, and a brutal ADCC weight cut into fuel. He opens up about the sacrifice behind the spotlight, from leaving his mom in Boston for a year to chasing training opportunities at Atos and then finding his home at AOJ. He also reveals how a conversation with Gui Mendez changed the direction of his life, why he believes the best athletes are built on trust, basics, and the right circle, and how his dad has become his coach, mentor, and marketing director all at once. You'll hear:- Why Icaro believes copying your idols is the fastest way to become forgettable- The training philosophy AOJ uses for competition, from bad positions to no-emotion performance- How he rebuilt after a devastating ADCC loss and changed his weight-cut strategy forever- Why he thinks flashy jiu-jitsu is overrated compared to dominant, repeatable fundamentals- How faith, family, and a Bible study group keep him grounded through the noiseHe also shares his thoughts on WNO, UFC BJJ, the state of matchmaking, the future of leg locks, and why he believes the next generation needs more triangles, guard retention, wrestling, and control, not just highlight-reel submissions. And if you want to hear what drives a teenager to train like a veteran, speak like a coach, and compete with the confidence of a world champ, this one delivers. Perfect for jiu-jitsu fans, parents of young athletes, and anyone who wants to understand what it actually takes to build greatness before most people are even old enough to drive.Follow Icaro on socials: @icaromorenojj