Unknown Pressures – A Jiu-Jitsu Podcast

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Jiu-jitsu’s most generous patron teased a return earlier this year, but it seems that Craig Jones really will bring back CJI in 2027 and he’s shown he has the money ready to go.  After disrupting the grappling landscape by giving away the biggest cash prize the sport has ever seen, Australia’s deadliest mammal has said he will go back to the 16-man bracket that made CJI 1 so successful.  So far, we don’t know the weight class or the athletes he plans to invite, but you can be sure that he’s planning something different. Craig wouldn’t have it any other way. The fantasy brackets fans have started to create are pretty enticing, and if Craig can secure even half of the names people are suggesting, it could be one of the best events of all time.  There’s a lot to talk about in this week’s episode as we cover everything from a former UFC champ’s return to grappling, a brand new pro judo league, and why Pawel Jaworski might just be the best leglocker in the world right now.  Check out Matt's awesome Spotify playlist here!  In episode 54:  Khamzat Chimaev signs with ACB BJJ  Pawel Jaworski cruises to victory at No-Gi Euros The lore behind Andrew Tackett vs Chris Wojcik CJI 3 will return in 2027  Patreon exclusive topics:  Tye Ruotolo’s MMA title shot PGF announces pro judo tournament  RAF Wrestling continue expansion  Could European grappling come together?  How to Support Unknown Pressures Podcast Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify Podcasts. 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

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Mica Galvao and Tainan Dalpra are the two best middleweights in the world of gi jiu-jitsu, but it's the match that just can't seem to happen. They faced off once way back in 2021. Tainan was a young black belt and Mica was still a brown belt, and the match was disappointingly inconclusive as time ran out with Tainan locked in a triangle. It's the match that needs to happen, but never might – in this episode, Matt and Hywel break down the reasons why. Also, Matt is back from Japan and has some funny stories to share, including people lining up to get ankle-locked by Matheusz Szczecinski. He also reveals his preferred karaoke song, which surprised Hywel. Also in this episode: Matt is back from Leglock Camp in Japan IBJJF No-Gi Europeans showcases best up-and-coming talent IBJJF Crown: but why no Tainan? Why won't people compete for $10k? AIGA fails to draw grapplers for U.S. event Grappling industry insider claims superfights are dead (long live superfights) UFC BJJ 13 recap & results: Tackett smokes Jay Rod UFC BJJ 14 preview Support us for full access to our podcast and newsletter 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. Patreon Supporters get early access to the extended episode, with an extra 30 minutes of discussion not available on YouTube or Podcast platforms.  By signing up to the free membership tier, you also get complete access to this weekly newsletter which contains everything we talk about in this episode.  How to Support Unknown Pressures Podcast Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify Podcasts. 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

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | What’s wrong with UFC BJJ? A LOT. At the risk of going full “they’re turning the frogs gay” tinfoil-hat-wearing cuckoo, there are too many signs to ignore that something – something – is not right. From dodgy decisions to a Brazilian mafia and an inability to keep their champions, something is going on and can’t be ignored.  Of course we’re joking. There’s no conspiracy, but there are way too many things that leave room for doubt, and they need to be addressed if UFC BJJ wants to be taken seriously. If UFC BJJ truly wants to be the leading grappling organization in the world, they’ve got a lot of work to do.  That’s a big focus in this week’s episode, which we managed to record despite Matt being in South Korea for Leglock Camp with the Polish knee-wrecking crew. Next week he’s off to Japan to continue their mission of bringing high level lower-body submissions to the masses. What a life.  In this week’s episode:  The return of the world’s most exciting grappler to Polaris  UFC BJJ’s judging needs an overhaul  Why can’t UFC BJJ fill a tiny arena?  UFC BJJ champs don’t stick around for some reason  PLUS: Old school coaching persists, and it sucks 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 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | If we asked you to write a list of companies looking to sponsor grapplers, there is little chance you would have thought of who just signed a major deal with jiu-jitsu / MMA crossover stars the Ruotolo brothers. The happy-go-lucky surf-skate-fight loving twins just landed a sponsorship from a major, major MAJOR corporate company: we're talking a blue-chip, globally-known, decades-old megacorp. If it's not the biggest sponsorship deal we've ever seen, we'd be very surprised indeed. Also in this episode: Polaris 39 recap, results and behind the scenes Sportsmanship is not dead! IBJJF No-Gi Pans: the return of Andre Galvao Why are people turning down big money paydays? Smoothcomp announces Gymdesk partnership and new apps (sponsored section) Ruotolo bros score MASSIVE mind-blowing sponsorship deal Jiu-jitsu designer collabs with a world-famous rock band 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 or Spotify Podcasts.  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 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | We are not squeamish here at Unknown Pressures, we’ve had our fair share of serious injuries (and even dealt a few out, but that’s another story). The recent arm break at UFC BJJ left us saddened, not just for the injury itself, but for what happened after.  A 16-year-old making his UFC BJJ debut had his arm snapped in a nasty kimura, and the resulting clip of his injury went viral with over 5million views on the UFC BJJ page alone. It raises questions about sportsmanship in jiu-jitsu – or, more correctly, the lack of. We tackle this issue and much more in today’s episode.  In Episode 50 of Unknown Pressures:  Matt calls in from a mansion just hours ahead of Polaris 39 UFC BJJ recap: We analyze Mikey vs Bryce Mitchell and Mason Fowler vs Nicky Rod  The arm break and what’s wrong with jiu-jitsu right now  Why titles don’t guarantee you a shot on professional events  Whipping people at promotions: harmless ritual or outdated tradition?  Episode 50 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