Gibran's Place

BEST OF: Ep. 10 - 20

Best of episodes 10-20, featuring favorite moments from our earlier episodes. **SHOWNOTES ** 1:00 - Mikey Hothi 3:20 - Salaiman Ahmadyar 10:00 - The beginners panel 18:31 - Tyler Brey 22:37 - Mikhail Venikov 30:00 - Chris Campbell, Silver Medalist, Wrestling, Barcelona 1992 43:40 - Pedro Silva 48:23 - Franklin Suarez 57:10 - Keith Day 1:05:00 - Manny Moreno 1:10:00 - Urijah Faber

#31 - Elizabeth Katherine Mitrović

Elizabeth Katherine Foster Mitriovic is the newly crowned Brown Belt female super-heavyweight world champion at 2018 IBJJF Gi Worlds. She is also an entomologist by trainer and a dedicated gamer for Warhammer 40k. We talk all things jiu jitsu, competition, dedication to her craft, and a bit of science and gaming too. Finally, we end with a note on how Liz has thrived as a woman in male dominated spaces. SHOWNOTES Intro 2:31 - Bugs 7:31 - Take us through your matches 15:00 - Keeping a...

BONUS: Shooting the Sh*t w/ Mansher "Pop" Khera

Shooting the sh*t with Mansher before shooting Ep. 27.

#30 - Sara McMann & Chad Bingham

Sara McMann is the first American woman to win a silver medal in wrestling at the Athens Olympics in 2004. She is also a UFC fighter in the Bantamweight division, a perennial top 5 contender in her division. Chad Bingham is a black belt from Alliance Jiu Jitsu, and has medalled or won at multiple prominent tournaments over the years. Together we talk about how they met, moving to Sacramento to fight under Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male, the differences between wrestling and jiu jitsu, and g...

#29 - Seth Daniels

Seth Daniels is the CEO and founder of Fight to Win Promotions. He is also a black belt in Judo and Jiu Jitsu.

#28 - Marcos "Yemaso" Torregosa

LJJ # 28 - Marcos “Yemaso” Torregosa is an American Black belt in Jiu Jitsu. He is the owner of Yemaso Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a frequent competitor on the IBJJ and super-fight stage, husband, father, and family man. He is a dedicated coach and competitor and manages the day to day administration of his gym as well. Join us as we talk about opening his academy, traveling to compete, and the “rat race” that folks can get caught up in. INTRO - The Newly crowned king of Tokyo 14:30 - The rat ra...

#27 - Dustin Akbari & Mansher "Pop" Khera

Dustin Akbari is the head of the BJJ and grappling program at Team Alpha Male and Mansher Khera is a Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who has recently arrived in Sacramento to begin training for his MMA debut under the TAM banner. Join us as we talk about Mansher's transition from BJJ to MMA, Dustin's views on championship mentality, and their own stories about coming to America. SHOWNOTES INTRO 4:00 - Urijah x Miyao and the dad bod pictures 8:00 - The differences between East & ...

#26 - The Blue Belt Panel

Three blue belts from different walks of life talk about everything training, competing, and living the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. The panel includes Mitchell Torres and Nsima Inyang of Cassio Werneck Jiu Jitsu, as well as Katie Dees of Ralph Gracie Sacramento. INTRO 6:20 - How do you make jits work with lifting? 13:00 - Balancing jits with work and family 17:00 - Wrestling camp sucked 32:00 - After my first competition I started seeing more submissions in sparring 38:00 - I don’t really...

#25 - Christella Garcia, 2016 Paralympic Judo Bronze Medalist (USA)

Christella Garcia is an American Judo player and a two time Paralympian, London 2012 and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games where she earned a bronze medal in Judo. We talk about her journey in Judo and the Paralympics, getting ready for competition, taking losses and enjoying victories ***INTRO *** 1:30 - There are some people that think that blindness is the worst disability you can have, but I can tell everything your about to do. 6:00 - I knew I would be on that medal stand. 10:30 - Leading...

#24 - Eliot Kelly

Black belt. Gym owner. ADCC veteran. Family man. Eliot Kelly.

#23 - Manny Ray Gonzalez

Manny Ray Gonzalez is an American Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and owner of Ralph Gracie Sacramento.

#22 - Chris Leben

SHOWNOTES: INTRO 7:00 - Wrestling is still the best training for MMA 11:00 - “Randy couture and Matt Lindland are kicking the shit out of each other in the garage” “I’m on my way” 13:00 - Team Quest started out of a used car lot 14:00 - There was more adults riding Huffy's than kids 18:00 - On Chael - I’ve never wrestled with anybody better 28:00 - The winner of each fight had to be predetermined 34:00 - Withdrawing before the Brian Stann fight 37:00 - The first season of The Ult...

#21 - Cassio Werneck

Cassio Werneck is a multiple time World & Pan American Champion. He has awarded 46 black belts and has been training and competing for 26 years.

#20 - Urijah Faber

Urijah Faber is a retired Mixed Martial Arts fighter and a Hall of Fame inductee for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Faber is a pioneer of the sport of MMA, and was critical to establishing the lower weight classes. Retired from fighting, Faber is now focused on coaching his stable of fighters under the Team Alpha Male banner. He is also an actor, published author, and entrepreneur, owning several businesses around Sacramento. SHOWNOTES: INTRO 2:30 - See a need, fill a need 3:...

#19 - Manny Moreno

Manny Moreno is a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu, an instructor at Ares BJJ Rocklin, and a first generation immigrant. Manny's kind character does not detract from his fierce competitive spirit or his tenacity on the mat, having recently won a match he was losing badly by choking his opponent unconscious in the last second of competition.

#18 - Keith Day

Keith Day, Black Belt, Bruda's Jiu Jitsu

UFC Winnipeg & No Gi Worlds 2018 Wrap-up

Host Gibran Maciel and Keith Day (BJJ Black Belt - Bruda's Jiu Jitsu) break down the UFC Winnipeg fight night and discuss their teammates performance from Team Alpha Male at No-Gi Worlds. Lookout later this week for the full episode with Keith Day!

# 17 - Franklin Suarez

Franklin Suarez is a #father, #fashion #photographer and a #purplebelt in #JiuJitsu. Join us as we talk about how his artistic instincts led him to the gentle art.

BEST OF - Episodes 1-10

Best of Episodes 1 - 10

UFC 218 Post Fight

UFC 218 Post Fight Text write up at www.lifeandjiujitsu.com

#16 - Pedro Silva

Pedro Silva is a first generation Brazilian-American and a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu under Sacramento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fight Academy - Team Maxwell. He also currently teaches jiu jitsu for law enforcement officers - showing them the skills they need to succeed in hand to hand combat. A highly respected member of the jiu jitsu community, Pedro rounds out his training with weight lifting and movement exercises. He is also an avid skateboarder - saying that is how he learned the strength and...

#15 - Christopher Campbell

Christopher Lundy Campbell is the oldest United States' wrestler to medal in the Olympic Games. When he won his Olympic Bronze in 1992 he was a month away from his 38th birthday. Campbell would have likely won the Olympic Gold in 1980, however, the Carter Administration's boycott of the Olympics kept him from competing. He would go on to win the world championship in 1981 proving he was in fact the best in the world at the time. Christopher fought racism and injuries to get on the mat. He ...

#14 - Veterans Day Special W/ Mikhail Venikov

Mikhail Venikov is a former US Army Ranger, a professional MMA fighter and currently serves as a peace officer. Mikhail is also the founder of Ranger Road, a non-profit that helps Vets find camaraderie and support through outdoor adventures and group activities.

UFC 217 Post Fight

UFC 217 post fight breakdown, analysis & thoughts.

#13 - Tyler Brey

Tyler Brey is a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu, a wrestler, and an amateur bodybuilder and powerlifter. Born with Spina Bifida, Tyler lacks full control of his legs but has not let that stop him from accomplishing his goals on or off the mat.

#12 - Beginners Panel

The beginners panel! A conversation with three beginners to Jiu Jitsu, Michael Marteen, Eder Y. Flores, Blake Flow, as we talk about why they started, what keeps them motivated and how they balance Jiu Jitsu with their daily life. You won’t want to miss this episode!

#11 - Salaiman Ahmadyar, "The Cutthroat Assassin"

Salaiman Ahmadyar "The Cutthroat Assassin" is a 5-0 professional MMA fighter out of Team Alpha Male. Coming off of an impressive victory, Salaiman stops by to discuss fighting and grappling, recovering from jaw cancer, and what it means to be cutthroat.

#10 - Mikey Hothi

Mikey Singh Hothi is a brown belt at the Nick Diaz Academy in Lodi. He is also the District Director for an elected official in Sacramento, acting as their primary surrogate to the community. Pictured here giving an official state recognition to Nate Diaz, Mikey has successfully navigated the waters in fighting and in politics, two scenes which could not be further apart. He is well rounded as a rule, spending time doing yoga and rock climbing in addition to jiu jitsu and a packed social ca...

#9 - Ryan Johnson (Re-Upload W/ Full Audio)

Ryan Johnson is a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu, a third year medical student and an officer in the United States Navy. He is also a years long friend of mine. I caught up with him on a recent trip to Las Vegas. Pictured here with his spirit animal, he is on the left.

#8 - "Spicy" Jonny Goh

"Spicey" Jonny Goh is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu and a veteran of the early days of MMA. Jonny shares stories with us about unsanctioned fights at rodeos, being evacuated from Egypt after the 2013 coup d'etat, and together we reflect on the nature of "live" martial arts vs. traditional arts.

#7 - Davin Maxwell

Davin Maxwell is a lifelong grappler, beginning his training at the age of five under the tutelage of his father, Terry Maxwell. Together they run Sacramento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fight Academy - Team Maxwell. For Davin, grappling is a family affair. He received his black belt under Cassio Werneck in 2013 and cross trained in Judo and Wrestling as well. He is also one of my favorite people I have met doing Jiu Jitsu.

#6 - Amir Kazemi

Amir Kazemi is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and an amateur MMA fighter with a 4-1 record. Immigrating from his native Iran in 2010 at 14 years old, he is slowly coming out of his shell and blossoming into a charming and charismatic professional MMA fighter. You heard it here first, this kid is going to the top of the sport. Tune in TOMORROW for our SIXTH episode with Amir Kazemi!

#5 - Vlad & paul

Vlad & Paul are United States Probation Officers, training partners, and friends. Together they push each other on and off the mat. They help each other balance their commitment to family, country, and jiu jitsu.

#4 - David Mitchell

David Mitchell is a NoGi IBJJF brown belt world champion and a veteran of the UFC. He has recently focused on grappling full time, with several notable wins to show for it. Join us tomorrow at 6pm (Pacific) as we preview his upcoming Jiu Jitsu super fight with Submission Pro Tour.

Two Week Recap, New Studio & More

#3 - Bill "The Grill" Cooper

Bill "The Grill" Cooper is the youngest American to receive a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Though talented, he has overcome tremendous adversity to make his mark in martial arts. Join us TOMORROW as we talk to a legend in the sport and discuss his newest venture, Goodland Jiu-Jitsu

#2 - Joy & Liz, Grapple Twins

Joy Ann Pendell and Elizabeth Katherine Foster are both high level grapplers who found their way to Jiu Jitsu for their own reasons. They push each other on the mat and are best of friends off the mat. Joy runs a beekeeping operation in rural Stonyford, CA and Elizabeth teaches a women's only BJJ class at Urijah Fabers Ultimate Fitness as well as introduction to BJJ. She is also a black belt in Hapkido.

#1 - Matt Betzold

Matt Betzold is a professional MMA fighter and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is also missing his left leg just above the knee. He is a champion in fighting and a champion in life, with a remarkably good attitude about the whole thing.