The Grapplezilla Podcast

Grapplezilla
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Grappling, Wrestling, BJJ, Sambo, Judo, MMA, Chidaoba, Bokh, Catch Wrestling, Shooto, SSireum and more. We live and breathe everything about the Grappling arts. The history, the inside stories, and the tips that will make you a better grappler and a better human being. Now what makes our podcast different is we can veer off into unexpected territory and like a bunch of guys in the Wrestling team locker room, just have fun too! So come listen to our podcast and enjoy! The Grapplezilla Podcast.....Grab, Throw, Tap!

  1. 2d ago

    #75 - Kenny Johnson - Iranian Zurkaneh Clubs, Coaching UFC & Wrestling

    Kenny Johnson, known as Bolt Wrestling, returns to the Grapplezilla Podcast. He is a Dan Gable-coached Iowa wrestler, a two-time BJJ black belt, a Black House MMA coach and the Olympic wrestling coach for the Bahamas. This time he talks about his new training tool, Bolt Zurkaneh club handles that screw onto a water bottle. In this episode, Kenny explains the 45 years of club swinging behind the product, why he built a portable alternative to traditional wooden clubs, and what he has learned coaching fighters at the highest level of MMA and wrestling. 🥋 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • How the Iron Sheik inspired Kenny to start swinging clubs as a kid • How the Bolt zurkaneh handles turn a water bottle into a travel-friendly training club • Why club swinging builds shoulder, grip and full-range strength, and how it differs from dumbbells • How Kenny survived a 20-foot mountain bike fall with the clubs in his backpack • What he is building as Olympic wrestling coach for the Bahamas, including a coach certification program • Why he thinks coach education could change US wrestling • The "chasing the ghost" mindset he took from Dan Gable • What it takes to coach UFC fighters, and why he says "the training is the drug" 🌎 ABOUT THE GUEST Kenny Johnson is a wrestling and MMA coach who says he has worked with 33 UFC champions. He wrestled at the University of Iowa under Dan Gable and is a gold-certified USA Wrestling coach. 🔗 LINKS Bolt Zurkaneh on Instagram: @bolt.zurkhaneh  Bolt Wrestling on Instagram: @boltwrestling  Grapplezilla store: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ 👍 If you enjoyed this, like and subscribe to help the show grow and bring on more great guests. Grab, throw, tap. #Wrestling #MMA #Grapplezilla #zurkaneh #zurkaneh #kennyjohnson #mmapodcast #blackhousemma #iowawrestling

    #75 - Kenny Johnson - Iranian Zurkaneh Clubs, Coaching UFC & Wrestling

  2. 6d ago

    #74 - Farrukh Niyazimbetov | Turon Explained: Uzbekistan's Combat Sport Going Global

    Turon is Uzbekistan's national combat sport, with roots going back to the era of Amir Timur. Farrukh Niyazimbetov, president of the International Turon Federation, joins the Grapplezilla Podcast to explain how it works and how he's taking it global. In this episode, Farrukh breaks down how Turon blends striking, throws, and submissions, and why the rules push constant action. He also covers how the International Turon Federation grew to 35 member countries and where the sport goes next. 🥋 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • Where Turon comes from and how Amir Timur used competition to pick his strongest soldiers • How Bahodir Saidov developed the modern rules in 1991, and how Turon became an official sport in Uzbekistan in 1992 • How scoring works: throws, chokes, arm bars, leg locks, and wrist locks • The grip and uniform rules, and why referees penalize passivity • Why both fighters get a warning when one steps out of the mat • Habits wrestlers, jiu-jitsu players, and kickboxers have to unlearn to compete • How Turon compares to Kurash and combat sambo • The plan for pro Turon, the Arnold Sports Festival, the Olympics, and the Asian Games 🌎 ABOUT THE GUEST Farrukh Niyazimbetov is the president of the International Turon Federation (ITF), established in June 2025 and headquartered in New York City. He is a seven-time Uzbekistan champion, an Asian champion, and an international gold medalist in Turon. 🔗 LINKS Turon website: https://www.itf-turon.com/ Farrukh on Instagram: @farruxniyazimbetov Grapplezilla store: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ 👍 If you enjoyed this, like and subscribe to help the show grow and bring on more great guests. Got a question? Drop it in the comments. Grab, throw, tap. #Turon #Grapplezilla #MartialArts #grappling #uzbekistan #uzbek

    #74 - Farrukh Niyazimbetov | Turon Explained: Uzbekistan's Combat Sport Going Global

  3. Oct 20

    #73 - Jewish Wrestling Champions of the USSR: The Untold History of Soviet Wrestling

    In the Soviet Union, "Line 5" (pyataya grafa) on your internal passport listed your ethnic nationality. If it said "Jewish," it could quietly close doors to university spots, job promotions, and career ceilings for your entire life. But there was one place in the USSR where a bureaucrat with a stamp and a quota couldn't touch you: the wrestling mat. Because a pin is a pin, and either your back touches the ground or it doesn't. In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we break down the extraordinary history of the Jewish wrestlers and coaches who didn't just survive the brutal Soviet sports pipeline (Dynamo, CSKA, Spartak, Burevestnik)—they dominated it and built the technical infrastructure still used at the highest levels of Olympic grappling today. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro: "Line 5" & The Only Objective Proving Ground in the USSR 1:10 The Soviet Wrestling Machine (Dynamo, CSKA, Spartak, Burevestnik) 2:34 Boris Maksovich Gurevich: The First Soviet Olympic Wrestling Champion (1952) 3:42 Yakov Punkin: From 80-Lb WWII POW Survivor to Olympic Gold 5:16 Grigory Gamarnik: Champion & 20-Year Architect of Ukrainian Greco-Roman 6:21 Oleg Karavaev: Master of Pace, Tempo & Impenetrable Defense 7:12 Boris Mikhaylovich Gurevich: 1968 Gold & The UN Statue Legend 8:45 Aleksandr Kolchinsky: The 2x Olympic Super-Heavyweight King 9:55 The Architects: Mikhail Mirsky, David Rudman (Sambo-70) & Valentin Kalika 11:25 The Technical Legacy: 2-on-1 Russian Tie, Folk Setups & Pace Control 11:56 The 1990s Aliyah Wave: Carrying the System to Israel 13:50 The Honor Roll Across 11 Time Zones 15:17 Why This Legacy Still Matters Today on the Mat 💬 Drop a comment below: Which of these stories stood out to you the most—Yakov Punkin’s comeback from captivity, or the coaching tree that still dominates wrestling rooms today? Let me know what wrestling history topic we should cover next! 🔔 Subscribe to Grapplezilla for deep dives into wrestling history, global grappling disciplines, and combat sports biomechanics. Until next time—Grab, Throw, Tap!If you want to get some AWESOME Grapplezilla merch, check out our Grapplezilla Store in the link below: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ If you would like to support the Grapplezilla Podcast and buy me a coffee, I’ll leave a link below as any support is always appreciated: https://buymeacoffee.com/grapplezilla #WrestlingHistory #SovietWrestling #GrecoRoman #FreestyleWrestling #OlympicWrestling #Sambo #Grappling #Grapplezilla #history #jewishhistory #jews #jewish #soviethistory #ussrwrestling #jewishathletes #jewishwrestler

    #73 - Jewish Wrestling Champions of the USSR: The Untold History of Soviet Wrestling

  4. Oct 15

    #72 - Sambo Steve - The American Sambo Master of Sport: Unlocking Soviet Grappling Secrets #sambo

    Sambo Steve Koepfer reveals why the smartest grapplers are thinking about throws, grips, and transitions all wrong. If you train jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, or combat sambo, this conversation will change how you see stand-up, breakfalls, and the moment a strike becomes a takedown. Stephen Koepfer is the founder and head coach of New York Combat Sambo, one of the earliest U.S. Sambo academies, operating in New York City since 2003.  He is a Master of Sport of Russia in Combat Sambo, president of the American Sambo Association, co-founder of Breakfall Studios, and a stunt performer and action designer whose work has appeared in John Wick 2, John Wick 3, Hunters, and The Blacklist. We break down the evolution of American Sambo from the late 90s to the Fedor-era explosion, including how Combat Sambo became an official sport and why timing mattered so much for the growth of the art. Stephen also tells the full story behind earning his Russian Master of Sport title as an American, including the on-the-mat testing, the old-school coaches watching, and the moment that sealed the credential.In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Combat Sambo rewards finish-fast thinking instead of point-fighting habits The biggest mistake jiu-jitsu athletes make when closing distance under striking pressure How Sambo grips translate from kurtka to no-gi, and what simply does not transfer Why the Achilles grip matters more than the heel hook in real leg entanglement strategy How Stephen uses sweep mechanics to teach throws to jiu-jitsu players who think they “can’t throw” What stunt performers and actors must learn to make a fight scene look brutal without getting injured Stephen also shares what makes John Wick’s grappling feel authentic, how Breakfall Studios turns martial arts knowledge into screen action, and why teaching fight choreography is really about preserving story, structure, and safety at the same time. If you love technical grappling, Soviet training methods, or the hidden mechanics behind movie fight scenes, this one is packed with real-world insight. Perfect for grapplers who want better stand-up, coaches who want smarter training methods, and anyone obsessed with the intersection of martial arts, film, and old-school combat systems. Here are Sambo Steve’s social media account where you can find him online: Instagram: @sambosteve YouTube: @sambosteveYouTube: @FilmFightsFriendsPod  URL: ussambo.com If you want to get some AWESOME Grapplezilla merch, check out our Grapplezilla Store in the link below: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ If you would like to support the Grapplezilla Podcast and buy me a coffee, I’ll leave a link below as any support is always appreciated: https://buymeacoffee.com/grapplezilla   Also, if you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to Grapplezilla’s YouTube channel for more great Grappling and Wrestling content updated regularly. Until next time…Grab, Throw, Tap! #sambo #sambosteve #sambopodcast #usasambo #ussambo #nycsambo #grappling #grapplingpodcast #grapplezilla

    #72 - Sambo Steve - The American Sambo Master of Sport: Unlocking Soviet Grappling Secrets #sambo

  5. Oct 14

    #71 - Holly Anne Frazier -From the Dental Office to the Sambo World Championships | #sambo #girlpower

    The hardest part of training isn’t the throw—it’s getting to the gym after a brutal workday. Holly Ann Frazier knows that challenge firsthand.  A root canal assistant by day and elite Sambo and judo competitor by night, Holly shares how discipline, community support, and countless hours on the mat took her to the 2025 Sambo World Championships in Kyrgyzstan. In this Grapplezilla Podcast episode, Holly talks about balancing work, school, and world-class competition—and what it meant to carry the support of her community onto the international stage.  She also breaks down the tactical differences between judo and Sambo, including grip fighting, the Georgian grip, drop seoi nage, and harai-goshi. In this episode, Holly discusses: How she balanced a demanding job with elite-level training Crowdfunding her path to international competition What she learned competing at Pan Americans and the Sambo World Championships How she adapts her game across judo, Sambo, and MMA-influenced training Grip-fighting strategy and the adjustments that can decide a match Managing nerves with music, warm-ups, and competition routines The growth of American Sambo and the women helping move the sport forward The athletes and coaches who inspire her development Whether you’re a grappler, martial artist, combat sports fan, or someone working toward an ambitious goal, Holly’s story offers an honest look at the persistence behind competing on the world stage. Subscribe to the Grapplezilla Podcast for more conversations about grappling, martial arts, and the people shaping combat sports. Here is Holly Anne Frazier’s social media account where you can find her online: Instagram: @hawleee_ If you want to get some AWESOME Grapplezilla merch, check out our Grapplezilla Store in the link below: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ If you would like to support the Grapplezilla Podcast and buy me a coffee, I’ll leave a link below as any support is always appreciated: https://buymeacoffee.com/grapplezilla   Also, if you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to Grapplezilla’s YouTube channel for more great Grappling and Wrestling content updated regularly. Until next time…Grab, Throw, Tap! #sambo #judo #usasambo #ussambo #usjudo #usajudo #bjj #womensbjj #grappling #grapplingpodcast #sambopodcast #sambousa #hollyannefrazier #jiujitsupodcast #bjjpodcast #girlpower

    #71 - Holly Anne Frazier -From the Dental Office to the Sambo World Championships | #sambo #girlpower

  6. Oct 11

    #70 - Francis Pana - ADCC, Felipe Pena & Crushing Top Pressure - Grapplezilla - #adcc #jiujitsu #grappling

    Francis Pignoti Pana joins the Grapplezilla Podcast for a deep dive into ultra-heavyweight no-gi grappling, elite competition, pressure passing, and the mindset required to perform on the sport’s biggest stages. From his early days training under Brazilian Top Team to representing Homa BJJ in Montreal, Francis shares the story behind his rise in jiu-jitsu. He breaks down his world championship run, lessons from competing at ADCC, the influence of boxing on his stand-up game, and how he developed a crushing top-pressure style built around control, patience, and exhaustion. We also get into his experience facing elite competitors including Felipe Pena and Luke Griffith, the evolution of heavyweight leg-lock defense, recovery for older athletes, cross-training, coaching, gratitude, and why he believes more men need to prioritize fitness. If you love Brazilian jiu-jitsu, no-gi grappling, ADCC, heavyweight pressure passing, wrestling, combat sports, or the mentality behind high-level competition, this episode is for you. In this episode:- Francis Pignoti Pana’s journey from France to Canada- Brazilian Top Team, Homa BJJ, and building a no-gi game- Winning at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu- Facing Felipe Pena and competing on major stages- What Luke Griffith taught him about elite top pressure- Boxing footwork, cardio, distance management, and grappling- Heavyweight passing, guard work, and leg-lock defense- Training smarter, recovering better, and staying durable- Coaching, gym culture, brotherhood, and competitive mindset Here are Francis Pignoti Pana's social media account where you can find him online: Instagram: @francopana_combateYouTube:  @francopana_combate  Threads:  @francopana_combate  If you want to get some AWESOME Grapplezilla merch, check out our Grapplezilla Store in the link below: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/If you would like to support the Grapplezilla Podcast and buy me a coffee, I’ll leave a link below as any support is always appreciated: https://buymeacoffee.com/grapplezilla Also, if you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to Grapplezilla’s YouTube channel for more great Grappling and Wrestling content updated regularly. Until next time…Grab, Throw, Tap! #grappling #bjj #jiujitsu #adcc #montrealbjj #francispignotipana #nogi #nogigrappling #bjjpodcast #jiujitsupodcast #grapplingpodcast #bjjfighter #grapplezilla

    #70 - Francis Pana - ADCC, Felipe Pena & Crushing Top Pressure - Grapplezilla - #adcc #jiujitsu #grappling

  7. Oct 9

    #69- Brett Pastore - rom New Jersey Teacher to Thai Fight Nomad - The Grapplezilla Podcast

    Brett Pastore has fought his way from a New Jersey classroom to the brutal front lines of global combat sports, and his story is as wild as his style. The American Nomad breaks down why teaching middle school felt harder than MMA, how he ended up training and living in Thailand, and what it really takes to survive across Catch Wrestling, Sambo, Combat Wrestling, Ssireum, MMA, One Championship, and bare-knuckle Lethwei. Brett is a BJJ black belt, USA Sambo national team member, 2021 Catch Wrestling lightweight world champion, and a professional MMA fighter training out of the world famous Tiger Muay Thai and MMA. In this conversation, he reveals how he blends catch wrestling pressure with jiu-jitsu guard concepts, why the “gap system” matters everywhere from turtle to guard retention, and how his aggressive, submission-hunting approach changes when strikes, headbutts, and ring ropes enter the equation. You’ll discover: - Why catch wrestling and BJJ are closer than people think - How combat Sambo and MMA overlap, especially with strikes, grips, and takedowns - What changes when leg locks meet punches - Why One Championship’s rule set and ring create completely different problems - How Brett adapts to wildly different rule sets without losing his core game Brett also shares the story of taking an eight-week camp into bare-knuckle Lethwei against a world champion in Myanmar, what he learned from getting outmuscled and cut open in hostile territory, and why fighting in a ring can be far stranger than fighting in a cage. Along the way, he and the host dig into rule differences, back-of-the-head strikes, folkstyle vs freestyle wrestling, Korean Ssireum, and the technical details that separate great grapplers from great MMA fighters.If you care about high-level grappling, MMA strategy, or the mindset of a fighter who’s lived the real nomad life, this one delivers. Essential listening for wrestlers, jiu-jitsu players, and anyone who wants a brutally honest look at what works when the rules stop being theoretical. Here is Brett Pastore’s social media account where you can find him online: Instagram: @brettpastore.americannomad If you want to get some AWESOME Grapplezilla merch, check out our Grapplezilla Store in the link below: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ If you would like to support the Grapplezilla Podcast and buy me a coffee, I’ll leave a link below as any support is always appreciated: https://buymeacoffee.com/grapplezilla Also, if you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to Grapplezilla’s YouTube channel for more great Grappling and Wrestling content updated regularly. Until next time…Grab, Throw, Tap! #tigermuaythai #mma #mmafighter #mmapodcast #sambo #bjj #jiujitsu #mmatips #brettpastore #onechampionship #onefc #ufc #podcast #grapplezilla

    #69- Brett Pastore - rom New Jersey Teacher to Thai Fight Nomad - The Grapplezilla Podcast

  8. Oct 6

    #68 - Ivan Vasylchuk - Sambo World Champion, Judoka and BJJ Blackbelt - Grapplezilla Podcast

    The difference between winning and fading in grappling often comes down to one idea: one stance, one grip, one throw.  Ukrainian Sambo world champion Ivan Vasylchuk reveals the brutally simple system behind elite-level takedowns, submissions, and transitions, and why mastering a few fundamentals beats collecting hundreds of techniques.Ivan has won gold at the 2011 World Championships in Vilnius and the World Combat Games, holds black belts in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has built a reputation as one of the sharpest technical minds in Sambo.  But what makes this conversation special is how he breaks down world-class grappling into details you can actually use—from grip fighting and leg locks to no-gi throwing mechanics and the mindset that keeps champions dangerous. You'll discover: Why Ivan believes rules matter more than people realize and how they shape 60% of a match The real biomechanics behind the Achilles lock and the common mistakes that kill finishing power How to adapt throws for no-gi, including where to grip when the jacket is gone Why Sambo, judo, and BJJ all reward different pace, pressure, and stance choices How he trains transitions from standing to ground so attack never stops after the takedown Ivan also explains how changing judo rules reshaped the sport, why some grapplers are better off learning fewer techniques better, and how the best competitors control not just the body, but the opponent's decision-making. He shares the coaching philosophy he inherited from Gennady Horokhov, the tactical lessons from silver-medal finishes, and the psychological edge every serious grappler should study. If you care about standup dominance, ruthless efficiency, or making your top game instantly more dangerous, this episode gives you a masterclass from a true international champion. Perfect for Sambo players, Judokas, BJJ competitors, and MMA grapplers who want practical answers, not theory. Grapplezilla hosts the conversation, and Ivan Vasylchuk  brings the experience, precision, and championship-level insight. If you want to understand how elite grapplers think, move, and finish, hit play now. Here are Ivan Vasylchuk’s social media account where you can find him online: Instagram: @ivanvasylchuk_sp Instagram: @vasylchuk_academy  YouTube: @IvanVasylchuk_silapartera Facebook: @SilaParteraIvanVasylchuk URL: https://www.silapartera.com/ URL: https://gpp.silapartera.com/ If you want to get some AWESOME Grapplezilla merch, check out our Grapplezilla Store in the link below: https://grapplezilla-shop.fourthwall.com/ If you would like to support the Grapplezilla Podcast and buy me a coffee, I’ll leave a link below as any support is always appreciated: https://buymeacoffee.com/grapplezilla   Also, if you enjoyed this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we invite you to subscribe to Grapplezilla’s YouTube channel for more great Grappling and Wrestling content updated regularly. Until next time…Grab, Throw, Tap!

    #68 - Ivan Vasylchuk - Sambo World Champion, Judoka and BJJ Blackbelt - Grapplezilla Podcast
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About

Grappling, Wrestling, BJJ, Sambo, Judo, MMA, Chidaoba, Bokh, Catch Wrestling, Shooto, SSireum and more. We live and breathe everything about the Grappling arts. The history, the inside stories, and the tips that will make you a better grappler and a better human being. Now what makes our podcast different is we can veer off into unexpected territory and like a bunch of guys in the Wrestling team locker room, just have fun too! So come listen to our podcast and enjoy! The Grapplezilla Podcast.....Grab, Throw, Tap!

Information

  • Creator
    Grapplezilla
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Grapplezilla
  • Show Website
    The Grapplezilla Podcast

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