The Grapplezilla Podcast

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!

The Grapplezilla Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Grapplezilla, with 64 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Grapplezilla hosts The Grapplezilla Podcast, a sports show with 64 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #66

  #66 - Vlad Polyanskiy - Inside Ukraine's BJJ Scene, Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones in Ukraine - Grapplezilla Podcast

  Oct 2, 20261h 16mS2

  What does it take to build a grappling life in a country at war, while balancing a demanding career, brutal training, and a completely different combat culture? Vlad Polyanskiy, known as VladXBJJ, reveals why Ukraine's jiu-jitsu scene is unlike anywhere else in Europe - and why wrestling, sambo, and old-school discipline changed his game for good. Vlad is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Michelle and Maurice Gofar at Triforce Antwerp and is a longtime grappler who split his time between Belgium and Kiev before planting his roots in Eastern Europe. In this conversation, he opens up about the jump from hobbyist jiu-jitsu in Belgium to the highly competitive, cross-training-heavy world of Ukrainian grappling, where elite wrestlers and sambo athletes force you to evolve fast. You'll discover: Why training in Ukraine feels like getting stress-tested by monsters from day one How a serious wrestling room with national champions and Olympians transformed Vlad's takedowns, movement, and overall jiu-jitsu The Soviet-style coaching mentality, where structure, repetition, and complete commitment shape the best athletes Why kids' programs often matter more than adult classes in Eastern Europe What actually transfers when judo, sambo, and wrestling athletes enter BJJ - and what gets left behind The episode also pulls back the curtain on two of the most talked-about moments in Ukrainian grappling: Craig Jones' wartime seminar in Kiev and the controversy around Gordon Ryan's attempted seminar. Vlad explains what it felt like to train, organize, and live through those moments while missiles, shelling, and daily destruction were part of normal life. This is a rare inside look at the mindset, politics, and culture shaping Eastern European grappling right now. Essential listening if you care about BJJ, wrestling, Ukraine, or how combat sports actually develop outside the Western bubble.Here are Vlad Polyanskiy’s social media accounts as well as where you can find him online: Instagram: @vladxbjj 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!

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #65

  #65 - Eric Mina - Why Your Jiu Jitsu Needs Better Stand-Up - Grapplezilla Podcast

  Sep 29, 20261h 52mS2

  Is your jiu jitsu game missing a crucial piece? Grappling Eric joins Grapplezilla to explain why weak stand-up, jumping guard, and skipping takedown fundamentals can leave grapplers exposed.In this conversation, Eric—author of Your Jiu Jitsu Is Trash—shares how judo changed his perspective on martial arts and why skills like breakfalls, grip fighting, and takedowns belong in every grappler’s toolkit. They also discuss how competition rules shape grappling, what different countries’ styles can teach us, and why solid fundamentals matter in both sport and real-world situations.In this episode: - Why jumping guard can build risky habits - How judo, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu jitsu complement one another - Why learning to fall safely matters - How rule sets influence grappling strategy - The value of takedowns, grip fighting, and top control Whether you train BJJ, judo, wrestling, or mixed martial arts, this episode is for grapplers who want a more complete game—not just more techniques. Here are Eric Mina’s social media accounts as well as where you can find him online: Instagram: @grapplingeric Facebook: @grapplingeric 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. #JiuJitsu #BJJ #Judo #Grappling #Wrestling #bjjpodcast #grapplingpodcast

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #64

  #64 - Doug Fournet - The American Sambo Pioneer: Sambo, BJ, Judo, MMA, & The Russian Grappling System

  Sep 25, 20261h 2mS2

  Doug Fournet proves why old-school grapplers still scare everyone: elite Sambo, brutal conditioning, and a mindset that makes excuses impossible. If you care about throws, leg locks, and what really works when the rules stop protecting you, this one is for you. Grapplezilla sits down with one of American combat sports' true pioneers, a longtime judoka, sambist, and MMA veteran who has represented the U.S. on some of the biggest international stages. Doug breaks down the real difference between Sambo and submission grappling, from the lightning-fast mat time that forces immediate attacks to the way international competitors keep evolving while Americans are left chasing last year's answers.You’ll discover why Sambo rewards instant transitions, how Doug built a throwing game that still works without a gi, and why Greco-Roman fundamentals gave him an edge in both jacket and no-gi worlds. He explains the windmill drop shoulder variation, the mechanics of duck unders, and the foot sweeps and hip throws that still make his game dangerous decades later.Doug also shares the hard truths behind training at the highest level: why conditioning matters more than style, how bad posture kills judo players when they cross over into Sambo, and why many BJJ habits collapse the moment a fighter can no longer rely on the guard or the rule set. We also get into the politics of scoring, the effect of leg grabs being removed from judo, and why rule changes often reward stalling instead of fighting. Then it gets personal. Doug opens up about the evolution of the Louisiana grappling scene, the rise of wrestling and jiu-jitsu in the state, the importance of breakfalls, and how training changes when your body starts keeping score. From the Battle of Brooklyn to the World Combat Games in Beijing, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons from a competitor who has lived the sport at every level. Essential listening if you love judo, Sambo, wrestling, or BJJ and want the kind of insight that only comes from someone who has spent 30+ years on the mat and still refuses to make excuses. Topics Covered: - Sambo vs. submission grappling - Judo throws and no-gi takedowns - Leg locks and rapid transitions - Greco-Roman wrestling fundamentals - Duck unders, foot sweeps, and hip throws - Conditioning for combat sports - Judo rule changes and leg grabs - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling crossover - Training longevity and injury prevention - The Louisiana grappling scene Here are Doug Fournet’s social media accounts as well as where you can find him online:Instagram: @douglasfournet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593817910288If 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! #Grapplezilla #GrapplezillaPodcast #DougFournet #AmericanSambo #CombatSambo #Sambo #RussianSambo #NoGiSambo #LouisianaGrappling #dougfournetsambo #sambolouisiana #usasambo #sambovideo #grappling

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #63

  #63 - Vlad Koulikov - The Master of Sambo Fusion: BJJ, Leg Locks & John Wick | Grapplezilla Podcast

  Sep 23, 202655 minS2

  How do you perfectly blend the devastating takedowns and leg locks of Russian Sambo with the guard and positional control of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, we sit down with absolute grappling royalty: Vlad Koulikov. Born in Moscow and trained at the legendary Sambo 70 academy, Vlad is a Master of Sport in Sambo, a BJJ Black Belt, and a Judo Black Belt. We dive deep into the creation of his signature "Sambo Fusion" system, what it was like competing in the "Wild West" days of early American submission grappling at Grapplers Quest, and how he translated authentic grappling techniques to the big screen in Hollywood blockbusters like John Wick and Salt . Whether you are looking to improve your stand-up game or want to understand the history of global grappling systems, this episode is a masterclass. Here are the Vlad Koulikov’s social media accounts as well as where you can find him online: Instagram: @vladkoulikov YouTube: @sambofusion9486 TikTok: @vladislavkoulikov Website: https://sambofusion.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!

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #62

  #62 - Santonio Thompson Jr. - Elite Wrestling, Coaching, Life and Legacy

  Sep 20, 20261h 11mS2

  The Hard Truth About Wrestling at the Highest Level in America. Greco-Roman wrestling is not just a style—it can rebuild your confidence, conditioning, and entire mindset.In this episode of the Grapplezilla Podcast, Santonio Antoine Thompson Jr.—a four-time Greco-Roman All-American, 4-A state champion, world team qualifier, and Coach of Champions—breaks down how elite upper-body wrestling shaped him as an athlete, coach, and leader. From starting wrestling in seventh grade to catching up in Greco-Roman wrestling later than most, Santonio shares the hard-earned lesson that changed everything: you do not have to be the most experienced person in the room to become dangerous. You have to believe you belong there, stay consistent, and keep showing up when the work gets brutal. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why Greco-Roman wrestling made Santonio a better folkstyle wrestler and coach - The hand-fighting, pressure, and footwork details most fans never notice - How training with national- and world-level competitors changes your mentality - Why the financial reality of wrestling is far from glamorous - How Santonio balances being a full-time coach with competing at a high level - The mindset shift that helps wrestlers recover from losses without losing themselves - Why building an identity outside of wrestling is essential for long-term success Santonio also gets honest about the grind behind the medal chase, including the long gaps between matches, the pressure of qualifying, self-funded travel, and the challenges elite wrestlers face while trying to continue competing.But the deeper message goes beyond the mat. Santonio explains how he teaches athletes to compete against the best, develop confidence, and understand that their real legacy is not just their record—it is the person they become. This conversation is perfect for wrestlers, coaches, parents, athletes, and anyone pursuing excellence while staying grounded in who they are. Santonio Antoine Thompson Jr. is a full-time wrestling coach and active competitor known as Coach of Champions. A four-time Greco-Roman All-American, he travels, runs clinics, competes in grappling, and mentors the next generation of wrestlers in North Carolina. Here are Santonio Thompson Jr.’s social media accounts as well as where you can find him online: Instagram: @coachofchampions_ Facebook: @santonio.j.thompson YouTube: @CoachOfChampionz TikTok: @coachofchampions_ 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.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Grapplezilla Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.