BJJ Balance

Jiu-Jitsu is booming… but is it actually moving in the right direction? In this episode of BJJ Balance, we dive into why modern jiu-jitsu might be losing casual fans, why the UFC’s approach to grappling feels off, and why names like Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones are still carrying the entire conversation. We talk: Why leg-lock heavy matches are hard for casual viewers Gordon Ryan’s legacy, teaching...

The first episode of 2026 is here — and we’re locking in. In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we talk about injuries, mindset, faith, jiu-jitsu culture, discipline, and why 2026 feels different than any year before. From broken wrists and weight plateaus to mental resets, community, and showing up even when you’re hurt — this episode is about tightening the belt and moving forward. We dive...

In this episode of the BJJ Balance podcast, hosts Kenny and Matt discuss a variety of topics ranging from holiday preparations to unexpected encounters in their personal lives. They delve into the challenges of house hunting, share experiences from recent belt promotions in their jiu-jitsu community, and address ongoing controversies within the sport. The conversation emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode, Kenny and Matt explore the themes of brotherhood and camaraderie in sports, particularly in Jiu-Jitsu. They discuss the current state of Jiu-Jitsu competitions, the importance of promotion and production quality, and how to engage audiences effectively. The conversation also touches on the significance of creating personalities and rivalries in the sport, celebrating achievements,...

Are influencer belts and fast-tracked promotions ruining Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we dive into one of the most controversial conversations in modern grappling: the legitimacy of belt promotions in the social media era. With the rise of superfight invitations, PGF qualifiers, creator-led gyms, and viral competitors, we’re seeing more athletes promoted faster...

From Christmas light disasters and gas station nachos to the real Jiu-Jitsu GOAT debate… this episode goes everywhere. Matt and Kenny talk about maxing out ladders for “forever lights,” free knives and Jordans, Kenny’s old DJ life, celebrity Jiu-Jitsu (Tom Hardy, AC Slater, Ashton Kutcher), and then dive into who actually belongs on the BJJ Mount Rushmore. Timeline-1They break down Hodger Gracie v...

Welcome back to Episode 113 of the BJJ Balance Podcast! This Thanksgiving special is PACKED — fatherhood lessons, jiu-jitsu parenting struggles, Super Cup competition stories, celebrity black belt debates, Gordon Ryan drama, and everything in between. Whether you're listening on the road to family dinner or trying to hide from your crazy uncles, we’ve got you. In this episode, we cover:🥋 How...

In this week’s episode, Matt and Kenny go FULL CHAOS — sick-day mustaches, serial-killer ancestors, handlebar identities, WWE-style super-fights at 6am, and somehow… some of the best Jiu-Jitsu advice you’ll hear all year. This one is absolutely unhinged and absolutely BJJ Balance.🔥 In This Episode We Cover:🟦 1. The REAL Reason White Belts Quit Jiu-JitsuThe guys break down one of the most importa...

Welcome back to the BJJ Balance Podcast — where real talk meets the mats! In this wild episode, Kenny and Matt dive deep into everything from training injuries and peptide recovery to midlife career shifts, the return of Craig Jones Invitational 3, and Ronda Rousey’s ongoing meltdown. We cover:🥋 Rib injuries, Epsom salt baths, and how to actually use BPC-157 peptides for recovery🚔 Kenny’s shocki...

From Christmas chaos and dad jokes to Ronda Rousey calling out Joe Rogan, this episode takes a hilarious and brutally honest dive into life, jiu-jitsu, and manhood. Kenny and Matt talk about what it means to chase glory in your youth vs. building longevity later in life, plus how 40-year-olds can train BJJ while balancing work and family. But it doesn’t stop there—things get wild with listener “Wo...

Halloween might be the #1 sex night of the year (fight us 😅). We kick off with spicy Halloween takes, then break down UFC heavyweight chaos (Aspinall vs Gane, Jon Jones, Alex Pereira), the Mackenzie Dern title win and a potential Ronda Rousey comeback. We also unpack the Craig Jones / B-Team split, and finish our Blue Belt → Purple Belt arc: dirty-blue mindset, learning speed, half-guard game, pr...

In this episode of BJJ Balance, Kenny and Mat kick things off with a hilarious talk about beards, elf books, and random life tangents before diving into real-world jiu-jitsu topics that every grappler can relate to. They talk training motivation, diet struggles, favorite foods, and how gaming actually parallels jiu-jitsu progress. Then, the guys tackle listener questions about ego on the mats, com...

In this episode of BJJ Balance, we continue the Blue Belt Survival Guide series — diving deep into what it really takes to grow at blue belt. We talk about hitting plateaus, dealing with burnout, and finding ways to break through the “Blue Belt Blues.” 💪From training stories with JB, to wild real-life encounters, MMA debates about Alex Pereira, Jon Jones, and pound-for-pound greatness — this epis...

In Episode 106 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny and Mat mix internet chaos with jiu-jitsu wisdom. From wild OnlyFans headlines and MMA/BJJ news to throwback 90s arcade nostalgia, this episode blends serious talk, laughs, and listener-submitted questions from the community.🔥 Highlights:Internet culture, MMA drama, and BJJ news updatesHilarious 90s nostalgia and arcade-era storiesReal listener que...

In this episode of BJJ Balance, we kick off our Blue Belt Survival Guide series by tackling one of the toughest phases in jiu jitsu: the infamous Blue Belt Blues. Mat (second-degree black belt) and Kenny (blue belt with four stripes) dive deep into the mindset, struggles, and breakthroughs that define this belt rank. From handling competition nerves, ego battles, and rolling etiquette to developin...

In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny and Mat dive into a mix of laughs, stories, and jiu-jitsu insights. From the latest Moneyberg controversy in the BJJ community to raw conversations about coaching philosophy, training updates, and competition prep, we cover it all. We also get into merchandise preorders, podcast growth, and social media criticism—plus some hilarious tangents about...

After a conversation with Craig Jones, we couldn’t help but imagine what the craziest version of CJI 3 (Craig Jones Invitational 3) might look like. While nothing official has been announced, this episode is all about dreaming big, speculating boldly, and building the wildest grappling event possible. From regional team rivalries and Olympic-style formats to super fights, charity matches, and over...

Do you really deserve your blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? 🤔 In the final part of our White Belt Survival Guide, we dig into the mindset, skills, and consistency every white belt needs before leveling up. From promotion readiness and pressure passing, to overcoming impostor syndrome and dealing with disappointment, this episode covers what it takes to truly earn that next belt. Mat (2nd-degree...

🔥 The Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) went down this weekend, and the jiu-jitsu world is buzzing with controversy. From shocking calls to heated debates, this event has everyone talking. In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we break down all the drama, the matches that stole the show, and why this competition might change the future of professional grappling. We cover:The biggest CJI 2...

🔥 Episode 100 of the BJJ Balance Podcast is here! 🔥To celebrate 100 episodes, we took on the Hot Ones Hot Sauce Wing Challenge while answering your listener-submitted Jiu Jitsu questions. From Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and belt progression to life on the mats, fatherhood, and everything in between — we cover it all while our mouths are on fire. 🌶️🍗This episode is packed with laughs, pain,...

In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we dive into the white belt journey—covering mindset, training strategies, and the struggles every beginner faces on the mats. From the unique atmosphere of big man class to learning how to adapt jiu-jitsu for size and strength, Kenny shares personal experiences while Mat offers black belt-level insight on what really matters at this stage. We also discu...

This episode is packed with controversy, laughs, and pure jiu-jitsu chaos. We break down the CJI 2 team format drama — should the winning squad get an asterisk thanks to the wildcard athlete rule? We debate the legitimacy of the victory, the impact on team strategy, and how the format could evolve. Then we dive into the PGF match between Rafael Fiera and Nick Soff that’s got the internet buzzing —...

Welcome to Episode 97 of the BJJ Balance Podcast! In this first installment of our White Belt Survival Guide, we cover everything a beginner needs to know to thrive on the mats. From surviving those first tough months of training to understanding key positions, submissions, and mindset tips, this episode is your roadmap to starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the right way. We share what coaches actually...

In Episode 96 of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we break down how wild card athletes are shaking up the jiu-jitsu team format. With CJ’s rules allowing each team to bring in outside competitors, gyms are suddenly partnering with athletes who don’t normally train under their banner—and it’s changing the dynamics of competition entirely. We also dive into what this means for team loyalty, athlete developm...

Craig Jones has officially left B-Team — what does this mean for the future of one of the most influential figures in jiu-jitsu? Is B-Team about to rebrand, collapse, or evolve into something new? We break it all down and give our thoughts on where Craig might be headed next. We also dive into the “Brown Belt is the Villain Belt” conversation — is this belt where the ego grows or where the biggest...