The Grapple Of Your Eye

Before Inoki. Before Baba. Before WrestleKingdom… there was Rikidōzan. Step into the ring with The Grapple of Your Eye as we uncover the electrifying, controversial, and ultimately tragic life of Rikidōzan — the sumo-turned-superstar who transformed professional wrestling in Japan. From his secret Korean origins to his battles with Lou Thesz, Freddie Blassie, and The...... Continue Reading →

In Episode 32 we tell the story of Väinö (aka Waino) Ketonen. The Finnish cotton mill boy who became a world champion, who stood toe-to-toe with the greatest middleweights in history, who trained Olympians and humbled carnival wrestlers — yet never played the game of showbiz wrestling. His story highlights the early days of wrestling,...... Continue Reading →

In Episode 31 we are joined by Jade Barker, We’re joined by the incredible Jade Barker — BJJ brown belt, 4th degree Taekwondo black belt, former professional MMA fighter, and all-around martial arts powerhouse. Training out of Vitor Shaolin BJJ, Jade also leads the Vespasian Security Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team and plays a big part...... Continue Reading →

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Kerry Isom from Odyssey Combat Hub — and trust us, you don’t want to miss this one! What started as a one-off White Collar charity boxing match soon snowballed into a life-changing journey through the world of combat sports. Kerry shares how stepping through the ropes...... Continue Reading →

This week on the show, we’re diving into the wild world of wrestling with second-generation pro wrestler Robbie Hagen! Robbie takes us behind the curtain with incredible stories of growing up ringside with his legendary father, Jimmy Hagen — rubbing shoulders with larger-than-life wrestling icons and living a childhood like no other. From unforgettable backstage...... Continue Reading →

In Episode 28, we sit down with UK wrestling legend The Flatliner! From wild matches around the world to appearances on TV and in movies, he’s done it all — and he’s telling us the craziest stories from his jaw-dropping career. You don’t want to miss this one! The Flatliner will next be appearing for...... Continue Reading →

In Episode 27 we sit down with Angel Verduzco, the two-time reigning and defending Snake Pit Wigan World Heavyweight Catch Wrestling Champion – and that’s just the start. 💥 He’s a BJJ Purple Belt💥 A former college folkstyle wrestler💥 Known to some as “The One Armed Bandit” – a warrior with an unmatched mindset💥 And...... Continue Reading →

In Ep. 26, we sit down with Carl Fisher—a true veteran of the martial arts world and the main man at Wimbledon BJJ. With over 30 years of experience and black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Traditional Jiu Jitsu, and Karate, Carl’s journey spans continents, combat styles, and real-world applications. He’s also a Level 1...... Continue Reading →

In Ep. 25 we chat to the legendary Seymour "Meerkatsu" Yang – the creative force behind one of BJJ’s most iconic brands - Meerkatsu! From earning his Black Belt to turning his passion for art into a global grappling phenomenon, Seymour shares the wild ride of building Meerkatsu, blending jiu-jitsu and creativity, and launching his...... Continue Reading →

In this week's episode we chat to the incredible Sarah Jones - an Army veteran, BJJ black belt, mother, coach, active competitor, university student, and a warrior living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and unstoppable grit. Tune in as we explore how she balances it all and continues to...... Continue Reading →

In this week's episode we chat to "Grizzly" Adam Wilson, a BJJ Purple belt and head of Hoplite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Southampton, England. Adam shares his BJJ journey and his vast knowledge of competition BJJ. This is one for old and new competitors to listen to as you will surely learn something! https://youtu.be/bKOY3pQMlcc

In this episode of The Grapple Of Your Eye, we dive into the incredible—and almost unbelievable—life of Milo of Croton, the strongest man of the ancient world. 🏆 Six-time Olympic wrestling champion. 🐂 The man who carried a bull on his shoulders. 🛡️ A battlefield hero draped in lion skin. 🌲 And a tragic end...... Continue Reading →

In this week's episode we chat to Tom "The HeadHunter" Higgins, the reigning and defending two-time Snake Pit Wigan Catch Wrestling World Middleweight Champion, BJJ Blackbelt, and USA National Folkstyle Wrestling Champion. He is also the man behind Wrestling Wars! https://youtu.be/Ts7g9X_nxr8

In this week's episode we chat with Mark Cocker, the British Wrestling Senior Squad Head Coach. Mark is also a former multi-time British and English freestyle wrestling champion, competing for England and Great Britain for fifteen years, as well as a 1st Dan Black Belt in Judo and a 1st Dan Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu! https://youtu.be/Cgj7IKvn0PA

In this week's episode we chat to Tayla Ford, the groundbreaking New Zealand freestyle wrestler and coach who has competed in three Commonwealth Games, winning two bronze medals and became New Zealand's female wrestling Olympian! https://youtu.be/L0xYiqFW12I

In this week's episode we chat to Finn Marshall, the 2 time reigning and defending Snake Pit Wigan World Catch Wrestling Welterweight Champion. Finn is also a former Team GB and Scotland wrestler, and coaches with the Scottish Hit Squad. https://youtu.be/JugFoeSxkAU

This week we chat to Robert Drysdale, a Brazilian-American BJJ 4th degree black belt under Léo Vieira. Drysdale is also a retired undefeated mixed martial artist and an instructor at his own Zenith Jiu Jitsu Academy. Drysdale is a multi-time World Champion who has been referred to by Vice magazine as "America's jiu-jitsu superhero", BJJ Heroes as "the most accomplished American...

Clayton Grant is a young grappler from the U.K. who is training in BJJ (Gi and Nogi), Wrestling, and Judo. Clayton is a Fighting For Autism ambassador and recently won the Paige Hall Northstar Award for his work with them. Despite his age, he has already claimed a number of medals and has experience fighting...... Continue Reading →

Trevor Birmingham is the co-founder and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu head coach of Neon Martial Arts and Fitness Centre Southampton. He is a highly decorated Sport Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo black belt. Trevor is one of few people in United Kingdom to hold a black belt in three different martial arts. From a...... Continue Reading →

In this week's episode we chat to Jon Bell, MRes, "BSc*, PGCE, PCert, FHEA, MSST. Jon is a Therapeutic and Rehabilitation sciences lecturer at Leeds Beckett University’s School of Health. He is also head of Sports medicine and performance for the GB wrestling team and has previously worked at Teesside and Moulton University. He has...... Continue Reading →

In this week's episode we chat with Bonnie Violence, one of the fastest emerging names in the U.K. female grappling scene. https://youtu.be/y4p5LFKyF5k

In this week's episode we chat to Wei "Kilo" Tran - a man whose Martials Arts journey took him from Wing Chun to Wigan! https://youtu.be/1Vy2wB25tGo

In this week's episode we investigate what impact Martial Arts might have on the focus of kids with ADHD... https://youtu.be/GLbOsm-5utE

In Episode 10 we chat to Dan "The Beast" Severn - a man who is celebrated as one of the leading pioneers of mixed martial arts and the first true world-class wrestler to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Dan is renowned for his extraordinary achievements in the early years of the UFC, becoming the...... Continue Reading →

In this week's episode we chat with Ahileas Bolovan of Ahileas' Wrestling World and Neon Martial Arts & Fitness in Southampton, England. Ahileas is an accomplished wrestler and BJJ Blackbelt who takes time with us to discuss his life as a freestyle wrestler, developing wrestling classes for all, his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu experiences, recruiting and...... Continue Reading →