Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Mica Galvao and Tainan Dalpra are the two best middleweights in the world of gi jiu-jitsu, but it's the match that just can't seem to happen. They faced off once way back in 2021. Tainan was a young black belt and Mica was still a brown belt, and the match was disappointingly inconclusive as time ran out with Tainan locked in a triangle.

It's the match that needs to happen, but never might – in this episode, Matt and Hywel break down the reasons why.

Also, Matt is back from Japan and has some funny stories to share, including people lining up to get ankle-locked by Matheusz Szczecinski. He also reveals his preferred karaoke song, which surprised Hywel.

Also in this episode:

• Matt is back from Leglock Camp in Japan

• IBJJF No-Gi Europeans showcases best up-and-coming talent

• IBJJF Crown: but why no Tainan?

• Why won't people compete for $10k? AIGA fails to draw grapplers for U.S. event

• Grappling industry insider claims superfights are dead (long live superfights)

• UFC BJJ 13 recap & results: Tackett smokes Jay Rod

• UFC BJJ 14 preview

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Patreon Supporters get early access to the extended episode, with an extra 30 minutes of discussion not available on YouTube or Podcast platforms.

By signing up to the free membership tier, you also get complete access to this weekly newsletter which contains everything we talk about in this episode.

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify Podcasts.

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | What’s wrong with UFC BJJ? A LOT. At the risk of going full “they’re turning the frogs gay” tinfoil-hat-wearing cuckoo, there are too many signs to ignore that something – something – is not right. From dodgy decisions to a Brazilian mafia and an inability to keep their champions, something is going on and can’t be ignored.

Of course we’re joking. There’s no conspiracy, but there are way too many things that leave room for doubt, and they need to be addressed if UFC BJJ wants to be taken seriously. If UFC BJJ truly wants to be the leading grappling organization in the world, they’ve got a lot of work to do.

That’s a big focus in this week’s episode, which we managed to record despite Matt being in South Korea for Leglock Camp with the Polish knee-wrecking crew. Next week he’s off to Japan to continue their mission of bringing high level lower-body submissions to the masses. What a life.

• The return of the world’s most exciting grappler to Polaris

• UFC BJJ’s judging needs an overhaul

• Why can’t UFC BJJ fill a tiny arena?

• UFC BJJ champs don’t stick around for some reason

• PLUS: Old school coaching persists, and it sucks

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures |

If we asked you to write a list of companies looking to sponsor grapplers, there is little chance you would have thought of who just signed a major deal with jiu-jitsu / MMA crossover stars the Ruotolo brothers.

The happy-go-lucky surf-skate-fight loving twins just landed a sponsorship from a major, major MAJOR corporate company: we're talking a blue-chip, globally-known, decades-old megacorp. If it's not the biggest sponsorship deal we've ever seen, we'd be very surprised indeed.

Also in this episode:

• Polaris 39 recap, results and behind the scenes

• Sportsmanship is not dead!

• IBJJF No-Gi Pans: the return of Andre Galvao

• Why are people turning down big money paydays?

• Smoothcomp announces Gymdesk partnership and new apps (sponsored section)

• Ruotolo bros score MASSIVE mind-blowing sponsorship deal

• Jiu-jitsu designer collabs with a world-famous rock band

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify Podcasts.

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague