Introduction

> One of the things that truly keeps me going, even amidst controversy and chaos, is the belief that "you can still make fun of anything as long as it's funny." Humor is a powerful coping mechanism and a way to stay grounded in this wild world of submission grappling and beyond.

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> I'm thrilled about the CJI tournament, which isn't just about competing but about growing the sport and giving back. We’ve allocated over $2 million in prize money and all ticket profits go to cancer research. It’s a great cause, and I hope everyone supports it, whether by tuning in online or grabbing tickets.

$1 million in cash

> Bringing $1 million in cash to Joe Rogan's podcast was quite an experience. Initially, we planned to do it without security until Joe insisted on it. It was crazy to think that a stranger trusted enough to show up with that enormous amount of money just to make the podcast exciting. I like to think this shows my willingness to dive into adventurous situations, even when they come with significant risks.

> Traveling to dangerous locations like Ukraine and Kazakhstan is about pursuing adventure more than courting risk. I don't seek out dangerous situations, but I don't shy away from them either if they arise as part of an exciting journey. It's essential to embrace the unknown and live for those unique experiences that life has to offer.

Kazakhstan

> Immersing myself in the intense, traditional game of Kokpar in Kazakhstan was an unforgettable experience. Despite initial plans to stay out of the action, our drunk stuntman led me straight into the chaotic pit, surrounded by skilled riders and horses, which was both thrilling and terrifying. These riders, who have trained for years and compete for significant sums of money, didn’t appreciate the foreigner in the bright, attention-grabbing Biggie Smalls sweater interrupting their serious competition.

> My presence in Kazakhstan evoked mixed reactions from the locals, largely due to the lingering trauma from "Borat" and their perception of my humor. While I aimed to enjoy and respect their culture, my style of comedy unintentionally reminded them of past offenses. Despite my efforts to bond, this tumultuous dynamic led us to eventually "abandon ship," as the initial acceptance turned into renewed disdain.

Ukraine

> Visiting Ukraine during the war was a profound and surreal experience. Organizing the biggest jiu-jitsu seminar in Ukrainian history mid-conflict was a testament to the resilience and unity of the people. A friend on the frontline invited me closer, saying, "I can't promise you'll survive, but I'll promise you'll have a good time."

> Being so close to the frontline, experiencing air alerts, and even having a hypersonic missile shot down near my hotel in Kyiv was staggering. The constant state of tension was palpable, yet people carried on with their lives, showing incredible fortitude.

> The most intense moment was visiting Chernobyl, passing multiple security checkpoints and navigating a minefield to experience a place I've long been fascinated by. Despite the eerie silence and abandoned buildings, it was unreal to see this iconic location under such dire conditions.

> Traveling to Kherson and Odessa where the conflict is most intense was harrowing. We often had to assess our routes for safety, and even had near misses with artillery strikes and drone attacks. Kherson was like a ghost town, largely evacuated and completely devastated by ongoing bombings.

> The use of drones in modern warfare was eye-opening. Ukrainian and Russian forces deploy everything from budget FPV drones to sophisticated long-range drones. It's chilling to consider the future of autonomous drones in warfare, where swarms could autonomously target and attack, making every place feel unsafe.

> These experiences deeply changed my perspective on the war, the resilience of those fighting, and the terrifyingly evolving nature of modern conflict.

Bali

> Jiu Jitsu has given me access to an incredibly diverse range of people around the world, from oligarchs to royalty to tech moguls. It's fascinating how this sport acts as an equalizer, creating an inner circle where ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds don't matter—it's just about mutual respect on the mats.

> My new documentary project, "Gone Walkabout," aims to grow the sport of Jiu Jitsu by showcasing the vibrant community and culture surrounding it. Inspired by Anthony Bourdain, I want to highlight interesting characters and stories from around the globe, showing that the majority of practitioners are not just competitors but people who find personal and psychological benefits in the sport.

> It's not just about growing the sport; it's also about giving back. While filming in Indonesia, we partnered with local communities to contribute positively, such as supporting an academy in a Bali slum that not only teaches Jiu Jitsu but also life skills like photo editing. This kind of charitable work is essential to balancing the cultural impact we have as Australians traveling and training abroad.

CJI

> Increasing Athlete Pay and Exposure: The primary mission of CJI is to elevate athlete compensation. Despite the massive growth and popularity of events like ADCC, the payment structures haven't reflected this surge. Creating a tournament where participants earn more just for showing up than for winning ADCC is a critical move towards fair remuneration in the sport.

> Creating Competition and Driving Change: CJI’s announcement had an immediate impact, including equalizing pay for female athletes in ADCC. This showcases the power of competition in instigating change. Allegedly, it even pushed ADCC to offer under-the-table payments to retain athletes, which speaks volumes about the effectiveness of introducing rival events.

> Trolling for a Good Cause: The whole endeavor, backed by an anonymous donor, also embodies a fascinating element of 'trolling for a good cause'. Despite criticisms about lack of business acumen, the launch of CJI not only stirred the market but showcased an innovative approach to provoking necessary shifts in the sport of jiu jitsu, all while providing an entertaining narrative for the community.

Gabi Garcia

> Challenging Gabi Garcia, despite being significantly smaller and less decorated, is about testing myself against the very best—she’s an absolute legend in women’s grappling. It's not just about size or strength, it's about resilience and skill, and I’m ready for the fight.

> Our unusual wager adds another layer to the story: if I win, we’ll create an OnlyFans collaboration, and if she wins, she gets a million dollars. It's a combination of combat and personal stakes that makes this journey fascinating and uniquely intense.

The Alley

> The angled wall design for the alley solves many issues found in traditional grappling tournaments, minimizing annoying resets and ensuring continuous action, enhancing both the grappler's experience and the fan's viewing.

> We're incentivizing aggressive, high-paced action with structured rounds and severe penalties for stalling, while also adopting a recognizable scoring system from MMA to reach a broader audience and make the sport more exciting and accessible.

> This entire event is a nonprofit initiative, with ticket proceeds aimed at charitable causes like Tap Cancer Out, and we're fortunate to have generous individuals matching our donations, amplifying our impact.

> Despite logistical challenges, dealing with athletes directly, and competing against established events, our dedication to putting athlete pay and sport growth first—and ensuring this event remains free for viewers worldwide—is unwavering.

Gordon Ryan and Nicholas Meregali

> My history with Nicholas Meregali goes back to my gi days. Initially, he destroyed me in a match; yet, I managed a reversal from side control, which I often highlight. Years later at ADCC, I attacked his legs aggressively but ultimately got exhausted due to the weight difference. Though I won by decision, there were talks about rematches, but now I require a substantial payday to consider it, at least half a million dollars, because facing a serious competitor like him has to be worth it.

> On my relationship with Gordon Ryan, it's complicated. We've barely any direct communication, but I believe an MDMA therapy session, inspired by 70s couples therapy, could resolve our issues. Reddit once suggested ketamine, but I do have a therapist who prescribes me Vyvanse. I even joked about a political debate, with me representing Kamala Harris and Gordon as Donald Trump, envisioning it as an intellectual sparring that could highlight our dynamic.

Trolling

> "If you're going to troll or talk shit, it has to be with worthy adversaries," I remarked. Having moved to America, I found the cultural shock amusing; people here take themselves too seriously, which makes them easy targets. It's like I entered the Matrix and saw everything differently when it came to banter and trolling. I view it as a playful challenge rather than something malicious.

> Reflecting on my journey from being a casual shit-talker in Australia to being dubbed a "coral belt level troll" on Reddit, I see it as a mix of skill and opportunity. In Australia, the goal is to ruin each other’s day with banter, but when I moved to the U.S., it became about balancing things, almost like serving justice. Despite the sometimes intense trolling, I don't regret my approach. Instead, I think it brings a certain equilibrium and fun to the scene.

ADCC

> My relationship with Mo has always been complex, a mix of camaraderie and professional tension. We were once close, but disagreements over athlete compensation strained our bond, especially when I publicly advocated for transparency regarding pay.

> I firmly believe in free access to grappling events to promote growth. Instead of using expensive venues and paywalls, I'd rather prioritize quality production in affordable settings, all while being transparent about viewership numbers so athletes can leverage that data for sponsorships.

> Running ADCC someday? It's a wild thought but not out of the realm of possibility. I'd want to modernize the promotion, making it more accessible and athlete-centered, aligning with my belief that visibility and transparency are key to growing the sport.

Training camp

> Preparing for a big event is psychologically grueling. The stress of wondering if I'm training enough or if I'm overdoing it can be overwhelming. Despite rigorous preparation, some of my best performances came when I was relaxed and less fixated on the outcome, like being called last minute or competing under less-than-ideal conditions.

> Different athletes have unique training needs. For instance, Nicky Rod might thrive on eight hours of intense training, while Nicky Ryan could peak with much less. Personally, a short, high-intensity session works best, balancing between technical skill and body endurance. Overdoing it isn't my style; efficiency is key.

> Seminars are a challenging balance of sharing knowledge and dealing with eager participants who see it as a chance to prove themselves. It's essential to meet excessive aggression with caution and readiness to respond assertively. Providing a memorable, safe experience requires navigating this dynamic carefully, balancing instructional value with personal safety.

Breaking legs

> Breaking legs in Eastern Europe wasn't out of personal enjoyment; it's just part of the dangerous nature of jiu-jitsu. Some people seem to think that tapping me in a submission game is their ticket to an invite to CJI, and they go all out.

> There's a certain humor in the aftermath of these intense situations. It's like, "Hey, I'm jet-lagged and exhausted, here to train with you, so why are you trying to hurt me? If I catch you in a submission, just tap without hesitation."

Advice for beginners

> For beginners in jiu jitsu, it's crucial to find reliable training partners and maintain a relaxed, thoughtful approach to avoid injury. "Keeping it at a pace so you can understand what just happened" is key, as panic can lead to fatigue and mistakes. The ability to stay calm in bad positions builds ultimate confidence.

> Developing an innovative game in jiu jitsu stems from financial motivation and a passion for creativity. By studying tape and reverse engineering moves, you can devise unexpected techniques that make opponents panic. The artistry involved in creating and popularizing new guards and positions, like the octopus guard, brings both fulfillment and functional success in the sport.

Volk

> Training with Volkanovski reminded me of the power of hard work and self-education. His journey from a small gym to being one of the best featherweights, all while maintaining incredible mental willpower and cardio, is nothing short of inspiring. Watching his relentless dedication, especially through grueling weight cuts, was both motivating and heart-wrenching.

> The distinct approach of Dagestani fighters, with their forward pressure and grinding style, proves immensely effective in MMA. Their reluctance to concede any ground during training builds a relentless mentality that's perfect for fights. However, this style might not always translate well in jiu-jitsu-specific events where technical aspects like leg locks can catch them off guard.

> Grappling matches featuring top UFC fighters are something I am passionate about promoting. Despite the logistical challenges, I believe it highlights the technical prowess of these athletes, as seen in potential matchups I would love to see, like Volkanovski vs. Ortega. These matches offer a safer way to keep fighters active while showcasing their skills.

Future of jiu jitsu

> Innovating and perfecting techniques will always be a part of jiu jitsu's evolution, but the most exciting future development will be integrating wrestling into the sport, creating dynamic matches where both athletes are constantly striving for the top position and engaging in offensive standing exchanges.

> The emphasis on social media glory is shaping the modern jiu jitsu scene; exciting, risk-taking athletes will be celebrated, while those who stall will quickly become memes. This tournament will highlight the importance of being entertaining and taking risks, which is what really captivates the audience.

Steroids

> Steroids in athletics are a murky topic. It's frustrating how prevalent they are, yet kept so secretive. Even when I'm transparent about what I take, people won't believe it because they think everyone must be cheating. The doubt and assumptions without concrete evidence are demoralizing, especially since some athletes are genuinely gifted without enhancements.

> Putting Alex Jones to sleep was surreal. He's such an intense character, always on, saying the craziest things non-stop, so when he finally dozed off, I couldn't stop laughing, thinking, "Please wake up." It’s a reminder of how relentless and wild some personalities can be, constantly at peak intensity, which sometimes just needs a pause.

Hope

> Humor is a powerful tool that transcends cancel culture; if a joke doesn't land, it's often because "the joke wasn't funny enough or had poor delivery."

> Despite the world's chaos and negativity, the ability to find humor in everything serves as a beacon of hope, allowing us to navigate through difficult times with laughter.