Coming off that stellar takedown and Americana don’t exist workshop, with coach Dan Bianchi. My BJJ question of the day is… When you’re setting up a takedown, what do you focus on first—grips, posture, or distance? Tell us why!

Myself, I focus on connection maybe too frequently. That being grips of some kind or connections collar tie wrist etc. However after that amazing workshop and fantastic uke (lol). I would have to say I need work on all three. They all need to be equally distributed. 

What’s something a great Jiu-Jitsu coach has taught you that had nothing to do with a technique?

What’s the best piece of advice a higher belt gave you that you only appreciated years later?

A lot pop into mind, but one that sticks out is "You should look into bottom half guard and look up Lucas Leite Coyote Guard."  That moved me initially to giving into half guard.  

What has changed in Jiu Jitsu game in last few years? 

What’s is a favorite match that you love to watch? it could be a strictly BJJ match or an mma fight that had high level Jiu Jitsu. 

One of my favorites is Amanda Leve beating Gabi Garcia. The lead up to that match was tense and it was a shocker when Amanda won! 

What’s your preferred method of learning jiu jitsu? For some people it seems to be drilling and others flow rolling. Watching matches on YouTube seems to work the best for me. If you watch jiu jitsu, who influenced your game the most?

If you weren’t doing jiu jitsu is there another non-grappling based martial art you’d like to do? So no Judo, wrestling, sambo, or catch wrestling. 

I think muy Thai would be interesting to explore.

Why do you think pulling guard is so frowned upon when people like Adele Fornarino make it a bedrock of their game? Since it is clear that specializing is a great way to win competitions, why push someone to be a generalist and have a "well-rounded" game?

Her accomplishments by pulling guard:

• 1st Place ADCC (2024**)

• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2023)

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2025)

• 1st Place IBJJF European Championship NOGI (2023)

• 1st Place ADCC Oceania & Asia Trials (2022 / 2023 / 2024)

• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2023)

• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2023)

• GrappleFest U60KG Title Superfight (2023)

What technique do you avoid because you’re not confident in it—and what would happen if you focused on it for the next month?

For me it’s. Half guard bottom. The hope is that I get a handle on a system I can refine to my abilities.