The Grappling Monthly Podcast

Chris Haueter | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

This week's episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast we had the privilege of sitting down with 6th degree black belt and legend in the game: Professor Chris Haueter in his home in Redondo Beach, California. Prof. Haueter is one of the first 12 non-Brazilians to be awarded the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the United States in the late 90's.

Chris Haueter was born in 1964 in California. Like many other children who grew up during the 1970s, Haueter started his martial arts training through shotokan karate, influenced by the popular kung fu movies of the era, eventually developing his nunchaku skills. Has Chris reached high school, he started wrestling. He did well throughout the school program, representing his varsity team as a 98lbs athlete. Although successful, a serious injuries took him off the team for half of his sophomore and all of his junior year. After going through the school system, Chris Haueter joined the US Marine Corps. Looking for something to keep him occupied, he sought several martial arts, including muay Thai and boxing. It was after his first (and only) pro Thai boxing match (1987) that Haueter decided to go back to grappling. Although he had won the match, he felt the striking arts left open too many options for future head trauma. As Chris returned to his old wrestling room, he found an aikido instructor named Mits Yamashita demonstrating a grappling position (mounted armbar). Haueter was interested in the position and asked for it to be performed on him, which Mits did successfully.

As Chris showed the desire to learn more, Yamashita directed him to Rorion Gracie’s academy. At the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy Chris Haueter met Rorion’s cousin, Rigan Machado – who was one of jiu jitsu’s most celebrated champions at the time. Machado became Haueter’s main coach, and when Rigan moved away from the Gracie academy to form his own, Chris followed. His dedication and hard work culminated with Chris Haueter receiving his black belt on December 1996. During the ceremony 4 other black belts were handed: Renato Magno, David Meyers, Rick Williams, Fernando Vasconcelos. Haueter also became known for coining a few of Brazilian jiu jitsu’s positions which were unnamed in Portuguese. One of those was the famous “combat base” stance. One that later gave name to Chris’ academy in California.

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

https://www.grapplingmonthly.com  

#jiujitsu  #jiujitsubrésilien  #brazilianjiujitsu  #combatsports  #martialarts  #selfdefense  #selfimprovement  #bjj  #blackbelt  #grappling #thegrapplingmonthlypodcast #gi #nogi #ibjjf #adcc #chrishaueter #redondobeachca #california #usa #bjjdirtydozen #ricksongracie #roycegracie #roriongracie #ufc

Many thanks to our sponsor https://www.baitapparel.com

Paul Schreiner | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

On this week's episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting with professor Paul Schreiner in his beautiful academy Frogtown Jiu Jitsu in Los Angeles, CA. 

Originally from Santa Cruz, Prof. Schreiner has decades of experience training, teaching, and competing at the highest levels of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In this episode, Prof. Schreiner shares parts of his journey in the grappling arts which have led him to travel the world, to live in Brazil and train extensively with many legends of the sport including as Roberto “Gordo”, Rilion Gracie, João Rangel, and Dave Camarillo, and Marcelo Garcia . 

He has taught Jiu-Jitsu for over 20 years including 14 years at Marcelo Garcia Academy in NYC. Paul was a part of the MGJJ coaching team that produced the Brown belt “dream team” and the first academy to have athletes win the Black belt weight and absolute division in the World Championships in the men’s and women’s divisions in the same year (Bernardo Faria, Dominyka Obelenyte). Prior to teaching at MGJJ NYC Paul taught at American Kickboxing Academy alongside Dave Camarillo, founded Kaijin MMA with Garth Taylor, and started a Jiu-Jitsu program for Apple at their Cupertino headquarters. Paul is known as a focused and impactful teacher and coach who refers to his teaching methodology as “non-denominational.” He remains passionate about teaching and training Jiu-Jitsu as a daily practice.

FROGTOWN JIU–JITSU is a school dedicated to creating a fun and engaging environment for practitioners of all levels. The school is located on 1803 Blake Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90039.

#bjj #jiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #grappling #paulschreiner #frogtown #frogtownjj #nogi #gi #martialarts #combatsports #selfdefence #adcc #ibjjf 

Keith Krikorian | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

What's your preferred set up for grappling competitions? A mat, the pit, the bowl, a cage? This week's guest has experience in all 4! This week the Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to Encinitas, CA to chat with one of jiu jitsu’s elite competitors Prof. Keith Krikorian!

On this episode Keith shares his passion for martial arts, competing in wrestling and Jiu Jitsu, the sacrifices and discipline it takes to reach the highest levels, and his experiences on jiu jitsu’s biggest platforms such as IBJJF, ADCC, and UFC BJJ. Jump into the mind of an elite level athlete and competitor on the modern Jiu Jitsu scene. Episode airs this Wednesday January 21 at 7am PDT. Keith Krikorian is a professional grappler and a back belt in jiu-jitsu under Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez of the 10th Planet Team. An experienced athlete under the submission-only and EBI ruleset, Krikorian first made waves in the sport while competing at the ADCC United States Trials as a colored belt, where he conquered 2 second places (2018 & 2019), performances that earned Keith an invitation for the ADCC World Championships of 2019. Keith would later earn the rank of black belt and continue to prove his worth on the professional circuit. Keith Krikorian was born on October 14, 1997, in San Diego, California, USA.

Drawn to combat sports from an early age, Keith started boxing as a 9-year-old, pursuing the Sweet Science competitively in the amateur circuit for a number of years. During this period, Krikorian also added other striking sports to his tool kit such as kickboxing and muay Thai with the long-term goal of competing in mixed martial arts. During high school, Keith finally started training in mixed martial arts, a discipline that led him to jiu-jitsu under the guidance of Shannon Gugerty. As part of his grappling introduction, Krikorian also decided to join his school’s wrestling team, competing extensively in the folkstyle ruleset. During his progression in jiu-jitsu, Keith worked with the aforementioned Gugerty as well as Walel Watson before finding his way to instructor Richie Martinez of 10th Planet, the man responsible for much of Krikorian’s sporting success. Under the guidance of Martinez, Krikorian earned his purple, brown, and black belts, the latter in October 2020.

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs. Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

https://www.grapplingmonthly.com

#jiujitsu #jiujitsubrésilien #brazilianjiujitsu #combatsports #martialarts #selfdefense #selfimprovement #bjj #blackbelt #grappling #thegrapplingmonthlypodcast #gi #nogi #ibjjf #adcc #keithkrikorian #10thplanet #10thplanetsandiego #encinitas #california #usa Many thanks to our sponsor https://www.baitapparel.com

Dominick Haider | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

This week, The Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to South Los Angeles to sit and get to know professor Dominick Haider (aka Coach Nick). Prof.Dominick Haider is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the founder of Guardian Project Los Angeles. Martial arts is a deeply personal and rewarding practice that help set him on a path of growth and helping others.

From Kickboxing, to MMA, to BJJ, prof. Haider has decades of experience in martial arts and a passion for giving back to the community by ensuring anyone interested gets the opportunity to learn the art and work on themselves. Partnering with the international Jiu Jitsu charity Guardian, has helped Prof. Haider realize a dream of making martial practice accessible to all. Prof. Nick is the owner and head instructor of Omni Jiu Jitsu in South LA. He is also the head of the Guardian Project in Los Angeles.

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

Jaime Mendez III | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

Grappling Monthly is starting the year off strong with our latest guest: Professor Jaime Mendez III. Prof. Mendez is the owner and head instructor of Renzo Gracie, Los Angeles. He is a former American collegiate football free safety, who was an All-American at Kansas State University. He is the Wildcats' all-time career leader in interceptions with 15 and a lifetime practitioner of the martial arts with decades of experience in striking and grappling.

In this episode we discuss:

• What piqued prof. Mendez’ interest in Jiu Jitsu
• Moving back to Los Angeles and training under prof. Shawn Williams
• The benefits of a Jiu Jitsu community
• Entrepreneurialism and what goes in to managing 3 schools in LA

And so much more!

Tune in for the full podcast episode this Wednesday January 7 at 7am PDT.

Victor Yushin | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

This week The Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to the newest location in the Legacy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community, Legacy Santa Clarita. Join us and get to know Professor Victor Yushin, owner and head instructor of Legacy Santa Clarita.

Victor is a 2nd degree black belt under Prof. Alberto Crane. In this episode, we get to know prof. Yushin and his journey in competitive sport, dance, and martial arts.

Grappling Monthly is a media platform dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts.

We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short- and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community—from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Driven by a passion for the arts, our goal is to engage everyone—from committed practitioners to curious fans—through stories that explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today. Our content reflects the spirit of the grappling arts through media that motivates growth, strengthens connection, and conveys the ingenuity, discipline, and shared commitment that define this community.

Erik "Compella" Cruz | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

The Grappling Monthly Podcast travels to Pasadena as we sit with Professor Erik D. Cruz aka "Compella", owner and head instructor of 10th Planet Pasadena. 

Professor Compella is a third degree black belt under Eddie Bravo. He is an OG of the 10th planet system who has over two decades of experience on the mat training, competing and teaching jiu jitsu and MMA. A lifelong martial artist, in this episode we get to know professor Compella, how he was first exposed to jiu jitsu, what it is about the 10th planet system that attracted him.  We talk about the early days of submission-only tournaments such as the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) and how the no gi grappling game has evolved, depending on the rulesets and the desire to deliver exciting displays of jiu jitsu, and much more! 

This episode was filmed on October 19, 2025 at 10th Planet Pasadena on 2333 Lake Ave, in Altadena CA. You can view the full episode with video on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly

For more information on the school, check out their website: https://www.10thplanetpasadena.com/ 

 

Grappling Monthly is a media platform dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short- and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community—from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Driven by a passion for the arts, our goal is to engage everyone—from committed practitioners to curious fans—through stories that explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.

Our content reflects the spirit of the grappling arts through media that motivates growth, strengthens connection, and conveys the ingenuity, discipline, and shared commitment that define this community.

Bruno Fernandes | pt.2 | The Grappling Monthly Podcast with Sébastien Maniatopoulos

The Grappling Monthly Podcast stops by at Gracie Barra Montreal to visit 6th degree BJJ black belt and founder of GB Montreal, Professor Bruno Fernandes! Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, professor Bruno Fernandes is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior, a multiple time world champion and was the grappling coach of numerous jiu jitsu and mma fighters, including former UFC champion George Saint Pierre.

Professor Fernandes moved to Canada in 2005 to do a speciality course in ophthalmology and a PhD at the McGill University in Montreal, where he started coaching BJJ part time. He was ultimately invited to teach at the prestigious university and has called Canada his home since then.

In part 2 of this 2 part episode, we discuss:

• Getting older and staying healthy in Jiu Jitsu

• What is it about Gracie Barra?

• Building Gracie Barra Montreal and bridging two cultures

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to tune in to part 1 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube www.youtube.com/@grapplingmonthly , subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a comment! Let us know who you would like us to interview and visit next!

Grappling Monthly is dedicated to the people, culture, and business of the grappling arts. We produce original documentaries, podcasts, short- and long-form videos, and features that spotlight the global grappling community, from practitioners and coaches to creators, organizers, and entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to bring attention to the people of jiu jitsu and their stories and to explore the realities, values, and voices shaping the grappling world today.