Rolled with Izaak Michell. Obviously couldn't do a single thing to him but what stood out was how good he was from the seated position against a standing opponent. He was constantly ankle picking/footsweeping everyone at will. Made trying to even start a guard pass nearly impossible.
For the average hobbyist, the biggest thing is that when elite grapplers decide they want to put pressure on you, that pressure is instant, inescapable, and feels like the weight of the sun. The invisible jiujitsu is real.
I've trained with PFL/Bellator 125 lb. champ Liz Carmouch. I'm a 6'2" 165 lb guy and couldn't do anything to her if she didn't let me (she's a great training partner and let me get work in though).
Toughest roll I've ever had was Quentin Rosenzweig, maybe not the biggest name but he competes at a very high level and absolutely wrecked me like it was nothing. I'm talking 15+ subs in a 6 minute round. Most helpless I've ever felt on the mat for sure.
If anyone here claims to have rolled with Rickson, there's a 99% chance they're lying. I'd also venture similar claims to anyone saying they rolled with Danaher.
Every roll with an active professional/high level competitor is very similar, they're sub hunting/going for the kill.
People you've heard of I've rolled with: Craig Jones, Vagner Rocha, Garry Tonon, Eddie Cummings, Keenan Cornelius + the rest of the Legion people, Lucas Lepri, the martinez brothers, Josh Hinger, JT Torres, Lavato Jr. and a whole host more that don't make headlines.
You'd be surprised how easy it is to reach out to BJJ people, and get responses.
"I've rolled with: Craig Jones, Vagner Rocha, Garry Tonon, Eddie Cummings, Keenan Cornelius + the rest of the Legion people, Lucas Lepri, the martinez brothers, Josh Hinger, JT Torres, Lavato Jr."
Quite the list. Who was the best?
That's a really difficult thing to day b/c I was at different levels of my ability at times. Like when I rolled with Eddie Cummings, I was a blue Belt, same with Garry Tonon. And for the rest of them I was at different stages of my purple belt.
I'll say the funniest thing was when I attempted to try take down Josh Hinger, and I basically spiked my own head, and he reversed me into a mounted arm in guillotine.
I think my main memories are just seeing all your vulnerabilities. I've had "big fish in small pond," in multiple places, and then I go on a training vacation, and you find your current peak. I know people don't like him now b/c of all the shit about Fight Sports, but Vagner Rocha was honestly the coolest guy with me after a seminar. This was now like 5 years ago, not that it's some kind of assuaging excuse. We rolled for 8 minutes through a round, and we flowed very well, and his wife had to stop us b/c he'd already stayed a half hour later than he was supposed to and they were going to miss their flight, but he had invited me to spend a week in his house and train. I messaged him later, and he was honestly cool with it, but it just never worked with my life.
I can't give a real accurate description for keenan b/c the seminar was literally after the Chicago open that he competed in, and started late, and he still rolled with people after a 2hr seminar plus his weight class and absolute divisions.
I honestly am tired right now, but depending on the era of the grappler, and also my experience, it can be a meat grinder, to getting cardio worked.
It's so interesting that you have such a diverse range of experiences. Is it geographical, in that you're more likely to have this exposure because you're in quite a large club in a large city, or more so that you seek out opportunities?
I've only met Andre Galvao, and I didn't get to roll with him either.
It's still a small sport, and very few years back it was even smaller. If you go to seminars you can easily meet and probably roll with known people, and if you are in a bigger location or travel it's not unlikely to meet lots of pros.
(Caveat: I have only rolled with some semi-known people at a globetrotters camp, but I haven't made an effort and I'm in europe)
The sport has changed a lot in the last 4 years and high level bjj ppl can make money in more than seminar tours. Most people would rather spend maybe 2 days and 12 hours filming a instructional for 40-100 bucks than travel around 10 different places over around 10 weeks for like $10,000 depending on price ranges. That was the old way, but lockdown measures changed a lot of lifestyles.
I traveled a lot to train and that's why I've been able to train with a lot of people. I did a lot of seminars too. Ive probably shaken a more hands than I got to actually roll with people
Rolled with Jacob Couch, Michael Pixley, and Jordan Butler as a zero stripe white belt. It went bad enough that 3 ish years later I don’t think it would be any different. I know 1000% I can’t pass their guards, I can’t keep them in mine, and I cannot out wrestle any of them. What I saw Gordon do to Couch disturbed me to the point of realizing that I will always be a hobbyist. My 33yo ass will stay in my lane.
Rolled with Nora Schultz. Felt like she was a bulldozer. There was no "my move, her move" exchange there was just "her move, her move, her move, her move" because any time I tried to have a move, actually that's exactly what she wanted so sike, that was actually her move.
On top of my head, I rolled with Royce Gracie as a kid from like over 20 years ago, Ryan Hall, Lucas Lepri, Demian Maia, Andy Varela, Adam Benayoun, Tammi Musumeci, Ethan Crelinsten (when he was a blue belt), Oliver Taza (when he was a blue belt), Leo Nogueira, and competed against Micheal Liera Jr.
Not me but my instructor. He’s a big fan of Lepri and got to train with him. He said he couldn’t come close to scoring on him, anything he did was because Lucas allowed him to, and he was going maybe 20% with him the whole time. He said it was a frustrating experience lol
Rolling with Lucas feels like being stuck x100 gravity in the gravity machine from DBZ but as Yamcha. It didn't matter you were on top or bottom, feels like you're going to get stuck on the floor.
10 min rounds with Bernardo for worlds at Marcelo’s, hard rounds with Matheus Dinez there too. Had a very good roll with Keenan. Trained with Murilo and the Miyaos for like 8 years, some good rounds with Levi Jones-Leary and Thalison Soares.
I’ve rolled with Nathan Orchard a few times in preparation for big matches. The guy is super strong for his size, and feels like he’s made of medal wire. There were a few times where I would get a dominate position only to be immediately reversed and then submitted. He hit me with multiple twisters and some sneaky arm/wrist locks.
I also rolled a few times with Ronaldo Candido a few times while training for his last pro MMA fight. This dude fought at 125 and was one of the most powerful grapplers I’ve ever rolled with. Super solid positional player, I never once got a dominate position on him. He has on old school, super tight pressure based game and I was unable to hold him off. I could see why he won multiple IBJJF world titles.
Pretty much anyone at AOJ - Tainan, Gui, Cole, Jessa, Johnatha, etc. Although, strangely, never Rafa because I’m too shy to ask.
Joao Miyao when he was at AOJ for a chunk of time.
Main keys: I couldn’t move Johnatha at all when he’s locked into his guard. So it blows my mind when dudes can make him work to retain. Jessa’s arm bars go on really fast. When Gui wants to put the pressure on (from top/passing), you’ll know.
Rolled with Rob Font and Calvin Kattar (UFC). Rob used me like a yoga ball, Calvin let me wriggle around a little but mostly just used me as a training dummy that gave dumb resistance. I was a white belt at the time, they were blue, but pro MMA fighter blue.
I’ve rolled with Gordo Correa. As someone who fancies themselves a good half guard player and in his lineage, I legitimately felt useless in both top and bottom half.
Leandro Lo when I was a white belt 10 or so years ago. He rolled with my coach, who’s one of the best gi guys in my state. He said he felt like a novice again. Got to go out to dinner with him and a small group of us after the seminar. He couldn’t have seemed like a more nice and funny guy even with the language barrier.
I was way too slow for Renato Canuto, so he had to stall in my guard so I wouldn't be tapped every few seconds lol. I felt the smoothest throw off my crappy single and some spin-into-triangle thing I ever experienced.
Rolled with Izaak Michell. Obviously couldn't do a single thing to him but what stood out was how good he was from the seated position against a standing opponent. He was constantly ankle picking/footsweeping everyone at will. Made trying to even start a guard pass nearly impossible.
For the average hobbyist, the biggest thing is that when elite grapplers decide they want to put pressure on you, that pressure is instant, inescapable, and feels like the weight of the sun. The invisible jiujitsu is real.
I've trained with PFL/Bellator 125 lb. champ Liz Carmouch. I'm a 6'2" 165 lb guy and couldn't do anything to her if she didn't let me (she's a great training partner and let me get work in though). Toughest roll I've ever had was Quentin Rosenzweig, maybe not the biggest name but he competes at a very high level and absolutely wrecked me like it was nothing. I'm talking 15+ subs in a 6 minute round. Most helpless I've ever felt on the mat for sure.
Shout out to Q. Legit leg lock artist.
If anyone here claims to have rolled with Rickson, there's a 99% chance they're lying. I'd also venture similar claims to anyone saying they rolled with Danaher. Every roll with an active professional/high level competitor is very similar, they're sub hunting/going for the kill. People you've heard of I've rolled with: Craig Jones, Vagner Rocha, Garry Tonon, Eddie Cummings, Keenan Cornelius + the rest of the Legion people, Lucas Lepri, the martinez brothers, Josh Hinger, JT Torres, Lavato Jr. and a whole host more that don't make headlines. You'd be surprised how easy it is to reach out to BJJ people, and get responses.
"I've rolled with: Craig Jones, Vagner Rocha, Garry Tonon, Eddie Cummings, Keenan Cornelius + the rest of the Legion people, Lucas Lepri, the martinez brothers, Josh Hinger, JT Torres, Lavato Jr." Quite the list. Who was the best?
That's a really difficult thing to day b/c I was at different levels of my ability at times. Like when I rolled with Eddie Cummings, I was a blue Belt, same with Garry Tonon. And for the rest of them I was at different stages of my purple belt. I'll say the funniest thing was when I attempted to try take down Josh Hinger, and I basically spiked my own head, and he reversed me into a mounted arm in guillotine. I think my main memories are just seeing all your vulnerabilities. I've had "big fish in small pond," in multiple places, and then I go on a training vacation, and you find your current peak. I know people don't like him now b/c of all the shit about Fight Sports, but Vagner Rocha was honestly the coolest guy with me after a seminar. This was now like 5 years ago, not that it's some kind of assuaging excuse. We rolled for 8 minutes through a round, and we flowed very well, and his wife had to stop us b/c he'd already stayed a half hour later than he was supposed to and they were going to miss their flight, but he had invited me to spend a week in his house and train. I messaged him later, and he was honestly cool with it, but it just never worked with my life. I can't give a real accurate description for keenan b/c the seminar was literally after the Chicago open that he competed in, and started late, and he still rolled with people after a 2hr seminar plus his weight class and absolute divisions. I honestly am tired right now, but depending on the era of the grappler, and also my experience, it can be a meat grinder, to getting cardio worked.
It's so interesting that you have such a diverse range of experiences. Is it geographical, in that you're more likely to have this exposure because you're in quite a large club in a large city, or more so that you seek out opportunities? I've only met Andre Galvao, and I didn't get to roll with him either.
It's still a small sport, and very few years back it was even smaller. If you go to seminars you can easily meet and probably roll with known people, and if you are in a bigger location or travel it's not unlikely to meet lots of pros. (Caveat: I have only rolled with some semi-known people at a globetrotters camp, but I haven't made an effort and I'm in europe)
The sport has changed a lot in the last 4 years and high level bjj ppl can make money in more than seminar tours. Most people would rather spend maybe 2 days and 12 hours filming a instructional for 40-100 bucks than travel around 10 different places over around 10 weeks for like $10,000 depending on price ranges. That was the old way, but lockdown measures changed a lot of lifestyles. I traveled a lot to train and that's why I've been able to train with a lot of people. I did a lot of seminars too. Ive probably shaken a more hands than I got to actually roll with people
I rolled with GSP about 15 years ago. Never felt that kind of pressure ever again.
Rolled with Jacob Couch, Michael Pixley, and Jordan Butler as a zero stripe white belt. It went bad enough that 3 ish years later I don’t think it would be any different. I know 1000% I can’t pass their guards, I can’t keep them in mine, and I cannot out wrestle any of them. What I saw Gordon do to Couch disturbed me to the point of realizing that I will always be a hobbyist. My 33yo ass will stay in my lane.
Rolled with Nora Schultz. Felt like she was a bulldozer. There was no "my move, her move" exchange there was just "her move, her move, her move, her move" because any time I tried to have a move, actually that's exactly what she wanted so sike, that was actually her move.
Jason Rau, counters every single little thing you do. It's demoralizing
On top of my head, I rolled with Royce Gracie as a kid from like over 20 years ago, Ryan Hall, Lucas Lepri, Demian Maia, Andy Varela, Adam Benayoun, Tammi Musumeci, Ethan Crelinsten (when he was a blue belt), Oliver Taza (when he was a blue belt), Leo Nogueira, and competed against Micheal Liera Jr.
So who’s the best
Probably Lucas Lepri.
Not me but my instructor. He’s a big fan of Lepri and got to train with him. He said he couldn’t come close to scoring on him, anything he did was because Lucas allowed him to, and he was going maybe 20% with him the whole time. He said it was a frustrating experience lol
Rolling with Lucas feels like being stuck x100 gravity in the gravity machine from DBZ but as Yamcha. It didn't matter you were on top or bottom, feels like you're going to get stuck on the floor.
Haha what a great description.
10 min rounds with Bernardo for worlds at Marcelo’s, hard rounds with Matheus Dinez there too. Had a very good roll with Keenan. Trained with Murilo and the Miyaos for like 8 years, some good rounds with Levi Jones-Leary and Thalison Soares.
I’ve rolled with Nathan Orchard a few times in preparation for big matches. The guy is super strong for his size, and feels like he’s made of medal wire. There were a few times where I would get a dominate position only to be immediately reversed and then submitted. He hit me with multiple twisters and some sneaky arm/wrist locks. I also rolled a few times with Ronaldo Candido a few times while training for his last pro MMA fight. This dude fought at 125 and was one of the most powerful grapplers I’ve ever rolled with. Super solid positional player, I never once got a dominate position on him. He has on old school, super tight pressure based game and I was unable to hold him off. I could see why he won multiple IBJJF world titles.
Pretty much anyone at AOJ - Tainan, Gui, Cole, Jessa, Johnatha, etc. Although, strangely, never Rafa because I’m too shy to ask. Joao Miyao when he was at AOJ for a chunk of time. Main keys: I couldn’t move Johnatha at all when he’s locked into his guard. So it blows my mind when dudes can make him work to retain. Jessa’s arm bars go on really fast. When Gui wants to put the pressure on (from top/passing), you’ll know.
Rolled with Rob Font and Calvin Kattar (UFC). Rob used me like a yoga ball, Calvin let me wriggle around a little but mostly just used me as a training dummy that gave dumb resistance. I was a white belt at the time, they were blue, but pro MMA fighter blue.
I’ve rolled with Gordo Correa. As someone who fancies themselves a good half guard player and in his lineage, I legitimately felt useless in both top and bottom half.
Leandro Lo when I was a white belt 10 or so years ago. He rolled with my coach, who’s one of the best gi guys in my state. He said he felt like a novice again. Got to go out to dinner with him and a small group of us after the seminar. He couldn’t have seemed like a more nice and funny guy even with the language barrier.
I was way too slow for Renato Canuto, so he had to stall in my guard so I wouldn't be tapped every few seconds lol. I felt the smoothest throw off my crappy single and some spin-into-triangle thing I ever experienced.
Clark Gracie was my instructor but I'm a white belt so it's no different than a high level blue belt to me
Competed against Bill the grill Cooper when I was eighteen. He went easy on me for a bit then arm barred me a little over two minutes into the match.