Travis Stevens Has STRONG Opinions on Judo & Jiu-Jitsu

[@mjolnir9855]

This guy is so genuine to me. Might not have tons of humor, but his persona is rife with honesty and genuine sincerity. Do you want a yes man, or someone with an original and autonomous individual.

[@prithvib8662]

You should see his channel, plenty of humor there haha. I think he just gets to let loose and really be himself on the mats instead of at an interview table.

[@studiomonster-c9l]

Bot detected

[@Nicoya48]

Travis Stevens is a no BS kind of judo player. Very honest with himself as a person and as a Judoka. Thank you FloGrappling for the story. As a older Judoka I understand his perspective and appreciate his insight.

[@SoldierDrew]

Most feared fighter I knew in the Army was a 5th group guy from Chicago who was a folk wrestling champion, wrestled competitively for the Army, and was a shodan in Kodokan Judo. No other martial artist, competitive fighter, in the Army wanted to try him twice. And he wasn't a big guy. Wrestling + Judo = Beast. Wrestling & Judo body slams break bones. Judo joint locks break bones. Judo strangles & chokes are potentially lethal.

[@sparkyy2890]

Im pretty sure a joint lock is a joint lock and a strangle is a strangle, do it enough and itll break a bone or be lethal, no matter what art its in

[@joshuasasfire2759]

Aikido beats them all

[@jestersage8700]

@@joshuasasfire2759 aikido doesn't work its for deluded loses

[@joshuasasfire2759]

@@jestersage8700 like to see you say that to a legit aikido guy.

[@doctormadero1919]

@@joshuasasfire2759 sure....there is plenty of aikido guys who are vale tudo and mma champions. Delusional....

[@drutgat2]

That was a very good interview; methodical, detailed - many thanks. Travis seems like a great, hard working guy.

[@manuelnunez8802]

WOW...he completely echoed my thoughts regarding Baseball. When I first moved to the states with my parents I was seven years of age. They decided, of all things, to put me in little league baseball. I remember the first time as a seven - year old that I was up at bat and looking at this kid that was about to throw that ball - which is like a ROCK - at me and yes, exactly, all I had was this stick to defend myself. And I remember the fear in me thinking, "Please G-d, don't let this rock hit me...I hate this..." and I swung as hard as I could...and the ball crashed into my fingers as they held the bat. I screamed in agony and dropped the bat. And from that day, I hated baseball with a passion. He is such a straightforward, humble, determined and intelligent guy. Loved this interview.

[@clim1519]

Great interview. Huge respect for Travis Stevens for what he has been through & accomplished 👍

[@markd2797]

Bless Travis Stevens

[@Ivuspp]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu looks just like Judo, because it is Basically Just Judo. When Mitsuyo Maeda, a.k.a. "Conde Koma", began teaching Carlos Gracie in Belem do Para, Brazil in 1917, he was teaching Jigoro Kano's Jiu-Jitsu direct from the Kodokan in Japan. The name "Judo" was not popularized until 1925. Mitsuyo Maeda was a Kodokan Judo instructor whose specialty was ground fighting (newaza). This type of ground-only fighting is often referred to as Kosen Judo, or High School Judo, because it was popularized in Japanese High Schools as a form of interscholastic wrestling. Kosen Judo rules allowed direct transition to newaza, enabling scenarios where one less skilled competitor could drag the other down to the ground (a tactic now known as "pulling-guard" in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). There is absolutely no question that the Gracie family demonstrated great skill and marketing acumen by promoting "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu" or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the masses. Helio Gracie's loss to Kodokan Judoka Masahiko Kimura was advertised as a "moral victory". More importantly, the Gracies sponsored the original Ultimate Fighting Championships when the world was begging for a professional combat sport with more depth than Boxing and more realism than the WWF. However, there is now a generation of Jiu-Jitsu students who only know half the story. Worse yet, they are often paying enormous prices for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu name only to learn a subset of Jigoro Kano's original Jiu-Jitsu techniques and teaching methods. The Judo world has not been without fault too. High ranking judoka often looked down on the new popular MMA world due to Judo's Olympic status. As a result, most Judo schools have been over-emphasizing the throwing techniques within Judo due to pressure from the International Olympic Comittee to increase ratings on TV for the brief moments when Olympic Judo would receive air time. Similarly, there is a generation of Jiu-Jitsu students, and now instructors, who incorrectly think Judo is nothing but a standing sport.

[@qrcode4718]

Very good...

[@darylfields]

Mitsuyo Maeda called it jujitsu cause he didn't want to disrespect Kodokan rules

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Francisco Aglairton - Many thanks for this. Very interesting indeed! :)

[@darylfields]

@Hudson Hawk6 The Gracie's perfected the ne-waza

[@darylfields]

@Alkhazred1 helio gracie pretty much created that aspect

[@PchemE]

hey flo grappling guys, stop interrupting him mid sentence and let him finish his thoughts

[@AlexisLaplante]

the guy dosent talk very much, they have to ask him some shit

[@kieronhoswell2722]

Fantastic interview. So deep.

[@goyallucky5203]

I Was fortunate enough to train at a Place Called Cranford Judo in Central Jersey back in 97/98,Our Head Instructor was YOSHISADA YONEZUKA(RIP). He was a LEGIT BAD ASS In Judo, He was a 2 Olympic team coach in the 80's and trained MIKE SWAIN When Mike won the GOLD MEDAL In the 1987 JUDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS and He( MR YONEZUKA ) was also a 9TH Degree Blackbelt ( KUDAN ) In JUDO. He Passed Away 10/18/2014 and he was LOVED by everyone

[@slugavenger7471]

Terrific interview

[@judorican973]

Great interview thanks 👍

[@markd2797]

1:52:29 is one of the most serious answers ever

[@ohernandez1979]

Mark I met Travis one time at a clinic, it’s kind off putting how serious he always is

[@Oldhandlewasabitcringe]

Bit weird tbh

[@jmalik1512]

I have a joke ... “how many flow grappling guys does it take to interview Travis Stevens...

[@SquaredbyX]

Considering his last name, probably an even number of them.

[@Ash-fu6jf]

Half as many as it would take to beat him

[@stefanocioni2587]

Travis is a legend. When he says BJJ guys have terrible standup, he is 100% right!

[@sandro7709]

judokas are killers on the feet and very compentent on the ground bjj guys are terrible on the feet and good on the ground

[@JEFFMAN90]

​@@sandro7709 judokas are horrible on the ground compared to BJJ

[@luisvasquez89]

@@JEFFMAN90 real judokas, who train tachi waza and ne waza equally, aren't.

[@mason2376]

High performance people aren’t concerned with what people think of their personality. Their minds are constantly fixed on improving and not on pleasing others. They’re not mean, just focused.

[@Hshjshshjsj72727]

not all; ronda rousey.

[@griffinlej]

i have done judo, and there is definitely a level of playfulness involved in most of my training sessions. It's also very serious when the time is necessary. Just like BJJ..Other than that, this is one of the best interviews I've listened to from a fellow grappling athlete.

[@AnnaKuznetzova88]

Judo is far less playful from jiujitsu tho. Jiujitsu is more slow and controlled judo much more fast and explosive. This is why I use judo more for self defense

[@Monchi2006]

These are great interviewers

[@goyallucky5203]

Great interview guys, TRAVIS Is such a Down to Earth type of guy and he's very HUMBLE also. Im Definately a Fan of His Now

[@ItsAllGood550]

I think this video would be better if you let him thoroughly answer a question before jumping in with a follow-up question.

[@ultimaoculis6389]

They were just following a script weren't they

[@ultimaoculis6389]

Like there were a few times where travis said something and I was like that sounds huge wtf does he mean by that, and the dudes just went OK cool next question

[@napalminthemorning8309]

His Dan Gable answer was absolute gold to me; he is a true student with a mind of steel who wants to learn from the best.

[@platonepifanov6691]

Very nice interview. Pity you guys hesitated to ask Trevis how he prices his fight with Halmurzaev in Rio. This would be very interesting to learn. But still thanks a lot for deep interview

[@kace999]

Travis shows the difference between the mentality of a world class competitor and a world champion. Champions set the absolute highest standards for themselves because their goal isn't to do well, it's to beat literally everyone.

[@firegate6316]

Excellent athlete

[@SKgyebaek]

rule 1 when rolling with judokas = pull guard straight away

[@billywalendom]

great listening to this guy

[@jennariseley3161]

Can we get some timestamps with topics

[@taltezy2941]

I remember him as young adult at senior nationals in Miami. I knew he was going to do something special. Promote Judo bro!

[@PhilosophyofArtandScience]

makes me want to train more jujitsu and judo. not fully clear on what he means when he differentiates them so much, but i inagine he means sports' rulesets. for self defense, they weave together beautifully.

[@eduardotoledo2744]

i didnt know travis could laugh...

[@MoneyOverFame]

eduardo toledo lol i know. Seems like he can be a mean guy.

[@Algebrodadio]

Not mean - just really serious.

[@ishakaimen1576]

Grugknuckle that’s what got him his medal though

[@FeesBjjVideos]

Show de bola Oss

[@cking509]

Great interview but my word, this man is the most intense person on Earth. I don't think he cracked a smile the whole time.

[@liliherren]

What happened to the kid he hired to help him train?? around 25:00 mins into the vid

[@mjfortner23]

Travis killed him.

[@justasleepparalysisdemonwi8719]

@@mjfortner23 he was a loose end lol.

[@danebeck7900]

Knee injuries have long term effects... Hope he doesn't have arthritis in his knee.

[@martinaugustocarvallocrosa4616]

According to medics its a sure thing in a lot cases. It depends on your nutricional regimes and genetics I think

[@micahasher7600]

Went through the same thing ten years ago. I just don’t deadlift or squat too heavy. I try to keep it under twice my body weight. Hurts every now and then but I’m 100% functional.

[@alexeyepifanov2684]

Travis is just great person and wrestler!!! Fantastic interview

[@td4yd154]

Should’ve been a 3hr podcast

[@CZECHMATE650]

I met that him and his mother in a Grocery store. He was like 10 years old and TOTALLY submerged in JUDO!

[@Midnitedreary88]

They were desperately trying to get him to ass kiss BJJ. 😂

[@davidmichael6913]

What an intelligent warrior.

[@byronredditt8097]

Nice, he mentioned me! I'm world famous!!

[@RGTomoenage11]

Good job.

[@rellha3940]

This should be interesting

[@souamericana]

"Did I kill her dog?" LOL, sorry that's you're injury but that was funny to me... Kidding aside, you are a true professional Travis, incredible athlete and please keep doing what you're doing!

[@moekim9772]

Travis Stevens as a tennis player. That would of never crossed my mind lol

[@ElChilling]

As a fan it would be awesome to see Travis Stevens verse Flavio Canto!!! @flograppling make it happen?

[@furiousfellow1583]

1:44:17 this!!

[@matejfele9971]

Ok, he had a great judo portfolio, but a BJJ black belt from a legit gym in 18 months? Holy f*ck...

[@Jackson-ox6vf]

Matej Fele I think his judo portfolio is still much more impressive

[@Karen-fs6lf]

He tore through renzo academy 18 months to black belt

[@matejfele9971]

@@Karen-fs6lf Yep

[@Kwisatz-Chaderach]

Danaher is a machine dude.

[@garyquirk9405]

"the United States of America, we have everything you need" 🇺🇸🙌💯🙏🙇😎👌

[@nicholasnj3778]

ok question there are more Juitsu Fighters (Jacare, Maia) in mMA than Judo fighters (Karl Parisyn) so I don't quite get the comment about Judo being a harder mentality?

[@lottajudo]

MMA is generally against the philosophy of judo which is based on mutual benefit and welfare, not to fight for money or show. So many good judoka do not care about MMA to make a living. The Kodokan always have frowned upon their black belts becoming prize fighters throughout history.

[@nicholasnj3778]

@@lottajudo its not about making a living maybe these days are over but Lyoto Machida back when people said Karate is not effective for MMA (or even the street) was out to "Prove" Otherwise ... it not about making money its about proving your art is "Martial" / effective for fighting in a real situation ... Lyoto and his Brother along with Vincio Antony now have a Dojo and teach out in Ca.

[@lottajudo]

@@nicholasnj3778 Again, judo's ideal is not in MMA and many high level judoka are simply do not care for it. Mostly you have judokas fighting after they retire from high level judo, the money is still the main draw for the few retired high level judokas. Perhaps few want to prove their effectiveness, but most already know they are good fighters and do not need to prove anything.

[@m5a1stuart83]

@@nicholasnj3778 well now they had Rhonda and Khabib in MMA. They proves that Judo could do better in MMA. If the question is why noy many Judoka in MMA? Well I dont see any BJJ Fighter in Judo Grand Slam too. But Hayato Sakurai did win ADCC back then.

[@kooldude121858]

Nicholas NJ the reason why is because most judokas commit their entire career to winning an Olympic medal, unlike d1 wrestlers who aren’t good enough to make the olympics so they take the mma route

[@nidgeontour257]

In my opinion, Judo players train too hard! Travis is a beast but a great ambassador for the sport!

[@valentinamunoz1867]

Respect to Travis and Flograppling for great content, but at 24:15, what did he say? I kept playing it back and forth but could not understand..

[@henrikg1388]

Travis is a unique grappler for sure, but the man must have 0% humour.

[@anilphilip546]

He is not a comedian nor a politician nor an actor. Why should it matter?

[@rubikscubing5634]

@@SereneJudo I'm a human also and I'm just like Travis. I dont have that much of a sense of humor

[@rorybreaker23]

@@anilphilip546 The guy complaining about his "lack of humor" is probably a Joe Bro Rogan fan whos used to stupid jokes every minute and guys saying "starched" for EVERYTHING. This interview with Travis was really a breath of fresh air, theres was no bullshit or filler, hes all business. Classes with him must be amazing.

[@bruceparker6142]

This guy is intense. I feel he can just look at someone and throw them.

[@smashleyscott8272]

Incorrect, touch falls/spot pins happen in Greco & freestyle often.

[@robertmckeon7953]

Look at his hands. Definitely a judoka!

[@weir-t7y]

Robert McKeon strikers get those too mate

[@markzucc3277]

You know what big hands mean ;)

[@leartgashi3039]

@@weir-t7y nah, not like that.

[@erik3174]

@@markzucc3277 big gloves?

[@TheBlackHarrington]

100% wron about bjj in the olympics. Did skateboarding ever have a real national governing body? Yet it’s in the olympics even though it’s still largely illegal

[@woodstock1111]

Tough dude, but he already knows he devoted his career to a sport that is a bit lost and not necessarily the grappling sport of the future. About his bjj: The fact that he got close with (much lighter) Miyao proves that his bjj is valid but it does not prove he could necessarily ever win IBJJF worlds or ADCC. The only way to prove that is to enter and he does not want to risk his image doing that. In his last bjj fight Yuri Simoes did a takedown against him and dominated him. His bjj looked very good but not good enough for winning at that level so I were him, I wouldn't be so cocky telling which bjj player is an athlete and who's not. Try winning them first. He is an exceptional athlete still and I respect him just not always his style in interviews. Intresting how he praises John Danaher more than Jimmy Pedro. He himself is an excellent coach.

[@iramswrestlinghighlights1164]

BJJ are not good athletes

[@sylver76]

Judo pro athletes are no longer allowed by the Judo federation to enter tournaments in other disciplines (very unfair, but that's how it is), so he won't be able to compete in BJJ until his Judo career is done and over. Against Miyao, realize that he had 6 months of BJJ at that point, had not internalized the rules and lost by an advantage to a . Think about it: Which BJJ athlete could go in against a judo world champ under Judo rules, regardless of weight classes trying to win and not getting thrown?

[@wandzaa]

Kind of hilarious he is talking about BJJ sitting in a t-shirt "in jiu jitsu we trust" 😅

[@emac6961]

Love me some JUDO 🔥🔥

[@Karen-fs6lf]

Basic judo submission classic Travis

[@paullam9912]

👏👍🙏

[@bravesirgallahad]

That was tense

[@tomjones2056]

“Gordon is going to tear up the Gi.” Those bold statements end up making ya look like a dumbass at a higher rate than looking a sage. Really helps demonstrate his risk v. reward spiel.

[@estogaza5827]

This post makes you look like a dumbass. Oh wow Gordan didn’t go GI. He just decided to be the most dominant BJJ No Gi competitor of all time. Which is exactly what we’d expect if we listened to Travis by seeing that Gordon and his coach are professionals. Unlike most bjj players.

[@anthonybrett8257]

He said he can throw anybody in the works if he can get his back to there chest. He tried that with the Georgian at a tournament and he got bombed right after lol

[@estogaza5827]

Wow. Great comment

[@estogaza5827]

Jujitsu produces the lowest quality body type of all the grappling arts. Really good jujitsu guys look like they don't even lift/exercise.

[@doctormadero1919]

Galvao? Gordon ryan?

[@gonzalorocha]

💉+🍑=💪

[@JEFFMAN90]

You sound stupid you Judo nerd 😂😂

[@nstv23]

A little history from Brazil. There were many Japanese teaching ju jitsu in Brazil and all over the world at the time. Some raising the flag of ju jitsu some straight from kodokan dojo. The Gracies didn’t want to fall under kodokan umbrella and their structure. The Gracies had their own vision and needed the freedom to do whatever they wanted. Also they were using and training more as a martial art then a sport. Just like many other Japanese teaching in Brazil, they were teaching ju jitsu and marketing themselves as a ju jitsu, fighter and teachers at the time. Promoting themselves not kodokan dojo in Japan. Ju Jitsu became Kano ju jitsu that became kodokan judo. All the modern stuff like BJJ, sambo, Olympic judo, submission wrestling are all amazing branches from the same tree. When gracies took it to US they patented Gracie jiu jitsu. In Brazil it was always called Jiu-Jitsu only. With the competition scene of sport jiu jitsu growing in Brazil and the refinement of the techniques and growth of the sport many gyms and people were getting promoted and opening business. In the US the same thing people were migrating to teach the art after the boom from the UFC. So with the money opportunities in the US many people wanted to teach jiu jitsu but didn’t want to pay to use the Gracie name. So the need to created Brazilian jiu jitsu federation for marketing purposes, to create a federation and show that was the same art from the Gracies. Peace ✌🏻 and please go train both modern BJJ + modern judo = real ju jitsu Best of both worlds. Respect both sports because it is the same art. Respect all the pioneers that paved the way on both sides. Because of each person involved we today have all these greatness of grappling around. Osu !

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Jiu Jitsu and jubo nice

[@vwgolf1991]

What I got out of this is that Travis Stevens has little to no personality, and judo is unbelievably dangerous and I'm sticking with BJJ.

[@estogaza5827]

@@SereneJudo it didn’t sound that way to me at all. Sounds like your effeminate personality paints your view points

[@lastreetobserve8611]

Garry tonon

[@studiomonster-c9l]

All the comments are bots.

[@luxuryhomes8889]

yea Judo is okay I'm all about American Jiu Jiitsu now so.... Cobra Kai style

[@adnanalam2006]

Is that Chester Bennington?

[@garethllewellyn215]

Where, I didn't see a skeleton?

[@James.1_2-3]

Can someone kindly tell me interesting things he said about the different disciplines and his opinion? Something interesting! And maybe edgy

[@akumu9x9]

Dissing SJSU and USA Judo is really routine. You're right not very controversial.

[@James.1_2-3]

Maulrus all that outta 2 hours? Bless your soul. Glad I didn’t watch lol

[@akumu9x9]

Dude is a salty dog but straight shooter. Refreshingly so. Wanted more on Judo technique but got some interesting anecdotes on training strategy against different opponents.

[@XManium]

Honestly, it's the anecdotes Maulrus mentions that make it worth listening too, and only if you're into that sort of thing.

[@usmcjo213]

Jason over Jimmy ? Hell No. Jimmy is awesome.

[@DELL0015]

Who is Jason?

[@frankiesfastcooking6027]

Good guy and great interview but he is way to serious. He needs to lighten up a little life is short.

[@KaneODriscoll]

He’s only 34, he will lighten up as he gets older.

[@berzerkfury1459]

Guys got tickets in himself

[@xatheus]

'Why don't you charge 50 bucks a month and make 150 grand a year...' Hmm, because putting actual profit aside you'd need 3000 students registered.

[@FormidableOne]

xatheus - 250 students**

[@Dpackie]

It's funny to me that he thinks mat wrestling is not as physical as judo. LoL.

[@jorgeherrera1074]

Dave Packie I’m sure an olympic level judoka has more insight into the topic than some rando (likely wrestler) on the internet

[@Dpackie]

@@jorgeherrera1074 Former wrestler, sure, no have a brown belt in BJJ. I love Judo. Obviously Mr. Stevens is an amazing competitor and I respect his skill, knowledge and accomplishments. At the same time, I have spent my time getting hammered on the mat. Power-halves cranked, arm bars run on me, gut wrenches forced through my defense by folks who know how to do it. It is violent, grueling, and punishing. As much so as any nasty judo throw or BJJ submission or hold. The twister is legal in HS wrestling. Belly to belly back arch throws and scoop slams are legal in grecco so I don't get that Judo is so much more intense that those, or any less so.

[@m5a1stuart83]

I love grappling but it seems it is hard to get an Ippon in Judo than in Wrestling. Perhaps thats why.

[@caseyjordan9513]

I guess it all depends on how you define physical. If you mean just raw power vs physical complexity. Judo is for sure more physically complex. The gi changes everything imo. It makes executing so meticulously complex and brutal at that level

[@frankiecal3186]

This guy has the personality of a dry wall.....Have Ben Askren on he's way funnier.

[@iandavies6575]

Ju-jitsu is boring to watch, it's not a spectator sport like Judo is

[@chrisdonovan8795]

I've been training in Judo for 30 years. The rules for Judo have been constantly changing just to make it more appealing to spectators. This was done to keep it in the Olympics and differentiate it from wrestling. Some changes were done for safety, but to me, making it "illegal" to grab legs hurt Judo's credibility.

[@RGTomoenage11]

Travis is a great guy but gotta work on that personality lol.

[@frankiecal3186]

Folkstyle Wrestling is better than Judo.

[@Rastarandie]

Depends on what you're looking for.. they're not the same. Judo is about Ippon, ending a fight with one solid throw. Wrestling doesn't end that way. Judo is also submission based, American folkstyle isn't. Judo is jacket grappling, wrestling is not. Completely different dynamics.