Unknown Pressures – A Jiu-Jitsu Podcast

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | In this episode of Unknown Pressures we discuss the tragic and horrifying case of a black belt who was paralysed as the result of an illegal move in a tournament, the war of words between Andrew Tackett and Mateusz Szczecinski, and the recent changes to the ADCC 2026 line-up that could signal the true start of the war of grappling promotions.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for timestamps for this episode.
Episode 46 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 
 
Timestamps
0:00 Black belt breaks neck in Brazil
19:26 UFC BJJ 10: Good matches, meh event
29:17 Tackett vs Szczecinski's war of words
31:52 A quick Paddy Pimblett story
33:09 Can Tackett vs Szczecinski ever happen?
43:46 The political sponsor of UFC BJJ

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Nicholas Meregali is one of the greatest grapplers in the world, but his social media game leaves a lot to be desired.
When he's not posting selfies, he's talking trash to his opponents and taunting them ahead of their matches. Case in point: his upcoming bout with Felipe Pena. Meregali pulled off a strange stunt that left many people shocked and confused by announcing only 10 days out from the match that he was withdrawing for personal reasons, only to recant his statement less than 24 hours later and reveal it was all a prank.
Genius promotion for a match that was otherwise getting little traction outside of the Portuguese-speaking community, or ill-advised stunt that probably had the promoters in a twist? We discuss this and more in this week's episode of Unknown Pressures.
Also in this episode:
Jiu-jitsu has a TRT problem, and it's worse than you think
Can a professional grappler completely ignore posting to social media?
UFC BJJ's Open tournaments are shaping up very differently to how we expected
Q&A time! We opened our inboxes and respond to your questions...
Scroll to the bottom of this post for timestamps for this episode.
Episode 45 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 
 
Timestamps
0:00 Nicholas Meregali tried to rug pull the jiu-jitsu world
11:06 Let’s be honest here, TRT is a PED
24:39 How NOT to do social media as a pro athlete
33:48 UFC BJJ Opens: a success with the kids
41:25 Q&A: Sakuraba vs Aoki, who has the better legacy?

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | For all their best efforts, UFC BJJ hasn't exactly exploded onto the scene and taken over the grappling world quite as quickly or as effectively as they maybe hoped. And two recent news items illustrate that perfectly.
First Andrew Tackett is struggling with a problem that highlights what is maybe UFC's issue. The divisions aren't that deep and people are signing the contracts, which means their champions can't get decent matches.
On the other hand, UFC BJJ is staring at a problem entirely of their own making. Arranging for Mikey Musumeci to produce saucy content with an influencer is maybe the worst marketing decisions made by the UFC BJJ to date. C'mon guys, seriously?
Also in this episode:
Matt regales us of tales from inside Los Banditos
Level Black is the new Tapout
An active UFC fighter signs up for Masters Worlds
Dillon Danis vs Arman Tsarukyan!
Patreon exclusive: Teen girl claim major achievement in jiu-jitsu
Patreon exclusive: Who's coaching the coaches?
Episode 44 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else. 
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 
 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Jiu-jitsu drama never ends, right? Just when things go quiet, somebody says or does something and it all kicks off again.
The big news of late was that Adele Fornarino finally revealed her reasons for withdrawing from ADCC. The Australian, who did double gold at ADCC in 2024 winning both her weight division and the absolute, gave us the real reasons behind her decision not to compete. She voiced her multiple grievances, which are not without merit, and laid out her plans for the future instead.
Also in this episode:
- ADCC camps inside info: who's training where, and how
- A criticism and defence of IBJJF rules
- IBJJF cash prizes explained (yes, they exist)
- Polaris lightweight title: what happens next?
- and more on Patreon
 
Episode 43 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/ 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 
 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Matt's back from training in Finland so we have a bumper episode for you. The biggest news is that we got a good look into the inner workings of UFC BJJ and now have a lot more insight about which athletes they're trying to sign, how many are on exclusive agreements and – perhaps most importantly – how they plan to go global before the end of 2026.
Also in this episode:
- ADCC finally kicks out Izaak Michell, replaces him with a Trials runner-up
- Shoyoroll's controversial new campaign that had people big mad
- A recap of notable results including Helena Crevar, Jay Rod's comeback, and Quintet
- How Renato Canuto's sanction exposes a grey area for UFC BJJ
- AIGA's promise of big money for a new wave of hungry pro competitors
- Gordon Ryan finally realises that Russians are good at grappling
Scroll to the bottom of this post for timestamps for this episode.
 
Episode 42 of Unknown Pressures  is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a 
 
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | The Polish leg locker extraordinaire Mateusz Szczecinski showed why he's one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the game at the Polaris Welterweight Grand Prix, submitting two out of three opponents and taking the $30k cash prize.
As Matt was super stressed and Hywel was too busy enjoying the show, we didn't do an episode in person but there was a lot to talk about after the show, including:
How Mateusz firmly established himself as a leading competitor to watch at the upcoming ADCC in Poland
Tommy Langaker's nerve-racking weight cut that almost saw him pull out of the event
Some funny backstage stories, including broken-down cars, smelly rashguards and upcoming superfights
Also in this episode:
We're two months out from ADCC and the training camps are underway
Two big names pull out of ADCC, but why?
AIGA announce their return, with big money prizes available
IBJJF increase the cash grab
Episode 41 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 
Timestamps:
0:00 Polaris welterweight Grand Prix was excellent
2:31 Polaris GP recap of results
5:53 Mateusz's excellent techniques and strategy
11:41 Tommy nearly didn't make weight
14:39 Behind the scenes stories from Polaris
23:27 Sarah Galvao keeps getting better
24:54 Matt's thoughts on Polaris
26:42 ADCC season is here, camps have begun
29:18 Adele pulls out of ADCC but why?
35:00 Craig wants us to go to Mexico
36:16 AIGA are back with big money
39:24 Quintet returns, sign judo / MMA legend
41:42 The IBJJF cash grab

We've heard some pretty wild stuff over the years, but never has one of the very best coaches in the game been accused of taking shortcuts by using artificial intelligence to create a champion.
That's exactly what Kron Gracie said about John Danaher in an unexpected rant that led to a flamewar with Gordon Ryan. It's so preposterous that it's hard to believe we ended up talking about it in this episode, but hey, this is jiu-jitsu after all, you never know what to expect.
Plus in this episode:
The upcoming Polaris Welterweight Grand Prix
A recap of ACB, Russia's biggest pro grappling event
Top grapplers you need to know from the Caucasus region
Another jiu-jitsu coach arrested for horrific crimes
The good and bad of jiu-jitsu (there's more good than bad)
Episode 40 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else. Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/ 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Big news in the jiu-jitsu world this week: every athlete who will compete at ADCC 2026 has now been confirmed, and all of a sudden the tournament has become a lot more interesting and exciting. PLUS Craig Jones announced the coolest looking jiu-jitsu gym we've seen in a long time.
In this episode:
The full list of every competitor for ADCC 2026 shocked us (in both a good and bad way)
Craig Jones is back with a brand new B-Team gym
King Charles visits Roger Gracie HQ
The gringos take over in Brazil
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Episode 39 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst. 
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | We're back after a short break and there is so much to talk about: the return of Mica Galvao, the recent ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials, and a satisfying update about the criminal activities of a disgraced jiu-jitsu coach in Brazil.
In this episode: 
- Mica Galvao returns to action
- Disturbing new details in the Melqui Galvao case
- Jiu-jitsu coach and serial abuser sentenced to 178 years
- Renzo Gracie academy turns 30
- Getting starstruck by Anthony Bourdain 
- Recap of ADCC Trials in Australia 
- The upcoming Polaris Grand Prix 
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more! 
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst. 
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583 
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a 
 
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon  
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague 

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Last weekend, Team Polaris had to battle a rival Brazilian squad while dealing with stomach upsets and worse courtesy of Conor McGregor's pub, the Black Forge.
It's a miracle only one team member, poor Polish submission hunter Mateusz Szczecinski, withdrew from the event. That didn't stop the mostly-European team from running away with the win after a series of performances that became even more impressive when you consider their predicament. It added an extra layer of intrigue to Polaris's first event on Irish soil, which was warmly welcomed by the local grappling community.
In Episode 37 of Unknown Pressures we discuss:
Polaris Squads: Team Polaris vs Team BJJ Stars
Why Hywel doesn't speak with Mackenzie Dern any more
UFC BJJ: Title Defences, Job Opportunities and more Opens
Horrific incident at the ADCC Open in Atlanta and more!
Episode 37 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.
Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!
Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583  
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a  
Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/ 
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon 
Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague