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A Mixed Martial Arts talk show featuring Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts David Avellan (creator of the Kimura Trap System and ADCC 2009 Bronze Medalist) and Robert Drysdale (2005 IBJJF World Champion, ADCC 2007 Absolute Champion, co-founder of Zenith BJJ). Both of them have extensive backgrounds in MMA and BJJ as students, competitors, coaches, and school owners - pulling on their combined experiences to discuss the mental aspect of training, proper preparation, championship mindset, and more.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
I just realized that I am not holding myself to the same standards as a serious student and instructor with my own progression in the martial arts. That has to change, and I'll outline how I plan to tackle this problem.
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DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
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Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
We are still in a drought for MMA events, but we did have a real professional wrestling event with some interesting match ups and MMA crossovers. I then talk about the importance of having the warrior mindset when competing - even if you are an amateur.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
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Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
With little news in combat sports, I take a look back over the past year and reflect upon things I have done and learned. I then look forward to what I wish to do next.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
There has been more headlines this year about either unethical or immoral actions from athletes versus achievements or wins. I think that should say a lot about what we should be valuing in an athlete as a coach, but just in case, I will layout my case in detail.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Monday Dec 22, 2025
We had a strange mix of crossover fight sport events, from MMA to boxing and BJJ to wrestling, with a crossover of ages of 20-30 year old competing with 40+ athletes. Oddly enough, the older athletes were winning, which leads one to ask when is the right time to stop?
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
There comes a time where even you favorite moves get put on the shelf to sit and collect dust. Today's podcast discusses when and why that should happen, talking about shifts in both the mental and physical landscape.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
We had several notable rematches in combat sports this weekend, one in WNO between Felipe Pena vs Luke Griffith, the other in UFC 322 with Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan. I talk about the challenge of overcoming a previous defeat, the rest of the fights in UFC 322 main card, and recap my holiday travels with a note about yielding.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
If there is one aspect that is neglected in training, it's what I'm going to be talking about on this episode. Whether you are a hobbyist, a competitor, or a professional athlete, most ignore this key aspect that defines all champions.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Monday Nov 24, 2025
UFC Fight Night Qatar's main card was filled with great action - lots of KOs and a submission. But now that the dust has settled, the lightweight and welterweight divisions are looking far more promising compared to the dismal state of the heavyweight division.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
UFC 322 was a great night at fights, but the ending left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. There were plenty of hard fought matches, KOs, and submissions, but the co-main and main events where shows of complete dominance without finishing pressure.
Visit our sponsors:
DavidMMA.com - David Avellan's new website, where he is posting new articles daily, new courses being posted frequently, covering techniques, news, fitness, breakdowns, and much more. You can join as a guest for free to see what the site has to offer.
Follow me on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard