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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.
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

Monday Feb 02, 2026
BTG 176 - Adapt or Die
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
I start off reviewing Polaris 35, which in my opinion was not that fun of a watch. Once again, bad rulesets seem to have removed the incentive from athletes to go after submissions and make for boring match ups.
I then dig into UFC 235, which had some fun match ups and finishes. But on a few of the match ups I see a common theme - fighters not adapting or getting stagnate.
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 Jan 26, 2026
BTG 175 - UFC on Paramount Delivers
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
After what seems forever without a UFC, we had a solid card with lots of great action, with the main event being a great fight. I recap the card, talk about the new bonus structure of the UFC, and old problems that are still lurking.
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 Jan 19, 2026
BTG 174 - I need a taste of my own medicine
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
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.
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 Jan 12, 2026
BTG 173 - Kill or be Killed
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
Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/DavidAvellan
Follow me on X: https://X.com/DavidAvellan
Tag us on Social Media with #BreakingTheGuard

Monday Jan 05, 2026
BTG 172 - Looking Back
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
BTG 171 - Character over Talent
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
BTG 170 - When to call it quits
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
BTG 169 - I'm done playing with you
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
BTG 168 - Revenge
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
BTG 167 - The most neglected skillset of champions
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
