Breaking The Guard Podcast

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Episodes

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

Aug 4, 2025

BTG 150 - Are Aoki Locks Too Dangerous?

Aug 4, 2025

24 min

These past couple of weeks of professional have made an impression on me, in that Aoki locks are very dangerous leg locks that are not to be played around with. Does that mean we should ban them from the sport?

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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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Jul 28, 2025

BTG 149 - Improving Cardio and Shitty Wrestling

Jul 28, 2025

38 min

I start off talking about my new love/hate affair with the assault bike, and what I hope to gain from it. There were a lot of events this past week, from PGF, UFC, PFL, BJJ Stars, WNO, CFC, and EBI. I go over some of the results of these events, and what I think grappling can learn from the PGF and CJI/UFC BJJ.

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Jul 21, 2025

BTG 148 - PGF and Struggles with Strategy Implementation

Jul 21, 2025

29 min

The 8th season of the PGF (Professional Grappling League) starts this Wednesday here in Las Vegas. I give my thoughts on the big changes in this season's format, and a couple of critiques. I then talk about my progress in changing my strength and conditioning routine, and how I'm struggling to implement a new mat strategy.

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Jul 14, 2025

BTG 147 - Write it in Stone

Jul 14, 2025

28 min

It's not the first time I talk about the power of putting your thoughts and ideas in physical form, and after you finish listening to this, you will understand why it won't be the last time either. I will focus on the importance of documenting problems in your life, from training to relationships, and how writing it down, taking pictures, or filming it makes it "real" versus just floating around in your head.

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Jul 7, 2025

BTG 146 - What I have learned in 44 years

Jul 7, 2025

23 min

I turned 44 today, and I reflect on what adjustments I want to make and what I have learned and continue to learn, and the secret to not getting bored.

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Jun 30, 2025

BTG 145 - Unstoppable Champions

Jun 30, 2025

27 min

In the aftermath of UFC 317, we have a stable of champions that have impressive win streaks, with no major contenders in sight. Now that it seems the UFC has ended the ability to be a double champion, perhaps we have some long reigning champions like we did in the good old days. Will that be a good thing or a bad thing? I also recap the results of the AIGA world championships on Sunday, and why I think team grappling competitions got it wrong.

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Jun 23, 2025

BTG 144 - The End of an Era

Jun 23, 2025

28 min

I return from my trip to Florida with a new black belt, review more episodes of the UFC BJJ show, discuss the main event of that last UFC fight night between Hill vs Rountree, and finally, talk about the announcement of the official retirement of Jon Jones.

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Jun 16, 2025

BTG 143 - Enhanced Combat Sports League

Jun 16, 2025

35 min

I was asked about my stance on PEDs after a previous podcast, and while I have talked about me thoughts about them on several podcasts, I have never focused on it entirely. So I dedicate the first half of this podcast to that. I then answer a different question, which was how would I feel of having a "clean" fight league and an "enhanced" fight league.

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Jun 8, 2025

BTG 142 - I'm the crazy one

Jun 8, 2025

32 min

Spoiler alert, I talk about UFC 316 on this podcast, and I realize I might be a bit crazy. I also talk about the difference between being sore vs being hurt, and some secrets that Merab revealed about his conditioning program.

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Jun 2, 2025

BTG 141 - Most Mid UFC Card?

Jun 2, 2025

29 min

I don't think anyone was excited about this card, and it seemed to get worse as the event closed in. We had 3 fighters miss weight, one fighter was ill and couldn't fight, and two of the fighters that missed weight ended up dropping out of their fights last minute. This sparks a conversation about weight cutting again, where I really go against the practice and blame the athletic commissions. I close on some new developments with my website, and ask for your help making it even better.

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