Jak ‘The Reptile’ Luxton is no stranger to competition, although turning up and entering on the day has sometimes been part of the preparation.

Thankfully, one of those spontaneous appearances at NAGA ended with Jak walking away with a rather nice NAGA Championship belt to show for it. 🏆

For the EJO Invitational, he's had a little more notice.

In Episode 7 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we meet Jak ahead of his -88kg match against Wilf Kelly.

At 33, Jak has already spent almost three decades involved in martial arts, having first started at just five years old.

And despite all that experience, the last six months haven't been about simply doing more of the Jiu Jitsu he already enjoys.

Jak has deliberately focused on the parts he doesn't.

He's been working on the areas of his game he'd perhaps rather avoid, building the tools and responses he believes he'll need to counter whatever comes his way when he meets Wilf on the EJO mats.

Away from training, Jak also manages two businesses, fitting his Jiu Jitsu into an already busy life with the support of his partner, friends and family.

And he'll have plenty of that support in the room at EJO, with around 20 people coming along to cheer him on.

We talk about his long history in martial arts, competing, preparing differently for this match and the value of spending time getting better at the things you don't necessarily enjoy.

Because after nearly three decades in martial arts, Jak is still finding areas to work on.

JAK ‘THE REPTILE’ LUXTON vs WILF KELLY

-88kg 🔥

Get to know Jak before he steps onto the EJO Invitational mats.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW JAK

https://www.instagram.com/jak_thereptile_luxton/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Harris has spent years testing himself across MMA and Jiu Jitsu. Now he’s stepping onto the mats for the first-ever EJO Invitational. 🔥

In Episode 6 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we meet experienced fighter Phil Harris ahead of his match against Marcos “Ratinho” Santana.

Training out of Gym 01 under Vitor Shaolin, Phil brings a wealth of combat sports experience to the EJO mats, having competed extensively across both MMA and BJJ.

He's no stranger to high-level competition either, with notable victories on Polaris amongst his achievements.

Now there's a new event and a new challenge ahead.

For the first-ever EJO Invitational, Phil faces multiple-time World Champion Marcos Santana - the athlete we met back in Episode 2 of this podcast.

Two highly experienced competitors bringing years of knowledge to the mats, each with their own background, approach and reasons for continuing to test themselves.

Phil Harris vs Marcos Santana.

Experience on both sides - and another opportunity to find out what happens when the match begins. 🔥

Get to know Phil Harris before he steps onto the EJO Invitational mats.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW PHIL

https://www.instagram.com/philufc/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've competed at a Jiu Jitsu event and smiled in Angelika Glapiak's direction, there's a fair chance she's photographed you.

Angelika is a familiar face and well-known personality across the Jiu Jitsu community. usually found behind the camera capturing everyone else on the mats.

At the EJO Invitational, she's doing both.

In Episode 5 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, Angelika joins us ahead of her match against Toni Prince, an opponent she first met in competition a long time ago.

And on event day, Angelika will still be doing what so many people in the sport know her for.

She'll be photographing the action before her match, stepping onto the mats to compete, and then getting back behind the camera afterwards.

Because consistency runs through almost everything Angelika does.

Now a Black Belt, she talks openly about the routines that shape her life and why earning that belt hasn't suddenly changed her approach.

She shows up. She trains. She works. She photographs. She competes.

Black Belt or not, the consistency remains.

We talk about life beyond the photographs, her approach to Jiu Jitsu, reaching Black Belt, maintaining her routines and what it means to meet Toni again after their paths first crossed in competition many years ago.

And at EJO, Angelika gets to experience the event from both sides of the lens.

Photographer. Black Belt. Competitor.

Angelika Glapiak vs Toni Prince. 📸🔥

Get to know Angelika before she steps onto the EJO Invitational mats.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW ANGELIKA

https://www.instagram.com/angelika.glapiak/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From competing internationally with Cage Warriors to Black Belt Jiu Jitsu, Charlie Falco is getting ready to put the Gi on for EJO.

In Episode 4 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we meet Charlie Falco ahead of his under 64kg match against Kami San at the first-ever EJO Invitational.

And Charlie deserves some credit for simply making it onto this episode!

After overcoming more than a few technical issues to join the podcast, his determination to show up eventually won, and we're very glad it did.

Charlie comes to EJO with an extensive combat sports background. Alongside being a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, he has competed internationally in MMA, including appearances with Cage Warriors.

For EJO, however, it's the Gi he's looking forward to putting back on.

Thankfully, this particular opportunity didn't arrive at 1am.

Charlie tells us he's used to getting calls from his coach or management at some fairly questionable hours, but Paul from EJO was considerably kinder when it came to arranging this match!

Now Charlie is grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to putting the Gi on and competing against Kami San.

We talk about his background in MMA and Jiu Jitsu, competing internationally, his appreciation for the opportunity to be part of EJO, and even the occasionally unconventional way those opportunities arrive.

Charlie expects both himself and Kami to comfortably come in under the 64kg limit, leaving them free to concentrate on what happens when they actually meet on the mats.

Two Black Belts. Under 64kg. Charlie Falco versus Kami San — and Charlie is ready to fight in the Gi. 🔥

Get to know Charlie ahead of his match at EJO.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW CHARLIE

https://www.instagram.com/cfalco.96/

https://www.instagram.com/bkkfightershq/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Ranger nearly quit Jiu Jitsu. His mates made sure he didn’t.

In Episode 3 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we meet the Head Coach of Rhino BJJ as Chris prepares to step onto the mats for his first-ever invitational - after 16 years of training and competing in Jiu Jitsu.

This is an episode about what can happen when the right people are around you at the right time.

Chris shares the story of reaching a point where he was ready to walk away from BJJ, and the friends and teammates who supported him and helped keep him on the mats.

Today, he's the Head Coach of an academy that has become far more competitive than he ever imagined when Rhino BJJ began — and he's now helping develop the next generation of competitive BJJ kids.

We talk about the rewards of coaching young athletes, friendship and community, and Chris's own ambitions, which are far from finished.

He's lost 14kg over the past year, continues to develop his own Jiu Jitsu and has a clear goal in his sights: becoming European Champion.

And after 16 years in the sport, there's still room for another first.

Chris Ranger is making his Invitational debut at EJO.

A conversation about friendship, coaching, competition, ambition — and the people who keep you going when you might otherwise have stopped.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW CHRIS

https://www.instagram.com/danger14ranger/

https://www.instagram.com/rhino_bjj/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple-time World Champion Marcos “Ratinho” Santana is heading to the EJO Invitational, and he’s fighting for the title belt.

In Episode 2 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we get to know Marcos ahead of his title match against formidable competitor Phil Harris at Basildon Sporting Village on Saturday 17 October 2026.

Training at Roger Gracie Academy, Marcos has built an impressive competitive career with multiple World Championship titles amongst his many achievements.

But this conversation goes beyond medals and accolades.

Marcos talks about life as a Masters athlete and the consistency, resilience and discipline required to keep training, developing and competing at a high level over time.

We explore what keeps him showing up, the mindset behind his longevity in Jiu Jitsu and why success is built through the work you continue to put in, day after day.

Now another challenge awaits as Marcos “Ratinho” Santana faces Phil Harris for the EJO Invitational title belt.

Two experienced athletes. One title on the line.

Get to know Marcos before he steps onto the EJO Invitational mats.

For the first time, EJO is moving beyond its established open tournament format to create a fully curated, invitation-only card featuring some of the UK’s exciting gi and no-gi grapplers.

Starting from around 2pm and running into the evening, expect a packed card of competitive match-ups and a crowd-driven atmosphere, with the event also available via live stream.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW MARCOS

https://www.instagram.com/marcosratinho/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of the EJO Invitational Podcast, hosted by Lou Temlett.

In Episode 1, Lou is joined by Caz Ovenden as we start the build-up to the first-ever EJO Invitational, taking place at Basildon Sporting Village on Saturday 17 October 2026.

We get to know Caz, talk Jiu Jitsu and look ahead to her involvement in the Invitational as EJO enters a new chapter.

For the first time, EJO is moving beyond its established open tournament format to create a fully curated, invitation-only card featuring some of the UK’s exciting gi and no-gi grapplers.

Starting from around 2pm and running into the evening, expect a packed card of competitive match-ups and a crowd-driven atmosphere, with the event also available via live stream.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW CAZ

https://www.instagram.com/caznatasha/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.