Elijah Dorsey has been doing jiu-jitsu since he was six years old, and he’s built a career that goes far beyond the mats. From ADCC to a Pans title run, international seminars, and a UFC BJJ main event opportunity, Elijah joins Weslee and Bailey to talk about the highs, the setbacks, and what’s next.

In this episode of Weslee Weighs In, we get into the ADCC match that still stings, why Elijah believes gi competition is harder than no-gi, and what went into his UFC BJJ title fight opportunity against Andrew Tackett. We also discuss Daniel Deeder’s callout, whether Elijah is ready to take that fight, and why a trip to Brazil might be in his future.

But jiu-jitsu is only part of the story. Elijah and his brother turned childhood odd jobs into a power washing business, grew it to its first $10K month during COVID, and figured out how to balance entrepreneurship with training twice a day. He also shares his plans for a mat-cleaning business and the surprising story behind a sponsor he almost left off his rash guard.

Plus, we tackle listener questions about dating at the gym, navigating barriers as an African American in jiu-jitsu, and what to do after a bad experience at a gym. And, of course, we finish with Disney rides and the ultimate post-tournament breakfast.

From the competition scene to building a business outside the gym, this episode is all about what it takes to make jiu-jitsu work in the real world.

Follow Elijah: @bigbreakfastbjj