Will Wilson is one of the most technically distinctive young athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and in this episode, we get into the details of what makes his game so different.

Will started training at just four years old in Maui, Hawaii, before eventually relocating to California to pursue jiu-jitsu at a higher level. But his path to the top didn’t involve moving to one of the sport’s powerhouse academies. Instead, he developed under coach André Alemão, training primarily with hobbyists, using competition as his pressure testing, and building a game that is uniquely his own.

We take a deep dive into Will’s signature deep-half-to-X-guard system, which he calls his “spiderweb,” and the philosophy behind building control before developing sweeps. He also breaks down how he has adapted his game following difficult matches, what opponents have exposed in his guard, and why he believes he’s only scratching the surface of his potential as a black belt.

We also discuss his submission defense, mental toughness, strength and conditioning, the importance of finding the right training environment, and why he believes you don’t need a powerhouse gym to become an elite competitor.

Plus, we get into the upcoming IBJJF Crown, his move down to featherweight, proposed IBJJF rule changes, the debate over guard pulling and match engagement, and his thoughts on what actually makes a great jiu-jitsu match.

Follow Will on socials @willwilsonbjj

This is a great conversation with one of the sport’s most interesting rising black belts. Don’t miss it!

Fresh off winning the 16-man Friday Night Lights Pro bracket and taking home the $10,000 prize, Jett Thompson joins us this week for a deep dive into his journey, his game, and an unforgettable night on the mats.

Jett takes us back to his beginnings in a shed in Oklahoma, shares stories from living with Giovanni Rubio at just 16 years old, and whether being known for one submission can actually hold you back. We also get into the details of his very unique high body lock passing system, including the stapler-style grip, trapping the arm, and how to counter the sweep.

We break down his Friday Night Lights run match by match, discuss why PGF is his favorite competition format, and get his perspective on UFC BJJ exclusivity and what it would take to make signing an exclusive deal worthwhile. Jett also shares the opponents he’d love to face, his approach to training and competition, and why focusing on getting better matters more than preparing for one specific tournament.

Another great conversation with one of the most exciting young athletes in the sport. Don’t miss this one!

Follow Jett on Instagram: @jetthompsonbjj

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

Fran Papasidero’s journey in jiu-jitsu is a story of persistence, calculated risks, and learning how to train with purpose.

On this episode of Weslee Weighs In, Fran joins us to talk about his path from being a teenager in Mar del Plata, Argentina, to pursuing a career in jiu-jitsu in the United States.

Fran opens up about his early days as a teenage white belt, getting overwhelmed by bigger and stronger training partners, and learning that hard work alone isn’t always enough to improve. From the coaching of Pablo Lavaselli to the training culture at AOJ and the opponent-specific preparation he now gets at Brea, Fran breaks down how the right environment and a more intentional approach to training has helped shape his game.

We also get into the details of preparing for competition: studying match footage, identifying patterns, developing new skills, and knowing when to stick to your A-game instead of making major changes before a tournament. Fran shares how he handles self-doubt, why confidence comes from knowing you’ve done the work, and what it was like to compete at Crown on just six days’ notice and walk away with third place.

Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or jiu-jitsu fan, this episode is packed with insight into the mindset, preparation, and decisions that help athletes reach the next level.

In this episode:

• Fran’s journey from Mar del Plata, Argentina, to the U.S.
• Overcoming the challenges of being a smaller, less experienced white belt
• Why training harder doesn’t always mean training better
• What effective coaching and purposeful training look like
• How to study opponents and turn match footage into a game plan
• Building confidence through preparation and managing competition nerves
• Competing at the Crown on six days’ notice and earning third place

Tune in for an honest conversation about the work behind high-level jiu-jitsu and what it takes to keep improving when the competition gets tougher.

Follow Fran on socials: @fraanbjj

At just 14, Icaro Moreno has already lived the kind of jiu-jitsu journey most athletes spend a lifetime chasing. In this conversation, he breaks down how a kid from Boston became one of AOJ’s most talked-about young stars, why his family moved across the country to fuel his career, and the mindset that helped him turn criticism, pressure, and a brutal ADCC weight cut into fuel. He opens up about the sacrifice behind the spotlight, from leaving his mom in Boston for a year to chasing training opportunities at Atos and then finding his home at AOJ. He also reveals how a conversation with Gui Mendez changed the direction of his life, why he believes the best athletes are built on trust, basics, and the right circle, and how his dad has become his coach, mentor, and marketing director all at once.

You'll hear:

- Why Icaro believes copying your idols is the fastest way to become forgettable

- The training philosophy AOJ uses for competition, from bad positions to no-emotion performance

- How he rebuilt after a devastating ADCC loss and changed his weight-cut strategy forever

- Why he thinks flashy jiu-jitsu is overrated compared to dominant, repeatable fundamentals

- How faith, family, and a Bible study group keep him grounded through the noise

He also shares his thoughts on WNO, UFC BJJ, the state of matchmaking, the future of leg locks, and why he believes the next generation needs more triangles, guard retention, wrestling, and control, not just highlight-reel submissions. And if you want to hear what drives a teenager to train like a veteran, speak like a coach, and compete with the confidence of a world champ, this one delivers.

Perfect for jiu-jitsu fans, parents of young athletes, and anyone who wants to understand what it actually takes to build greatness before most people are even old enough to drive.

Follow Icaro on socials: @icaromorenojj

In this episode, Weslee and Bailey sit down with elite jiu-jitsu athlete and coach Alexa Herse to talk about competition, confidence, resilience, and the mental side of becoming a champion.

Alexa shares her journey from starting jiu-jitsu as a kid to competing at the highest levels of the sport, including what changed when she earned her blue belt, the challenges of moving from kids’ divisions into juvenile and adult competition, and how she navigated a difficult stretch of losses before winning the 2026 Adult Purple Belt World Championship.

She opens up about the mindset shift that helped her stop focusing on the outcome, trust her preparation, compete with confidence, and give her best regardless of what happened on the mat.

The conversation also dives into the changing world of kids’ jiu-jitsu, including how parents can support young competitors without creating unnecessary pressure, the impact of social media on young athletes, and why keeping the sport fun while building strong fundamentals matters so much.

Alexa also talks about changing gyms, finding the right training environment at Alliance San Diego, learning from Janaina Lebre, and how intentional drilling and training rounds have helped develop her game.

Plus, she explains the meaning behind her “Braveheart” mantra, shares advice for athletes going through a tough season, and talks about her goals for the future of her competitive career.

Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or jiu-jitsu parent, this is a conversation about what happens after the losses and how resilience, perspective, and the right environment can change everything.

Follow Alexa on socials @alexahersejj

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In this episode of Weslee Weighs In, we get the medical perspective on some of jiu-jitsu’s biggest injury risks, including heel hooks, reaping, guard jumping, weight cuts, and more.

Dr. Kreiswirth has been on the mats providing medical coverage for jiu-jitsu tournaments since the sport looked very different than it does today. From the early days of tournament medicine to massive multi-day events like Worlds, he’s seen firsthand how the sport, and the way we respond to injuries, has evolved.

Dr. K explains how medical staff evaluate an athlete in seconds, what injuries they see most often, and why some of the most serious-looking injuries aren’t always as catastrophic as they appear on video.

We also get into the issues surrounding youth and Masters competition, the effects of stress and caffeine on athletes, parental pressure, and why understanding your own body and recognizing when you’re in danger may be just as important as the rules themselves.

Plus, Dr. K shares stories from decades of working tournaments, including dislocated jaws, unconscious competitors, serious knee injuries, and the incident that led us to sit down with him in the first place.

If you’re a jiu-jitsu athlete, coach, parent, or just someone who wants to understand the medical side of the sport, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

About Dr. K: Dr. K is the founder of Black Belt Sports Medicine and a certified athletic trainer who has provided medical coverage at jiu-jitsu tournaments for decades. He has helped pioneer injury tracking in the sport and has published research on heel hook injuries and tournament medical coverage.

If you're interested in providing medical coverage at IBJJF events, contact Dr. K at https://www.blackbeltsportsmedicine.com/ or direct message him on Instagram at @blackbeltsportsmedicine1