10 million dollars. Ten. Million. Dollars. What the hell is going on? Is Craig Jones really going all out with what he calls "CJI 2.5"?

That's just one of the topics of conversation in this packed episode, where we talk about:

- Meregali's reluctance to compete in ADCC

- The recent ADCC Trials in Brazil and who qualified for the World Championships

- The recent invites for ADCC 2026

- The bizarre case of Izaak Michell still being listed as in for ADCC 2026 (gross)

- ONE Championship superfights between Kade and Hokage, Dante and Kenta

- Why Rodolfo Vieira is often skipped when discussing the all time greats

AND, Matt reveals that he has been blocked on social media by martial arts icon, deputy sherrif, blue musician and honorary Russian ambassador Steven Seagal!

Episode 25 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

0:00 Matt has been blocked by Steven Seagal

5:46 Meregali says hell no to ADCC

16:53 South American ADCC Trials recap

24:55 ADCC 2026 invites favor Polish athletes

31:33 Izaak Michell

34:17 Kade Ruotolo vs Fabricio Andrey, Dante Leon vs Kenta Iwamoto

41:04 CJI 2.5

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Sorry if we come across as kind of negative sometimes, but we find it hard not to look at things through a microscope. This week's show we turn our focus onto the recent UFC BJJ, and honestly, it's been hard to find something really good to talk about. I mean, it's kind of OK, right? But there is a lot of work to be done.

Anyway, this episode isn't just us shitting on grappling's latest offering. We also discuss the subtle art of commentary in jiu-jitsu, which is a lot harder than people think. Hywel does commentary for many major events and so would really like your input on this one. Drop your thoughts in the comments, please.

Over on the Patreon extended edition of the episode, we continue the CLA / Eco debate, based off a recent conversation with two high level black belts who have wildly differing opinions on the matter. Sorry if you're getting bored of this, but the debate isn't over yet!

Also, we discuss a topic that is.... unusual. A certain person is saying that people should avoid competing in pro events and focus on IBJJF if they really value their careers. Hywel goes off on this person and shreds the argument to pieces, mostly because this person blocked him on social media years ago lol.

Episode 24 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

Time stamps:

0:00 UFC BJJ was meh

6:20 Ffion Davies vs Cassia Moura, clash of generations

14:33 Mason Fowler keeps getting easy matches?

17:49 Why isn't Meregali promoted more?

18:42 Nicky Rod and his so-so wrestling

24:24 The Miyao-Mikey match feels forced

26:58: Meyram got the only sub of the night

27:23 Final thoughts on UFC BJJ

28:30 Why is a 43-yr-old man fighting for the UFC BJJ title?

31:52 Grapplers need to majorly adjust their games

37:19 Why do people hate the UFC BJJ commentary?

Patreon supporters get full episodes and early access: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Welcome back fam. If you didn't see it yet, Polaris 36 was a highly entertaining event with plenty of great grappling matches. Matt and Hywel discuss the highs and lows of the show with special focus on what happened behind the scenes during and after the action.

We also talk about the ongoing trend of high-profile MMA fighters going on sidequests by taking grappling matches, the most prominent of which would be UFC lightweight badass Arman Tsarukyan. It's not a particularly new trend, but it has been happening a lot lately and has even more significance given the UFC's power moves in the world of jiu-jitsu but curious strategy of not bringing in crossover athletes.

We opened up the inbox for questions and got some thought-provoking conversation starters, which had us talking about best practices for getting sponsored in jiu-jitsu, and where we see the sport going over the next five years.

Enjoy, and as always, let us know what you think. You support is much appreciated.

Episode 23 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague