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PODCAST

Grappling Hour

A show hosted by Verbal Tap"s Raf Esparza, featuring a mix of athlete interviews, on-site coverage, and commentary.

sports comedy interviews

All Episodes

01:13:53

GRAPPLING HOUR with Rick Zelada

Grappling Hour ·

2024/07/03

I had the pleasure of catching RICK ZELADA's recent fight at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting back in May. Rick and I have run into each other here and there at some local open mats here in Southern California. And while I was rooting for my guy to come back with a W (spoiler: he did), I had no idea of the incredible story behind his epic win. We get into the meaning behind this last fight, that memorable post-fight moment in the cage, and the unconventional journey that brought Slick to the fight game

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01:30:52

GRAPPLING HOUR with Ryan Aitken

Grappling Hour ·

2024/07/01

RYAN AITKEN is a two-time Combat Jiu Jitsu champ, but he knew he was in for an epic tournament at the EBI ABSOLUTES. Not only was he out there to continue showing out for his 10th Planet Atlanta crew, but he knew there would be eyeballs on his performance from major promotions that are taking place this August. What happened that night was a life-changing moment that culminated with Aitken being crowned the EBI ABSOLUTES champion on the 10th anniversary of the Eddie Bravo namesake. It was an

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0:04:48

CLIP - STRESS TEST - How BJJ Struggles as its seeks...

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/21

In one of the wildest BJJ weeks in recent memory, I took some time to address two issues that came up in the community that identify the struggles we have as a sport as we court mainstream acceptance. You can find the full episode of this week's episode of THE BULLPEN with myself and TIM FREEMAN right here: https://www.youtube.com/live/X3ZQs9ABvMw——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS.---- We’re on

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00:56:12

GRAPPLING HOUR with Gabriel Daffron

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/19

We got the chance to speak with the CJJ Worlds featherweight champ, GABRIEL DAFFRON, shortly after his big win.We talk about his run at CJJ, the build up to it, how it felt to accomplish that major goal, as well as what is coming up next for this longtime friend of the show.Additionally, we get to hear some great stories about how he celebrated his big CJJ title win.——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and

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0:09:13

CLIP - The Worst Takes on the Craig Jones...

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/19

We spent some time going over some of the worst takes about the CJI/ADCC situation -- and wouldn't you know it, some of the takes in the comment section somehow managed to get worse. As such, I took a few minutes on our latest episode of The Bullpen to address those silly arguments. Bring your popcorn, Tim sure did. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/live/4_fuZyl-jOI——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour

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01:22:12

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET with Alec Baulding (6/18/24)

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/18

Welcome back to RUNNING THE GAUNTLET -- the show where BJJ and pop culture intersect. On today's show, we've got our pal ALEC BAULDING joining us to take on the following topics: • RULE • EDIT • BETTER • RID • CONFUSE • QUOTE——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS.---- We’re on PATREON now!Head over to https://www.patreon.com/grapplinghourto become an EARLY ACCESS or PREMIUM Grappling Hour member. With

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01:12:00

GRAPPLING HOUR with Roberto Arias

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/18

Back at SPARSTAR 59, I made some errors with this young man's name. He put on a spectacular performance, and somehow, my commentary made him less inclined to want to watch that fight. Yet, he graciously agreed to come up to my gym for an interview and I somehow messed up on giving him directions there, too. It goes to show that young ROBERTO ARIAS (known to most as Beto) has an extreme amount of patience. In this episode we get to know this excellent young fighter better and eventually get to the

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01:21:08

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET with Musab Raza (5/7/24)

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/17

We're finally back with RUNNING THE GAUNTLET -- the show where Jiu-Jitsu and pop culture mix. Our buddy MUSAB RAZA makes his Grappling Hour debut. Here are the topics for today’s show: • MET • DEFLATE • SACRIFICE • MIGHTY • LIST • SHUT UP——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS.---- We’re on PATREON now!Head over to https://www.patreon.com/grapplinghourto become an EARLY ACCESS or PREMIUM Grappling Hour

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0:07:31

CLIP - The Worst Takes on the Craig Jones...

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/16

In just a few days, the CJI has ignited some buzz. After hearing a handful of terrible arguments about the situation (and the implications it might have on ADCC), I decided to address a few of the worst takes we’ve heard so far on the most recent episode of THE BULLPEN.You can also catch the FULL EPISODE on the GRAPPLING HOUR YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/live/aIfofNM1obs——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour

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01:26:09

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET with JB Bechtloff (6/12/24)

Grappling Hour ·

2024/06/12

Welcome back to RUNNING THE GAUNTLET -- the show where BJJ and pop culture intersect. On today's show, we've got B-Team coach and competitor JB BECHTLOFF joining us to take on the following topics: • PITCH • MESSAGE • CREATIVE • FIRE • DON'T • RANK——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS.---- We’re on PATREON now!Head over to https://www.patreon.com/grapplinghourto become an EARLY ACCESS or PREMIUM

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01:07:36

GRAPPLING HOUR with Christian Dighero

Grappling Hour ·

2024/04/23

Back at Sparstar 59, I had the pleasure of commentating CHRISTIAN DIGHERO's fight against (our good friend) Eleno Almanza. I was excited to see this fight play out and was very impressed with the way that Christian carried himself in that fight. After years of watching him grind out some impressive wins out here in the SoCal MMA circuit, I invited him to Milton Arguello's Mixed Martial Arts to have a chat about his combat sports journey. We talk about his ability to visualize his outcomes, the

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00:59:23

GRAPPLING HOUR with Sean Yadimarco

Grappling Hour ·

2024/04/18

SEAN YADIMARCO has been a lowkey assassin on the East Coast, stringing together some impressive performances at ADCC trials, IBJJF, and Finishers Sub Only tournaments. After his last Finishers performance, we got in touch with the reigning and defending champ to ask about his time in the Blue Basement, what he's been able to take away from his mentor Tom DeBlass, and where he plans to go for the rest of 2024. Get to know this stand out and be sure to check out Bergen County Jiu Jitsu if you happen

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01:14:46

GRAPPLING HOUR with Mike John

Grappling Hour ·

2024/04/16

Fresh off his win at the PGF qualifier, MIKE JOHN returns to the show to discuss his journey to the epic sixth season of the sub only showcase.Mike is a longtime friend of the show, so it was great to compare notes on what he's been up to lately, how he dialed in his flawless performance at the qualifiers, and what he anticipates when the sixth season kicks off on APRIL 21st.Be sure to check this out and tune in to the sixth season of the PGF, where you'll be able to see Mike on the mats and me

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01:02:47

GRAPPLING HOUR with Jake Babian

Grappling Hour ·

2024/04/10

JAKE BABIAN has been building steam out here in the SoCal fight scene, so it only made sense that when the folks over at Subversiv were putting together a card filled with some of the most intense athletes in combat sports, they put an offer out to this young up-and-comer. On April 13th, Jake makes his Subversiv debut. And after a dominant performance at Up Next Fighting, we thought it was time to bring the Barbabian onto the show. Get to know his journey from spearhead fisherman to wrestler to

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01:01:21

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET with Elijah Dorsey (4/2/24)

Grappling Hour ·

2024/04/05

ADCC Trials Winner ELIJAH DORSEY joins us today to take on the board on RUNNING THE GAUNTLET -- the show where jiu-jitsu intersects with pop culture. On the board today: - BIG - POWER - WORST - SCANDAL - FAST - SUPER——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS. ---- We’re on PATREON now!Head over to https://www.patreon.com/grapplinghour to become an EARLY ACCESS or PREMIUM Grappling Hour member. With early

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01:11:36

GRAPPLING HOUR with Eddie Bernal

Grappling Hour ·

2024/04/05

Eddie Bernal was nice enough to make the trek up to Milton Arguello's Mixed Martial Arts Academy to talk about his epic 1st round KO at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. This interview was an excellent discussion of how we bounce back from a performance that haunts us. We discussed how the impacts from his last fight motivated him to come back stronger and how he became an even better fighter in the cage. It's a story that I think every fighter (and martial artist) can relate to. And I was glad to see my

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00:54:43

GRAPPLING HOUR with Joseph Rodriguez

Grappling Hour ·

2024/03/26

I've often said it is hardest to get an interview with me if you are one of my friends. I tend to hold our local pals to a higher standard. That's why it made me so happy to see the performance given by our pal, JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ, at the last UP NEXT FIGHTING a couple weeks ago. Here, we talk to this up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighter, asking about his beginnings at SYSTEMS TRAINING CENTER, the time he's spent training over at BLACKHOUSE MMA, and get to the bottom of the very best shorts ever

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01:02:52

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET with Alex Enriquez (3/25/24)

Grappling Hour ·

2024/03/25

Welcome to Running the Gauntlet with Alex Enriquez -- the show where jiu-jitsu meets pop culture. On the board today:- MARK- MIDDLE- DISAGREE- PREDICT- ROADHOME- LIST——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS. ---- We’re on PATREON now!Head over to https://www.patreon.com/grapplinghour to become an EARLY ACCESS or PREMIUM Grappling Hour member. With early access, you'll see our interviews 30 days before

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01:07:16

GRAPPLING HOUR with Taylor Pearman

Grappling Hour ·

2024/03/22

The winner of the 88kg European Trials, TAYLOR PEARMAN, makes his Grappling Hour debut. We've gone from years of talking trash to one another online to now getting the chance to talk trash in the form of an interview. Here, you'll hear all about his triumphant run last week and the way he was able to punch his ticket to Worlds this August. Be sure to check this one out and let us know what you thought about it in the comments below.——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to

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1:04:56

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET with Bryan Peterson (3/18/24)

Grappling Hour ·

2024/03/18

Had a fun one today with our good pal Bryan Peterson on Running the Gauntlet — the show where jiu-jitsu meets pop culture.On the board today:- THANK U- RSVP- RANK- POWER- IRON- REVIVE——WE'VE GOT NEW MERCH: Head on over to https://www.rafesparza.com/merch You can purchase our BRAND NEW Grappling Hour HOODIES and T-SHIRTS. ---- We’re on PATREON now!Head over to https://www.patreon.com/grapplinghour to become an EARLY ACCESS or PREMIUM Grappling Hour member. With early access, you'll see our interviews

en-US

126 results

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