Why UFC Fighters Are Passing Drug Tests Now nathaniel cho 2026-06-25 | UFC parted ways with USADA back in 2023. Why?πPatreon: patreon.com/c/nathanielchoI interviewed Craig Jones, coach in the UFC, and Dr. Rand McClain., a real doctor, to understand UFC drug testing and the USADA breakupβ± TIMESTAMPS0:00 β How Clean Is the UFC, Really?4:27 β Enter Craig Jones5:32 β 1996: McCain vs "Human Cockfighting"7:45 β Rewriting the Rules of MMA10:06 β 2014: The Scandals Pile Up13:50 β Who Kept Getting Caught17:23 β The USADA Breakup22:30 β Recap24:42 β UFC Testing Todayπ Sources & Further ReadingAssociation of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports. (2025). Unified rules of mixed martial arts. abcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Unified-Rules-of-MMA-8.2025.pdfFares, M. Y., Baydoun, H., Salhab, H. A., Khachfe, H. H., Fares, Y., Fares, J., & Abboud, J. A. (2021). Doping in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC): A 4-year epidemiological analysis. Drug Testing and Analysis, 13(4), 785β793. doi.org/10.1002/dta.2987Hyun, [et al.]. (2026). Will they be more honest with an (external) proctor? Evaluating UFC match performance before and after the adoption of the USADA doping testing program. Proceedings of the 59th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 1497β1506. hdl.handle.net/10125/111573Le v. Zuffa, LLC, class certification order (D. Nev. Aug. 9, 2023). cohenmilstein.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MMA-Cung-Le-Zuffa-Class-Cert-Order-Opinion-8-9-2023.pdfLittleton, C. (2016, July 11). WME/IMG takes bold swing with $4 billion UFC acquisition. Variety. variety.com/2016/biz/news/ufc-wme-img-acquire-4-billion-deal-1201811704Piatkowski, T., Turnock, L., Gibbs, N., & Duff, C. (2024). The IPEDs assemblage: Tracing the entanglements of biomedicine, technology, enhancement and anti-doping policies in sport and society. Health. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1177/13634593241306569Plotz, D. (1999, November 17). Fight clubbed. Slate. slate.com/news-and-politics/1999/11/fight-clubbed.htmlSilverman, A., & Holthouse, D. (1998). John McCain breaks up a fight. Phoenix New Times. phoenixnewtimes.com/news/john-mccain-breaks-up-a-fight-6422460U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. (2023, October 11). UFC, USADA end program agreement [Statement]. usada.org/statement/ufc-usada-end-program-agreementU.S. Anti-Doping Agency. (n.d.). UFC Anti-Doping Program: Athlete test history and sanctions [Database]. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from ufc.usada.org#mma #ufc #steroids #testosterone #USADA #UFC #danawhite #craigjones #conormcgregor #jonjones #brocklesnar #andersonsilva #drugtesting
The Gracie They Want You To Forget nathaniel cho 2026-07-22 | The real story of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's forgotten father.π LINKS:Patreon: patreon.com/nathanielchoRobert's Book: amzn.to/4fsi9lFβ± TIMESTAMPS0:00 β Intro1:11 β "Brazilian" Jiu-Jitsu4:28 β Civil War8:10 β Waldemar Santana11:48 β Carlson's Way16:30 β The Downfall21:03 β Death and Trademarks#carlsongracie #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #graciefamily #mma #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #history #investigation #documentary #adcc #ufc #pride #mariosperry #robertdrysdale
Taekwondo Is Just Karate nathaniel cho 2026-05-18 | Is Taekwondo Korean? The true history of Taekwondo might be one of the most successful lies in martial arts history.In this investigation, I sit down with historian and 20-year Taekwondo practitioner Dr. Alexus McLeod to learn the truth behind the official story. β¨ SUPPORT THE CHANNELποΈ full interviews (members only): patreon.com/c/nathanielchoβ³ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro1:14 Korea vs Japan4:19 The Official History5:09 The Hwarang6:34 Taekkyeon9:34 The Kwans11:12 Choi Hong-Hee14:30 Korean Karate16:55 How Taekwondo got in the Olympics19:37 China?!20:07 - So is TKD Korean?π Sources & Further ReadingBennett, A. (2009). A reconsideration of the Dai-Nippon Butokukai in the purge of ultra-nationalism and militarism in post-war Japan. Internet Archive. archive.org/details/1346-194x-029-06Capener, S. D. (1995). Problems in the identity and philosophy of t'aegwondo and their historical causes. Korea Journal, 35(4), 80β94.Capener, S. D. (2016). The making of a modern myth: Inventing a tradition for taekwondo. Korea Journal, 56(1), 61β92.Culin, S. (1895). Korean games, with notes on the corresponding games of China and Japan. University of Pennsylvania.Funakoshi, G. (1975). Karate-DΕ: My way of life (T. Ohshima, Trans.). Kodansha International.Gillis, A. (2008). A killing art: The untold history of tae kwon do. ECW Press.Hobsbawm, E., & Ranger, T. (Eds.). (1983). The invention of tradition. Cambridge University Press.International Olympic Committee. (1980). 93rd IOC Session: Recognition of the World Taekwondo Federation. Official Bulletin of the IOC.Itosu, A. (2016). TΕde jukun [Ten precepts of karate] (P. McCarthy, Trans.). In Bubishi: The classic manual of combat (pp. 252β256). Tuttle Publishing. (Original work 1908)Lazore, C. (2014). The Hwarang warriors β Silla's flower boys [Senior thesis, Wittenberg University]. ResearchGate. researchgate.net/publication/341669705Madis, E. (2003). The evolution of taekwondo from Japanese karate. In T. A. Green & J. R. Svinth (Eds.), Martial arts in the modern world (pp. 185β209). Praeger.McBride, R. D., II. (2010). Silla Buddhism and the hwarang. Korean Studies, 34, 54β89.Moenig, U. (2015). Taekwondo: From a martial art to a martial sport. Routledge.Moenig, U., Cho, S., & Kwak, T.-Y. (2014). Evidence of taekwondo's roots in karate: An analysis of the technical content of early taekwondo literature. Korea Journal, 54(2), 122β151.Moenig, U., Cho, S., & Song, H. (2012). The modifications of protective gear, rules and regulations during taekwondo's evolution β From its obscure origins to the Olympics. The International Journal of the History of Sport, 29(9), 1363β1381.Moenig, U., & Kim, M. (2016). The invention of taekwondo tradition, 1945β1972: When mythology becomes 'history.' Acta Koreana, 19(2), 131β164.Ok, G., Choi, S., & Jeong, H. S. (2010). The disturbance of war: The ancient origin and development of Korean archery. The International Journal of the History of Sport, 27(3), 523β536.Rutt, R. (1961). The flower boys of Silla (Hwarang). Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 38, 1β66.Smits, G. (2019). Maritime Ryukyu, 1050β1650. University of Hawai'i Press.Tikhonov, V. (1998). Hwarang organization: Its functions and ethics. Korea Journal, 38(2), 318β338.#olympics #investigations #history #Taekwondo #Karate #MartialArtsHistory #korea #japan #documentary #tkd
How McDojos Faked The Black Belt nathaniel cho 2026-05-04 | what is a black belt? And why do so many of them keep losing? Why are there so many fake ones out there?I dug into the real history of the black belt: where it came from, who profits from it today, and why "black belt" means something completely different in Japan than it does in the anywhere else.β¨ Support me on patreon: patreon.com/c/nathanielcho π Sources & Further Reading:Bennett, A. (2020). Judo: A sport and a way of life. Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture.Brousse, M. (2005). Les racines du judo franΓ§ais: Histoire d'une culture sportive. Presses Universitaires de Bordeaux.Callan, M. (2017, September). History of the Budokwai, London: The adoption of KΕdΕkan judo in the early years [Conference paper]. 4th European Science of Judo Research Symposium, PoreΔ, Croatia.Davies, R. J., & Ikeno, O. (Eds.). (2002). The Japanese mind: Understanding contemporary Japanese culture. Tuttle Publishing.Elias, N. (2000). The civilizing process: Sociogenetic and psychogenetic investigations (E. Jephcott, Trans.; Rev. ed.). Blackwell. (Original work published 1939)Friday, K. F., & Seki, H. (1997). Legacies of the sword: The Kashima-ShinryΕ« and samurai martial culture. University of Hawai'i Press.Funakoshi, G. (1975). Karate-DΕ: My way of life (T. Ohshima, Trans.). Kodansha International.Hendry, J. (2019). Understanding Japanese society (5th ed.). Routledge.Hurst, G. C., III. (1998). Armed martial arts of Japan: Swordsmanship and archery. Yale University Press.IBISWorld. (2026). Martial arts studios in the US [Industry report]. ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/martial-arts-studios/4187Jaeger, C. S. (1985). The origins of courtliness: Civilizing trends and the formation of courtly ideals, 939β1210. University of Pennsylvania Press.Johnson, J., Jr. (1988, May 1). Ninja: Hero or master fake? Los Angeles Times. latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-01-me-3111-story.htmlKano, J. (2005). Mind over muscle: Writings from the founder of judo (N. Murata, Comp.; N. H. Ross, Trans.). Kodansha International.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [MEXT]. (2008). The new course of study. Government of Japan.Moenig, U. (2015). Taekwondo: From a martial art to a martial sport. Routledge.Pedreira, R. (2014β2015). Choque: The untold story of jiu-jitsu in Brazil (Vols. 1β3). GTR Publications.Rohlen, T. P. (1983). Japan's high schools. University of California Press.SΓ‘nchez GarcΓa, R. (2019). The historical sociology of Japanese martial arts. Routledge.Stevens, J. (1984). Aikido: The way of harmony. Shambhala.Watson, B. N. (2008). Judo memoirs of Jigoro Kano. Trafford Publishing.β³ Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:13 - Black Belt is NOT the Top5:51 - The invention of color belts9:04 - marketing scheme10:30 - The McDojo 12:22 - The first black belt14:27 - Why do martial artists bow?17:36 - Japan 22:18 - Martial Arts vs Sports23:29 - Who would you hire?π·: @kerrykan0823#judo #blackbelt #bjj #martialarts #mcdojo #documentary #manonthestreet #jiujitsu #history
What China Doesnt Want You Know About Kung Fu nathaniel cho 2026-04-16 | Shaolin Kung Fu is one of the most iconic martial arts in the world, but is it real? What if I told you one movie basically invented it in 1982... I sat down with Dr. Alexus McLeod (Indiana University) to trace the real history of Shaolin monks, Bodhidharma, and how Jet Li (with the help of the Chinese government) rebuilt an abandoned temple into the "Kung Fu Disneyland" we know today.β¨ Patreon:Watch the full uncut interview with Dr. McLeod: patreon.com/c/nathanielchoπ Related:My previous video on Tai Chi with Dr. McLeod: youtube.com/watch?v=seEMrop3iu8β³ Timestamps0:00 - Why do Shaolin monks wear orange?0:45 - Is Kung Fu Indian?2:26 - Conscripted Soldiers4:13 - Water Margin6:05 - "Shaolin Kung Fu"8:48 - Temple Ruins10:19 - Jet Li's Shaolin Temple13:48 - a real warrior scholar14:32 - the mythπ Sources & π Further Reading:1. Shahar, M. (2008). The Shaolin Monastery: History, religion, and the Chinese martial arts. University of Hawai'i Press.2. McLeod, A. (2025). Myth and identity in the martial arts: Creating the dragon. Lexington Books.3. Shahar, M. (2001). Ming-period evidence of Shaolin martial practice. Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, 61(2), 359β413.4. Lu, Z. (2019). A history of Shaolin: Buddhism, kung fu and identity. Routledge.5. Filipiak, K. (2022). Heroic monks and villainous pirates: An inquiry into monastic Buddhist warfare in sixteenth-century China. Studies in Chinese Religions, 8(2), 195β228.6. Judkins, B. N., & Nielson, J. (2015). The creation of Wing Chun: A social history of the southern Chinese martial arts. SUNY Press.7. Lorge, P. (2012). Chinese martial arts: From antiquity to the twenty-first century. Cambridge University Press.8. Jerryson, M. K., & Juergensmeyer, M. (Eds.). (2010). Buddhist warfare. Oxford University Press.9. Morris, A. (2004). Marrow of the nation: A history of sport and physical culture in Republican China. University of California Press.10. Needham, J. (1986). Science and civilisation in China: Vol. 5, Part 7 β Military technology: The gunpowder epic. Cambridge University Press.11. Kennedy, B., & Guo, E. (2005). Chinese martial arts training manuals: A historical survey. North Atlantic Books.12. Katz, P. (2008). [Review of the book The Shaolin Monastery: History, religion, and the Chinese martial arts, by M. Shahar]. H-Buddhism, H-Net Reviews.13. Bianchi, E., & Wielander, G. (2024). Embodied spirituality: Shaolin martial arts as a Chan Buddhist practice. International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, 3, 104.14. Shi, N. (ca. 14th century). Water Margin [ζ°΄ζ»Έε³] (J. H. Jackson, Trans.). (Original work composed ca. 1400; earliest printed editions 16th century)15. Yandle, R. (2010). Jingwu Athletic Association β 100 years. Beckett Media.#KungFu #Shaolin #ShaolinKungFu #MartialArtsHistory #JetLi #Buddhism #History #MartialArts #ShaolinTemple
Why the Law Doesnt Care About Your Martial Art nathaniel cho 2026-03-26 | When does self-defense and self-defense content go too far? π Full Interview with Mark:patreon.com/c/nathanielchoI sat down with criminal defense attorney Mark O'Mara to break down the three legal pillars of self-defense, bust some common martial arts myths, and discuss why he doesn't like the term "Stand Your Ground."β³ Timestamps:0:00 - The Self-Defense Rabbit Hole2:17 - The Law4:52 - Debunking Self-defense Myths8:13 - The Bystander Problem11:12 - DISCLAIMER11:45 - Trayvon Martin (The People v. George Zimmerman)16:45 - Crime As Entertainment18:09 - Stand Your Ground vs Non Duty to Retreatπ§ SOURCES & FURTHER READINGButts, J. A., Delgado, S. A., Alsabahi, L., Wolff, K., Alexander, N., & Cobar, P. (2017). The effects of Cure Violence in the South Bronx and East New York, Brooklyn. In Denormalizing violence: A series of reports from the John Jay College evaluation of Cure Violence programs in New York City. Research and Evaluation Center, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.Carson, E. A. (2022). Prisoners in 2021 β Statistical tables (NCJ 305125). Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/prisoners-2021-statistical-tablesDarley, J. M., & LatanΓ©, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8(4), 377β383. doi.org/10.1037/h0025589Degli Esposti, M., Wiebe, D. J., Gasparrini, A., & Humphreys, D. K. (2022). Analysis of "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws and statewide rates of homicides and firearm homicides. JAMA Network Open, 5(2), e220077. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0077Edwards, F., Lee, H., & Esposito, M. (2019). Risk of being killed by police use of force in the United States by age, raceβethnicity, and sex. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(34), 16793β16798. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1821204116Engel, R. S., Corsaro, N., Isaza, G. T., & McManus, H. D. (2022). Assessing the impact of de-escalation training on police behavior. Criminology & Public Policy, 21(2), 341β370. doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12574Jeung, R., Yellow Horse, A. J., Cayanan, C., & Popovic, T. (2022). Two years and thousands of voices: What community-generated data tells us about anti-AAPI hate. Stop AAPI Hate. stopaapihate.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Stop-AAPI-Hate-Year-2-Report.pdfKegler, S. R., Simon, T. R., Zwald, M. L., Chen, M. S., Mercy, J. A., Jones, C. M., Mercado-Crespo, M. C., Blair, J. M., Stone, D. M., Ottley, P. G., & Dills, J. (2022). Vital signs: Changes in firearm homicide and suicide rates β United States, 2019β2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71(19), 656β663. doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7119e1Lavelle, M., Stewart, D., James, K., Richardson, M., Renwick, L., Brennan, G., & Bowers, L. (2022). De-escalation techniques for managing aggression in inpatient psychiatric settings: A cluster randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(1), 11β20. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9021532Levine, M., Taylor, P. J., & Best, R. (2011). Third parties, violence, and conflict resolution: The role of group size and collective action in the microregulation of violence. Psychological Science, 22(3), 406β412. doi.org/10.1177/0956797611398495Pew Research Center. (2023, September 13). Key facts about Americans and guns. pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-gunsPhilpot, R., Liebst, L. S., Levine, M., Bernasco, W., & Lindegaard, M. R. (2019). Would I be helped? Cross-national CCTV footage shows that intervention is the norm in public conflicts. American Psychologist, 75(1), 66β75. doi.org/10.1037/amp0000469Roman, J. K. (2013). Race, justifiable homicide, and Stand Your Ground laws: Analysis of FBI Supplementary Homicide Report data. Urban Institute. urban.org/research/publication/race-justifiable-homicide-and-stand-your-ground-lawsUnited States Sentencing Commission. (2017). Demographic differences in sentencing: An update to the 2012 Booker report. ussc.gov/research/research-reports/demographic-differences-sentencingViolence Policy Center. (2024). Black homicide victimization in the United States: An analysis of 2022 homicide data. vpc.org/studies/blackhomicide24.pdfYam, K. (2021, December 10). NYPD reports 361 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes since last year. NBC News. nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/nypd-reports-361-percent-increase-anti-asian-hate-crimes-last-year-rcna8427#selfdefense #martialarts #bjj #standyourground #legal #law #lawyer #documentary #investigations #crime
Why Men Keep Calling BJJ Gay nathaniel cho 2026-03-16 | it's not gay it's just grappling. (the lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep, or the rigid structures of hegemonic masculinity π )In this video essay, I sit down with Dr. Alex Channon, Dr. Robert Lawson, Dr. Nigel Jarvis, and Reedell β an openly gay black belt in BJJ β to unpack the real dynamics at play. We explore homosociality, the difference between homosocial and homosexual spaces, femmephobia in locker rooms, and why there are zero openly gay male fighters in UFC history while the women's division has had 12+.β³ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro0:28 Meet the Experts1:01 Are Combat Sports Gay?4:26 Are All Sports Gay?6:54 Homophobia in the Locker Room9:15 Femmephobia & painting my nails14:47 - Masculine Capital18:29 - Closing & Quiz Answersβ¨ SUPPORT THE CHANNELπ interactive data viz (free): patreon.com/posts/why-are-there-in-151691458ποΈ full interviews (members only): patreon.com/c/nathanielchoπ§ Dr Channon's podcast: martialartsstudies.org/podcast π SOURCES & FURTHER READINGJarvis, N. (2015). The inclusive masculinities of heterosexual men within UK gay sport clubs. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(3), 283β300. doi.org/10.1177/1012690213482481Channon, A., & Matthews, C. R. (2015). 'It is what it is': Masculinity, homosexuality, and inclusive discourse in mixed martial arts. Journal of Homosexuality, 62(7), 936β956. doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2015.1008280Connell, R. W. (1995). Masculinities. University of California Press.Connell, R. W., & Messerschmidt, J. W. (2005). Hegemonic masculinity: Rethinking the concept. Gender & Society, 19(6), 829β859. doi.org/10.1177/0891243205278639Dundes, A. (1978). Into the endzone for a touchdown: A psychoanalytic consideration of American football. Western Folklore, 37(2), 75β88. doi.org/10.2307/1499315Anderson, E. (2009). Inclusive Masculinity: The Changing Nature of Masculinities. Routledge.Hoskin, R. A. (2019). Femmephobia: The role of anti-femininity and gender policing in LGBTQ+ people's experiences of discrimination. Sex Roles, 81, 686β703. doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01021-3Lawson, R. (2023). Language and Mediated Masculinities: Cultures, Contexts, Constraints. Oxford University Press.Hoskin, R. A., Hower, S., & Blair, K. L. (2023). Femmephobia is a uniquely powerful predictor of anti-gay behavior. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53, 431β445. doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02704-5Hirose, A., & Pih, K. K. (2010). Men who strike and men who submit: Hegemonic and marginalized masculinities in mixed martial arts. Men and Masculinities, 13(2), 190β209. doi.org/10.1177/1097184X09344417#combatsports #bjj #martialarts #masculinity #mma #brazilianjiujitsu #sociology #wrestling #ufc
How Japan Lied to You About Ninja nathaniel cho 2026-02-27 | Are ninja real? What's the difference between ninja, shinobi, and Naruto. I break down every iconic ninja myth piece by piece, from shuriken to the black outfit to ninjutsu as a martial art, using insights from university scholars who study this for a living.I sat down with Dr. Robert Tuck, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University specializing in Japanese literature and culture, and Professor Fabio Rambelli from UC Santa Barbara, an expert in Japanese religious studies and the esoteric Buddhist traditions that ninja mythology is actually rooted in. π Related:Patreon: patreon.com/nathanielchoDr. Rob Tuck's Substack: substack.com/@criticalninjatheory/p-143615976scholagladiatoria's ninja sword video: youtu.be/FdzyTnEK5sA?si=8yhv-95ujuoGAEGTTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction0:24 - The Shuriken2:55 - The NinjatΕ4:15 - The Kunai5:41 - Wearing All Black8:00 - The Bansenshukai9:41 - Poison10:40 - Ninjutsu12:42 - Shinobi vs Ninja17:13 - Hand Seals18:42 - The Men Who Built the Myth23:26 - the western hemisphere25:43 - Are Ninja Real?#ninja #naruto #shinobi #myths #debunk #japan #history
Bruce Lees Revolutionary Approach to Martial Arts #brucelee #martialarts nathaniel cho 2026-02-04 | ...
How Tai Chi Became a Joke Martial Art nathaniel cho 2026-02-04 | Patreon: patreon.com/c/nathanielchoIs tai chi actually a martial art? Or is it just chinese yoga Γ la aunties stretching in the park? I trained with a tai chi master and his students to find out. After an hour of getting thrown, swept, and pushed around, I learned I was wrong about almost everything. What I uncovered was a story involving viral beatdowns, daoist philosophy and government suppression.π RELATED:Professor Alexus McLeod's books: amzn.to/4kguVpEWang Zhao Yu: instagram.com/wangzhaoyuwushuTIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction0:40 Meeting the Tai Chi Master2:01 What is Tai Chi?5:38 Push Hands7:35 What Happened?11:05 Tai Chi for Self Defense12:44 Chinese Supression18:00 Moving Step Sparring21:17 Sumo?26:08 Viral Tai Chi Beatdowns28:30 Yin and Yang30:54 So why is Tai Chi Lame?#taichi #martialarts #pushhands #china #mma #taiwan #china #taijiquan #wushu #qigong
Bruce Lee and the Spread of Chinese Martial Arts #martialarts #brucelee nathaniel cho 2026-02-03 | ...
How Royce Gracie Faked It nathaniel cho 2026-01-12 | The Royce Gracie story isn't what you think. How a family turned manufactured mythology into the most influential martial art in modern fighting.In 1993, the Gracie family faced the most important decision of their lives: which brother would represent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at UFC 1? They didn't pick their best fighter. They picked the one who looked weakest. Royce Gracie himself confirmed itβ"They picked me because of the looks. I was not the best."This video essay explores the psychology behind that choice, the rules that weren't as neutral as they seemed, and how a carefully constructed underdog narrative built a global martial arts empire. We'll examine the biology of deceptive signaling, the concept of hyperreality, and what happened when Kazushi Sakuraba finally cracked the code. Featuring insights from BJJ historian Robert Drysdale, author of "Opening Closed Guard."This isn't about tearing down the Gracies. It's about understanding how stories become realβand why sometimes the myth is exactly what we need.π Robert Drysdale's "Opening Closed Guard": amzn.to/4jLwgEzποΈ Full Drysdale interview on Patreon: patreon.com/c/nathanielchoπ CONNECT:Instagram: instagram.com/nchovies#roycegraucie #ufc #history #graciefamily #martialarts
Asking strangers if they think they can submit me #bjj #streetinterview #combatsport #mma nathaniel cho 2026-01-08 | ...
Whats the best martial art? π₯π₯·π₯ #streetinterview #martialarts #boxing #wrestling #kungfu nathaniel cho 2025-12-17 | ...
Whats the best martial art? π₯π₯·π₯ #streetinterview #martialarts #boxing #wrestling #mma nathaniel cho 2025-12-16 | ...
Whats the best martial art? π₯π₯·π₯ #streetinterview #martialarts #karate #mma #bjj #jiujitsu nathaniel cho 2025-12-15 | ...
Whats the best martial art? π₯π₯·π₯ #streetinterview #martialarts #mma #judo nathaniel cho 2025-12-14 | ...
Whats the best martial art? π₯π₯·π₯ #streetinterview #martialarts #taekwondo #boxing #judo nathaniel cho 2025-12-13 | ...
Whats the best martial art? π₯π₯·π₯ #streetinterview #martialarts #muaythai #kungfu nathaniel cho 2025-12-12 | ...
How Strength Breaks Martial Arts nathaniel cho 2025-12-08 | Does technique beat size in a real fight? I analyzed 2,000+ combat sports matches and the physics research to test martial arts' most cherished mythβand the data proves what we've been taught is wrong.In this video, I break down:- What actually happened after Royce Gracie's early UFC dominance- The biomechanics research showing why larger fighters hit 44% harder- Why there's an optimal size ceiling (and what happens when you exceed it)- The real answer to "bodybuilder vs martial artist vs average guy"TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:38 - Street interview: Who wins this fight?3:04 - What everyone believes about fighting3:57 - The research that contradicts everything4:50 - The Royce Gracie problem6:25 - Physics of fighting: force generation & damage absorption9:53 - Where's the tipping point?11:00 - Why we WANT to believe the myth12:10 - Real-world consequences of the delusion13:30 - The actual answer (it's not what you think)π Subscribe for more martial arts myth-busting and combat sports analysis.π RELATED: youtu.be/PV_oM0MqxVM π CONNECT:- Instagram: instagram.com/nchovies- Patreon: patreon.com/c/nathanielcho#martialarts #sizevsstrength #bjj #mma #selfdefense #davidandgoliath
The Craig Jones Paradox nathaniel cho 2025-12-02 | While everyone laughed at Craig Jones' steroid jokes and Instagram memes, they missed the humanitarian who traveled to active war zones and raised over $850,000 for charity. This documentary explores the gap between Craig's public persona as BJJ's greatest troll and his quietly extraordinary charitable workβfrom racing midnight curfews through Ukrainian missile strikes to revolutionizing fighter pay with the Craig Jones Invitational.Craig Jones built his brand on self-deprecation and not taking himself seriously. But that same strategy made it nearly impossible for anyone to notice when he did something serious: traveling to Kyiv during bombardments to teach seminars for frontline soldiers, raising three-quarters of a million dollars for Tap Cancer Out, and supporting homeless children in Ethiopia through Guardian Gym projects.This video examines Craig's journey from Adelaide kid training under his cousin to ADCC medalist and Danaher Death Squad member, his public split with Gordon Ryan, and why the jiu-jitsu community was too busy laughing to see what was happening right in front of them.π Subscribe for more documentary breakdowns on combat sports figures.π SOURCES & FURTHER READING:Craig Jones Invitational coverageTap Cancer Out foundationFair Fight Foundation#craigjones #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #grappling #cji #bteam #mma #ukraine #documentary
How Real Violence Exposes A Martial Art nathaniel cho 2025-11-25 | Does BJJ actually work for self-defense? NOPE, and not just the berimbolos, I'm coming after your pressure passing too. I analyzed FBI crime statistics, 300+ street fights, and 30 years of UFC dataβand what the research shows about any martial art and real violence will challenge everything the industry has told you.β¨ patreon: patreon.com/c/nathanielchoπ SOURCES & FURTHER READINGAkil II, B. (2008). Do most fights go to the ground? Black Belt Magazine, 46(9), 94.Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2013). Violent victimization committed by strangers, 1993β2010 (NCJ 239424). U.S. Department of Justice. bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/vvcs9310.pdfFares, M. Y., Mao, J., Stadler, R., Boufadel, P., Daher, M., Rosenthal, M., Lawand, J., Khan, A. Z., & Abboud, J. A. (2025). Exploring submission finishes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship: A comprehensive analysis. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 65(8), 1022β1029. doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.25.16585-7Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2020a). Crime in the United States, 2019: Aggravated assault. U.S. Department of Justice. ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/aggravated-assaultFederal Bureau of Investigation. (2020b). Crime in the United States, 2019: Expanded homicide data. U.S. Department of Justice. ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/expanded-homicideFederal Bureau of Investigation. (2022). FBI releases 2020 incident-based (NIBRS) data. U.S. Department of Justice. fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-2020-incident-based-dataFollmer, B., Andreato, L. V., & Coswig, V. S. (2021). Combat-ending submission techniques in modern mixed martial arts. Ido Movement for Culture: Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 21(2), 6β10. doi.org/10.14589/ido.21.2.2Gubbels, J., van der Stouwe, T., Spruit, A., & Stams, G. J. (2016). Martial arts participation and externalizing behavior in juveniles: A meta-analytic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 28, 73β81. doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2016.03.011Harwood, A., Lavidor, M., & Rassovsky, Y. (2017). Reducing aggression with martial arts: A meta-analysis of child and youth studies. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34, 96β101. doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.03.001Senn, C. Y., Eliasziw, M., Barata, P. C., Thurston, W. E., Newby-Clark, I. R., Radtke, H. L., & Hobden, K. L. (2015). Efficacy of a sexual assault resistance program for university women. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(24), 2326β2335. doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa1411131Senn, C. Y., Eliasziw, M., Hobden, K. L., Newby-Clark, I. R., Barata, P. C., Radtke, H. L., & Thurston, W. E. (2017). Secondary and 2-year outcomes of a sexual assault resistance program for university women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 41(2), 147β162. doi.org/10.1177/0361684316677028Senn, C. Y., Eliasziw, M., Hobden, K. L., Barata, P. C., Radtke, H. L., McVey, G. L., & Thurston, W. E. (2021). Testing a model of how a sexual assault resistance education program for women reduces sexual assaults. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 45(2), 212β228. doi.org/10.1177/0361684320962561#bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #selfdefense #martialarts #UFC #selfdefense #karate #streetfights #roycegracie #mma #crime #investigations #journalism #documentary
How A Fraud Became A Black Belt nathaniel cho 2025-09-02 | Derek Moneyberg got his BJJ black belt in just 3.5 years when most take 10+. He claims he's worth over $30 million and charges $20K for wealth coaching. Court documents from his lawsuit against Spencer Cornelia revealed his real name is Dale Buczkowski and included depositions about his business practices and residency claims.π Join my Patreon: patreon.com/nathanielchoBig thank you to β¨@SpencerCorneliaβ© for sharing his legal discoveries throughout the years. Please go check out all his videos on Derek youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ6shAyi_8erdZMoWswCoKRETOkMWiLfc&si=af2w3eT0l2n9fF_S
How Cults Infected A Martial Art nathaniel cho 2025-06-19 | After spending $1,000+ on BJJ, I interviewed a cult researcher to find out if my gym was actually a cult. Here's what I discovered.Resourcesπ Cultish book: amzn.to/4jW8KTCπ Join my Patreon: patreon.com/nathanielchoCREDITS & FURTHER RESEARCHInterview Source: Dr. Wind Goodfriend, Professor of Psychology Book Source: "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism" by Amanda MontellFor Viewers Who Want to Dig Deeper:* Robert Jay Lifton's original "Eight Criteria for Thought Reform"* Steven Hassan's "BITE Model" for evaluating group influence* Academic research on "optimal distinctiveness theory"* International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) resourcesIf You're Concerned About Someone in a High-Control Group:* Don't attack their beliefs directly - this often backfires* Maintain the relationship and keep communication open* Ask gentle questions that encourage critical thinking* Support their identity outside the group* Consider consulting with professionals who specialize in cult recoveryRed Flags for Leadership in ANY Community:* Discourages questions or critical thinking* Isolates members from outside relationships* Has arbitrary or subjective advancement standards* Exploits members financially or sexually* Claims special insight or superiority over others* Retaliates against those who leave or speak outRemember: The most dangerous groups are often the ones that seem the most helpful at first. Trust your instincts, maintain your outside relationships, and never be afraid to walk away from something that doesn't serve your best interests.
How Brazil Stole A Martial Art nathaniel cho 2025-05-16 | π Robert Drysdale's Book - Opening Closed Guardamzn.to/42XHhvNyoutube.com/watch?v=OaAILMysD6sJoin my patreon:patreon.com/nathanielcho0:00 Intro0:55 What is "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu"?2:20 American Jiu Jitsu4:06 Judo6:36 The Gracies12:56 Gracie Jiu Jitsu16:14 UFC19:47 Patreon Shoutout20:00 "Brazilian" Jiu-Jitsu
How Do You Measure Greatness? #ufc #bjj #jiujitsu #submissiongrappling #goat nathaniel cho 2025-04-02 | ...
what to wear to your first NO GI class #mmaequipment #jiujitsu #bjj #nogi nathaniel cho 2025-03-31 | ...
The Best Grappler in the World Is NOT Who You Think It Is nathaniel cho 2025-03-30 | 0:00 Intro0:53 Marcelo Garcia's Resume2:08 3 Standard Arguments4:36 Peak Elo Top 2004:53 Code Changes9:20 Impact on the game14:20 ADCC16:17 P4P17:08 Patreon Shoutout17:28 Facts not feelings17:56 Marcelo's Dominance
I Forced ChatGPT and DeepSeek to Compete in a BJJ Superfight nathaniel cho 2025-03-02 | ChatGPT vs DeepSeek: Picking AI based on BJJ0:00 Intro0:45 Frustrations with ChatGPT4:07 Rules5:17 The Match12:25 The Real Winner18:28 OutlierDB
I Analyzed 10,000 Matches to Find the GOAT nathaniel cho 2025-01-23 | Answering the jiu jitsu GOAT debate, the nerdiest way possible.use code NATCHOFLY24 for 10% off checkout at hyperfly.com/chopatreon.com/nathanielchoinstagram.com/nchovies twitch.tv/nchovies0:00 Getting started0:55 The issue with current methods2:03 An "objective" approach3:21 Several questions10:49 The results13:13 The GOAT14:26 Longevity vs Peak15:42 A CABRA16:14 Not a perfect system19:15 BONUS SEGMENT
4 BJJ Tool I Wish I Had As A Beginner nathaniel cho 2024-12-04 | use code NATCHOFLY24 for 10% off checkout at hyperfly.com/cho
Pookie looks absolutely fire today #unboxing #haul #tryon #bjj #jiujitsu #shorts nathaniel cho 2024-10-03 | ...
Interview with B-Team Head Coach Dima Murovanni nathaniel cho 2024-05-19 | Support for me patreon.com/nathanielcho instagram.com/nchovies twitch.tv/nchoviesSupport for Dimainstagram.com/dima_murovannipatreon.com/bjjdimaTimestamps:0:55 Bitcoin1:03 Start of Coaching Career2:45 His Athletes5:27 Margot Cicarrelli6:35 Jason Rau7:07 Why work with Dima8:59 Undiscovered Athletes9:40 Gym Warriors11:19 Nicky Ryan12:40 Training Protocol15:50 Ecological Approach19:12 Elijah Dorsey21:00 Heart Rate Training21:46 Saitiev Brothers24:20 ADCC Predictions26:35 Baby Shark28:10 How to Beat Gordon Ryan29:55 -99kg ADCC30:53 Dima doesn't watch Instructionals
Best Straight Ankle Lock Escape (ft. MICA GALVAO, KAYNAN DUARTE, JOZEF CHEN) nathaniel cho 2024-05-05 | Support for me patreon.com/nathanielchoStreaming daily twitch.tv/nchoviesTimestamps:0:20 Anthony Hwang vs Joao Alves4:26 Anthony Hwang vs Devin Riley4:49 Mica Galvao vs Alehander Mariano6:48 Felipe Andrew vs Kaynan Duarte7:50 Jozef Chen vs Mateusz SzczeciΕski9:35 Jozef Chen vs Tarik Hopstock10:37 Brandon Reed vs Michael Perez
