Scott Burr: Rickson Gracie Black Belt and Worth Defending Co-Author on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 153

Scott Burr is a black belt under Rickson Gracie, the founder of Enclave Jiu Jitsu, and the co-author of Worth Defending with Richard Bresler, one of the earliest students of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in America.

Scott tells the story of how Richard met Helio Gracie in 1979, became his roommate, turned their Hermosa Beach house into the first Gracie Garage, and helped put up the money to open the Gracie Academy and back the early UFC. Then we get into how Scott found Jiu Jitsu through a Korean martial art, why he thinks the truth is in the fight, cross training without drama, and his take on the eternal question: do you wash your belt?

/ What we talked about

12:53 Richard Bresler and early Jiu Jitsu in America
Meeting Helio in 1979, the first Gracie Garage, and helping fund the Gracie Academy and the early UFC.

19:27 Writing books with legends
Editing and co-writing Jiu Jitsu books, including projects with Chris Haueter and Benjamin Chen.

28:29 How Scott started training
From Kuk Sool Do at 17 to finding Jiu Jitsu in 2006.

35:48 Jiu Jitsu, striking and Judo
Closing distance, clinching, and training for a real fight instead of a rule set.

44:30 Enclave Jiu Jitsu
Why the truth is in the fight, and what he took from Rickson Gracie and Steve Maxwell.

55:51 Cross training and loyalty
Why students training elsewhere can make a room better, not weaker.

1:22:50 The Drill Down
Gi or no gi, takedowns or guard pulls, and what plays on the speaker.

1:38:48 Do you wash your belt?
Scott's answer, and what Rickson said about sweat.

/ The belt question

Does Scott Burr wash his belt?

No. Scott has never washed it. He remembers Rickson Gracie saying he wanted a molecule of sweat from everyone he had rolled with to stay in his belt, and Scott wants the wear on his belt to be real. Hear it at 1:38:48.

/ Quick questions

Who is Scott Burr?

Scott Burr is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rickson Gracie, the founder of Enclave Jiu Jitsu, and the co-author of Worth Defending with Richard Bresler.

Who is Richard Bresler?

Richard Bresler was Helio Gracie's first regular student in Los Angeles. He met Helio in 1979, became his roommate, and helped fund the original Gracie Academy and the early UFC.

Has Scott Burr been on the show more than once?

Yes. Scott came back for Episode 182 to talk about Lessons from the Mat and his books with Rickson Gracie and Chris Haueter.

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/ More guest episodes

Scott Burr Episode 182
The guy who writes the books for Jiu Jitsu legends. Rickson Gracie, Chris Haueter, Richard Bresler, and eight private lessons in Rickson's living room.

Talita Alencar Episode 155
Talita is back, this time as a UFC fighter, with Jed Dulaney and a federation that holds Jiu Jitsu tournaments on the beach. Yes, in the sand.

Jason Scully Episode 149
One of the first people to put Jiu Jitsu on YouTube. In 2006, as a blue belt, he filmed 55 closed guard techniques in about eight minutes. The internet has not been the same.

See every guest episode

/ More from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast

Jiu Jitsu Dummies is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for people who love the sport and do not take themselves too seriously. Follow on Apple Podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, or browse every episode.