Talita Alencar: 6x IBJJF World Champion on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 103

Talita Alencar is a six time IBJJF world champion who, at the time of this episode, had moved into MMA and was training full time at American Top Team headquarters in South Florida.

Talita talks about starting Jiu Jitsu around age 10, leaving law school and her family in Brazil to chase the sport, and why she switched to MMA. She also shares what she teaches about self defense for women, her plans for life after fighting, and the dream gym she wants to build someday.

/ What we talked about

8:25 MMA and becoming a professional
Going from all heart to studying opponents, and a 3 and 0 start in Titan MMA.

14:31 Training at American Top Team
Why she calls ATT a university for fighting.

21:42 The height mix up
A bio says 5'7". She is 5'1". Good luck, opponents.

24:47 Swimming, triathlon, then Jiu Jitsu
Seven years of triathlon and a rebellious kid who found Jiu Jitsu at 10.

34:18 Leaving Brazil
From Maranhao to Rio to the United States, and the hard years in between.

36:51 Why MMA
An aggressive style, a new challenge, and never being satisfied.

44:38 Putting it all together
Striking, clinch, wrestling and Jiu Jitsu in one fight.

1:22:24 Self defense for women
Why the answer depends on the situation, and why reading body language comes first.

1:40:38 Her dream gym
Therapy, a mental coach, a surf shop and a cafe. A lifestyle, not just a gym.

/ The belt question

Does Talita Alencar wash her belt?

No. Talita said she has never washed her belts. She used to put them in the sun to dry because she did not want the color to fade. Hear it at 1:46:48.

/ Quick questions

Who is Talita Alencar?

Talita Alencar is a six time IBJJF world champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Maranhao, Brazil. She moved into MMA at American Top Team and later fought in the UFC.

What is the best submission for a woman to use against a man in self defense?

Talita said there is no single answer. It depends on the situation and position, and training should include recognizing when someone crosses a boundary and reading body language.

Has Talita Alencar been back on the show?

Yes. Talita returned for Episode 155 as a UFC fighter, with Jed Dulaney of the Beach Jiu Jitsu International Federation.

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/ More guest episodes

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.

Rob Ingram Episode 134
Rob drove five hours to do this one in person. His five rules for spotting a McDojo, the seahorse guy, and the night his instructor caught fire.

Cris Rodriguez Episode 144
A black belt who sold her academy to market everybody else's. How to open a gym without going broke, why math is the path, and the barefoot bathroom thing.

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.