Legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Kurt Osiander is known for his unfiltered opinions and deep understanding of martial arts. In a recent interview on the BJJ Fanatics podcast, Osiander delved into various topics, from the inclusion of Jiu-Jitsu and breakdancing in the Olympics to real-life self-defense techniques.
The Blast Double-Leg Takedown: A Real-Life Game Changer
When asked about the most critical Jiu-Jitsu technique for real-life situations, Osiander did not hesitate: “Blast double. Double blast. Blast double and pin them against something, and then you can start delegating the terms of surrender.” His preference for this technique stems from its practicality in chaotic environments, such as a convenience store, where environmental factors can be leveraged to one’s advantage.
Osiander elaborated: “You blast double them into, let’s say, the potato chip stand, and now they are entangled in the potato chip stand, and you are on top of them.” From this dominant position, the defender can control the situation by presenting the attacker with clear choices: “Look, I’m gonna start punching you, or you’ll be choked unconscious—or both—or you can stop moving and wait for the police to arrive.”
While Osiander’s description of self-defense tactics may sound humorous, his emphasis on control and de-escalation underscores his belief in Jiu-Jitsu as a practical and responsible tool for personal protection. Still, he advised against unnecessary confrontations, particularly in workplace scenarios: “Don’t get in any altercations over something at your store. If someone’s stealing, the place has got insurance.”
On Breakdancing at the Olympics
The discussion turned to breakdancing’s inclusion in the 2024 Olympics—a topic that Osiander approached with both humor and intrigue. Initially, he admitted being perplexed by the Australian representative’s performance: “As soon as I saw it, I was like, ‘[Expletive], I think she’s having a seizure. Someone help this poor woman.’”
However, Osiander later acknowledged breakdancing as a legitimate athletic pursuit, likening it to gymnastics. “It’s like gymnastics and dancing together,” he explained, ultimately conceding that breakdancing deserved a place in the Olympic program. Despite his support, he noted the controversy surrounding the Australian competitor, mentioning, “Her husband [expletive] became the Olympic Committee head of breakdancing, and no other people were qualified.”
Osiander’s remarks, while tinged with humor, highlighted his broader respect for the athleticism and artistry involved in breaking.
The Challenges of Jiu-Jitsu as an Olympic Sport
Osiander also shared his thoughts on the potential inclusion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Olympics, emphasizing that significant structural and regulatory changes would be required. “It would be a great thing,” he said, but he identified key hurdles: the lack of a unified governing body, the absence of standardized rules, and the issue of doping tests.
“A lot of the athletes would not be able to compete because there’s doping tests,” he explained. Osiander pointed to Judo as a successful model, noting that it had achieved Olympic status due to its organized structure: “Shouldn’t there be a United States Jiu-Jitsu Federation? Everything will be standardized—boom, this is the rules, this is the way it is, these are the weight classes.”
He proposed that Jiu-Jitsu could begin as an exhibition sport to showcase its potential while building the necessary organizational foundation. “You know what they could do? It as an exhibition sport… It’s like, okay, you want to see something cool, we got it. Check this out.”
