Meet the VP of Talent Relations for top UK promotion BAMMA who is also a two-time European Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion and the first Brit to earn a Black Belt
Jude Samuel is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) coach, former competitor and is the VP of Talent Relations for MMA promotion the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA), responsible for matchmaking and combat operations. BAMMA is one of the top promotions in the UK that has hosted events at some of the country’s top venues, is broadcasted live on ITV4, and implements the highest medical standards through their partnership with Safe MMA. He was the first British BJJ Black Belt (3rd Degree) under the legendary Mauricio Gomes and went on to become a two-time IBJJF European Champion and also competed in professional MMA with a 2-0 record. Jude is also the head coach of BJJ team Inglorious Grapplers and is renowned as one of the most respect practitioners in the country.
Jude was kind enough to discuss the state of UK regulation with me, as well as how BAMMA medically regulates their events and how other promotions stack up. Check out this exclusive snippet over on Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-895826292/beyond-the-cage-jude-samuel
"There's not one promotion that spends the money that BAMMA does in the UK on medical stuff. I wish that everyone else would do the same so it wasn't just us, but I know what the spend entails and not every promotion can afford that."