Vlad Koulikov - Fusing BJJ with Sambo

Today on the show I have Vlad Koulikov.

• Started training in 1984 in prestigious academy Sambo 70 in Moscow, Russia.
• Holds rank of master of sport.
• Gold and silver medalist of two all soviet cups.
• USA open silver and two bronze in sambo.
• Multiple NAGA and Grappler Quest champion including most technical fighter award.
• 2004 ASA super fight winner.
• Black Belt in Judo (Nidan).
• MMA contender.
• Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
• Team USA member for 2008 combat sambo world championship.
• 2017 World Combat Wrestling Champion.

Vlad is a Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa.

In 2008 Vlad represented Team USA in the Combat Sambo World Championships. He has placed and won several NAGA and Grapplers Quest tournaments. Vlad was awarded the most technical fighter in the very first Grapplers Quest tournament having won all of his matches by submission.

Vlad is a fascinating renaissance man, raised in Russia, his father was a boxer, wrestler, and strongman. Vlad merged his expertise of Sambo into his Jiu Jitsu game and the results are highly effective. He is opening a new KGA (Koulikov Grappling Academy) in Texas and he has a dearth of instructional content online, I highly suggest you seek it out his foot sweeps and fierce throws are really the stuff of legend.

Vlad is also known for being in a few little movies, a couple of which are named, "John Wick" with Keanu Reeves, and, "Salt" with Angelina Jolie. Despite being the quintessential tough guy Vlad is actually quite a nice humble gentleman, it was quite the honor to spend time with him.

Ok, some housekeeping notes Vlad can speak really fast at times so keep up and if you're listening with the kids you may want to put on earmuffs for this one as there is liberal but intentional swearing on the episode.

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