What does it take to become a Team USA Sambo coach, build one of the largest Sambo academies in America, produce Pan-American Champions, and help grow one of the world’s fastest-rising combat sports?
In Episode 83 of The Grapple Of Your Eye Show, Brett Summers sits down with Julian Sanchez—Head Coach of Sambo Nation HQ, Team USA coach, four-time USA Pan-American Team member, national coach, international competitor, and one of the driving forces behind the rapid growth of Combat Sambo and Sport Sambo throughout the United States.
From growing up in a family of boxers and martial artists in Texas to competing internationally and coaching Team USA to multiple gold medals at the 2026 Pan-American Sambo Championships, Julian shares his incredible journey through wrestling, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, and the unique world of Russian Sambo.
This in-depth interview explores what makes Sambo one of the most complete martial arts in the world, combining devastating throws, explosive takedowns, powerful submissions, striking, combat strategy, and elite athletic development. Whether you’re a beginner, coach, competitor, or lifelong martial arts fan, this conversation is packed with invaluable insight.
🔥 In this episode you’ll discover:
🥇 How Julian Sanchez built Sambo Nation into one of North America’s premier Sambo organisations.
🇺🇸 The story behind Team USA’s success at the 2026 Pan-American Sambo Championships in Costa Rica.
🥋 The key differences between Combat Sambo, Sport Sambo, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Catch Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Submission Grappling, and MMA.
💥 What it’s really like coaching and competing against the world’s best Sambo athletes.
🏆 How to develop champions, build successful martial arts clubs, and create winning team culture.
🌍 Why Sambo is experiencing incredible worldwide growth and why more MMA fighters, wrestlers, judoka, and BJJ practitioners are adding Sambo to their training.
👊 Behind-the-scenes stories from international competition, Team USA coaching, athlete development, and growing one of the biggest Sambo programmes outside Eastern Europe.
If you love Sambo, Combat Sambo, Sport Sambo, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Wrestling, Judo, Submission Grappling, Catch Wrestling, Combat Sports, Olympic Wrestling, Martial Arts Podcasts, or interviews with world-class athletes and coaches, this episode is essential viewing.
👍 Subscribe to The Grapple Of Your Eye Show for weekly interviews with world champions, elite coaches, wrestling legends, BJJ black belts, MMA fighters, judoka, sambo champions, historians, and pioneers from across the grappling world.
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