What is most interesting in this interview with Ryan Hall is how much his current thinking reflects a sort of "back to basics" movement, focusing on the essential jiu jitsu that has become somewhat obscured as the popularity of the art has exploded over the past five years or so.
I felt it when I read Saulo's book, Jiu Jitsu University. As Ryan does in his interview with the Fightworks Podcast, I've always said that the essential question for everyone who trains jiu jitsu is this: why is Rickson Gracie considered the best jiu jitsu artist of all time?
Father Helio said it was his "impeccable timing". Saulo answers that same question very early in his book, pointing to Rickson's fundamental understanding of the physics of the human body. I've long thought that if you could master those two elements - timing and leverage - your jiu jitsu would make surprising leaps and bounds.
So it is great to hear Ryan Hall - often criticized for his "special attributes" like exceptional flexibility and ability to master a single submission (arguably to the exclusion of other valuable techniques) - echo many of the things I have been thinking and feeling over the past few months.
I've always been a huge Ryan Hall fan - how could you not be? - and am looking forward to hearing and seeing his development in the art over the next several years.
Ryan Hall on the FightWorks Podcast
