Retired professional MMA fighter and BJJ Black Belt Enson Inoue talks about his time spent with Grandmaster Relson Gracie, being humble as a black belt, his MMA career and the Yakuza. He also tells the story of the infamous 1998 Pan Ams brawl. Click “read more” for show notes! 

SHOW NOTES:

• Origins
• How bullying lead him to martial arts
• Dealing with native Hawaiians as a non-Hawaiian growing up
• His introduction to martial arts and finding Jiu-Jitsu
• Training with Grandmaster Relson Gracie
• The paradigm shift that Jiu-Jitsu caused in martial arts
• His favorite memories with Grandmaster Relson
• The first time he used Jiu-Jitsu in self defense
• His recent self demotion to purple belt
• Being humble as a black belt
• His favorite areas in Jiu-Jitsu to work on currently
• How coming back to BJJ after retirement has improved his health
• The humorous incident at a local UFC Gym
• His bracelet company Destiny Forever
• His return to college
• His charity work with the Fukushima victims in Japan
• Walking across Japan
• The 1998 Pan Ams brawl
• His falling out and rekindling with Grandmaster Relson
• His first MMA fight
• Fighting King Zulu
• Training in Japan with fighters and professional wrestlers
• Yakuza involvement in MMA in Japan
• His Yakuza run-in story
• The best guys in Japan at that time
• Fighting for Pride FC
• Can rules in MMA put in place for safety actually increase injuries?
• The respect fighters get in Japan vs in the US