Joe Gorsuch Previews OJJ Invitational on JMA Podcast; Talks Wrestling, Leg Locks and Building Oswego Jiu Jitsu
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Oswego Jiu Jitsu owner and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Joe Gorsuch joined John Murray and Jeremy Fairhurst on the JMA Podcast to discuss his wrestling career, the challenges of transitioning into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the inaugural OJJ Invitational coming to Oswego, New York, on October 24, 2026.
What began with a borrowed gi and an unexpected invitation to a jiu-jitsu class has developed into a decade-long commitment to grappling, competitive success, and the growth of one of Central New York’s martial arts communities.
During the nearly 50-minute conversation, Gorsuch shared stories from his wrestling career, examined the technical evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and offered a behind-the-scenes look at organizing the OJJ Invitational 2026, a submission-only event featuring competitors from white belt through black belt.
The interview also explored how wrestling influences jiu-jitsu strategy, why Gorsuch has focused on improving his leg-lock game, and the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes closer to home.
Watch the full Joe Gorsuch interview on the JMA Podcast.
From 104 Wrestling Victories to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Long before opening Oswego Jiu Jitsu, Gorsuch established himself as a competitive wrestler.
According to his official coaching biography, Gorsuch recorded 104 career victories at Newark High School, captured a Section V championship in 2013, and continued wrestling at SUNY Oswego, where he competed at the NCAA Division III level.
One of his most memorable high school matches came during his freshman season, when he faced an experienced senior from an opposing team.
His coach offered straightforward advice: avoid getting pinned.
Instead, Gorsuch surprised his opponent with a powerful counter to a takedown attempt, securing early back points in a match he still remembers years later.
Despite his wrestling background, Gorsuch admitted that his introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2016 came almost entirely by chance.
While working in local government, Gorsuch attended dinner with a friend who encouraged him to visit a nearby jiu-jitsu academy. His friend happened to have an extra gi in the car, and within an hour, Gorsuch found himself attending his first class.
His wrestling experience helped him stay comfortable during stand-up exchanges. Once the action reached the ground, however, he quickly discovered an entirely different challenge.
“On the ground got humbled real quickly,” Gorsuch recalled.
Rather than discourage him, the experience motivated him to continue.
Gorsuch eventually earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Ben Tallini in 2025. He has also collected podium finishes in International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation competition.
Today, Gorsuch leads Oswego Jiu Jitsu, an academy he said has grown to approximately 250 students while expanding its martial arts offerings to include MMA training.
Wrestling vs. Jiu-Jitsu: Two Different Competitive Cultures
One of the interview’s most interesting discussions centered on the differences between wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Gorsuch explained that traditional scholastic wrestling programs operate with a limited number of starting positions. Athletes frequently compete against teammates for opportunities to represent their schools.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a different environment, where beginners, recreational practitioners, and competitive athletes can all participate at their own level.
“There’s a spot for everyone on the mat. It’s not the same in wrestling,” Gorsuch explained.
The conversation also revisited Gorsuch’s experience competing in a quintet-style submission-only tournament at Fat Cat Jiu-Jitsu.
JMA previously covered the Fat Cat Jiu-Jitsu Quintet Tournament, which featured teams competing under a combined weight limit.
Gorsuch discussed his team’s strategy, explaining how coaches relied on larger, experienced grapplers to eliminate opponents while preserving other athletes for later rounds.
He also reflected on what he might have changed about his team’s lineup against Gambit, emphasizing how weight differences, fatigue, and stylistic matchups can influence team competition.
For Gorsuch, success requires more than selecting the strongest individual athletes. Coaches must consider which competitors create the most favorable matchups and how each result affects the remaining lineup.
Why Joe Gorsuch Is Studying Leg Locks and K-Guard
Despite his wrestling experience and success with pressure passing, Gorsuch acknowledged that certain areas of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu required additional attention.
Leg locks became a particular focus after he encountered difficulties defending them in competition.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on escapes, Gorsuch began studying offensive leg-lock systems to better understand how opponents establish control and create submission opportunities.
“I knew that was a hole in my game,” Gorsuch said.
He identified renowned grappling instructor Lachlan Giles as an important influence on his technical development.
Gorsuch also described experimenting with K-guard, a position that can create opportunities to off-balance opponents and enter leg entanglements.
During the interview, he walked Murray and Fairhurst through the mechanics of the position, explaining how practitioners use their legs, hips, and grips to create attacking opportunities.
His larger message focused on turning instruction into practical knowledge.
Studying techniques provides a foundation, but athletes must experiment during live training to determine which movements fit their individual styles.
“You have to make it your own,” Gorsuch explained.
The discussion offers valuable insight for wrestlers entering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and experienced grapplers looking to improve weaknesses in their games.
OJJ Invitational 2026 Brings Submission-Only Grappling to Oswego
The conversation eventually turned toward Gorsuch’s newest challenge: organizing a grappling event.
The inaugural OJJ Invitational 2026 takes place Saturday, October 24, at Curtis Manor in Oswego, New York.
Gorsuch explained that athletes from his region frequently travel considerable distances to compete in grappling tournaments and superfights.
After years of participating in events elsewhere, he decided to create a competition closer to home.
The OJJ Invitational will feature 10 no-gi, submission-only matches involving athletes from white belt through black belt.
Gorsuch intentionally designed the lineup to highlight how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolves as athletes gain experience.
“These were curated very intentionally to showcase the evolution of jiu-jitsu from white belt to black belt,” he explained.
He expects lower-belt matches to feature more frantic exchanges, aggressive submission attempts, and faster-paced action.
As the competition progresses into the advanced belt levels, Gorsuch believes viewers will notice more calculated movements, strategic positioning, and technical precision.
The approach creates an opportunity for spectators unfamiliar with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to experience the differences between developing grapplers and advanced competitors.
Doug Miller Among the Featured Competitors
One athlete Gorsuch expressed particular excitement about was Doug Miller, a fellow Oswego Jiu Jitsu coach.
Miller brings an extensive wrestling and professional MMA background to the mats.
His official Oswego Jiu Jitsu biography documents his time competing for Fulton High School, his MMA experience, and podium finishes at major Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
During the podcast, Gorsuch discussed Miller’s upcoming matchup against another wrestler with professional MMA experience, anticipating an aggressive contest between two physically imposing competitors.
Gorsuch praised Miller’s commitment to training and development, while acknowledging that the matchup presents challenges for both athletes.
The featured contest represents the competitive talent that Oswego Jiu Jitsu hopes to showcase at its inaugural event.
Building a Community Beyond the Competition Mats
While the evening’s submission-only matches will attract experienced grapplers, Gorsuch stressed that the OJJ Invitational represents more than a traditional fight card.
The event begins with a kids’ round-robin jiu-jitsu tournament, allowing young athletes to gain valuable competition experience without an excessive emphasis on winning.
The gi-only youth competition welcomes participants ages 4 through 17, with organizers aiming to provide multiple matches whenever division sizes permit.
Gorsuch also discussed the involvement of local organizations, sponsors, and community partners.
Among them is the Haven Initiative, a program founded by Ben Tallini that uses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to help build positive relationships between young people and law enforcement officers.
According to Gorsuch, the initiative plans to participate in activities with children during the event.
Local vendors, sponsors, music, and individual athlete walkout songs will contribute to the atmosphere.
For Gorsuch, introducing more families to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and strengthening community relationships remains an important part of the event’s purpose.
OJJ Invitational 2026: Date, Location, Tickets and Livestream
The OJJ Invitational takes place at Curtis Manor, located at 10 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive, Oswego, NY 13126, on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The schedule includes:
- 9:00 a.m. ET: Youth tournament mock weigh-ins
- 10:00 a.m. ET: Kids’ gi round-robin competition begins
- 3:00 p.m. ET: Doors open for the evening event
- 4:00 p.m. ET: Adult no-gi submission-only matches begin
The published event listing offers general admission presale tickets for $25 and presale matside seating for $50. General admission at the door costs $40, subject to availability. Spectator admission to the morning youth tournament is free.
Fans unable to attend in person can purchase access to the official OJJ Invitational livestream on Eventbrite. Live coverage is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Eastern.
For Oswego Jiu Jitsu, the event represents an opportunity to showcase local talent while introducing new audiences to submission grappling.
Watch the Full Joe Gorsuch Interview on the JMA Podcast
From a chance introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to opening his own academy and organizing the OJJ Invitational, Gorsuch’s journey reflects the opportunities that combat sports can create beyond competition.
His appearance on the JMA Podcast provides a closer look at that journey, including stories from his wrestling career, insights into the technical development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the challenges of building a regional grappling event.
The interview also features entertaining exchanges with Murray and Fairhurst, including a UFC trivia segment in which Gorsuch battles through several questions before finding redemption.
Watch the complete JMA Podcast episode featuring Joe Gorsuch on YouTube to hear the full conversation, including his competition stories, technical explanations, and additional discussion about the October 24 event.
Subscribe to the JMA Podcast and follow JMurrayAthletics for more athlete interviews, regional combat sports news, and live event coverage.
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