Grace Gundrum is one of the most exciting young prospects in Jiu-Jitsu and it all makes perfect sense when you consider that she’s got access to one of the biggest legends of BJJ, Jean Jacques Machado. The session took place during a two-day seminar at Finishers HQ in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Gundrum was amazingly effective when rolling with a veteran competitor around twice her size. That shouldn’t be too surprising for anyone who’s seen Gundrum compete however as she routinely dominates some of the most experienced women in the sport despite her relative youth.
Gundrum already holds the title of Fight 2 Win Strawweight no gi champion after submitting three-time IBJJF no gi World Champion Pati Fontes at F2W 155. She’s already registered victories on some of the biggest stages in the sport despite not even being old enough to celebrate with a few drinks after the match, and already has more accolades than most competitors do by the time they retire. She’s no stranger to adversity either, as she was on the losing end of a unanimous decision just last year at Who’s Number One against the vastly more experienced Mayssa Bastos.
Jean Jacques Machado making an appearance at her home gym makes perfect sense too, given that one of his most notable students is the founder of 10th Planet, Eddie Bravo. Machado has been a key figure in the sport for what seems like forever and is one of the earliest proponents, as the nephew of Carlos Gracie. The 7th degree coral belt is not just a teacher however, as he’s also an ADCC world champion and two-time silver medalist in his own right.
The below video of Grace Gundrum rolling with Jean Jacques Machado was uploaded to the official YouTube channel of one of Gundrum’s coaches, 10th Planet’s Zachary Maslany:
