seen. He has forgotten more moves then I’ve learned. He is the only instructor I have ever witnessed who gets ovations for showing a move. I know he gave me my black belt and I’m supposed to be loyal but he really is the best teacher in the world. I want to tell the story of one of my black belt friends and four other Pedro Sauer black belts who took a private lesson from the Professor recently. When the lesson was over all the black belts got together and they all said that none of them had ever seen any of that material. They couldn’t believe how awesome it was! My friend then went on to tell me, and I quote, “NONE of us are even pimples on the Professor’s ass, he is that good!” I’ve known that for a while.


CF: What other instructors have made an impact in your life?

KO: I only like instructors who are very technical. My personal favourites are Sergio Penha, Rorion Gracie, Rener Gracie, Roy Harris, Craig Kukuk, Ricardo Peres, Saulo Riberio, Carlos Machado and Jean Jacques Machado.


CF: Are you active on the seminar and competition circuit?

KO: I don’t personally do a lot of competition but I do a lot of seminars. I work heavily with the Idaho Police Academy teaching police officers all over Idaho how to ground fight. I’m very proud to help them and one day I know I will have saved a life.


CF: Have you trained in any other martial arts?

KO: I have two other Black Belts, 4th Degree in T.A.I. Kung-Fu and a Black Sash in Wu Wei Gung-Fu under renowned Bruce Lee Instructor Joseph Cowles. I’m also a very accomplished firearms instructor and just so you know my British friend- Glock is the best pistol in the world.


CF: Do any of your family train in BJJ and martial arts?

KO: All of my three boys, Alex, Carrigan and Chance


CF: Did your team go to the Mundials this year?

KO: No but we did go to the Pan Americans. Many of my guys are expressing more of an interest in the sport aspect of BJJ, so be looking for the Keith Owen Team.


CF: The Mundials and ADCC have had their main events in the US; is this a sign of the popularity of the sport in the US?

KO: You bet! It’s only getting bigger. I personally think that the Americans will one day dominate the sport. Look at what America did at the FILA World Games. We took 9 medals out of 9 Competitors including Ricky Lundell a Pedro Sauer Black Belt. Let me be clear though, we owe it all to the Brazilians!


CF: In your time in BJJ in the US, have you travelled out of the US in search of jiu jitsu?

KO: I haven’t needed to. Just go to California for a while. Some of Brazil’s greatest instructors live there.


CF: Have you trained with any of the Gracies?

KO: I have been to many Gracie Seminars but never trained exclusively with any one of them. I would really like to train with Renzo Gracie though. I’m still waiting for Renzo to make me his friend on MySpace (laughs).

CF: How big an influence where the early UFC’s for you in the US?


KO: Like I said, Royce Gracie is the reason I’m training in Jiu-Jitsu today. Rorion Gracie whether you like him or don’t like him was the pioneer of the sport and we all owe him a debt of gratitude, no matter where you train.


CF: The UFC is well established in the US and branching out into the UK; do you keep tabs on the event?

KO: I’m addicted to it. I’m currently in a twelve step program to try to recover (laughs).


CF: Who are your favourite fighters?

KO: My Favourite Fighter is Genki Sudo, we are all one Genki! Come out of retirement. He is quite the showman. I have other ones including Jeremy Horn, Mirko CroCop, Dan Henderson, Wanderlei, Randy Couture and of course the toughest UFC fighter out there, bar none- Reggie Warren Jr.


CF: What are your plans for the next five years with jiu jitsu and your academy?

KO: Well right now Jean Jacques Machado has liked my material enough to allow me to be a guest instructor on his on-line training program at www.jeanjacquesmachado.com. That was quite an honour from one of my heroes. I am going to make more videos both gi and no-gi. I might write a book and get more involved in the tournaments as well. To be honest Carl, I really want to be known as the greatest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teacher in the world and spend my golden years travelling the world giving seminars. Is that too much to ask?


CF: No it isn’t Keith, Where can people get Keith Owen Favourite Moves Vol 1?

KO: At my website at www.bjjmoves.com
Thanks Carl, what an easy interview!