Right then guys, I’m very pleased to bring you guys today an
interview with Michael Liera Jr, who today is one of the very best brown belts
in the world.
It is really an honor to get the chance to interview him as he happens to
be one of my most favourite Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, and every time I step
onto the mat I try to replicate his style of Jiu-Jitsu as much as possible. So
without further ado here is the interview.
For those who don’t know you, could you please give a brief outline of
yourself?
Yes, of course. My name is
Michael Liera Jr, and I am 20 years old. I am a brown belt under Andre Galvao,
and I compete for Atos Jiu Jitsu. Some of my accomplishments include 2x World
champion, NoGi World champion, 4x Pan American champion, Jiu Jitsu Battle 1
champion, and 10x American National Champion.
 |
| Source: Preston Smith |
So right off the bat, could you tell us about your beginnings in
Jiu-Jitsu?
After being invited by some
friends, I began doing Jiu Jitsu with my dad at a local academy here in San
Diego when I was 12 years old. At first I wasn't too fond of Jiu Jitsu, and if
it wasn't for my dad really enjoying Jiu Jitsu I probably would have quit. The
first few months of my Jiu Jitsu journey was spent getting my butt kicked in
the kid's class by everyone. I had two options: get better, or keep getting
submitted by kids half my size. As I began to study Jiu Jitsu more I fell more
and more in love with the art and I've become completely addicted to it.
At what point in your life did you realise you wanted to dedicate your
life completely to Jiu-Jitsu?
The transition between doing Jiu
Jitsu as a hobby and doing Jiu Jitsu full time was very gradual. Ever since I
was a white belt, I enjoyed competing, but considering Jiu Jitsu as something I
wanted to pursue full-time as a career came to me when I started competing in
the IBJJF tournaments.
Was your family supportive with your choice to do Jiu-Jitsu full time?
My family has always been very
supportive of my Jiu Jitsu career, and I'm very thankful for everything they do
for me to help me in the pursuit of my dreams.
 |
| Source: Preston Smith |
Tell us a few things about what you love about Jiu-Jitsu.
I love the endlessness of it,
especially in the sense that you can never truly master it. I love the friends
and family it has given me. I love the adrenaline when competing. I love Jiu
Jitsu for so many reasons!
You first started training at Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu, with Xande and Saulo
Ribeiro, what can you tell us about your time training there, and why did you
decide to leave the team in the favour of Atos?
Switching teams is always
difficult, especially considering the time I spent with Saulo and Xande. I am
very lucky to have had the opportunity to train with them they are two of the
greatest champions of all time, but at the end of the day I had to do what was
best for myself.
In March 2013, you had some new arrivals to the team, these being
Keenan Cornelius, JT Torres, and Jordon Schultz. How has their arrival impacted
the team?
The guys from Maryland definitely
added to the depth of our team, and they also brought with them a unique style
of Jiu Jitsu. They are also really great guys and I really enjoy having them on
the team.
How often do you get to train at the Mendes Bros academy?
Lately, I have been spending most
of my time at Atos San Diego, but I really do enjoy when I get the chance to
train at AOJ with the Mendes Brothers. I am planning on training with them more
consistently for Worlds this year.
What is it like to have Andre Galvao as your professor and mentor? And
what is your relationship like with him?
Professor Andre has been an
amazing coach and mentor for me. He constantly inspires me to do my best in
everything.
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| Michael with Andre Galvao |
How important is competition to you?
I really enjoy competing, and
putting my Jiu Jitsu on display. Competing in Jiu Jitsu is something that I
have been doing ever since I started, and I recommend that everyone try it at
least a few times.
How do you deal with competition nerves?
I don't get competition nerves
very often because I have been competing for so long. Even when I do get the
nerves, I just try my best to relax and let my Jiu Jitsu flow when I get on to
the mat.
What has been your hardest match to date in competition?
One of my toughest matches
recently was in the absolute finals of the Pan Am's this year against Barbosa
Jiu Jitsu's Felipe Silva. After a hard fought 7 minutes the score was tied, and
I won the referee's decision. It was the second time I've competed against him,
and I look forward to fighting him again.
Looking at your weight division, who would you say is your hardest
competition?
Honestly, I'm not certain who is
in my division this year. The divisions at the IBJJF tournaments are always
tough, and I just try my best to come prepared.
What has been your biggest achievement you have accomplished along your
career?
My biggest achievement thus far
was probably taking double gold at the Pan Am's in 2013 at purple belt. Also,
winning the World Championships that year was a very special moment for me.
 |
| Michael takes gold at the 2013 World Championships |
Will you be looking to qualify for ADCC in 2015?
I currently don't have any plans
to compete in any ADCC qualifiers, but it is one of my goals to compete in the
ADCC events.
Recently Copa Podio has seen brown belt competitors enter their
tournament. If the opportunity presented itself, would you be prepared to enter
and fight against black belts?
I'd love to compete in the Copa
Podio events. I would most definitely jump on that opportunity!
What was it like to be part of Jiu-Jitsu Battle? And would you be
prepared to be part of another?
The Jiu Jitsu Battle will always
be one of my favorite experiences. I am always in contact with the WantVsNeed
guys, and I am expecting to compete in one of their tournaments again, probably
later this year.
 |
| Michael wins Jiu-Jitsu Battle 1 |
Recently, the IBJJF released a series of requirements for people
wishing to enter the 2015 world championships as a black belt. What is your
opinion on this?
I am in favor of this rule; I
think it's good to make people qualify for the World Championships. It will
only further the legitimacy of our sport.
Could you talk us through what an average week in your life is like?
Monday through Friday: Training.
Saturday and Sunday: Resting.
How did you adapt your game for brown belt?
I feel like my Jiu Jitsu is
always evolving, so when I got my brown belt it was just a change in the color
of my belt. The only real difference in the brown belt division is that now
knee bars and toe holds are legal.
Was it an easy transition?
It was a fairly easy transition
because I have always dealt with people attacking my legs in training. The only
difference is that now I am focusing on more attacks with knee bars and toe
holds.
 |
| Source: Mike Calimbus |
Who are some Jiu-Jitsu competitors you really admire and look up to?
Andre Galvao, the Mendes
Brothers, Keenan Cornelius, and JT Torres are some of the guys I really admire
and look up to, I also am very lucky to train with them on a regular basis. I
also admire the Jiu Jitsu of Cobrinha, Lucas Lepri, Leandro Lo, and the Miyao
brothers.
What people have had the greatest influence overall on your Jiu-Jitsu?
My professor, Andre Galvao, has
had the biggest influence on my Jiu Jitsu thus far. Also the Mendes Brothers
have influenced my Jiu Jitsu a lot in the past few years.
In your matches you often use the berimbolo, why do you favour this
technique in particular?
I started using the berimbolo
positions in 2012 when the Mendes Brothers trained at our gym for both the Pan
Am's and World's camp that year. I was Guillherme Mendes' drilling partner for
most of the camp, and he showed me a lot of the intricacies of the position. It
has been extremely efficient for me, and now it is one of my main attacks from
my guard.
Why today do you think techniques such as the berimbolo and the 50/50
guard are so widely used in the competition scene?
The berimbolo and the 50/50 guard
are used in competition because they are effective. In most divisions, you
might not have to utilize these positions to win a match, but you must at least
be aware of them to be successful.
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| Source: IBJJF |
Personally do you favour gi or nogi?
Gi.
Overall, how would you describe your style of Jiu-Jitsu?
It depends on how much caffeine
I've taken...
How important is drilling for you?
I feel that drilling is a very
important part of my training regimen. When I started implementing drilling
into my training schedule, I saw a big improvement in the timing of my passes,
sweeps, and submissions.
How many times a week would you say the average person should train to
make decent progress?
I think training three times a
week is the minimum for someone who wants to see progress in their Jiu Jitsu.
(Part 2 of this interview can be found HERE.)
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