In this episode of Around the Octagon, we sit down with Max Gimenis, a multiple-time BJJ World Champion and newly signed UFC heavyweight. From his humble beginnings training in Brazil to founding Culture of Jiu-Jitsu and running his own federation (PBJFF), Max Gimenis shares his inspiring story, his mindset as a competitor, and what fans can expect from his UFC run.We cover his transition from BJJ to MMA, his experience at the Craig Jones Invitational, balancing gym ownership with fighting, and his goals for the next five years inside the UFC heavyweight division. Max Gimenis also opens up about the haters, his surprising knockout power, and even gives us his UFC Mount Rushmore.If you’re a fan of BJJ, heavyweight MMA, or love hearing about fighter journeys, this is an interview you don’t want to miss.#UFC #AroundTheOctagon #BJJ #JiuJitsu #MMA #UFCHeavyweight #Maxgemenis #CraigJonesInvitational #PBJFF #CultureOfJiuJitsu #FighterInterview #AroundTheFeltSports0:00 – Intro & Welcome0:20 – Max Gimenis on signing with the UFC0:43 – How he started training Jiu-Jitsu as a kid2:02 – Opening Culture of Jiu-Jitsu gym & PBJFF federation6:40 – Competing at the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI)9:00 – What drives him as a competitor (100+ black belt wins)10:30 – Decision to transition into MMA11:40 – First amateur/MMA fights & UFC signing12:15 – Childhood inspiration watching Pride & UFC with his father13:50 – Challenges of MMA vs BJJ (mixing disciplines)14:35 – Managing weight as a heavyweight in BJJ vs MMA15:30 – Message to UFC haters & critics17:03 – Surprising knockout record vs submissions18:15 – Using BJJ against strikers in heavyweight division19:13 – Advice to his younger self chasing the UFC dream20:18 – UFC heavyweight division challenges & ideal matchups21:14 – Early callouts & preferred opponents22:13 – Five-year UFC career goals (Top 10, title push)22:40 – Comparisons to Glover Teixeira & Fabricio Werdum25:00 – Thoughts on fast-tracked heavyweights25:30 – Dream fights in MMA history27:07 – One-fight-at-a-time mindset27:50 – UFC Mount Rushmore picks (Jones, Silva, Aldo, Wanderlei)28:34 – Where to follow Max Gimenis online29:30 – Closing remarks

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