Chris Ranger nearly quit Jiu Jitsu. His mates made sure he didn’t.

In Episode 3 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we meet the Head Coach of Rhino BJJ as Chris prepares to step onto the mats for his first-ever invitational - after 16 years of training and competing in Jiu Jitsu.

This is an episode about what can happen when the right people are around you at the right time.

Chris shares the story of reaching a point where he was ready to walk away from BJJ, and the friends and teammates who supported him and helped keep him on the mats.

Today, he's the Head Coach of an academy that has become far more competitive than he ever imagined when Rhino BJJ began — and he's now helping develop the next generation of competitive BJJ kids.

We talk about the rewards of coaching young athletes, friendship and community, and Chris's own ambitions, which are far from finished.

He's lost 14kg over the past year, continues to develop his own Jiu Jitsu and has a clear goal in his sights: becoming European Champion.

And after 16 years in the sport, there's still room for another first.

Chris Ranger is making his Invitational debut at EJO.

A conversation about friendship, coaching, competition, ambition — and the people who keep you going when you might otherwise have stopped.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW CHRIS

https://www.instagram.com/danger14ranger/

https://www.instagram.com/rhino_bjj/

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JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple-time World Champion Marcos “Ratinho” Santana is heading to the EJO Invitational, and he’s fighting for the title belt.

In Episode 2 of the EJO Invitational Podcast, we get to know Marcos ahead of his title match against formidable competitor Phil Harris at Basildon Sporting Village on Saturday 17 October 2026.

Training at Roger Gracie Academy, Marcos has built an impressive competitive career with multiple World Championship titles amongst his many achievements.

But this conversation goes beyond medals and accolades.

Marcos talks about life as a Masters athlete and the consistency, resilience and discipline required to keep training, developing and competing at a high level over time.

We explore what keeps him showing up, the mindset behind his longevity in Jiu Jitsu and why success is built through the work you continue to put in, day after day.

Now another challenge awaits as Marcos “Ratinho” Santana faces Phil Harris for the EJO Invitational title belt.

Two experienced athletes. One title on the line.

Get to know Marcos before he steps onto the EJO Invitational mats.

For the first time, EJO is moving beyond its established open tournament format to create a fully curated, invitation-only card featuring some of the UK’s exciting gi and no-gi grapplers.

Starting from around 2pm and running into the evening, expect a packed card of competitive match-ups and a crowd-driven atmosphere, with the event also available via live stream.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW MARCOS

https://www.instagram.com/marcosratinho/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of the EJO Invitational Podcast, hosted by Lou Temlett.

In Episode 1, Lou is joined by Caz Ovenden as we start the build-up to the first-ever EJO Invitational, taking place at Basildon Sporting Village on Saturday 17 October 2026.

We get to know Caz, talk Jiu Jitsu and look ahead to her involvement in the Invitational as EJO enters a new chapter.

For the first time, EJO is moving beyond its established open tournament format to create a fully curated, invitation-only card featuring some of the UK’s exciting gi and no-gi grapplers.

Starting from around 2pm and running into the evening, expect a packed card of competitive match-ups and a crowd-driven atmosphere, with the event also available via live stream.

EJO INVITATIONAL

Saturday 17 October 2026

Basildon Sporting Village

From approximately 2pm

Follow https://www.instagram.com/essex_jiujitsu_open/ for match announcements, event news and updates.

FOLLOW CAZ

https://www.instagram.com/caznatasha/

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Project & Co https://www.projectsurveyors.co.uk/

PureRecharge https://www.instagram.com/purerecharge/

Freshly Baked Fightwear https://www.instagram.com/freshlybaked_fightwear/

Raine https://www.instagram.com/raineclothinguk/

JIU JITSU LOU https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou/

LISTEN & WATCH EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

EJO INVITATIONAL PODCAST is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted and produced by Lou Temlett of JIU JITSU LOU @jiu.jitsu.lou.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.