THE BACKBREAKERS AND BITES PODCAST – EPISODE 26
JAY JAY “THE MAORI KID” Wilson
In this Episode Of The Podcast:
“I was a street kid growing up, homeless at 12 hanging around gangs in New Zealand. It’s lucky for me to be alive… my mentors were bad people, so I just followed the lead until I found the gym.”
In this episode of Backbreakers and Bites, we head to Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale to sit down with PFL standout Jay Jay “The Maori Kid” Wilson. Over a massive spread at Rocco’s Tacos, Jay Jay takes us from the streets of New Zealand-where he was homeless at 12 and living in a gym attic eating ramen-to the global stage of the PFL. He opens up about the devastating loss of his sister and brother to suicide, his journey to American Top Team, and why his “Rambo-style” aggression in the cage is fueled by a life of early survival.
Contents
Show Notes and Highlights
About the Restaurant
Episode Extras
Featured Links
Show Notes and Highlights
Key Topics and Discussions
The “Attic” Days: Jay Jay shares the gritty reality of his early career in New Zealand, living in a gym attic where he had to jump onto a crash pad just to get down. He reveals his breakfast, lunch, and dinner consisted of ramen noodles and eggs, and how a chance meeting with Mark Hunt changed his perspective.
Judging & The PFL System: A deep dive into the nuances of MMA judging. Jay Jay explains why “damage” is now incentivized over “top control” and reflects on his own fights where he threatened submissions from his back while his opponents simply stalled.
New Zealand’s Corrupt Early Scene: Wild stories from Jay Jay’s early kickboxing days, including a “setup” fight against a heavyweight title contender where the promotion cut the rounds short to protect their guy after Jay Jay broke his ribs with a knee.
The Move to American Top Team: After a loss to Gadzhi Rabadanov, Jay Jay realized he needed more than just BJJ partners. He explains why he moved across the world to join the toughest room in the world at ATT to find teammates like Grant Dawson and Matheus Gamma.
Featured Segment: Breaking the Stigma
Mental Health on the Front Lines: In a powerful and vulnerable segment, Jay Jay addresses the high suicide rates in New Zealand and the “macho man” stigma that prevents men from showing emotion. He shares how therapy gave him the insights to understand his reactions to trauma and why he chooses to share his story to help save others.
About Rocco’s Tacos
A South Florida staple on the famous Las Olas Boulevard, Rocco’s Tacos is more than just a restaurant for Jay Jay—the owner, Rocco, is family. We dove into a spread of Pork Belly Tacos, Steak Fajitas, and their legendary Tres Leches cake. With its vibrant atmosphere and tableside guacamole, it’s the ultimate spot to refuel after a day in Fort Lauderdale.