Here's a quick interview with one of the best juvenile athletes in the world, Dominic Mejia. He answered a few questions for us before his February 8th showdown with Andrew Tackett on Who's #1. The event will be streamed live on FloGrappling and go down at the Hangar in Costa Mesa, Ca. Tickets are available on FloGrapplingtix.com.

Name: Dominic Mejia

Academy: Gracie Barra Upland

Rank: Juvenile Blue Belt

Age: 16 years old

Accomplishments: four time Pan Kids champion, weight and absolute champion at Pan No-Gi

How do you feel about being invited to Who’s #1?

I’m excited to be given the opportunity to show my skills on such a platform. It feels great to

know my hard work is paying off and opening opportunities for me.

How did you get started in jiu-jitsu?

Both my parents were familiar with Jiu-Jitsu, my dad doing it for a short while when he was

younger and my mom knew Brazilians who did Jiu-Jitsu. They both liked the idea of having me in a martial art. So at the age of 3 I started Jiu-jitsu and have trained ever since.

What do you like about competing?

Honestly, I like to fight. I like to go in and brawl. That adrenaline and emotion of going into a

match where it’s only you and the person across from you. Where it’s either you or them. I love

that feeling. I love testing myself and fighting to see who the best because I am determined to

be the best.

Watch: Dominic Gets The Sub At No-Gi Pans

What is your favorite thing about jiu- jitsu?

It’s the complexity and the diversity in movements available. There are hundreds if not

thousands of possible situations in Jiu-Jitsu. Figuring that out and knowing how deep Jiu-Jitsu

can go is my favorite thing about it.

How would you describe your style of jiu-jitsu? Do you have any favorite moves or a favorite

guard?

I would describe my style as aggressive and very mobile. I like to move around and put a pace in matches. My favorite move would probably be a single leg, I like to wrestle and enjoy taking people down. My favorite guard would probably be single X. I feel like I am pretty effective from

there.

Who are some people who have influenced your jiu-jitsu and how?

Of course my coaches, Ana Laura Cordeiro and Rafael Novais. They have helped me develop my

Jiu-Jitsu in all aspects from guard to passing. They helped me create a game that works for me.

Most importantly they push me to be hard working and to have the discipline to train hard day

in and day out.

Watch: Dominic Gets The Submission By Armlock At Pans 

Do you have any favorite athletes to watch compete? 

I like to watch Renato Canuto. His hyper-mobile game is just interesting to watch, you don’t

know what to expect from that guy.

What are your goals for 2020?

My goals for 2020 is to win gold at Pans and worlds both in no gi and gi. As well as win the ADCC

trials in September. This year I had a hard time competing at every top tournament due to

school but this coming year I’m hoping to be able to compete at all the big tournaments.

What are your goals for your career?

I want to be one of the best to ever do Jiu-Jitsu. That’s my goal. I never wanted anything more than

that.

What do you know about your opponent? What do you think about the matchup?

I know Tackett is a great opponent and he’s going to come out hard and fast. From the fights I

have seen I know he likes to go leave everything on the mats. I know that our styles are going to

make an exciting explosive fight. I’m coming to win, he better be ready. I want to fight him and

beat him at his best.

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