Jen Case Beat Julie Kedzie TWICE By Submission & Trained With the Guys Who Tried to Break Her.

Wrestling

Year2026

Duration52m

Watch Now

7.0

Women's MMA pioneer Jen Case (Dr. JenJitsu) joins Mike Davis for a rare, in-depth interview on the MMA History Podcast. Jen went 4-1 as a pro, finishing every victory by submission — including two wins over fellow pioneer Julie Kedzie (armbar and triangle). From a small Kansas farming community, she went from self-defense classes and karate to learning Jiu-Jitsu from Mario Sperry VHS tapes, competing in men’s brackets just to face other women, and helping lay the foundation for women’s MMA when the sport barely wanted them around. This episode dives into the raw realities of the early days: training in gyms where the guys tried to make her quit, $100 purses, paying to fight, long drives to shows, Hook & Shoot battles, facing tough opponents like Greta Hicks and Erin Toughill, wild backstage scenes, and the no-nonsense mindset of that era. After an ACL tear, Jen shifted focus to academics and built an elite Jiu-Jitsu career as a purple belt Worlds champion, brown belt Pan Ams winner, multiple-time Masters double gold medalist, and ADCC West Coast Trials competitor — while earning her PhD in Human Nutrition & Performance. She now coaches at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu. If you love the true history of women’s MMA, the pioneers who beat the doors down, or how Jiu-Jitsu can transform a life, this conversation is essential. Subscribe for more deep-dive interviews with the legends who built MMA. Like if you respect the OGs, and comment with your thoughts or who else we should bring on. 0:00 start 0:38 MMA history podcast intro 1:10 guest introduction 1:30 interview start 2:08 beginnings in MMA 4:01 finishing first fight in 15 seconds 5:54 learning Jiu jitsu from Mario Sperry VHS tapes 7:33 Jen Case vs Julie Kedzie 12:30 finishing Julie Kedzie via armbar 13:11 training with male fighters 16:16 Jen Case vs Julie Kedzie rematch 17:04 Jeff Monson naked protest 18:39 friendship with Julie Kedzie 19:27 Jen Case vs Greta Hicks 20:10 fighters taking drugs before fights 21:20 preparing for Greta Hicks 23:36 Duke Roufus comments about MM