Espen Mathiesen
Espen Mathiesen is a Norwegian European champion and teacher who leads Mavericks with Jonathan Thomas.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes.(opens in a new tab)
Espen Mathiesen was born in Egersund, Norway, in 1995.
Where in the source: Biography opening.
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José Carlos Granja promoted Mathiesen to black belt in 2017.
Where in the source: Biography closing.
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With limited classes under first coach Damoun Nassehi, he bought mats for home practice with a friend. He met Granja at a seminar in 2011 and trained with the Mendes brothers in California and Gustavo Dantas in Arizona during a 2014 study break. Purple Worlds silver encouraged professionalism; in 2016 he moved to Haugesund, training with Langaker and Randeberg.
Where in the source: Early training and relocation.
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Kingz, athlete profile.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen is Norwegian.
Where in the source: Nationality.
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A football-playing teenager, he tried grappling after watching a martial-arts film with a friend; Kingz dates his start to 2010.
Where in the source: Early training.
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Mathiesen credits the Miyao brothers with inspiring his open guard. His berimbolo and matrix work with Langaker sought routes around strength to the back.
Where in the source: Inspiration and technique.
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His current team is Mavericks.
Where in the source: Current team.
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Pedro Almeida, August 2017.(opens in a new tab)
In 2017 Mathiesen described abandoning belief in innate talent as a turning point, alongside his first competition and committing to full-time training.
Where in the source: First answer about decisive moments.
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He said he had taught classes since white belt and enjoyed helping students compete. His competitive aim was to secure positions and then pursue submissions.
Where in the source: Answers on teaching and match strategy.
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Chase Smith, 2018-05-16.(opens in a new tab)
During a 2018 training visit, Chase Smith observed a small group exchanging self-studied techniques. Mathiesen and Langaker still emphasized Granja's importance despite the distance from their coach.
Where in the source: Group and Granja.
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That session progressed from exploratory drilling to resisted positional work and live rounds. Advanced athletes linked guards, sweeps and passes instead of repeating isolated movements.
Where in the source: Three training sections.
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Michael Sears, 2020-01-10.(opens in a new tab)
An injury and a longer-than-expected recovery disrupted his 2019 season. He described using the layoff for running, strength work, flexibility and meditation.
Where in the source: Answers on absence and use of recovery time.
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He emphasized enjoyment: learning and challenging himself remained central motivations. In early 2020 he also planned a gym welcoming both hobbyists and aspiring competitors.
Where in the source: Answers about enjoyment, academy and plans.
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Wulfing Academy, official homepage, Team Wulfing section.(opens in a new tab)
Wulfing Academy identifies Mathiesen, Langaker, Randeberg and Kenneth Vikse as its four founders in 2020, with Mathiesen and Langaker among its instructors.
Where in the source: Rendered homepage, Team Wulfing.
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Jiu Jitsu Legacy, Christer Alfheim interview, 12 November 2021; updated 15 February 2022.(opens in a new tab)
In a 2021 interview, Christer Alfheim credited Mathiesen and Langaker with substantial technical help after his move to Norway's west coast.
Where in the source: Answer about formative instructors.
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IBJJF, interview ahead of the 2023 Europeans.(opens in a new tab)
Looking back on his 2022 European title, Mathiesen described a long-held goal realized after years of work, and hoped it could encourage others.
Where in the source: Opening answer on the previous European victory.
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Before the 2023 Europeans, he emphasized active drilling that develops decisions about when to use techniques, alongside mental preparation. He was also exploring a more intuitive competitive approach.
Where in the source: Answers on technical development and tournament preparation.
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Mavericks, official Association page.(opens in a new tab)
Mavericks presents Mathiesen and Jonathan Thomas as leaders of an association shaped by their experience in small academies with limited training partners.
Where in the source: Association page opening and services.
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Their association offers coaching support, a technical library and an annual camp, making the study-led approach available to other academies.
Where in the source: Association page support and educational offerings.
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Mavericks, Berimbolo course public curriculum.(opens in a new tab)
The Mavericks berimbolo curriculum links entries with back attacks, leg drags, crab rides and counters.
Where in the source: Public course chapter listing.
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Strive BJJ, official affiliation account by owner Karl Tallowin.(opens in a new tab)
Strive describes joining Mavericks through owner Karl Tallowin's connection with Thomas. The club reports seminar teaching and technical support from Mathiesen and Thomas.
Where in the source: Owner's affiliation narrative.
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Strive offers members training visits to Norway and Sweden and access to the partners' instructional platform, showing the support available to a smaller club.
Where in the source: Affiliation narrative, practical benefits.
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Mizfits, 2025-03-11.(opens in a new tab)
Mizfits in Split announced joining the Mathiesen–Thomas Mavericks network on 11 March 2025.
Where in the source: Opening announcement.
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IBJJF, 2015 Worlds, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's purple-belt lightweight silver at the 2015 Worlds, representing Nova União.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Purple / Light (162.60lb).
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IBJJF, 2017 Europeans, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's brown-belt lightweight gold at the 2017 Europeans, representing Nova União.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Brown / Light (76.00kg).
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IBJJF, 2017 Pan Championship, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's brown-belt lightweight gold at the 2017 Pan Championship, representing Nova União.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Brown / Light (168.00lb).
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IBJJF, 2018 Worlds, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's black-belt lightweight bronze at the 2018 Worlds, representing Karkara BJJ.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Light (168.00lb).
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IBJJF, 2022 Europeans, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's black-belt lightweight gold at the 2022 Europeans, representing Team Kimura KMR.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Light (76.00kg).
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IBJJF, 2024 Europeans, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's black-belt lightweight silver at the 2024 Europeans, representing Mavs.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Light (76.00kg).
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IBJJF, 2025 Dublin International Open, original results.(opens in a new tab)
Mathiesen won adult men's black-belt lightweight gold at the 2025 Dublin International Open, representing Mavs.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Light (76.00kg).
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