Justin Flores

Justin Flores established himself as one of the more technically grounded figures in American judo, earning his place as a U.S. judo coach and Team USA Olympic instructor. His work at the Olympic level brought a precision-oriented, positionally efficient philosophy to grappling — one that prioritized clean technique over physical dominance and laid the groundwork for his most prominent coaching role.

Flores's profile rose significantly through his collaboration with Ronda Rousey during her historic UFC bantamweight championship run. He guided Rousey through six consecutive title defenses, a tenure that stands as one of the most high-profile intersections of Olympic judo coaching and professional MMA. His judo background directly informed the takedown and throwing mechanics that became central to Rousey's fighting identity, and the sustained success of that partnership demonstrated just how deeply judo principles could be integrated at the highest levels of combat sports.

Navigating Career-Altering Physical Constraints

Flores's personal grappling practice has been shaped profoundly by a history of severe musculoskeletal injury. He has undergone approximately 18 knee surgeries — including six ACL reconstructions — and no longer has functional ACLs or PCLs. Severe arthritis and minimal remaining cartilage in his right knee compound those structural deficits, and a bone growth that developed over roughly a decade between 2015 and 2025 significantly restricted knee mobility until its surgical removal around 2023. Three herniated discs in the neck further limit head movement and can produce numbness and stingers, making the head-to-head pressure common in traditional wrestling both impractical and dangerous.

A Technical Philosophy Born from Necessity

Rather than stepping away from grappling entirely, Flores rebuilt his technical approach around these constraints. He moved away from force-on-force driving and head-to-head engagement, instead favoring efficient, opportunistic takedowns that capitalize on an opponent's overconfidence rather than raw physical output. A defining adjustment in his mechanics is the leg entry: rather than driving through the opponent's body, Flores passes an elbow to a leg, reducing load on the cervical spine while still accessing effective takedown positions.

The philosophy that emerged from necessity — patience, efficiency, and exploiting openings created by an opponent's aggression or complacency — carries instructional value well beyond his specific injury context. Despite chronic pain, Flores continues to teach, demonstrate techniques, and compete. His example offers a practical framework for grappling longevity under physical constraint, and he has spoken openly about remaining present as a father of two as a motivating force behind his continued relationship with the mat.

In November 2024, Flores announced he was considering launching a hybrid no-gi judo tournament called the JFLO Invitational. The concept positions itself at the intersection of traditional judo's throwing and grip-fighting principles and the rulesets familiar to the growing no-gi BJJ and submission wrestling audience. Stripping away gi-based gripping forces competitors to apply judo's throwing mechanics through underhooks, collar ties, and body control — techniques that translate directly into submission grappling exchanges.

The initiative reflects a broader competitive trend toward blending disciplines rather than maintaining strict categorical boundaries. If realized, the JFLO Invitational would represent a meaningful contribution to the grappling landscape, creating a structured outlet that draws on Flores's Olympic judo background while engaging an audience that has expanded significantly alongside the global rise of no-gi competition.