Jared Dopp admits he's not typically a submission hunter -- in no-gi at least. But you may see a different Dopp on Friday at Fight To Win Pro 28 in Oklahoma City.

"Unfortunately I don't get a lot of submissions no-gi," Dopp said. "I'm obviously a 'position first' kind of person, but I will definitely be hunting for submissions this time."

Watch Fight To Win Pro 28 LIVE on FloGrappling on Friday, March 24


Photo: Chase Smith 

The ultra-technical positional-focused game Dopp is known for makes sense when you consider his life off the mat.

Among the few high-level competitors in the sport today with an impressive academic record, Dopp holds two bachelor degrees, one in chemistry and another in chemical engineering, and is currently pursuing his PhD in chemical engineering at Iowa State. 

How he manages to do that and continue to compete at the highest levels in the sport of jiu-jitsu is anybody's guess. 

"I don't have a lot of free time, especially now," Dopp said with a chuckle. But he prefers it that way. 

I've always been in school and done the student-athlete thing. I can't do one without the other.

Before transitioning to jiu-jitsu full-time in 2011, he was a football star and had earned his black belt in karate, then dabbled in boxing and MMA during college, with a bit of no-gi thrown in. 


Jared Dopp in action at No-Gi Worlds. Photo: Mike Calimbas 

For the past several years, he has been training in Oklahoma City with Rafael Lovato Jr., one of the greatest American jiu-jitsu competitors in the sport. Under Lovato's tutelage, Dopp has become an accomplished competitor in his own right, having placed fourth at ADCC in 2013 at purple belt, earning silver at the 2015 ADCC as a brown belt, and winning the IBJFF World No-Gi and Pan American Championships at brown belt. 

Since Dopp moved to Ames, Iowa, last August to pursue his PhD, he hasn't had as much access to the intense training -- and the "mental and physical beatdowns" -- that daily training at Lovato's main academy offered, which has played such a large part in hardening his competitive game and mindset. 



However, while Dopp is the definitely the biggest guy at the academy in Ames, and one of the only black belts, he sees it as an opportunity to sharpen his techniques. 

I think it's always a challenge when you don't get to train with people at your rank or size very much," Dopp said. "But what I have found -- or what I believe to be true -- is when I train with the lower belts, I can work the techniques more that I can't get against Lovato.

"Things that I wouldn't be able to work otherwise, I can work on these guys, like getting a fast submission. So something that I would have had to drill on my own time, I can work consistently every round I'm training. I can make sure I hit that technique, that I hit it well. I think that's a benefit." 

Dopp will be facing Yemaso BJJ black belt Eliot Kelley in the co-main event in Oklahoma City. 

"I get the idea that he's mentally tough and that he's a grinder," Dopp said of his opponent. "That he sets a good pace and he's really not afraid of whatever you're going to do. I don't think it's going to be an easy match." 

Easy it may not be, but with Dopp actively pushing the pace and seeking submissions, it's bound to be exciting.

How to Watch Fight To Win Pro 28 

On TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today.
STREAMING: Available only on FloGrappling via monthly or yearly memberships. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE

Join The Conversation On Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloGrappling
• Follow us on Instagram @FloGrappling
• Follow us on Facebook

FloGrappling's hottest content, delivered to your inbox

Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloGrappling mailing list today.