Bravo (left) and Orchard (photo via 10thplanetpdx.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Nathan Orchard has become a top competitor in the grappling world, and hasn’t fought in MMA  since 2010, but the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu black belt says a return to the cage could happen.

Before Orchard won the 2014 Gracie Worlds Black Belt, no-gi division at 170 pounds, and became a recognized figure in submission grappling, he competed in 21 amateur and pro MMA fights. Recently the decorated grappler appeared on Full Contact Fighter Radio, and Orchard had this to say, about the possibility of fighting again.

“I was on an eight fight winning streak, and then I lost three decisions to better wrestlers. That was five years ago,” said Orchard. “So I told myself, I want to get so good at jiu-jitsu, no wrestler can stop me, kind of a thing. All of a sudden, jiu-jitsu started doing really well for me….So, right now, definitely. I’m definitely thinking about getting back in there if the right opportunity comes up.”

“I would really love to use the last five years of jiu-jitsu training in MMA, and my striking isn’t the worst in the world either. So, I feel like I could go and do really, really well, actually.”

In the meantime, Orchard will continue to compete in grappling competitions, and these days, there is no shortage of them. Not only do established organizations like NAGA, ADCC, and the Gracie Nationals continue to hold events, but today there are submission orientated competitions held by Metamoris, Polaris and the Eddie Bravo Invitational, among others.

“It’s getting really exciting,” said Orchard. “Different rule sets. They’re starting to make it so that it can be very enjoyable to a casual viewer, someone who’s never seen jiu-jitsu. It’s getting really exciting. The Eddie Bravo Invitational to me is the most exciting one out there, but maybe I’m a little biased, I don’t know.”

Orchard is one of the head instructors at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in Portland, Oregon.