A wildlife influencer who goes by the name The Real Tarzann on social media put his blue belt jiu-jitsu skills up against a 19-foot reticulated python. Smart.
He realizes he’s getting dangerously close to being in trouble when the snake wraps up one of his arms and both of his legs at the same time.
Mike Holston attends the global premiere of Paramount Pictures’ film “Bumblebee” in Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 9, 2018. (Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
The Real Tarzann, real name Mike Holston, tells his cameraman as he’s wrestling the snake, “I’m okay. For now. But I won’t be in a second.”
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After having the python strike towards him a couple of times, he grabs its head and is in for his “toughest battle with a snake yet.”
That’s because this gigantic snake doesn’t want to go down without a fight. It immediately starts trying to wrap its body around the influencer.
Once it has Holston’s arm and both of his legs wrapped up it appears to start tightening its grip on him. He admits, “I’m losing this battle, guys. For the first time, I’ve met one that I can’t beat.”
A reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus), a nonvenomous constrictor snake native to South and Southeast Asia, displays its mouth wide open. (Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Despite the admission, he’s not ready to give up. When asked if he needs help, he responds, “In a sec, I’m gonna flip him over. I still got head control, but my legs are and arm… watch. Ready?”
Once he flips the snake over and is lying on his back, he’s able to eventually wrestle himself free, but not without admitting that his blue belt was nothing compared to the python and its “black belt in the jungle.”
The Real Tarzann, after escaping and avoiding being squeezed to death, also admitted while trying to catch his breath that it was as close as he’s “been in a long time to being wrapped up.”
That’s not my idea of a good time. But it’s one way to get off the couch and spend an afternoon if you’re looking for adventure.
I’d love to know what the plan was here if he wasn’t able to flip the snake and if he started to lose the fight even more. Was the cameraman jumping in?
Mike Holston attends the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Kevin MazurGetty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Were there others there, making the whole wrestling a huge snake in the jungle by himself completely unnecessary? Was anyone armed?
Cool social media video, I guess.