Wildlife influencer Mike Holston, known online as The Real Tarzann, narrowly avoided being squeezed to death while wrestling a 19-foot reticulated python, admitting during the struggle that he was losing the fight before managing to flip the massive constrictor and free himself.
A social media video took a dangerous turn when wildlife influencer Mike Holston—known to his followers as The Real Tarzann—put his blue belt jiu-jitsu training to the test against a 19-foot reticulated python, according to reporting published by Fox News on October 14, 2026. After the massive nonvenomous constrictor struck toward him several times, Holston grabbed its head for what he described as his toughest battle with a snake yet.
When the Jiu-Jitsu Skills Met the Jungle
The giant reptile immediately attempted to wrap its body around the influencer, quickly securing a grip that caught Holston off guard. According to Fox News, the snake managed to wrap up one of his arms and both of his legs at the same time, tightening its pressure as the confrontation escalated. The species involved, the reticulated python or Malayopython reticulatus, is a nonvenomous constrictor snake native to South and Southeast Asia.
I’m losing this battle, guys. For the first time, I’ve met one that I can’t beat.
Mike Holston, wildlife influencer
Despite admitting to his cameraman that he was in trouble and would not be okay in a second, Holston refused to give up. When asked if he needed help, he maintained control of the python’s head and prepared to flip the animal over. While wrestling the snake, he specifically told his cameraman, I'm okay. For now. But I won't be in a second.
Escaping the Constrictor’s Grip
By managing to flip the snake over onto his back, Holston successfully wrestled himself free from the constrictor’s coils. While catching his breath after avoiding being squeezed to death, he acknowledged that his jiu-jitsu blue belt was nothing compared to the python and its black belt in the jungle,
describing the incident as the closest he had been to being wrapped up in a long time.
The encounter leaves open questions about the necessity of wrestling a huge snake by himself without clear backup plans regarding whether the cameraman would intervene or if anyone present was armed.