Has Jiu Jitsu Completely Changed?

[@TylerSpangler]

Take a drink every time one of us boomers says "Back in the day". Thanks Jordan for letting me react to this. 📩 Guillotine Instructional and Newsletter: tylerspanglerbjj.com/ 🏖 Trinidad & Tobago BJJ Camp: www.rollingintobago.com/ 💥Instagram: instagram.com/spanglertyler/

[@HankSemoreButz]

Boomers? We are Generation X and Y. 😂 Stay woke!

[@darcevader3769]

How did U get cauliflower ears . I'm four years in and they got swollen a bit once but went back down 🤣not that I want them

[@bgcheese]

I’m a 48 year old black belt and started Jiu Jitsu about 12 years ago. I work from 7am until 4pm. I’m aware that there are black belts and other ranks out there that destroy me but I don’t really care. I train about 2-3 times a week meaning an hour and a half three days a week. There are different levels to this sport and to any sport. Roger Gracie can destroy most black belts. Does that make that black belt not a black belt because he couldn’t tap out or survive Roger Gracie? No it doesn’t. What I tell folks is just enjoy the journey and don’t worry what other people think.

[@marcelo.victor]

That's pretty much it.

[@urbansamurai261]

Exactly no one knows your starting point and its pure ignorance to judge

[@nerdobject5351]

Well said.

[@chrisSea1346]

@bgcheese You just described me almost exactly. I’m a 48-year old black belt and I’ve been training for about 13 years. I have the same mentality that you described. I’m enjoying the journey. I don’t care how I’m compared to other black belts. It stopped being about the belt for me years ago. I’m training to learn and stay healthy and to pass along knowledge.

[@ed32ification]

Exactly some people put more work in it than others. You are where you are because that’s the work you put in.

[@kylewright4926]

Arguably the best danaher quote is when lex asked him what it takes to get a BJJ black belt. “Not much. It’s up to you whether you wear it with pride or shame”

[@nerdobject5351]

When this belt issue comes up I often think about Ed O’Neil (Al Bundy) and Brian Ortega. Both trained under Rener and Heron since they were white belts to Black Belts. Is there ever a world where Ed O’Neil keeps pace with Brian? No way he’s almost 70. But I bet ed can show and competently demonstrate all the techniques that Brian can. At the end of the day your responsible for your own training.

[@ELsickPuppetto]

Hobbyist black belts and Comp black belts are a testament to this statement

[@danienelphoto]

Ed is almost 75 ;)

[@doca8792]

It’s changed bigtime! I started taking it in ‘95 behind closed doors. Now there’s a gazilion moves and there’s an academy on every corner and all over social media.

[@KarlKarsnark]

There are no "A's for effort." Boxers, Wrestlers and Musicians don't get a "Blackbelt" simply for training over a long period of time, neither should Martial Artists. If you're still "not there" after 15 years, oh well. The same is true in every sport/craft/profession. At the end of the day, your work speaks for itself. You'll either win, or you won't. Simple as.

[@rachelwilliams6929]

Add Thai boxers, kickboxers etc to that list with martial arts too.

[@tomevers6670]

That’s why those arts are so effective. Boxing, wrestling, and Muy Thai…. F belts…

[@ThePoisonDrummer]

The rules of the UFC are way different than they were when Royce dominated. They actually force fighters to stand up now if they don’t think there’s enough action because the crowd gets bored.

[@danielfernandes9845]

Have you ever watched the video from a guy who started BJJ with 71 years old called savage? Facing a skin cancer and still showing up at the gym, he get his brown belt in the video, and just because some 21 blue belt may tap him for clear strength and weight difference means he doesn't deserve the black belt?

[@joeoleary9010]

I began BJJ at a Gracie school in 1996. There was no such thing as belt stripes or rash guards back then. Some of the guys starting out were already experienced grapplers or judo black belts, but no one ever got his blue belt unless he'd been there a year. No one got to purple belt unless he could beat every blue belt in the school.

[@V4nillakid]

I train to be able to defend myself, stay fit, challenge myself, and because it’s fun.

[@donaldnewell4868]

My 12-year-old is a yellow belt and is also a good, competitive wrestler. He largely sticks to no-gi and often beats kids who have done BJJ longer, have higher belts, etc. It is because he understands and practices scrambling way more, is better at getting in wedges while grappling, chains attacks together, etc. These are skills that are fundamentally useful for BJJ which he learned in wrestling. It’s also a result of him practicing wrestling 12-15 hours a week on top of a few BJJ classes, which is not what most kids sign up to do. His BJJ school has recently started inviting in a good wrestling coach to teach a couple of no-gi classes every week. I hope it sticks. Since the workouts tend to be a bit more demanding than folks are used to, I’ve heard a few complaints. I’m constantly amazed at how good some of these 11-14-year-old kids are.

[@willwailes9298]

I've been training since 2010, and I've seen changes for both better and worse. I've talked to blue belts who have no clue how to do subs that I would consider basic, like omoplatas. I've seen black belts who can't do a proper triangle. There's gyms that don't train takedowns at all. Yet I've found it increasingly difficult to escape pins and keep people pinned. It's intensified my love/hate relationship with BJJ. I don't think I can even call my grappling Jiu-jitsu anymore. I have a completely different mindset.

[@ed32ification]

I’m that blue belt who can’t sub anyone… but I can escape kind of and not get tapped as often. My movement from bad position is improving

[@fuzzyhair321]

@@ed32ification i can sub white belts, and very difficult to tap except for my feet. they're my literally my achilles heel

[@willwailes9298]

@@ed32ification Keep at it. I know you didn't ask for my advice, but this is something that helped me. All grappling is wrestling. Good ties, head position, and base (weight distribution) apply to every position in Jiu-jitsu. The second thing is strangling all the slack out of submissions. Every sub has a natural extension, but it should be an inch, not a foot. Lastly is chaining techniques. It's not the jab that knocks people out, it's the cross and the hook. Good transitions will prevent people from escaping, and will catch them off guard. One example: Whizzer from full guard, wrist control with foot in bicep on other side. Shoot a triangle. Off that triangle you have a bunch of shoulder lock and arm lock variations available. They defend the kimura, but that draws focus off their leg, you shoot an underhook and get your angle, they tap. You don't need a bunch of fancy subs in your toolbox, what's most important is dominating positions, and learning to transition smoothly. Master one sub and chain others to it.

[@GreenDistantStar]

Good points all. The 'Boyd Belt' thing also applies. Does anyone doubt that a pumped up 22 year old purple belt would gave crushed an 80 year old Helio Gracie? Not me, but who would you go to learn the art? The decline in the quality of black belts is simply one side of the bell-curve. On the other side are the highest level black belts who likely are way better than most of their counterparts of yore. One could debate that of course.

[@EnderMB]

Something I've said for years (alongside others) is that BJJ should take a page out of Skateboarding. Separate the sport into amateur and professional. Let belts stay in the amateurs, and have amateur competitions at these ranks like today, but have pro divisions and rank all pros using ELO. Add some invitations to repeat amateur winners to the pro ranks, and limit those that make money from BJJ to be ranked as Pro, and the distinction between competitors and hobbyists becomes separate from belt colour. It won't solve everything, but it'll provide a rank for exceptional athletes that ascends belt rank, while also keeping the belt colours largely merit-driven.

[@phykin]

Yesss thank you!!!!!

[@windvlaag4404]

This solutions reminds me of the game of Go where they also have amateur ranking and professional ranking. Every continent does have a different system but in the end you have to become the top of the amateurs and compete in competitions or qualification tournaments to qualify for a professional ranking.

[@jtdatsunspl311]

Jujitsu reminds me of tae kwon do, tae kwon do at one point was probably pretty efficient in a street fight but then it became a sports competition and that’s what’s going on with jujitsu. Everything is about points and not self-defense.

[@tysonkampbjj]

Fun fact: the first red belt I ever met had a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other hand, at noon. What to do: ask him to return the red belt? Ask him to fight to keep it? Question how he got it? The world is messy and complicated. If anyone thinks that belt is any kind of guarantee of ass kicking ability, well, that's a nice idea in their head. I guess if someone's idea is to think they can make reality fit into colored belts, that's their personal hell to live in.

[@tomevers6670]

Wrestling, boxing, Muy Thai.. we all don’t have belts…

[@TGSTATIC]

I think belts serve an important role in gyms. Even if you aren't the best black belt, to a beginner the belt will signify that you've spent enough time training at that gym to understand the sport and culture well enough to guide someone else. Yeah some might not be the best at rolling but they definitely contribute to the culture of many gyms and that's very important especially to people who are just starting out.

[@scottmarker-treasurevalley7244]

Back in the day in Brazil, a blue belt that was dominating in tournaments would be held back, not promoted, so that school would keep dominating.

[@orangehair2518]

If someone doesn't deserve a blackbelt, then they shouldn't get one. Period. It doesn't matter how long someone trains.

[@DeputyChiefWhip]

Jiu jitsu has styles like martial arts have styles. Your style is based on your access to it, age, physicality and personality. I love that its becomes so varied.

[@zompreacher]

Love that you stole a baby to make a point.

[@wrxstock2820]

I remember Hoyce saying that belts don’t matter years ago, so I guess jiujutsu hasn’t changed.

[@Jasonseay52]

You've both stated the solution multiple times being forthright with students and transparent about their skill levels seems to be the answer. With that being said I understand why a coach who's also a business owner might not gate keep because it could prove to be harmful to the business model overall. It's a touchy situation but you guys have answers don't promote people if their skill, physique, and technical ability don't meet your expectations. This is the same phenomenon that has visited traditional martial as they became more ubiquitous and masters of old lowered their standards to appeal to larger student bodies.

[@bw5187]

It's turned into a bunch of slippery sweaty spandex wearing wrestlers that can do more than pin.

[@Jeffro5564]

They also win hahahah

[@Kinosis79]

@@Jeffro5564 Not in MMA.

[@fuzzyhair321]

@@Kinosis79 and not all boxers win in mma? no discipline is king. you need to know everything. because you might get taken down to the group, how do you get back up. this is especially true for ultra heavy weights

[@enamlennahc1701]

And go 110%, wanting to win every round lmao

[@User-54631]

@@Jeffro5564not a ADCC

[@fuzzyhair321]

i practice no gi but getting my blue belt was one my proudest moments in sport. my gym still does have some lineage practice from Sakubrua as my coach was taught under the Japanese heritage. when wrestling was introduce into our gym it was purely so we could compete. im a 127kg 6'2 guy you need to know how to win the top game to finish the bottom. creates a more completed fighter

[@ed32ification]

I think with the linage it just boosts up your confidence cause you value bjj more and more focused and maybe the teacher is known for keeping you focused cause of the students he taught showed results, and the “new student” wants to learn that stuff too. You believe in yourself more, That helps alot too

[@paulopinheiro9137]

So the thing about being a black belt its not just be able to roll or spar, there's people who just dont have strengh or phisical to beat young wrestlers. But they could be great professors or know lots about techinique. I'm not sying is the case, but could happen.

[@chrisc5537]

Absolutely! What are the odds of a 20 year old athletic purple belt who’s been doing wrestling and BJJ since he was 6 year old, tapping a 55 year old black belt who started BJJ in his early 40s? I think that is a pretty likely thing. But the 55 yr old black belt can still teach the young dude a lot of technique and help him progress in skill and grow as a fighter, and hopefully as a person.

[@NOCDIB]

Tyler: "We have young athletes that want to be in this sport..." Baby: **Looks like they don't even want to be in his arms.** 😂

[@rossedwardson5322]

Everything has a base. The base usually comes from some kind of lineage. What you do with it from there becomes your own. Guys that disregard lineage is usually because someone upset them along the line. I understand certain Instructors in the art can rub you the wrong way. Still doesn’t mean you didn’t build your base using the basics they taught you. Good jiu jitsu boys and cool techniques. You have strong bases.

[@BlazePlays0]

I think jiu-jitsu is, because it is constantly evolving.

[@mgelax]

When Jordan’s video came out I remember thinking the MMA argument has some logical fallacy baked in. It’s unfalsifiable. In other words we can’t prove it’s getting worse or better. I say this because every MMA fighter includes BJJ in their training tool kit. I think MMA should be approached similar to military maneuvers - there are many different weapon systems used and any deficiency in one will be exploited by the other side. It’s also difficult to listen to someone that wasn’t already high level AND mentally mature before the “20 years ago” timeframe. A white belt 20 years was always smashed by black belts but isn’t anymore - they got better. Mental maturity is needed to trust the person can trusted to not exaggerate their hero’s abilities while diminishing their peer’s abilities. How has BJJ changed - the internet. Everything has changed. Usually for the better, but not always. With more people learning BJJ, there will be a greater statistical variance in ability. The better question in this regard is whether or not the training and instructor expectation has been watered down. That’s where the sport has a chance to decline like other martial arts.

[@Danlovestrivium]

The same goes for wrestling. In the US, you could have a kid begin wrestling at a pretty young age. Then everyone's surprised when this kid turns 18, graduates high school and goes down to his local BJJ school to continue grappling because there's not too many other ways to continue in the sport he loves after school is over. Then when this kid is an absolute handful for the purple belts, everyone simply says "wrestling is difficult for BJJ players to deal with. Look at this white belt giving these purple belts a hard time". No kidding. The kid has been grappling for 6-8 years and has lived the ever consuming lifestyle of a wrestler and he's rolling with a guy that's been rolling for 5 years in a program that hardly even has warmups, much less the brutality that is wrestling season. If you took that same kid and put him into BJJ instead of wresting and had him committed to the daily grind of the wrestling lifestyle, he's be a killer in BJJ also. He'd damn near be a black belt but with extreme physical conditioning and mental toughness.

[@billpletikapich8320]

Things have come a long way. I started in 1999 when all techniques were protected, monetized, and lineage was everything. What I was taught in the first 6 years, I could pass on to my training partners in about two years. As people moved in from out of town, I would pick up on vastly differing systems which further added to the Frankenstein nature of my game. Now, information is much more readily available and a total systems approach is common. This is a vast improvement over the random technique taught by a Brazilian with little command of the language and few teaching skills. It was all osmosis and ass whooping.

[@WolframtheBlessed3499]

I train jiu jitsu because I enjoy it. It's not for self defense, hell it's not even got health cause there's better forms of exercise. If I ever get a black belt that's fine if I don't that's fine too. The day it stops being fun, I'll stop training.

[@sweetvidzbyjoe]

You felt like that about black belts “back in the day” because of your level and understanding of jiu jitsu at that point in time, and because you live in the USA. Turns out many of the black belt, then weren’t that different than they are today, there were just many fewer of them here at that time, and mostly the ones who are coming to the United States, were hyper competitive, and doing jiu jitsu as a career. Yes jiu jitsu has become massively more accessible, and become more of a vet and senior sport, but when I started in 2008 there were also casual black belts, especially in Brazil. It’s just perspective.

[@jean-claudeluccioni47]

So true! I trained in Brazil 20 years ago and the most part of recreational black belts were working guys who stopped competing years ago and trained three times per week. They were by far dominated by young purple belts who were competing every weekends. Black belts champions who came to US were exceptions. Nothing changed...

[@scottgomes7485]

Wrestlers messed up the belt structure

[@jjang8195]

you did echo charles dirty at 2:05

[@TylerSpangler]

Haha no disrespect to him, I just needed a clip of someone being promoted

[@Cb85191]

😂 I thought that

[@stockob12]

Lmaooo

[@Slade3465]

Something to keep in mind about early submission statistics is how often someone submitted in the first several UFCs due to sheer exhaustion alone. I don't know if anyone could ever go back and reevaluate those with a modern lens and recategorize them properly since some of that old footage of the first couple dozen UFCs is really hard to find, or if anyone has ever really even tried. Back in the first several there were no round timers so eventually several people just kinda gave up and tapped out because of the ground and pound, should that still be counted the same as a submission from say, an armbar? What does it count as if someone can't get up off the stool between rounds?

[@phykin]

love the video and nice Gundamn figures!!!

[@dylanbrown3840]

I think belts are more about your individual journey then about how good you are. I see both sides i haye the watering down of bjj but i also understand that not everyone is capable of being a killer.

[@adamdavis3973]

on the topic of stand up grappling in jiu jitsu, there is too much of an emphasis on double/single legs. don't get me wrong they are important, but what about work from over/under hook clenches, working with collar ties, 2 on 1, front head defense/ takedowns, rear body lock take downs. none of those seem to get talked about with jiu jitsu wrestling, its only work on your shot, not learning real proper set ups, or set ups from clenches, and hardly any finish variations/ transitions. for me personally i dont really hit singles or doubles outside of MMA training where they are just easier due to the cage/wall, and higher posture. This is just my experience with wrestling in jits, it is 95% shots on the legs, no other positions, or real set ups, and honestly my wrestling did not get better, and felt like more like a huge waste of time.

[@willwailes9298]

I shot a double on concrete once. My knee swelled up like a balloon and I got staph on my elbow. Never again. Now I only use throws. It forced me to learn how to tie up properly.

[@mr0x1]

Guys remember Khabib Nurmagomedov is a White Belt.

[@islandboiii9751]

hes a brown/black belt if we are being realistic

[@mr0x1]

@@islandboiii9751 Okay he has* a white belt :D

[@DollarCars-y5n]

Wrestling will always be the kryptonite to striking. You cant submit anyone if you cant get them to the ground without getting slept in the process.

[@Lifecounselor710]

A black belt means you have mastered the bjj basics. Good luck😂

[@ericfaulk2204]

The easy solution to the black belt problem is that you only award a black belt based on competitive results. You should be able to win a tournament of a certain size with a certain caliber of opponent before even being considered for eligibility.

[@AzeriDervish]

Agreed, I got recently added two stripes to my blue belt making me a 4 striped blue belt but I have always felt my game is not as good as my belt rank Although I cross train with judo and train 3 times a week BJJ I understand that some blue belt would annihilate since I’m just hobbyist enjoying the art. In my humble opinion sport has moved beyond the Rio old school porrada days and has become mainstream like judo(most of judo black belts are amateur at best getting their black belts in 2-3 years)

[@adamabbas1487]

Compare yourself to people in roughly the same situation eg age, weight, hobbyist vs professional and belt. If you can hold your own against known tough people with similar qualities/situations then you can be more sure of your belt level.

[@Sean-dh9ev]

Surely the answer is to not reward commitment/dedication with something which symbolises ability to the general participant (in this case a belt). Same as I don’t believe students should be held at say blue belt for years if they are performing at a purple belt just because of the tenure of their current belt - belts suggest skill/ability. Give out badges for gees or similar to recognise other achievements

[@Xcon00]

Tyler didn't you have a video where you gave a brand new person a colored belt and have them go and roll and some people had to guess what he was or see if he could pull it off? I can't find it or am I wrong?

[@TylerSpangler]

I gave my brother a black belt (he’s never trained) and had him roll with a gym I like to attend. Unfortunately the comments were really attacking the gym, so it was better to remove it and keep good ties.

[@Xcon00]

@@TylerSpangler That sucks man it was a really fun video I went into your library to find it but couldn't but I understand.

[@morganfrazer158]

Great video Tyler

[@pedrovillelabjj3163]

Great channel, would really enjoy seeing you visiting standard jiu jitsu (the never drill guys) And if you ever in Brazil let us know beforehand

[@shotoforce_MMA]

Well, that little baby is awesome. 🎉

[@TheClam008]

The people that are serious and love rolling are way better these days. It used to be an idea of segmented techniques where people were good at some "moves." Now all the techniques are integrated into everyones practice and rolling, now it comes down to who is most dedicated, rolls most, and who is most gifted

[@chadmorrislionsinparis]

People think just because you're a black belt you can beat everyone. Thats not the case, I remember Ralph Gracie telling me once that a black belt is just an expert at basics. When will and technic don't match, often its proof of a lack in mat time. Not everyone has enough time in their schedule to train 3 times a day unless you are a fighter or a pro athlete or own a gym. It takes about 10 years to achieve a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. that's a long time of ups and downs on the mat. a normal person would quit from the humility alone. I started at 31 and out of shape threw up twice during the warm ups first day, got my black belt when I hit 40, I did twice a day as long as my body and schedule would allow me, im 44 now and I train 3 times a week. Im not the best but im not a pushover. Ive met world champs that suck at teaching and I've met black belts that aren't world champs but can teach people extremely well. In Judo in Japan there are business men who are black belts in Judo but they do it for recreation, or because they did it in College, to stay in shape and to practice a discipline. Not to win the Olympics. I don't train to be world champ or even to compete. At my age im competing with myself. I love training and the people that I train with. Thats what matters most.

[@gregmau7557]

Appreciate you tenured opinions on the sport 👍

[@78chavez]

Enjoying the content! So would you consider Jiujitsu a martial art still (practiced for discipline,self improvement and self defense)or a sport? What is the right criteria for black belt now a days medals in the sport or skills for defense? I know some upper belts who I wouldn’t call high level competitors but could protect themselves against a non trained person (which is most people). Is that still the purpose of a martial art?

[@ThatJamesGuy88]

“There’s levels to this game.” Don’t worry about the belt. I’m a 36 y/o blue belt with a full time job and family. I’ll never be a high level competitor. I’m training for the journey, not for the belt.

[@eddienash5986]

Being a black belt is not a bout your sparring prowess. Renzo Gracie is 53 or something like that and although he’s still game, I’m sure there is a 190 lb, 25 year old former D1 wrestler who now trains BJJ and has a purple bet. A guy like this would give Renzo a big problem today because guess what, Renzo is 53 and has a ton of injuries from a lifetime of rolling. Does that mean Renzo should turn in his black belt? The black belt is about sparring ability until about 40 years old. After 40 no one is looking at a black belt to be “wiping the floor” with everyone they see unless the black belt is in his 40’s but is a former world champion. I’d like Tyler and/or Jordan to tell me how many black belts under the age of 30 they rolled with that were terrible? That’s the better question. If you’re rolling with a 29 year old black belt who sucks that’s a problem. But being a 30 year old black belt and full time instructor and going to a Gracie school and rolling with a 45 year old hobbyist black belt who’s been training for 15 years and is all beat up is not the answer I would say a 30 year old Black belt who wrestled in high school or college should be testing himself against a brown belt at your weight class who didn’t wrestle but routinely makes it to the quarters or semis of pans or worlds because wrestling is a cheat code for your grappling

[@benjamimc5x67]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu underwent a process of hybridization with catch wrestling. What we have today in the USA is a hybrid form of grappling. But pure catch is even superior.

[@yorkshiregrump5248]

I don't think this is new. Decades ago I was taught some version of jiujitsu (basically beat the hell out of them jitsu) by an ex marine. He was also my judo instructor, he wasn't a member of any jiujitsu association and hence could not give me an official grade. I went to a jiujitsu grading in Kent and joined their federation on the day. The guy in charge eventually gave me a 'White belt' despite the fact that I duffed up all his pupils, including a guy that outweighed me by about 30lbs. His explanation, "Your jiujitsu is not aesthetic enough", the real reason (in my opinion) a) I hadn't payed a fortune to learn his style b) he was annoyed I broke one of his sticks. When I got my 1st Dan JudoI didn't really deserve to pass my kata section, but I was told that I got it for 'fighting spirit' as well as strangling some 1st Dans. A weird day that, several 1st Dans were made that day, but no 1st Dans got promotion. In fact the chief examiner was disgusted by the performance of most of the existing 1st Dans. (Perhaps they shouldn't have been promoted at a previous grading). By the way I and my mates have often had bit of a laugh at 'magic' white belts in Judo competitions.

[@vids595]

All the top competition gyms focus on wrestling. I think that is an appropriate thing and speaks to the fact that today it really is "American Juijitsu", or just grappling.

[@ronanscreed]

One BIG issue IMO, is that old school JJ incorporated a lot of stand up skills related to take downs, takedown defense, generally trying to unbalance your opponent while staying balanced yourself, rand knowing how to keep someone down with you. Nowadays, so many JJ athletes are so convinced in the "superiority of ground fighting", that they themselves and the people they train with are both super comfortable just going with takedowns (or even sitting into guard outright) that they are not building the proper stand up/takedown skills/keepdown skills. With the rules of JJ competitions allowing and even promoting this behavior. This is fine if all you care about is that specific sport itself, but it leaves you ill prepared for things like MMA. IE - ground fighting is only superior WHEN AND IF we can force it to happen. Again, if all you want is to be good at the sport of JJ that is fine, but do not confuse that with how you will preform against other trained people who are able to hit you or are used to resisting being on the ground. Sure, street fights will mostly be against untrained yahoos, but the first time you face a trained fighter out there who doesn't want to play your game, you are going to be in trouble. Look at Royce Gracie in the early UFC's. He took down a lot of guys who didnt want to go down, he kept them in his world whether they wanted to be or not, he used his JJ against people who DIDNT WANT TO FIGHT JJ. I know that he was facing people who didnt know JJ so he had that advantage. But that just means you need to be even MORE proficient at forcing a person to play the JJ game when they don't want to. To my beloved JJ community, I beg you, learn from this.

[@phredbookley183]

Ppl always compare black belts. But trying comparing blue belts across different gyms. The promotions can be wildly different. And I'm not even talking the McDojo thing. In the end, we're all training. That's all that matters

[@JK-vc7ie]

In tennis you have a rating level that is objectively (not subjectively) calculated by a computer based on your wins and losses against your opponents. That’s the best way. If you are rated 4.0 and lose multiple times to 3.0 or 3.5 players then your ranking goes down. And vice versa.

[@kevinorr6880]

There is no doubt in my mind that I am not technically proficient enough for my recent brown belt promotion. I am sad because of the amount of money I’ve spent and had to train in gyms with little to no curriculum.

[@BatSygnal]

I don't think there is anything wrong with someone never getting a black belt. It only makes ppl respect it more when they see it. Who says you need a black belt cause you been there a decade or 2? Skills don't care about your feelings.

[@ijustwannaleaveacommentony6511]

isn't jay rod a "purple belt"?

[@Danlovestrivium]

He's a black belt.

[@nekogammi2943]

I'm more judo-based than Brazilian. And some other forms small circles and Aikido. Going to tell you what you what my teacher told me. Pick 3 locks 3 throws 3 and 3 chokes and mand master them.

[@seanfaherty]

If a blue belt can beat all of your black belts maybe the blue belt should be a black belt ?

[@trevorbronson1163]

Cute Kid Buddy! Great Content as Always.

[@TylerSpangler]

Thank you 😊

[@jeffersonsmith6109]

I suspect a rules change may drastically change the effectiveness of jiu jitsu in the UFC. The way the rules are now favors strikers because that is what fans want. A wheel kick to the face is the ultimate, right? Just taking the gloves off and lengthening the rounds, or somehow eliminating being saved by the bell would change things back to where people don't know what they are looking at and hang on to their money instead of forking it over to the UFC, like it was back in the day.

[@bmledoux]

There are wrestlers who will destroy black belts like he said in the video. The thing is people get tunnel vision… it’s really who is the better grappler… you dont need to be a traditional bjj student to get there. Im a purple belt in BJJ… but have adopted techniques from other styles to be more efficient at grappling. It would be awesome to get a black belt someday… but it isnt my goal

[@elgato9595]

Great video bro ,spot on everything 👏 Jui jitsu is turning into karate with the whole belt promoting. I see guys ask to get promoted cause in there head they think they are ready and deserve it so they get promoted, and after they get destroyed by a teenager, who does not care about belts and just trains to get better not rank up .

[@cjvanheusden895]

I love this channel

[@theinfjgoyim5508]

I now call it simply submission grappling. I had to drop the joow off the term. It just didn't work for me.

[@travish7963]

Dang Spangs you did Danny dirty

[@spencerwcp]

I get people have jobs and stuff, but you shouldn't get a belt for just putting in the time. It should be a reward and you should possess or have at one point possessed the ability and skill to receive that belt. Black belts should be based on skill, not time spent imo. So what if you a blue belt for years and years, you got a job? Well if you don't sacrifice to get what you want, you don't deserve it. I have a job and hobbies, I am a white belt for the past 4 years. I accept that, cause I dont have the time to dedicate more to the sport, therefore I don't deserve a better ranking belt. Imo of course

[@rowancarreira2826]

No, its just much harder to hide the truth now. Guys like Craig are also funny and self-aware, which is something new and diametrically opposed to the self-important a holes we're used to.

[@scottgomes7485]

Wrestlers will make it better as time goes on.

[@Scorch1028]

One word that the BJJ community might want to keep out of their mouth is "hobbyist". Consider that unless you are a top-ranked competitor in a prestigious organization, or you're an instructor, then by definition you are a _hobbyist_ and 95 to 99% of all BJJ grapplers meet that definition.

[@kaikkimoi]

kid is like "father, what the fuck are you getting me into"

[@rns7426]

That’s like saying a wrestling coach who developed many champions but was never a big time champion himself is not really a wrestler because he wasn’t an Olympian, or D1 AA, or even state champ. Or a guy who grew up playing a ball sport. Coaches kids and beginners. Some of who could grow up to become pros because of that coach. Is the coach less of a coach because he wasn’t a pro? There’s levels to everything. BJJ isn’t so special that it isn’t the same as any other sport or combat sport. It’s an aspect of judo. And judo has levels too. You have rec black belts and Olympic level competitive black belts. Guess what? they learn the same stuff and teach the same stuff to kids on up. And both are capable of helping develop beginners who can go on to become pros.

[@toomanyfingusernames]

Awww cute baby 🥰

[@thorazine0076]

Nogui, just needs to come up with levels.. 1,2,3,4,5, etc...pro... you start it.. screw the belts

[@phobowl]

The point that BJJ is not effective in MMA doesn’t make sense because every fighter trains BJJ now and it’s among the big 3 martial arts practiced at every MMA gym. It’s natural that subs are less now because everyone trains it and knows to apply and escape. The positional hierarchy of BJJ is fully accepted in MMA. So BJJ did win. What u cannot do is do BJJ only like Royce back in the day.

[@jitsapprentice4034]

Well I’d say then, that “blue belt” is a black belt, simple.

[@TC_Personal]

I think your perspective may have changed as well. It's dilation of perceived exertion. I have a very unique seat at the BJJ table right now because I got in back in 2010, competed hard for 2 years and got my blue belt. I then left the art for the military and returned to it 9 years later. I can say that I feel like the proficiency of the average BJJ blue belt and purple belt has gone up, but because of the popularity of the sport there are more of them so compared to their peers they can seem lacking. I wonder how much of it is a standards decrease for black belts vs just having a larger pool of them so you have more PROFICIENT black belts now to overshadow the standard ones. Similarly, you've been gaining experience the entire time, so comparing how a freshly minted black belt felt to you 10 years ago vs now is not even possible from an objective standpoint.

[@kamilion100]

I agree with you. If you are a colored belt rolling with a high level competitor black belt, they will handle you 99% percent of the time, regardless of you being a competitor or not. Now hobby black belts, understand technique, go to their preferred positions and don't make silly mistakes. True, they mostly won't give you a challenge like the former ones, but there is a reason they are black belts. Time on the mats is just one factor, imo. There are more subtle ones too. They've seen a lot in the decade + of training. It's the way they carry themselves. At my gym, every black belt I roll with has something to offer. Cute kid stealing the show at the end.

[@MoshJunkie426]

Ive never been a fan of someone grading just because of the time they put in. It should be skill based (meritocracy)

[@0b3ryn29]

Black belts dont have to destroy every lower belt. But they do need to have more effective knowledge and skill (considering their age and conditioning)

[@nenzonenzo]

So … you literally just agreed with him- without adding anything at all? Top tier content farm.

[@Billy-oo7qw]

We need 2 more belts

[@MrZachgonz]

I feel like NoGI is not Jiu-Jitsu at all. It’s mostly become “grappling”, a huge blend of many martial arts. I see some of the fundamentals of traditional (GI based BJJ) but not a ton anymore. And the loss of the belt system in NoGI furthers that point. Like you said I see MANY blue belts who are monsters at NoGI and they have significantly less time than black belt GI players.

[@kingwilly8041]

I agree with you except on the issue of lineage. It's true lineage doesn't matter as long as it's legitimate, which is why it's important. BACK IN THE DAY, there were a few fraudsters who gave themselves black belts so they could scam unsuspecting students of their hard-earned money. Letting people know your lineage lets them know they are learning from a legitimate source. Also, your lineage doesn't necessarily change based on where you are currently training. You got a black belt from someone, which means that will always be your lineage. As you get stripes, you can also include them but it doesn't mean you gave up your lineage because you simply changed gyms. Finally, our idea of "the unbeatable black belt" is a result of what we were first exposed to. When BJJ exploded and people living on the verge of poverty in Brazil found they could change their lives and make a lot of money because they had a product people demanded, they didn't hesitate to sell everything and come to the US. Think about it: how many hobbyist black belts here would sell everything and go to another country to make money in jiu-jitsu? The ones that actually did it were usually very serious about their training and the "best of the best."

[@sleathymofo]

It's not that the black belts are not good anymore, it's the fact that so many very good young wrestlers and athletes are entering the sport making blue, purple and brown belts insanely good....and they get so good, so fast. Also, with so much online instructional and competition footage to study, there are no secrets anymore. This wasn't always the case. It's just a bigger pool of fish now. The sport has also evolved and there is such an emphasis on defense, that guys who study the sport get harder and harder to submit, cause they don't give you anything! Anyone can basically be whoopin' anyone's a$$! 😅

[@hatfidd5]

I didn't know these were two different people...

[@alittlepuertoricanboy1993]

Honestly? I don't think it's bad if a jiujitsu blue belt who is a college wrestler can give a jiujitsu black belt trouble, because that blue belt has high grappling experience to begin with.

[@Uberkoolsound]

What about letting people get to black and then only issue stripes on the black belt for exceptional understanding. This way all people who aspire to get a black belt can even if they don’t compete or are hobbyists. Then the dans could show their level or signal significant achievements… just an idea. Hobbyists could then stay at black belt and if they want to take it to the. Next level then they have the choice

[@badassoptic]

Just have fun with it. Make some money and live a good life.

[@SINdaBlock411]

0:43-0:44: highly disrespectful

[@XBULLET200g]

It is true that belts don't matter that much. BUT, why is there a guy at blue belt for a decade at a gym and he is wrecking everyone?? If he is actively training at the gym why hasn't he been promoted?