A BJJ academy in Texas, Team Pittman BJJ, which has been affiliated to Carlos Machado for 10 years is promoting children to ‘Junior black belts’. Some are even 7th degree Junior BJJ black belts. *It is important to note that Carlos Machado is not awarding these jr black belts. Mr Pittman is.

You can see on the wall of Pittman academy a huge sign written:

“The Goal is Black belt Leader”

This practice happens in other martial arts such as Karate and Taekwondo where Instructors sell belts in order to keep students and make money at the same time, but is NOT part of BJJ tradition and rules.

In BJJ, there is no such thing as ‘junior black belt’. It has never existed. There are well defined belt rankings that should be followed, according to Federation rules:

What world champion Bruno Bastos has to say:

What to say about it???

I’ve trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for nearly 25 years with 14 of those as a Black Belt.

I was awarded 4th Degree Black Belt last month because of the 14 years as a Black Belt been mandatory for it.

So I’m really amazed by how it’s possible for a KID to be awarded to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt 7th Degree…YES! You didn’t read wrong.

Why lie to this kid and his family, making them believe on it?

Why denigrate the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt 7th Degree for a child?

This is HAPPENING here in Texas!

This is INSANE! Unbelievable!

PLEASE RESPECT the Martial Art!

In this Video, you can see one child attaining the rank of 7th degree Junior BJJ black belt: