4 Fake Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts And How They Were Exposed

“Woe to ye oh false bearer of the blackest of belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu” – The Jiu Jitsu Bible Chapter 1, Verse 10.

I am only kidding about the Jiu Jitsu Bible thing. However it is no joke when someone falsely dons a BJJ Black Belt that they have not earned. The BJJ community is small and tight knit. It is virtually impossible to think that you can get away with being a fake black belt. Literally a million people will know about your falsity within a matter of a day or two.

Below we will share the stories of 4 fake BJJ Black Belts who were outed by the Jiu Jitsu community in 2015.

1. Let’s start with the latest. The BJJ Hour podcast guys outed this fellow just yesterday. His name is Mark McMahon. This gentleman was found to be a Gracie University Online Blue Belt. His Instagram page shewn him wearing his Blue Belt, than weeks later, he is a BJJ Professor.

2. A little over a month ago Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt Mike Palladino exposes a man posing as a Black Belt in Marlboro, NY. His name is Jay Queiroz.

3. Earlier this summer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Ruben Alvarez confronts a person trying to pass as a Black Belt.

4. Early in 2015 Justin Farwell outed a Fake BJJ Black Belt working in a UFC gym.

From Justin Farwell: “I didn’t do any of this to be mean so please don’t think that. I was respectful as you can see. Here’s the deal… I know blackbelts and they all busted their asses for years and years to accomplish the rank of a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. All my brothers that work so hard in the sport of Jiu Jitsu making sacrifices from there kids and families. I did this for all of you.”

Please, please, please never pretend to be a different belt rank then you are. Live your life with pride, dignity and honor and this will never be an issue! It is simply not worth it to be ostracized by such an active and genuine community!

Hope you enjoyed the post! Now go earn your belts!