Fake Black Belts : Should We Get Angry?

This whole fake black belt (and now red belt) nonsense is becoming almost comical. It’s so common that I almost feel like I need to reference the stories on Snopes to see if they’re legit. Sadly they are legitimate stories about not so legitimate people.

But should we get so angry?

One of my friend’s (who is not a BJJ practitioner) asked why the BJJ community gets so angry about fake black belts and people who lie about their promotions. This lead me to really think about why I was angry and whether or not I should get angry.

Besides just being blatantly dishonest there are 4 main reasons my mind falls on when I justify my anger or frustration with these situations.

1. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has always been promoted as a REAL martial art that values effective application. Whereas other martial arts have hidden behind mysticism, too-deadly-to-use techniques and brainwashing of students. These fake black belts aren’t REAL, and having them go unchecked bring us a little closer to the mcdojo martial arts that we’ve always distanced ourselves from.

2. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is hard. All of us who have been in the grind for years take pride in the difficulty. We cherish it because not everyone can handle the training. If you’re a real black belt, you’ve probably worked your butt off to achieve that symbol of mastery that wraps around your waist. To see some faker who didn’t go through the same journey is infuriating and down right insulting to your achievement.

3. There is something very criminal about someone making money or whatever they’re getting out of being a faker off the aspirations of others. People are coming to them to learn Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, MMA, self-defense etc and instead they’re getting something else. Many of these people may have potential. But they will be unable to realize it because they aren’t at a real BJJ gym. By the time they understand that they’re in an fraud of a program it can be hard to leave because of loyalty and friendships they’ve made.

These fakers are robbing people of their potential to protect themselves or compete. It’s criminal and dangerous.

4.People like this have no business leading others. As a real black belt or red belt you are more than likely in a position of influence inside your gym. Many of the students follow your lead and many of the younger students probably look up to you. From your years of training you probably have tons of knowledge and insight to pass down to them.

Now think of a fake black belt or red belt. They are probably in the same position of authority. The only difference is that their value system is obviously fucked up. Instead of chasing mental and physical development through the challenges that BJJ has to offer, with the belts being more of a consequence rather than the end goal. These people are chasing a false and imagined skill.

People with these values have no business being a leader to others.

To answer my own question and the one stated in the headline of this post. Yes, we should get angry.

Self Regulation Is Important

This self regulation dynamic of BJJ is important because while it certainly won’t catch all the liars. It does catch many of the fakers and no doubt acts as a deterrent for any other would be scam artists.

I’ve personally called out a fake black belt in my hometown. He was doing a radio commercial advertising as a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt. I wasn’t even a black belt at the time, I was a brown.

This same black belt was teaching people MMA training. When some of these guys fought they were beaten pretty badly. One of which ended up having to have surgery from the injuries sustained. I can’t help feel that this wouldn’t have happened had they been under the tutelage of a real instructor.

I think it’s very important that we continue to point out these fake black belts and bring them to the attention of as many people as possible.

If we are able to bring their false claims to people’s attention we can stop would be students from being sucked into a dishonest program.

Don’t Chase Belts

I’ve said this before, “I’d rather be a white belt with black belt technique than a black belt with white belt technique.”

One of the black belts at the gym said it well, “ I don’t chase belts, I chase techniques.”

To The Newer Guys On The Mat

If you’re someone who is new to BJJ, make sure you’re not a belt chaser. If you’re chasing belts then you’re missing the big picture. You’re missing the development of friendships and brotherhood. The development of skills and techniques. The strengthening of your inner resolve through hard training. I could go on.

BJJ is like a never-ending set of stairs. Each belt, promotion and success represent another step, but you ultimately never reach the top.

To The High Ranking Belts

As a BJJ practitioner you have a duty to help continue to uphold the Real essence of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. You may have not asked for this but it is your responsibility now. We as Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners must continue to press on and keep true to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and make sure that the fakers and scam artists are brought to the attention of the community. This will protect any would-be students from falling into a fake program and it will help us from completely diving into the land of the McDojo.

If you have any thoughts on the matter, leave a comment or shoot me a message.

As always, thanks for reading!

-Chewy