Category: Promotions

 

One of the most decorated strikers in the world and UFC fighter Alistair Overeem seems to have been recently bitten by the Jiu-Jitsu bug.

 

He earned his blue belt in just three weeks! To us regular folk this sounds like an abhorrent disregard for the time honored tradition of being a white belt for (what feels like) ever.

 

According to the Valente Brothers system of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, their style is mostly self-defense as opposed to sport Jiu-Jitsu. They even recommend that students who come to them looking for sport BJJ, should perhaps try out other schools more geared toward that in Florida. That being said, it is not unusual at all for a UFC fighter to be fast-tracked to blue belt.

 

Some tournaments will not allow UFC fighters to compete as a white belt. It is assumed that because of their fight experience, they should have some sort of working knowledge of ground fighting.

 

Great day today! Got promoted to blue at @valentebrothers @pedrovalentevb @joaquimvalente #continueswork #humble #workinprogress #alwaysimproving

A post shared by Alistair Overeem (@alistairovereem) on Apr 3, 2017 at 6:44pm PDT

 

 

 

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Ari Knazan Survives Internet Hate And Finally Earns BJJ Black Belt

 

Ari Knazan was promoted to BJJ black belt on November 24, 2016 by his coach and mentor Keith Owen. Ari is the creator of the popular YouTube channel “Submissions 101”.

 

Ari has faced many internet criticisms in the past and because of that was held at brown belt for what I think is an extended period of time, but rightfully so if you believe in the wisdom of Keith Owen.

 

Here is an example of some of the criticisms:

 

1) Films him beating on his know nothing white belt students and gives them theme songs, and puts them in slow-mo matches.

 

2) Films his students competing and puts captions on the screen when they get some “super specific 10th PJJ move” that really i’snt super specific.

 

3) Doesn’t actually compete himself (or roll with anyone good for that matter).

 

4) Tries to act all innocent and nice on the internet like he means no harm, but its all a scam because he knowingly sat and argued with several BLACK BELTS over on the UG.

 

5) Filmed himself doing a technique blatantly wrong, and advised EVERYONE to do it that way, then when he got scolded by EVERYONE, he took the video down because of his embarrassment.

 

6) Tries to work over the BJJ community (First was Eddie Bravo, so he could avoid having to actually wear a white belt. Ironic since it was no gi, he didnt have to wear a white belt, and he NEVER actually claimed to be a white belt in 10th PJJ, he just said he had “no rank, and is working on his purple shirt”).

 

7) Lied and said his guys all competed Intermediate and Advanced when several other competitors have said they were all in Novice and Beginner divisions (again, Ari wouldnt compete because he had to focus on “Coaching”, which was ironic because I’ve seen several competitors coach, and compete at the same time).

 

8) Lied about having been formally trained in BJJ prior to Eddie Bravo, and him filming his instructional YouTube videos (then later came out and said he attended “a couple of seminars”, but he wouldn’t say who taught the seminars, or where.)

 

9) Even lies about some of the JJJ he offers (he never would give sources of where his Ninjitsu training was from).

 

10) Denied rolling at his Chicago seminar (which is why the attendance was so low).

 

Hater are gonna hate but Ari has weathered the storm! Hear him tell his story below.

 

 

 

 

 

Former WWE Star & UFC Fighter CM Punk Earns First Stripe On His BJJ White Belt

 

In this new episode of the “The Evolution Of Punk”, CM Punk is eager to get back in the gym after a nagging shoulder injury. Once he’s finally cleared to train again, Punk makes positive strides and learns the name of his first opponent in the UFC. He takes the time to put on the gi, and after some time earns his first stripe!

 

 

 

 

 

“Stranger Things” Star Millie Bobby Brown Earns Stripes On Her BJJ White Belt!

 

Millie Bobby Brown who plays troubled psychic ’11’ in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, trains BJJ and recently got promoted!

 

The 12-year-old actress rose to fame in Stranger Things playing a mysterious young girl known as ’11’.

 

Millie trains at Phoenix BJJ under black belt Trevor Chamberlain.

 

 

Congratulations Millie! Love the show!