Renzo Gracie, a two-time ADCC world champion, has taken an equity stake in UJITSU and joined as Global Ambassador and Strategic Partner, reports Graciemag. The partnership was formalized on November 8 at a free Abu Dhabi event attended by over 250 practitioners. Gracie will support the platform's international expansion and help develop partnerships across the jiu-jitsu community.
Read the source: GraciemagGarry Tonon argues that jiu-jitsu students progress better by understanding the principles behind techniques rather than memorizing isolated moves, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Tonon recommends John Danaher's four-step system as fundamental for beginners and criticizes traditional classes that teach disconnected techniques.
SourceTye Ruotolo captured the ONE lightweight MMA world title in his third professional bout, submitting Christian Lee via rear naked choke in round one. The 21-year-old told BJJ Eastern Europe he had been ill throughout the week but achieved his goal of finishing in the opening round.
SourceVinicius Bacalhau, a jiu-jitsu instructor, has reached the Top 5 worldwide in the Master 2 category of the IBJJF through consistent dedication despite a demanding work life, reports Graciemag. His philosophy is rooted in honor and perseverance, teachings from his instructor Adilson Lima. In 2025 he won international championships and local tournaments, crediting his success to consistency and discipline.
SourceWorld champion Gui Mendes says blue belt is the toughest period in a practitioner's journey because expectations shift and practitioners begin comparing themselves to peers. Mendes warns that unfair comparisons, such as between someone training for ten years and an adult who started later, cause frustration and dropouts. He advises comparing yourself only with people who share your background, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceSeven-time world champion Xande Ribeiro argues that social media, organizational pressure and an obsession with winning create an identity crisis in modern jiu-jitsu, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He criticizes organizations demanding athletes entertain audiences, saying jiu-jitsu should emphasize skill and friendship rather than external validation.
SourceAt the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Open organized by the IBJJF, Gordo BJJ USA achieved notable results. Professor Lucas Gripp won the Black Belt No-Gi division while student João Mussi claimed first place in the Brown Belt Gi division, reports Graciemag.
SourceAbraham La Montagne, a John Danaher brown belt, argues that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has advanced faster than its ranking standards. According to BJJ Eastern Europe, he believes most black belts should hold lower ranks, as belt grades should reflect teaching ability and mastery of modern techniques including leg locks and wrestling.
SourceThe Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup 2026 will run from November 9 to 21 at Mubadala Arena, reports Graciemag. The event will distribute over 800,000 dollars in prize money across amateur, youth, master and professional divisions. Defending champions from 2025 will compete for their titles again.
SourceUndefeated AbdulRakhman Yakhyaev reached 13th in the UFC rankings after a technical knockout in under three minutes on October 24, reports Graciemag. Coach Daniel Mendes credits the results to athlete dedication, opponent scouting and tactical planning developed at Fight Sports Deerfield Beach.
SourceADCC champion and UFC veteran Robert Drysdale criticized the recent UFC event held on the White House lawn, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Drysdale stated the event is insulting to American values and the country's history, suggesting the founding fathers would have objected to such a spectacle.
SourceThe IBJJF European No-Gi Championship took place in Rome on November 2, 2026, reports BJJ Heroes. The event featured Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors from across Europe competing in the no-gi division.
SourceWorld champion Gui Mendes outlined a white belt curriculum emphasizing organization and structured progression, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He would prioritize escapes from dominant positions, then closed guard as the first offensive technique, citing disorganization as the main reason people quit jiu-jitsu.
SourceMultiple-time ADCC and World champion Marcelo Garcia discussed his difficult debut at the 1998 World Championship in Rio de Janeiro on The North South Project podcast. Competing as a blue belt juvenile, he was submitted in 20 seconds, an experience that shaped his approach to setbacks and perseverance.
SourceCraig Jones argues the IBJJF scoring system misrepresents control in grappling, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He contends the system was built around ground and pound positions that rarely produce finishes in modern MMA. Jones maintains that controlling an opponent's legs is more effective than traditional positions like side control or mount.
SourceRyan Hall argues that many jiu-jitsu coaches overwhelm students with technical details without establishing which ones matter most, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Hall contends that good instruction requires identifying the few critical elements and building skills around them, rather than presenting endless checklists. He suggests coaches who fail to prioritize may lack genuine understanding of the principles they teach.
SourceBlack belt Beatrice Jin tells BJJ Eastern Europe that many jiu-jitsu athletes hold back in training out of fear of appearing aggressive. She distinguishes between technique and application: legitimate techniques like a hard crossface are acceptable if the partner can tap or escape, but using size or strength to overwhelm without giving time to protect oneself crosses the line. As an instructor, Jin changed her approach by initiating exchanges and applying pressure to properly teach her students.
SourceChris Haueter argues that training in the gi builds superior control and pressure compared to no-gi work, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He recalls that traditional academies restricted no-gi training until purple belt, believing students needed to first master the complexities of gi grappling.
SourceGraciemag reports that Professor Jackson Silva expanded his Guetho Texas academy in Amarillo in July 2026 to serve over 400 students. Trained by Guto Campos and inspired by champions like Rodolfo Vieira and Roger Gracie, Silva offers regular classes and self-defense programs in partnership with local law enforcement.
SourceOlympic judo medalist Travis Stevens argues that combat athletes should maintain 6-7% body fat to cushion the impact of throws, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He also dismisses elaborate nutrition plans, saying that for athletes constantly traveling, mindset matters more than dietary precision.
SourceKade Ruotolo will face Ok Rae Yoon at ONE FN 50 on December 18 in his first fight following surgical ACL reconstruction. The athlete described the eight-month recovery as the toughest period of his career, both physically and mentally, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceKingz launched Mat Stories, a documentary series preserving the histories of jiu-jitsu champions. The first episode features Megaton Dias, the only athlete present at every World Championship since 1996. According to Graciemag, the film traces his journey from judo through his role founding Arizona's jiu-jitsu federation.
SourceGavin Corbe earned ADCC silver with unconventional preparation, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. The 26-year-old received his late invitation while running his gym and competed without strength conditioning work or proper nutrition. Corbe credits his success to the absence of pressure and high expectations, allowing him to compete freely.
SourceThe penultimate stage of FJJRio's state championship took place last Saturday at Arena Carioca. Carlson Gracie won the team title in the Gi division, while Nova União topped the No Gi standings. Rio BJJ claimed first place in the kids category. Individual highlights included Nelson Raggio winning the adult absolute in the Gi and Luana Silva earning double gold in the women's division, reports Graciemag.
SourceRafael Lovato Jr., a multiple-time world champion, argues that athletes who frequently switch gyms jeopardize their careers and personal development, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He advocates staying with a coach who has achieved the athlete's goals while selectively adding outside training, rather than joining mega-gyms where athletes become anonymous and lack personalized attention.
SourceUFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili has declined to train with gym-mate Mikey Musumeci, saying the leg lock specialist's game offers no benefit for MMA. Dvalishvili told BJJ Eastern Europe that leg locks rarely work in the cage due to the fighting environment and the ability to use elbows.
SourceB Team's Owen Jones discussed on a podcast how he addresses training partners who create unsafe conditions, recounting telling one partner he would not train with him again after uncontrolled kicks and elbows. BJJ Eastern Europe reports Jones contrasts America's serious gym culture with the UK's more relaxed approach, noting that an enjoyable environment does not diminish training intensity.
SourceAndre Galvao and Rousimar Palhares will compete under Combat Jiu-Jitsu rules on November 13 at ACBJJ 23 in Rio de Janeiro, over a decade after their 2011 ADCC final. Combat Jiu-Jitsu allows strikes to the body but prohibits head strikes, with rounds scored on impact, control and aggression, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceJeancemy of Gorila Team BJJ and his 15-year-old green belt student João Pedro Barbosa both won titles at Rio Spring 2026. Graciemag reports the instructor shared five tips for rising young competitors, emphasizing facing fear, managing pain, surrounding oneself with positive people, and avoiding vanity.
SourceNicky Ryan tells BJJ Eastern Europe he has never competed in IBJJF events and will not do so. He argues the financial model is unfavorable for competitors, who pay entry fees but receive no prize money. Ryan prefers super matches and ADCC, where earnings are higher, and has no plans to compete in the gi.
SourceUFC star Robert Whittaker told Joe Rogan that gi training provides a solid foundation for jiu-jitsu and MMA. According to Whittaker, skills learned in the gi transfer more readily to no-gi than the reverse. The gi punishes positioning and decision-making errors more severely, forcing athletes to develop better awareness, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceRoger Gracie argues many jiu-jitsu practitioners pursue the wrong goals by chasing flashy, innovative moves, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He emphasizes that jiu-jitsu fundamentally means dominating through positioning, guard passing, and mount control. Gracie credits his success to mastering basic techniques and repeatedly training defensive scenarios against difficult positions.
SourceADCC athlete Keith Krikorian told the Jits and Giggles podcast that jiu-jitsu gyms betray martial arts values when higher ranks look down on lower ones. He argued coaches should encourage newer students and that mat safety must outweigh competition, regardless of rank or gender, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceGianni Grippo argues that athletes with strong gi foundations develop superior guard retention compared to no-gi practitioners, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. After training both styles at top academies, Grippo shifted toward no-gi following the pandemic but maintains that beginners should prioritize gi training to build better technical foundations.
SourceTwenty-time world champion Wellington Dias reflected on training with Rickson and Royler Gracie, describing how he was unable to execute techniques against them. BJJ Eastern Europe reports that Dias won his 20th world title at the IBJJF World Master Championship in Las Vegas in September.
SourceIn an interview with Lex Fridman, Ryan Hall described jiu-jitsu as a philosophy combining physical and mental development, where efficient movement works in harmony with an opponent rather than clashing. Hall compared learning jiu-jitsu to learning a language, where underlying principles connect techniques, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceBernardo Faria, founder of BJJ Fanatics, argues that world champions do not necessarily make good instructors, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Elite athletes often rely on instinct and struggle to explain their techniques clearly. The ability to articulate concepts well for teaching matters more than holding a title.
SourceRoyce Gracie told Carlos Machado why he relocated from California to Florida four years ago, citing cultural and policy concerns. He addressed online behavior lacking accountability and clarified that the Gracies respond to disrespect rather than seek violence. According to BJJ Eastern Europe, Gracie noted that modern MMA athletes are more well-rounded than in earlier eras.
SourceEmily Leyva achieved black belt status in jiu-jitsu under André Galvão and Angelica Galvão, reports BJJ Heroes. She also trained extensively with Leticia Ribeiro during her early years.
SourceA judo historian argues that Gordon Ryan's public conduct would not be tolerated within judo's institutional culture, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Modern judo federations monitor athletes both on and off the mat, including social media, and sanction inappropriate behavior. In judo, respect and humility are essential requirements for belt advancement.
SourceKeith Krikorian argues that jiu-jitsu gyms banning students from dating each other exhibit cult-like behavior, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He contends coaches should encourage healthy relationships among consenting adults instead, while drawing a clear line against coach-student relationships due to power imbalances. Krikorian distinguishes between genuine interest and predatory behavior.
SourceGraciemag outlines key qualities of a memorable jiu-jitsu instructor. These include genuine interest in students, making learning enjoyable, maintaining an open and collective mindset, and understanding that a teacher's role is to transform others' lives rather than solely perfect their own technique.
SourceLongtime John Danaher student Brian Glick trains daily despite a torn meniscus, arthritis and shoulder issues, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Danaher taught him to continue training through injuries and view them as an expected part of jiu-jitsu rather than a sign of doing something wrong.
SourcePurple belt João Pedro Freitas from BTT Rio das Ostras won the IBJJF Pan-American No Gi championship, reports Graciemag. While training at BTT Texas under coach Diego Gamonal, a three-time world No Gi champion, Freitas increased his preparation to four daily sessions and added psychological support.
SourceJoão Freires and Kaua de Oliveira will compete in a no-gi match at the Turris Invitational on November 14 in Rio de Janeiro, reports Graciemag. Freires began jiu-jitsu as a child and won three Brazilian championships at blue belt plus a world bronze medal. Kaua, the current Brazilian champion with gi and four-time ADCC champion, overcame a title-less year before returning to top form.
SourceMicrosoft Windows has announced a sponsorship with brothers Kade and Tye Ruotolo, reportedly among the largest deals in jiu-jitsu history. According to BJJ Eastern Europe, the partnership may be worth seven figures, though financial terms remain unconfirmed. The deal marks a milestone for the grappling community, showing that athletes can attract sponsors from outside combat sports.
SourceJudoka and coach Owen Livesey recounted his two-week experience at John Danaher's New Wave room in Texas. Livesey observed that Danaher has a short temper with the partner he uses to demonstrate techniques, reacting harshly to mistakes. Despite his frail appearance, Danaher displays flawless technique when teaching jiu-jitsu and wrestling, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceJudo gold medalist Owen Livesey, who trained at John Danaher's academy, rejects the anti-drilling trend in jiu-jitsu. He argues that all top Olympic and jiu-jitsu competitors drill daily, and that this practice does not compromise training safety. BJJ Eastern Europe reports Livesey currently skips drilling due to time constraints.
SourceDraculino told The Resilient Show that modern jiu-jitsu athletes possess superior technical skills compared to his generation. He attributes the main difference to philosophy rather than technique: his era trained for self-defense with few competitions yearly, while today's athletes adapt jiu-jitsu to sport rulesets, a shift he views as legitimate progress.
SourceFloGrappling general manager Ben Kovacs argues that professional grappling economics rarely work out, with UFC BJJ as a prime example, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He cited production costs and athlete payouts exceeding revenue, noting that subscription income from events falls far short of expenses.
SourceMaster Crolin Gracie, approaching 70, reflected on lessons from his father Carlos Gracie in an interview reported by Graciemag. He explained that he chooses work aligned with his moral values, declining profitable ventures that conflict with his beliefs about health and others' wellbeing.
SourceDraculino, a coral belt with over 40 years on the mats, has cautioned against jiu-jitsu instructors positioning themselves as gurus or life coaches, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He noted that some teachers answer questions outside their expertise while students seek advice on matters instructors lack knowledge in.
SourceVictor Hugo won the +99 kg division at ADCC 2026 with four consecutive submissions, then announced his retirement from ADCC competition before the absolute bracket, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Hugo explained the decision crystallized during the event and he skipped the absolute to preserve his body, though he remains open to a possible return if ADCC 2028 takes place in Brazil.
SourceHip-hop artist LL Cool J has begun jiu-jitsu training in Brooklyn under instructor Brian Glick, a longtime student of John Danaher and the Renzo Gracie lineage. During a recent interview, LL Cool J described the experience as humbling, noting how quickly the sport reveals the vulnerability of an untrained person, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceRider Zuchi has been banned for three years and stripped of his 2026 IBJJF World Championship heavyweight title following a positive drug test at the event, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Nicholas Maglicic, who lost to Zuchi in the final, is now the official champion. Zuchi becomes eligible to compete again on July 1st, 2027.
SourceIn an interview with Graciemag, instructor Rodrigo Fujita reflects on what it means to be a champion in jiu-jitsu. He argues that teachers should redefine success to recognize invisible victories, such as improved family relationships, which matter more than medals.
SourceDaniel Schuardt, an ADCC 2026 bronze medalist, chose to train at Kingsway under John Danaher rather than join Craig Jones' B Team, largely on his wife's recommendation that B Team seemed unfocused. Schuardt acknowledges the decision strained his friendship with Jones, a longtime friend, but says he has no regrets, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceBriefs are written by us from public sources and checked before publishing. For the full text, photos and quotes, go to the source.