The Rise of The Mc-Blackbelt: Rashad Evans Receives Meaningless Belt
Photo by Josh Hedges. Copyright Zuffa, LLC
Fighters.com fourth-ranked light heavyweight “Sugar” Rashad Evans (14-1-1) received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Rolles Gracie (2-0) Saturday before UFC 108. The awarding of black belts today in mixed martial arts (MMA) is becoming homogenized as many fighters seem to be able to get them as easy as a Big Mac. It is a disgrace to the fighting style of Jiu Jitsu, the black belt lineage and to Helio Gracie himself.
Having trained in jiu jitsu myself I am well aware of the hard work and dedication it takes to make your way up to the different belts. Reaching the status of black belt is one that, in the past, had been reserved for those that truly dedicated themselves to the style and that embodied all that jiu jitsu stood for as a fighting style. The belt system in jiu jitsu, for those that are not familiar with the style, starts at white belt. The lineage is as follows: white, blue, purple, brown and black. Most people who study jiu jitsu work at least 8 years to get to the level of black belt. Rashad started training in MMA in 2004 with Dan Severn before he made it to The Ultimate Fighter 2 on Spike TV in 2005. During his time on the show Rashad showed off his wrestling and not much else. His lack of a top game and lack of stand up was eveident on the show. We can infer from this that he had not trained in much jiu jitsu, if any at all at this point. Now he receives his black belt in just over 4 years which would lead some to believe that his jiu jitsu is on par with Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1) who received his black belt in three years.
Rashad has shown none of the attributes of a true black belt in jiu jitsu. The sheer amount of technical knowledge a brown belt has to have in order to become a black belt is vast. I have never seen Evans, or some of the other fighters that are supposed black belts, actually show us a glimpse of this technical ability. The ability to pass guard and set up submissions is something we have never seen from Rashad. He has two submissions on his record and those are his first two pro fights, one of which was a submission due to strikes and then other is only listed as a submission. After that he has never even come close to pulling off a submission, or even looking for one from what I can remember.
This brings up the topic of training in a gi. A gi is the required uniform in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). The only way to get a BJJ black belt it to train in the gi. I know there are videos circulating on the internet with Rashad training in a gi. Does this make him a black belt? I do not think it does. BJJ black belts also need to compete. It is part of the process of learning and demonstrating the knowledge you are supposed to have obtained. This does not mean competing in MMA but rather in gi and no gi tournaments. I know Rashad rolls with many high level BJJ guys but this alone does not make him a black belt. If Rolles was a Lute Livre instructor than I could understand the promotion he just received. Is there another reason for belt promotions we are seeing today?
I will not go into the list of fighters that are supposed to be BJJ black belts but have shown everything but high level jiu jitsu. Instead let’s look why we could possibly see a Gracie or someone of equal value give a black belt to someone who does not compete in tournaments and has shown little in the way of true BJJ skill. Rolles Gracie has recently been training in MMA under Renzo Gracie in Holmdel, NJ and Greg Jackson in Albuquerque, NM. Notice I said Greg Jackson. The same place that Rashad trains. There is now a tie between the two fighters. This is something we have seen numerous times. Fighters get into a camp where there is a true black belt and we see them issued these belts. Could it be that Rashad has helped Rolles out with his wrestling or striking and in order to pay him back Rolles felt it would be nice to award him with a black belt? It is something to consider as many camps have issued black belts under similar circumstances while guys like Nate Diaz (10-5) just recently was awarded his black belt despite showing far superior ground skills than someone like Rashad.
How about the days of Pride when fighters from Chute Boxe were being rewarded with black belts despite avoiding the ground and once there looking very average? I believe we are seeing the true BJJ black belt become watered down. I feel the style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu should remain pure as should the lineage of black belts. In all fairness, maybe someone should start issuing black belts in MMA so we would see fewer guys feeling the need to bestow a once proud and labor intensive achievement on men who simply do not have the skill required.
Many will say I am not a black belt so how can I sit here and question the word of a black belt, specifically a Gracie. I say it is my job and duty as a fan and practitioner of the sport to hold it to the highest standards and if that means questioning a Gracie than so be it. I refuse to sit back and say nothing while the country becomes littered with McDojos and McBlackbelts. Helio Gracie would have wanted someone to speak up for his fighting style.
As always if you feel the need to yell at me or pat me on the back you can do so live on MMA Gospel Radio which airs Wednesdays from 8-10 PM EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/mmagospel You can join us in the Cageside Chatroom or call into the show by dialing 347-857-1337. Hope to see you there.
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Larguei esse papo de mão. Fui!!!
Chris, não entra na onde desse arrombado desse reverendo que isso é viadagem. Esse lance de ficar malhando os outros na rádio é coisa de baitola.
Abs,
Gaucho
Could not have said it better myself.
Hello there my name is D. Davis, id like to be on your show and speak up for myself as a Black Belt as im sure anyone who is worth the weight of that belt they wear would agree. I predicted this 3 years ago, the day will come when people will SELL OUT. Let me know how to get the word out with you that this is not right by no means. I know allot of people will say well you got your black belt in 5 years under Master Fabio Santos who is a Rickson Gracie black belt, but my resume says it all.
Awesome post. I think you said what the world was afraid to say.
D.Davis
Black Belt
Primal Jiu Jitsu San Diego
A lot of people are throwing around the meme that it takes 10,000 hours to truly master any discipline, and BJJ black belts are supposed to be true masters of their fighting craft. There are few exceptions to that rule. Even Mozart, the most famous musical child prodigy in history didn’t write what most consider to be his true masterworks until his late teens and early twenties – after he’d put well over 10,000 hours into music.
There are exceptions – BJ Penn DID fight in tournaments and proved himself to be more than a master over other blackbelts. Perhaps fighters like him and Rashad Evans should be issued honorary blackbelts, with real blackbelts granted after they’ve been at least 8 years into their studies.
That said, I’m glad it’s you calling Evan’s achievement “meaningless.”
Maybe you can take him – but I can’t! =)
A lot of people are throwing around the meme that it takes 10,000 hours to truly master any discipline, and BJJ black belts are supposed to be true masters of their fighting craft. There are few exceptions to that rule. Even Mozart, the most famous musical child prodigy in history didn’t write what most consider to be his true masterworks until his late teens and early twenties – after he’d put well over 10,000 hours into music.
There are exceptions – BJ Penn DID fight in tournaments and proved himself to be more than a master over other blackbelts. Perhaps fighters like him and Rashad Evans should be issued honorary blackbelts, with real blackbelts granted after they’ve been at least 8 years into their studies.
That said, I’m glad it’s you calling Evan’s achievement “meaningless.”
Maybe you can take him – but I can’t! =)
Awesome post. I think you are spot on and I am glad you have spoken up. I have seen a ton of MMA fighters that have a high belt ranking, but lack the basics on simple escapes or reversals while being in certain positions.
Thanks for the honesty!
@bjjdan
@D. Davis
D. Davis, you can join us on the show tonight from 8-10 PM EST at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mmagospel We have a Cageside Chat, a live chat room, where you can discuss things with us as we are live on air. Tonight we are joined by Scott Jorgenson of the WEC and amateur fighter Chris Bennet who is 17-1 and who I feel will one day become the next BJ Penn.
You can also call into the show by dialing 347-857-1337.
Our guests tonight will be on at 8:15 and 8:45 so anytime after that would be a goof time to call in. In order to chat with us in the Cageside Chat you must register at Blog Talk which only takes a minute or two.
I look forward to seeing you there.
“Reverend”- You are either brilliant or a complete idiot…probably the latter. It’s no secret that the rise of the “McBlackbelt” is already here (thanks Gracie University and Gracie Barra USA), but to use Rolles and Rashad as your example is ridiculous. You either knew it was a terrible example and it would generate a lot of attention (brilliant), or you actually believe what you are saying (idiot).
Thiago Silva is a well known and respected black belt and Rashad dominated him with BJJ during the fight. Do you think this was just a fluke? You have no idea how hard and often Rashad has been training BJJ.
@Lee
Actually it is a good example that shows what is happening today in MMA and BJJ.
As for Rashad dominating Silva with BJJ, that could not be further from the truth. He dominated hi with wrestling. When Rashad mounted Thiago easily escaped and hot back to his feet. When in side mount Rashad left a ton of space between himself and Silva thus allowing Silva to get back to half guard.
I would also like to say for the record, I am brilliant.
@Lee
I wouldnt knock Gracie University as being a McDojo. I train at an unaffiliated school and supplement my training with the Gracie Combatives curriculum and my understanding, retention, and application of basic techniques has improved exponentially. The belt testing system is legit as well, they grade u the same way on the computer as they would if u were there testing with them, and from my understanding, roughly 60-70 percent of the submitted test videos have been failed, so they are still grading these tests legitimately.
Is it the optimal way to train if u have access to a live school? No. Is it a good idea to supplement your training with this? Absolutely.
And just for the record, you cannot receive your Black belt from Gracie University, only your Blue. If you reach the level of being ready to test for your Black Belt by using the GU Master Cycle which they are still in the process of filming and releasing, you would have to go to the academy in Torrance and spend a week with the family so they can get to know not only your technique, but you as a person and your understanding of the Gracie family history, diet, and philosophy.
I doubted the system too at first, but after watching the lessons it really is quite legit and formidable.
If Rolles gave Rashad his black, i would be sure that he earned it. I don’t know about you but as a practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu, My only concern is TRAINING, not who has what belt. That’s not for me to decide. Congrats to Rashad!
BJ Penn got his black belt in three years yes you are write butt he also won the world bjj championship
I concur with well over 90% of what you wrote. It should be pointed out that anyone who receives a black belt from Helio’s oldest son, Rorion and his sons Ryron and Rener are truly deserving and can show it when rolling. I can’t speak for the other Gracie’s.
I think it is a mistake to confuse training and strategy in MMA. While it may be true that there is a proliferation of BJJ dojos of questionable qualification because of the popularity of MMA, a top-talent MMA fighter is not a good example of this. Rashad is a professional athlete who has attained his level of success through dedication, talent, and work. I don’t know how much Rashad trains in any discipline, but I bet is more than a lot of people who hold black belts. And to say that because he is a stand-up striker who utilized his wrestling base to control his fights is the equivalent of questioning Anderson Silva for not taking every fight to the ground and showcasing his skills because of his expertise in BJJ. Are all black belts equivalent? Unfortunately, no. But I think Rashad is a poor example in your argument.
@Lee
Lee, are u blind or stupid. Because he won the Thiago fight doesn’t mean he is a blackbelt and he didn’t win with BJJ techniques. If u tell me that Rashad have been a bjj world championship tournament a couple of times and have won any of the genuine blackbelts there, then he can say that he is a real bjj black belt.
Rashad is a fake!!! Period.
The only belt that matters is the black belt. When I think of a black belt i think of a person very experienced and that has the techniques he or she uses second nature to them. Not only does the black belt is able to apply is art on the mat, but in every aspect of his life. In short i strongly believe in what one of my instructors, Rizzada, has told me, “your belt is your soul”. Your belt being your soul I believe it is wise to be sure it is pure and not filled with filthy lies.
Haha…. you all seem very caught up in the details of the belt.
When it comes down to it, what good is your black belt if you can’t use it to defend yourself?
MMA is not about how many hours you put in and the belt you have earned. That sounds more like Boy Scouts. Brass tax is, are you good enough to beat down a bjj black belt, or engage in the BJJ fight without getting beat down? I could care less what it takes to get that belt. I could care less about the color of your belt. This discussion is merely putting down a fighter and the sport. If your so great get in the Octagon with Rashad, if not shut your cake hole and stop hating. Peace!
Are you saying that “you” have trained more than Rashad Evans who is a professional fighter. Who has accumulated more training hours in one training camp than what a black belt anywhere else would potentially?? Who has competed against top competitors many black belts.
What an idiotic argument. He’s a former UFC champ.. (not 10 years ago) recent! champ… He is next level Jitz!!! There aren’t many black belts that can hang with Rashad he’s a tremendous athlete and thats why he deserves the belt. Don’t be upset because you don’t have his physical and mental gifts…
Besides as far as I know Rolls Gracie is a Renzo black belt… thats legit as you get who the hell are you?
I think this is a MC article is what this is…
A Black Belt is a beginning not the end. If one receives a legit black belt. In my opinion, It simply means Master of the Basics. The hard work put in after that rank is what makes one a practitioner. Most people quit learning after receiving the rank of black belt thinking they have learned it all. In reality it has just begun. And Yes, too many ranks are purchased these days.