Gordon Ryan – “The IBJJF Is For Amateurs”

03 Jul, 2018

This past weekend ACB JJ had an event that was packed with well known Jiu-Jitsu athletes. These athletes were paid thousands of dollars to participate in the event.

Afterward the president of the event came out and said that he was not happy with how boring the event was and was considering not putting on any more events like this one.

“DISAPPOINTED!!! With the experience in organizing BJJ events I have discovered that most of the MMA fighters make much more entertaining scrambles than most of our BJJ fighters. I have been saying for awhile now that I don’t like them fighters giving up the entertainment of combat to get the win by the points. If things keep going this way we will probably no longer cooperate with most of our BJJ athletes and will no longer make BJJ super fights.”

Gordon Ryan, one of the most exciting Jiu-Jitsu fighters of today, replied via Instagram:

“Our beloved boss @zaurbek_khasiev is displeased with the lack of submissions and level of stalling in recent @acb_jj events. What we must understand is that we are PROFESSIONAL athletes. There’s a difference between being a professional athlete and an amateur athlete. When you’re focusing on winning worlds in the gi all you have to focus on is winning because its an amateur event. Ibjjf isn’t paying you to win and they won’t lose money if no one is interested in watching you lay on top of each other for every match after scoring an advantage. @acb_jj on the other hand has given athletes a platform to compete consistently for real money. When you become a professional athlete you now have 2 jobs. You have to not only focus on winning but also focus on being entertaining. Focus on being someone people will pay to watch. If no one wants to watch you because you’re boring then companies cant justify paying you. Whether you’re exciting on or off the mat you need to be exciting in some way. That’s why Conor McGregor is the highest payed fighter ever. Hes both exciting inside AND outside of the cage. Most high level jiu jitsu athletes have the personality of a card board box and don’t do shit after scoring 2 points. For the 1st time we are beginning to be paid like real athletes. And its OUR job not just to win. BUT TO WIN IN AN EXCITING WAY THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WATCH. If we cant do this then jiu jitsu will just end up like wrestling.”

Our beloved boss @zaurbek_khasiev is displeased with the lack of submissions and level of stalling in recent @acb_jj events. What we must understand is that we are PROFESSIONAL athletes. Theres a difference between being a professional athlete and an amateur athlete. When you're focussing on winning worlds in the gi all you have to focus on is winning because its an amateur event. Ibjjf isnt paying you to win and they won't lose money if noone is interested in watching you lay on top of each other for every match after scoring an advantage. @acb_jj on the other hand has given athletes a platform to compete consistently for real money. When you become a professional athlete you now have 2 jobs. You have to not only focus on winning but also focus on being entertaining. Focus on being someone people will pay to watch. If noone wants to watch you because you're boring then companies cant justify paying you. Whether you're exciting on or off the mat you need to be exciting in some way. That's why connor McGregor is the highest payed fighter ever. Hes both exciting inside AND outside of the cage. Most high level jiu jitsu athletes have the personality of a card board box and dont do shit after scoring 2 points. For the 1st time we are beginning to be paid like real athletes. And its OUR job not just to win. BUT TO WIN IN AN EXCITING WAY THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WATCH. If we cant do this then jiu jitsu will just end up like wrestling.

A post shared by Gordon "King" Ryan (@gordonlovesjiujitsu) on Jul 1, 2018 at 11:47am PDT

If the IBJJF isn’t careful it will eventually die of obscurity. People are unhappy with the ever GROWING set of rules that the IBJJF imposes. People are tired of American’s getting the shaft from Brazilian referees. People want heel hooks and leg locks. Contests are arising that are getting televised and athletes are being paid. I’m not against the IBJJF personally but I can surely see Gordon’s point.

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