On May 29th Jiu Jitsu Times posted a video of a very excited gentleman who had just recently received a blue belt from Gracie University. In the video he describes how he recorded himself performing 71 techniques which were then graded. The internet exploded about this, a lot of people have criticized him getting a blue belt without actually rolling.
For starters, I watched the video a couple of times, and while he didnt mention rolling (which most people who get to blue belt place tremendous importance on), he doesnt specifically say he never rolled. What he did say was this:
“Some people harshly criticize it, but I love it, it works for me, it’s super convenient to my schedule.
Ive seen a lot of people imply that most white belts could beat this guy. And, quite frankly, it would be interesting to see him roll. What Ill say is this: if his techniques on video look sharp enough for him to receive a high score (96%), then maybe he has drilled them enough to earn that blue belt.
Ive rolled with blue belts of all levels, including high level guys who compete at IBJJF tournaments to older hobbyists who just do it to stay in shape. Every individual is different. For all anyone knows, this guy is a BAMF who could beat up on world class black belts. Has anyone actually seen him roll?
For all we know, he trains at local schools when has the chance in order to gauge his skills. At no point in the video did he say that he doesnt (or does) do that. I know that if my schedule were booked, and there were no open mats nearby, I may try the Gracie University thing to hold me over until I could actually train for real.
On the other side of things, chances are this guy is much softer than your average 6 month white belt. Something about the experience of getting pummeled by more experienced students of the game on a daily basis builds character, and this guy has apparently missed out on that part of the experience. There is something cathartic about getting gi burn on your eyelid.
This guy, whoever he is, should go somewhere to roll, videotape it, and post that video online. Given the amount of trash that Ive seen talked about him, Im kind of hoping that hes actually decent. Chances are hes not.
Emil Fischer is an active blue belt competitor under Pablo Angel Castro III training with Strong Style Brasa and is sponsored by Pony Club Grappling Gear and Cruz Combat. For more information, other articles, and competition videos check out his athlete pages at www.facebook.com/emilfischerbjj www.twitter.com/Emil_Fischer and https://instagram.com/emilfischerbjj
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