Tensions boiled over at a recent IBJJF event in Atlanta involving retired UFC veteran Raphael Assuncao and 10th Planet black belt Matt Walsh. The incident occurred after Assuncao was awarded a controversial disqualification win over Walsh for using the “lockdown” position, which torques the knee and is considered illegal reaping by an interpretation of the IBJJF rules.
After the match, the 42-year-old Brazilian confronted Walsh in a heated exchange, perceiving the lockdown as a dangerous foul. Assuncao resorted to spitting at Walsh and hurling insults about his 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu affiliation.
“All you 10th Planet guys are pu**ies!” Assuncao shouted before having Walsh escorted out by security.
In a video explaining his side, Walsh expressed frustration over the IBJJF’s inconsistent enforcement of the lockdown position, saying he has won matches using it previously without penalty. He also alleged a “fat Brazilian ref” who was friends with Assuncao had him wrongfully removed from the venue by police.
The incident has renewed criticism of perceived bias and double standards at IBJJF events.
Assuncao, whose last UFC outing was a 2023 loss to Davey Grant, gave his own account defending his actions. He claimed Walsh threatened to “show me more than just popping my knee” in the parking lot after illegally attacking his knee during their match.
“I probably shoved him and people broke us apart. I kind of got away, I saw some kids around, women and that’s when I was like, okay. Mat [Walsh] and then I just acted like, ‘Man, you deserve, you trash. You deserve to be spit on.’ And I went like that,” Assuncao said in a video statement.
He also revealed he has a doctor’s appointment to get an MRI on his knee from the alleged illegal hold.
The bitter conflict highlights alleged politics impacting IBJJF competitions. With inconsistent rulings and escalating tensions, the credibility of one of jiu-jitsu’s most prominent governing bodies has been called into question.
This type of behavior is hardly ever justified.
