Marcio Cruz also known as “Pe de Pano,” has made startling allegations that the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation has been fixing matches at their major tournaments because referees and others have been betting on the outcomes.
Cruz, who is regarded as one of the greatest ultra-heavyweight competitors in BJJ history, claims to have evidence in the form of leaked messages and audio recordings from IBJJF referees and coordinators discussing ways to improperly influence matches. This includes giving advantages or penalties to certain athletes in order to sway the result.
“They are betting cash and then going in to referee,” Cruz alleged in his video . “Pedro [Arruda] also commented several times in this group how to make a deal.”
Pedro Arruda is the current head referee coordinator for IBJJF events. Cruz accused Arruda of favoring certain referees who would “take care of his interests” and manipulating assignments to put those referees into matches involving Arruda’s GF Team.
The messages allegedly show Arruda advising a referee named Rogério on how to manufacture penalties against an opponent in order to swing a match at the No-Gi World Championships. “In the first 2 minutes you have to give an advantage, then you get an illegal grip…no one can say anything,” the messages state.
Cruz said most referees are aware of the betting scandals but have remained silent. “The office sees everything as a necessary cost to make a championship,” he claimed.
A legend of the sport known for his fierce competition at black belt world championships, Cruz said he finally went public because he could no longer stay quiet about the “total absurd” corruption.
“For me it’s absurd. I couldn’t even [stay silent] and the funniest thing is that no one is talking about this on the internet,” Cruz stated. “That’s why Jiu-Jitsu is going forward, everything is under the cloth.”
IBJJF has not yet responded to the allegations. Cruz challenged them to take action against Arruda and threatened to reveal more evidence after the upcoming World Championships if Arruda is allowed to continue coordinating referees.
The eight-time world and pan am champion from 2000-2005 said he expects IBJJF to do nothing, based on his past experienceså ±ing corruption, but he felt compelled to raise awareness about the betting schemes he claims are occurring.
“I want to see what IBJJF will do. So far nothing, everything is normal,” Cruz said. “I sincerely hope that when I come back here I congratulate the attitude of IBJJF, but from what I’ve seen it seems that nothing will change.”
Special thanks to the community of R/BJJ for linking to the original video from Pe de Pano.
