A recent video from a Sydney gym has stirred a whirlwind of reactions online. The video, featuring a coach seemingly ignoring a student’s tap-out and putting him to sleep, has ignited intense discussions among the BJJ community and beyond. However, as the dust begins to settle, it appears the video was staged, much to the relief and frustration of viewers.
Initially, the footage sparked outrage. Viewers were quick to express their disdain, with many condemning the coach’s behavior. The comments ranged from calling out the apparent neglect of safety to questioning the gym’s ethical standards. Some even suggested that the coach’s actions could be criminal, with claims of assault and battery flying around.
This suspicion was confirmed when the student in the video, known as Vic, stepped forward. He clarified that the video was indeed a parody, crafted to mock the extreme behaviors sometimes seen in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu communities.
Courtesy of R/bjj.
Critics argued that even as a joke, the video was in poor taste, potentially normalizing dangerous behavior in a sport that heavily relies on mutual respect and safety.
Supporters of the gym and its coach quickly jumped to their defense, explaining that the intent was never to cause real distress. They argued that the video was a harmless skit meant to entertain and that those involved never anticipated such a dramatic backlash. The gym issued an official statement apologizing for any offense caused and reaffirming their commitment to the integrity of BJJ.
“We are aware of a recent video that is circulating of one of our members. And we would like to apologize to everyone that has been offended by this video.
Here at Bulldog we hold ourselves and coaches to the highest standards and would never condone this behaviour.
I would like to clear this up, this video was 100% a skit and was made by one of our member just for content.
Our trainer here at Bulldog Parramatta respect the rules & integrity of BJJ and would never do this.”
These guys aren’t the only people to ever pull something like this. A while ago, UFC lightweight Dan Hooker ignored the tap and rendered radio host incoherent during an interview.
BJJ promoter Seth Daniels also encountered harsh backlash earlier this year when a troubling instructional video he shot and published resurfaced. In it, Daniels renders his female uke unconscious after ignoring the tap and laughs about it.
Despite the clarification, the incident highlights the fine line between humor and insensitivity and raises questions about the impact of viral content on public perception of Jiu-jitsu.
