Relson Gracie has never shied away from voicing his thoughts on how the art has evolved—both in practice and in its representation. One of the most recent areas of frustration for him is the trend of camouflage gis that are becoming increasingly popular in BJJ competitions. His perspective is blunt and to the point: “The gi should be white so you can see the belt color. All these camouflage gis are nonsense.”
For Relson, the gi represents more than just a piece of training attire; it is a symbol of tradition and hierarchy in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His argument rests on the idea that the gi serves a functional role, one that makes the practitioner’s skill level and rank instantly recognizable. The belt, as an emblem of a practitioner’s journey through the art, is an integral part of the uniform. When it’s hidden beneath a camouflage gi, the belt’s significance becomes obscured, undermining the tradition that has been at the heart of Jiu-Jitsu for generations.
The Tradition Behind the Gi
Gracie’s views on the gi stem from a deep-rooted respect for tradition. The white gi, a staple of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has not only aesthetic value but symbolic meaning. It represents purity, clarity, and an unbroken connection to the past. Relson’s comments are a critique of what he sees as an unnecessary departure from this simplicity. By wearing camouflage, Gracie argues, practitioners are distancing themselves from the original ethos of the art. The camouflage gi, in his view, is not just impractical—it’s a distraction that detracts from the purity of the practice.
“The gi should be white so you can see the belt color,” he reiterates. In competitions, it is crucial to immediately identify the belt rank of an opponent, both for practical reasons and to preserve the structure of the system. Camouflage gis only complicate this. “You should know immediately if someone is a white belt, blue belt, or black belt,” he says. It’s about maintaining clarity, both in terms of competition and the martial art’s foundational principles.
Camouflage Gis and Their Incompatibility with Self-Defense
The argument against camouflage gis extends beyond aesthetic concerns and enters the realm of practical self-defense, a topic Gracie has been passionate about for years. For him, Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport; it is a system of self-defense, a tool for real-life situations where clarity, identification, and function are paramount. In the context of self-defense, camouflage does not serve a useful purpose. Whether in a tournament or an actual confrontation, the ability to clearly recognize someone’s belt color or their skill level is critical.
Moreover, Gracie is adamant that modern BJJ has strayed too far from its self-defense roots, and the rise of sport-specific gear like camouflage gis is a symptom of this trend. The gi’s simplicity—especially the white gi—aligns with the art’s original purpose: to be effective in real-world situations where complex gear and distractions have no place.
The Modern State of BJJ: A Departure from Tradition
Relson Gracie’s commentary on camouflage gis is just one aspect of his broader critique of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In interviews, Gracie has expressed concern that BJJ competitions today have become too focused on sport-specific techniques—such as berimbolos and 50/50 guards—that don’t translate well to real-life encounters. He contends that the evolution of these techniques, often flashy and impractical, has led to an erosion of the martial art’s original focus on efficiency and control.
“The gi should be white,” he says, suggesting that by returning to simple, practical choices, practitioners can refocus on the art’s core principles. It’s about stripping away the excess and returning to a style of Jiu-Jitsu that emphasizes movement, positional control, and submissions—skills that would work in a self-defense situation.
A Call to Return to Simplicity
Ultimately, Relson Gracie’s criticism of camouflage gis and modern BJJ culture reflects his broader desire to see the art return to its roots. He is calling for a return to simplicity, tradition, and practicality—both in the gi and in the techniques used in competition. For Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport; it is a way of life, a system that teaches self-defense, personal development, and respect for tradition. By maintaining clear distinctions between rank and technique, practitioners can honor the legacy of those who have come before them while continuing to evolve the art in meaningful and practical ways.
In Gracie’s own words: “Let’s pray. We’re working to change this mentality in competition.” Through this, he emphasizes the importance of preserving Jiu-Jitsu’s self-defense roots, hoping that the next generation of practitioners will once again recognize the art’s true potential—both on and off the mat.
