In a significant milestone for one of MMA’s most recognizable officials, veteran UFC referee Mike Beltran has announced his achievement of earning a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Professor Johnny Ramirez at New Breed Academy. The promotion marks the culmination of over two decades of dedication to the martial art, showcasing a journey that has intertwined with his diverse careers in law enforcement, officiating, and entertainment.
From Skeptic to Practitioner
Beltran’s martial arts journey began in 2002 when his close friend Joe Camacho persistently urged him to try what he called “magic” – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the time, Beltran was primarily focused on boxing and, weighing between 230-240 pounds, was skeptical about the effectiveness of grappling arts. However, his first training session at New Breed gym proved to be an eye-opening experience that would change the trajectory of his life.
“Dude I don’t want to do that…it’s not for me. If I can knock you out…” Beltran recalled telling Camacho.
During that initial session, despite his significant size advantage, Beltran found himself thoroughly dominated by Camacho, who applied various submission techniques including triangle chokes and arm bars. Perhaps even more humbling was his experience rolling with a 12-year-old student, whom Beltran couldn’t remove from dominant positions despite the massive weight difference.
Law Enforcement Career
Throughout his 28-year career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Beltran’s commitment to martial arts training ran parallel to his law enforcement duties. His work included deep undercover operations, where he operated under different identities, including the persona “Big Widow from East LA.” This experience would later prove valuable in multiple aspects of his life, from his officiating career to his acting pursuits.
 “My whole life, you know, in the Marine Corps and then when I got out, and then, um, when I became a deputy, I was clean-cut.” – Beltran told Ref Popeye Ray.
“I worked about as deep undercover as you can possibly, you know, work. And that’s the real story—while I was officiating fights and doing my MMA, working my way up the ranks, you know, I was actually working deep undercover cases.”
Beltran has been a vocal advocate for law enforcement officers to train in both striking and grappling arts, emphasizing that these skills are “perishable” and require consistent practice.
 “I believe every officer should know how to box—should know how to throw a punch properly so they don’t break their hand. There’s a lot of things in the top game that are just as valuable, right?”
“But in addition to that, when you’re on the ground, what are you going to do, especially with all that gear on you? Being trained, being proficient, and having the skill set—a perishable skill set—is important.”
His stance stems from firsthand experience, recognizing that many confrontations end up on the ground and that proper training develops crucial qualities like physical fitness, mental preparation, and confidence.
From Practitioner to Official
As an MMA referee, Beltran has consistently emphasized the importance of officials having practical experience in the sports they oversee.
His famous quote, “If you don’t train in the sport that you officiate, you got no business being there,” reflects his belief that nothing substitutes for real experience on the mats.
This philosophy has guided his approach to officiating, where his understanding of techniques and positions has been crucial for making split-second decisions in the cage.
Acting Career
While pursuing his martial arts journey, Beltran has successfully balanced multiple careers. His distinctive braided mustache has become iconic in the MMA world and has helped him transition into acting, including a recurring role on the TV series “Mayans.” Under the mentorship of actor Emilio Rivera, Beltran has translated his ability to maintain character from his undercover work to scripted acting, appearing in both television and commercials.
The Black Belt Achievement
Receiving his black belt from Professor Johnny Ramirez represents not just technical proficiency, but a testament to Beltran’s persistence and dedication to the art. From his initial reluctance to try BJJ to becoming a vocal advocate for its importance in law enforcement and combat sports officiating, Beltran’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of martial arts training.
The achievement holds particular poignancy as it connects back to his early days at New Breed gym, where his late friend Joe Camacho first introduced him to the art. Though Camacho passed away nine years ago, his influence in getting Beltran to start training proved pivotal in shaping a career that has impacted multiple aspects of the combat sports world.
