In a throwback video, UFC champion Jon Jones can be seen receiving his blue belt alongside Holly Holm at Gracie Barra New Mexico. The footage captures a significant milestone in Jones’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey, showing both athletes in their Gracie Barra gis during the promotion ceremony.
What makes this promotion particularly interesting is Jones’ exceptional grappling abilities even at the blue belt level. He had already proven himself against experienced grapplers and BJJ black belts like Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort in competition.
Following the promotion, Jones shared his excitement on Instagram, stating: “It was an honor to receive a blue belt today from my professor @tussagb. Wanted to sincerely thank my family at both @jacksonwink_mma and @graciebarranm for always standing with me, encouraging me, and pushing me to new heights. This week the belt was blue, next week it will be gold.”
Since then, Jones has progressed to purple belt, receiving this promotion in December 2019. His current instructor, Roberto Tussa Alencar, recently explained why Jones hasn’t advanced to brown belt yet: “I believe that our way of promoting our students here in Gracie Barra is based on the federation, on the CBJJ.”
Alencar elaborated on the promotion criteria: “The federation graduation framework recommends that you train twice a week, at least in a kimono, so you can progress in the ranks. Something that MMA pros don’t do, there’s no time for them to do it.”
The discussion around belt promotions in MMA has become a hot topic, with stars like Khamzat Chimaev and Islam Makhachev questioning the consistency of promotion criteria. Chimaev, who received his purple belt after his match with Gilbert Burns, has expressed concerns about rapid promotions in the sport.
Jones, who expressed his desire to achieve a black belt in 2015, continues his BJJ journey while maintaining his status as one of the most accomplished athletes in UFC history. He recently delivered an impressive performance at UFC 309.
Alencar notes that Jones’ relationship with BJJ goes beyond just technical skills: “I think he trusts my work and the questions I bring to him, which is the understanding of Jiu-Jitsu itself. In a philosophical way. Let’s say, using the lessons of Jiu-Jitsu in life, not only MMA, but in his personal life as well.”
