In a revealing conversation with Lex Fridman a while ago, legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach John Danaher delivered a hilarious yet honest assessment of what it takes to achieve a black belt in BJJ – and his answer might surprise many practitioners.
“What does it take to get a black belt in jiu-jitsu? Very little,”
Danaher stated with a laugh, immediately challenging the reverence many hold for belt promotions in the sport. This statement, coming from one of BJJ’s most respected coaches and strategists, carries particular weight in a community where belt ranks are often viewed as sacred milestones.
“To show up, pay your fees”
Gordon Ryan recently resurfaced this clip from Danaher seemingly making a comment on a recent viral article in which Jeff Glover bemoans BJJ Black belt criteria.
Glover is not amused by the fact women and the elderly can get promoted to black belt, seemingly forgetting that age gets to everyone eventually.
Danaher, known for coaching elite grapplers like Gordon Ryan and Gary Tonon, didn’t stop there. He went on to emphasize that simply possessing a black belt doesn’t necessarily indicate high-level skill:
“No one cares if you’ve got a black belt… I know plenty of black belts that suck.”
Instead of focusing on belt promotions, Danaher advocates for a more meaningful approach to training.
“Don’t lower your standards by saying I want to get a black belt,”
he advises.
“Ask yourself something much more important – how good do I want to be?”
This perspective challenges the common mindset in BJJ academies worldwide, where practitioners often measure their progress primarily through belt promotions. According to Danaher, the path to a black belt can be as simple as showing up consistently, paying your dues, and putting in minimal effort over time – but that shouldn’t be the goal.
The real measure of a BJJ practitioner, Danaher suggests, lies not in the color of the belt around their waist but in their actual skill level and dedication to improvement. This philosophy aligns with his reputation as a coach who emphasizes technical excellence and deep understanding over traditional markers of progress.
For many in the BJJ community, Danaher’s frank assessment serves as a wake-up call to examine their training goals. While achieving a black belt remains a significant milestone, his message is clear: the pursuit of genuine skill and mastery should take precedence over the pursuit of rank advancement.
