In a recent episode of Connectcast, Vagner Rocha didn’t hold back as he addressed what he sees as a growing problem in modern jiu-jitsu: grapplers avoiding tough matchups, particularly highlighting the anticipated but unrealized clash between stars Mica Galvao and Tainan Dalpra.
Rocha, known for his straightforward approach both on and off the mats, expressed frustration about high-profile matches failing to materialize despite fan demand. He specifically mentioned the Galvao–Dalpra matchup as a prime example of what’s wrong with the current competitive landscape. Previously Buchecha expressed similar frustrations.
“like Mica and Tainan, that happened to me, that I’m a fan,” Rocha stated during the podcast. “I say, dude, how can it be? They’re the two most acclaimed of a certain time, and this fight didn’t happen.”
The veteran grappler pointed out a key difference between MMA and jiu-jitsu that makes avoidance in the latter particularly puzzling. In MMA, stars compete just a few times annually, making strategic matchmaking more understandable. But in jiu-jitsu, where athletes can compete monthly, Rocha believes there’s less justification for ducking opponents.
“In MMA I understand when this happens, because you fight twice, at most, three times a year,” Rocha explained. “In Jiu-Jitsu I can’t understand, since every month you fight and if you want to, you find the guy for the rest of your life on the way.”
In a recent interview Craig Jones also addressed this, albeit not aiming at Galvao and Dalpra, pointing out that marketing yourself as a person with flawless record has numerous flaws.
“From a spectator point of view… for outside viewers, to be like Gordon and be unbeaten, to not have a blip in his record, to not have a f***-up is really very rare in combat sports, which is what draws viewers in to him,” Jones noted.
He went on to showcase that that kind of record translates to instructional sales but doesn’t do much for the sport and for the viewer.
According to Rocha, the problem stems partly from the business side of jiu-jitsu. With more professional events like UFC Fight Pass tournaments and other promotions offering substantial purses, fighters have_
