A young practitioner named Marcus Walter Børger has taken an unconventional shortcut to achieve one of the sport’s most recognizable marks of experience: cauliflower ear.
The 21-year-old, now a blue belt who reportedly has modeling aspirations, went viral after posting a video of himself deliberately crushing his ear between weight plates. The footage, which garnered an astounding 2.4 million views, shows Børger subjecting himself to what appears to be considerable pain in pursuit of the distinctive ear deformity that typically develops naturally through years of grappling.
Børger’s method mirrors a similar stunt previously performed by Steve-O, who underwent a comparable procedure during a training session with UFC champion Jon Jones. However, the BJJ community’s reaction has been overwhelmingly critical of this artificial approach to earning what many consider a badge of honor that should come through legitimate training.
The comment section of Børger’s viral post became a forum for martial arts practitioners to express their disapproval. One user described it as
“Negative 3 stripe white belt energy,”
while another simply labeled it
“stolen valor.”
The sentiment was echoed throughout hundreds of responses, with many questioning why anyone would voluntarily subject themselves to such an ordeal.
“How about just training?”
asked one commenter, capturing the prevailing attitude among seasoned practitioners who view cauliflower ear as something that should be earned through countless hours on the mat rather than manufactured in a gym.
The criticism wasn’t limited to questioning his methods. Many pointed out the practical implications of his choice, with one user sharing their own experience:
“I couldn’t sleep on my side for 4 months because of my cauliflower ear and wearing headphones was rough. Can’t believe people do this on purpose.”
Others drew comparisons to cosmetic procedures, with one commenter calling it
“The BBL’s of BJJ”
and another likening it to
“injecting synthol in your muscles.”
The consensus seemed to be that Børger’s approach represented a fundamental misunderstanding of what cauliflower ear symbolizes in combat sports culture.
Several experienced practitioners emphasized that the appearance should reflect actual mat time and skill development.
“Your ears should reflect hours on the mat bro, just looks ridiculous with cauliflower if you cant escape side control,”
one user pointed out, highlighting the disconnect between artificial enhancement and actual ability.
The overwhelming response suggests that the BJJ community values the traditional path of earning such distinctions through dedicated training and genuine experience.
While Børger achieved his goal of viral fame, the reception indicates that his attempt to fast-track one of grappling’s most recognized physical markers has only succeeded in highlighting the importance the community places on authentic achievement through proper training methods.
