The controversy surrounding Derek Moneyberg‘s rapid ascent to black belt has reached a boiling point with the financial guru announcing his decision to withdraw support from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community following intense criticism of his 3.5-year promotion timeline.
In a lengthy social media response Moneyberg expressed frustration with what he characterized as a deeply divided community stating:
“I’m actually going to stop funding any BJJ people after this. I’ve never met a group of people so bifurcated.”
The announcement comes after recently surfaced training footage sparked widespread debate about the legitimacy of his black belt promotion under Jake Shields. The videos which show Moneyberg training with elite practitioners including former UFC strawweight Claudia Gadelha world champions Gordon Ryan and Mikey Musumeci have drawn criticism from those who question whether his technical abilities match the rank he holds.
Musumeci and Burns backed Moneyberg while Gordon Ryan and Claudia Gadelha remain mum about the case despite having withnessed Moneyberg irl.
Moneyberg defended his credentials by emphasizing the extensive training he underwent claiming to have worked with approximately 40 champions and top contenders from BJJ and MMA.
“Every one that knows me well speaks to my intelligence hard work and character”
he stated while dismissing critics as unable to comprehend his training regimen.
The financial guru suggested that his success has made him a target for jealousy-driven attacks arguing that detractors
“can only imagine that I’ve bribed dozens of top athletes to vouch for me.”
He characterized the criticism as stemming from envy rather than legitimate concerns about martial arts standards.
Despite the backlash Moneyberg maintained his position on the promotion’s validity declaring:
“I am a legit BJJ black belt.”
He revealed plans to pursue a second black belt in Kempo while focusing on business ventures joking that he’ll be
“a hell of well rounded mma fighter by the time I’m 50.”
Critics like Vinny Magalhaes have suggested that financial considerations may influence promotion decisions stating:
“Let’s be real: if a savage DJ kept showing up every day trained like a maniac never missed a class for 3.5 years but didn’t drop a single dime into a school account… This point black belt from those dojo doesn’t mean ‘technical mastery’ or ‘warrior spirit’ it just says ‘Promoting Machine.'”
Jake Shields who awarded the controversial promotion has defended his decision while acknowledging the unique circumstances.
“Yes he had the money to pay top coaches giving him an ‘unfair’ advantage but he put in countless hours of sweat and blood like any other black belt”
Shields explained.
The debate has also drawn attention from prominent figures in the sport. Craig Jones extended an invitation for Moneyberg to compete at the Craig Jones Invitational writing:
“3.5 year black belt to @derekmoneyberg lot of contentious opinions online. I think there is truly only one way to settle this and that is in the pit. Who should he face?”
However Moneyberg appears uninterested in addressing critics through competition stating he won’t respond to
“some antagonistic individuals ‘challenging me’ and hoping I’ll comment and grow their social media presence.”
The financial guru concluded his response by drawing a distinction between critics and supporters expressing gratitude to
“real martial artists”
while dismissing detractors as individuals struggling with their own shortcomings.
“They are no mad at me they are mad at my success as a reflection of their relative failure”
he wrote.
