The world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu has strict protocols around earning promotions through dedicated training and instructor approval. However, one practitioner decided to take matters into his own hands in a viral video that’s recently been making the rounds again on social media.
In the hilarious clip, the unidentified man can be seen sitting on the mats of what appears to be a BJJ academy. He starts by announcing to those gathered that he is promoting himself straight to the rank of three-stripe purple belt.
“I’ve been training really hard and I think I’m ready to go to the next level,” he states confidently.
For context, BJJ uses a belt system similar to many martial arts to denote skill levels. However there’s no single set of standardized criteria. Instead, some schools make the students pass grading tests, other make students demonstrate their abilities during competitions and live rolls and some even award promotions based on class attendance.
Self-promotion is essentially unheard of.
But this BJJ maverick wasn’t done there. After declaring his purple belt status, he goes on to announce he will also be participating in the “annual tradition” of the gauntlet.
The gauntlet is an infamous BJJ rite-of-passage where members of an academy form two parallel lines, holding out their belts horizontally to strike at the back and legs of someone walking between them. It’s meant to symbolize perseverance through adversity. The tradition dates back to one of the first non Brazilian BJJ black belts – Chris Haueter.
“And since I’m the highest person here, I guess I’m going to do it myself,” the self-promoting student laughs before preceding to whip himself repeatedly with his own belt while moving back-and-forth.
The video ends with the sound of a crowd erupting in cheers and applause as he completes the entirely self-administered gauntlet walk.
While poosibly intended as a humorous prank, the video captures the sometimes intense sense of ritual around BJJ belt promotions. It’s a living example of what martial arts can become if they don’t police themselves or maintain standards.
The situation unfolded when Miller’s former instructor, Brad Montgomery, discovered the unauthorized promotion and confronted his former student.
“This is unfortunate. I promoted Jesse Miller to blue belt approx 9 months ago. He has since taken it upon himself to promote to purple belt,”
Montgomery wrote in a social media post that has since spread widely in BJJ circles.
When Montgomery attempted to address the issue directly with Miller, the response was swift and definitive.
“When I called him out on this he deleted and blocked me,”
Montgomery revealed, highlighting the breakdown in their instructor-student relationship.
The fallout has been immediate and significant. Miller’s gym in Lebanon, which had been operating under the Fusion affiliation, has been cut loose.
“He has been running a gym in Lebanon that was affiliated with Fusion and that affiliation is effectively terminated,”
Montgomery announced, making clear that there would be consequences for the unauthorized promotion.
Many practitioners have pointed out fundamental issues with Miller’s approach with several noting that he appears to struggle with basic belt-tying techniques – something typically mastered well before reaching purple belt level.
However the story has revealed some nuanced details that complicate the narrative. According to his background, Miller has been training for over a decade and has competed in mixed martial arts competitions, winning at least one bout by submission. His current training facility operates as a free service for individuals in recovery, opening just one day per week for an hour at a time.
The broader implications extend beyond this single case. Montgomery emphasized his expectations for those associated with his program:
“I expect every single individual under my banner to hold themselves at a higher standard.”
The case has divided the community between those who view any self-promotion as a clear breach of tradition and others who argue that Miller‘s extensive training background and community service work might warrant consideration even if his methods were inappropriate.
The incident has prompted many to reflect on what constitutes legitimate advancement in an art form built on respect, tradition and earned progression.
