Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor Andy Varela has sparked controversy by openly challenging the UFC’s mandatory long-sleeve rashguard policy for BJJ competitions, pointing out what he sees as a glaring irony in the sport’s current uniform requirements.
“We shouldn’t have to wear shirts for ufc bjj,”
Varela posted on social media, before adding a pointed observation:
“The dude complaining about greasing ain’t even competing no more lol.”
His comments reference the ongoing debate surrounding greasing allegations that have dominated recent BJJ discourse, particularly involving Gordon Ryan‘s extensive public criticism of competitors he claims use grease to gain unfair advantages during matches.
The uniform policy itself stems from efforts to combat greasing – the practice of applying lotions or oils to make gripping more difficult for opponents. Ryan has been vocal about this issue, providing detailed explanations of various greasing techniques he claims to have witnessed.
“Usually they don’t put Vaseline. You put like Johnson and Johnson lotion on because it stays on longer,”
Ryan explained in a recent social media post, outlining what he describes as systematic disobeying rules methods.
“They’ll rub the lotion in like an hour to 2 hours beforehand so that it dries into the skin.”
Ryan’s proposed solutions include mandatory long-sleeve gear and severe penalties for violators.
“Long sleeve rash scars and spats are definitely a great way to do it,”
he stated, while also advocating for financial penalties where caught greasers would forfeit
“between a 50 and a 75% purse reduction.”
However, Varela argues that the current approach creates unnecessary restrictions while failing to address the core issue effectively. He draws parallels to mixed martial arts competitions, noting that
“MMA matches no one wear shirts and no one gets called for greasing should be same for jiujitsu.”
The debate intensified following a match between Felipe Pena and Nick Rodriguez, where Pena repeatedly complained to referees about his opponent feeling slippery. Rodriguez was wiped down multiple times during the contest with paper towels.
“I actually request even more I said like many times that he was like really slippery, you know,”
Pena confirmed after the match.
“But I feel like the referee didn’t know what to do much. You know, I think there is not a rule, a specific rule for that.”
Varela’s criticism extends beyond practical concerns to aesthetic ones, arguing that mandatory long sleeves diminish the visual appeal of the sport.
“Or atleast a short sleeve option. Can’t show the biceps or tattoos,”
he posted.
The competitor’s rebellion reflects broader frustrations within the BJJ community about inconsistent rule enforcement across different organizations. While the IBJJF has successfully policed greasing according to some observers, other promotions have struggled with clear guidelines and consistent application of penalties.
Ryan‘s detailed knowledge of greasing techniques comes from his time training alongside Rodriguez, whom he now publicly accuses of systematic disobeying rules.
“I’ve literally seen Nicky Rod when he was on my team… He just rubs it. All of us, like, have his hair, his face all over his body, and then it dries and then he goes out and it’s impossible to get a hold of,”
Ryan claimed.
The controversy highlights the challenge facing BJJ as it attempts to gain mainstream acceptance while dealing with internal disputes over rule enforcement and competitive integrity. Different organizations apply varying standards, creating confusion for both competitors and spectators.
Varela‘s poll following his initial complaints suggests significant support exists for uniform policy changes, though the debate remains contentious within the community. His pointed observation about the primary advocate for strict anti-greasing measures no longer actively competing adds another layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding competitive BJJ’s regulatory framework.
Varela fails to see the bigger picture. UFC is eager to extract value from the sport and as such they will neve give up another opportunity to advertise their sponsor and their brand off the back of someone’s hard work. While a short sleeve option might become available there’s no chance UFC BJJ let’s the stars impact the unifrom in any meaningful way.
