Everyone’s least favorite BJJ black belt, Derek Moneyberg, has threatened legal action against 10th Planet competitor Keith Kirkorian following the viral spread of an embarrassing video clip.
The dispute centers around a video edit posted by Kirkorian capturing an awkward moment where Moneyberg claims to have “7% body fat” during a conversation with UFC legend Henry Cejudo. The clip shows Cejudo’s bewildered reaction to the statement, creating an uncomfortable silence that resonated across social media platforms.
For refrence, this is what 10% is actually like.
The timing of Moneyberg’s legal threats drew criticism from the BJJ community, coming immediately after Kirkorian’s loss at the Eddie Bravo Invitational to an 18-year-old competitor from New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. Rather than letting the moment pass quietly, Moneyberg sent a direct message viewed by many as opportunistic trolling disguised as legitimate legal concern.
In the leaked message, Moneyberg wrote: “I see you tapped to an 18 year old purple belt. That must be awkward for you to tell so many lies about me, then have that happen to you… Also, I’d like to ask you one time respectfully, please take down the content you have posted defaming me and intentionally damaging my name and reputation.” The message continued with legal threats: “If you refuse to do so, I have to escalate that to a lawsuit and I’d rather avoid that for both of us. Please remove those things and move onto a different topic. I can’t have you or anyone else damaging my name and my business.”
The financial advisor has faced persistent criticism over his controversial black belt promotion, achieved in just 3.5 years despite what critics describe as minimal actual training time.
Recent revelations from BJJ champion Mikey Musumeci have further complicated Moneyberg’s standing. Musumeci, who previously defended Moneyberg’s rapid promotion, recently admitted to making an error in judgment. “Would I give someone their black belt in three and a half years? I feel like a corrupt politician when I respond like this. Of course, I would never give anyone a black belt in that time. He doesn’t compete or train,” Musumeci stated during a podcast appearance.
The champion also revealed the limited nature of his training relationship with Moneyberg. “So I went there three times and the guy was always really nice to me,” Musumeci explained. “He doesn’t train at all. Like he just, when I say train, he doesn’t roll or anything.”
UFC’s Sean Strickland has emerged as one of Moneyberg’s most vocal critics, refusing financial incentives to promote what he describes as fraudulent schemes. “This man takes advantage of low-paid UFC stars who are great men just trying to make their mortgage and live a life. And he takes advantage of these men and he uses their platform to peddle financial scams and he sues people,” Strickland stated.
Strickland’s principled stance has resonated within the BJJ community, particularly his refusal of substantial payment offers. “I will never peddle his stuff to you guys because I love you guys, man,” he declared, drawing praise from practitioners frustrated with what they perceive as commercialization undermining traditional martial arts values.
The current lawsuit threat against Kirkorian fits a pattern critics argue demonstrates Moneyberg’s tendency to use legal intimidation when faced with unfavorable coverage. Many in the community view the timing of the threat—immediately following Kirkorian’s tournament loss—as particularly unsporting and emblematic of someone who doesn’t understand martial arts culture.
