Jesse Zimmerman posted a video that quickly gained traction after he shared observations from coaching youth programs at regional tournaments. His main grievance centers on what he sees as a shift away from the humble, welcoming atmosphere that initially drew him to the sport.
“I have a complaint to register with the jiu-jitsu community, and I don’t know if it is specific to the United States. Every time we go to these regional tournaments, it’s a room full of dads who I swear are competing for the title of toughest guy in America. They stand there and posture the whole damn day. Half of them are literally flexing.”
Zimmerman describes watching these same individuals later compete wearing white, blue, and occasionally purple belts, despite their aggressive demeanor suggesting otherwise. The contrast between his early experiences and what he sees today forms the core of his complaint.
“I remember when I started jiu-jitsu it was for weirdos. I walked in my first day and there was a dude in cut-off shorty shorts and a mullet, and a girl sitting in the corner drinking pickle juice, and both of them beat the s**t out of me. I look around now, and it has been replaced by these absolute goobers who think they are so tough. Let me tell you a little secret: you suck at jiu-jitsu.”
His blunt assessment extends to his own abilities as well.
“I’m a black belt. I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and I still suck at jiu-jitsu. There is absolutely no need to posture and act like just because you can strap on a blue belt, or even a black belt, you can actually do anything.”
The criticism struck a nerve within the community, with hundreds of practitioners weighing in. One commenter with over 20 years of experience wrote that he
“burnt my black belt. My kids will never step on a jiu-jitsu mat.”
Another noted having
“the exact same experience”
at a local tournament after years away from competition.
Many respondents pointed to specific factors contributing to the cultural shift.
“Phones, cameras, and social media make everyone a tough guy now,”
one practitioner wrote, garnering over 200 likes.
“Back in the day, everyone would test and challenge you, and if you were real, you were real.”
Another popular comment highlighted what some see as a fundamental misunderstanding of the art:
“I always hear ‘bowing is a power trip,’ ‘calling your coach professor is a power trip,’ ‘belts don’t matter.’ And the list goes on. This is what happens when people strip jiu-jitsu of its deeper meaning. The culture now is basically ‘everyone wants to be a fig hter but not a martial artist.'”
Zimmerman emphasizes that the value of jiu-jitsu lies not in dominating others, but in the internal growth it encourages.
“This is not that serious. We are at a regional competition. You guys are also 40 years old, take it easy. What has happened to the humility it takes to step on the mat and get your ass kicked?”
He suggests that perhaps training practices have shifted.
“Are we just not pushing each other in jiu-jitsu gyms anymore? Because it looks like some egos need to be checked, just like mine was. I was ragdolled for years before I learned to hold my own.”
The sentiment resonated particularly with those who value the character-building aspects of training.
“It’s the ability to take a beating and come back, the pursuit of self-improvement. That’s the work that matters. It’s the internal stuff. It’s not about beating someone up, it’s about inner toughness.”
Several commenters attributed the shift to various sources, from the influence of wrestling culture to increased commercialization. One practitioner called it an
“epidemic of dudes who aren’t secure in their masculinity, so they feel they have to ‘show’ others how tough they are,”
a comment that received nearly 400 likes.
Others noted regional differences.
“I’d chalk that up mostly to the recent overlap with wrestling. There’s more cross-training and intermingling happening, and jiu-jitsu is getting a little more wrestle-ish both technically and culturally.”
International practitioners also weighed in. One commenter from Japan noted the atmosphere there remains
“totally nothing like that over here.”
The intensity of Zimmerman’s concerns is evident in his conclusion.
“I don’t know who needs to tell these guys, but could someone get the message out? I am this close to taking my kids out of jiu-jitsu. It makes me want to quit or just move back abroad and hope that nonsense never catches up there.”
Not everyone agreed. Some argued that the sport’s growth naturally brings diverse personalities, while others suggested focusing on finding the right training environment rather than condemning the entire culture.
One long-time practitioner offered a balanced perspective:
“With the spread of the sport, we have more events to participate in, more events to see, better technology, and improved products. With all the good that comes with expansion also comes some expected negatives. Tough guys exist in every sport. Just brush it off and appreciate the positives the spread of jiu-jitsu has brought.”
