A video circulating on social media captured a tense moment at Kingsway Jiu Jitsu, where renowned grappling coach John Danaher and his training partner Big Dan Manasoiu calmly but firmly escorted an uninvited visitor out of the facility.
The man, whom community members identified as a persistent and unwanted presence in the online comments of female BJJ competitor Danielle Kelly, had shown up at the gym under circumstances that raised immediate red flags.
Kelly, a standout in submission grappling circles, addressed the situation directly through her social media account after footage of the incident began spreading.
“Creepers will not be tolerated,” she wrote. “Super grateful to be surrounded by good teammates and coaches at Kingsway Jiu Jitsu, shout out to John Danaher and others for quickly taking care of the situation. When I gather more info I’ll post more. Unfortunately these types of things happen no matter how much you try to avoid. People are crazy out there. Be safe.”
The video shows Danaher positioning himself deliberately behind the man as they moved toward the exit.
“Love how John prioritizes having access to the back,” one follower noted, nodding to Danaher’s signature coaching philosophy around rear control.
Meanwhile, the considerable presence of Big Dan framed the exit with unmistakable clarity. “John leading with his calm demeanor but Big Dan and Giancarlo in the background ready to get involved. What a combo,” another observer wrote.
The community’s reaction was immediate. “You know you messed up when Big Dan and Danaher are escorting you out,” one person wrote.
“Of all the places to be a creep. He tries that at Kingsway AND with Danielle Kelly? Yikes,” one commenter wrote.
“Professor Danaher relives his bouncing days under the watchful eye of Big Dan,” another joked, a reference to Danaher’s well-documented history as a New York nightclub bouncer before he became one of the sport’s most celebrated coaches.
