A publicized WhatsApp conversation between Ryan and Manasoiu exposed Ryan’s initial confusion, as he asked,
“So what is ecological jj? It’s just positional sparring, isn’t it?”
Upon being informed that the approach discourages learning technique in favor of live training, Ryan was in disbelief, replying,
“That can’t be real.”
After further clarification that Ecological BJJ rejects structured technical instruction altogether, Ryan bluntly responded,
“That’s re*arded.”
The conversation has sparked discussion about the validity of Ecological BJJ and whether its proponents are truly revolutionizing the sport or merely repackaging old ideas with new branding.
Greg Souders, the leading advocate for the Ecological Dynamics approach, has positioned his method as a radical departure from traditional Jiu-Jitsu instruction. Souders has openly criticized the need for technical knowledge before training, calling it
“the craziest thing”
he has ever heard. He further dismissed John Danaher’s widely respected instructional content as redundant, suggesting that grapplers would be better off ignoring technical breakdowns altogether.
Dan Manasoiu, an ADCC bronze medalist and a Danaher disciple, has taken issue with Souders’ claims. He has called the Ecological Approach
“misinformation”
and accused its proponents of
“diluting the essence of the sport.”
Manasoiu has argued that human progress is built on refining knowledge, not discarding it, and challenged Souders to a public debate to settle the matter. The two are set to debate the issue today.
Even other high-level competitors have questioned the necessity of Ecological BJJ’s supposed innovations. Gianni Grippo, a respected black belt, has acknowledged that while he has seen positive results from ecological training in specific scenarios, it does not invalidate traditional methods. Meanwhile, BJJ legend Gui Mendes dismissed the movement outright, stating,
“You guys and these crazy names. Just say drilling with reaction.”
The Ecological BJJ debate continues to divide the community, with passionate arguments on both sides. While some view it as a fresh perspective on skill acquisition, others see it as a misguided rejection of proven methods. With a potential debate looming between Manasoiu and Souders, the Jiu-Jitsu world is watching closely to see whether Ecological BJJ can withstand scrutiny—or if it will be dismissed as just another passing trend.
