In a recent social media post that has stirred significant debate within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, multiple-time world champion Gabi Garcia has shared her perspective on the growing calls for the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) to financially compensate athletes competing in major tournaments.
Garcia’s statement comes in response to BJJ star Roberto Jimenez’s viral post demanding that professional Jiu-Jitsu athletes receive payment for competing in prestigious events like Europeans, Pans, Brasileiro, and World Championships in both gi and no-gi divisions.
“Professional Jiu-Jitsu athletes should get paid,” Jimenez had written. “We need to get paid for our effort. We are not monkeys in a zoo. We are athletes, we are fighters, we are warriors, we deserve more.”
Taking a different approach, Garcia expressed gratitude toward the federation that helped build her career. “Jiu-Jitsu gave me everything I have,” she stated. “The federation opened the doors to the sport, and we can’t take away the merit of those who made the sport happen. I think it’s very ungrateful not to give credit to those who deserve it.”
While acknowledging that “things need to change,” Garcia firmly rejected the idea of boycotting the IBJJF. “Don’t put me on the list of those against the Federation,” she declared. “Yes, I think a lot needs to change—after all, we all need to change.”
Garcia, who has amassed a significant following with “300K views on my stories” and “9K-10K people watching when I go live,” offered advice to competitors considering speaking out against the organization: “If you don’t want to fight in the federation, then don’t. That’s it. And here’s some advice I’ll give you, fighter: if you speak badly about an event you’ve already fought in, and accepted the terms during registration, others won’t hire you.”
The champion emphasized that her success came not from prize money but from seizing opportunities and building her brand. “Athletes need to understand one thing: you only get called when you sell. You have to sell,” Garcia explained. “Money is a consequence of my work. Of the show I put on. I just need the stage.”
This perspective contrasts sharply with Jimenez’s concerns about financial struggles faced by elite competitors. “There are world champions that have to work Uber. We need compensation for making the show happen,” Jimenez had noted in his original post.
Garcia’s position reflects her personal journey in the sport: “I’ve always been the underdog. No one believed in me. When people were booing me, I didn’t see anyone making hashtags, petitions, protests, boycotts. Nothing. People just accepted it.”
The debate highlights a critical juncture for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as it continues to grow. While participation increases globally, the revenue generation remains limited compared to mainstream sports, creating challenges for supporting athletes financially.
When asked hypothetically if she would compete for the IBJJF today, Garcia responded affirmatively: “Yes, I would. Why? Because I never fought for money. The Federation gave me the stage. I put on the show.”
As the conversation about athlete compensation continues to evolve in the Jiu-Jitsu community, Garcia’s perspective adds a nuanced voice advocating for respect toward the organizations that built the sport while acknowledging the need for progress: “You can’t build a future by spitting on the past.”
