In a recent episode of the JAXXON PODCAST, legendary MMA legend Quinton Jackson talked about the fact that he’s still technically a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt.
“Rampage” Jackson was recently seen training in a gi at Paulo Gazze Jr’s gym in Huntington Beach, California, marking a rare return to traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after more than two decades. Despite his storied career, Jackson remains a BJJ blue belt and admitted that he hadn’t trained in the gi for over 20 years.
He chose the Huntington Beach gym for sentimental reasons, calling it the first gym he joined after moving from Memphis—once home to Fabiano Ihas and later Team Punishment. Jackson tested his skills against fellow blue and brown belts, finding the experience both challenging and enjoyable, despite feeling a bit rusty.
The latest admission came during a wide-ranging conversation with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sixth-degree black belt Juliano Prado, Jackson‘s former coach and current owner of the Acai Republic restaurant chain. When the topic turned to belt rankings and promotions, Jackson dropped the bombshell.
“I’m a blue belt,” Jackson stated matter-of-factly.
The revelation seemed to evoke a reaction from both Prado and co-host Bear, with Bear immediately pushing back:
“Stop saying that. Come on, bro. You’re… You’ve just never got to be promoted.”
Jackson went on to explain his limited experience with formal BJJ testing, revealing he had only tested once—for his blue belt promotion.
“I only tested one time and I tested for a blue belt,”
he said. The testing took place during his early training days, and Jackson recalled having to test in a gi alongside other students.
“I think if I can remember I had to test in a gi,”
Jackson said, prompting some lighthearted banter about finding a gi that would fit his large frame.
Prado, who trained Jackson during his Pride FC days, provided context for why Jackson‘s grappling skills far exceed his belt ranking.
“When you come from wrestling and people don’t know this guy was… went all the way to the final for nationals for wrestling… when you come in from wrestling and you’re that good, you already… you’re not a beginner in jiu-jitsu. You know some grappling, you know, you’re better than somebody who never trained and come in from the beginning.”
Jackson‘s wrestling background played a crucial role in his grappling development. As Prado noted, Jackson reached the finals of nationals in wrestling before transitioning to MMA, giving him a foundation that translated directly to his ground game.
This wrestling base was evident throughout Jackson‘s MMA career, where he became known for his slams and takedown defense. His most iconic moment—the slam knockout of Ricardo Arona in Pride—showcased exactly how his wrestling strength could be applied in MMA.
The conversation moved toward the complications of BJJ promotion, especially for someone who trained across different teams over the years. Jackson‘s lineage traces back to Fabiano under the Lotus Club system, and he trained with various coaches including Prado.
“Technically, I could” promote him, Prado mentioned,
though he clarified that Jackson would still need to properly train and test for the next rank.
Jackson also talked about his current training environment.
Perhaps the most interesting part of Jackson‘s blue belt story is how it reflects the gap between belt rank and actual skill. Jackson‘s MMA resume includes wins over elite grapplers and high-level submission specialists, yet his official BJJ belt never advanced past blue.
This kind of disconnect isn’t rare in MMA, where many competitors don’t pursue formal rankings.
Prado seemed genuinely frustrated that Jackson remains a blue belt.
“If you kept training, for sure you’d be a black belt back on the diesel, you know,”
Prado said.
