A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor from Tampa Bay has sparked a debate across the martial arts community with his bold declaration that he hasn’t been submitted during live training in over seven years. Robby Donorfrio’s claim has drawn sharp criticism from practitioners and fellow instructors who question both the validity and value of such a record.
In a video, Donorfrio outlined his philosophy: “I’m always making connections to my opponent on my terms. And I never let him connect to me on his terms. And that’s my jiu-jitsu in a nutshell.” He describes a highly aggressive training approach where he maintains constant pressure and control, explaining, “It’s always my turn. So, we start the roll. Boom. Boom. I’m pushing. He comes back into me. I’m snapping.”
However, the BJJ community’s response has been overwhelmingly skeptical. Many experienced practitioners argue that avoiding submissions in training actually indicates poor development rather than superior skill. As one black belt instructor noted, “If you aren’t getting submitted in practice, either you aren’t training with the right people or you aren’t putting yourself in bad positions with the intent of working on defense.”
The criticism extends beyond questions of training methodology to concerns about the learning environment such an approach creates. Multiple practitioners described training with similar individuals as counterproductive and frustrating. “Sounds like an annoying person to train with,” commented one practitioner. “If you take pride in not getting submitted during training, there will be ego in your rolls.”
Several high-level competitors have publicly acknowledged getting submitted regularly in training as part of their development process. Gary Tonon, a respected grappler, once stated on social media: “In an average 5 round training session I will get submitted 15 times. Take that information and ask yourself if you really have no ego.”
The consensus among experienced practitioners is that avoiding submissions during training suggests several concerning possibilities: training with lower-skilled partners, refusing to work outside one’s comfort zone, or prioritizing ego over learning. As one black belt explained, “Your students should get to the point of testing you and submitting you. They should end up being better than you in my opinion. Especially as you get older. If not, something is missing.”
Local practitioners familiar with Donorfrio’s gym have raised additional concerns about the training environment, with some describing it as problematic and recommending alternatives in the Tampa Bay area.
The broader martial arts community views such claims as clickbait rather than legitimate achievements. Unlike competition records, training room statistics are seen as meaningless and potentially harmful to student development. The emphasis on maintaining an unsubmitted record in practice contradicts fundamental principles of learning through failure and experimentation.
Most instructors advocate for the opposite approach – deliberately placing themselves in disadvantageous positions to improve their defensive skills and provide learning opportunities for students. This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between ego-driven training and genuine skill development in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
While Donorfrio frames his approach as tactical superiority, the broader community interprets it as a red flag indicating stagnant development and poor training methodology.
