In a hilarious rant, the YouTube personality known as “MMA Guru” went on an expletive-filled tirade dismissing Brazilian jiu-jitsu as the worst base skill for mixed martial arts competition in the UFC. His over-the-top delivery and colorful language make for an entertaining watch, even if his arguments are severely flawed.
MMA Guru mocks BJJ practitioners as the “most soy” and “pathetic runts of society” who choose that martial art. He claims wrestlers and strikers are the real “chads” who have an easier time rounding out their skills for MMA. Conveniently ignoring greats like Royce Gracie and the origins of the UFC itself, he declares that pure BJJ stylists put on “disgraceful displays” and can’t win at the highest levels without heavily relying on other disciplines like wrestling and striking.
While MMA Guru’s unhinged rant toward BJJ may be funny in its lack of objectivity and historical context, it’s clearly meant to be hyperbolic entertainment rather than a serious critique. BJJ has proven its immense value in MMA and professional fighters from all styles incorporate its techniques. The UFC’s origins stem directly from the Gracie family’s challenge of proving BJJ’s effectiveness against other martial arts.
So while MMA Guru’s funny, profane takedown of BJJ practitioners as somehow less masculine may rile up fans, his blind spot to the vital role BJJ played in creating modern MMA is glaring. It makes for a funny viral rant, but doesn’t hold up to scrutiny from anyone with a basic understanding of the UFC’s history and BJJ’s importance within it.
