In a surprising move, Nick Stefan, a well-respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rigan Machado, has announced a controversial new rule change regarding the recognition of belts he has awarded. The announcement was made through an email to all his students at Gracie Carlsbad and Gracie San Marcos, sparking a debate within the BJJ community.
The New Rule: Pay to Acknowledge Your Belt
According to the statement, Nick Stefan’s Black Belt Association now requires all belted students to submit an application to officially acknowledge and honor their rank. While current students training at his academies are exempt from any fees, non-members and former students will need to pay a yearly subscription fee of $50 to have their belt recognized.
Nick Stefan’s Statement:
“Dear Students,
This message is for all belted students under Nick Stefan at Gracie Carlsbad and Gracie San Marcos. Please take a moment to read the important updates and information below:
Nick Stefan Black Belt Association is requiring your submission of application (link in bio) to acknowledge and honor your rank.
- For Existing Students: Annual Fee is waived.
- Non Members: A yearly subscription fee of $50 will be required.
Thank you for your attention and your valued commitment to our association. Let’s continue to work hard and support each other in our Jiu-Jitsu journey! OSS.”
What Does This Mean?
In practical terms, this new rule means that any student who has received a belt promotion from Nick Stefan, but is no longer training at one of his academies, must pay $50 annually to officially claim they were belted by him. For example, if you received your blue belt from Nick Stefan but have since moved to another gym or stopped training, you would need to pay this fee to continue acknowledging that promotion as legitimate.
Is This a Legitimate Approach?
This move raises questions about the legitimacy and ethics of charging former students to maintain recognition of their belts. On one hand, some may argue that it is a way for Stefan to maintain quality control and ensure that only active and supportive members represent his lineage. It could also be seen as a means to foster a sense of continued community and commitment among former students.
On the other hand, critics might see this as nothing more than a financial ploy—a way to monetize something that is traditionally considered a lifelong achievement. The idea of having to pay to keep your rank acknowledged might feel to some like a form of gatekeeping, where the value of their hard-earned belt is suddenly contingent on a yearly fee. It also raises the question of what happens if a student doesn’t pay—does that invalidate their rank?
Impact on the BJJ Community
The BJJ community is known for its emphasis on loyalty, respect, and tradition. Moves like these, which are seen as straying from those values, can be polarizing. For some, this decision could undermine the trust and respect they have for their instructor. For others, it might just be another necessary step in maintaining the integrity of their lineage.
The broader implication is that if more instructors adopt similar practices, it could fundamentally change the way belts and promotions are perceived in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A rank, which is supposed to be a testament to one’s skill and dedication, could start to feel more like a subscription service.
Final Thoughts
Nick Stefan’s decision to implement this annual fee for non-members and former students to recognize their belts is undoubtedly controversial. While it may have valid reasons behind it, the optics of the move are not favorable to everyone. The question remains: Is this a legitimate approach to managing and acknowledging rank, or is it merely a clever way to generate extra revenue?
As the BJJ community continues to discuss and debate this policy, one thing is certain—this issue has brought to light the delicate balance between tradition and modern business practices in martial arts. Whether this approach gains traction or backlash remains to be seen. For now, it’s a topic that will likely keep the BJJ world buzzing for some time.
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Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
