Jiu-Jitsu pioneer Relson Gracie has expressed frustration with the direction modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taken, claiming it’s become too sport-focused and less applicable to real-life self-defense. In a recent interview, the 9th-degree red belt criticized the evolution of BJJ tournaments, the emphasis on leg locks, and the lack of rule standardization, suggesting the art has lost touch with its original purpose.

Relson’s concerns highlight how today’s BJJ competitions reward points over practical skill, which he believes detracts from the self-defense aspect. “You can score 9 points in 1.5 seconds,” he remarked, criticizing how fighters can score quickly without demonstrating true control. He’s especially critical of leg locks, which he views as both dangerous and ineffective in real-life scenarios. “How are you going to put a kneebar on someone in a street fight?” he questioned, adding that these techniques were once banned in his father Helio Gracie’s tournaments for being too risky.

He also called out modern tournament attire and techniques that don’t align with his family’s vision of Jiu-Jitsu. “Choking with the belt is crazy,” he said, advocating for traditional white gis that make belt rank visible. In addition, he lamented the prevalence of techniques like berimbolos and 50/50 guards, which he sees as purely competitive moves with no practical use.

Relson traces the art’s roots back 10,000 years to India, where he claims Buddhist monks developed it to defend against bandits. Although this diverges from more widely accepted histories that locate BJJ’s origins in Japan, it underscores his belief in Jiu-Jitsu as a practical self-defense system.

Gracie also highlighted the unique, structured rules his father Helio used, such as a 30-second limit on dominant positions to keep fights dynamic. “In Helio Gracie’s rules, you had to hold for three seconds after passing guard,” he said, contrasting this approach with today’s stalling tactics. He believes reintroducing time limits could help modern matches stay more active.

A major issue for Relson is the lack of rule standardization across federations, which, he argues, impedes the sport’s growth and Olympic prospects. “All championships, from the ADCC to the Brazilian Nationals, have different rules,” he noted, contrasting this inconsistency with judo’s globally uniform regulations. Relson believes that standardized rules could help Jiu-Jitsu gain global legitimacy, perhaps even Olympic inclusion.

He also criticized the lack of leadership in Jiu-Jitsu today, stating, “There’s no leader in jiu-jitsu anymore.” He believes this scattered governance keeps the sport from achieving the recognition of martial arts like judo.

Relson’s vision for BJJ includes a return to its original characteristics of practical self-defense. “Today, Jiu-Jitsu has lost its original character. It’s a mess,” he said, suggesting that federations should include self-defense skills in belt promotions. “How can an instructor not know how to disarm a knife or a gun?” he asked, pointing to a gap between sport and practicality.

His call to action urges a return to practical self-defense, unified rules, and efficient techniques. As Relson put it, “Let’s pray. We’re working to change this mentality in competition.” His message reflects a commitment to preserving BJJ’s legacy while promoting a future that stays true to its self-defense roots.

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