In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, authenticity and credentials matter. Unfortunately, not everyone who dons a black belt has earned it legitimately. A recent example involves James Paredes, a questionable BJJ black belt in Cary, North Carolina, who has come under scrutiny for his questionable skills and credentials.

A Challenge to Prove His Rank

Paredes’ legitimacy was called into question when a well-respected, legitimate BJJ black belt from the Cary, NC area openly challenged him. This black belt issued a $1,000 challenge, daring Paredes to prove his rank and skills. Following this public challenge, Paredes quickly backed off his claims of being a BJJ black belt.

In an apparent attempt to distance himself from the controversy, Paredes made a series of desperate moves, including revamping his website, removing his Facebook page, and even hastily altering the sign of his martial arts school. He went so far as to scrape off the “i” from “Jiu Jitsu” on his school window, leaving a poorly spelled “J u Jitsu” instead.

Claims of “Kosen Judo” and “Japanese Jujutsu”

Despite stepping back from his BJJ black belt claims, Paredes continues to assert that he holds a black belt in “Kosen Judo” and “Japanese Jujutsu.” However, his credibility in these areas is equally dubious. When asked to name any of his instructors in these disciplines, Paredes has been unable to produce a single name, further casting doubt on his martial arts background.

The Laughable Techniques

To make matters worse, Paredes has shared a series of video demonstrations of his so-called techniques. These videos have sparked widespread ridicule in the martial arts community due to the unrealistic and absurd nature of the techniques. In one video, Paredes introduces a move called the “Lugnut”—a technique so outlandish that it has quickly become a running joke among martial artists.

For those looking for a good laugh, Paredes’ YouTube channel is filled with similar content that showcases his bizarre interpretation of martial arts. Viewers are encouraged to check it out for themselves, but don’t expect to learn any useful self-defense techniques.

In this video he shows a technique called the ‘Lugnut’