Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and world champion Joao Miyao recently stirred up some controversy in the BJJ community with a social media post. Miyao’s comments seemed to cast doubt on the effectiveness of a self-defense technique associated with Helio Gracie, sparking debate about the evolution of BJJ and the place of traditional techniques in today’s practice.
In his post, Miyao aimed to caution BJJ practitioners about the dangers of trying techniques they see online without proper guidance. He wrote, “Don’t try to do everything you see on Instagram, look for someone qualified to instruct you!” The post included a vintage clip of Helio Gracie demonstrating a self-defense move against an armed attacker, which Miyao implied was outdated, comparing it to something seen in a modern-day McDojo.
The controversy arose when some interpreted Miyao’s message as a critique of Helio Gracie, a foundational figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. To clarify his intent, Miyao followed up with another post, stating, “This post is just a warning not to react against a firearm and not to try to do things you see on Instagram without the instruction of a qualified person! At no point did I want to ridicule Master Hélio.”
This incident brings to light the ongoing conversation in the BJJ community about the relevance and effectiveness of traditional self-defense techniques in today’s world. It also highlights the continued respect and honor for the Gracie family and their contributions to the art.
This debate is not new in the BJJ world. Other prominent figures, like Keenan Cornelius, have also raised concerns about the effectiveness of certain traditional techniques. Cornelius, another well-known BJJ black belt, recently caused a stir by suggesting that the skill levels of Gracie family legends like Helio and Rickson may not hold up to modern standards.
Miyao’s posts and the resulting discussion reflect the broader conversation about the evolution of BJJ. As the sport continues to grow and new techniques are developed, more practitioners are questioning the effectiveness of some traditional methods, especially in self-defense situations.
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