Keenan Cornelius was dead set on winning the worlds this year. The bjj prodigy had a singular mindset which is why he felt pressured to release a comprehensive statement after this happened:
Yesterday we reported on how taken aback by results Gordon Ryan was but here’s what the BJJ prodigy himself had to say on the matter:
To all the people messaging me saying I was robbed, there is a very specific word that is thrown around in the rule book that is the root of all the flaws in the @ibjjf reffing system.
And it’s the word “opinion”. They state throughout the rule book that certain positions and points will be awarded based on the referees opinion. The rules are layed out clearly. However the amount of time required to count the position as being secure, the threat of a submission actually being real and not just an attempt to get an advantage, or if a takedown or sweep occurs while passing out of bounds, all this give refs an opportunity to flex their “opinion” in a result that is unpredictable for the athletes and the fans.
Half the time it will be awarded the points or advantage and half the time it will not. You may have to stabilize a position for 3 seconds or maybe 13 seconds you never really know. However, training my entire life, to go compete at a tournament against the best in the world to have my matches decided by some random f*cking ref who not only has never actually contributed to jiujitsu from a technical stand point OR competed at the level at which he is refereeing and having to submit my winning or losing to his “opinion” that nobody gives a f*ck about has left a very very bad taste in my mouth over the years.
This worlds where in a match where one foot lock was attacked each and sweeps were exchanged equally and the only significant position was when I took the back and had to hang on for well over the 3 second mark to secure my points. In what world can your opinion see that as me losing. Only in a severely biased one. I don’t know the refs names whose opinions have way too much control over my career and I don’t want to.
But whoever they are I think they are severely unqualified and biased in their job. And I hope they live out their sad little lives as blackbelts that will always get tapped by purple belts who are actually good. I’ve fought for the @ibjjf for the last 8 years. And they don’t even have the balls to post my match result on their instagram. There comes a time where silence is betrayal @ibjjf
Further Keenan added:
“Keenan Cornelius thing is I’m not offended, and our reporting of yesterday’s events wasn’t subject to influence from any third parties… truth is we haven’t touched it yet because there are a lot of other stories that need tackling, such as multiple American world champs being crowned, record-breaking achievements and much more. Yours wasn’t the only controversial call of the weekend and wasn’t the only one that cost a spot in a final.”
this isnt about you Hywel its about the biggest news source not commenting on a clearly bullshit call and bringing light to an issue that affects many of the athletes flograppling covers. We are the content that makes the site money. fear of upsetting the organization that gives flo rights to broadcast is directly affecting the actual content being filmed. aka the athletes. Media has a moral responsibility to report both sides of a story, Not covering it and obviously minimizing the issue is blatant censorship. That makes me lose respect for the organization, Also its weird that you are speaking about your daddy like this was directed right at you.
Alexandre Vieira is one of the most exciting up and coming grapplers today under the Brazilian Top Team flag. In 2017, his loop choke submission was chosen as the Submission of the Year by FloGrappling. Alexandre recently put together his Crucifix and Loop Choke 3 volume instructional set. Alexandre brings a modern outlook to some of the sports most devastating, but sometimes ignored positions, the crucifix and the loop choke.
