Roland Sarria, a pivotal figure in Arizona’s combat sports and founder of the Rage in the Cage MMA event, recently shared his story on the Lytes Out Podcast. His decision to self-promote to black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the late 1990s remains a fascinating and controversial chapter in the sport’s history.
Early Struggles in BJJ
Roland described the challenges he faced as a brown belt training in a culture that felt exclusive. Reflecting on a pivotal moment, he said:
“Rigan Machado called me… I was a brown belt at the time, and he asked me to do a super match with David Meyers. I said, ‘Well, I’m not a black belt,’ and Rigan replied, ‘Come on, Roland, you can compete with black belts.’”
This encouragement led him to compete against a black belt, where the match ended with no score and an advantage awarded to his opponent. Roland recalled the aftermath:
“Some Brazilian came up to me and said, ‘Who promoted you?’ I looked at him and said, ‘You saw the match, right? Do I look like I’m a black belt?’ He didn’t say anything, and I added, ‘God did.’”
Navigating a Disjointed Training System
Roland highlighted the lack of structured pathways to advancement in the gyms he trained at, including Rickson Gracie’s academy. He recalled:
“The Rickson Gracie school was not structured; it was very primitive, somewhat disorganized. It was kind of like being in Brazil and just training.”
The frustration grew as he witnessed talented individuals being overlooked for promotions. He remarked:
“There’s got to be a little bit of frustration, especially when you’re dedicating your entire life and time to something.”
Cultural Disconnect and Independence
Roland’s decision to self-promote was also driven by a cultural mismatch. He shared his perception of the environment:
“All they wanted to do—a lot of them—was smoke weed and just whatever. And I wasn’t really into that.”
This clash of values and priorities inspired him to forge his own path. When asked if he ever felt sheepish about stepping outside traditional promotion systems, Roland firmly stated:
“No, hell no. I wasn’t born to be a sheep; I was born to be a lion.”
The Broader Perspective
Roland’s story is not unique; others in the early days of BJJ in the U.S. faced similar hurdles. He discussed this, saying:
“Joe Parau, in our interview, said at some point you just realize you’re never going to make black belt. A couple of guys left because they weren’t getting the promotions they believed they deserved.”
Roland’s reflections shed light on the barriers many practitioners encountered in the sport’s formative years outside Brazil. His controversial yet bold decision to self-promote underscores his commitment to breaking through those barriers.
The Legacy of Self-Promotion
Today, Roland’s journey continues to evoke debate within the BJJ community. His story is emblematic of the struggle for recognition and independence in the sport’s early days in the United States, inspiring a new perspective on what it means to earn a black belt.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
