Recently, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions Guilherme and Rafael Mendes made a blunt statement regarding performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in BJJ. During an Instagram Q&A, they were asked about their thoughts on athletes who dope. Their response? “We don’t care.”

Their indifference to PED use comes amid years of speculation about professional athletes from their team, Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ), allegedly using banned substances. Notably, BJJ World Champion Tainan Dalpra has faced accusations, with Roberto Jimenez openly claiming that Dalpra had been on steroids since his teenage years.

Popular BJJ black belt commented:

Color me not shocked. All those young kids at their academy look up to the mendes brothers as gods. This is pathetic. At least pretend for their sake.

The Mendes Brothers’ Controversial History with PEDs

The Mendes brothers’ stance is particularly controversial given that they themselves have been rumored to have failed an IBJJF drug test nearly a decade ago. Though no official record exists, many in the BJJ community speculate that this played a role in their abrupt retirement while still in their prime—both in their mid-to-late twenties. Their decision to step away from competition rather than continue dominating raised eyebrows, fueling rumors that they might have been forced out due to a potential suspension.

A Growing PED Problem in Professional Jiu-Jitsu

PED use in BJJ has been a long-standing issue, with numerous high-profile athletes getting caught over the years. Some of the most notable suspensions include:

• Felipe Pena – Suspended by USADA in 2015 after testing positive for testosterone.
• Gabi Garcia – Tested positive for Clomiphene in 2013, a substance often used post-steroid cycle.
• Vagner Rocha – Suspended for using PEDs after an IBJJF Worlds competition.

The issue isn’t exclusive to just a few athletes—PED use in jiu-jitsu is a well-known but rarely addressed topic. Many competitors acknowledge that at the highest levels of the sport, performance enhancers are commonplace.

What Does This Mean for Professional BJJ?

When two of the most respected figures in the sport openly say that they “don’t care” about PED use, it sets a dangerous precedent. Their statement suggests that doping is simply an accepted part of the game, rather than a problem that should be addressed.

Unlike other professional sports such as MMA or Olympic wrestling, where strict anti-doping measures exist, BJJ’s testing policies remain inconsistent and largely ineffective. The IBJJF does conduct testing at its biggest events, but many athletes can still avoid detection by carefully timing their cycles. Without a governing body enforcing year-round testing, PED use remains rampant.

With jiu-jitsu continuing to grow as a professional sport, the question remains: should the community take a stand against PEDs, or simply accept that enhanced performance is just part of the modern game? If respected icons like the Mendes brothers show no concern, it’s

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