When Bernardo Faria speaks about Jiu-Jitsu, it comes from a place very few people truly understand. He is not just a multiple-time world champion, but someone who has spent decades competing at the highest level alongside the very athletes he is now defending.

Recently, Faria addressed the growing criticism aimed at Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and Rodolfo Vieira, two of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors of all time, whose MMA careers have not fully lived up to the massive expectations placed on them.

His message was emotional, but also grounded in reality.

Here is exactly what Bernardo Faria said:

“It hurts my soul when I see people typing negative things about Buchecha and Rodolfo on their performances.

A few things to point out: they are both Gi and No-Gi World Champions (both have won ADCC). In the entire history of MMA, only two people have won Worlds, ADCC, and a UFC title (Werdum and Mackenzie Dern), which shows how extremely hard it is to succeed in all three.

Also, let’s remember that UFC rules do not help Jiu-Jitsu at all. It is three rounds of five minutes, and when you finally get a takedown, you often only have one or two minutes left to work, which is rarely enough. Then the fight restarts on the feet, which is one of the worst situations for us from Jiu-Jitsu.

So to say they are terrible in MMA or that they cannot fight, I do not agree. Maybe they are just not suited for these rules. If it were PRIDE-style rules, with one 10-minute round followed by two 5-minute rounds, things could look different.

Lastly, we cannot forget that they both started MMA in their 30s, while today many fighters begin training MMA as kids, teenagers, or in their early 20s.

These guys are legends, and what they are doing is crazy crazy hard, and especially on their ages and circumstances considering that they spent most of their careers training to win Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.”

Faria’s words highlight a truth that many fans overlook. Dominating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu does not automatically translate into dominating MMA. The two sports may share techniques, but they operate under completely different realities.

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida entered MMA with enormous hype, and for good reason. One of the most decorated grapplers in history, he quickly showed his potential early in his MMA run with dominant finishes. However, as the level of competition increased, the fights became more complex. His record currently stands at 5–3 in MMA, with most of his bouts taking place in ONE Championship rather than the UFC. While he has showcased his elite grappling and finishing ability, he has also faced more well-rounded opponents who forced him into longer exchanges, striking situations, and defensive scenarios that are far removed from the controlled environment of Jiu-Jitsu competition.

Rodolfo Vieira followed a similar path, but in the UFC. After an impressive start to his MMA career with multiple submission victories, he quickly gained attention as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the division. However, his run has been inconsistent, with key setbacks exposing the challenges of adapting to MMA. His loss to Anthony Hernandez highlighted issues with pacing, cardio, and dealing with sustained pressure in a fight that does not stop when you get tired. Vieira remains a high-level threat on the ground, but MMA has forced him to evolve beyond his traditional strengths.

This pattern is not new. Even the greatest Jiu-Jitsu athletes have faced similar struggles. Roger Gracie, widely considered the most dominant Gi competitor of all time, had a respectable but ultimately limited MMA career. Despite his technical superiority on the ground, he struggled to consistently impose his game against well-rounded fighters who could keep the fight standing or survive long enough to neutralize his advantage.

Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza represents a more successful transition, but even he had to reinvent himself. He developed strong striking skills and became a complete fighter, yet he never dominated MMA the way he dominated Jiu-Jitsu. His success came from adaptation, not from relying purely on his grappling pedigree.

On the other hand, fighters like Fabricio Werdum show what is possible when that adaptation is taken to another level. Werdum evolved into a complete mixed martial artist, sharpening his striking while training with elite fighters like Mirko Cro Cop and developing a well-rounded game. This allowed him to become one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history and capture the UFC title. He did not rely solely on Jiu-Jitsu. He transformed himself into a true MMA fighter.

That is the key difference.

The most successful BJJ athletes in MMA are not the ones who try to replicate their grappling dominance. They are the ones who adapt to the demands of MMA, blending striking, wrestling, and cage awareness into their game.

Buchecha and Rodolfo Vieira are facing a different reality. They transitioned later in their careers, in an era where fighters are more complete than ever. Many of their opponents have been training MMA from a young age, developing all aspects of fighting simultaneously. They are not specialists. They are fully integrated fighters.

This is why Bernardo Faria’s message matters.

He is not just defending his friends. He is reminding people how difficult this transition truly is. Buchecha and Rodolfo are not failures. They are elite athletes stepping into one of the most demanding environments in combat sports, where their greatest strengths are harder to impose and every weakness is quickly exposed.

Instead of criticizing them, it might be time to respect what they are attempting.

Because the reality is simple. Being the best in Jiu-Jitsu is one thing. Becoming great in MMA is something else entirely.