Dan “Big Dan” Manasoiu, a 2024 ADCC bronze medalist and two-time ADCC World Championships competitor with 12 ADCC Open gold medals and a double gold at ADCC Trials, has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding Derek Moneyberg’s black belt promotion.
Moneyberg has spent much of the past two years as one of the most polarizing names in BJJ, receiving his black belt after roughly three and a half years of training, a timeline that would typically place someone closer to purple belt.
He’s been open about spending around $3 million on private instruction from figures including Jake Shields, Glover Teixeira, Lyoto Machida, and members of the Gracie family, with Shields ultimately awarding him the belt after an estimated 3,000 hours of mat time.
Moneyberg has never competed in a tournament, a combination of factors that has fueled ongoing online debate.
Manasoiu, who trains under John Danaher as part of Team New Wave and coaches at Ralph Gracie’s academy, addressed the criticism in a video:
You gotta realize the thing about Derek is that this motherf**ker trains. He’s done more training in jiu-jitsu than most black belts.
We actually do the mathematics on how many hours this guy trains…Who’s he training with? He’s training with Royce [Gracie], he’s training with Jake Shields. These guys are signing off on it. Like, who are you to judge?
Manasoiu was careful not to overstate his defense:
Do I think that he’s a world-class black belt competitor? No, absolutely not. I don’t think that for half a second. I don’t think he’s a world-class grappler.
If Derek showed up to a gym and he said that he was a black belt, you wouldn’t question it.Why are so many people obsessed with it? Like, why are you so obsessed with another man? Like, are you that insecure?
Manasoiu also pointed to how common black belts who do not compete already are:
So many black belts haven’t f**king competed and they got their black belt and nobody thinks twice.
If I was worth tens of millions of dollars, would I be out there going to risk getting my f**king arm broken?
View this post on Instagram
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents
💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win?
💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers?
It’s not your age. It’s your strategy.
If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you.
🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:
Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu
Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.
Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
