UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell has stirred conversation in the grappling community, after sharing his blunt opinions on modern BJJ.
During an “Ask Me Anything” segment, a viewer asked Mitchell whether the sport had changed in a negative direction.
Mitchell responded that, in his view, certain teaching approaches have altered how the martial art is practiced:
To some extent it has been. And some of these professors are teaching gayness.
Number one thing is if they’re teaching you your first option in a match is to sit on your butt and scoot at the opponent.
If they’re teaching this butt scooting, they’re probably gay.
Mitchell clarified that he understands the technique and can perform it when necessary, but considers it a last-resort defensive reaction rather than an offensive strategy:
I do know how to butt scoot… I’m only going to butt scoot if I get knocked loopy.
If I’m butt scooting, I’m hurting.
If he ever ends up seated in a fight, he views it as survival rather than tactics:
I’m swinging for my life if I’m butt scooting, i’s because I’m trying to get up.
Despite his criticism, Mitchell emphasized that he still respects jiu-jitsu as a martial art.
He encouraged practitioners to seek strong coaching and serious training partners to ensure they learn practical applications of grappling:
Get you a legit coach. Have you some legit teammates.
It’s only gay if you make it gay.
Jiu-Jitsu is cool. It’s straight, brother.
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