Vagner Rocha voiced concerns about what he sees as a troubling trend in modern jiu-jitsu: top athletes avoiding high-level matchups.

Rocha specifically pointed to the long-anticipated (but still unrealized) bout between Mica Galvão and Tainan Dalpra as a prime example of how the sport is losing opportunities to deliver fan-favorite showdowns:

Like Mica and Tainan, that happened to me, that I’m a fan.
I say, dude, how can it be?

They’re the two most acclaimed of a certain time, and this fight didn’t happen.

Rocha’s frustration reflects a growing sentiment among veterans of the sport – that modern jiu-jitsu is too often shaped by branding, not bravery.
He drew a contrast between jiu-jitsu and MMA to highlight the absurdity of some athletes’ reluctance to engage:

In MMA I understand when this happens, because you fight twice, at most, three times a year…

In Jiu-Jitsu I can’t understand, since every month you fight and if you want to, you find the guy for the rest of your life on the way.

The conversation ties into broader criticisms of how professional jiu-jitsu is evolving.

In another recent interview, Craig Jones addressed similar issues, though without calling out any individuals.
He discussed the unrealistic pursuit of flawless records and how that affects both fans and the future of the sport:

From a spectator point of view… for outside viewers, to be like Gordon and be unbeaten, to not have a blip in his record, to not have a f*ck-up is really very rare in combat sports, which is what draws viewers in to him.

As Rocha sees it, part of the problem lies in the increasing monetization of high-level jiu-jitsu.

With more money on the table through platforms like UFC Fight Pass and other major promotions, athletes are becoming more calculated.
But in the process, fans are being denied the matches that would elevate the sport.

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