Last year, retired UFC fighter Chael Sonnen was promoted to BJJ purple belt by Fabricio Scherner.
Many people were upset with the fact that Sonnen has jumped from white belt directly to purple Direct .
Last year, Brazilian website BJJ Forum discussed the issue with the black belt who promoted Sonnen, Fabiano ‘Pege Leve’ Scherner, , former UFC fighter and multiple BJJ world champion (ex BTT, now head instructor of Gracie Barra Portland):
” Sonnen is already training Jiu Jitsu with me for years, since the days of Team Quest, but no gi. He started to train in the Gi three months ago, and wants to compete in official IBJJF No Gi championships and, therefore, it must be promoted to the right belt level. And for what he shows on the mat at my gym, with and without the Gi, he is on the level of purple belt. The belt to which he was graduated has nothing to do with his performance in Metamoris or MMA, but what it shows on the mat at my gym . ”
Check out Sonnen rolling with the Gi:
