Xande Ribeiro Sees an Identity Crisis in Modern Jiu-Jitsu

A seven-time world champion says modern jiu-jitsu culture is steering the sport and its athletes the wrong way. Xande Ribeiro says the culture of the sport now suffers from a deep identity crisis, and his sharpest criticism is aimed at organizations.

Promotions that ask for a show

Ribeiro objects to professional organizations that tell competitors to be entertaining. His worry is about what that does to the athlete: once you are told what to do for the audience, you begin adapting to what the crowd wants. He calls this a very dangerous approach.

His own picture of the art is plain. You defend yourself, get on top and finish the fight as fast as you can. "I don't think Jiu-Jitsu is supposed to be entertaining," he said, and he adds that it is supposed to be boring.

The algorithm and the athlete

Ribeiro describes today's generation as one that lives for attention and feels like nothing without it. That is where, in his words, values turn upside down.

The behavior he points to is competitors trying to game the algorithm to win likes and reach. Social media is one of the three forces he blames.

How he came up

He contrasts this with his own start. Competing came naturally then, and it was a group effort: the team got together and defended the team, not each person for themselves. In his telling, the goal was skill, not being the best.

When the titles stop

If a competitor's worth rests on attention and wins, it depends on other people's approval, and that leaves him exposed. Ribeiro asks what remains when you are no longer a champion, or no longer grapple like a seven-time world champion.

For him the mat was never about reaching the level needed to win at the IBJJF. It was about getting good at jiu-jitsu and spending good time with friends.

Source: Bjj Eastern Europe