The New Wave of Belt Chasers: Why Promotions in BJJ Should Be Earned, Not Expected

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is in an interesting place right now. With the sport growing at an all-time high, new waves of people are stepping onto the mats looking to learn, compete, and challenge themselves. And that’s amazing—I love that BJJ is bringing more people together. But along with this growth, there’s been a creeping mentality that simply showing up is enough to be promoted. Let’s get one thing straight: it’s not.

Look, I get it. Life gets in the way. Work, family, responsibilities—we all have them. I’m not saying you need to be a full-time athlete to progress. But what I am saying is that there’s no excuse for showing up late, being a bad training partner, and expecting your coach to hand you a new stripe or belt just because you’ve been coming twice a week. BJJ is meant to be fun, absolutely, but it’s also a sport that demands respect and commitment if you truly want to improve. This isn’t about gatekeeping or making the sport exclusive—it’s about ensuring that those who progress have actually put in the necessary effort and dedication.

Promotions Should Be Earned, Not Scheduled

When I started my jiu-jitsu journey, you didn’t just collect a stripe every six months and get a new belt after two years like clockwork. That wasn’t even a thought. Instead, the question was: Are you actually getting better? Are you retaining the knowledge and applying it effectively? If not, you stayed at your rank until you proved otherwise.

Promotions in BJJ should be a reflection of skill, growth, and an ability to execute techniques under pressure. Unfortunately, too many people today think that promotions should come as part of a timeline—train for X amount of time, and a belt will magically appear around your waist. This mindset is not only unrealistic but also damaging to the integrity of the sport. Belts in BJJ are earned, not given, and there is no set schedule. If you are stagnating at your current level, then you don’t deserve a promotion—plain and simple.

Far too often, people want to rush to that next belt instead of mastering what they should be learning at their current one. A blue belt who hasn’t built solid fundamentals will eventually crumble at purple. A purple belt who skipped over key skills will be exposed at brown. And a black belt who wasn’t truly ready? That’s the most dangerous thing for students, instructors, and gyms alike. Premature promotions create practitioners who aren’t prepared for the challenges of their new rank, which can lead to injuries, frustration, and an overall weakening of the standards within the community.

BJJ Is NOT a Pay-to-Win Martial Art

There are plenty of martial arts where you can pay your monthly dues, check the attendance box, and walk out with a new belt every so often. BJJ is not one of them. This is a martial art where skill development matters more than time on the mat. You don’t get promoted for just showing up—you get promoted because you’ve put in the work, sharpened your technique, and proven you can handle the next level of competition.

This is what sets BJJ apart from many traditional martial arts. In some systems, promotions are based almost entirely on time served rather than real ability. That approach dilutes the effectiveness of the martial art and can create a false sense of confidence in students. In BJJ, the belt you wear should be an accurate representation of your skill level. If you receive a belt that you don’t truly deserve, you’re not only doing yourself a disservice but also misrepresenting the art itself.

There’s a reason why people respect legitimate BJJ black belts so much—it’s because they’ve endured years of tough training, personal growth, and real combat effectiveness. They didn’t just pay a fee and get handed a new belt. If that’s what you’re looking for, there are plenty of places that will take your money in exchange for a promotion—but don’t expect real skill to come with it.

Hold Yourself to a Higher Standard

This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s not about being an old-school hardhead who thinks only killers should advance in jiu-jitsu. It’s about protecting the integrity of the art. If you’re serious about getting better, don’t ask your instructor when your next promotion is coming. Ask yourself if you deserve it.

• Are you drilling with intention or just going through the motions?

• Do you understand the techniques you’ve been taught, or are you just mimicking movements?

• Are you making training better for your partners, or are you just using them for your own benefit?

• Have you tested yourself in competition or hard training to prove that you can execute your skills under pressure?

• Are you contributing to your gym’s culture by being a helpful, engaged, and respectful training partner?

Promotions in BJJ should be seen as an honor, not an expectation. If you haven’t earned the next belt, then it shouldn’t be given to you. It’s as simple as that.

Show Up. Train Hard. Improve.

Jiu-jitsu should be a journey, not a checklist. It’s not about collecting belts—it’s about becoming a better practitioner every day. If you put in the time, the effort, and the mindset, the promotions will come when you’re truly ready. And when they do, they’ll actually mean something.

If you want to be promoted, then earn it. Show up consistently, train with focus, and dedicate yourself to growth. Don’t just chase the next belt—master your current one. And most importantly, respect the process, because that’s what makes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu different from everything else.