Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett criticized the current state of grappling competitions, taking direct aim at events that offer prize money to blue and purple belt competitors.
Barnett, who has run his own catch wrestling promotion and holds a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, argued the trend reflects a departure from the culture he came up in, where competitors showed up simply to test themselves rather than chase a paycheck:
The other side of it is paying people money to compete, these like blue belts and purple belts – and these compete to win shows and stuff like that, and it’s like: “Oh, I need to get paid.”
You’re not a professional. No, you don’t deserve to get paid.
Now, if you can sell tickets and you want a cut of those tickets, fine. I guess you’re a draw.
But your skills, your capabilities, you are not a pro. You are not top level.
Why do you think you deserve money?
Barnett contrasted that mindset with his own era, when competitors would enter any available tournament regardless of the competition level:
When you and I were going, coming up through the ranks, if there was a tournament anywhere, it didn’t matter what it was, we just show up, we just get on the mats and go.
And I remember, your last name could be Gracie or anything, people would pop into these things and they’re out there trying to compete and win.
And now, absolutely not.
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