10 Warning Signs of a BJJ Mcdojo

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is growing at a rapid rate, but unfortunately, so is the BJJ mcdojo. Just like what happened with Karate and Taekwondo, more charlatans are opening Jiu-Jitsu schools in order to scam potential customers.

Fortunately, these trash schools are easy to spot and avoid. Here are 10 clear signs of a BJJ mcdojo.

Questionable Lineage

An instructor at a BJJ mcdojo often has questionable explanations on how they earned their ranking. Legitimate instructors can trace their belt promotions back to recognized figures in BJJ. If they try to spin some story about how they got their belt, take your business elsewhere.

Rapid Belt Promotions

A BJJ mcdojo(like Karate mcdojos) often fast-tracks its belt promotions. These schools will guarantee belt promotions in certain time frames, no matter the student’s skill level, in order to get their money.

Excessive Fees or Contracts

A BJJ McDojo will often look to lock students into long-term contracts, charge exorbitant fees, or push expensive “testing” or belt promotion fees. We’ve even seen some schools charge students for stripes. Reputable gyms are transparent about costs and don’t pressure students into financial commitments.

The Coach Don’t Roll

BJJ is built on live, resistance training. A clear sign of a BJJ mcdojo is when the coach doesn’t roll. They will give a list of bs excuses why they don’t roll, and it’s usually because they don’t want to be exposed.

Good coaches are on the mats with their students, training and improving their skills together. A coach who doesn’t roll isn’t a real coach(aside from John Danaher).

Overemphasis on Merchandise or Extras

If the gym pushes branded gear, supplements, or unnecessary certifications over actual training, it’s likely more about profit than instruction. This is not always the case, but quality gyms prioritize mat time and skill development over pushing merch.

Unqualified Instructors

Check if the head instructor or coaches are actually teaching. Some BJJ McDojos have underqualified instructors (e.g., blue or purple belts) running most classes while the black belt owner is rarely present, just like in Karate mcdojos. Legitimate gyms have qualified, engaged instructors who are always present on the mat.

No Open Mat or Competition Focus

Authentic BJJ gyms encourage students to test their skills through open mats (where practitioners from other gyms can train) or competitions. A BJJ mcdojo will often make their students avoid open mats and competitions, so that they don’t get exposed for their lack of skill.

Cult-Like Atmosphere

If the gym demands excessive loyalty, discourages visiting other schools, or promotes the instructor as infallible, it’s a huge warning sign of a BJJ mcdojo. 

Healthy BJJ communities encourage cross-training and humility among their fellow gyms. You can’t grow your skills on an island.

Unrealistic Claims

Be skeptical of gyms claiming to teach “secret techniques,” guaranteeing self-defense mastery, or claims easily provable claims of winning world titles. A lot of scam artist mcdojo owners will talk like a used car salesman and often claim one of these three things.

Poor Student Retention or Skill Level

Observe the students. If all you see are low-level white and blue belts who lack basic skills, the gym is likely a mcdojo. Good gyms have a wide variety of skill levels present in their gym, and they’re all helping each other improve their skills.

Wrap Up 

Today, there are a lot of great schools out there in almost every part of the world. However, there are still some scam artists to watch out for, but just remember these ten signs, and you won’t waste your time or money.