- A recent case involving Derek Moneyberg stirred controversy after he used private lessons only to earn a BJJ black belt in less than 4 years.
- Coaches like Nick “Chewy” Albin have criticized the practice for lacking live sparring and community integration.
- While privates offer tailored feedback, they may not provide the full pressure-tested experience needed to earn a legitimate black belt.
- Community sentiment remains deeply divided, with many viewing this path as a shortcut that undermines the belt’s credibility.
The Rise of the BJJ Black Belt Private Lessons Debate
In recent years, a quiet but controversial trend has emerged in the grappling world: earn a BJJ black belt through private lessons alone.
While private sessions have long been a staple of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training — particularly for refining technique — they were never intended to be the sole path to mastery.
Today, however, some individuals are bypassing group classes and live rolls entirely, opting for one-on-one instruction as their exclusive route.
This development has sparked outrage across the community, with many arguing that it devalues what a black belt represents. One vocal critic is Nick Chewy Albin, who took to social media to slam the notion:
If you’re not rolling with the general population and pressure testing what you’ve learned, then you haven’t earned it.
– Nick Albin –
The Derek Moneyberg Controversy Adds Fuel to the Fire
Few cases have stirred more backlash than that of Derek Moneyberg, a finance guru-turned-BJJ practitioner who recently received his black belt under Rigan Machado.
What’s raised eyebrows isn’t just his promotional background — which is riddled with high-ticket coaching and celebrity marketing — but also the absence of any competition record or visible sparring footage.
According to multiple reports, Moneyberg’s BJJ black belt promotion was based on years of private instruction. That fact alone has drawn ire from long-time practitioners.
The Derek Moneyberg black belt situation is exactly why people don’t take some gyms seriously anymore. This is BJJ, not a luxury coaching retreat.
– Reddit user –
The optics of the promotion have triggered debates about belt inflation, elitism, and whether access to money — not mat time — is becoming a legitimate path to black belt.
Are Private Lessons Enough to Legitimately Earn a BJJ Black Belt?
Advocates of BJJ private lessons argue that personalized coaching accelerates learning. Without the distractions of a crowded mat, students receive direct attention, customized feedback, and the ability to drill precisely what they need.
For professionals with tight schedules or those who dislike group settings, it’s an appealing solution. But is it enough to earn a BJJ black belt?
But critics argue that what private lessons offer in precision, they lack in authenticity. Without the chaos of live rolling, the resistance of varied sparring partners, and the emotional ups and downs of group class, many feel you’re missing the soul of the art.
As one Reddit user put it:
If you’ve never been crushed by a white belt on their fourth Red Bull, have you really lived the BJJ experience?
– Reddit user –
The heart of the issue is that BJJ isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about adaptability, grit, and communal development. Critics maintain that you can’t simulate that in a private bubble.
McDojos, Marketing, and the Belt for Sale Accusations
To earn a BJJ black belt through private lessons is now an idea being associated with “McDojo” culture — a term for martial arts schools that prioritize profit over quality. Critics say this approach mirrors pay-to-win models seen in other commercialized sports or traditional martial arts schools.
Even Rigan Machado, the instructor who awarded Derek Moneyberg his black belt, has adopted a controversial stance by promoting what he calls “flow rolling” for certain high-profile students.
This emphasis on movement without resistance — and the downplaying of competition — has led to concerns that some black belts are being awarded without ever having endured a real test.
When we stop requiring adversity as a condition for black belts, we stop making martial artists. We start making mascots.
When Private Lessons Work: Context Matters
That said, not all private lessons-based progress is illegitimate. There are scenarios where private lessons play a huge role in development — for example, competitors using them to complement regular training, or injured athletes rebuilding their game slowly.
Some world-class grapplers even swear by weekly privates to sharpen specific sequences or work around plateaus.
But even those high-level practitioners never fully rely on private lessons. They continue to roll, compete, and exist within the larger academy ecosystem.
That’s what many argue is the dividing line: in a quest to earn a BJJ black belt, private lessons can support development, but they cannot replace it entirely.
Closing the Gap Between Mat Time and Belt Expectations
In the end, the path to black belt is supposed to be long, humbling, and deeply personal. Whether it’s earned in a sweaty group class or refined through elite coaching, the essence of BJJ lies in proving your skills under pressure.
The recent controversies have shown that belt rank still matters — not just as a personal milestone, but as a symbol of credibility and integrity within the sport. If people think they can earn a BJJ black belt using private lessons only, a new debate emerges: are we preserving the art, or just selling the belt?
If the community wants to keep the belt meaningful, it may need to draw a line between enhancing your game — and shortcutting the journey.
