BJJ Black belt: If you’re going to PED test master category, you might as well close the division

Brazilian BJJ’s Viktor Doria has made a bold claim about performance-enhancers in master-divisions of BJJ competitions.

During a recent video that has since gone viral, Doria candidly stated that virtually no master-level athlete would pass a PED test – himself included.

Doria expressed significant concern about how the current competition landscape has transformed BJJ into something almost unrecognizable from its traditional form.

“There is the jiu-jitsu that we learn at the academy, self-defense, the attacks, the defenses, the whole thing, the fluid, beautiful jiu-jitsu, the jiu-jitsu that we like to see and that we like to practice. And there is the IBJJF jiu-jitsu, which is a jiu-jitsu that only operates within the four lines of the federation,” Doria explained.

This distinction has created a situation where competition success might incentivize practices that prioritize winning over technical development and integrity.

According to Doria, the complexity of IBJJF rules has created a problematic competitive environment that rewards cautious, defensive approaches rather than offensive, submission-hunting jiu-jitsu.

“The rule today rewards the guy who does not expose himself and who does not go after him, who does not attack,” Doria observed.

This creates a scenario where athletes may feel pressured to find other ways to gain competitive advantages.

He cited multiple examples from the recent World Championship where athletes who took risks and attempted submissions were penalized by the rule structure, while those who played conservatively were rewarded.

The pressure to succeed in a system that Doria describes as increasingly arbitrary and disconnected from the essence of jiu-jitsu could potentially push some competitors toward performance enhancement through various means, including PEDs.

The implications for the sport’s future are concerning according to Doria:

“The more the guys see, the fighters see that the less if they expose themselves, they have more chances of winning, they will be less athletic, we will see fewer attempts at submissions, we will see less plasticity and beauty in their movements and it will be a game of pushing and shoving.”

This trajectory not only affects the spectator appeal of the sport but potentially creates an environment where chemical advantages become more tempting as technical innovation is disincentivized.

Doria advocates for significant rule changes to address these issues, suggesting,

“Less is more, less preciousness, less nuances.”

He believes simplifying the rule structure could return the focus to technical proficiency and submission hunting rather than gaming a complex system.

“If you’re going to test master athletes, you might as well close the category,” Doria remarked in Portuguese in appearance on their MMA Hour. “Because my friend, not one would pass. Not one would pass. I include myself in that.”

The muscular veteran didn’t stop there, adding with a laugh, “Don’t even touch me if you don’t want to fail a d*ping test. When we older guys provide a sample, the cup would be radioactive.”

Doria’s comments have sparked renewed discussion about PED use in masters divisions, where competitors are typically aged 35 and older. While some have criticized his statements as damaging to the sport, others have praised his honesty about what many consider an open secret in competitive bodybuilding circles.

Sports physiologists note that maintaining extreme muscularity becomes increasingly difficult with age as natural testosterone levels decline, creating incentives for some older athletes to seek chemical assistance.

Doria is a manager to Mica Galvao and has close ties to Roberto Cyborg Abreu and Vagner Rocha. Rocha has come clean and admitted to being on TRT following a USADA suspension IBJJF handed out for basically dodging the podium.

For now, Doria’s unfiltered comments have opened a rare window into the challenges and complexities of master-level athletics, where the pursuit of physical excellence collides with the realities of aging.

A criminal was filmed using a rear-naked choke (RNC) technique—commonly taught in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—to subdue and rob an unsuspecting target.

The footage, which has sparked outrage among the martial arts community, shows the assailant approaching the target from behind before applying the dangerous chokehold technique. While the target is restrained, accomplices steal the belongings.

“This is not Jiu-Jitsu. This is a crime,” stated one martial arts instructor who shared the video as a warning. “Jiu-Jitsu was meant to defend yourself, not to attack innocents.”

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community has strongly condemned the incident, with practitioners expressing their disappointment and shame that techniques meant for self-defense were used for criminal purposes.

“He who uses art for evil is just another criminal with technical knowledge,” commented another respected member of the community.

The video has reignited debate about martial arts training and responsibility. One comment that gained significant traction stated: “And there are still people who support teaching Jiu-Jitsu in prisons! Please, have some patience!”

Many practitioners expressed their dismay, with one noting: “What sadness. Anyone who practices Jiu-Jitsu feels as embarrassed as I am right now.”

Another quoted Bruce Lee: “A coward is not one who avoids combat, but one who, knowing they are superior, fights and hurts the weaker person.”

Law enforcement officials remind the public to remain vigilant, particularly in areas known for street crime, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Community leaders are calling for martial arts schools to emphasize ethical training and the responsibility that comes with learning such powerful techniques.

BJJ Black belt: If you’re going to PED test master category, you might as well close the division

June 16, 2025

Brazilian BJJ’s Viktor Doria has made a bold claim about performance-enhancers in master-divisions of BJJ competitions.

During a recent video that has since gone viral, Doria candidly stated that virtually no master-level athlete would pass a PED test – himself included.

Doria expressed significant concern about how the current competition landscape has transformed BJJ into something almost unrecognizable from its traditional form.

“There is the jiu-jitsu that we learn at the academy, self-defense, the attacks, the defenses, the whole thing, the fluid, beautiful jiu-jitsu, the jiu-jitsu that we like to see and that we like to practice. And there is the IBJJF jiu-jitsu, which is a jiu-jitsu that only operates within the four lines of the federation,” Doria explained.

This distinction has created a situation where competition success might incentivize practices that prioritize winning over technical development and integrity.

According to Doria, the complexity of IBJJF rules has created a problematic competitive environment that rewards cautious, defensive approaches rather than offensive, submission-hunting jiu-jitsu.

“The rule today rewards the guy who does not expose himself and who does not go after him, who does not attack,” Doria observed.

This creates a scenario where athletes may feel pressured to find other ways to gain competitive advantages.

He cited multiple examples from the recent World Championship where athletes who took risks and attempted submissions were penalized by the rule structure, while those who played conservatively were rewarded.

The pressure to succeed in a system that Doria describes as increasingly arbitrary and disconnected from the essence of jiu-jitsu could potentially push some competitors toward performance enhancement through various means, including PEDs.

The implications for the sport’s future are concerning according to Doria:

“The more the guys see, the fighters see that the less if they expose themselves, they have more chances of winning, they will be less athletic, we will see fewer attempts at submissions, we will see less plasticity and beauty in their movements and it will be a game of pushing and shoving.”

This trajectory not only affects the spectator appeal of the sport but potentially creates an environment where chemical advantages become more tempting as technical innovation is disincentivized.

Doria advocates for significant rule changes to address these issues, suggesting,

“Less is more, less preciousness, less nuances.”

He believes simplifying the rule structure could return the focus to technical proficiency and submission hunting rather than gaming a complex system.

“If you’re going to test master athletes, you might as well close the category,” Doria remarked in Portuguese in appearance on their MMA Hour. “Because my friend, not one would pass. Not one would pass. I include myself in that.”

The muscular veteran didn’t stop there, adding with a laugh, “Don’t even touch me if you don’t want to fail a d*ping test. When we older guys provide a sample, the cup would be radioactive.”

Doria’s comments have sparked renewed discussion about PED use in masters divisions, where competitors are typically aged 35 and older. While some have criticized his statements as damaging to the sport, others have praised his honesty about what many consider an open secret in competitive bodybuilding circles.

Sports physiologists note that maintaining extreme muscularity becomes increasingly difficult with age as natural testosterone levels decline, creating incentives for some older athletes to seek chemical assistance.

Doria is a manager to Mica Galvao and has close ties to Roberto Cyborg Abreu and Vagner Rocha. Rocha has come clean and admitted to being on TRT following a USADA suspension IBJJF handed out for basically dodging the podium.

For now, Doria’s unfiltered comments have opened a rare window into the challenges and complexities of master-level athletics, where the pursuit of physical excellence collides with the realities of aging.

Apolice officer in Santa Catarina, Brazil demonstrated how martial arts training can make a critical difference in law enforcement encounters.

The video shows the officer using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu  techniques to safely subdue a suspect during what appears to be a tense confrontation. Rather than escalating to more severe use of force, the officer executed a takedown maneuver, followed by establishing a dominant control position.

“Santa Catarina is a state where almost all police officers train jiu jitsu,” noted one commenter, highlighting the region’s commitment to providing officers with proper defensive tactics training.

Law enforcement experts have long advocated for comprehensive martial arts training for police officers, citing its effectiveness in resolving confrontations with minimal harm to all parties involved. BJJ in particular focuses on control rather than striking, allowing officers to restrain individuals without causing unnecessary injury.

“The security agent or military personnel who does not master this art is at a disadvantage,” commented one Brazilian martial arts instructor. “We will still change this approach throughout Brazil.”

While some martial arts practitioners critiqued the technical execution as imperfect, others quickly pointed out the reality of applying techniques in unpredictable real-world situations.

“This is real life, not gym training,” defended one commenter. “The officer did what could be done and succeeded in the mission.”

The video serves as compelling evidence for the value of investment in officer training programs. As more law enforcement agencies worldwide consider implementing martial arts as a core component of their training curriculum, examples like this demonstrate how such skills can lead to safer outcomes for both officers and the public they serve.

“Everyone in uniform who trains has my respect,” wrote one viewer, capturing the growing sentiment that proper training represents a path forward for improved policing practices.

For Santa Catarina’s police force, this incident stands as validation of their training philosophy – one that emphasizes control and restraint over more severe interventions.