A harrowing account shared on Reddit by Dr. Dustin Roberts, a former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, has sent ripples through the grappling community, shedding light on gym culture, accountability, and the risks involved in training.
Dr. Roberts, a blue belt, recounted an incident that occurred in 2022 during a beginners’ class at Keenan Cornelius Legion Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego. The story revolves around a high back-take technique executed by a purple belt, which left Roberts with life-altering spinal injuries, ending his jiu-jitsu journey and impacting his daily life.
The Incident
In his lengthy Reddit post, Roberts described how a fellow practitioner approached him for a live roll just minutes into the class warm-up. Despite his initial hesitation, Roberts agreed, believing it to be a light warm-up session. However, he claims the roll quickly escalated, culminating in a devastating high back-take that rendered him unconscious and severely injured.
“I came to, and he was looking deep into my eyes with a huge smile from ear to ear,” Roberts wrote. He later realized the move, which he knew as “spiking” from his high school wrestling days, directly targeted his spine. This technique, considered highly dangerous and often banned in grappling sports, left him with permanent back issues.
A Pattern of Aggression
The incident was not an isolated one, according to Roberts. Since sharing his story, he claims to have received messages from individuals at other gyms in San Diego who had experienced similar treatment from the same practitioner. The individual, now a brown belt and reportedly connected to Legion through personal relationships, allegedly has a history of rolling aggressively and injuring others.
Roberts accused Legion of failing to address the issue appropriately, stating, “They blamed me and covered up for the aforementioned. They wanted to sweep it under the rug.”
A Culture of Blame?
Roberts expressed frustration with the response from Legion Jiu-Jitsu, claiming the gym placed responsibility for the incident on him for stepping on the mats and agreeing to roll with someone known for rough behavior. This perceived lack of accountability and transparency has left him disillusioned not only with the gym but with the jiu-jitsu community at large.
Implications for the Gentle Art
Roberts’s story raises questions about the evolving culture within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which has traditionally emphasized honor, respect, and safety. “The gentle art isn’t what it used to be,” he lamented, citing an increased focus on money, ego, and aggression over the values that once defined the sport.
Call for Accountability
The post has sparked widespread debate within the jiu-jitsu community. Many have called for stricter oversight of gym practices and greater accountability for practitioners who intentionally or recklessly injure their training partners. Roberts hopes his story will serve as a cautionary tale and lead to meaningful changes in how gyms handle incidents of this nature.
As for Legion Jiu-Jitsu, the gym has yet to respond publicly to the allegations. Meanwhile, Roberts continues to cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the incident, sharing his story to warn others and advocate for a safer training environment.
“Shame on you, buddy, for all the people you’ve blown up,” Roberts concluded. “Stop hurting people on purpose and show your club, the sport, and others some respect.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the trust placed in training partners and the need for vigilance in maintaining safety on the mats.
