‘Brazilians Cliques Were Shutting Me Out’

Keenan Cornelius, one of the most skilled and recognizable figures in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has always been a force to be reckoned with on the mats. However, in a recent candid discussion, he shed light on a darker, lesser-known chapter of his journey—his time at Atos BJJ Academy in San Diego. In the recent I suck at Jiu-Jitsu podcast, Cornelius spoke about the alienation, cultural cliques, and social obstacles he faced, ultimately leading him to establish his own academy, Legion BJJ, and embrace what he now calls “American Jiu-Jitsu.”

“I Never Felt Accepted”

Reflecting on his experiences at Atos, Cornelius stated, “It was a tough environment. When you train with elite athletes, you expect the battles to be fierce, but what I didn’t anticipate was how isolating it would feel. There was a strong Brazilian clique culture. They spoke in Portuguese amongst themselves, and there was this unspoken barrier. No matter how hard I worked, I felt like I was on the outside looking in.”

According to Cornelius, this division wasn’t merely about language. It was deeply rooted in cultural bonds that, in his view, made integration nearly impossible for outsiders. “They weren’t just training partners,” he explained. “They were a tightly-knit group with a shared history and camaraderie that I could never penetrate.”

Targeted on the Mats

Beyond the social aspects, Cornelius also highlighted the challenges he faced during training sessions. “There was a lot of strategizing going on,” he said. “I’d often find myself in situations where it seemed like the goal was to figure out ways to shut me down. It wasn’t about learning together or helping each other improve—it was about beating me.”

While some might see this as part of the high-stakes environment of elite training, Cornelius felt it crossed a line. “When you’re in a place where you should be building each other up, but instead you feel targeted, it can be mentally exhausting,” he revealed.

The Push to Create Legion BJJ

These experiences ultimately led Cornelius to a pivotal decision: to create a space of his own. He opened Legion BJJ in San Diego, which he describes as a response to what he endured. “I wanted to build something different,” Cornelius emphasized. “I wanted an academy where everyone, regardless of their background, feels welcome and supported. It’s not about cliques; it’s about community and growth.”

Legion BJJ also became the foundation of what Cornelius calls “American Jiu-Jitsu.” In his words, “American Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about nationality. It’s about breaking away from restrictive traditions and creating an open, innovative environment where everyone can thrive. It’s about making Jiu-Jitsu accessible, inclusive, and constantly evolving.”

Turning Adversity into Opportunity

While Cornelius faced significant challenges during his time at Atos, those struggles ultimately became a catalyst for transformation. He shared, “I’m grateful for every experience, even the hard ones, because they shaped me and pushed me to carve my own path. Legion BJJ and American Jiu-Jitsu are the embodiment of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity.”

Today, Keenan Cornelius stands not just as an elite competitor but as a leader who has used his past to forge a better future for himself and his students. In doing so, he has made a lasting impact on the world of Jiu-Jitsu—proof that growth often comes from adversity, and sometimes, building your own space is the best way to find acceptance.