Robert Drysdale & Royler Gracie call out Rener Gracie for 'selling internet belts'

When you are part of a family as large as the Gracies, there is bound to be friction from time to time. There's always been a bit of contention over cross-training in other martial arts, the way schools are run, the way belts are awarded and any number of other perceived slights to the family name. Royce Gracie has even gone so far as to criticize the younger generation of the family for their losses in MMA. Renzo Gracie came to their defense, suggesting that Royce never helped the Gracie family, thus forfeiting his right to criticism.

The most recent bit of unrest in jiu-jitsu's most famous family comes from Royler Gracie. Las Vegas based jiu-jitsu ace, Robert Drysdale shared a Facebook post from Royler that implied that Rener Gracie should stop doing breakdowns and "do what he does best," selling belts on the internet. This is not the first time a family member has criticized Rener and his brother Ryron for "selling belts." In a 2014 interview with Tatame (transcribed by bjjee.com), Kron Gracie said something similar:

"It's a shame the way the Jiu-Jitsu is being sold. I am ashamed to say that Ryron and Rener teach classes online, and that you can get a belt from a Gracie over the internet. I am sad to know that it's happening now. Unfortunately, I can not do anything. I do not own the world, I can only control what I do. Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art. You need to put your blood in the gym, hang out with your teacher and earn the belt. It's something you do not get with time, experience for money and friendship."

Drysdale had plenty to say on the matter, wholeheartedly agreeing with Royler, even translating it to Portuguese.

• robertdrysdalemma I am so happy i am not the only one who feels this way. To see @roylergracie stand up for his family is truly refreshing in this day and age where money and popularity seem to have kidnapped the essence of everything Jiu-Jitsu stands for: humility and dedication. I remember helio gracie wearing a blue belt to protest people getting their black belts too soon... If only his grandfather could see his own grandchildren using his name, image and legacy to make a quick buck... He would feel shame. This is not a personal attack on @renergracie i never met him. He should give it some thought and stop dragging his grandfathers name and legacy in the mud. There are ways to make money in this world. Selling out the art of Jiu-Jitsu should be condemned by all who love it.

• Estou tão feliz que eu não sou o único que se sente assim . Para ver roylergracie levantar-se por sua família é verdadeiramente refrescante neste dia e época em que dinheiro e popularidade parecem ter sequestrado a essência de tudo o que o Jiu -Jitsu representa: humildade e dedicação. Lembro-me de quando helio gracie vestia a faixa azul para protestar pessoas recebendo a faixa preta cedo demais ... Se apenas ele pudesse ver oque seus netos estao fazendo com o seu nome , imagem e legado para ganhar um dinheiro rápido ... Ele sentiria vergonha. Este não é um ataque pessoal a renergracie. nunca o conheci. Ele deve parar para pensar e parar de arrastar o nome e o legado de seu avô na lama. Existem maneiras de ganhar dinheiro neste mundo. Vendendo a arte do Jiu -Jitsu deve ser condenado por todos os que a amam.

• #jiujitsu #bjj #gjj #grappling #mma #ufc #gracie #graciejiujitsu #heliogracie

I am so happy i am not the only one who feels this way. To see @roylergracie stand up for his family is truly refreshing in this day and age where money and popularity seem to have kidnapped the essence of everything Jiu-Jitsu stands for: humility and dedication. I remember helio gracie wearing a blue belt to protest people getting their black belts too soon... If only his grandfather could see his own grandchildren using his name, image and legacy to make a quick buck... He would feel shame. This is not a personal attack on @renergracie i never met him. He should give it some thought and stop dragging his grandfathers name and legacy in the mud. There are ways to make money in this world. Selling out the art of Jiu-Jitsu should be condemned by all who love it. Estou tão feliz que eu não sou o único que se sente assim . Para ver roylergracie levantar-se por sua família é verdadeiramente refrescante neste dia e época em que dinheiro e popularidade parecem ter sequestrado a essência de tudo o que o Jiu -Jitsu representa: humildade e dedicação. Lembro-me de quando helio gracie vestia a faixa azul para protestar pessoas recebendo a faixa preta cedo demais ... Se apenas ele pudesse ver oque seus netos estao fazendo com o seu nome , imagem e legado para ganhar um dinheiro rápido ... Ele sentiria vergonha. Este não é um ataque pessoal a renergracie. nunca o conheci. Ele deve parar para pensar e parar de arrastar o nome e o legado de seu avô na lama. Existem maneiras de ganhar dinheiro neste mundo. Vendendo a arte do Jiu -Jitsu deve ser condenado por todos os que a amam. #jiujitsu #bjj #gjj #grappling #mma #ufc #gracie #graciejiujitsu #heliogracie

A photo posted by Robert Drysdale (@robertdrysdalemma) on Feb 22, 2016 at 2:24pm PST

It should be noted that the original post Drysdale screen-capped from Royler's page seems to have been removed.