Does anyone know the UKBJJA position on Globetrotters ? Are they following the IBJFF in terms of not allowing Globetrotters only affiliated members to compete ?

Are they involved with IBJJF in any way? Otherwise I can't imagine there would be any issues

It’s a good question. I have had a look on their site and I can’t see anything . So if that’s the case, I am guessing they would accept Globetrotters grades and allow entry in to UKBJJA competitions ?

I’m not sure exactly what you mean by globetrotters grades. But we’ve never signed any forms for ukbjja to make anyone compete there, are there even any?

The UKBJJA doesn't have any issues with BJJ Globetrotters, based on the fact that I've been an individual and club member since they were founded several years ago. They have no affiliation with the IBJJF, fortunately. They are also a MUCH better governing body, because they are actually non-profit, not a business pretending to be a governing body. The UKBJJA also does lots of stuff like providing decent insurance for members and clubs (the reason I initially signed up), plus stuff like lobbying the govt right now in order to get clarification and progress on restrictions for UK BJJ clubs. The head is quick to respond, too: whenever I've had a question, he generally gets back to me within a day. So yeah, I'm a big fan of them, I think they do excellent work.

That’s great, thank you. So essentially if a Globetrotters member wished to compete on the U.K. circuit alone, and progress through the BJJ grades and gain competition experience, they can do this and avoid the IBJJF completely ?

So essentially if a Globetrotters member wished to compete on the U.K. circuit alone, and progress through the BJJ grades and gain competition experience, they can do this and avoid the IBJJF completely ?

It's particularly easy in the UK, as in my experience the IBJJF doesn't have a strong hold here (compared to somewhere like the US, where they run a lot of comps). In the UK, the only one I can think of is the super overpriced IBJJF London Open (they might have added more since). There are many, many other comps of varying size with various rule sets in the UK, so you can very easily avoid the IBJJF. In the six years I've been running my club, none of my students have ever entered an IBJJF comp (not that I'd stop them if they wanted to). In the 14 years I've been training I've had zero contact with the IBJJF, whether that's comps, belt registration or anything else. Now, the rule set is tough to avoid, as a lot of comps use it, but the organisation itself has minimum impact on the UK, I'd say.

But who runs the UKBJJA then?

https://www.ukbjja.org/pe[...]fdirectors

Oh wow that seems like a HHHUUUUGGGEEEE corporation with fancy titles. No Gracies though :)

Music to my ears my friend. Sounds like we are in a fortunate position here in the U.K.

I believe you’re in the exact same position as anyone else I think the world, actually :)

Yes maybe, but I was referring to the comparison made between the US and UK and the statement regarding a IBJJF stronghold in the US :)

Stronghold? They're just one competition organizers of many. I don't see why there's a difference in this situation between any countries :)

Stronghold? They're just one competition organizers of many. I don't see why there's a difference in this situation between any countries :)

Not disagreeing with you but I’m not sure what point you’re making?? It wasn’t my statement that you’re referring to . The main point I wanted to clarify was if there was any link between IBJJF and UKBJJA. Clearly there is not .