Vagner Rocha has been the subject of fierce debate over the last couple of weeks. Some criticize his aggressive style of jiu-jitsu, but he's fired back at the haters with a reminder of the art's combative origins. 

First it was the wince-inducing wrist lock at KASAI Pro 3. Then it was the smother choke in a combat jiu-jitsu rules match in Florida. But Vagner has long had a reputation as the kind of grappler who'll get in your face and make any match a hard-fought affair. 

A lot of that comes from his background as an MMA fighter. Vagner is a legit black belt who has made it to the later rounds of ADCC, on EBI and was a finalist at KASAI Pro 3. His tactics– which some detractors call rough– are common practice in most MMA gyms. 

Vagner is as technical as any other high level grappler– he just doesn't play nice, and that catches people off guard. 

Rocha doesn't share too much to social media but he published a lengthy statement reminding those who want to take aim at his game that jiu-jitsu may be called the "gentle art" but there is nothing gentle about being in a fight or a match. 

"Today we use the phrase “ The Gentle Art” and it misleads us when we train," he wrote. "I think this mind set is watering down the art and actually making it “The Gentle “Soft” Art”. That’s because our art has become softened by the rules we set for competition. It is also the reason we see fewer and fewer true jiu-jitsu artist in MMA."

"Jiu-jitsu is a self-defense art and there has to be more influence on chasing the finish at all cost. So one day just as we look at karate and laugh, our art, jiu-jitsu, will be just the same. Then someone will create another art that is similar to ours but more powerful and superior."  

"I see the words no-Nutella and #porrada all the time now but how many people have actually stepped in with someone trying to kill, “real porrada”. I mean no disrespect to the originators of those expressions either. This goes out to the next generations. The ones who criticize the types of moves I hit in matches. The ones that complain 'That’s ugly', or 'Is that legal?', or 'That’s just wrong.'" 

Read the full statement below. 

When I was a child doing jiu-jitsu almost 20 years ago a black belt in jiu-jitsu was untouchable to a regular civilian in all aspects of self defense. In a roll, in a fight, in an MMA fight, in gi or no gi, any black belt young or old, small or big was a killer. 

Today we use the phrase “ The Gentle Art” and it misleads us when we train. I think this mind set is watering down the art and actually making it “The Gentle “Soft” Art”. That’s because our art has become softened by the rules we set for competition. It is also the reason we see fewer and fewer true jiu-jitsu Artist in MMA. 

Let’s break it down guys, when you train knowing “I can’t do this in a regular jiu-jitsu tournament” you are not training with the same intensity that makes the art so effective. Jiu-jitsu is a self-defense art and there has to be more influence on chasing the finish at all cost. So one day just as we look at karate and laugh, our art, jiu-jitsu, will be just the same. Then someone will create another art that is similar to ours but more powerful and superior. 

Sambo for example is already considered to be better. Look at the UFC lightweight champ Khabib. He is doing something very similar to BJJ, and it’s a submission-based art on the ground. We need to bring back real jiu-jitsu, hard nose, and tough unbreakable minds. 

I see the words no-Nutella and #porrada all the time now but how many people have actually stepped in with someone trying to kill, “real porrada”. I mean no disrespect to the originators of those expressions either. This goes out to the next generations. The ones who criticize the types of moves I hit in matches. The ones that complain “That’s ugly”, or “Is that legal?”, or “That’s just wrong.” 

I’m teaching an anytime anywhere anyone style of jujitsu, not just one that wins you a medal. If you don’t like what I do, good luck to you. Hopefully the members of your tribe will not get left behind in history. But only the strong survive in this world. Jiu-Jitsu is a life skill.

Read more: 

Vagner Rocha Is A Nasty Man

Rare Submission For Vagner Rocha in Combat Jiu-Jitsu Match