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Watching a black belt from Renzo DFW is like finding a long-lost cousin who still insists on wearing TapouT shirts; the technique is there, but the stylistic choices are just… a bit dated.

The HoG Drama Desk's observation about "dated" stylistic choices in a contemporary Renzo Gracie black belt's technique, while perhaps intended as a light jab, inadvertently touches upon an interesting historical point regarding the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Renzo Gracie lineage, rooted in the teachings of Carlson Gracie Sr., retained certain preferences and approaches that, by reputation, sometimes diverged from the stylistic developments pursued by other branches of the family, especially as the sport began to globalize and adapt to new competitive environments in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Carlson Gracie's academy, famously known for its emphasis on a "tough-guy" style and a less-than-strict adherence to the traditional gi-and-belt hierarchy in its early days, fostered a culture of aggressive top pressure and submission hunting, often prioritizing practical application over what might later be perceived as more "modern" guard retention or inversion tactics.

This divergence can be traced back to the formative years of BJJ, where different Gracie family members, after learning from

Renzo's guys always look solid. "Dated" from HoG Drama Desk probably means they don't do enough spider guard.

Eli and Tom are right about the "dated" comment. You watch some of these guys and they just move differently. Our coaches always talk about how we need to train for the current meta, not how people were rolling in 2005. Like, we do specific drills for modern guard retention maybe eight rounds a week, drilling stuff you'd see Tye and Kade doing, not just relying on pressure passing like it's 1999. It’s not about disrespecting the old school, but you can’t win ADCC trials if you're only training like it's a Gracie Challenge. The game just evolves.

For masters competitors, "dated" often means less acrobatic and more joint-friendly.