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Unlimited classes — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing & MMA (80+ classes/week)
Full S&C room access — strength & conditioning facility included
Both locations — Lincoln Park & South Loop
7 full days — plenty of time to find your favorite class and coach
New students only. One trial per person. No credit card required to book.
RALPH GRACIE LINEAGE · CHICAGO MMA
BJJ Belt Rankings
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has one of the most rigorous and meaningful belt systems in martial arts. Promotions are earned through consistent training, technical mastery, and demonstrated character — not by time alone.
Adult Belt System (16+)
The adult BJJ belt system consists of five belts: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Each belt is divided into four stripe levels, with stripes awarded at the instructor's discretion to acknowledge progress within a rank.
White Belt
6–18 months
The Beginning of the Journey
The white belt represents the start of every BJJ practitioner's journey. There is no prerequisite — only the willingness to show up and learn. At this stage, the focus is entirely on survival, basic positioning, and understanding the fundamental concepts of leverage and control.
Promotion Criteria
- ▸Consistent attendance and demonstrated commitment to training
- ▸Understanding of basic positions: guard, mount, side control, back control
- ▸Ability to perform fundamental escapes: bridge-and-roll, elbow-knee escape, guard recovery
- ▸Basic submissions: rear naked choke, armbar from mount, triangle choke
- ▸Safe and respectful training etiquette on the mat
White belt is the only belt with no minimum time requirement. Promotion to blue belt typically takes 1–2 years of consistent training.
Blue Belt
2–5 years
Building the Foundation
The blue belt is the first major milestone in BJJ and one of the most significant. It represents a practitioner who has developed a functional understanding of the art — someone who can hold their own in live training, apply techniques under pressure, and begin to develop a personal game.
Promotion Criteria
- ▸Solid command of all fundamental positions and transitions
- ▸Ability to submit less experienced training partners consistently
- ▸Demonstrated understanding of guard passing, sweeps, and submissions from multiple positions
- ▸Competency in both gi and no-gi training
- ▸Ability to flow roll and adapt to different training partners
Blue belt is often the longest belt in BJJ. Many practitioners spend 3–5 years at this level, developing the depth and breadth of their game.
Purple Belt
1.5–3 years
The Intermediate Expert
The purple belt marks the transition from student to developing instructor. At this level, practitioners have a deep understanding of BJJ concepts and are beginning to develop their own style and game. Purple belts are expected to contribute to the growth of lower belts through drilling, positional sparring, and informal mentorship.
Promotion Criteria
- ▸Advanced understanding of guard systems, passing, and submission chains
- ▸Ability to consistently submit blue belts and compete with brown belts
- ▸Development of a personal game with identifiable strengths
- ▸Demonstrated ability to teach and explain techniques to lower belts
- ▸Competition experience at the blue or purple belt level (encouraged but not required)
Purple belt is the minimum rank required to teach BJJ classes at most academies. It represents a level of mastery that goes well beyond technical knowledge.
Brown Belt
1–2 years
Refining the Art
The brown belt is the final step before black belt and represents a practitioner who has mastered the fundamentals and is now refining the finer details of their game. Brown belts are expected to be strong teachers and role models within the academy, contributing significantly to the culture and development of the team.
Promotion Criteria
- ▸Mastery of all fundamental and advanced techniques across all positions
- ▸Ability to compete effectively at the purple and brown belt level
- ▸Strong teaching ability — capable of running classes and seminars
- ▸Deep understanding of BJJ strategy, game planning, and problem-solving
- ▸Demonstrated character: humility, dedication, and positive contribution to the academy
Brown belt is a period of consolidation and refinement. Many practitioners describe it as the most technically productive period of their BJJ journey.
Black Belt
Lifetime
Mastery of the Art
The black belt is the pinnacle of BJJ achievement and represents a lifetime of dedication to the art. It is not simply a technical rank — it is a recognition of character, contribution to the sport, and the ability to transmit the art to the next generation. At Chicago MMA, black belt promotions are made by Professor Misho Ceko under the Ralph Gracie lineage.
Promotion Criteria
- ▸Minimum 10 years of consistent BJJ training (IBJJF standard)
- ▸Complete mastery of all BJJ techniques and concepts
- ▸Proven ability to teach, coach, and develop students at all levels
- ▸Significant contribution to the BJJ community through competition, teaching, or academy leadership
- ▸Exemplary character: integrity, humility, and respect for the art and its traditions
The IBJJF requires a minimum age of 19 and at least 1 year at brown belt for black belt promotion. Beyond 1st degree, black belt degrees are awarded every 3 years by the IBJJF.
IBJJF Graduation System
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) sets the global standard for belt graduation requirements. Chicago MMA follows these guidelines to ensure our students are recognized at every IBJJF-sanctioned event worldwide.
IBJJF OFFICIAL GRADUATION SYSTEM — SOURCE: IBJJF.COM
Age Requirements
Age is calculated as: Current Year − Birth Year. This means the age you will turn in the current calendar year, not your current age.
- WhiteAny age
- Grey4–15 years
- Yellow7–15 years
- Orange10–15 years
- Green13–15 years
- Blue / Purple16+ years
- Brown18+ years
- Black19+ years
Minimum Time at Belt
These are the minimum durations required before promotion is officially recognized by IBJJF. Professors may promote earlier, but the athlete cannot register the new rank until the minimum is served.
- White BeltNo minimum
- Blue Belt2 years
- Purple Belt1.5 years
- Brown Belt1 year
- Black BeltLifetime
Kids/Juveniles with prior belt experience do not reset to white belt when entering the adult division — they must register at minimum blue belt.
Black Belt Degrees
Degrees on the black belt are based on time served in the IBJJF system with active registration — not just the actual promotion date. Athletes must show IBJJF activity as a black belt for every year they want counted.
- 1st Degree3 years at black belt
- 2nd Degree3 more years
- 3rd Degree3 more years
- 4th Degree3 more years
- 5th–7thCoral Belt
- 8th–9thRed/Black or Red/White
- 10th DegreeRed Belt (Grandmaster)
Important: IBJJF membership is only required if you intend to compete at IBJJF-sanctioned events or wish to obtain an official IBJJF Black Belt Certificate. Chicago MMA follows these standards as a baseline, but Professor Misho Ceko's promotion decisions are guided by the full picture — technical mastery, character, and contribution to the team.
Kids Belt System (Ages 5–15)
The kids BJJ belt system uses a separate ranking structure designed for younger practitioners. Children progress through white, yellow, orange, and green belts before transitioning to the adult system at age 16. Each belt has multiple stripe levels to provide frequent recognition and motivation.
White Belt
Any age
Grey Belt
Ages 4–15
Yellow Belt
Ages 7–15
Orange Belt
Ages 10–15
Green Belt
Ages 13–15
Grey Belt note: The grey belt is an IBJJF-recognized rank for the youngest practitioners (ages 4–15). It sits between white and yellow, and like all kids belts, comes in three variations — grey/white, solid grey, and grey/black — representing progression within the rank. Once an athlete qualifies for the 16-year-old category, they can no longer hold a grey belt and must transition to the adult system.
Kids Promotion Philosophy
At Chicago MMA, kids promotions are based on a combination of technical skill, attitude, and personal development. We believe that martial arts training should build character alongside technique — and promotions reflect both.
Stripe promotions happen more frequently than belt promotions and are designed to keep young practitioners motivated and engaged. Each stripe represents a meaningful step forward in their journey.
Belt promotions for children consider: consistent attendance, technical proficiency appropriate for their age and size, respectful behavior toward training partners and coaches, and demonstrated effort and coachability.
When a student turns 16, their rank is evaluated and they transition into the adult belt system, typically at white or blue belt depending on their level of development.
The Stripe System
Each belt is divided into four stripe levels. Stripes are small pieces of tape applied to the belt and serve as intermediate milestones between belt promotions. They are awarded entirely at the instructor's discretion and acknowledge consistent progress, improved technique, and positive contributions to the academy.
White stripe
Grey stripe
Gold stripe
Important Notes on Promotion
Promotions are never requested. At Chicago MMA, we follow the traditional BJJ approach: promotions are given by the instructor when the student is ready, not when the student asks. Asking for a promotion is considered poor etiquette in BJJ culture.
Time on the mat matters. Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in promotion. A student who trains three times per week will progress significantly faster than one who trains once per week, regardless of natural ability.
Character counts. Technical skill alone is not sufficient for promotion at Chicago MMA. We look for practitioners who embody the values of the art: humility, respect, and a genuine desire to help their training partners improve.
Competition is encouraged, not required. Competing in BJJ tournaments is a valuable experience that accelerates growth, but it is not a requirement for promotion at any belt level.
Chicago MMA BJJ Roster
Our team represents years of dedication under the Ralph Gracie lineage. These are the current ranked members of Chicago MMA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Black Belt
- Misho Ceko
- Christian Badillo
- Tito Garcia
- Patrick Gatbunton
- Aaron Hertzberg
- Kevin Irwin
- Adam Keune
- Matt Krzus
- David Lewis
- Josh Maestre
- Lou "Hulk" Makris
- Luis Meza
- Kody Montgomery
- Chuong Pham
- Josh Radke
- Alex Rajacic
- Brian Thibault
- Robbie Valdez
- Sasha "Alex" Kashula
- Hiram Chavez
Brown Belt
- Nick Yonan
- Alex Austiff
- Jordan Arrington
- Sung Choe
- Dan Sanchez
- Carlos Mota
- Jeff Otaka
- Nikolaos Agadakos
- Dmitry Lagocha
- Elvis Elkasevic
- Monty Ksycki
- Angel Castillo
- Jesus Aguilar
- Remy Babson-Smith
- Tomas Bolanos
- Kevin Manko
- Matt Rosenberg
Purple Belt
- Nathan Saunders
- Pedro Jimenez
- Doug Williams
- Erik Colon
- Bruno Dacanay
- Stephen Green
- Dre King
- Roman Mayer-Torres
- Kartik Ramakrishnan
- Roger Xiao
- Adam Salameh
Blue Belt
- Louis Alamilla
- Ricky Bravo
- John Borowicz
- Isaac Chastain
- Charlie Difranco
- Sunni DiLuzio
- Josh Enberg
- David Fabrisi
- Conor Farley
- Schon Fateh
- Josh File
- Siron Harrison
- Rashad Howze
- Arnold Hwang
- Quan Huynh
- Nestor Hernandez
- Danny Kravitz
- Eric Kundro
- Jonathan Lung
- Vick Manjarrez
- Panayiotis Michalakos
- Jeremy Nelson
- Kai Orizaba
- Gerardo Orizaba
- Oscar Orizaba
- Michael Sarazen
- Tony Scapardine
- Luke Sheridan Rabideau
- Jason Sherbondy
- Xavier Soto
- Omer Usanmaz
- Zenaido Vallejo
- Tim Wilcox
- Rafael Zendejas
- Daichi Manabe
- Simon Shi
- Cruz Hernandez
- Ethan Farley
- Manuel Gomez
- Sal Guarnera
- Matan Mardahaev
- David Zhang
- Alan Kwan
- Kallie Jiang
- Z "Sisquo" Hall
- Noah Savaria
- Honor Nguyen
- Matt Rupp
- Matt Dowe
- Daniel Litovchenko
- Irfan Demetoglu
- Marina Birch
- Benjamin Fehr
- Alex Weber
Start Your Journey
Every black belt started as a white belt. The only requirement is showing up. Try Chicago MMA for 7 days and experience what authentic BJJ training feels like.