Wrestler Pat Downey enters the BJJ Blue Belt Arena after big wins

Pat Downey, a prominent wrestler known for his victories over top players such as Gordon Ryan and Luke Rockhold, is entering the blue belt division of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) with plans to compete in the upcoming IBJJF No Gi World Championships. With the transition from high-stakes bouts to black belts, Downey aims to raise his ranking after dominating Rockhold at the Craig Jones Invitational. Despite concerns from the community that he is “sanding” or competing against less experienced opponents, Downey remains confident in his decision to fight in the adult blue belt category instead of the Masters division.

By the numbers

• Downey has competed against and defeated top-tier grapplers, including a recent victory over Luke Rockhold.
• He currently holds a one-stripe white belt in BJJ, which is the highest division he can compete in at IBJJF events.

Yes, but

Critics argue that Downey’s entry into the blue belt division may disadvantage newer grapplers, suggesting that he is taking advantage of the system. Downey counters that he is seeking appropriate challenges within the IBJJF framework, addressing the organization’s antiquated rules regarding belt progression.

In-game status

• Downey is set to compete in the IBJJF No Gi World Championships in December.
• He recently signed with Polaris for further professional grappling engagements.

What’s next

Should Downey perform well at the blue belt competition, he can quickly move to purple belt status, allowing him to bypass the time requirement while facing new challengers. Additionally, his rivalry with Gordon Ryan could resume if their proposed mixed rules match is confirmed.

Bottom line

Pat Downey’s strategic move to compete as a blue belt aims to enhance his experience while challenging existing BJJ norms. His compelling background suggests that even at a lower belt level he is a formidable opponent who can shake things up in upcoming contests.