Master Kevin smith

**khm016** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 11:43am

im interested in taking bjj and i asked for some info on another site. and a person who gave great info said he could find nothing find anything on a particular master in questsion

so this means he may not have creditability to be an instructor/coach.

i'm from the Washington area, nearby Seattle within a 10 mile radius.

and here's is his brief bio

http://www.tkd-bjj.com/Instructor.php

the funny thing is he posted pictures with bjj greats like members of the gracie yet he never wears a bb in any photo.

i googled some search term for him and it lead me here. not sure if this is the same person since the name is common.

Brana Fighting System - No BS Martial Arts

pls let me know what information you may know. im not saying he is not a bjj bb but his information is really vague. ty for ur time.

i just want to know if he is a bjj bb or a fake. I mean i wouldn't mind learning from a purple belt but cmon don't need to fabricate the truth.

thanks for any info.

**DSL** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 12:13pm

You read his bio?

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 2:23pm

He is wearing a BJJ black belt in the photo galleries.

His bio does not say who his black belt is from. He just lists people he has trained with. I am not a BJJ guy, but most BJJ black belts tend to indicate who awarded them their belts...right? The lineage this seems very important to them.

This may just be a problem with a poorly written bio.

Best way to find out is for the OP to call the school and ask. Any reputable BJJ black belt should be glad to tell you who ranked him.

**Whacker** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 3:21pm

I don't know what the definitive lists/sites are for BJJ black belts, onthemat.com has come up before here in these forums if I understand correctly. There's absolutely no listing for a "Kevin Smith". A few googled random lists of questionable (afaik) authenticity for "Carlson Gracie black belts" come up here, again no mention of a Kevin Smith. I'm assuming he's a Carlson Gracie BB, given how he's portraying himself on the site.

**Whacker** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 3:29pm

Using the Contact Page I sent a request for information on Mr. Smith. Here is what I sent:

"Good afternoon. Inquiring for a friend re: the BJJ classes. What is Mr. Smith's official BJJ rank, who does he hold his belt under and what is his lineage? Thank you in advance for your time."

**Slapsymaxi** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 3:37pm

It looks like a blue belt in the picture with Carlson...

Max

**DKJr** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 4:07pm

You could ask Marcelo Alonso in Seatlle about him. mabjj@hotmail.com
Black belts generally know blackbelts if they are that close.

**khm016** · Posted On: 4/19/2009 7:04pm

ill call again tomorrow when he hold class, i have email as well. pls keep us informed if u recieve any replies and thanks for the info u have provided.

**ezraa123** · Posted On: 4/20/2009 7:56pm

Many BJJ guys hold belts in other styles too. However, I've trained with and rolled with BJJ guys from white up through black. I can tell you that a legit awarded purple belt with Gracie or Muchado BJJ is easily instructor level. Purple is not black, but to get a legit purple belt, you have to be able to perform and have to know what the heck you are doing and apply it. I'm not new to martial arts or grappling, but most good purple belts I would try and stay off the ground with.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/21/2009 1:53am

Originally Posted by ezraa123

Many BJJ guys hold belts in other styles too. However, I've trained with and rolled with BJJ guys from white up through black. I can tell you that a legit awarded purple belt with Gracie or Muchado BJJ is easily instructor level. Purple is not black, but to get a legit purple belt, you have to be able to perform and have to know what the heck you are doing and apply it. I'm not new to martial arts or grappling, but most good purple belts I would try and stay off the ground with.

Thank you, we all feel so much more educated now.