BJJ Black Belt - Erick Bonifacio Confirmed

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 2/24/2012 10:46pm

Originally Posted by Outis

But I'm afraid neither of you understand mine.

No, you think we don't understand your point.

On the Frazier Martial Arts site I found info on two instructors with black belts in TKD and "MMA" but no info on Frazier himself.

The only thing this post says is that he has two instructors and no information about himself. That's exactly what I took it to mean.

Frazier is a confirmed black belt under Moreira. That's why IiF posted the quote. Thread over. These guys don't have to be great black belts to be black belts. This is no longer a case of bullshido, just a case of BJJ politics.

Gabe gets this point without me spelling it out.

**Outis** · Posted On: 2/24/2012 11:02pm

Originally Posted by It is Fake

No, you think we don't understand your point.

Well then, I'm glad you understood it.

**couchfighter** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 9:36am

Originally Posted by Outis

Just got this:

Sir,

I received my Black Belt in 2007 from Professor Hideki Frazier, who is a 5th degree Black Belt under Master Joe Moreira. Master Joe Moreira promoted me to 1st degree Black Belt in 2010.

Best regards,
Professor Erick Bonifacio
Livermore Martial Arts Academy
Owner, Chief Instructor
www.LivermoreGotKicks.com
925-497-6448

And this is why his black belt is questionable... I rolled with Erick when he was a blue belt in early 2007. Unlike most who make claims, I am willing to sign an affidavit attesting to that fact. In fact, I know a handful of people who rolled with him and would be willing to sign an affidavit. As I said, Erick must be better than BJ Penn since he went from blue to black in less than a year....

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 10:41am

Originally Posted by couchfighter

And this is why his black belt is questionable.

Questionable??? The questions have already been answered; Move on to other things and don't stress over this. Politics is what it is.

**couchfighter** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 11:00am

Originally Posted by slamdunc

Questionable??? The questions have already been answered; Move on to other things and don't stress over this. Politics is what it is.

No stress here, brother. Just stating facts. The fact is that belt shopping is a reality in every martial art but it's like buying a fake rolex. You may be able to fool most people but deep down inside, you know that you are a sham.

**Gabetuno** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 1:39pm

Originally Posted by couchfighter

No stress here, brother. Just stating facts. The fact is that belt shopping is a reality in every martial art but it's like buying a fake rolex. You may be able to fool most people but deep down inside, you know that you are a sham.

What level belt are you, if I may ask?

Also how many times did you roll with him? And over what period of time?

**couchfighter** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 2:33pm

Originally Posted by Gabetuno

What level belt are you, if I may ask?

Also how many times did you roll with him? And over what period of time?

Gabetuno:

I'm a purple now...Training for 5 years. I only had the pleasure of rolling with him once as did a handful of people that night but he hardly came to the gym to begin with. (I'd gladly roll with him again to prove myself wrong, doubt he'll take me up on my offer.) I saw him there maybe twice and it seemed that each time he went there, someone handed him ass to him, especially the white belts. (He's still the butt of our jokes.) He never came back after our instructor told him to GTFO after he supposedly offered to buy a purple belt. Let's consider that part hearsay but I remember when that incident happened because my instructor was so pissed off. It had been the first time that anyone blatantly asked him if he could buy a belt. That was in 2007, the same year that Erick was promoted to black belt by Hideki Frazier as reported in that email response someone posted. Now, I realize that anyone can be a black belt BJJ these days but there's a difference between buying one and earning it. I prefer the latter.

Some of you may think that I am being critical of Erick and that I should show respect to the black belt, but please put yourself in my place. If you see someone as a blue belt and later is promoted to black in the same year, you have to question it for the sake of the art. Yes, technically, he is a black belt because someone promoted him, perhaps, without testing his abilities. I, for one, would not want to learn from a black belt like that... especially, if one day I may have to use BJJ to save my life. This forum is about "Standards" right? Well, let's just say there is nothing standard about his promotional timeline.

Anyway, I see you are a fellow BJJ practitioner. Awesome! Are you the one with black belt in your profile pic or the purple? I compete in most of the IBJJF tournaments, perhaps I have seen you in the competitions as well. Doing Pan-Ams next month? I'll see you there.

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 4:32pm

Originally Posted by couchfighter

Some of you may think that I am being critical of Erick and that I should show respect to the black belt, but please put yourself in my place. If you see someone as a blue belt and later is promoted to black in the same year, you have to question it for the sake of the art.

You don't have to respect anyone's belt, but If he has a legitimate instructor that stands behind him and vouches for him, that pretty much cinches it. If someone is just plain wrong, it doesn't matter what color their belt is.

As for questioning it for the sake of the art; this is one of the reasons that so many organizations have splinter groups that break away and start their own system. Most do it in the name of preserving integrity in the martial arts and their mission to eliminate politics therein.

The best way to settle the matter is to meet up with Bonafacio and roll with him again. You can then gauge how much his skill level has improved (or not)

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 5:21pm

Lurk more couchfighter. This has nothing to do with "respecting da BB."

**couchfighter** · Posted On: 2/28/2012 5:35pm

Originally Posted by slamdunc

You don't have to respect anyone's belt, but If he has a legitimate instructor that stands behind him and vouches for him, that pretty much cinches it. If someone is just plain wrong, it doesn't matter what color their belt is.

As for questioning it for the sake of the art; this is one of the reasons that so many organizations have splinter groups that break away and start their own system. Most do it in the name of preserving integrity in the martial arts and their mission to eliminate politics therein.

The best way to settle the matter is to meet up with Bonafacio and roll with him again. You can then gauge how much his skill level has improved (or not)

Totally agree with you. I'd love to roll with him again but getting him on the mat would be the problem. Besides, i know what i know and it would be a waste of time & money to prove what I already know is true. It's his integrity not mine. In fact, ill help promote his gym from now on...."Livermore Kicks, learn from the guy who went from blue to black faster than BJ Penn. Certified." :)