BJJ Black Belt - Erick Bonifacio Confirmed

**couchfighter** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 4:33pm

Originally Posted by Prone

This is in the investigation forum so this proves nothing. Not to sound mean or anything but for what it is worth you just told a story without backing the claims up.

Sorry guys, total noob here. I'll try to follow forum protocol. I'll see if I can find a timeline I constructed a while back regarding his promotion. As I said, it was the butt of our jokes.

**Cake of Doom** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 4:58pm

Originally Posted by daddykata

He claims 5 black belts, here. It does not specify which arts these belts are for. I was unable to find anything claiming that he had a black belt in BJJ, other than OP.

Of note, though, is this (unsubstantiated) quote from the thread Cake pulled up:

The arts I noticed on his site were kickboxing, shotokan, BJJ and a FMA (kombatant or something similar). Muay Thai may have been the fifth art but and I can't recall and this is a phone post so it's a bugger to check.

I don't know the ranking system for FMAs but would it be possible for an in-house black belt?

**submessenger** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 5:08pm

Originally Posted by Cake of Doom

The arts I noticed on his site were kickboxing, shotokan, BJJ and a FMA (kombatant or something similar). Muay Thai may have been the fifth art but and I can't recall and this is a phone post so it's a bugger to check.

I don't know the ranking system for FMAs but would it be possible for an in-house black belt?

That's kind of what I was thinking, but IiF is right - that's a BJJ belt he's wearing in the photos on the lulzy United States Federation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu website (which is blatantly named to be confused with the USBJJF, imo).

As such, I think this is more likely to be systemic fraud, rather than an individual instructor pretending to rank.

**Gabetuno** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 5:12pm

Originally Posted by daddykata

That's kind of what I was thinking, but IiF is right - that's a BJJ belt he's wearing in the photos on the lulzy United States Federation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu website (which is blatantly named to be confused with the USBJJF, imo).

As such, I think this is more likely to be systemic fraud, rather than an individual instructor pretending to rank.

Or not a fraud. Let's keep that option in mind.

**submessenger** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 5:17pm

Originally Posted by Gabetuno

Or not a fraud. Let's keep that option in mind.

Right. Objectivity is key - the facts will decide.

**brody00** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 6:31pm

If a blue belt level person buys his way to a black belt from a real black belt, would that person be considered a fraud?

If that person was nowhere near black belt level, but has the black belt certificate/paperwork, would that person be considered legit?

If they have the paperwork, what evidence could be used in this case?

Looking for guidance here.

**Outis** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 6:57pm

Originally Posted by brody00

If a blue belt level person buys his way to a black belt from a real black belt, would that person be considered a fraud?

If that person was nowhere near black belt level, but has the black belt certificate/paperwork, would that person be considered legit?

If they have the paperwork, what evidence could be used in this case?

Looking for guidance here.

You mentioned that Mr. Bonifacio was photographed hanging around with Francisco Mansour. IIRC, Mansour himself was once involved in exactly the same kind of shenanigans you just described. I can't remember the name of the guy, but he was very suspect and Mansour signed off on some kind of CBJJ or IFBJJ certificate for him.

**sweats** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 7:21pm

I believe you're referring to the Robson Pereira investigation from a while back.

**couchfighter** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 7:28pm

Originally Posted by brody00

If a blue belt level person buys his way to a black belt from a real black belt, would that person be considered a fraud?

If that person was nowhere near black belt level, but has the black belt certificate/paperwork, would that person be considered legit?

If they have the paperwork, what evidence could be used in this case?

Looking for guidance here.

As I said in my post, we have a case of a black belt (bought and paid for) that has the skill level of a 0 to 2 stripe blue belt. I would put money that a 4 stripe white belt would give him a tough time or possibly even tap him.

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 2/17/2012 7:35pm

Originally Posted by brody00

If a blue belt level person buys his way to a black belt from a real black belt, would that person be considered a fraud?

If an instructor sells rank, they obviously have no personal integrity. IMHO, that person loses credibility in every aspect of their life and business. It adulterates the entire process and for those of us that paid blood, sweat and tears, it sucks. I would have to question the credentials of the person who granted the rank, and how they obtained theirs. If the instructor thought it was o.k. to sell paper, is it possible that they bought theirs.

Originally Posted by brody00

If that person was nowhere near black belt level, but has the black belt certificate/paperwork, would that person be considered legit?

What is your definition of legit? I am sure that I can go to the local printer and have them create some dandy rank certificates. The knowledge and skill is what makes a martial artist legit. I wouldn't judge a martial artist by the paper hanging on their wall, but how well they fight and roll. I saw a determined green belt beat several brown and black belts standing up and on the mat; draw your own conclusion.