A Maryland software engineer and martial arts enthusiast recently received an unconventional promotion that ultimately ended with him closing his social media comments.
A beginner, who describes himself as an MMA hobbyist on social media, was awarded a white belt with a blue stripe running through its center at Mixed Martial Arts Team Clinch Academy in Frederick Maryland. The promotion was captured on video by his son creating a moment Smith later shared online.
“After months of ducking it, I finally took the blue stripe. Still learning. Still confused. Just slightly louder and harder to ignore now. Grateful for the coaches, the room and my son catching this on video.”
The unusual belt design immediately drew attention from practitioners familiar with traditional BJJ ranking systems. In standard practice students receive stripes on the black bar of the belt to mark progress while full promotions move directly to a new belt color. A white belt with a blue stripe through the center departs from that convention.
The visual similarity to youth belts which often feature multiple colors added to the confusion among observers questioning whether this represented a new ranking system or an extended timeline to promotion.
Smith addressed the questions with a clarification explaining the academy’s approach to tracking progress.
“I am still a white belt. The thin blue center strip is not a belt promotion and not a rank. It works the same way tape stripes do at many gyms. It marks time and consistency on the mat. No added levels. No extended timeline. No extra cost. Same training. Same promotions. Same BJJ. Just a cleaner way to track time than peeling athletic tape.”
The promotion appears connected to Clinch Academy’s 13 week beginner program though the exact relationship remains unclear. Luke Rinehart, who owns and leads instruction at the academy, describes the program as a confidence and fitness boost designed for adults and children. The program accommodates complete beginners without requiring prior experience flexibility or specific fitness levels.
For the one time program cost students receive at least two classes per week for 13 weeks plus required equipment. Enrollment is limited to ten new students per cycle creating a small group learning environment.
Smith concluded his post by refocusing on training priorities.
“Now that the belt discourse has concluded, back to training.”
While this is certainly unique it’s not unheard of. SBG Ireland and Roberto Cyborg Abreu’s gym in Florida both utilize their own belt systems.
.
