This is now official:
from UG Atama BJJ forum:
"
I would like to announce that I have officially taken Ari Bolden from Submissions 101 as one of my BJJ gi affiliates for Keith Owen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It has come to my attention that a small number of people seem to have a problem with Ari because he runs Submissions 101, one of the most successful FREE bjj video websites on the net. I also believe that Ari received some criticism for wearing a non BJJ black belt (ari is a black belt in another marital art) while demonstrating bjj moves in a small number of his videos. I understand people’s concerns and had them myself when it came to my attention! While a smattering of people claim that it was Ari’s blatant attempt to make others believe he is a bjj black belt (which he is not) , after talking to Ari, I have come to the conclusion that it was a simple and honest mistake and that he really didn’t see the gravity of his actions. Ari has true regret for this transgression and he in no way felt that he was going to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. He just put his belt around his waist to hold his gi together while doing the videos.
For the general informed masses this hasn’t been a big deal. Submissions 101s popularity has gotten bigger by the day and literally thousands of people have expressed thanks and admiration to Ari who makes no money from any of his videos except for the occasional DVD or Rash Guard sale. If this small group of anti fans wants to criticize Ari then they should rightfully hammer him for doing all this work and hardly making a dime for his efforts! I personally would not have gone to all this trouble but Ari has an extreme love for the sport of jiu-jitsu bordering on obsessive and feels the need to spread the gospel of jiu-jitsu to make our sport larger. Ari recently got married to a very lovely young women and I have frequently told him that he needs to step up and quit giving away his product for free but he calls it his “life’s work” and enjoys what he is doing for people. I’m hoping that I can change his mind.
I understand that Ari is an Eddie Bravo 10th Planet Affiliate Purple Shirt. I have great admiration for Mr. Bravo and am perfectly happy with he and Ari’s arrangement. Ari and I will be taking up the issue of the gi only. I am beginning to see gi and no gi as two separate and distinct forms of jiu-jitsu and Mr Bravo and I are both in agreement over Ari and what he wants to achieve in both art forms. Ari is currently a white belt in gi bjj but after spending several hours over a number of days free rolling with Ari I have decided he will soon be doing the 88 move testing process for blue belt to start his affiliation.
I realize that I will be taking some heavy criticism from the vocal minority over having Ari as one of my students. I’m sure my actions will be called into question. I’m cool with that. My Pedro Sauer Black Belt makes me a legitimate BJJ instructor and as such I can take on whoever I want as a student. I have spent many hours with Ari and have had Ari Bolden to my house and he has broken bread with me and my family. He has also taken a lot of needless good spirited harassment from my three boys as well. In the countless hours of talking to Ari I have found him to be of solid moral character. I am satisfied with him as a person and a student. Ari will receive no special treatment from me as an instructor nor has he asked for any. He wants to be ranked the hard way in BJJ through hard work and I will not lower my standards or that of the Pedro Sauer association for anyone!
My goal is to have 50 affiliates under the Keith Owen banner. I am proud and unapologetic to have Ari Bolden as one of those affiliates. Ari and I are looking forward to making Keith Owen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu , Pedro Sauer Jiu-Jitsu and 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu as three of the premier Jiu-Jitsu organizations in the country. Why don’t you join us? "
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma....482225&page=19
