“The following is posted from a page on http://www.idahojiujitsu.com.
This is not breaking news to most and the thread has been going for a while. Matt Barvo, an instructor in Eagle, Idaho is under “investigation” at Bullshido.net. People are questioning his lineage and the legitimacy of his black belt as well as other claims he has made. Read and judge for yourself.
This is just another reason why a person seeking a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or any martial art, should Google instructors they are interested in learning from. If you’re instructor cannot tell you who he received his belt from, there is something wrong. Anyone training in BJJ is proud to represent their instructor or school. Someone training BJJ long enough to receive a black belt will have a group of friends or a community that they will get to know and keep in touch with. Other black belts from the same academy would remember them since they spent a lot of time training there.
I hesitated on posting this but after a few phone calls and an email from friends I thought I should. I really feel bad for Matt’s students, if what he is being accused of is true. Imagine all the hard work you put in to get to the next belt and when you get it, you find out that it might not be legitimate. Not only that but you spent at least $80 -$100 a month for a few years!
Always seek an instructor who is respected, and well known in your community. Drop in and watch a class or two to see what the vibe is like at the school. Are the students happy? Does the instructor appear to have a sincere friendship with their students or are they just a source of income? If you think about it, the instructor has a product that they want to sell. They looks for investors, which is you, to invest in them. You decide that that specific instructor is good enough for YOU and YOU pay THEM for their services. If at anytime you feel that things aren’t going well get out. Some might have to finish a contract, but after that find another instructor.”
Matt Barvo investigation at Bullshido.net
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=95870
And a new one that just started on Sherdog.net
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/matt-barvo-team-beast-bjj-idaho-1203969/
Paul from IdahoJiuJitsu said it best. Do you homework. Don’t fall prey.