Jeff Haddad

On December 13, 2025, Jeff Haddad, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and coach, became involved in a physical confrontation between coaches at the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships on Mat 20. The altercation was sparked when an opposing coach allegedly taunted one of Haddad's athletes — a 16-year-old competitor — following a loss. The exchange escalated into a physical confrontation, drawing widespread attention given both the high-profile nature of the event and the involvement of a minor.

The incident raised pointed questions about the standard of conduct expected of coaches at major IBJJF competitions, particularly when young athletes are involved. The fact that the alleged provocation was directed at a minor placed the behavior of every adult involved under heightened scrutiny.

On December 14, 2025, Haddad issued a public apology addressing his conduct during the altercation and submitted a formal statement directly to the IBJJF. In his statement, Haddad accepted full responsibility for his actions, explicitly acknowledging that no circumstances justified physically engaging with another coach on the competition floor.

Haddad recognized that his actions failed to uphold the standards expected of him as a representative of his team, the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the IBJJF as an organization. He committed to not repeating the behavior and expressed his willingness to accept any disciplinary measures the IBJJF chose to impose. As of December 14, 2025, a ban from future IBJJF events was considered a likely outcome; however, no confirmed sanction had been announced at that time.