The Truth That Almost Killed Jiu-Jitsu — And the Man Who Stopped It

San Pedro, CA - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In 1999, a covert attempt by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) nearly changed the course of martial arts in the United States. New evidence has come to light revealing that CSAC tried to pass legislation under the guise of regulating Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). However, their true aim was far broader: they sought full control over Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, wrestling, and submission grappling schools. Their plan? Licensing, taxation, shutdown authority, and the ability to regulate every dojo in California.

This explosive revelation is revealed in the upcoming book Jiu-Jitsu Banned: The War on Jiu-Jitsu — How They Tried to Ban and Regulate the Gentle Art, written by Greg “Kazja” Patschull, the man who uncovered, fought against, and exposed the entire plot. His dedication to protecting the martial arts community is at the heart of the story.

“They didn’t want MMA. That was the bait. What they wanted was every academy. Every mat. And they nearly pulled it off,” Kazja explains.

THE EVIDENCE:

The CSAC’s campaign began in a 1999 Sunset Review hearing, where CSAC Executive Officer Rob Lynch told the California legislature:

“CSAC receives over 100 complaints per year about martial arts schools — regarding sanitation, instruction quality, mismatches, and failure to monitor student conduct.”

Lynch used these complaints as a pretext for pushing martial arts schools, including Jiu-Jitsu academies, under CSAC’s jurisdiction. This would give the state power to regulate the teaching and operation of all martial arts schools, mirroring the oversight the state already had over professional combat sports like boxing and MMA.

“They tried to regulate every dojo in California by hiding it inside the MMA bill,” Kazja says. “If I hadn’t read every line and shown up to every meeting, it would’ve passed.” Kazja’s vigilance was key in preventing the bill from becoming law.

After public outcry and a detailed review, the legislation was blocked by the Joint Legislative Sunset Review Committee, who deemed it a “revenue grab” by CSAC. Kazja’s determination and willingness to speak out saved the independence of martial arts schools in California.

THE OFFER TO SELL OUT — AND WHY HE REFUSED

In a shocking turn, Kazja reveals that the state offered him a deal in exchange for his cooperation. They proposed giving him the first-ever legal MMA license with full exclusivity for one year — provided he agreed to abandon Jiu-Jitsu and allow the state to regulate it.

“They tried to buy me off. But I’m not for sale,” Kazja insists. “Matrat was on hold. I walked away from money, exclusivity, and power — to protect the Gentle Art.”

Kazja’s refusal to sell out highlights his unwavering commitment to the preservation of Jiu-Jitsu and the martial arts community. Had he accepted, the consequences could have been far-reaching, with the state gaining control over the entire landscape of martial arts.

THE DOCUMENTS DON'T LIE

Kazja’s book offers an exclusive look into the government’s attempt to regulate martial arts, featuring never-before-seen documents and records, including:

• Fax records
  
  

• Cease and desist letters
  
  

• Injunction filings
  
  

• CSAC memos and legislative transcripts
  
  

• A letter from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, acknowledging that Kazja’s media package influenced Nevada’s MMA approval.

These documents serve as undeniable evidence of the CSAC’s attempts to seize control, as well as Kazja’s crucial role in stopping them.

THE RESULT?

In the end, Kazja’s efforts paid off. The outcome was as follows:

• MMA was legalized in California in 2006, but only after CSAC gave up on regulating dojos.
  
  

• Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and submission grappling survived free from state licensing and taxation.
  
  

• Dojos remained independent, thriving without government interference, because Kazja refused to back down.

As Kazja puts it, “They held MMA hostage for six years trying to push this through. But I stayed on course. They didn’t stop because they changed. They stopped because I didn’t.”

THE BOOK THAT TELLS IT ALL:

JIU-JITSU BANNED: The War on Jiu-Jitsu — How They Tried to Ban and Regulate the Gentle Art
By Greg “Kazja” Patschull
Coming Soon – Includes never-before-seen documents, photos, and government records that prove the hidden war on Jiu-Jitsu was real — and almost won.

For media inquiries, interviews, or advanced excerpts, contact:
Email: octagonnation@yahoo.com
gregpatschull360@icloud.com
Instagram: @tapouttruth
Hashtag: #JiuJitsuBanned #TapoutTruth #Matrat