AJ Agazarm is a black belt and IBJJF NO-Gi champion. In July 2015, he participated in a Jiu-Jitsu event organized by Metamoris. His opponent was Karo Parisyan and the event ended in a draw. Six months down the line, AJ Agazarm claims he has not been paid by Metamoris and has stated this on Instagram. His post was addressed to Ralek Gracie the founder of Metamoris who also happens to be a grandson of the famous Helio Gracie.
In his Instagram post, AJ Agazarm accused Meramoris of using athletes to promote their company without paying them after the event. Barra accused Metamoris of unethical practices. He also mentioned other promoters who always pay fighters and praised those organizations for doing the right thing. AJ Agazarm stated that since the Metamoris fight in July 1015, he had participated in other events organized by Polaris and Berkut. He praised the two organizations for respecting athletes and treating them fairly.
Clearly, AJ Agazarm feels Metamoris has not been fair to him. This is because he took the fight at very short and his acceptance saved Metamoris a huge embarrassment. He wants Ralek Gracie and the Metamoris organization to pay him the money he has worked for and treat athletes well in future.
“Dear Ralek,
For quite sometime you have been using my image, my likeness, and the likenesses of others to promote your business and the brand of Metamoris. You claim to represent the values that Jiu Jitsu stands for, but you have been hiding behind empty promises.
It has been over 6 months since my bout against Karo Parisyan, and I still haven’t been paid. It’s not about the money (it wasn’t a lot) but instead it is about the principle. We put everything on the line to make it as exciting and entertaining as possible for the fans. I took the match on short notice to help save your show, as you would otherwise have been left without a main event. To this date my match is still behind your paywall and I have not yet seen a single dollar.
Since this match I have competed in organizations such as Polaris and Berkut, who paid my travel expenses, did an incredible job of promoting me as an athlete, but most importantly upheld the moral code of the artist and treated me and the community with respect by paying me on time and not compromising the cards of the viewers.
I think it is massively unjust that your brand equity continues to ascend by using the image of the athletes that you promised to pay (but do not) while organizations such as Polaris are struggling with brand recognition and event success.
The last Polaris card was one of the best the community has ever seen and not just for the quality of the match ups. They paid all their athletes (plus expenses) and did not make a profit. This is elevating the sport and allowing us athletes to make a living.
It’s been 6 months – you haven’t paid me, you promised me an additional bout on Metamoris that I have not seen, yet you still benefit from using our fight to promote your show.
Make this right. Stop double charging your customers and pay your athletes. The Instagram takeover will continue until you’ve done right.
On April 2nd I will face Ben Askren in a sub-only match in the UK for @polaris_professional. I am looking forward to this match for a number of reasons, but mainly because I am getting the opportunity to showcase my skills against a very tough opponent in a clash of styles. -@thefloridaboy”
“Since this match I have competed in organizations … [that] most importantly upheld the moral code of the artist and treated me and the community with respect…”
With all due respect, AJ Agazarm is a hypocrite. He does not uphold the moral code of the artist in his matches, bullies, disrespects others, and is not a role model.
That said, he should be paid.