How long did it take for you to get your belts?

[spasgur]

That's another aspect to it to it. I came into BJJ already with a Judo BB and a pretty extensive wrestling background.

It helped advanced me REALLY quickly because a lot of the stuff that was being taught was already "second nature" for me. The guy who runs the school was also pretty cool about it, but I wasn't getting promoted.

That changed LIGHTNING FAST when I started competing in grappling, BJJ tournaments. It changed even faster when I started fighting. So I could see the politics involved with it.

Had I never competed, I probably would still be a blue or purple belt now. *shrugs* Just how it is I guess, but it differs from school to school I'm sure.

But it does make sense though, that if you consistently beat guys who are at the same or higher rank than you, then you maybe should be promoted.
Wasn't that basically the way BJ Penn got his black belt so fast?

[BulldogWrestler]

BJ Penn got his because he picked everything up uber quick.

One of the main reasons I got the nod so "quickly" was just that - I was rolling with guys who were a much higher rank than me from day one. Once I started entering tournaments (and winning some) - my school figured I should start getting promotions.