McDojo

Updated Mar 29, 2025 at 11:48PM EDT by Autumn Able.

Added Mar 29, 2025 at 04:49PM EDT by Ricenburg.

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About

McDojo is a derogatory term used to describe martial arts gyms that provide low-quality training and prioritize financial gain. The term -- often mentioned in videos showing humorously unrealistic self-defense situations -- references the US-headquartered fast food chain McDonald's, which has a reputation of providing expensive food with low nutritional value.

Origin

The term McDojo first surfaced online on the McDojo.com website, which was launched in May 2002 before it changed its name on the demands of McDonald's intellectual property lawyers.^[1] The website, now under the Bullshido name, exposed allegedly fake martial arts gyms that commercialized the growing popularity of combat sports without actually providing practical training.

Spread

In April 2010, YouTube user vbadkarateNmcdojos uploaded a video titled "Tribute to Rob Sullivan" that received 16,176 views.^[2] The video criticized the practitioner in the video and called his establishment a "Mcdojo" in the description. In July 2010, YouTube user Robert84274 uploaded a video titled "I Started Training In A McDojo : Do Not Let This Happen To You" that received 67,550 views and 202 likes.^[3] The text-based video explained the user's experience in a cultlike and expensive martial arts club.