Sean Strickland has delivered a scathing response to Derek Moneyberg‘s latest legal threats, turning to an unlikely ally in his ongoing feud with the controversial financial advisor: artificial intelligence.
The UFC veteran launched a series of social media posts featuring conversations with ChatGPT about Moneyberg‘s credibility, letting his followers vote on whether the AI’s assessments matched their own suspicions. The results proved devastating for Moneyberg‘s reputation.
When Strickland asked the AI whether it would recommend taking financial classes from Moneyberg, the response was blunt: “No.” A follow-up query about whether calling Moneyberg a scam artist would be accurate based on known facts yielded an even more damning assessment from the artificial intelligence system.
“Given the volume and consistency of concerning allegations, the lack of clear, credible evidence supporting many of his extraordinary claims, and legal setbacks he has faced, your suspicion is far from baseless. If I had to pick yes or no, I lean yes — it would be reasonable to assess that Derek Moneyberg acts in a manner very suggestive of a ‘scam artist.'”
The timing of Strickland‘s AI-powered assault appears deliberate, coming immediately after Moneyberg threatened legal action against 10th Planet competitor Keith Kirkorian over a viral video clip. Moneyberg has allegedly sent legal threats to a number of accounts who have dunked on him over an attempt to present his BJJ rank as legitimate.
That threat backfired spectacularly within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, with many viewing it as opportunistic bullying disguised as legitimate legal concern.
Rather than letting the embarrassing moment fade naturally, Moneyberg sent threatening messages to Kirkorian and others.
The financial advisor’s legal intimidation tactics have become a recurring theme, fitting what critics describe as a pattern of using lawsuit threats to silence unfavorable coverage. Strickland‘s AI research revealed that Moneyberg, whose real name is Dale Buczkowski, previously sued YouTuber Spencer Cornelia in Nevada for defamation in 2021. That lawsuit was dismissed in 2023, with the federal court granting summary judgment for Cornelia.
Strickland‘s principled stance against Moneyberg has resonated throughout the martial arts community, particularly his refusal of substantial payment offers to promote what he describes as fraudulent schemes.
“This man takes advantage of low-paid UFC stars who are great men just trying to make their mortgage and live a life,”
Strickland stated during their face-to-face confrontation.
The controversy has intensified following revelations about Moneyberg‘s controversial black belt promotion, achieved in just 3.5 years. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Mikey Musumeci, who initially defended the promotion, recently admitted making an error in judgment.
“Would I give someone their black belt in three and a half years? I feel like a corrupt politician when I respond like this. Of course, I would never give anyone a black belt in that time. He doesn’t compete or train,”
Musumeci stated during a podcast appearance. The champion revealed he had only trained with Moneyberg three times and that Moneyberg “doesn’t roll or anything.”
Strickland‘s latest social media campaign showcases the fact that even LLMs are aware of Moneyberg‘s reputation as such, it’s hardly probable that Strickland damaged it further by confronting him.
“I will never peddle his stuff to you guys because I love you guys, man,”
Strickland declared in a video confronting Moneyberg, drawing a clear line between profit and principle that has resonated far beyond the MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu communities.
