A very substantial amount of evidence indicates that Bret Gordon created the illusion of his supposed high level martial arts skills through a combination of fabricated lineages, inflated accomplishments, invented instructors, appropriation of established martial arts histories, self-issued or dubious certificates, and constant revisions of his background to evade scrutiny.
Gordon claimed lineage through individuals such as Shune Davis and Hasaka Yutashi, who, as it stands don't exist. These names were used to create a false sense of tradition and legitimacy for his martial arts background and organizations.
Gordon claimed that William Sirbaugh was a founder and central figure in his martial arts lineage. However, public records showed Sirbaugh was incarcerated during the years he was supposedly founding and developing martial arts systems, making these claims impossible.
Gordon attempted to link himself to American Ji Do Kwan
lineage and its founder, GM E.A. Fuzy, despite having no legitimate connection.
His narrative shifted over time to fit new information or to respond to
criticism. When confronted with evidence contradicting his many claims, Gordon
repeatedly altered the official histories on his websites and social media. Gordon’s
stories often referenced meetings, collaborations, and organizational splits
that could not have occurred based on the documented whereabouts and activities
of the people involved. For example, he claimed Sirbaugh and Davis broke from
Fuzy and took “American Jidokwan Taekwondo” with them, but records show
Sirbaugh was in prison at the time.
Gordon claims that American Yoshinkan Aikijujutsu was founded
by the Japanese martial artist Yutashi Hasaka. There is no record of Yutashi
Hasaka or this martial art in any Japanese source, nor is there any mention of
such a practitioner in Japan or in recognized Aikijujutsu circles. No Japanese
martial arts organization or historian acknowledges the existence of this
individual or the system. Gordon claims to possess "irrefutable
evidence" of the existence of Hasaka but has refused to produce it, even
in court in a lawsuit filed by Gordon, leading to the consensus that Hasaka and
others were invented to legitimize his many martial arts histories.
Much like his training history Gordon’s martial arts tournament history is also inflated through his use of very misleading language.
Gordon went so far as to equate open tournaments with Olympic-level events. He has implied that his martial arts achievements are the “equivalent of Olympic level competition,” primarily citing his participation and victories at the 2010 World Martial Arts Games. According to his own biography (on his website), Gordon states he was scouted by the US Martial Arts Team and won three “World Championship Titles” (Point Fighting, Kickboxing, and Team Fighting) at this event, further emphasizing that the Games were sanctioned by TAFISA, which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He uses this association to suggest that his accomplishments are on par with Olympic-level martial arts. Link: https://www.triomartialarts.com/sensei-bret-gordon.html
While TAFISA is indeed recognized by the IOC as a “Sport for
All” organization, its events are not Olympic competitions, nor are they
considered equivalent in prestige or competitive rigor to Olympic martial arts
events such as Olympic Judo or Taekwondo. The World Martial Arts Games are open
tournaments, not official world championships under the governance of major
international federations.
There is no evidence from recognized sport governing bodies or mainstream martial arts organizations that the World Martial Arts Games or Gordon’s titles are considered Olympic-level or carry the same weight as Olympic medals.
The language used in Gordon’s biography and promotional materials exaggerates the status of these events. Gordon’s biography and websites frequently use grandiose language to describe his achievements, often conflating open circuit or invitational events with the far more selective and regulated world of Olympic sport.
Apparently, Gordon is a legend in his own mind.
Gordon’s background lacks the hallmarks of formal martial arts education: regular, long-term instruction under established teachers, documented progression through recognized ranks, and affiliation with legitimate, historic organizations. Even in his own accounts, much of his training history is fragmented, involves switching between instructorsand systems with no records of ranks received even at a beginner level and relies heavily on recognition from within a small, self-referential circle and promoting himself. Through the use of misleading language Gordon inflates this as hard earned, well deserved training accomplishments due to his "vast experience in other arts." However, this "vast experience" has been proven to be on all fronts made up and unverifiable.
Law Enforcement Tactics Certification
Bret Gordon claims to be a Certified Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor through the Law Enforcement Tactical Training Institute (LETTI), advertising himself as one of only a handful of such instructors in Florida.
There is no independent, third-party documentation or endorsement from recognized law enforcement or defensive tactics authorities confirming the legitimacy or rigor of Gordon’s LETTI certification program. LETTI is not recognized as a leading or authoritative body in the field of law enforcement defensive tactics training simply appears to be something that Gordon or his instructor or both have just made up.
There is little publicly available information about LETTI’s curriculum, standards, or oversight, making it difficult to assess the value or legitimacy of certifications issued by this organization. All claims about this credential originate from Gordon’s own websites, social media, or promotional materials. There is no credible evidence that a "Law Enforcement Tactical Training Institute" (LETTI) exists as a recognized or authoritative organization for law enforcement defensive tactics or combatives certification in the United States. There is no evidence that Gordon even went through any type of real tactical training either for law enforcement or otherwise.
Search results reference several legitimate and widely recognized law enforcement training programs and certifying bodies, however, none of the search results mention an organization called "Law Enforcement Tactical Training Institute" (LETTI), nor do they reference LETTI as a certifying authority for defensive tactics instructors.
Unsupported by any credible law enforcement training standards or documentation in the United States Gordon’s defensive tactics certification is questionable due to the lack of independent verification, the ambiguous standing of LETTI, and Gordon’s broader pattern of promoting credentials from organizations with limited or no recognition. Without external validation or clear standards, the legitimacy of this certification is doubtful.
Yeah about those accomplishments.......
