MMA and BJJ.... Symbiotic?

Ari Bolden, of www.submissions101.com recently asked me to comment on my perspective of the relationship between MMA and BJJ. He asked me if MMA will make BJJ obsolete? He also wanted me to address differences between MMA grappling and BJJ. This post will try to address these issues as well as set an argument for the vitality of BJJ, if not the need for serious Mixed Martial Artists to train both gi and no-gi.

Will MMA make BJJ obsolete? My quick answer is no (so long as the rules allow for combat to continue on the ground for more than sixty seconds). Now, it must be noted that when I refer to BJJ, I am referring to the entire artform, not just its sport component. BJJ is a martial art that has three branches (sport-gi, sport- no-gi, and self-defense). Many traditionalists would argue that there is a fourth component, MMA. I believe that MMA is so much of a hybrid that it is not accurate to call it BJJ. However, it is fair to say that MMA is dependent upon BJJ.

While it is possible for a MMA fighter to do well while only being versed in a standing art, wrestling, judo, sambo, or ninjitsu, if the fighter has not spent significant time working on jiu jitsu, his/her reign will be short lived. MMA requires an athelete to be versed and competent in Bruce Lee's 4 ranges of fighting (Kicking, Punching, Clinch, and grappling).

Another reason MMA will not make BJJ obsolete is that MMA and its training will not be (and is not) appealing to the masses. While many men and women may enjoy watching a great cage fight, I have witnessed first hand 'tough guys' cower under a short 5 minute boxing spar session during an MMA training class. BJJ on the other hand, offers a philosophy of defense that encourages the minimization of strikes, the coordinated closing of the distance, the fast and effective takedown, and application of a submission technique that makes an adversary choose the conclusion of the confrontation. There is a philosophical de-valuation of exchanging blows, maximizing harm to your adversary, and 'going the distance'. Thus, the average Joe can train an effective theory without haveing to be hit repeatedly in a night.

I actually think that BJJ (at least in the US) has grown significantly because of MMA. Students wanting to learn MMA often hear of their favorite fighters' abilities in BJJ so they check out the schools. This increases the student base and athleticism of he student body and thus makes the training better too.

What are the differences between MMA grappling and BJJ? First, BJJ has eliminated strikes in 'competition' so 'sport-techniques' have arisen that can leave a fighter vulnerable to strikes. Take for example many of the half-guard techniques. While there are viable sweeps and reversals from half-guard, many fine jiu-jitsu fighters have found themselves on the receiving end of a wrestler's elbow because of over confidence in this inferior fighting position. Conversely, MMA grappling has developed such that striking from within the guard is now a viable option. In sport BJJ, passing the guard is the method of advancing and proving dominance when one finds himself in the guard. Effective MMA grappling requires awareness of the core BJJ positions, transitions and submission.

TO GI OR TO NO-GI... THE VERY CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE:

Even among jiu jitsu practitioners, there is a debate about the quantity of gi training that should be undertaken, especially for those who focus on entering MMA. For clear and convincing arguments against gi training, look no farther than Eddie Bravo's texts and forum posts by one of his top instructors Brandon Quick. Since they make their points so well, I will not summarize but rather offer my counter points.

First, running backs, sprinters, and swimmers add elements of clothing (e.g. parachutes for the running backs and sprinters) to increase their 'drag' and add friction. This develops their speed and ability to perform against external pressures. The gi offers the same advantages to a no-gi grappler as well as an MMA fighter. If your training partner has hundreds of handles to control you with, your escapes will have to be that much more technical, your movements that much more precise, and your strategies that much better planned in order to pull them off. When the gi is shed, your mind, body, and technique will feel the relief of a sprinter without a parachute, or an olympic swimmer shaved to the skin.

Next, I have yet to see too many abu dhabi champions who has not spent significant time in the gi. Even Eddie Bravo became a black belt in gi jiu jitsu. Can MMA grappling be mastered without training in the gi... YES, but my GUESS is that it will take significantly longer and be less efficient than if the person train a balanced grappling regimen of gi and no-gi.

So, for the potential or current MMA fighters who are reading this, MMA grappling has developed away from the principles of BJJ, but require a knowledge of fundamental positions, transitions and submissions of BJJ. I also argue that training in the gi (in moderation) can benefit the MMA fighter by developing more refined movement and attacks.