Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vs. Martial Arts
62Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vs. Martial Arts
Martial arts has come along way from what it used to be. Fighters were considered only "boxers" generally and then you had the occasional "stand-up" fighters, such as Karate, Tai Kwon Do. In November of 1993 the first event was held by the Industry's own, Art Davie and the son of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu creator Helio Gracie's son Rorion Gracie. They named their event Ultimate Fighting Championship now known today as the UFC.
The Gracie's invented this style of Martial Arts in Brazil, and eventually brought it over to the States to gain popularity here, and it did indeed! The only rules in these fights were no eye-gouging and no biting, but other than that anything goes! This idea included head butts and groin kicks or punches.
The event became very popular as people were drawn to the violence. This sport was becoming more and more popular, with young and old, even women were getting into this sport. There was someone who was not so much a fan though, Senator John McCain. McCain along with many other Politicians denounced the sport for its brutal nature. Senator John McCain was so adamant about banning the UFC he was successful in making it illegal in all but 3 states.
McCain, who is known for having large connections in boxing, also had it removed from about 90% of pay-per-views and cable channels, even the underground Indie channels. UFC was heading down a long and spiral road towards the toilet.
In Japan though, people were busy building up Pride Fighting Championship. Pride fights were generally fought in a traditional ring with a few different rules than UFC. Around 2001, the UFC was happily bought by the "Zuffa Organization" owned by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, who had plenty of money and connections to back this sport financially.
Dana White is the President of Zuffa. White somehow managed to bring UFC back to it's rightful viewers with minimal punches. He had the sport sanctioned in most states, even the one's McCain had it banned from.
The catch was a few of the more brutal blows needed to be eliminated from the sport and they included a new judging system, called the "point system" and weight classes. Some techniques were banned and outlawed such as kicking an opponent that is already down, also no groin shots and no head butts were written into the laws.
Many different fighting styles were introduced to UFC. Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, kick boxing, muay thai, judo and greco-roman wrestling were among the many styles used. The sport was gaining momentum worldwide and now adopted yet another name, MMA.
UFC owners bought out Pride Fighting as well, so fights have become a "rock-star extravaganza"! Indie and national Act bands are now used for these fights, websites and interviews. Every screaming band out there has an opportunity to get their music heard among millions that partake in the wine of MMA, Pride Fighting and UFC.
Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlai Silva, Fedor Emilianenko vs. Randy Couture and Couture vs. Silva. This is just an example of the spectacular events to watch! This has grown so huge and has become unstoppable among the world, that even a few smaller venues have brought in their own tournaments and championships.
International Fight league (IFL) has become so popular that it even has it's own stock symbol. Spike TV, Cable Pay Per View have created an entirely different "American Dream" now known as the "American Fighter" yet another reality attempt in the world of television and underground.
I was first introduced to this sport at The Gracie Academy in Torrance, attending "Rape Safe". This is a 12 week course that teaches you the fundamentals of avoiding and getting away from an attacker, quite effectively I might add! With simulated attacks and unbelievable techniques, a woman's defense has never been better. I later went on to train with the machado's in San Pedro. It was not long before this became a family event. My husband trains under Paulo Guillobel in Orange county, my son is with Pedro Soriano (Pedro Soriano BJJ).
Kids classes are offered everywhere and one might wish to consider Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as their next sport. Jiu Jitsu by far is my favorite out of all the mixed martial arts out there, as it is the most effective in ground fighting and attacks. About 98% of attacks end up on the ground, making it difficult to fight back with a kick or karate chop!
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Thank You PLM! I am happy you enjoy reading :) Actually being a victim myself...had I known Jiu Jitsu...I would not have been, my opinion I suppose. In class I can take down a guy who is 220 ( I am 130) and it has nothing to do with strength my friend...but technique. One must pray that they never have to wonder what would happen with several people at once....but I am very confident that one on one...I'm going to be just fine :) Do you train in Martial Arts too? Well thanks for reading and I hope to enjoy some of your articles too! Thanks for being a friend
yes ma'am, I have been involved in martial arts and studied many styles since age 10. Most of my careers have relied on my skills of combat in the practical, and a few years in the competitive.
My apology if my comment sounded biased against grappling styles for practical applications. It is absolutely a great style to learn for self defense and I did not mean by any way to put down your choice of style as I have learned 3 styles of grappling and used them many times myself. They are mostly effective for the one attacker situation.
I think what happened was I got into my typing and was trying to make a point that never got made and I tend to do that when I get to rambling on like a mad man. I have been in only two situations that were quite terrifying for anyone to be in when that adrenaline rush surges and it's "fight or flight." A private gathering of about 300 people that results in the party turning into one big melee brawl ultimately resulted in a riot that focused on the security (i.e. myself and my team)
The other incident I am not at liberty to divulge in as the client is a reputably well known actor, and the entire incident is more or less one of those situations that I'd rather not be sued over for discussing har har.
In a nut shell, I tried to compare two style principles and was merely commenting about something I was reminiscing on which was totally un-relevant to your story.
Hello, my comment is directed to PLM. I strongly disagree with what you said, especially your first statement, "Grappling is not a practical means of self defence for an everyday Joe".
Self defense simply put, is the ability to fight, and fighting includes striking, clinching, and grappling. If you do not train in all three of these aspects of combat, then your ability is greatly hindered.
While striking-based arts are theoretically best for multiple attackers, but the grappling arts (especially Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), have actually been proven for safely and effectively controlling a single opponent. It is not new information that most street confrontations end up on the ground, where these grappling arts are best put to use.
In my opinion, in order to be versed in 'self defense' it would be best to train in a mixed martial arts program where all aspects of hand to hand combat are involved. It is not prudent to suggest that grappling is not practical.
Back in my past, I would compare grappling techniques for my line of work as not being "practical" means of self defense for myself. Not with what I had to deal with. For many many different scenarios of mugging, rape, assualt... a grappling style will completely be practical and by all means efficient.
I agree that being skilled with traditional boxing, grappling techniques makes you more versed and skilled MMA type fighter to be reckoned with. When you are dealing with a gang initiation type "jumping" as a victim or find yourself in a crowd of assailants, I do not believe taking anyone to the ground is practical at any cost. It is life or death situations like these that there are no rules and when you are on the "streets" per say.. fighting for your life is a lot different then fighting in a tournement for points or a trophy... your only trophy you win is your own life and that's when you bite, kick, punch and maim any assailaint in your reach as quickly as possible to immobilize, kill, or cripple so you can live. This includes groin shots, eye gouges, and any means neccessary to escape with your life.
Now with that said. I don't disagree that grappling alone is efficient for self defense. It is HIGHLY effective and I've seen a great many fighters with far lesser skills then myself manage to take myself down with proper techniques applied. I believe you're better off knowing some form of self defense then if you knew nothing at all. Erinn is now more confident and skilled to handle herself because of her skills. Any woman that learns how to control a single opponent with her strength size and skill is going to be safer through grappling or submission joint lock holds that do not rely on raw power or strength such as Aikido etc. or grappling methods.
There are some forms of martial arts that everyone will have opinions over being "good" and "bad" and we all have them. I did not intend to put any particular style down and believe there is no such thing as a "wrong" style, but more in line of correct scenarios best suited for the right methods. Every encounter is uniquely different and completly unique from the next in my opinion. What works for you may not always work for someone else if that makes any sense.
To me.. there is no such thing as a "best" As my opinions vary greatly from one MMA athelete to the next... so do our styles and our own opinions. I enjoy these types of discussions immensly and love to discuss the theories and methods of each style.
I understand that Jayob disagrees my opinion that for the everyday "Joe" ...grappling is not a "practical" means of self defense, and I might of implied that is how I felt. It is actually not my opinion that is in any means "wrong" in any way or even unpractical... I think again my point might of not been made again in this long winded response. I believe it's good for anyone to know grappling methods, and as Erinn will account for, she is quite capable of using it.
I think my opinion is more stemmed from my own technique and unique styles. That is more in line I believe what I'm trying to say about grappling. Certain methods of strikes, clinches and submission holds, grappling and all others will undoubtedly require more training and dedication to learn... but if you had only one to choose from based on your individual time you have in your work schedule and daily life... its my opinion that choosing an appropriate martial art style depends on our own unique "needs" and what we intend to get out of it.
If self defense is your primary purpose there are undoubtedly many great ones and I'm sure I share the opinon also that there are many others that are not geared for this accordingly.
Take Erinn for example. She is a skilled grappler. She is competent and efficient at it I'm sure. Take another woman that I know who loves kickboxing.. she is also skilled, efficient, and competent. And both of these comparisons prove the effectiveness of both drastically different styles... which both produced the desired result for the means and purposes. I've stated in my first comment that I am obviously biased, so take my opinions with a grain of salt of course. =) My choice and reccomendations would obviously not be the same as someone elses and I believe a woman like Erinn is confident and satisfied completely with the choices she has made as well.
Again I did not wish to offend anyone or speak low of any style. I merely have my own preferences.
Well hello gentlemen or? I feel as though I should be flattered that my post has probed such a discussion :) Thank you PLM for the kind words about me, but I assure you that I am in no way efficient or skilled in BJJ, I merely respect the art and 100% believe in the outcome. I also respect both of the opinions stated here and truly enjoy the commentary between all of us :)
I'd just like to point out that the Gracie family did not create Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While they were instrumental in its promotion and popularity Jiu-Jitsu was derived from the techniques of the Samauri by Jigoro Kano at the Kodokan in Japan. Kano also developed Judo. Kano's student Mitsuyo Maeda travelled to Europe, North and South America where he demonstrated the techniques of jiu-jitsu against fighters of all kinds. His techniques defeated boxers, wrestlers, and other indigenous martial forms wherever he went. He eventually ended up in Brazil and introduced the art to the Gracies and others.
I think the best thing that Kano did for Jiu Jitsu/Judo is remove techniques that cannot be safely practiced with a resisting opponent. That way, you can be certain that these concepts would be practical.
While Jiu Jitsu was not created by the Gracies, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was. Helio Gracie used the concepts of Jiu Jitsu/Judo to create a new branch of the art.
Helio Gracie and Jigoro Kano are two of the most influential martial artists in recent history.
I should have clarified that BJJ was created by the Gracies, not the actual Jiu Jitsu itself....but most already know ;)
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PLM 3 years ago
Enjoying your articles Erinn. Out of curiosity if you are a fan of UFC you are aware that grappling is not a practicle means of self defense for an every day Joe. When you are assaulted by 5 or more attackers at once, takeing someone down in a grappling joint lock or submission hold is not a wise choice. Useing the choke hold maneuver or a sweep is not even an option as the others attackers will be pounding you into oblivion as you're tangled up with one.
Tang Soo Do and Aikido are practicle styles for defending yourself against an attack or rape attempt. One of my more favorite styles being Aikido and for brutal force and opponent stopping power I would suggest Muay Thai. Obviously I'm biased to this style as a former champion kickboxer. But I do know for a fact that many women have successfully mastered Muay Thai and were frighteningly effective at destroying their attacker. I know a woman that was attacked by 2 homeless men as she was opening her car door. Needless to say one man suffered a broken jaw, the other had a broken leg and concusion from her defending herself. To add insult to injury she was charged with battery.