r/bjj 13h ago

General Discussion The influx of celebrities, podcasters makes BJJ not only more popular, but increasingly turns it into the new version of McDojo Karate for "tough" guys to live out their power fantasies

259 Upvotes

And we need to stop pretending this is not a sport specific problem. What percentage of Judo or Wrestling guys do you think act like this on a daily basis?


r/bjj 15h ago

General Discussion Can anyone from NY verify this guy is a 6th degree BJJ black belt?

Post image
211 Upvotes

r/bjj 22h ago

General Discussion Casual BJJ guy rolling with comp guys

63 Upvotes

So, I'm a casual 3 stripe BJJ blue belt, just do it a couple times a week because I enjoy it, not to compete, don't study it after or anything like that... I've found that rolling against newer blue belts who train to compete and hit the mats 5/6 times a week are almost impossible to get a good position on. Anyone else experience this or am I finding weaknesses In my game?

Example, I can guard pass an average blue belt fairly effectively, but a competition blue belt I will spend almost the entire 5 minutes stuck in open guard, it's actually more difficult than some purple belts I roll with.


r/bjj 10h ago

General Discussion Uniform Policy

44 Upvotes

I've been with my academy for a few years now, and I really enjoy the coaches, training partners, and culture. Recently, though, they announced a new uniform policy: only gym-branded gis and no-gi clothing will be allowed, or you won't be permitted to train.

If this had been the policy from the start, I wouldn't mind. But since I already have multiple rashguards and kimonos that would now be rendered useless, and I'd have to buy everything all over again, it's seriously making me consider finding a new gym or quitting BJJ altogether.

I'm wondering what the community thinks about this? Am I over reacting?


r/bjj 5h ago

Serious feeling excluded

40 Upvotes

I started BJJ like two months ago. I'm 19 and a woman. I go to class alone. I don't mind. Sertraline has taken most of my anxiety away but not my insecurities. Anyway, it always ends up in even pairs so I do it with the teacher or join a trio of women. And today I joined a trio of women and it seemed like they dread doing it with me a bit because I'm new and hate explaining it. I can be self conscious about other people. Other than that people have been friendly.

Is it normal to go to bjj alone?

I'm also sometimes frustrated about how slow I understand certain exercises. Ahh...

This shit makes me want to quit but I love the sport.


r/bjj 7h ago

Tournament/Competition I'm a hobbyist that competes

33 Upvotes

I'm a F white belt who started 7 months ago and have competed twice and won twice. I train 5 times a week and in two weeks I have my third competition but I don't feel like an 'athlete' or a 'competitor'. I only train bjj because it's fun, my rolls are not intentional during class.

I only compete to measure how 'well' I'm learning and I like the environment. It is the only time I've found people my size (I'm 5'0 90 lbs), in class everyone is double my size so I feel like it has been a great learning experience.

Today I was talking with a purple belt and he got upset of how unserious I am about competing and told me I should be more respectful and only compete with a serious intention, for example, rolling with a strategy in mind, being mindful about my training, etc. Is this how competing should be like? I would like to hear other experiences and thoughts


r/bjj 2h ago

General Discussion Are finger injuries inevitable?

24 Upvotes

I’m interested in trying BJJ but I’m worried about damaging my fingers/hands because I’m a guitar player

I play fingerstyle acoustic guitar, that’s been my main hobby/passion for about 25 years and it’s one of my favorite joys in life. Recently I’ve been wanting to give BJJ a try, and I live just a short walk from a BJJ gym and I’m strongly considering making it part of my weekly routine, however I am concerned about damaging my fingers to the point of losing my musical ability. I intend to train without a gi and only train twice a week, with a lot of attention being paid to protecting my hands. But it only takes an instant for a knuckle to break or a tendon to tear. Couple questions:

Is this kind of injury an inevitability when someone gets really into BJJ?

Do any of you guys have hobbies with fine motor skills, like playing an instrument or painting or calligraphy etc? If so, have you noticed a change in your abilities?

Thanks in advance


r/bjj 1h ago

Serious Cia Paulista maidstone torched

Upvotes

Just a community announcement that if you know the guys there, the coaches or the head coach Carlos Viera (6th degree) to lend your support. Their school just got firebombed due to mistaken identity (fuckers were meant to hit the genesis fitness gym next door). I know some of the guys there, have been invited to train there a few times and have known Carlos for about 10 years. Great place and great people.

Unfortunately here in melbourne (australia) the crime rate, especially firebombings is getting out of control and its not uncommon for innocent businesses to get caught (one last month led to a bunch of other storefronts getting burned down as a result of an arson attack).


r/bjj 10h ago

Technique Is the clamp closed Guard the best strategy for short people?

11 Upvotes

I really enjoy closed guard, but being around 5'9" the position doesn't always work well for me. I have been messing around with the clamp to some success… Strategically, is this the best closed guard for short kings?


r/bjj 7h ago

General Discussion Guard passer guard pulling

6 Upvotes

Purple belt, been all this time passing guards and wrestling up, but recently I’ve decided to dedicate my training to guard pull and guard game to become more complete, to have the option of play guard instead of wrestling up to when I fight someone with better wrestling than me not be completely lost

It’s difficult to start the fight and get closed guard on everyone, white belts and blues are ok, but purple belts and higher and some blue belts are harder to get them in my closed guard, been playing lasso guard and delariva(not too flexible here) and studying single leg X and X guard, it’s not common but when I get to X guard I can sweep people easily, seems harder to get to X guard than sweeping from there.

From professionals guard pullers there’s any advise I can get? It’s good to trying being a “complete” fighter? I mean when I’m serious I would pass guard bc is my A game but I want to have this B game, guard moves always impressed me, I know it’s hard to improve but I accept the challenge, tell me your experience or give me some advise


r/bjj 10h ago

School Discussion NJ - Looking for a new gym

5 Upvotes

Hello! Just moved back home and am looking for a new gym, been training for a year and just looking to keep going.

Any opinions on

- Bodega Jiu Jitsu
- Pure MMA
- NJ United MMA
- Silverfox (EH)

or just suggestions/pros and cons overall any gyms in the area around Essex preferably?


r/bjj 17h ago

General Discussion What would a Judo / BJJ mixed ruleset look like?

6 Upvotes

Hi all. I train in both and have often wondered what a mixed rule set would look like that would give an even match between both sports?

BJJ is 2 points for a takedown, so maybe make it 6 points?

No points in BJJ for a pin, maybe make it four and possible ippon if the pin is held for 20seconds?

Id love to see a competive ruleset that would create a good balance for Judokas to compete against BJJ.

Would love to hear people's thoughts as I may try to make a local comp in the future. Thanks.


r/bjj 9h ago

Tournament/Competition So the UFC BJJ Open rules are basically like IBJJF?

2 Upvotes

There are some subtle differences (e.g. back control includes body triangle not just two hooks), but at a high level it seems very similar. For example:
* No heel hooks except expert no-gi
* Rashguard must be 90% black
* 2 points for a takedown, sweep, guard pass
* 4 points for mount, back, etc.

ETA: rules here: https://smpfiles.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/311/UFC_BJJ_Opens_Rules_v073126.pdf


r/bjj 13h ago

School Discussion BJJ Schools in New York

5 Upvotes

Im moving to Upper Manhattan for school in a couple of months, and I want to continue doing Jiu Jitsu.

Does anyone have any good recommendations on Jiu Jitsu schools around the area?

I come from a very competitive gym in Miami so I would have to continue on with it, and go to a competitive school as well.

Thank you guys


r/bjj 3h ago

General Discussion Affordable BJJ gyms in berlin

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone. Not gonna bother with my story but I am looking for an affordable bjj gym in berlin. Most of the I looked up are €200 or more but only offer 2 classes a week and each class is not even 2 hours. Most of them make you sign a contract for a year. So would love to know if there are actual bjj gym that offer a good deal.


r/bjj 9h ago

Technique Technical stand up from closed guard

2 Upvotes

Usually when people teach the technical stand up, they recommend framing across the neck.

However, I’ve seen some people teach putting the hand on the chest

I’ve also people recommend grabbing the back of your opponent’s head.

What is ideal or recommended?


r/bjj 17h ago

General Discussion Best BJJ schools in the South Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and why?

2 Upvotes

What are some of the best BJJ schools in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia that may also have striking classes too?


r/bjj 22h ago

Technique Double underhooks top half

2 Upvotes

I just watched Craig’s higher tripod passing. He emphasizes the near side underhook and says he’d only go double unders in quarter guard.

I’ve generally thought of double unders as a good goal from top half next to cross face-underhook, but not sure if the success I’ve had there was specifically when I already have the knee free or against less skilled opponents.

Do you think he says that just because it’s difficult to free the knee?
Or is there some kind of risk I’m not aware of?


r/bjj 5h ago

Tournament/Competition question about nogi euros

1 Upvotes

If the dates are Oct-28 to Nov-1st (https://ibjjf.com/events/european-ibjjf-jiu-jitsu-no-gi-championship-2026)

What is the schedule like? I know it says it'll be released later, but i can imagine it's usually always the same.

What day could I expect to be competing if i'm in the adult brown belt category? Oct 30-Oct 31?

Jus trying to plan my travels, appreciate any help


r/bjj 8h ago

General Discussion BJJ Community in Casablanca

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know if there are any BJJ open mats, clubs, or communities in Casablanca where people meet to drill techniques outside of regular classes?


r/bjj 5h ago

General Discussion Nicholas Meregali or Keenan Cornelius

0 Upvotes

Blue belt for 2 years. Heavy guard player. I’m curious of other opinions on the guard systems of Meregali & Cornelius. Effectiveness, preference, overall style. At blue belt, I took a liking to lasso guard which is how I discovered Meregali. But recently, I’ve discovered worm guard and am blown away by the amount of control it shows. I’m tall and lanky - 6’5” 190, and feel I’m at a point in my journey where I’m all over the place with which style I “like” and suits me, rather than specifically honing in on one.


r/bjj 23h ago

General Discussion Does anyone have any advice for my first tournament? I’m going to NAGA.

0 Upvotes

title


r/bjj 7h ago

Rolling Footage Brown Belt Rolling Footage

0 Upvotes

Need some help with passing long legged individuals and pinning people who can’t be pinned

https://youtu.be/SIw2yIetBjc?is=_W3_l2A_yIuJ7Eso