[agente809]

I have read before that in order to become good in BJJ its good to train in both GI and NO GI,
But how beneficial is it to train in the GI for MMA? I ask because I want to train bjj for MMA not for bjj competition. Can GI training help your grappling game in MMA? Do any fighters actually train in the GI at all?

I read this in a chris brennan interview:

GTR. It is rumored that you now have a BJJ black belt? Is that true? If so, who gave it to you? Is it possible to get BJJ black belt level skills without training consistently with the gi (assuming that you don't train with the gi)?



Chris: Well I do have a Black Belt and I got it from John De La O. I am not sure if you can get a "BJJ" Black Belt without the gi, nor do I care. There are many arguments about the gi training and no gi training. Here is mine. Train in the gi if you are going to compete in the gi. Train without the gi if you are going to compete without the gi. If you are getting ready to race motorcycles do you go practice on a skateboard? They are entirely different. Sure there are some things you can do with both but the whole argument that training with the gi tightens up your no gi training is just asinine. That is a last chance reach the Brazilians are trying to say to get the Americans to keep paying for BJJ and that is it. How can training with something on that absorbs sweat and slows the game down help you get tighter when you take it off. That is like saying having sex with a condom on helps tighten up the game when you take it off. That is complete shit. It will make it much faster and harder to control once you have it off and you will need to find all new ways to slow it down and control it again. They are two totally different things and I prefer without

he makes a good point, but so do other ppl that have a differing opinion...share ur opinions.

[BlastBeats]

This was brought up in another thread not too long ago. I personaly think you should train both. And I also think training with the gi will make SOME of your no-gi game tighter because your opponent has more control over you with the gi on and will make your defense tighter. Theres no room for sloppiness. Plus gi is just fun to train with and a nice change up from no gi. Just my opinion though.

[hayliks]

keep them separate, you're only holding yourself back if you don't.

i don't know a single fighter in the UFC that trains MMA in a gi and then fights without one. Like i said in other threads there are fighters that train BJJ in a Gi, but in their MMA training they don't wear a gi... why the fuck would you?

[agente809]

Originally Posted by hayliks

keep them separate, you're only holding yourself back if you don't.

i don't know a single fighter in the UFC that trains MMA in a gi and then fights without one. Like i said in other threads there are fighters that train BJJ in a Gi, but in their MMA training they don't wear a gi... why the fuck would you?

thats what Brennan's saying lol.

[BlastBeats]

For the record I was talking about doing BJJ in the gi not full MMA sparring. I thought you meant training BJJ by itself as a part of overall MMA training. Though I suppose you could do MMA sparring with it on with your sparring partner not wearing one so you have to deal with that extra amount of control your partner has over you. Though you would have to rule out Ezekiel chokes and any advantages you get from wearing the gi.

[TsukinoKage]

I completely agree. To this day I haven't heard a single logical argument on the benefits gi training for MMA that you couldn't receive from nogi training.

[kidrobot]

no-gi training for mma ftw.

[FutureBxer]

I train with the intention to fight MMA one day and thats why I do only no-gi. Train how you will fight

you wont be using the gi in MMA and infact relying on techniques that require you to grab sleeves, collars, etc - can teach you bad habits when fighting.

[kidrobot]

futurebxr is right. Some of the Gi guys at my place also come in for the No-Gi sessions. Every time I roll with them they grab my shirt lol...

[fatu]

i fully plan to fight MMA eventually but in the meantime im learning BJJ, MT, wrestling and whatever other martial art i feel will one day help me in the MMA ring.

to be successful in MMA your going to have to be ELITE in at least ONE of the martial arts you specialize in and by limiting your BJJ training to only no-gi you are loosing out on alot of the 'tricks' if you must of a slow, methodical roll that you would undergoe if you trained in all aspects of BJJ..

training only no-gi BJJ is by no means more affective for becoming an elite BJJ'r then training both.