[juanlawnmower]

sounds like futurebxer read the intro to "jiu jitsu unleashed"

Training BJJ with the gi does help, because it tightens up your defense, and shows you how the game moves slower. Attending nogi is also a top priority, because it shows you how to use any move, teaches you to scramble, etc.

Think about it this way: when you learn drills in nogi, do you do them full speed the first few times through? No, that's obviously not how you learn. When you have a move technically sound in slower, controlled applications (i.e. drilling, gi bjj), you will be able to apply it in competition.

As for training MMA with a gi on, that is just fucking stupid.

[juanlawnmower]

As for fighters training gi, many of the top ground game guys do. BJ Penn won Mundials (gi competition), so he obviously did plenty of gi work. He still does, and his website is a great resource for anyone into grappling. No real need for more evidence on that, is there?

[blanko]

do this:

wear a gi and have your training parter go no gi. He can attack you with gi chokes and it will be easier to sub you because of the gi. Your defence will get alot better fast. I think that's why chute box wears the gi.. to learn defence.

[Rinksterk]

I think its good to train both. The gi forces you to have better technique and rely less on physical attributes. You should of course train no-gi in order to adapt your technique to MMA.
A lot of MMA fighters seem to continue training with the gi though.

[Andre00]

Originally Posted by 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.

how about the fact that it makes your defense tighter and based more on technical escapes rather than 'slipping/muscling' out of submissions.
ex. is your in the gi and someone is setting up an armbar, you have to have good defense because you can't depend on just pulling out, you need to use technique to get out. If you train without gi you will depend on pulling out of moves/slipperyness for escapes without even knowing it.
and yes, people that train MMA usually will do a 50/50 (as far as their BJJ)

[Zankou]

For all the debate about this issue, it never seems to matter in real life.

[koreankid6413]

i think GSP actually part times trains in a gi

[agente809]

from what you guys have said...and what I have heard elsewhere I guess you have to do both...but for mma focus more on the no gi aspect...and just use the gi to tighten up your defense...thnx dudes.

[fatu]

Originally Posted by agente809

from what you guys have said...and what I have heard elsewhere I guess you have to do both...but for mma focus more on the no gi aspect...and just use the gi to tighten up your defense...thnx dudes.

well it does more then just tighten up your defense, but yah.. you got the right idea.

[LordarshynBJJ]

Train in the Gi if you enjoy it. I train in the Gi just because I think it's fun...but if you're training for MMA and have a fight coming up soon, get the fuck out of that Gi. Maybe it might help your defense a bit, but seriously, why the hell would you train in a Gi for an event that doesn't include the gi?

I've seen my friend screw himself in no-gi fights by reaching for his handles/collar chokes etc. You HAVE to drill that shit out of your mind before an MMA event.

If your instructor doesn't care, try taking some MMA gloves to your open mats and practice your ground game with someone with very light contact strikes involved. You NEED to learn to avoid punches on the ground.

But seriously, if you're fighting soon, get the hell out of that Gi.

Originally Posted by Andre00

how about the fact that it makes your defense tighter and based more on technical escapes rather than 'slipping/muscling' out of submissions.
ex. is your in the gi and someone is setting up an armbar, you have to have good defense because you can't depend on just pulling out, you need to use technique to get out. If you train without gi you will depend on pulling out of moves/slipperyness for escapes without even knowing it.
and yes, people that train MMA usually will do a 50/50 (as far as their BJJ)

Yeah but in MMA you can always add some strikes to help you out. Training in the gi in your off time is all fine and dandy, but come on, don't train in a damn gi right before your MMA fight. It's MMA. Train for MMA.

Using a Gi to train for MMA is dumb. It's like using a Mac to teach yourself how to use windows. Some of the same shit might still work, but once you get into the windows world you need to learn a lot more new tricks, and a lot of the shit you learned on that mac won't work.

You get what I'm saying? Training in a Gi can and will help your jiujitsu, but if you're training in a Gi right before an MMA fight you are screwing yourself.