Training in the Gi-----> MMA?

Roper

Read an article in Fighters Only this morning about BJJ players and the transferance of BJJ in thr Gi into MMA. Mostly it was talking about Garcia, Arona, Jacare etc. and how these guys have done when they've entered MMA matches.
There's a lot to this question so I'll set up the debate-

What's your opinion on training in the kimono versus training exclusively nogi, if your goal is to compete exclusively in MMA?


Personally, my first 2 years of grappling training, I never wore a gi. Not because I was opposed to it I just never had the need or opportunity. Then I decided I would. What I noticed was that my bottom game had an explosion, and my escapes too. My guard also got tighter as it was much easier to pass using the pants legs, so I kept my guard much tighter and it improved a lot from it.

The only thing I would say against it was that maybe I got a little lazy on top for a while, then when I'd go to strike my opponent could make space a little easier, but fixing that was a matter of mindset rather than any great technique leap.

All in all, I think the gi has helped my game a lot. Obviously it's hard to say what I'd be like now if I never wore the yoke.

dasmoose

To be honest I can never really make my mind up about this one. I continue to train in both simply because it offers more competitions, and the vast majority of BJJ training available to me is Gi training.

The best argument I've heard to train in a gi is simple - you can't sweat your way out of submissions, you can't use as much explosiveness, and it slows the game down so you can think more. As such, your defense gets much better and your game is generally more tighter.

However, if you only train with the gi, when you fight someone without a gi you feel lost - all your handles are gone. I've seen guys who are fantastic at BJJ with the gi have lots of difficulties with someone simply because they're not wearing a gi. And obviously if you can afford to be looser with your subs because of the gi, without it you've got to be incredibly tight.

Train both! You will be able to compete more, you can go to more classes, and you'l gain both the defensive benefits of wearing a gi and the offensive benefits of training without a gi.

For strictly MMA i think the majority of the time should obviously be spent without the gi as thats what you're training for - I don't think its totally necessary to wear a gi but it might help.

Nothingcompares

I asked Matt Thornton a similar question. I asked him if your aim was purely to compete in MMA within a year, would you bother training in the gi. He answered saying anyone that competes for his team has to be at least a good blue belt before being considered for fights.

I think if you want to be the greatest MMA fighter you can be, it's a very good idea to train in the gi in order to progress your ground grappling to the highest level. But, if you want to fight in the cage in 6months, and only once, I'd say stick to no-gi.

Khannie

Wondered about this myself before. Interesting thread.

One thing I noticed about JK in the seminar out in ropers place was his _expert_ use of his opponents gi. I'm sure it's a seriously differentiating factor at the higher levels of bjj. Anyway, it made me wonder how his game would change if it were gone.

FiannaGym.com

Cut the sleeves off a gi.

Peace

Clive

Sleeveless gi for the win.

Khannie

Definitely. Very fetching.

edit: Bastards removed my cobrakai image!!!!!!!!!!!

David Jones

Sleeveless gi for the win.

You mean like these guys?

David Jones

Board shorts and rashguards way cooler and multi functional, ever tried surfing in a gi?

Clive

Cobra Kai, Never Die.

Roper

I was looking to try and get a Bonsai tree embroidered on the back of one of my gis there for a while. Then I found out due to the amount of stitching required it was going to cost about €60, and I said to myself, for one, possibly two laughs, what's the point? I sat around for awhile waiting for Buddha to provide but that never happened either.

Just don't be surprised of I do it though.

Darkwarrior

Read it and Weep pansies...

john kavanagh

Khannie wrote: »

Anyway, it made me wonder how his game would change if it were gone.

besides changing grips from sleeve to wrist and collar to neck tie my game changes very little.

i've yet to meet anyone who didnt get better at grappling faster, wearing a gi....as long as there relying on fundementals - hip movement, dinosaur arms etc etc as opposed to grips.