Debating between BJJ and Krav Maga

[koto_ryu]

All things being equal, I'd take a BJJ'er over a Krav Maga stylist 9 times outta 10 in the street, in the ring, or in the octagaon.

BJJ is huge for all the right reasons - it actually works against resisting opponents and it blends well with other striking and grappling arts.

Krav Maga got popular because J-Lo and other Hollywood-types took it up. I'm not saying it's useless, just that the instruction is not consistent.

That's true for any martial art though, you get a poor teacher and you're not going to learn well, no matter what martial art it is.

[Captain Obvious]

BJJ is grappling. Krav Maga has all fighting.

[Ronson]

koto_ryu, thanks for the response

However, all things being equal (take the two people with the same physical attributes and comparable high-caliber training/instruction), in my opinion, a BJJ'er will take out a KM stylist 8/9 times outta 10. Again, I think proper KM training will allow stylist to effectively defend themselves against Joe Public, but against a competant BJJ'er is another story - just my bias

Captian Obvious
I'll take BJJ over KM anytime. BJJ has proven itself over and over, and don't give me that old line bullshit that KM is tooooo deadly for the ring/octagon - its old.

[kengar]

Rank on priority of what will be the best system for you.


1. The individual (how he/she has been conditioned; society/life/belief system)
2. The training methods and mindset
3. The individual (how he/she adjusts to training, belief system, mindset)
4. The system

[musclemilk]

well i signed up today for bjj and i am going to be attending 3 sessions a week.

unfortunatly i missed some sessinos earlier this month cause i signed up today(and i will miss a few sessions when i go home for winter break), but whatever it happens.

CAnt wait for my first real session this week.

[Useless]

I personally tried Krav Maga for two years in the army and thought it to be fairly efficient form of self-defense. (Why would Israeli special forces waste their time on something that does not work?)

Then again I guess that the army training is different to civilian Krav Maga.

I think that the beauty of Krav Maga is in its learning curve which isn't steep at all. It is a bit like Muay Thai, only slightly more complicated (That's why I went back to Muay Thai, duh...)

[GeorgeK]

I did Krav Maga for a year. I liked it the time but got somewhat dissapointed in it and stopped taking it. Some of the things were great. No kata! A lot of conditioning during class - tons of sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, and various drills, etc. The training seemed all right - boxing punches, Muay thai kicks, ground defenses from BJJ - all good. But...what I've found out is that the Krav Maga instructors don't have to have taken Krav Maga to become instructors. They can come from a variety of arts like karate, kickboxing, etc. All they have to do is go to the KM training center for like a weekend seminar and become certified, and then keep coming back a few times a year. This makes it the biggest McDojo ever and also proves that KM isn't a real indigenous art but a combo of arts that are said to be the best for fighting/self defense - boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, wrestling. So, why take Krav Maga when you can find a school that teaches one or more of those arts and the istructors most likely have had experience in competition? Who is going to show you how to throw a roundhouse better - someone who has fought Thai boxing or some Joe Shmoe who got certified at a weekend seminar? Also, there are belt tests every few months and trust me everyone passes. So, my opinion - Krav Maga is good for general public to get fitter and to learn some self-defense, but for someone who is serious about their fighting ability should really look into one or more of the above stated arts or a MMA school. (I tried using some ground fighting techniques that I learned in KM against a BJJer, guess what - I couldn't pull any of it off) I would go with BJJ and add a striking art to that. In fact this is what I'm doing - switching from KM to a MMA gym. Good luck to all!

[IPON]

This makes it the biggest McDojo ever

Actually, I think JKD will take those honors....but I agree with your point.

[Tom Yum]

if I'm not mistaken, krav maga is often marketed with tae-bo and cardio kickbox.

i think it provides realism for those who want to evolve from tae-bo and a more challengeing workout.

[THE ETERNAL VOW]

Remember, the street is not padded. so imagine being in a full guard with the man on top grinding ur skull on concrete. BJJ is useful for street defense, but i believe that it lacks vicious techniques like biting, tearing eyes etc. Also its obvious that most violent assaults come with a weapons bearer so the weapon defense is good from KM. same crap in my opinion just mix everything together. Remember just cause something is good in a padded octagon, with one other opponent, referee keeping rules, gloves on, and no weapons, doesnt mean it will be useful in a dark alley with a knife wielding lunatic like myself lol joking. peace dudes.

[eXcessiveForce]

I took KM for awhile because it was available to me. It has some real problems at it core. One is the stance used as the delevery system. It is very forward and you lose your center. (the forward facing is because it was developed for people wearing bullet proof vests so you don't want to take a bullet in the side.

I found it to be full of exercises but lacking in content. Hammer fists were the favorite, 45 degree punch (even to the head), and a few thai type kicks. The elbows and kicks were not trained as well as MT. Their ground work is not good. Their weapons defenses will get you killed.

Try them out. BJJ on it's own may not be the answer but it could bridge to MMA which would be better for street ap.

I have done both, and there are plenty of applications from standing for BJJ.