Joining a BJJ/MMA school(couple questions)

[ian_mcphee]

Im joining a BJJ school next week with my friend...at first i wanted to join a style with more striking in it(,Kung Fu,Karate orTae Kwan Do) since id mostly be using Martial Arts in School/Street fights.But my friend insists on Jujitsu for some reason(probably because hes a UFC fan) so it looks as though ill be joining that.Im just wondering how much striking there is in BJJ? do they teach you punchs and kick or is it mostly just grapples? on the ad i think it also stated that they teach Mauy Thai aspects too but im not positive on that.

anyway do you think BJJ is a good style for me for what id be using it for? i understand that 95% of fights goto the ground but im worried that if i have no stand up ill be dinner before it even gets to that point.

BTW im 15,5"6 135 pounds pretty muscular for my age. Id say my punching is decent for my age and for having no previous martial arts training however im not a good kicker and im not really flexible

[grappler-jordan]

Ian,

If you have no previous experience and you are looking to learn martial arts for self-defense, a BJJ curriculum may or may not be what you are looking for.

There are a few things that you should know to start with about BJJ:

1. BJJ is a sport, and is usually trained as such. Although there are great self-defense aspects to BJJ (as you will see discussed and debated heavily throughout these forums) you will usually be exposed to the sport aspects unless you specifically look for self-defense training.

2. BJJ is not a striking art in and of itself. Jiu-Jitsu literally means "The gentle-art". BJJ is about newaza (ground grappling), it's moves and strategies. In a BJJ school, you WILL learn and be effective at controlling an opponent that is larger and stronger then you (I do this on a daily basis with my training partners who are in the 205 weight class and I am 160, regurlarly they tap out to my submissions). Typically you will not learn striking aspects of grappling unless you are training those aspects specifically. If your school offers Muay-Thai classes also (as alot of MMA/BJJ schools do these days) that would be a GREAT place for you to learn the basics of striking.

3. If you are training for sport, when a street situation rises to use those skills you may use moves that are designed for sport and not self-defense simply out of muscle-memory or habit. This could be potentially dangerous in a street fight (pavement is not as soft as mats).

4. Most importantly, BJJ is fun. It honeslty will change the way you think about alot of things in life. It will not only sharpen your fighting skill and allow you to competently handle yourself on the ground, it will sharpen your mind. A good grappling contest is much like a chess match, as much a battle of intellects and knowledge as it is physical prowess and strength. (It will also help you stay in great shape)

So in the end, I would say, give it a shot, you may or may not like it. If you combine the BJJ class with Muay-Thai you could have the foundation to be a well rounded fighter. But the best advice I can give you, is to avoid street fights at all costs, at school, in your neighborhood, wherever. You can always benefit more from walking away from a fight then from acting on anger or impulse. The most important thing you will ever learn in Martial Arts is without a doubt, self-control.

If you have any questions please feel free to PM me and I will be happy to try to answer them. There is alot of experience and knowledge on this forum, listen to everyones opinions and try to make the decision best for you.

Also, did you check the instructors credentials at all? Have you visited the school? Get your free-trial classes, they will help you decide if you like it or not.

Good luck, and sorry for the super long post...

g-j

[grappler-jordan]

Oh but as a side note, in my humble opinion BJJ and Muay-Thai would be MUCH better for Self-Defense then Kung-Fu, Karate or TKD. Not everyone will agree with that, however, Experience has been my teacher and it's hard to argue with him...

[ian_mcphee]

thanks alot man sounds good

so would i just use Muay Thai skills when im striking and then if/when the fight goes to the ground i would use my BJJ?

i know i sound like a violent fool but im not,i just get bullied abit because i flinch really easily(some people like to shadow box in my face for no apparent reason,and it makes me really mad).I also have good friends that i would love to be able to defend if need be.i also used to be fat(175 pounds) and some people still pick on me/take me lightly because of it.

plus BJJ sounds like alot of fun and a good way to stay fit.im really into bettering myself and achieving goals.an example of this would be my love for weight lifting so im think im perfect for it.

[Penance]

It's impossible to say how you will use the things you learn. Every opponent and situation is different. BJJ and MT are tools like anything else and you should use them only when appropriate. For example, you wouldn't want to go to the ground in a multi-opponent situation.

BJJ and MT will both whip your body into awesome shape. MT especially will really work your cardio. After a few months of BJJ you will notice an increase in muscle mass and tone.

If you work hard and have some natural ability, you will be good (compared to untrained people) in only 3-6 months. Be prepared (and prepare your parents too!) to come home with LOTS of bruises, aches, and pains for the 1st couple months. Check your ego at the door and try to work with the higher level people as much as possible. They will be happy to help you learn and won't have as much to prove against a new guy.

[Mephariel]

Oh but as a side note, in my humble opinion BJJ and Muay-Thai would be MUCH better for Self-Defense then Kung-Fu, Karate or TKD. Not everyone will agree with that, however, Experience has been my teacher and it's hard to argue with him...

You can't just say that. Real fighting is a lot more than just style and art. Besides, there are many different kinds of Karate and Kung Fu. Kyo Karate is full contact, and many Russian bodyguards were trained in it. San Shou is used by the Chinese Military and has been proven in the ring also. Again, fighting depends on many things.

I will say this though:

BJJ and Muay Thai are probably the two arts that are most PROVEN to work great in the ring if you are going by video proof or historical records in ring fights.

[Adept]

i know i sound like a violent fool but im not,i just get bullied abit because i flinch really easily(some people like to shadow box in my face for no apparent reason,and it makes me really mad).I also have good friends that i would love to be able to defend if need be.i also used to be fat(175 pounds) and some people still pick on me/take me lightly because of it.

Hi friend.

Violent fool? I don't think so. No offense, but I think you're just not confident enough and you sound insecure. I've been there myself, so I'm not making fun of you whatsoever. BJJ is a great art to learn. Before learning Judo, I was just like you. People would "punk" me out and stuff because I didn't have enough confidence to stand up for myself. BJJ will give you just that through your sparring. Grappling is also a great workout. But I think the best thing BJJ will and can give you is mentality. The ability to face your fears and insecurities. Now you just have to learn to control what makes you mad. Keep in mind, even if you take Thai boxing and BJJ, it does not make you Superman. Be mindful of getting into street fights, as there are no rules and you may get teamed on 2 on 1.

Good luck training.

[grappler-jordan]

Great point Penance and I will re-empahsize it for good measure...

You gotta check your ego at the door when you train. Be prepared to have people smaller and weaker then you tap you out, it will happen. Be prepared to work hard and come home with some well earned bruises... but like it was mentioned, in 3-6 months you will start to see your skills coming together, in a year you would be a skilled opponent standing and on the ground. Check your ego, be willing to absorb everything the Sr. guys try to show you... most of them teach from personal experience not theory... Stick with it, even when you feel like you are just taking beatings daily, it is just as important to learn from your defeats as your victories.

Where are you in the country? What school are you looking at attending?

[grappler-jordan]

You can't just say that. Real fighting is a lot more than just style and art. Besides, there are many different kinds of Karate and Kung Fu. Kyo Karate is full contact, and many Russian bodyguards were trained in it. San Shou is used by the Chinese Military and has been proven in the ring also. Again, fighting depends on many things.

I will say this though:

BJJ and Muay Thai are probably the two arts that are most PROVEN to work great in the ring if you are going by video proof or historical records in ring fights.

That is why it said, "in my humble opinion", this is an opinon, which I am entitled too. Not fact, and not a constant, in some situations it may not be true. However, experience has taught what it has and therefore I have developed that opinion, in time, he will develop his own as well...

Better to be well rounded then close-minded. For someone without no experience, BJJ and MT are a good place to start... and will give him a great foundation to work from. That is all I am really trying to say, and for you TMA guys who may bave been offended, Sorry, just my opinion, not trying to debate...

[jubaji]

If you're 15, doesn't your high school have a wrestling team?

[sapatiero]

but im worried that if i have no stand up ill be dinner before it even gets to that point.

I'm biased toward BJJ (like a few guys on this site), but IMO unless the guy you're facing is a boxer or muai thai specialist you're going to take him to ground & he's toast in under a minute. Even then, he'll need to know BJJ if he's going to defend against you. It's worth checking if your BJJ club does any 'old school' style BJJ self defense. A lot of the sport BJJ guys put it down as being a little old fashioned, but if you want to feel confident that your stuff works, it'll give you that confidence.

If you want some examples, checkout the Gracies In Action DVD's. Note that I'm talking about 'on the street' - in the ring everyone knows grappling nowadays.

Have fun

[howulikemenow]

I've only been training bjj for about 6 months. I train at a tkd school that also teaches bjj, but I don't do tkd very much. We do work on stand-up alot though. When I was in high school alot of years ago I started boxing about three years worth. I used the boxing to win numerous street fights that were both standing and on the ground. I guess my point is in a street fight even if you take the other guy to the ground and put them in the greatest submission ever. Who is going to stop the fight? Some of the people on here will probably not agree that bjj is not enough to win most street fights. In my opinion you need to be able to strike them to make them want to quit. But I agree with most people who train in any style if you know what your doing you usually won't need to use it.

[OmaPlata]

Im joining a BJJ school next week with my friend...at first i wanted to join a style with more striking in it(,Kung Fu,Karate orTae Kwan Do) since id mostly be using Martial Arts in School/Street fights.But my friend insists on Jujitsu for some reason(probably because hes a UFC fan) so it looks as though ill be joining that.Im just wondering how much striking there is in BJJ? do they teach you punchs and kick or is it mostly just grapples? on the ad i think it also stated that they teach Mauy Thai aspects too but im not positive on that.

anyway do you think BJJ is a good style for me for what id be using it for? i understand that 95% of fights goto the ground but im worried that if i have no stand up ill be dinner before it even gets to that point.

BTW im 15,5"6 135 pounds pretty muscular for my age. Id say my punching is decent for my age and for having no previous martial arts training however im not a good kicker and im not really flexible

by time youre 15 1/2 you will OWN 96% of the students at your high school. BJJ all the way. You will kicking the shit out of other students that **** with you. one kid in our class who was a freshman and skinny, but he trained often and with the adult class, he some senior picking on him, and this kid in my class hopped on the guys back and put the senior to sleep via a RNC. the whole school crowed around the guy as he slept on the concrete, mean while the kid in my class took off running

[OmaPlata]

If you're 15, doesn't your high school have a wrestling team?

He doesnt want to wear those gay ass strong man in circus ball hugging tights and those funny ear thingys and learn to pin guys shoulders to the ground, yea, thats going to help his street fighting a whole lot. lol

[jubaji]

I guess my point is in a street fight even if you take the other guy to the ground and put them in the greatest submission ever. Who is going to stop the fight? Some of the people on here will probably not agree that bjj is not enough to win most street fights. In my opinion you need to be able to strike them to make them want to quit. .

????????????


A submission is at least as likely to make them "want to quit" as anything else.

Wtf?