Has anyone ever tried to adapt BJJ for actual street defense?

[Guest]

I'm not too familiar with the Knee On position and rarely use it in training. However I don't feel that your groin is at much risk if you are raining hard and fast blows into your opponents face. He will be too busy trying to curl up and protect himself.

I don't think he could generate much power in any strike anyway and, if he tried to grab you "equipment" then you would have to have very loose clothing on for him to get a grip.

[Shrimp]

What I would add to bjj in a real fight is this: if I do end up in the guard, my best weapon is a heel kick to his face. This is probably more of a fight-ender than an armbar, as it can almost snap the guy's head off his body.... Check out Renzo->Oleg or Bustamante->Bohlander. Krav Maga's main weapon from the guard is the heel kick to the face.

[defendu.com]

They're all good

I've trained with numerous guys who've used BJJ in streetfights and they were all amazed at the effectiveness.

The common response is, "I can't believe it, it was just like class."

I know cops that have used it during deadly encounters when their duty weapons would not fire (one L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy's Berretta was knocked out of battery when he shoved it against the subject's chest), guys that have saved kids from vicious dog attacks and several guys that have used it successfully against multiple opponents. I know ex-boxers, ex-Aikido guys and an ex-Kung Fu practitioner who swear by it.

It might have to do more with the way it is taught to you (as techniques suitable for self-defense vs. tournaments) than exactly what is taught to you.

Also remember that BJJ (especially as taught by the Gracies) is not just the guard or armlocks. There are lots of techniques that are designed for real fights. Remember that the style evolved from numerous fights in and around Rio de Janeiro. (I was in the locker room when a nationally-known BJJ stylist was seen slipping a knife into a inside the waistband sheath -- "This is for two-on-ones," he said.)

Oops, by the way, one of the guys I train with won a street fight by using a Kimura from the guard (total white belt technique). The advantage was that witnesses told the cops that the "big" guy attacked our guy and our guy fell down to the ground and the next thing you knew the big guy was screaming and holding his shoulder....The cops led the big guy away in cuffs with a separated shoulder and our guy "won" the fight AND got to go home.