The gi vs no-gi debate ?

[SAB]

Hi all,

Just wondering what the rmax coaches think about the gi vs no-gi debate constantly argued among sport BJJ guys.

On the one side we have the thought that no-gi is as sports specific as possible.

On the other side we have the though that the gi provides a useful training tool that encourages proper postures and escapes.

I've been currently thinking about this as I study the MMAsaddle set and attempt to use the saddle during gi class.

cheers
Steve

[Geoff Dixon]

Hey Steve,
This is just my opinion, as I'm not a FlowFighting Coach. My grappling background is in both gi and no-gi disciplines. I wrestled for a long time and at the same time I studied Judo hardcore. I found that when I did Judo, I utilized more wrestling tie-ups even though I was wearing a gi. When I started to train in BJJ, I studied under Renzo Gracie. Even though we wore a gi a lot of the time, Renzo would work moves that didn't necessarily rely on the gi, as he was competing in MMA and ADCC full time.
I tend to agree with the Eddie Bravo stance on gi usage. If you are planning on competing in gi events, you have to learn the technical aspects of working with the gi. If your plans are for submission grappling or MMA style events, I would spend most of my time working the techniques I could use in those events. For me, it comes down to what you want to compete in. Again, this is just my opinion, and not the opinion of any other Coach here.

[Coach Wilson]

I agree with Coach Dixon. It just depends on what your goals are, and under what rules you will be fighting. For example, I generally like to train either bareknuckle or with minimal hand wraps, even for bag work. This is an old habit from my days as a bareknuckle fighter. However, when I was preparing for my San Shou fight and more recently my Savate Kickboxing tournamnet, I trained wearing the gloves that I would be competing in. It just made sense to get use to the gear i would be using.

Having worked with many MMA competitors, I see them follow a similar protocol. If they are preparing for a Gi tourney they train with a Gi, if they are preparing for a submission wrestling tourney (no gi) they work without.

It is all up to your goals and the rules you will fight. Smile.

[SAB]

Thanks for the responses Coach Dixon and Coach Wilson.

That basically matches how I feel.

The debate gets quite savage on some MMA websites :D

Anyone else?

[Coach Flanagan]

Some time ago I had an online exchange with Coach Jones on this topic. He gave me an interesting insight as to one potential benefit of training Gi for MMA. It was something to the effect that since many of the people you are going to be facing are probably coming from a background of intensive Gi training, it can be beneficial to get a feel for how Gi-trained grapplers move. So even though No-gi is certainly more specific, rolling with experience Gi-Grapplers can be an excellent sensitivity exercise to give you a feel for how to deal with more traditional BJJ players.

[SAB]

Thanks for the insight Sean !

I hadn't considered that before.