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Is Gracie jiu-jitsu really best for winning a fight, or just for the controlled environments in MMA-style competitions? I frequently hear Krav Maga cited as the

Is Gracie jiu-jitsu really best for winning a fight, or just for the controlled environments in MMA-style competitions? I frequently hear Krav Maga cited as the most effective for real world fighting. Grappling with parties unknown seems dangerous.

_0ffh 10y ago
Possibly in a one-on-one fight. But even the best submission techniques will do you little good if the other guy brings his friend along...
gosukiwi 10y ago
If they have a weapon or it's more than one enemy, then going for ground fighting it's not a good idea. For a clean 1v1 it's by far the best IMO.
ghiotion 10y ago
It's a really interesting question. Jiu-jitsu unquestionably works in "uncontrolled" environments. I'd wager large money that if more police officers trained in grappling and submission techniques there'd be far fewer shootings. I don't have specific experience with Krav per se, but the self-defense I learned getting my Karate BB was kravesque. Krav is fine, but I think of it a little like crossfit; it's mostly a marketing thing. In my estimation, krav can be great for self-defense. But anything where you focus on one or two practical defense moves is great for self-defense. Get good at one or two things and drill it 10,000 times.
- OneOneOneOne 10y ago
  Not sure grappling is a great idea with a gun on your hip.
- rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
  Not to derail, but the #1 reason cops reach for their weapons is because they fear a suspect has a weapon. Its a split-second, life-or-death choice. No amount of martial arts training will change that.
  - Diamons 10y ago
    Yes but BJJ instills confidence in you and your ability to handle a close range encounter.
    - michaelt 10y ago
      I once saw a video of some experienced fighters practising some technique on an instructor who had a training knife they don't know about. With all the excitement and adrenaline, not only did every single student get 'stabbed' - many of them didn't notice until the exercise was over and the instructor pointed out the 'stab wounds'. I'm not sure there's any amount of BJJ that would make me confident to grapple a guy who could have a concealed knife.
    - ghiotion 10y ago
      Yeah, I think that's exactly right. And it's hard to reach for a weapon when you can't move your arms.
uses 10y ago
The thing about Krav Maga, Kung fu, or similar stuff that uses "deadly techniques", is that their efficacy is (conveniently?) unprovable. Meanwhile, submission grappling (such as jiu jitsu) and striking techniques (such as boxing & muay thai) are tested constantly from the lowest levels of beginners via sparring, to the highest levels of champions via competition. Another thing to consider, is take a look at the all-around grappling skills of a top wrestler, judoka, bjj practitioner, etc. Do we really believe that their all-around skills wouldn't enable them to effectively use forbidden techniques such as ball punches or eye gouges or whatever? A skilled grappler is going to win a grappling contest, and a skilled striker will win a striking contest, regardless of the finishing techniques they employ.

_0ffh 10y ago

Possibly in a one-on-one fight. But even the best submission techniques will do you little good if the other guy brings his friend along...

gosukiwi 10y ago

If they have a weapon or it's more than one enemy, then going for ground fighting it's not a good idea. For a clean 1v1 it's by far the best IMO.

ghiotion 10y ago

It's a really interesting question. Jiu-jitsu unquestionably works in "uncontrolled" environments. I'd wager large money that if more police officers trained in grappling and submission techniques there'd be far fewer shootings. I don't have specific experience with Krav per se, but the self-defense I learned getting my Karate BB was kravesque. Krav is fine, but I think of it a little like crossfit; it's mostly a marketing thing. In my estimation, krav can be great for self-defense. But anything where you focus on one or two practical defense moves is great for self-defense. Get good at one or two things and drill it 10,000 times.

OneOneOneOne 10y ago
Not sure grappling is a great idea with a gun on your hip.
rm_-rf_slash 10y ago
Not to derail, but the #1 reason cops reach for their weapons is because they fear a suspect has a weapon. Its a split-second, life-or-death choice. No amount of martial arts training will change that.
- Diamons 10y ago
  Yes but BJJ instills confidence in you and your ability to handle a close range encounter.
  - michaelt 10y ago
    I once saw a video of some experienced fighters practising some technique on an instructor who had a training knife they don't know about. With all the excitement and adrenaline, not only did every single student get 'stabbed' - many of them didn't notice until the exercise was over and the instructor pointed out the 'stab wounds'. I'm not sure there's any amount of BJJ that would make me confident to grapple a guy who could have a concealed knife.
  - ghiotion 10y ago
    Yeah, I think that's exactly right. And it's hard to reach for a weapon when you can't move your arms.

uses 10y ago

The thing about Krav Maga, Kung fu, or similar stuff that uses "deadly techniques", is that their efficacy is (conveniently?) unprovable. Meanwhile, submission grappling (such as jiu jitsu) and striking techniques (such as boxing & muay thai) are tested constantly from the lowest levels of beginners via sparring, to the highest levels of champions via competition. Another thing to consider, is take a look at the all-around grappling skills of a top wrestler, judoka, bjj practitioner, etc. Do we really believe that their all-around skills wouldn't enable them to effectively use forbidden techniques such as ball punches or eye gouges or whatever? A skilled grappler is going to win a grappling contest, and a skilled striker will win a striking contest, regardless of the finishing techniques they employ.