While perfecting your Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves is not necessarily the fastest way to win in the MMA arena, this form of martial arts definitely has some key advantages over other fighting styles, such as Muay Thai fighting or perhaps boxing. It is important for all MMA fighters to incorporate a variety of styles into their repertoire, and here are a few BJJ skills that are essentials for fighters.
One of the key advantages of studying Brazilian jiu-jitsu is that it is particularly effective when you are facing a larger opponent, as this style of fighting offers you a skill set that relies on submission holds rather than brute force. When you study this martial art, you will learn a host of submission holds, which are divided into two main categories: Chokeholds and Joint Locks.
Joint locks, which can be used on the shoulders, legs, arms and the spinal column, can render your opponent unable to move, and you basically force them to tap out or hope the referee stops the bout before you break bones. One of the most highly successful joint locks is the armbar.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the offspring of judo, so many of the techniques are similar. One helpful technique to learn is how to inflict a solid armbar on your opponent and also how to escape from an armbar. Ronda Rousey, for example, earned an Olympic medal in Judo and her armbar is practically lethal. Other fighters use this hold with great success, including Rorion Gracie, Matt Hughes and Frank Mir, who broke his opponent's arm and ended the bout with a strong armbar. There is more than one type of armbar, so consider learning several styles, from the helicopter armbar to the double armbar to the flying armbar.
Another type of submission hold is the chokehold, and as with joint locks, there are many different styles of chokes that you can learn. The theory behind a chokehold is that you cut off the oxygen supply or blood flow of your opponent forcing them to submit, and occasionally, they will become unconscious. This is certainly an excellent tool for self defense but also as part of your fight game plan. Two types of chokes that have been used with great success in MMA are the guillotine chokehold and the rear naked choke. Royce Gracie used this rear naked choke to take down Ken Shamrock in under a minute during UFC 1. There are many examples of fights ending due to a well-applied guillotine choke, but few are as interesting to watch as the 2007 IFL fight between Dave Phillips and Dan Miller.
Becoming an expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu includes more, of course, than simply learning an armbar and one or two chokeholds. You will learn how to get an opponent down to the mat, learn how to escape from holds and much more. All of these skills can be highly important components of your MMA skill set.
One of the key advantages of studying Brazilian jiu-jitsu is that it is particularly effective when you are facing a larger opponent, as this style of fighting offers you a skill set that relies on submission holds rather than brute force. When you study this martial art, you will learn a host of submission holds, which are divided into two main categories: Chokeholds and Joint Locks.
Joint locks, which can be used on the shoulders, legs, arms and the spinal column, can render your opponent unable to move, and you basically force them to tap out or hope the referee stops the bout before you break bones. One of the most highly successful joint locks is the armbar.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the offspring of judo, so many of the techniques are similar. One helpful technique to learn is how to inflict a solid armbar on your opponent and also how to escape from an armbar. Ronda Rousey, for example, earned an Olympic medal in Judo and her armbar is practically lethal. Other fighters use this hold with great success, including Rorion Gracie, Matt Hughes and Frank Mir, who broke his opponent's arm and ended the bout with a strong armbar. There is more than one type of armbar, so consider learning several styles, from the helicopter armbar to the double armbar to the flying armbar.
Another type of submission hold is the chokehold, and as with joint locks, there are many different styles of chokes that you can learn. The theory behind a chokehold is that you cut off the oxygen supply or blood flow of your opponent forcing them to submit, and occasionally, they will become unconscious. This is certainly an excellent tool for self defense but also as part of your fight game plan. Two types of chokes that have been used with great success in MMA are the guillotine chokehold and the rear naked choke. Royce Gracie used this rear naked choke to take down Ken Shamrock in under a minute during UFC 1. There are many examples of fights ending due to a well-applied guillotine choke, but few are as interesting to watch as the 2007 IFL fight between Dave Phillips and Dan Miller.
Becoming an expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu includes more, of course, than simply learning an armbar and one or two chokeholds. You will learn how to get an opponent down to the mat, learn how to escape from holds and much more. All of these skills can be highly important components of your MMA skill set.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. To get additional details about martial arts San Diego trainers or to find a boxing gym San Diego, please check out The Arena MMA website now.
