No-Gi is taken over by a lot of Wrestlers, and wrestling isn't really a MA, it's a sport, it's very different from BJJ (when BJJ is practiced as a MA). BJJ belts are more about experience, knowledge, attitude than they are about performance. Of course, with experience and knowledge comes better performance, but my point is that other aspects go into the belts. You become a Sempai as you move up the ranks, you interact with newer students and guide them, you set an example for your dojo etc. Also, we have to remember that BJJ is a martial art for those without the attributes to defend themselves (kids, women, smaller men). It takes a while to create those skills without having the brute strength and athletic ability, and so that's where the skills work into each belt, and it's not easy to always judge, but each dojo has general expectations of each belt rank. The problem comes when people get attached to the performance level of belts... a white or blue belt wrestler or Judoka is obviously going to destroy an everyday white or blue belt adult who just started doing ANYTHING sport or martial art 2 years ago. That's not the point of the belt system. People have forgotten that BJJ is a martial art as it's become a sport with athletes with all kinds of backgrounds shining in the spotlight of their international tournaments, all roided out and glimmering under the stage light as their oiled skin reflects the glorious lightshows. But that's not what BJJ is, and the belt system is unique to each dojo. You could be a wrestler, come into a dojo, destroy all the blue belts and that means nothing (well, nothing in your status at the dojo). You don't know BJJ, you're not good at guard, you couldn't teach a sweep to a smaller person that can't take short cuts and needs to know all the technical details, you might give your back because you're used to it etc, and if you're cocky, you have an attitude problem. That's why the belt system exists. Also, a lot of BJJ techniques have made it into wresting and a lot of wrestling takedowns have made it into BJJ, and a lot of Judo has made it into wrestling etc. There is cross pollination, which makes the EARLY belt ranks even more irrelevant in terms of pure mat performance. But, generally, most purple belts, even out of their weight category, will destroy new people, regardless of their background, because they will escape a regular pin, they will get their guard, they will go for their submissions, and they'll take a short time to capitalize on mistakes like reaching, turning the wrong way, pressing through a guard etc. So, in BJJ, the purple, browns and blacks absolutely should perform well. The blue belt is the one that's iffy, because it could mean you've trained BJJ for 2 years, 12 years, or done wrestling for 10 years and BJJ for 6 months lol. However, if you've been doing BJJ for 5-6 years (purple, generally), you should be at best a killer, at worst able to survive MOST really athletic, aggressive opponents from other martial arts or wrestling that have most of your skills... but they don't have guard retention, and they don't have submissions on every joint and neck from any dominant position. Those aspects should give you a good chance against anyone that isn't well versed on the ground (some Sambo guys, some Judo guys, and BJJ guys of course). All this to say, belts aren't just for performance, there are many things that go into a belt, and it also motivates some people, and shows respect for time and knowledge and who you generally should take advice from and trust. If there's a 250lb meathead that's brand new and smashes a 160 lb blue belt, would you rather take meathead's advice or the blue belt? Obvious answer should be the blue belt, because despite his huge disadvantage, he may know a lot more than can help you, especially if you're more athletic or bigger or younger. That blue belt also probably knows how to keep your joints safe when performing techniques or defending others, meathead does not know those things. That's part of why the belt system exists.

Fuckin awesome episode lads, totally agree with all the points. There's huge value in both gi and no-gi. BJJ belts are definetly not a thing of the past (yet).

coming from a collegiate wrestling background, I have always found the bowing/belts to be really weird. My attitude has always been, I don't care what the belt is I care who can win. Don't get me wrong, I accept the belt system for what it is because I love the gi for a myriad of reasons. I also do acknowledge that as I have moved up to purple that there is (generally) a rather large skill jump from belt to belt. I look at the belts more as a system to pair similarly skilled opponents together in competitions. Beyond that, I don't really understand much why anyone would care very much about the color of their belt.

I love training in the Gi and love the tradition of Gi jujitsu. I also train No Gi and find it so much more physically demanding due to the wrestling component of it.

I’ve listened to this episode many times. I get something new out of it every time. Thank you.

Guys every pod ya’ll do is great. 🤙🏾🤙🏾

“You’re wearing Jordans. You’re definitely getting heel hooked.” 😂

I was in Jujitsu for 10 years in the early to late 2000s and I had a purple belt for a long time because I didn't care about belts. My teacher didn't press me to go higher. I was more interested in just rolling with different people of different sizes / belts and learning. It may have value for other people but it didn't to me. The only part that irritates me are those belt factories from other types of martial arts schools spewing out little kids with black belts. A black belt should be something very difficult to earn over a long period of time not something some kid can earn in a few years or while still in childhood.

Forget the belts. Skillset is most important.

All that was said here is applicable to both sides (belts and no belts).

Good show 😊🎉

People like Nogi because the technical difference from Brazillians and non Brazilians is decades apart, which isn’t the case with Nogi.

Yeah gracie University doesn't nor did they ever give out blue belts online nonchalant. That's a ridiculous comment here

There should be no 18 yr old black belts.

No one is bowing any more, so ridiculous

No gi is more practical and more realistic for defending oneself in an actual encounter

No-gi is definately cooler than Gi, thats why so many clueless hyper masculine NAF's gravitate towards the sweatier slipperier cousin of gay pyjama wrestling

Since day 1 of my experience with BJJ, I wondered why belts. I mean, for kids, sure, give them a sense of satisfaction that propels their interests in BJJ, but for ADULTS??? It's so childish.

Not really how it works in apprenticeships. If "masters" dont get cheap labor then another "master" will put them out of business. They are just trying to keep their shops running until retirement. It isnt romantic. Its just a job.

Have to burn the blue belt..... Again then..... Start again at white belt or just pack it in..... 🙄

I only wear a white belt now unless competing. The ego involved in belts are so stupid. Everyone & their mom says "oh no, not me! I don't care!" but inevitably every single person does. If anyone has a problem with it I can take my business elsewhere.