Lately I’ve been debating on switching from a GI focus to a no GI/mma gym due to more practical options like self defense and competition. This video confirmed what I was thinking. 😅

You guys are spot on! In the end, the GI is designed to be grabbed. It is a heavy piece of material with a reinforced lapel. Clothes tear very easily....I have seen it many times in real fights. Sure, you may be able to knock someone off balance or create a little resistance, but not enough to make a difference. If I am close enough to grab someone's collar I sure as shit will be performing another technique than searching to make grips. I am not saying it doesn't work at all, its just highly unlikely. Jackets are weather dependent and have zippers and other things that will work against you. And lets not even get into skinny jeans.

As others have said, I think both are useful for self defense. An assailant may not always be wearing something substantial enough to grab, but if they are, it’s good to know gripping/gi specific stuff. Having said that, Whether I’m in my judo, gi bjj or no gi class, I love a two on one/Russian tie, or oblique grip. Imo, it’s one of the safest positions you can attack from.

Train both Gi and No Gi. Be prepared for all circumstances. Then you can have the ability to use whatever you want in a real life scenario. Better to know both and have options, than to limit yourself to one or the other. Be a well rounded BJJ practitioner.

No-Gi would definitely be far more realistic in the streets. In fact, imho, Gi was emphasized due to the Royce Gracie effect [UFC] at a time when Rickson & other bare-knuckle fighters were functioning in a "No-gi" setting. The Gi is pretty useless. No-Gi can be universally applied [i.e., regardless of clothing, weather, etc.].

An underrated aspect of gi training is just dealing with a lot of friction and obstacles. Love them both tho

If anything, there should be training sessions where you train in ''normal'' outdoor clothing .

Agreed. These shorts are gonna blow you up, Jordan. Admittedly, the controversial takes especially 😩😂😭

you guys really coming out with the hot takes

Gi makes you aware of not letting your opponent touch your collar. Wich is the same distance where you could be punched in the face. So i think that extra awareness definitely helps. No gi on the other hand is waaay waay more practical. Try to spider guard sweeping or loop choking someone who wears a long sleves shirt...

No gi all day for self defense. You don’t have to rely on any clothing to defend yourself

I see your point, but imagine someone who is really slick with judo throws like Uchi Mata. Grips on the clothing definitely help!

I think that contrary to what they are saying here these clothing grabs happen all the time in street fights. Not always of course, but reasonably often. It happened to me once that someone was mouthing off to me grabbing the neck of my sweater, with a thick sweater that's a pretty good control. And you can see this street fighting videos all the time where people often grab and yank each others' clothes, even if it's just a t-shirt. When it's all boxing of course it doesn't happen, but when it turns into wrestling and people are desperate they grab and pull everything

yall should make youtube shorts out of these! i get hella podcast snippets on there

Doesn't matter, most blue belts know how to work both.

A question to ponder... Two Jiu jitsiu purple belt practitioners of equal skill and athleticism get into a street fight. One has trained only gi and one only no gi. Who do you guys think would win?

Gi is useful to learn defence against having your clothes grabbed. No Gi, is useful for everything else.

I like no Gi but prefer the 🥋 mainly for the Smell and Sweating no gi, after 1 hour it becomes disgusting

Why isn’t anyone doing bjj in T-shirts and hoods to show grips in clothes

People dont fight in the cold? 😂

Have you guys really rolled with street clothes on? Do it instead of just speculating. I do it all the time. You need both gi and nogi skills.