Does GI BJJ REALLY Improve Your NoGi Game?

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Does training in the Gi help your No Gi Jiujitsu and MMA?

I asked this same question to many of the current top athletes in Jiujitsu and MMA.
Hear what Roger Gracie, Xande Ribeiro, SUGA Sean O'Malley, Tim Welch, Mason Fowler, Former UFC Champion Benson Henderson, Robert Degle, Big Dan Manasoui and Augusto "Tanquinho" Mendes have to say about training in the Gi.

00:00 Intro Does Gi Help Improve Your No Gi?
00:30 Roger Gracie
01:16 Benson Henderson
01:55 Mason Fowler
02:50 Patreon Ad Break
03:11 Big Dan Manasoui
03:42 Xande Ribeiro
05:40 Roger Gracie
06:03 Mason Fowler
06:30 Augusto "Tanquinho" Mendes
06:55 SUGA Sean O'Malley
07:01 Tim Welch
08:04 Robert Degle
08:45 Patreon & YouTube Membership Support Ads

I also asked AI (Chat GPT) if training in the Gi helps improve your MMA & No Gi Jiujitsu and this is what it said:

Yes, training in the gi can help improve your no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and MMA skills. While there are distinct differences between gi and no-gi, such as the grips on the gi, there are a lot of transferable skills that will help you in no-gi and MMA.

Here’s how:

1. **Fundamental Positions and Concepts**:
In the Gi, you'll develop a strong understanding of the core positions in BJJ, like guard, side control, mount, and back control. These concepts are foundational and carry over to no-gi. The key principles like maintaining pressure, control, and timing are universal.

2. **Tactical Awareness**:
Gi training often requires more patience, as you need to control the grips and positions carefully. This teaches you to think tactically and avoid rushing, which is helpful in no-gi and MMA where speed and control are essential.

3. **Grip Strength and Hand Fighting**:
While grips in No-Gi and MMA are different, training with the gi will still build grip strength, which is beneficial for controlling your opponent, regardless of whether they are wearing a gi or not. In MMA, grips on the wrist, head, or body are still crucial for controlling an opponent or setting up submissions.

4. **Submission Transitions**:
Many submissions from the gi can be applied in no-gi (e.g., arm locks, chokes, leg locks). In fact, mastering them in the gi can provide a strong base that you can adapt for no-gi.

5. **Passing the Guard**:
Guard passing, especially with grips, is a big part of gi training. While no-gi guard passing is slightly faster due to the lack of grips, the fundamental concepts of pressure and positioning still apply.

6. **Mental Toughness**:
Gi training can be more mentally demanding because it requires more technical precision and can be slower-paced at times. Developing the mental discipline to solve problems in these situations will transfer well to no-gi, where the pace is often faster and decisions must be made quickly.

7. **Body Awareness**:
The gi forces you to develop awareness of your body and your opponent's body in more intricate ways (due to the grips and lapels). This body awareness can improve your no-gi movements, as you'll be more conscious of where your weight is and how to adjust your positioning for better control.

Differences to Keep in Mind:
**No-gi**: You don't have the grips and the fabric to hold onto, so there’s more emphasis on controlling with underhooks, overhooks, wrist control, and body positioning.
**MMA**: You’ll need to adapt to striking, which is not part of gi training. Grappling in MMA also focuses on takedowns and control under more dynamic and chaotic situations, which requires adjusting your BJJ game.

In conclusion, while training in the gi won't completely replicate the experience of no-gi or MMA, it builds a solid technical foundation that will make it easier to transition between the two styles. Many top-level no-gi practitioners and MMA fighters still train in the gi for this reason!

Stuart Cooper is known for his viral inspirational BJJ highlight videos. He has filmed the biggest Jiujitsu events in the world such as the PGF, ADCC & the Craig Jones Invitational or CJI.
He has also produced short films and documentaries on many different Jiujitsu legends such as Roger Gracie, Craig Jones, Dante Leon, Vagner Rocha, Braulio Estima, Marcelo Garcia, Vinny Magalhaes, Romulo Barral, Cyborg Abreu, Dean Lister, Xande Ribeiro, Rodolfo Vieira, Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida, Eddie Bravo, Joe Rogan, Georges St Pierre (GSP) Jeff Monson, Andre Galvao, Ffion Davies, Mackenzie Dern, Lucas Barbosa, Rickson Gracie, Kron Gracie, Kyra Gracie, Rafael Dos Anjos, Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares. Robson Moura, Josh Hinger, Mason Fowler, Gunnar Nelson, John Danaher, Rafael Lovato Jr, Ryan Hall, Kurt Osiander, Nathan Orchard, Gabi Garcia, Henry Akins and Valentina Shevchenko.