We offer both Gi and No Gi / Submission Wrestling classes!
10th Planet have probably done more to perpetuate the idea that you must train No Gi Jiu Jitsu in order to be effective in Mixed Martial Arts and even perhaps Self Defense. In his original thesis “Jiu Jitsu Unleashed”, Eddie Bravo, the creator of 10th Planet first revealed his system of Jiu Jitsu. Bravo shot to fame when he submitted multiple world champion of both Gi and No Gi, Royler Gracie via Triangle choke in the ADCC. In the prior round, he submitted the highly rated Gustavo Dantas, having qualified through the ADCC trials. Bravo then released a highly entertaining DVD in the style of MTV cribs, where he walked you around his palatial home whilst discussing old match footage such as his loss to Dan Camarillo as well as his philosophies and strategies. Ever the comedian and best friend of Joe Rogan, the punchline was that Bravo had borrowed a friend’s home for the DVD, cutting to his own very modest property and complaining that “there’s no money in Jiu Jitsu”.
Bravo also took aim at certain Catch Wrestlers selling instructional material via a website he released. More books followed in Mastering The Rubber Guard and Mastering The System where he went into further detail creating mind maps of his No Gi jiu jitsu game.
Bravo’s fundamental argument was that the Gi was the problem when Jiu Jitsu players began to compete in MMA. Without the Gi grips, Bravo argued they were unable to maintain guard correctly, particularly against punches. Bravo advocated a Greco style of grips to keep opponents close in guard and unable to effectively strike. Bravo recommended a comprehensive flexibility programme listing stretches that he advocated specifically for BJJ. As a Yogi myself, I fully agree with this recommendation,
However, on reflection and with 10th Planet competitors mostly specialising in No Gi Submission Wrestling tournaments including Bravo’s own rules based competitions, it would appear that the most fundamental problem was not whether MMA competitors practised in the Gi or the Rashguard, but the actual rule sets they were most used to competing in and training for. Many of these competition rule sets have, if anything, moved towards new specialisms that are also unique to No Gi / Submission Wrestling. For example, the recent explosion in leglocks in No Gi competition has not really transitioned to MMA. Many leglock submission specialists such as in Palhares vs Belfort have found that the position can leave them vulnerable to heavy ground and pound, which was Bravo’s original concern.
We like to train both Gi and No Gi. The variations allow us to test our comfort zones and keep things interesting. It creates a more diverse mat with different athletes developing and sharing their own best practices. And both are fun!