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On The Ground Combat

My first experience with Gracie JuJitsu came from the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), which has been banned in the USA because of its' full contact rules, but I saw it during the early 1990s when it was legal in some States. Basically the style relies on bring the opponent to the ground where most are unfamiliar and then getting them into submission. Royce Gracie went to the UFC and won many times against big names in the martial arts world because most of the fighters were too used to stand up / boxing type of fighting. The following link in geocities gives a good summary of it all and under it is the official site which is rather commercailized:

Summary: https://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/5389/
Official Web Site: https://www.gracieacademy.com/

Well, the main purpose I started this thread was to focus on ground combat, not so much about the Gracies. I merely mentioned their style because they brought to light just how important it is to know what to do when you are on the ground - something that most martial artists do not know. What has been your experience if any with fighting on the ground? Note: Gracie JuJitsu is not the same as wrestling.

The below picture is Helio Gracie.

Combat Ground On

I am currently a student of Brazilin Jiu Jitsu (Gracie JJ), thier ground work is very effective. However there are other ground fighting arts that are also effective. Kuo Chu'an (Chinese dog Fighting) was practiced long b4 Japanese JJ. This style incorporated striking and grappling from the ground. There is also Japanese Shooto, a great stand up / grappling/groundfighting art. They posess much more submissions that BJJ. There is Silat (Pencat and Mubai) that is the Indonesian Kung Fu forms of grappling/groundfighting. Russian Sambo is incredible on the ground. These are some great arts that would really be effective on both the ground and stand up. If anyone wants more info on these styles of fighting, I would be happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability/knowledge. thanks.

On The Ground Combat Sports & Fashion Music Movies

Very interesting. I do not know much about ground fighting but I would like to know more about it. What are the main differences between them (ground combats) and a normal martial art?.

Offtopic but, PedroS, are you studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu here in Trinidad? I am interested in looking for a martial art that can help me to defend myself well.

Combat Ground On

The differences in ground fighting and stand up fighting is exactly that. Some arts concentrate mostly on ground defences and attacks (eg, BJJ, Japanese JJ, Sambo, Wrestling (greco roman, freestyle, Catch) and others focus on standup striking (eg Boxing, Muai Thai, Tae Kwon Do etc.) There are arts that impliment both ranges and all the other ranges......Ranges are Full distance (outside kicking range), 3/4 distance (just inside kicking range/outside punching range) 1/2 distance (punching range) 1/4 distance (elbow range/punching) and 0 distance (clinch, trapping, grappling, ground). The arts are Kung Fu (any style), Karate, Aikido, Aiki Ju Jutsu.

Now this is just a basic explaination on the differences. I would recommend if you are new to Martial arts that you start of in something like Kung Fu or Aikido. There is a very known and effective style of Kung Fu taught in Trinidad. It's actually a style of Taiji called Wudang (not to be mistaken with Wutang ). You may be familiar with this style because it was the style of Kung Fu seen on Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Kung Fu and Aikido offers you all ranges and you would be able to defend yourself very well. They don't focus as much on the ground but it's not as though you would be clueless if you get there. Just do a google search on "martial arts in Trinidad" and you should find some of the schools in Trinidad.

Good Luck, any more info please feel free to pick my brain. I love taking and talking about Martial Arts. I tend to learn a lot by talking about it aswell.

Offtopic but, I am not living in Trinidad. I'm actually in Toronto Canada. TMK there are no BJJ schools in Trinidad. I am not really up to date on the current Martial arts in Trinidad. I know there is a very good Aikido school there, not sure exactly where though. Sorry gyal .

Message Edited! JB@Trinidad: took out extra quotes and moved text to offtopic

Combat Ground On

I am always interested in these topics having studied this before. I do have a couple of questions for you and you will also please note my extra info below:

1. Why after studying so many styles are you still interested in the Gracie version? Is it that you are looking for its vulnerability?
2. If you had to choose between one ground combat technique - Gracie or Roman Greco - which would you go for?

Offtopic but, Please do take a look at our constructive posting thread as you will note we do not use slang within this community and the messages must always be on topic. You can always personalize info in your introduction thread.

On The Ground Combat

My apologies I wasn't aware this site was so regimented.

I first took it to find it's vounerability. I am now interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because it's effective on the ground. You must know your enemy to defeat your enemy. In Kung Fu, there is ground work, however it's limited to striking mostly (Shaolin that is) I also find that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kung Fu compliment eachother. I study both to be that much better at defending myself.

I would prefer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu over Greco Roman, because in most wrestling styles, it's all about pinning your opponent/ gettin your opponent on his back. The fight doesn't end just because you've pinned someone. I have grappled Greco Roman guys and they are confused when I immediately go on my back. From your back there are many sweeps and attacks you can perform. Brazilian Jiu Jistu (BJJ) is one of 2 complete ground styles. Shooto is the other. Don't get me wrong BJJ does have many weaknesess, and that's where my training in Kung Fu steps in, and vice versa. I hope I have answered your questions.

Offtopic but, I would take Kuo Chu'an (dog fighting) however there are no reputable schools in all of Ontario. Also I would like to continue Shooto, however my time and the time of the instructor I trained under do not co-inside. I do not want to find another school because he was the best Shooto instructor I have met. I now try my best to use all of my knowledge of the arts in all situations.

Message Edited! JB@Trinidad: Added offtopic and quote tags as necessary. Again, please see FAQ so you can use quote and offtopic tags