What is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ)?

BJJ is a form of Japanese jujitsu that evolved into a unique, evolutionary fighting style developed and popularized by the Gracie family that emphasized (1) ground submission grappling; (2) concept of positional hierarchy; (3) effective and efficient fighting from non-dominant positions (e.g., guard); (4) safer but effective training methods; and (5) competition rules that reward moving into dominant positions or finishing with a submission, but otherwise minimally restrictive. The Gracies felt that since most real fights go to the ground, the secret to winning a fight was to master groundfighting. Their primary strategy consisted of taking opponents to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and then striking them and/or submitting them (depending on the rules).

Based on these five elements, BJJ fighters were able to dominate early mixed martial arts (MMA) competition (e.g., the early Ultimate Fighting Championships). As strikers learned BJJ and wrestlers learned submissions, BJJ alone became less effective in MMA competition. BJJ fighters responded by cross training in the striking arts (e.g., Muay Thai) and take down arts (wrestling, judo). However, submitting opponents from the guard position became increasingly difficult especially when facing "ground and pound" opponents aware of submissions from the guard.

How does 10th Planet JJ differ from other types of BJJ?

The 10th Planet JJ system is a no-gi style of BJJ developed by Eddie Bravo. Although Eddie is not an MMA fighter, he recognized that BJJ submissions (especially from the guard) were increasingly less effective in MMA fights (of course, there are other reasons such as MMA rules that favor the striking arts). For example, from the guard position, how can one (1) control and set up their opponent; (2) minimized getting hit; and (3) submit their opponent with higher efficiency? He developed the "rubber guard" which he also calls the "Greco Roman guard" because it's based on effective clinching and controlling an opponent in order to reduce getting hit and executing a submission. Using the rubber guard, one executes BJJ submissions using wrestling concepts (clinches, overhooks, underhooks, Gable grip, etc.). Of course, any wrester will tell you that you do not need to train with a gi to learn wrestling. Eddie chose to concentrate on developing a style of no-gi jiu-jitsu that builds on effective clinch and control setups. Eddie felt that no-gi JJ is not just "gi JJ without a gi", but rather sufficiently different and with new demands (e.g., MMA) that it deserved specialized attention and development. Fortunately for us, he also has this creative ability to develop new moves and adapt old moves in new ways (e.g., dogfight, mission control, gangsta lean). To summarize selected differences and contributions of the 10th Planet JJ system:

• No-gi branch of BJJ (there is still a colored belt system)
  
• Locking up a slippery opponent to set up submissions (less dependence on speed and physical strength)
• Half-guard lockdown control techniques
  
• Rubber guard control techniques ("Greco Roman" guard)
• Twister side control techniques
• Spider web control techniques