BJJ or MMA? Which is better technique wise?

[Donkey]

Looking for a grappling school; and how to tell the real from the fake?

 

BJJ or MMA : I got a choice of two schools where I live one is listed as a Brazilial Jiu Jitsu and the other is a hardcore fighters stable where they beat the crap out of each other on a daily basis. I also compete in muy thai and am not sure I can afford the injuries from the stable. How do u know if a BJJ school is genuine?

[TJS]

Depends on your goals.

[JohnnyS]

I have a problem with people trying to learn grappling and throwing striking in at the same time. People need time to learn how to transition from one position to another, where to put their weight, how to use their weight properly, how to get good tight pressure. I don't believe you can learn those things properly if you're also worried about someone smacking you in the head. I think you need to learn good technique first, learn how to grapple properly, then add in strikes after you no longer need to "think" when you grapple.

 

I've seen people who are strikers try to get into the MMA scene and learn bad grappling habits because they were adding in strikes from the very beginning. Consequently they didn't perform too well in competition.

 

My advice is to go to the BJJ school. Learn to grapple first then jump into MMA when you're comfortable on the ground.

[Treebranch]

I'd say MMA is going to make you a well rounded fighter. BJJ is still a limited MA.

[JohnnyS]

I'm not saying don't do MMA. I'm saying that BJJ will be better if you want to become a better grappler. Do BJJ first, then get into MMA.

[Treebranch]

Well I'd go with MMA school first as long as they are thorough with all aspects of fighting. I don't think started one or the other in any order will matter much.

[JohnnyS]

I'd just be careful about the level of the MMA instructor. If the MMA instructor is highly ranked in BJJ then fine, but otherwise I'd worry about just what he could teach you. If his whole thing is ground 'n pound then how is that going to help you if you're on your back? To be highly ranked in BJJ you've got to have a well-rounded ground game which is what you want for both MMA and the street. We can't always control where we want to be so you need techniques, strategies and skills for being both on top and underneath.

[TJS]

although there are alot of top class MMA schools out there I agree with Johnny S for the most part. You should get a good foundation in either striking or grappling before you really transition, but That shouldent stop you from cross training.

[three60roundhouse]

Johnny S, would you agree that *most* high rankes BJJ instructors would have a moral conflict calling their school an MMA school instead of "Jiu-Jitsu"?

 

Learn either grappling or striking first. They are so different I believe you should be well rounded in one and then try the other.

[WolverineGuy]

I'd have to say go for BJJ first...most people are more comfortable on their feet, which makes groundfighting more difficult to catch on to...not that stand up fighting is EASY, but there's a comfort zone that you have to get over with BJJ, and that takes more time.