MY CONVERSION TO BJJ

[Rainbow_Warrior]

My conversion to BJJ : Why did I leave Luta Livre

 

First Part

I have been grappling for about 2 years ( 1 year if we remove the time I was Ill and with lower back problems ) in a Style called Luta Livre . It is basically submission wrestling , with any submission legal ( including heel hook , and any neck cranck). I joined this place because I wanted to learn MMA , and I thought that ground in MMA was ALWAYS BJJ . I learned that , those grapplers used another stile very very similar , and most of the guys were nice , plus the gym has weights ( included with the grappling fee ) and was 8 blocks from home. I decided to stay , and I loved it. I learned a lot. But some things got me mad .

1 ) The level of the school was very good , some of the guys of my gym won the Budokan cup ( in Brasil) , it’s the equivalent of a BJJ world cup. I am a fair athlete , but I am not a prodigy , and in that school , the main teacher ( the only BB ) just pay attention to the elite grapplers. I passed a belt test , payed the fee . The instructor NEVER gave me the diploma ( It was no gi , so the diploma is the belt ). I told him several times , and the said ´´ I have to bring it , we are out of paper , blah blah ´´ . He didn’t like me , I knew it .That was the reason . Why ? because once , I tapped one of his instructors with a heel hook , and broke his leg - no intention of course -

2) The main instructor teaches at night , and at the morning we had a brown belt . This brown belt was one of the champs of the world cup. A ground genius , and a nice guy. I enjoyed his classes a lot . But this guy had to work in another job to earn his bread , so he couldn’t teach the morning class . This class was over , and the school opened an afternoon class , with some purple belt . This guy was a lazy dude. One day , nobody assisted the class , but me . He said , hey nobody is hear , I have to go…. What the hell ??? I was there , and he could grapple with me and teach me . NO…he just left.

3) The main instructor was always talking about respect , and he held the class in a semi military way. You had to use some special words to address him , and we have to bow at the beginning of the training . This respect , disappeared when he talked about BJJ . He has several books where he says that BJJ is a great art , but he always attack the kimono use in the books . In the class , he trashed BJJ , saying that it was ´´girly ´´ to forbid neck cranks and slamming , saying that pulling guard was an action of bjj of the same nature , and so . And when he enters a forum of martial arts , he talks about the respect ,and his friendship with local BJJ masters….OMG…..

 

This guy is legit , he is also a legit muay thai instructor ,and a wrestling coach , he is a hard working guy and believes in his art , but he is full of hate towards BJJ , a hate that he imported from brasil in the 80s ( with earlier origins ) and now , doesnt even exists . BJJ does not care about its poor cousin

SECOND PART

Why I think that Bjj is Better?

Because , Bjj has much more people working inside . Because , you can do Gi ,and no Gi (sub wrestling) . So….there is not any problem with the GI ! You always can remove it , but if you practice no gi , you can´t use the clothe in a self defense situation . Of course a guy who always do No gi , will have some advantage over a pure gi guy, but the gi guy can always remove it , and adapt QUICKLY.

Now , I enjoy being part of the BJJ world . It´s fun , and I get along with the instructors . A 2dn degree and a plain BB told me that I have potential , and the pay attention to my game and try to help me improve all the time.

Now , I am a proud BJJ guy.

http://www.brazilianlutalivre.com/ Look at this site , in the english section under IBLLU . They say rickson gracie refused to fight Joao ricardo , and that BJJ offered to join bjj with high ranks .It sounds like trash

Edited April 17, 2009 by Rainbow_Warrior

[bushido_man96]

Unfortunately, factions tend to oppose each other at times. Rivalry is something that will always exist in the human race.

Its good to see that you are enjoying your transition over to BJJ. It appears that you have found a good school, with a good bunch of students to work with. Keep at it, and keep up posted on how it goes.

[ps1]

Luta Livre and BJJ (especially the gracies) have a pretty rocky past. I tend to agree with your point of view.

[cagefilm]

I have many years experience in BJJ and Luta Livre and through my work get to train at clubs all over the world from local to the top level.

I find that the best clubs to train, always have instructors with the best attitudes as well as ability.

The ability is essential, but the attitude of an instructor is often a sign of where they are at. If an instructor feels the need to rubbish others, this is often a sign of insecurity on their part.

Both styles are great and have different strengths and weaknesses. Just find which you prefer to train or if you are aiming at a specific goal in competition/sefl defense etc, then choose from this angle.

hope it works out for you and you find a great place to train.

Make sure its a place you enjoy being at. Training is all about enjoyment, that way you can push yourself further!

Tim