Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling focused martial art revolving around ground fighting and a variety of submissions including choke holds and various joint locks. Traditionally, BJJ has been practiced with a very heavy and thick robe or kimono known as a Gi. While anyone who has seen a martial arts movie knows of “Karate” outfits, the BJJ gi is different in that it is much thicker. This can be useful in training as it can hold up to the rigors of throws, manipulations and choke holds. Despite this practical need for the gi many BJJ practitioner have been throwing out or at least not wearing their gi as often and are training no-gi.

Mixed martial arts influence on training without the BJJ gi

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has become perhaps the most popular combat sport of today. Wearing a BJJ gi used to be considered a pride of BJJ fighters; however, MMA organizations have been banning the BJJ gi as many choke-holds can be performed with the sleeves or lapels, making the BJJ gi a literal weapon – akin to taking a rope into the ring. Many fighters wish to step beyond the BJJ circuit and compete in MMA, thus in training, as they fight, they have cast off their gi.

The gi has a long tradition among BJJ students and masters. With the best fighters in the world stepping into the ring on a world wide scale it is only natural that the elite BJJ fighters wish to step into the ring and prove their art and themselves. In the early MMA days, a Gracie wearing a BJJ gi was a common sight. Since then, most organizations have banned the wearing of a BJJ gi in mixed martial arts fights. Since then it has become critical that BJJ’s best fighters not develop their techniques dependent upon the gi. Many famous BJJ fighters have stepped up and are now competing at the highest levels, even though they no longer wear their prized BJJ gi.