Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is among the most popular martial arts disciplines in the world. This martial arts discipline has grown incredibly popular over the last few years, bringing together celebrities, children, professional fighters, and people from all walks of life.
On Friday 5th April 2024, for instance, 21-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rising star Tye Ruotolo will defend his One Welterweight Submission Grappling title against the highly talented Izaak Michel from Australia. The fight will air live across 190 countries on U.S Primetime, with Betway offering live odds as BJJ enthusiasts enjoy the action from Bangkok Thailand.
The salivating showdown between Michell and Ruotolo makes it a great time for Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts to understand the difference between GI and No-Gi, the main grappling techniques used in BJJ. Here’s a close look at the differences between Gi and No-Gi in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before you can place a BJJ bet at the bet way sportsbook.
The difference between Gi and No-Gi in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The most intriguing thing about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that grappling with Gi and No-Gi is different yet similar. To help you understand, the GI is a standard traditional uniform worn in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The uniform originates from Japan, but it is commonly used in other traditional martial arts, especially in the East.
The Gi is also commonly referred to as Kimono especially in Brazil, meaning a clothing or dress made of a thick cotton fiber jacket reinforced with drawstrings. This cotton jacket may also signify the rank of the fighter.
On the other hand, No-Gi means grappling without using the traditional uniform or kimono. As such, most athletes use rash guards when using the No-Gi grappling style since it is non-intrusive on the mats. However, some fighters may use compression shirts.
Main differences: Ways to defend and attack
Gi attacks in BJJ depend on the fighter using the fabric to support or control an attack. Since the Gi gives an athlete additional control points, stripping, establishing, and re-establishing grips is crucial. However, the Gi style in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is slower since the Gi’s thick material creates intense friction and decreases the strength and speed of combatants.
The No-Gi BJJ technique on the other hand delivers a more dynamic feel to the athletes. The pace is normally faster because of the limited grips available, meaning that combatants need to be more active when controlling their opponents. While the technique is still the king, being athletic when practicing No-Gi grappling will highly benefit your game.
Should you practice Gi or No-Gi grappling styles in BBJ?
While most coaches advocate for the Gi grappling technique for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu beginners, it is highly beneficial to train in both styles. The Gi BJJ grappling style teaches you to constantly work on grips and maintain your technical positions, while the No-Gi BJJ reminds you to avoid being overdependent on Go grips.
Comparatively, the No-Gi style in BJJ is a faster grappling technique synonymous with old combatants looking to avoid injuries. For this reason, many BJJ enthusiasts find the No-Gi grappling style quite fun. However, you can also specialize in one style as you keep expanding your horizon on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fights.
