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MMA vs. BJJ: What Are The Differences?

MMA vs. BJJ: What Are The Differences?

There is a sport for everyone, whether you wish to participate in a sport, or if you wish to find a new sport that tickles your fancy as you watch it, or even just for the betting action and sports betting odds.

 

Whatever you want to do, finding a sport you enjoy is important, but some sports seem really similar, don’t they?

 

That is why you need to tell the difference between sports such as MMA and BJJ.

 

These two are very different. Granted, there are a plethora of different martial arts to learn from and master. These two can often get mixed up, but MMA offers so many styles to choose from, and knowing which is best for you can be tricky. That is why you need to establish a core understanding of what each of these are.

 

Let’s look at the differences between MMA and BJJ.

 

What Is MMA?

 

MMA is just the generalized term for Mixed Martial Arts, with an emphasis on the word ‘mixed’. Successful fighters in MMA will be trained in a wide variety of different disciplines such as Muay Thai, classic boxing, sambo, karate, judo, taekwondo and so on.

 

This is a contact sport which has gained a great deal of popularity in the media, and it started getting popular in the 90s, as the UFC rose into power.

 

Now, the UFC is one of the biggest promotions of mixed martial arts, and it revolutionized this sport as a typical, household name.

 

What Is BJJ?

 

BJJ, or Brazilian Jiujitsu is a part of MMA. It is focused mostly on the groundwork, control and grappling aspects. It is a more defense oriented sport, than offense, working to find positions that will dominate the opponent into submission.

 

That being said, there are a variety of principles in JJ which will be taught in addition to self defense.

 

The Differences

 

The main differences between these two different sports are in the end goal, the kicking and striking rules, the mental endurance and the technique used and in the violence of the fights.

 

Let’s look over the differences between the two, so that we can better understand the differences.

 

The End Aim

 

The end goal of MMA could be a TKO, a knockout, lights-out, when the opponent is unable to speak anymore, or when the opponent is unconscious. It could be any of these factors.

 

However, in BJJ, to submit an opponent via an arm bar, chokehold, or another form of joint-manipulation using arms, legs, or even hips, is the end goal.

 

BJJ focuses on the more you are able to subdue your opponent and control them, allowing for a conscious, but obvious submission.

 

Technique & Mental Endurance

 

In MMA there is a very high level of physical strength required of participants. Likewise, there is also a high level of knowledge in multiple martial arts techniques which is needed as well. It is noted that MMA is quite draining to do, in both mental and physical terms.

 

In BJJ, once you are on the ground, you have to consider strategy and figure out how you can regain control of your opponent through careful techniques and joint manipulation.

 

It is not a sport for those who are feeble of mind or faint of heart. You will need excellent problem-solving skills, and you will also need to know your body and your mind better than most. Being aware of yourself and your limits gives you a more competitive edge in a fight.

 

Kicking & Striking Rules 

 

MMa will have competitors which are trained to be able to execute very strong and powerful leg kicks, upper body strikes, and knee strikes, and strikes with hands or even with elbows.

 

Meanwhile, in BJJ, there is no typically fixed rule around kicking or striking, however, it does not really allow it. Only submissions such as leg locks, arm bars, and chokes are accepted submission forms, or takedown forms.

 

BJJ has a style which has a focus on grappling opponents with throws, locks, and body control in order to properly subdue an opponent with little to no need to actually strike them in any way at all.

 

It is seen more as an art form of how much can be done with the body, with as little ‘violence’ needed.

 

Which brings us to our final point…

 

Amount Of Violence

 

MMA is like a control environment in which fighters and competitors of the same skill, size and strength attempt to beat one another up in order to see who is better.

 

With loose reigns like this, it should be expected that you would see some gore, blood, and simple straight up violence.

 

Alternatively, BJJ is more gentle than MMA. It lacks the aspect of punches and kicks, so it is safe to say that you could practice on one day, and the next day you could easily go to work and not look like you have been beaten up or cast in a horror movie as a murder victim.

 

It is much less violent, but that is not to say that it is not a great fighting sport.