Allan Goes, a seventh-degree coral belt who earned his black belt under Carlson Gracie at 18 and went on to compete in Pride FC, the UFC, and the IFL, argues that the style of Jiu-Jitsu dominating academies today simply doesn’t hold up inside the cage.
Here is what he had to say in a recent podcast appearance:
This Jiu-Jitsu that’s being applied today is great, a lot of submission, a lot of berimbolo and switching here and switching movement there, but this is not efficient for mixed martial arts.
He pointed to modern grapplers crossing into MMA as evidence of the gap:
If you do a berimbolo in Jiu-Jitsu, your face is going to be like a smashed tomato.
“I’m going to do a half guard in Jiu-Jitsu, no, we’re going to sit in the half guard, try to go under his leg, going to do a berimbolo…”
That’s not going to work.
Goes singled out Gordon Ryan as an example:
Where’s Gordon Ryan? He’s great in the Jiu-Jitsu sport.
Put him in MMA, he got a bouncing head.
The one current UFC fighter Goes believes genuinely showcases real Jiu-Jitsu in MMA is Charles Oliveira:
He’s the one that, if he gets punched on the chin, he sits down on the guard.
He’s not afraid to work on his guard.I think this guy is the greatest of them all in that category.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents
đ„ What if slowing down was the fastest way to win?
đ Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers?
Itâs not your age. Itâs your strategy.
If youâre a passionate grappler over 35 whoâs sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardioâd by opponents half your age â this 120 page e-book was made for you.
đ Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:
Build Sustainable StrengthâWithout Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu
Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get strongerâwithout the pain, burnout, or injuries.
Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
