Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold has stirred the pot in the grappling world with a critique of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, despite recently participating in the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational.
In a podcast appearance, Rockhold questioned the legitimacy, effectiveness, and overall direction of modern BJJ:
Jiu-Jitsu is popularizing but where’s the money? I don’t see the money right now… I still think Jiu-Jitsu guys are all gay.
Beyond the economics, Rockhold questioned whether jiu-jitsu in its current form qualifies as real combat:
Jiu-Jitsu is not fighting and everyone thinks they’re a fighter these days – and it’s just, like, come on man.
You’re not a fighter. It’s different.
One of his biggest criticisms centered on the guard-pulling culture and lack of realism in competitive BJJ:
This leg lock game is just annoying.
There’s a reason why you don’t see leg locks in fighting – because you get punched in the face. The vulnerability of modern day Jiu-Jitsu is pathetic to me. You’re dropped to your ass.
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