Roger Gracie recently explained why he believes no-gi has become more popular with spectators while gi Jiu-Jitsu remains more technical.

Here is what he had to say on the topic:

No-gi is so popular nowadays because it is more for the spectators. It is more dynamic.
Gi is slower. You cannot move much. So for people watching, it is way less entertaining because there is way less movement in the match.

According to Gracie, the difference is especially clear to people who do not train Jiu-Jitsu and may not understand the smaller technical details that happen in gi competition:

It is more technical. If you do not do Jiu-Jitsu, you do not really understand the small grip fighting, the small advantage, the things that matter the most.

Roger described no-gi as more action-heavy, which makes it easier for casual viewers to enjoy:

No-gi is just a lot of scrambles. A lot of scrambles. So there is a lot happening. It is way more entertaining to watch.
Even for me, it is way more entertaining to watch no-gi than gi.

But it is just a lot of scrambles. It is way less technical.

He also expressed concern about rule changes designed primarily to attract spectators:

Now they are thinking how they can make it more entertaining for people watching.
Then it changes the dynamic, it changes the fight.

Now you are accommodating for the expectation of the spectators, not for the athletes.

Roger remains a supporter of longer IBJJF-style matches, because he believes they reward technique over physicality:

The longer the match is, the more technical it is. Five minutes is too physical.
The guy who is super strong, he will be very strong, but he will not be very strong in the last five minutes.

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