Ryan Hall recently shared his views on sport Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, explaining why he ultimately chose to pursue fighting rather than remain solely on the grappling circuit.
Speaking on Matt Serra’s podcast, Hall said his goal was always to become a complete martial artist rather than specialize in one discipline:
I wanted to be a real martial artist. I like Jiu-Jitsu very much, but unless it’s a means to an end, it’s not a fight.
It’s fighting without punches. It’s neat. I love it.
But it’s meant to get you ready for the game. It’s not the game itself, in my opinion.
And if he had to pick one or the other? Well…
If I could choose between being good in Jiu-Jitsu or good in MMA, I’d pick MMA.
The UFC veteran argued that many grapplers underestimate the importance of physical attributes when strikes are involved:
A lot of Jiu-Jitsu guys don’t understand that athleticism, grit, toughness, durability, power, all of that matters so much when you make it more real.
Despite his criticisms, Hall was careful to acknowledge the value of Jiu-Jitsu:
No disrespect to Jiu-Jitsu. It’s an important proving ground and a pretty great laboratory.
But it can become so much about its own self.
A lot of times you watch matches and the scores don’t reflect the action.
Usually you watch a wrestling match, you can tell who’s winning and why. Jiu-Jitsu sometimes, yeah, sometimes no.
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