Does Jiu Jitsu really work if you get in a fight?

Question

I just had my first Jiu Jitsu class Thursday. I really liked my main reason to do it was to get into shape but I also would like to be able to defend myself. I am a very nonviolant person.

Does anyone know if Jiu Jitsu works in a fight? Has anyone used it a fight before or seen it used in a fight?

Answer 1

It does work, but you have to be proficeint at it.

Answer 2

Yes, if taught properly you will be more prepared for a fight than if you had not trained.

Answer 3

Yes it does!!!

And I'm not talking about bjj either I'm talking about Japanese jiu-jitsu there is a difference in approach when it comes to street survival.

I've been there,done it and it works for me.

But not everyone is suited to it if you have any doubts try different styles of martial arts otherwise continue on practising jiu-jitsu and you may some time soon surprise yourself.

Good luck and best wishes :)***

Answer 4

I think both Japanese JJ and BJJ work, however for the street Japanese is more practical and well rounded because in addition to ground fighting they also teach striking and clutch.  As far as FBI, military, police, etc. learning BJJ, that is true.  However you have to realize that the police/military are required to subdue attackers not hurt them.  Submissive arts like BJJ are perfect for this.  Civilians have no such requirement and may in self defense actually hurt their attacker.

Answer 5

Sure does, pay attention, practice and if it comes to a fight, fight your fight, if the person likes to throw hands, get in close and tie him.  If the person goes for a take down, counter with what you know, since this person fights like you, set the pace and take it to them.

I have seen some really slick, simple stuff come from a simple punch parry and take down.  I have seen it used in ground and pound.  Don't worry, you are studying a worthy art.

Answer 6

Brazilian JiuJitsu is a sport and nothing more. The %90  of fights go to the ground is BS propaganda. I train in MMA and in the real world studies have proven that less than %20 go to the ground before someone is beaten. Meaning, they were done before they hit the ground. The FBI and Military BS is just that too. The Gracie family exaggerates a great deal.

The reason the military and police train in Brazilian JiuJitsu is it is popular and they will most likely encounter it, just like they all used to have Tae Kwon Do training. It was popular.

Answer 7

No, Dennis. Enroll immediately in Jimmy Chan's Kung Fu Crash Course. Day One - meet Master Jimmy on the south side of Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn, N.Y., at 3:15 a.m. tomorrow. Bring all your cash and valuables. Day Two - you're on your own.

Answer 8

JiuJitsu is a great self defense, but you need to know some strikes too. If you get in a fight with a guy who knows how to strike you may be in trouble. Do anything to avoid going to the ground in a real fight. No matter who ends up on top you have asphalt, cement, parking block, curbs, steps, rocks, glass and other debris that can cause you more injury than your opponent. Better to grab and hit. I had many years experience as a bouncer and private security. There's also what they tell many Special Forces candidates, "The ground is where you go to die."

I have been in fights with JiuJitsu fighters and have done well against them, but then again, I live martial arts and grappling is an integral part of my art. As far as seeing JiuJitsu on others as self defense, you have to be fast, I've seen inexperienced fighters KO JiuJitsu guy before I could even get there.

Answer 9

One the things I found surprising when looking into it was that the FBI recommended BJJ as the best self-defense art to take.

The reason being is that 90% of street fights end up on the ground at some point, and if you're really in to BJJ, no matter who your attacker is, you'll have the upper hand.

Answer 10

Some people say yes, some people say no.

Brazilian Jiujitsu is a very nice art and very popular to. Helio was a very smart person in doing what he did.

But just like any other popular art, there will end up being a whole bunch of Mc Dojos.

It wouldn't work for me because I'm not good at ground game, Brazilian Jiujitsu is a slow gentle art, not fast twitch like Judo or the original Jiujitsu.

If you're fighting one person in a desolate place then it can... but many BJJ fighters, unless trained in MMA, use strikes on the ground and many wouldn't know how to defend against it.

If your enemy has a friend while your on the ground... you know what will happen...

But on the good side, most fights end up one the ground so it's better to know something then nothing.

Brazilian Jiujitsu is the heart of the octagon when it comes to MMA competitions though.

But in my opinion, the last thing I'd want to do in a fight is be on my back, maybe i'll stay on mount but not for long, probably 5-7 seconds max.

I already know enough ground basics from my old school, but now I'm a pure striker in Wing Chun and i love it. I'll probably start judo or a style of wrestling the future.

Answer 11

yes it does work and yes it is a good martial art.not bjj its c**p.

dont listen to the ppl who knock jj and say bjj is a good style and that 90%of fights go to the ground they dont know what there talking about and jj does have strikes.gees i dont know where some of these ppl come up with there c**p answers,obviously only dojo and video game experience.

Answer 12

Sure it works, it has for hundreds of years. But no move is 100 percent, and no style is perfect. I think Jiu Jitsu is best on the street when you use it to stay off of the ground, and attempt to get your opponent in a chokehold, which is almost always a sure way to stop a fight. Armlocks are fine, but in a real life confrontation, you have to be willing to break the arm, and sometimes that just isn't necessary....

Answer 13

All martial arts are good for self-defense if they are taught correctly and learned correctly.

To answer your question yes Jujitsu is very effective for self-defense as I said if learned and done properly.

The whole concept of one art being more effective than another is just plain dumb.

Answer 14

the simple answer to this is ............NO .........when you get in a fight it is never planned .... all the physical fights in life we might have are going to be unplanned ....... you have to use what you have available , and they are your hands , your feet and  your head .........the first thing that happens in a fight is  swiping of fists , lashing out ..... if you can avoid this , then you have bought some precious time .......learn how to get your head out of the way , and then  if you cant fight it off , move in close and hold on , next thing to do is use the hardest thing you have ......your head , slowly,  when you are in the grips of your assailant , move your head back without him / her noticing , and then then with all your might aim for the nose region , or the corner of the eye , give it all you have .........break free,  and then you have an advantage ...fancy "fu man chu" moves dont work in real life ........

Answer 15

I have used it in real fights before. It is a great martial art but it needs a complementary style, if you want to defend yourself with it. If someone is just punching you, then you need to be able to defend yourself before you take them to the ground ( at which point jiu jitsu is almost unstoppable). I reccomend muay Thai, or whatever other style like that works for you.

Answer 16

Any art that has sparring at the end of class or beginning is good. I'm not talking about point sparring Im talking about going for a tapout or ko at the end of class