Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most intellectual combat sports, with as many styles as there are fighters.
But is there a single best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters differ greatly from each other in their grappling styles.
Some fighters prefer an aggressive top game while other grapplers draw their opponent into deep water and catch them making a mistake.
In this article, we will discuss one of the most famous styles you might have to handle at the training or competitions such as:
- All-in fighters
- Two different aggressive fighters
- Chess players
- Counter-attackers
- Old school fighters
By the end of the article, you will understand if the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style exists and how you can learn the best style of Jiu-Jitsu for your unique body type, mentality, and ability.
Let’s get it started!
Table of Contents
- Everything You Should Know About Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Styles
- 1. The “All-In” Jiu-Jitsu Fighters
- 2. Aggressive Control Addicted Fighters
- 3. Pressure Addicted Aggressive Fighters
- 4. Side Controllers
- 5. Chess Players / Mind Gamers
- 6. Counter-Attackers
- 7. Old School Fighters
- What Is The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Style? – Final Word
Everything You Should Know About Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Styles
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone regardless of age, experience, gender, or interest. Whether you want to become a UFC fighter or not, you can still find your place in Jiu-Jitsu and learn your style.
Different fighters are recognizable worldwide with their unique Jiu-Jitsu styles. Some fans are trying to copy them, but the truth is that not everything in Jiu-Jitsu works for everyone.
New Jiu-Jitsu fighters are always trying to find the best Jiu-Jitsu style and moves, which means they are looking for golden submissions or sweeps, positions, general strategies, and styles.
I believe that in modern Jiu-Jitsu, there are as many styles in Jiu-Jitsu as many fighters.
Let me tell you why.
Years ago, when the globalization index was not that high, coaches each had their own school, and everyone tried to imitate their own coaches.
In the modern world, everyone can afford and purchase different tutorial videos of famous fighters and broader their knowledge in this sport.
YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have increased global access to information, and in the Jiu-Jitsu world, both experienced and average fighters can now share their moves and knowledge.
Social Media and Online Videos Have Made Many Styles of Jiu-Jitsu Widespread Across the GloBe
This creates opportunities for fighters to “escape” their coach’s framed styles and explore the Jiu-Jitsu world.
After getting more experienced and understanding the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu, you can start imitating your coaches, sparring partners, or your “new” favorite fighters.
I say new because your preferences will change once you are more knowledgeable in any combat sport.
As soon as you reach purple belt in BJJ, you are the one who will create strategies for yourself.
You will find out what works for you and what does not.
You are building your customized style on your coach’s fundamentals, and that’s amazing because it creates a variety of Jiu-Jitsu games.
Some people are great at a guillotine and terrible on the triangle, and vice versa on other techniques, too.
Whatever works for you may not work for others, so I believe you should not follow one specific style for all your Jiu-Jitsu journey and should try to explore as many things as possible.
However, there are some well-known general styles in Jiu-Jitsu, which we will discuss, and you might find part of yourself in each style and create your own from the mix.
Now, let me tell you what kind of fighters you might face in the competition or training sessions.
don’t miss the Best bjj Gis
1. The “All-In” Jiu-Jitsu Fighters
You have probably met the fighters squeezing a lot, trying their best to win a position, and not thinking about the consequences.
We all have been there as beginners. Of course, some experienced fighters always go for submission and never stop, but most of these kinds of fighters are usually less experienced.
They are trying to lock any submission and do not have a full strategy or plan in advance.
Chasing a Submission At All Costs Often Results in Losing Position
It is okay to be that kind of fighter, however, when you start saving energy and thinking 2 to 3 steps ahead, that’s called maturity in BJJ.
As I already mentioned, we all have been there, where we feel that if we go fast and hard, we win.
While this type of fighter might get the submission, they often sacrifice position, which can get them in serious trouble if the attack fails.
If you are a BJJ fighter with choke-phobia, you might consider playing a bit more conservatively as well.
2. Aggressive Control Addicted Fighters
Have you ever thought, “Damn, how many seconds left this round?” or “Come on, finish me already!”
I’ve met physically strong and technical fighters who love control and rarely go for a submission, and that’s not because they don’t have submission skills.
They are not trying to risk their positions by attempting submission and trying to make you suffer for the whole 5 minutes or whatever minutes per round you train.
This grappling style is most effective if you have great cardio for Jiu-Jitsu.
In training, they are just improving their control abilities, and in the competitions, they earn all the points to win.
Plus, it is much easier to submit a tired opponent.
3. Pressure Addicted Aggressive Fighters
Unlike the aggressive control addicted fighters, pressure-addicted fighters do not have great control and try to demolish you with their power.
They are usually strong and less technical but fix their technical disadvantages with their power.
It is hard to control or submit them because they are explosive and strong.
Aggressive Fighters Can Be More Easily Defeated After They Exhaust Themselves
The key against them is to flow and constantly change the positions, go on the mount, take back, go back to mount, switch to side control, and so on.
It will get them tired and will get easier to control or submit.
I will say that the adrenaline from dealing with this type of style can sometimes make it hard to sleep after Jiu-Jitsu.
Explore the best martial arts
4. Side Controllers
Most internet sources say that top mount is the best position in the world.
I’ve met many experienced fighters who prefer side control for several reasons.
In No Gi Jiu-Jitsu, Side Control Has More Submissions Than Mount
It is easier to control their rivals with low energy and can go for lots of different submissions like the guillotine, D’arce choke, Kimura, Anaconda choke, and an arm-bar.
This is especially true in No Gi Jiu-Jitsu, where you cannot collar choke from mount.
Once they get the position, it is all over.
5. Chess Players / Mind Gamers
From my point of view, the most beautiful thing about Jiu-Jitsu is playing chess during the match.
Still, losing such a fight hurts even more because you not only lose the Jiu-Jitsu battle but you also get tricked by your opponent independent of their physical skill.
They know that they can’t beat people in aggressive fights, so they use their brains to win the contests, and I believe they are the most dangerous fighters.
They give you positions that make you believe you are winning the fight and, suddenly, finish you.
For example, my coach is used to doing the same thing against me over and over, yet I can not do anything about it.
Chess-style Jiu-Jitsu Tricks You Into Thinking You Are Doing Well Before Getting Swept or Submitted
He attacks the Kimura from his back on full guard. He allows me to escape from his guard, lets me go side control, and takes my back from the other side.
This is an example of using “brains-over-brawn” in a chess-style fashion.
If you are a BJJ fighter who relies too much on top pressure, consider looking into the chess style of playing.
This type of Jiu-Jitsu may also help your wrestling due to the different patterns of thinking.
6. Counter-Attackers
These fighters do not have any strategy but wait for their moment, for whole rounds.
They are not waiting for something specific but are waiting for their rival to make a mistake and make them pay for it.
These fighters never use much power and are also not mind gamers like chess players. Still, they trust their instincts and skills and are patient and confident that they will finish the fight early.
Do you want to be a ufc fighter? learn how
7. Old School Fighters
Old school is always associated with something good for a reason. Old school Jiu-Jitsu fighters are always cautious.
They are not only innovative but also powerful because old-school Jiu-Jitsu fighters are also black belts in Judo.
They know all the submissions but are going for the safer ones only.
They know how to maintain positions and change them step by step, very carefully.
This makes it almost impossible to use any sweeps against them.
But that said if Old-School Jiu-Jitsu is so effective, why are not all the fighters learning it?
The answer is simple.
Old School Jiu-Jitsu is Less Flashy But Can Be Very Effective
It is not attractive, and it is boring to see a fighter holding him on the same spot for 2-3 mins and changing positions only 2-3 times.
People love doing flying submissions and some Hollywood techniques and posting them on social media.
Social Media is everything today, and this is one-way Jiu-Jitsu fighters earn additional money.
Such videos attract not only sponsors and viewers but also students.
After all, running a Jiu-Jitsu gym is a business, and fighters have to pay their bills as well.
What Is The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Style? – Final Word
It is impossible to name the single best Jiu-Jitsu style. Each Jiu-Jitsu style has its pros and cons.
As an MMA and Jiu-Jitsu fighter, I use different styles against opponents.
I also do not have one specific style because, for me, it is boring to always lay down on the ground or be on the top all the time.
Also, as we improve as fighters, our Jiu-Jitsu game will evolve as well.
Little-by-little, you will take techniques from different styles and create your own Jiu-Jitsu style that works well for you.
The answer to the best style is simple in the end.
There is no golden BJJ style, submission, or formula which will lead you to win the fights.
After training with great coaches, earning more experience, and analyzing everything, you are the one who will create a unique style that suits you the best, and this is the only style that will lead you to success.
