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Trends in Jiu-Jitsu! Gi or Nogi?
3 year(s) ago • 4295 views • 54 replies
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Just wondering what y'all see is trending. I'm forecasting that nogi will start to catch up and surpass the gi in popularity. What do y'all think? Am I the only one in this boat?
MPBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I see a lot of the younger generation preferring No-Gi around my way, with the older guys preferring Gi.
I guess it’s the Gordon Ryan effect, but both are gaining more and more popularity.
One day in the Olympics I hope.
I guess it’s the Gordon Ryan effect, but both are gaining more and more popularity.
One day in the Olympics I hope.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Just wondering what y'all see is trending. I'm forecasting that nogi will start to catch up and surpass the gi in popularity. What do y'all think? Am I the only one in this boat?
I feel like nogi has already surpassed gi in popularity. I personally prefer gi. I train both, but pretty much anywhere I go, nogi is the dominant new force/trend in BJJ.
JBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I think no-gi is going to be much more popular than gi in the future for the following reasons:
(1) One of the biggest feeder groups for BJJ is wrestlers (in the U.S.A., at least). They can go into a no-gi class and be an instant superstar, whereas gi-grappling is often confusing due to the differences in grip-fighting and the presence of collar chokes. ( Judo guys feel the opposite, so if you're in a country where Judo is popular like Japan or France, gi-grappling might be more popular.)
(2) No-gi is great for MMA, while gi is much less useful due to the lack of clothing grips. Many athletes who do BJJ are interested in competing in MMA, and many people who start BJJ training do so because of MMA (in the U.S.A., at least).
(3) No-gi techniques are universally applicable. All my no-gi techniques still work with a gi on, but the reverse isn't true. (This is important for self-defense as well as for sport.)
(4) Old guys like me with wear-and-tear arthritis often prefer no-gi because it's easier on the hands. When I was cross-training judo and BJJ six days a week, I had terrible arthritis that affected my ability to type and play guitar. I never had the problem when I was doing MMA and no-gi BJJ.
(1) One of the biggest feeder groups for BJJ is wrestlers (in the U.S.A., at least). They can go into a no-gi class and be an instant superstar, whereas gi-grappling is often confusing due to the differences in grip-fighting and the presence of collar chokes. ( Judo guys feel the opposite, so if you're in a country where Judo is popular like Japan or France, gi-grappling might be more popular.)
(2) No-gi is great for MMA, while gi is much less useful due to the lack of clothing grips. Many athletes who do BJJ are interested in competing in MMA, and many people who start BJJ training do so because of MMA (in the U.S.A., at least).
(3) No-gi techniques are universally applicable. All my no-gi techniques still work with a gi on, but the reverse isn't true. (This is important for self-defense as well as for sport.)
(4) Old guys like me with wear-and-tear arthritis often prefer no-gi because it's easier on the hands. When I was cross-training judo and BJJ six days a week, I had terrible arthritis that affected my ability to type and play guitar. I never had the problem when I was doing MMA and no-gi BJJ.
SSBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
No-gi is less technical, less difficult, and thus appeals to a wider audience. I think that BJJ people who predominately train in the gi transition to no-gi really easily. But people who only train no-gi always hate going to the gi and have a very hard time with it.
I think you see this even on the competition scene. Gordon beat Buchecha with a single sweep, but Buchecha was with him step for step otherwise. Whereas I think if Gordon were to compete in the gi even now, Buchecha would make him look silly.
I think you see this even on the competition scene. Gordon beat Buchecha with a single sweep, but Buchecha was with him step for step otherwise. Whereas I think if Gordon were to compete in the gi even now, Buchecha would make him look silly.
NTBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I agree that no gi will likely surpass gi if it hasn’t already. The rule sets seem to be more diverse for no gi and the opportunities for making money and getting super fights are solidly in the no gi column. That being said, I love both and will continue to train in both
DKBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
I like training and looking cute in my pajamas (it accentuates my curves).
However, I feel both have their place and I think schools need to offer both to stay relevant. No-gi seems to be the dominant style due to adcc and super fights being the driving force for that platform.
Though, I am curious, Mr. Pages: do you foresee gi becoming so unpopular in the future that it will ceased to be offered in a class setting? I remember Keenan posting something on IG awhile back saying he felt he wasted his time in the gi.
However, I feel both have their place and I think schools need to offer both to stay relevant. No-gi seems to be the dominant style due to adcc and super fights being the driving force for that platform.
Though, I am curious, Mr. Pages: do you foresee gi becoming so unpopular in the future that it will ceased to be offered in a class setting? I remember Keenan posting something on IG awhile back saying he felt he wasted his time in the gi.
Edited 3 year(s) ago
AAWhite beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Being an older guy I find that I prefer the gi as I have something to grab to slow down these young athletic scrappers.
However, I fully acknowledge that to be a complete student of Jiu-Jitsu you need to study both. I would also argue that to be a complete student you also need to study and train in both the sportive applications as well as practical self-defense techniques.
Sadly schools will cater to the popular trends simply because it makes for good business... give the market what it wants. Even if it is not necessarily what the market needs.
Even though Im a shiny white belt, I have trained in the martial arts for over 30 years and I see this trend in martial arts schools all the time. What is scary is when I see a school that teaches martial arts for "sport" or for "show" and advertise as teaching self-defense. That false sense of security is liable to get someone hurt.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with martial arts for show, sport, fitness, or tradition. But it is not necessarily "fighting."
And ultimately we should be teaching and studying the self-defense applications first... then explore the sport.
I like to think of it as swimming. EVERYONE should know how to do it as it is a life skill that can save your life. But not everyone wants or needs to be a competitive swimmer in the Olympics. So before you learn the butterfly stroke or the flip turn...etc. You learn how to float, how to be safe, how to use a PFD... etc.
I feel that it is our duty to preserve all elements of the art both Gi and No gi; both sporting and fighting; both lethal and non-lethal techniques.
The art should grow and deepen. Not become trimmed and limited.
However, I fully acknowledge that to be a complete student of Jiu-Jitsu you need to study both. I would also argue that to be a complete student you also need to study and train in both the sportive applications as well as practical self-defense techniques.
Sadly schools will cater to the popular trends simply because it makes for good business... give the market what it wants. Even if it is not necessarily what the market needs.
Even though Im a shiny white belt, I have trained in the martial arts for over 30 years and I see this trend in martial arts schools all the time. What is scary is when I see a school that teaches martial arts for "sport" or for "show" and advertise as teaching self-defense. That false sense of security is liable to get someone hurt.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with martial arts for show, sport, fitness, or tradition. But it is not necessarily "fighting."
And ultimately we should be teaching and studying the self-defense applications first... then explore the sport.
I like to think of it as swimming. EVERYONE should know how to do it as it is a life skill that can save your life. But not everyone wants or needs to be a competitive swimmer in the Olympics. So before you learn the butterfly stroke or the flip turn...etc. You learn how to float, how to be safe, how to use a PFD... etc.
I feel that it is our duty to preserve all elements of the art both Gi and No gi; both sporting and fighting; both lethal and non-lethal techniques.
The art should grow and deepen. Not become trimmed and limited.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I like training and looking cute in my pajamas (it accentuates my curves). However, I feel both have their place and I think schools need to offer both to stay relevant. No-gi seems to be the dominant style due to adcc and super fights being the driving force for that platform. Though, I am curious, Mr. Pages: do you foresee gi becoming so unpopular in the future that it will ceased to be offered in a class setting? I remember Keenan posting something on IG awhile back saying he felt he wasted his time in the gi.
Like you said, they both have their place and always will. I don't foresee the gi going anywhere. I do foresee the popularity of nogi surpassing the gi though. You'll find more and more nogi classes showing up on schedules, more and more nogi instructional videos, and a higher demand for nogi competition. Just like others have said, there are more platforms for nogi and more platforms for athletes to make money via competition vs paying an arm and a leg to compete which will help drive the demand for nogi forward. Although there are some organizations that do have paid gi competitions like the IBJJF pro and IBJJF Super Fight Tournaments, the barrier for entry to get to that point is not easy and it's very expensive. So, as more and more events pop up offering super fights and money, you'll see more and more people wanting to get into nogi. There are many other factors that will help dictate the course for nogi but the potential to make money vs pay money to compete and media such as Flo Grappling and the UFC Fight Pass will play a huge part. But, I don't see the gi going anywhere.
RBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
No gi is definitely on fire right now. I thoroughly enjoy both but feel like I have more success in no gi. The younger generations certainly are flowing in from wrestling and I think the popularity of MMA is fueling some of this as well. I agree with the notion that gi won't disappear but it certainly is less popular. So far though, our gi classes have stayed full - which is great, because I think it's important for students of the art to train in both barring any specific need/focus.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I like training and looking cute in my pajamas (it accentuates my curves). However, I feel both have their place and I think schools need to offer both to stay relevant. No-gi seems to be the dominant style due to adcc and super fights being the driving force for that platform. Though, I am curious, Mr. Pages: do you foresee gi becoming so unpopular in the future that it will ceased to be offered in a class setting? I remember Keenan posting something on IG awhile back saying he felt he wasted his time in the gi.
Do you have a link to where Keenan said that? I'm curious. Would like to read more into his opinion on the matter. Thanks a ton.
ARBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
New trend in gi: People whining when they get leg locked. Oh... wait...
JSPurple beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
One day in the Olympics I hope.
After what I saw in the last Olympics in the Karate division (dude getting DQed for kicking too hard...), and how Judo and TKD have evolved to fit the Olympics I seriously hope not.
I do hope however for a rule set that is both more punishing of stalling tactics and more permissive regarding techniques.
I do hope however for a rule set that is both more punishing of stalling tactics and more permissive regarding techniques.
DKBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Do you have a link to where Keenan said that? I'm curious. Would like to read more into his opinion on the matter. Thanks a ton.
https://www.instagram.com[...]E0MzVhZDY=
As I said in my previous post, it was an IG reel. It is not an op-ed into his thoughts, unfortunately. He seems to feel he has wasted his time and then poses the question forward.
What is your perspective of his reel? I am curious to hear what you glean from it.
As I said in my previous post, it was an IG reel. It is not an op-ed into his thoughts, unfortunately. He seems to feel he has wasted his time and then poses the question forward.
What is your perspective of his reel? I am curious to hear what you glean from it.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
I like training and looking cute in my pajamas (it accentuates my curves). However, I feel both have their place and I think schools need to offer both to stay relevant. No-gi seems to be the dominant style due to adcc and super fights being the driving force for that platform. Though, I am curious, Mr. Pages: do you foresee gi becoming so unpopular in the future that it will ceased to be offered in a class setting? I remember Keenan posting something on IG awhile back saying he felt he wasted his time in the gi.
Do you have a link to where Keenan said that? I'm curious. Would like to read more into his opinion on the matter. Thanks a ton.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
https://www.instagram.com[...]E0MzVhZDY= As I said in my previous post, it was an IG reel. It is not an op-ed into his thoughts, unfortunately. He seems to feel he has wasted his time and then poses the question forward. What is your perspective of his reel? I am curious to hear what you glean from it.
It's an interesting and thought provoking. But, I personally don't think it's a waste of time. A waste of time would be over emphasizing one over the other IMHO. One teaches you to be technical and tight with your attacks and the other to be technical with your defenses and escapes. I always take the approach, too much of a good thing is always a bad thing. One thing I will never say is one is better than the other. Where as many gi guys will argue and debate that point! The gi is better because it makes you more technical. It does, but just in one aspect of the game. Nogi makes you more technical with your attacks because of the lack of handles. IMO the gi makes the practitioner way too comfortable with space which isn't a great thing when doing Nogi.
Edited 3 year(s) ago
DBlack beltVerified
SSBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
This about sums up the gi vs no gi debate :) https://www.reddit.com/r/[...];context=3
LOL this.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
This about sums up the gi vs no gi debate :) https://www.reddit.com/r/[...];context=3
That's hilarious, but I do disagree with this. Whole heartedly!
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
This about sums up the gi vs no gi debate :) https://www.reddit.com/r/[...];context=3
There is no gi vs nogi debate here. This thread is not so much about what's better. The question posed on this thread was what's more popular or becoming more popular. Most here know and understand the value of doing both.
DBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Personally, I see no gi as a fad, something the trendy, in shape, instagram young'uns are doing :) If they train long enough, they will come back to the gi. You don't exactly see many 40 plus year olds still doing no gi.
No gi training makes sense for mma fighters or pro competitors, but for average joe, gi is still the king. Safer, less slippery, fewer skin infections (i.e. less gross) and more technical.
No gi training makes sense for mma fighters or pro competitors, but for average joe, gi is still the king. Safer, less slippery, fewer skin infections (i.e. less gross) and more technical.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Personally, I see no gi as a fad, something the trendy, in shape, instagram young'uns are doing :) If they train long enough, they will come back to the gi. You don't exactly see many 40 plus year olds still doing no gi. No gi training makes sense for mma fighters or pro competitors, but for average joe, gi is still the king. Safer, less slippery, fewer skin infections (i.e. less gross) and more technical.
I agree that it's trendy right now, but I'm not convinced that any of these nogi-only bros are ever going to be putting a gi on anytime soon.
I'm in my 40's now, and I train nogi about 25-33% of the time. I see myself continuing to train nogi well into my 50's and 60's, and hopefully even later than that, as I disagree that it's somehow inherently more dangerous.
Personally, I think that a good part of what makes nogi more attractive to wrestlers and other athletes has less to do with the attire, but rather all the "martial arts" BS that you have to put up with (anything from bowing to being forced to do standing choke escapes to the idol worship etc) when all you want to do is scrap.
I'm in my 40's now, and I train nogi about 25-33% of the time. I see myself continuing to train nogi well into my 50's and 60's, and hopefully even later than that, as I disagree that it's somehow inherently more dangerous.
Personally, I think that a good part of what makes nogi more attractive to wrestlers and other athletes has less to do with the attire, but rather all the "martial arts" BS that you have to put up with (anything from bowing to being forced to do standing choke escapes to the idol worship etc) when all you want to do is scrap.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Personally, I see no gi as a fad, something the trendy, in shape, instagram young'uns are doing :) If they train long enough, they will come back to the gi. You don't exactly see many 40 plus year olds still doing no gi. No gi training makes sense for mma fighters or pro competitors, but for average joe, gi is still the king. Safer, less slippery, fewer skin infections (i.e. less gross) and more technical.
I'm 45 and I love Nogi. There are plenty out there that are over 40 doing Nogi and competing in Nogi.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Personally, I see no gi as a fad, something the trendy, in shape, instagram young'uns are doing :) If they train long enough, they will come back to the gi. You don't exactly see many 40 plus year olds still doing no gi. No gi training makes sense for mma fighters or pro competitors, but for average joe, gi is still the king. Safer, less slippery, fewer skin infections (i.e. less gross) and more technical.
It's no more technical than Nogi! The only thing the gi gives ya is more options and more things to do. More doesn't mean more technical!
MGPurple beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
If Jiu Jitsu were hip hop nogi/Gordon Ryan would be Lil Pump and gi/Roger Gracie would be J Cole.
SSBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
It's no more technical than Nogi! The only thing the gi gives ya is more options and more things to do. More doesn't mean more technical!
Have to disagree with you here. More things to do = more techniques = more variables or high complexity = more technical. Even if we only take lapel chokes as an example, that is an entire variable and level of complexity the gi game has that no-gi does not.
I do both, I like both. I agree that the gi game requires better defense and the no-gi game requires better offense. But strictly speaking gi is more complex a game than no-gi.
That’s why in no-gi strength and athleticism matter more. There are fewer variables in the game, so the variables that do exist carry more weight. No-gi carries significantly fewer options for offsetting or working around differences in athleticism. Thus Keenan’s comment about steroids letting you move your checker piece harder and faster than your opponent’s.
I do both, I like both. I agree that the gi game requires better defense and the no-gi game requires better offense. But strictly speaking gi is more complex a game than no-gi.
That’s why in no-gi strength and athleticism matter more. There are fewer variables in the game, so the variables that do exist carry more weight. No-gi carries significantly fewer options for offsetting or working around differences in athleticism. Thus Keenan’s comment about steroids letting you move your checker piece harder and faster than your opponent’s.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Have to disagree with you here. More things to do = more techniques = more variables or high complexity = more technical. Even if we only take lapel chokes as an example, that is an entire variable and level of complexity the gi game has that no-gi does not. I do both, I like both. I agree that the gi game requires better defense and the no-gi game requires better offense. But strictly speaking gi is more complex a game than no-gi. That’s why in no-gi strength and athleticism matter more. There are fewer variables in the game, so the variables that do exist carry more weight. No-gi carries significantly fewer options for offsetting or working around differences in athleticism. Thus Keenan’s comment about steroids letting you move your checker piece harder and faster than your opponent’s.
Yes, more variables, but the complexity lays more in the technique itself. Not in how many ways a submission, sweep, or pass can be done. More steps in a move doesn't make it complex. It's just more steps and more moves. Complexity lays in the methods in which you get from point A to point B. Set ups, the timing of the movement, counters, counters to the counter, and the concepts. All methods that exist in both gi and nogi.
I agree more options and more steps could increase complexity, but to me that doesn't make one more technical than the other. For example, for experienced grapplers, just because you can do 10 armbars in the gi and only 5 in nogi that doesn't make it more complex just gives you more option, however, the armbar is still an armbar. Maybe approached differently but they are still the same. I would say more difficult in nogi which increases complexity due to more variable to consider within the technique. Or the difference between a scissor sweep and a berimbolo. One much more complex than the other. They're both sweeps, but one much more difficult to perform than the other. That make sense?
Also, just because you can't do something in one vs the other, again, doesn't make it more technical. The absence of technique doesn't make one more technical than the other. Again, the technique does. I personally feel they are both technical in their own ways.
You think strength and athleticism doesn't matter in the gi and doesn't effect the gi game? Nogi isn't the only part inclusive of strength and athleticism. I would go as far as to say that there's actually just as much. Just in a different way. The gi makes practitioners way too comfortable with space. Creating comfort with relying on just a hand grip to control. More space, more movement, more work! More grips to deal with, more work! More ways to pass, more work! More work! Again, I don't disagree, more can be done, but more technique doesn't mean more technical, more technique just means more work!
Again, the technique itself and the methods i which you get from point A to point B is what makes one more technical than the other. Not how many ways you can scissor sweep someone. I feel both gi and nogi are both just as technical as each other. Technical in their own ways.
I agree more options and more steps could increase complexity, but to me that doesn't make one more technical than the other. For example, for experienced grapplers, just because you can do 10 armbars in the gi and only 5 in nogi that doesn't make it more complex just gives you more option, however, the armbar is still an armbar. Maybe approached differently but they are still the same. I would say more difficult in nogi which increases complexity due to more variable to consider within the technique. Or the difference between a scissor sweep and a berimbolo. One much more complex than the other. They're both sweeps, but one much more difficult to perform than the other. That make sense?
Also, just because you can't do something in one vs the other, again, doesn't make it more technical. The absence of technique doesn't make one more technical than the other. Again, the technique does. I personally feel they are both technical in their own ways.
You think strength and athleticism doesn't matter in the gi and doesn't effect the gi game? Nogi isn't the only part inclusive of strength and athleticism. I would go as far as to say that there's actually just as much. Just in a different way. The gi makes practitioners way too comfortable with space. Creating comfort with relying on just a hand grip to control. More space, more movement, more work! More grips to deal with, more work! More ways to pass, more work! More work! Again, I don't disagree, more can be done, but more technique doesn't mean more technical, more technique just means more work!
Again, the technique itself and the methods i which you get from point A to point B is what makes one more technical than the other. Not how many ways you can scissor sweep someone. I feel both gi and nogi are both just as technical as each other. Technical in their own ways.
SSBlack beltVerified
3 year(s) ago
Seems like we’re just arguing semantics at this point and I’m not sure what your definition of “technical” is.
I do think we’re falling into the trap of just because I make a statement about one thing doesn’t mean I’m disparaging the other. I never said athleticism DOESN’T matter in the gi - I only stated that in no-gi it matters more.
I do think we’re falling into the trap of just because I make a statement about one thing doesn’t mean I’m disparaging the other. I never said athleticism DOESN’T matter in the gi - I only stated that in no-gi it matters more.
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Seems like we’re just arguing semantics at this point and I’m not sure what your definition of “technical” is. I do think we’re falling into the trap of just because I make a statement about one thing doesn’t mean I’m disparaging the other. I never said athleticism DOESN’T matter in the gi - I only stated that in no-gi it matters more.
Semantics for sure, I'm not disagreeing with you entirely. I just don't agree that one is more technical than the other. They are both technical in their own ways.
My definition of technical is the complexity of the technique itself. Not having multiple options. Although having options does bring complexity to a degree it doesn't make it more technical. 10 hamburgers from McDonald's isn't going to be better than 1 burger from a 5 star restaurant. My point being more doesn't always mean better.
My apologies for misunderstanding. My personal opinion is strength matters just as much in the gi as no Nogi. Just in a different way.
You're right. We are falling into that trap. My only debate, not argument, because I do agree with most of what you say for the most part, my only debate is that one is not more technical than the other. I'm not debating that Nogi is more technical either. Just that Nogi is as technical as the gi. Just in a different way. Again, I agree with most of what you're saying. However, you can feel how ya feel as will I. Im not going to try to convince you. I respect your opinions. Hey, different strokes for different blokes! Know what I mean?
My definition of technical is the complexity of the technique itself. Not having multiple options. Although having options does bring complexity to a degree it doesn't make it more technical. 10 hamburgers from McDonald's isn't going to be better than 1 burger from a 5 star restaurant. My point being more doesn't always mean better.
My apologies for misunderstanding. My personal opinion is strength matters just as much in the gi as no Nogi. Just in a different way.
You're right. We are falling into that trap. My only debate, not argument, because I do agree with most of what you say for the most part, my only debate is that one is not more technical than the other. I'm not debating that Nogi is more technical either. Just that Nogi is as technical as the gi. Just in a different way. Again, I agree with most of what you're saying. However, you can feel how ya feel as will I. Im not going to try to convince you. I respect your opinions. Hey, different strokes for different blokes! Know what I mean?
Edited 3 year(s) ago
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
3 year(s) ago
Looks like the latter part of this conversation has been carried over over to the "nogi vs gi" thread.
Going back to the original post, where do y'all see bjj in 20 years? I've been involved with bjj for almost 20 years now, and have witnessed some significant changes over the past few years: an evolution? Devolution?
When I first started training, there wasn't much of a difference between how one might train for self defense, vale tudo or competition bjj. Nowadays, you're more or less expected to specialize in one or the other.
I personally don't think that nogi is a flash in the pan. I expect to see nogi grappling to continue to increase in popularity, and inevitably become more of its own thing.
I feel like vale tudo (mma) will eventually decrease in popularity, due mostly to the inherent risk of brain trauma. But also I wouldn't count it out completely. This is obviously just my opinion.
I think that gi bjj will have to reconcile its differences with judo (and vice versa) in order to stay relevant. Already at judo competitions in my area, they are allowing for more ground grappling, and I'm expecting this trend to continue for the foreseeable future, until it's successfully attracted and absorbed what's left of competition gi bjj enthusiasts.
What do y'all think? What will the landscape of grappling look like in 20 years?
Going back to the original post, where do y'all see bjj in 20 years? I've been involved with bjj for almost 20 years now, and have witnessed some significant changes over the past few years: an evolution? Devolution?
When I first started training, there wasn't much of a difference between how one might train for self defense, vale tudo or competition bjj. Nowadays, you're more or less expected to specialize in one or the other.
I personally don't think that nogi is a flash in the pan. I expect to see nogi grappling to continue to increase in popularity, and inevitably become more of its own thing.
I feel like vale tudo (mma) will eventually decrease in popularity, due mostly to the inherent risk of brain trauma. But also I wouldn't count it out completely. This is obviously just my opinion.
I think that gi bjj will have to reconcile its differences with judo (and vice versa) in order to stay relevant. Already at judo competitions in my area, they are allowing for more ground grappling, and I'm expecting this trend to continue for the foreseeable future, until it's successfully attracted and absorbed what's left of competition gi bjj enthusiasts.
What do y'all think? What will the landscape of grappling look like in 20 years?
