Also try to work in a certain amount of weapons(mostly training blades) from time to time just to change things up.

I always find this interesting. Not sure I've ever heard of an actual 'knife fight' in the US. Not sure why people train it, unless it's for fun. One of the local gyms near us the head instructor, Pat Tray, is a WIZARD with that stuff. Pat has probably snuck onto moving boats in the middle of the night and slashed the throats of gun-toting terrorists more times than I've watched Under Siege (which is a lot) and even HE said it's more for fun than anything else. I will take his word for it. I will stick with our defensive shooting classes.

'If you are not training Jiu-Jitsu (grappling) using strikes then you are not doing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. BJJ with strikes isn’t MMA, it’s Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.' ~Rener Gracie 'Most people think of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as a grappling sport. Truth is Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie created a complete system of self-defense which is based on grappling but also includes some of the most effective strikes.' BJJEE

Total BS.

Its true though, If you are not learning how to control and opponent who is striking then you aren't doing Gracie Jiu jitsu. You should be able to roll al aspects, sport, striking etc etc however if your missing one then its no longer an art its a sport. There are a ton of moves in sport BJJ where you are consistently exposed for striking and you know the saying about Sport BJJ Black Belt. Hit him once he becomes a Brown Belt, Hit him Twice a Purple.

Its true though, If you are not learning how to control and opponent who is striking then you aren't doing Gracie Jiu jitsu. You should be able to roll al aspects, sport, striking etc etc however if your missing one then its no longer an art its a sport. There are a ton of moves in sport BJJ where you are consistently exposed for striking and you know the saying about Sport BJJ Black Belt. Hit him once he becomes a Brown Belt, Hit him Twice a Purple.

There is a reason that to a large degree school Gracie JJ like to call themselves 'self defense'. It's because they are no longer relevant in MMA. This is not everyone this is just indicative of the ones that want to dismiss cross training and want to dismiss sport JJ and MMA. I am sorry but GJJ made their reputation on sport and now wants to hide.. Let the outrage begin

I may be in the minority here but if grappling is your first option in strategy for self defense there may be a HUGE issue. Self defense is about getting yourself to an easy avenue of escape not willfully turning into a long engagement of the ground. I am sorry but the whole idea of grappling as self defense to me is an oxymoron. Grappling's place in self defense to me is a fail safe ie: attacker took YOU down. I can't picture taking someone down in a self defense scenario

We just had this discussion the other day in the gym. My entire perspective on what I would if I had to fight someone has changed over the years. Especially since learning about use of force from a criminal and civil perspective in my state. Our first job as trained fighters and combat sport athletes is to not get hurt. From there, you have to use a reciprocal amount of force based on the threat presented. As a professional Muay Thai/Lethwei fighter and BJJ Black Belt there are probably a handful of people in the entire US who represent an actual threat to you in an unarmed conflict. Therefor, any use of force resulting in injury of the other person might cost you jail time and would almost certainly cost you money. Lot's of it. If that person hit their hit on the way down and died, that's going to be involuntary manslaughter. Could have come from a punch to the face, or a throw, or a takedown. Hitting them from mount and they crack their head on concrete could, theoretically, do it as well. Arm bar from any top position could be seen as excessive force. Any armlock resulting in injury will cost you that person's medical bills for sure. These are all realities of what a real fight can look like in the legal system. My first inclination, knowing all of this, is now to start with a good leg kick. That shit hurts and does no actual damage. It might even put that person on the ground. Then we can play the Matt Serra game and just tell them to relax and wait for the police.

For me leg kick and walk away.. If he is still standing a second leg kick will do the trick

Leg kick and walk away will work in the 'self-defense' sense of it being a typical ego-driven fight. But when it comes to someone attacking you, grappling is often obligatory and I think that's where 'grappling as self-defense' comes in. The last thing anyone should WANT to do in a fight is roll around on the ground, but the reality is that's sometimes where it ends up without your consent. Also, mitigating damage from someone who is throwing a barrage of strikes in close proximity where you can't create sufficient distance is often the best decision. Doesn't mean it's a 'good thing' but sometimes 'better-than-the-alternative' thing. Also, in law enforcement where your profession is taking the fight to the bad guys to get them into custody, grappling is absolutely the better self-defense option. Cops can't throw strikes and walk away and case law has been changing to restrict the old taser reliance. So cops are being forced to go hands-on. more often than recent years. With all that being said, I agree -- train in what you like. Supplementing your BJJ with some striking isn't a bad thing and will make you more well-rounded. If you compete in MMA, train for MMA. The statement that 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu isn't GJJ unless you train in striking' is complete BS. Far too many GJJ videos where they don't even discuss strikes for someone in that family tree to make that kind of statement.

And in civil court I would lose outright.

I, obviously, would love to be grappling in a self-defense situation as I am a BJJ and Judo Black Belt. If they want to do that bad idea on their part. I'm simply pointing out that it's not necessarily the FIRST thing I would do. Even at my gym most of the bigger injuries have occurred during a takedown or throw. That's with lots of layers of mats. I can see a lot of scenarios playing out where I'm throwing someone and they hit their head or break their arm. As the owner and head coach of a Mixed Martial Arts gym (that's how it will be referred to in court) the jury and judge will not treat me the same as the average person when it comes to 'defending' myself. And in civil court I would lose outright.

This is imho the most overlooked aspect of everything someone says is 'for self defense'. Doing something that gets you thrown in jail afterwards isn't effective self defense.

I think we can all agree....Eddie Bravo's combat Jiu-Jitsu is the only true Jiu Jitsu

1000% agree that in reality, throws on concrete as opposed to mats can lead to serious physical injuries - and subsequently liability. With that being said, your experience and training in grappling-oriented systems also creates a high proficiency and capability in controlling someone's mobility that can ultimately reduce the need for damage/risk of injury more so than someone untrained. Liability increases with high level martial arts training and will undoubtedly be used against you in court, but it can also save you.