Submissions are the Heart of BJJ and MMA

Rickson Gracie danced the line between life and death

"The interesting dilemma is that I want boxing to be injury-free or at least as safe as possible, simultaneously I want people to be fascinated by the sport, to want to watch it and pay to attend the fights. And what has, since time immemorial, drawn people to boxing?"

The above quote by Karin Enoksson, a former national boxing coach back home in Sweden, referring, naturally, to the knockout is very visceral. When I read it in an interview I immediately agreed. Knockouts are the number one reason people are drawn to boxing (and other striking sports). They are, however, not without consequences.



When an athlete is knocked out in sparring, most likely accidentally, they cannot continue the training session. They're done for, at least, the day. They pack their bags and go home. Depending on medical clearance, they can resume training and competition after some time.

What is our jiujitsu equivalent to the knockout? What manoeuvre in jiujitsu gives you the same result as a knockout? The same outwardly, and to be fair inwardly, expression of total dominance over your training partner? It has to be the submission.



Making your opponent tap unquestionably demonstrates that you, at that moment in time, were better, stronger, faster, more aware, cleverer...etc than them. You win. They lose. Boom!

But what happens afterwards? You shake hands, smile and go at it again.



This is a huge part of the attraction with jiujitsu, the fact that we walk the fine line between the thrill of the kill with the friendliness and camaraderie.

Jiujitsu rules.

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ZHOO ZHITSU IS FOR EVERYONE!

Liam "The Part Time Grappler" Wandi

Proudly sponsored by Predator Fightwear: Built for the kill and Brutal TShirt: Made By Grapplers For Fighters