Is Jiu-Jitsu effective in a street fight? Well, it is obvious that if you rely solely on Jiu-Jitsu it will not be the most advantageous situation. Tony Jeffries is an Olympic Bronze medalist. He is a former undefeated pro boxer and he has been training in BJJ for over a year. He has highlighted four reasons why using BJJ in a street fight may not be the best choice.
The first reason is quite apparent: punches. In Jiu-Jitsu, you don’t learn how to defend against punches. In a street fight, the initial instinct of your opponent will likely be to throw punches. You should not expect to naturally be able to defend yourself in a street fight against punches if you never had experience in a sport that includes striking.
It is common sense that if you do not spar often you will not be able to properly apply the skills that you learn in training. That is why you should always improve your skillset. You should strive away from limiting yourself only to a certain style or technique. You need to get used to the flow of battle and be able to use it to your advantage.
Secondly, Tony points out that while Jiu-Jitsu excels in ground fighting, this focus can also be a significant disadvantage. When you try pinning someone to the ground in a street fight you risk getting hit by a knee, elbow, and various other powerful blows. Those could easily end the fight in a way that you would certainly not want it to.
Another critical factor highlighting why BJJ may not be ideal for self-defense is the possibility of multiple attackers. There is always a possibility that your opponent has friends nearby. If this happens then you should obviously flee (which you SHOULD do even if there is one attacker). Hence, it doesn’t make a difference whether you know BJJ, MMA, or any other martial art. It is unlikely that you walk away without any injuries, and even more unlikely that you end up winning.
Lastly, he emphasizes that BJJ’s reliance on the gi can be problematic in a street fight where you won’t be wearing one. If you focus too much on controlling your opponent’s gi, you may find yourself at a disadvantage in a real-life scenario without a gi to grab onto.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu in a street fight depends on various factors. While it offers valuable skills, it’s essential to consider its limitations and the specific circumstances of the situation you may encounter.
However, Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu submitted Tony 33 times, which does question the validity of his knowledge.
