If you want to be a great MMA fighter, learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques should definitely be a priority. After all, the UFC is full of tough competitors that are experts in BJJ, such as Anderson Silva and the first UFC winner, Royce Gracie.
Derived from the Japanese art of Kodokan Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers fighters many different ways to advance against an opponent and is especially useful when you are facing an opponent that is larger than yourself. The main thrust of this form of martial art consists of grappling and ground fighting.
BJJ training provides a fighter with several ways to take the opponent to the ground. For example, you might see a fighter employ a pull guard technique where the fighter grips onto the opponent, jumps and wraps his legs around his opponent. A good BJJ instructor will teach a variety of takedown methods for a variety of situations.
It can also be helpful to learn various takedowns common to wrestling and also Judo. Any skill that can help you get an opponent down is worth learning about and using, especially if your opponent has a longer reach or his simply larger than yourself.
There are several common ground positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including the full mount and back mount positions, as well as the guard position. These positions will help a fighter take a dominate position in the fight and then apply submission holds. A good instructor will teach a variety of the ground positions.
Submission holds are a big part of Jiu-Jitsu and you will learn a variety of joint locks, which can be used to get a challenger to tap out and submit. Keep in mind that some locks are forbidden during competition because of the risk of injury. Chokeholds, and there are a variety, also can be effective and you can actually knock your opponent in a few short seconds if a blood choke is applied properly. This can be a solid way to take down a larger opponent.
