BJJ and MMA dilema

**tenacious666** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 3:18am

Hello bullshido users,
I'm a 15 year old aspiring MMA practitioner, I have been doing it since I was 12,my gym (legion 13) has recently discovered my ability to grapple they asked me if i could start competing in BJJ only, They told me my training would be free but I have to attend 6 sessions of BJJ per week.I was really happy to have this opportunity so I recently competed in the 155 pound (70 kg) division for the state Brazilian jiujitsu championship and attained gold,now my gym has asked me to compete in the international pan Pacific championship which is great.But do you think I can give up MMA until i'm older and get a base in BJJ first or do MMA exclusively e.g(Rory Macdonald,Carlos Condit,Chris Leben).I don't wan't to be a jack off all trades or a one dimensional submission specialist.What would you do in my situation?

heres a link to my gym timetable:
http://www.legion13.com.au/SocialSit...36777801156000

(I currently do the Intermediate and advanced BJJ on tuesday and thursday rolling on staturday and rolling on sunday)

**ashkelon** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 3:46am

At a young age it's good to learn wrestling and/or judo, it's harder when you're older.
If you don't want to be a jack of all trades or a sub specialist, what do you want to be?
A striker?

**Tonuzaba** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 5:43am

Could you please link to videos of your competition fights? We love to watch those. Thanks!

**erezb** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 6:51am

You get a lot of benefits from competitions, you get used to the fear,tension and adrenalin. So any competition experience is good. It seems like you would get a lot of that if you do their wishes. The benefits are; 1.not paying 2. personal guidance and interest in your progression from your coaches. 3. really good grappling base which is great for MMA. 4. A lot of competition experience. 5. a hard and intense schedule (like a fighters schedule).
The disadvantages; 1. It is better that all your training is in MMA, you will be a better MMA fighter this way. 2. Strikers in MMA are more popular and it will be easyer for you to win the crowd with KO's.
If money isn't an issue, and if you stay in the regular MMA program you still get a lot of training and guidance than stay on the MMA program, and if anything, strengthen your striking game and standup game (throws) you have to keep in mind that this is show business and you need to be not only a winner but also an exciting fighter.
I am in no way or form an expert on the matter, you best consult with an MMA trainer not from your gym. This is just my opinion.

**ermghoti** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 9:11am

I disagree with the disadvantages listed above. You could have three years of free training and competition experience by the time you are 18. I'm sure you can squeeze in a couple half-hour sessions on the heavy bag under the guise of conditioning to keep your striking fundamentals, then whenever you feel you've accomplished as much as you want in BJJ, you could clean up your MMA skillset very quickly. Being thoroughly skilled in submission grappling is very unlikely to hurt you in MMA.

That, and I suspect your coaches have your best interests at heart, and are likely pushing you in the direction your talents lie.

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 11:30am

15 is such a young age you could concentrate on grappling get world class great and still have time to get great at all other aspects of MMA as well.

I think for MMA having a world class base in either wrestling, BJJ or striking is important for long term suceess.

**goodlun** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 3:22pm

Hard call
I typically would say train the skills you want to actually compete in but
You have a great opportunity here one that you should not let pass.
1st big thing is you can compete and compete a lot right now. This is a skill in of itself and is one that needs to be honed being a great competitor being use to being on weight use to adrenalin dumps and pressure.
2nd thing is BJJ is a fundamental skill set of MMA having a solid base in it is needed anyways every single top level guy has put hours in on the mat they may not all be black belts but they have put in a lot of time.
3rd You have a good opportunity to shine in a place where you are obviously talented it is probably best to go ahead and make use of that as there is really no downside.

**goodlun** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 3:24pm

Originally Posted by Goju - Joe

I think for MMA having a world class base in either wrestling, BJJ or striking is important for long term suceess.

I think the word either is a bit off here its more like you have to have a world class base in 2 out of the 3 and in a few years I am sure its going to be a 3 out of 3 thing as the talent pool keeps growing and the money on the line keeps growing.

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 9/09/2012 4:21pm

Originally Posted by tenacious666

Hello bullshido users,
I'm a 15 year old aspiring MMA practitioner, I have been doing it since I was 12,my gym (legion 13) has recently discovered my ability to grapple they asked me if i could start competing in BJJ only, They told me my training would be free but I have to attend 6 sessions of BJJ per week.I was really happy to have this opportunity so I recently competed in the 155 pound (70 kg) division for the state Brazilian jiujitsu championship and attained gold,now my gym has asked me to compete in the international pan Pacific championship which is great.But do you think I can give up MMA until i'm older and get a base in BJJ first or do MMA exclusively e.g(Rory Macdonald,Carlos Condit,Chris Leben).I don't wan't to be a jack off all trades or a one dimensional submission specialist.What would you do in my situation?

heres a link to my gym timetable:
http://www.legion13.com.au/SocialSit...36777801156000

(I currently do the Intermediate and advanced BJJ on tuesday and thursday rolling on staturday and rolling on sunday)

Take the offer, concentrate on your grappling, and JOIN YOUR HS WRESTLING TEAM