Is BJJ just a fad?

**Moleculo** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:24pm

Can I just say that after all is said and done, the type of person who began BJJ for reasons of learning effective groundfighting will still be there, unlike the countless future whitebelts who joined because they wanted to be cool and quit when they found out that it takes effort to be a real fighter.

**Aesopian** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:27pm

So if BJJ is a fad, when did it start being one?

**Forseti** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:28pm

Originally Posted by Aesopian

Oh, so basically, you're clueless.

And just when I thought you BJJers didn't have anything new or innovative to add...

**Dochter** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:28pm

Originally Posted by Forseti

I have seen BJJ and MT in pretty much every city I have been to. I do think that you will find a million more karate and TKD schools though. But, I don't see why that is particularly relevant.

Because "fad" is defined in part by how popular and widely practiced something is?

Reese, I think you're right in part. However considering that good blues and purples can teach I don't think that is just it. I also don't think that mma is as popular as you give it credit for. Don't dismiss the hometown hero aspect you may see around you.

**Aesopian** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:35pm

Originally Posted by Forseti

And just when I thought you BJJers didn't have anything new or innovative to add...

Your "BJJ is Kosen judo" argument has been done a million times before and barely fits your own arguments of BJJ being a fad. Once again, you manage to take something tangently related to a thread and run wild on a new topic you can barely connect to the actual discussion.

**Forseti** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:35pm

Originally Posted by Aesopian

So if BJJ is a fad, when did it start being one?

You know when it became one -- when Royce Gracie started winning with it in the UFC. (At least, that is when it became a fad in America.) Of course, if they just called it judo or even Brazillian Judo it probably wouldn't have near the marketability that it does as Jui Jitsu especially along with the NHB angle.

It's just promoting. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not exactly faulting the Gracies (probably Helio, in particular) the way Mehdi did for promoting their school. But lets not confuse this sort of promotion with something that really sets it apart from other schools. Judoka have been challenging boxers since judo began. Jiu Jitsu guys have challenged all comers since before that.

Its just hype. That doesn't mean that Kosen Judo isn't good. It just means that BJJ isn't much more than an old Judoka's pointers. The Gracies are just that -- highly skilled judoka. If you study BJJ, so are you. (But since I'm not as good as they are, I'm sure I have no "authority" to talk here....)

**PoleFighter** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:36pm

BJJ has a monopoly when it comes to sportive groundbased grappling with the objective of a submission. It has clearly filled a void and satisfied a demand and doesn't have any real competition for the practicioners who are interested in the aformentioned style of sport.

Therefore, it's here to stay.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 2/14/2005 4:37pm

Originally Posted by Forseti

Its just hype. That doesn't mean that Kosen Judo isn't good. It just means that BJJ isn't much more than an old Judoka's pointers. The Gracies are just that -- highly skilled judoka. If you study BJJ, so are you. (But since I'm not as good as they are, I'm sure I have no "authority" to talk here....)

Hello, alter7nate.