Eddie Bravo recently made waves in the grappling community with his candid admission about gi BJJ. In a surprising revelation, Bravo confessed that even he, a pioneer in the sport, often finds himself bored while watching traditional gi BJJ matches.
However, Bravo was quick to point out two notable exceptions to his boredom: Roger Gracie and Marcelo Garcia. These two BJJ legends seem to captivate Bravo’s attention in a way that other gi practitioners cannot.
This admission from Bravo is particularly intriguing given his background. As the creator of the 10th Planet system, which focuses exclusively on no-gi grappling, Bravo has long been an advocate for the faster-paced, submission-oriented style of BJJ without the traditional gi.
“I really, I get bored watching Gi stuff, but I appreciate it and I respect them.”
“You know, but I just, nobody wants to watch it, you know, but unless it’s Marcelo or Rafa Mendez or Roger Gracie or like these guys that killed, but most guys just played tug of war with it and it gets really boring.”
Bravo’s preference for watching Gracie and Garcia in gi competition speaks volumes about these athletes’ exceptional skills and entertaining styles. It also speaks volumes about current trends – with no Gi talent being able to grab the attention of BJJ legends.
Roger Gracie is widely regarded as one of the most dominant gi competitors in the sport’s history, known for his impeccable technique and ability to submit high-level opponents with seemingly basic moves. Marcelo Garcia, on the other hand, is celebrated for his innovative approach to the game and his dynamic, aggressive style that translates well between gi and no-gi formats.
This revelation from Bravo highlights the ongoing debate within the BJJ community about the merits of gi versus no-gi training and competition.
This is similar to recent comments from Gordon Ryan who lamented that Gi will be gradually phased out.
Ryan highlighted the increasing popularity of no-gi BJJ, which he attributes to its dynamic and unpredictable nature that captivates audiences. He criticized Gi training for not adequately preparing athletes for the realities of no-gi competition, where proficiency in hand techniques, body positioning, and pressure control is crucial.
Bravo’s comments may encourage the BJJ community to reflect on ways to make gi competitions more engaging for spectators. It also underscores the unique abilities of old school athletes like Gracie and Garcia, who can captivate audiences regardless of their preferred grappling style.
