Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom Sarah Galvao recently opened up about a topic that divides the grappling community: the stark differences between gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu. Speaking on the Alberto Crane podcast, the 19-year-old competitor made a compelling case that these aren’t simply variations of the same sport but two fundamentally different disciplines.
“Between gi and no-gi, it’s two different sports. It’s so different. You can’t tell me it’s the same because it’s completely different,”
Galvao stated emphatically. Her perspective comes from hard-earned experience, particularly during her preparation for the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), where she competed at the highest level of no-gi competition.
The daughter of legendary grappler Andre Galvao explained that the differences extend far beyond the presence or absence of a uniform.
“I like to think of it as two different sports, right? There’s the same mechanics like you would call like wrestling the same as jiu-jitsu, but it’s different,”
she said, drawing an analogy that highlights the nuanced relationship between related but distinct combat sports.
According to Galvao, no-gi demands a completely different athletic profile.
“No-gi is so much more movement. You have to move so much more and you have to work for position so much more than you would in the gi,”
she explained. The continuous action means there’s little room for error:
“It’s so hard to stall in no-gi. There’s always something happening.”
This reality creates unique technical and physical demands.
“Your technique has to be in check because let’s say you pass the guard, that might be the only time you ever pass the guard the whole match,”
Galvao noted. The unforgiving nature of no-gi competition also requires what she calls “an infinite gas tank” due to its non-stop pace.
Perhaps most revealing was Galvao‘s candid admission about her CJI training camp struggles.
“That first three weeks of camp I was just getting my butt beat all the time in training,”
she confessed. This came as a surprise to someone who primarily trains in the gi, where grip-based control allows for different strategies.
“In the gi we don’t really think about that stuff. Usually we can just hold on to the person and usually they tire out,”
she explained, highlighting how gi training can create a false sense of security when transitioning to no-gi.
For Galvao, competing at CJI became a revelation. Despite not expecting the invitation and having never done such an intensive no-gi camp, she emerged with newfound respect for the discipline. The experience has shaped her current approach to training, as she now works to become what she calls “a hybrid in both.”
