Rickson vs Carlos Jr: The Modern Gracie Family Rivals and their Federations

Rickson vs Carlos Jr. Two Federations trying to shape the world of Jiu-Jitsu, but which is better?

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Ehrling - "Dance with Me"

[TonyPacenski]

As a cofounder of the JJGF, I can say that this is an excellent video to watch.

[bjjjunky]

I train at a Gracie Academy/University CTC and I appreciate the leadership in Jiu-Jitsu of Rener and Ryron. I feel like it’s important to them to honor Helio Gracie’s Jiu-Jitsu much like Rickson does.

[HundredWingZ]

Just got my first Barra white belt stripe this morning (UK). Really fascinating breakdown of the JJ systems. Thank you

[garyking]

Rickson is an absolute legend, but the JJGF needs to be careful with it's validation criteria for clubs. A local club here in Cape Town managed to get itself as part of the federation, this was run by an instructor with no BJJ qualifications who taught his own style of jits. Then he gave a first dan black belt to his son, and a black belt to another student (who was 19 years old I think). They proudly announced that their belts were ratified by Ricksons association. Luckily, the local black belts got on the case and they were eventually removed from the JJGF but this sort of thing cannot happen if Rickson is to maintain his status as one of the bastions of quality technique and integrity.

[ememe]

If youre drawing a parallel with Judo, the difference would be like Kodokan and IJF. They may intertwine but are separate. The kodokan, for example, does not recognise IJF ranking. They dont use multi-coloured belts in Japan. IJF although aware of the complete syllabus, tend to focus training on the high % techniques for competition (before i get flamed, last time an IJF club member here go through goshin jutsu or kime no kata self defence sets? Or learned one leg lock like the most basic tate-shiho-hiza-hishigi?...) The Kodokans aim is to preserve and grow the aims and principles of Kano. This is inclusive of judo being: budo, self defence and competitive sport. IJF concentrates on the sporting side in reverse order. Theres room for both approaches.

[WilliSchwartz]

The Machados are five brothers, the Gracies are Helio Gracie had seven sons and two daughters. Carlos Gracie, Helio's brother, had 21 children!!!

[mofoflm]

Good points with the mention of Olympic influence. I fee that competitive judo is greatly influenced by what the IOC feels is appealing to mass audiences. I have participated in several judo clubs and I find the clubs with younger competitive members focus on what they need to know to win compa where the clubs with older adult members focus on a wide variety of Kōdōkan teachings and creates well rounded judo practitioners

[johnlammons]

all of us under Royce and Rickson, Royler ect. are on a quest to bring it back together, thats why the push for self defense. Most instructors do not know the curriculum, and think self defense is just a marketing ploy.

[mikem]

The school I train at just joined the JJGF. My instructor really believes in what Rickson is trying to do with Jiu Jitsu.

[TrentWila]

Another excellent video Ryan. I think that millions of jiujitsu practioners around the world would love to support the JJGF and the mission in which it pushes. I myself prefer the self defense 1st approach which is what Helio and Carlos intended the art to be about. Although I just wish there were more events spread over the various nations other than the 1 Rickson Gracie cup to compete.

[MagickArmory]

JJGF all the way . I'm a Gracie academy member and I' gladly signed up as a individual member of jjgf to support their mission .

[anthonyvert]

Can you do a video about big chain schools like barra

[drbrendankishketon]

I have always been a proponent of the self-defense aspect. I’ve been training through Gracie University for 10 years now, and also trained at a local
Bjj school for a year and a half (getting a blue belt there). I have experienced the difference between a competition school and a self defense focused curriculum. The confusion lies in the fact that many competition oriented schools THINK that their “sport” jiu-jitsu IS self-defense. And on one level, to be sure, tying someone up in a street fight CAN neutralize aggression. We have seen many vids where bjj guys get into fights and just be tying their opponent up, neutralized the aggression. But then there are videos where bjj black belts have no clue how to engage a person who is punching them, and the stories I have personally heard of high ranking bjj (purples and browns) guys getting beat down in a street fight. And that black belt of Gracie Barra who got punched by Ralph Gracie at a recent tournament for whatever reason. Sucker punch or not, justified or not, who knows but that Gracie Barra black belt should not have gotten beaten up. I mean, he’s a black belt for crying out loud. The one time he needed to defend himself, he got the shit beat out of him. If someone is escalating an altercation, self defense principles in GJJ dictate that you stand and face them, hands up, ready to engage. You don’t just sit there ignoring someone who is obviously acting aggressive toward you. Sure, maybe it was a sucker punch people would argue. But if Ralph is pissed at me and he’s talking to me in an agressive manner bet your ass I’m gonna be facing him, not sitting there ignoring his postering (I would never want to fight Ralph btw, dude’s a beast). My point here is that what gets lost is the self defense mindset. Competition is a good thing since competition always drives up quality. But when a black belt (or purple or brown belt) gets beat up at at time when s/he really needed the jiu-jitsu, what was the point of the training? What’s the point of all the competition titles if you get the shit beat out of you in the street? What gets lost many times in competition schools is the mindset and the necessary training for real street fights. I remember Xande Ribeiero saying in a video that he was a “white belt” when it comes to MMA. And he’s probably right if he has never trained for punches. But many BJJ guys have done well in MMA too. So, it’s not an all or nothing argument. But comeptiton schools assume that everyone wants to be a competitor. The average person doesn’t. Women don’t necessarily want to be competitors either. So, what happens is that competition schools use those of us who don’t want to compete as punching bags. I didn’t pay my tuition to be a punching bag. And the environment becomes too hostile for the average person. Seemed like every class was a tournament (and no one wants to help you, only tap you). I didn’t like it. Guys, this is just my experience and perspective. I don’t have all the answers. I think competition is just masculine energy. You a get a bunch of guys together, they always have to determine who the big dog in the room is. lol It’s healthy, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of the self defense mindset, the very reason for doing jiu-jitsu in the first place. Great video, Ryan.

[tommcalpine]

I feel that that Renzo setting up a federation would be even more ideal: he has both competition and mma experience with his students and a massive influence in adcc. He seems to have a balance between self defense and sport.

[game]

Best fighter in the family is sometimes not the best business man.

[asepulveda]

The I BBJF unfortunately it is a necessary evil. As you know I am a combative’s and self defense proponent but also avid competitor in my timeAnd I believe that for you to run a successful academy you have to have a balance of the two therefore you have to establish some sort of relationship as an instructor with the I BBJF while maintaining the integrity of not only the art but your Academy. That is a lesson I learned with my relationship with the instructors in Hawaii as well as in Ohio. I’m a proponent of submission only competition.

[hapkidocharlie]

Awesome! Thanks for answering my question brother! Really appreciate it.

[brojitsu]

This is awesome. Thanks for the video. I'm more of a sport practitioner, but I started this for self defense and I hope to become a member.

[pascualrodriguez]

This right up my alley. I. Belong to the barra tree but i honestly have learned so much from ricksons videos

[berningsandwiches]

I wish there was a GJJ School closer to my house. Unfortunately the only Jiu-Jitsu school conveniently distanced enough to attend is a competition School. I still love it and have my two kids in the class, but it would be nice to have a little more focus on self-defense.