How to Train to be More Aggressive for BJJ & MMA Competitions

Today's video is a question from a viewer who's involved in MMA and finds that he is a slow starter. Meaning he allows other people to get the better of him but then turns it on after. This is an issue many people have faced, including yours bearded.

So in today's Q&A video I share some ideas of how I went from being a slow started in BJJ competitions and MMA and into an aggressive fighter/grappler from the moment a match started.

Hope the video gives you some useful ideas for your own training.

Oh, and sorry for the weird brightness in the video. Camera was on the fritz that day.
-Chewy
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

[bruce]

At my gym I was the smallest guy amongst the amateur fighters by 30-40 lbs on any given day. Lost my first MMA fight by unanimous decision. The week after my friend told me "be the hammer don't be the nail" I realized I was so used to being the smallest guy, I always sparred defensively. So from that day on, I became the hammer.

[BachPhotography]

This is exactly the video I needed! I just went 0-4 in my first bjj competition and I need to learn how to be more aggressive at the start of the round

[thehoopscoop]

Super helpful! I have my first tournament as a white belt coming up. I have also noticed I tend to be less aggressive until I get stuck then always seem to need to fight my way out from a deficit. 😅

[dwkvideos]

I binge watch your stuff when my wife takes the car to work and im off stuck at home lmfao. I also havent trained in like 2 months with no real excuse so im living vicariously through your videos.

[monkikobytes]

I think I have this same issue when it comes to my training. I am a 6'2ish 300lb blue belt and I tend to be pretty relaxed and have adopted the rule that in order to play my top game, I have to earn it by starting from my guard and either getting a sweep or transitioning to a better position depending on what my partner gives me. I've started to notice that when I roll with people more aggressive or more experienced than me, I tend to adopt a survival mindset and work on defending and/or escaping to a better position but hardly try for submissions unless they are blatantly giving it to me. I'm pretty I've psyched myself out against upper belts because I always feel like I'm walking into a trap and/or I'm worried that they may decide to suddenly ramp up the intensity if I DO tap them as that has happened to me with even an instance where a purple belt choked me unconscious even though I was tapping. It has resulted in me having trouble being proactive and insisting on working my techniques but I am now consciously working on it. Thank you for your videos as you've helped me tremendously with my perspective on several topics and thoughts!

[danielblank]

I psyched myself up to be aggressive in my first no-gi match and landed a successful single leg. he eventually equalized the score but I got an advantage point at the very very last second of the match. Lame to win by advantage, but if I hadn't scored that single leg I wouldn't have set myself up to win

[performxl]

QUESTION:
context is: I’m 52, started at 51 (18 months ago). 6’4”, was 220lbs and now am at 200lbs (lost 30lbs and gained 10 in muscle). I want to roll for a long time. I do see myself earning a black belt, even if it takes me 20 years or more.

Issue: I find myself taking care of my uke, *perhaps* to the detriment of my “success” as an opponent.
I am concerned about hurting my training partner/opponent while rolling. I am interested in your perspective about this.
I’m not on a “competition track”, nor was competing my main interest in BJJ.

[MD-oftb]

Came here thinking it may be spun as 'Why you may want to start slow in matches'. Started in January, have my 1st comp next Saturday and was planning on putting it on 'em from start to finish. Thank you for confirming my strategy!

[scottauger]

Just competed last weekend and I am definitely trying to get that thinking down for the next one because I always have to come back from behind because I started out to chill.

[Maodifi]

Thanks for the video! Hesitancy is kicking my butt right now even when I roll with other beginners.

[JSMinstantcoaching]

Opening techniques are such a relief! Wrestling up, takes downs, thanks so much

[adamcappello]

Perfect timing Chewy.. I've got my first white belt comp this week after training for 5 months. Doing my best to keep the nerves down and go into it with positive aggression. Also love the work you do. Big fan from Australia.

[ishansrivastava]

Always appreciate your content. I'm bigger than a lot of guys I roll with, so I tend to start slow with them and let them set the pace. That's pretty much exactly the opposite of what you're recommending here lol, I'm realizing I put in way more reps of "get in a bad spot then get out" than "put them in a bad spot"

[Guywithair]

Hey Chewy,
I appreciate you always mentioning chess and books you read. Both of these are hobbies of mine and so far your comments on chess have been accurate. Also, you have given good book recommendations.

Have a good week!

[brisoler]

Needed this, Getting ready for first comp! Default aggressive

[definitelynottigerwhitten]

Love the chess insight. I play the London and Caro Kahn

[Tylerbit]

I just had my first BJJ class back on Saturday, and it went well. I’ll be going back this Wednesday for a fundamentals class. It’s hard telling whether or not I’ll be getting into competitions as they’re not mandatory, but they’re encouraged, so as time goes on I suppose we’ll see.

[ChocolateMilkCultLeader]

Here's a similar question: how can I use up my stamina better for BJJ. I'm used to fighting in MMA/Striking fights which go much longer and have rounds. When I did my first BJJ tourney, I barely used up any stamina while my opponents were very tired. However they beat me on points.

[DoggosAndJiuJitsu]

I play heavy defense in my first match and it seems to work well. Everyone is far more calm (tired) after the first.

[tigercrush]

I have struggled with this, too, with opponents always getting the jump on me and then having to recover. I got way too fixated and trying to read and react to what they were going to do. In my last match, I decided that the moment the ref said 'fight, ' I was going to step to my left and try to shoot an underhook. Nothing more than that. Just something, ANYTHING, other than hesitating. And then, my training could start to take over from there, whether I got the underhook or not.

Not saying it's a magic bullet, but I won a title with it.