Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling art focused on control and submissions, with no strikes. MMA combines striking, wrestling and ground fighting, and uses BJJ as its main submission game. Choose BJJ to master grappling; choose MMA for the complete fight, and add BJJ if you want more time on the ground.
Northstar MMA has a sister gym, Gato Studio BJJ, which teaches dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Chiang Mai, and the two gyms share coaches. So we see both sides of this question every week.
The key differences
| BJJ | MMA | |
|---|---|---|
| Strikes | None | Punches, kicks, knees, elbows, standing and on the ground |
| Main goal | Control, then submit (chokes and joint locks) | Win by knockout, submission or decision |
| Clothing | Gi (kimono) or no-gi (rash guard and shorts) | Shorts and rash guard, small open-fingered gloves |
| Fighting off your back | A strong position (guard) | Useful but risky, because your opponent can strike |
| Scoring in competition | Points for positions (IBJJF: takedown 2, sweep 2, knee on belly 2, guard pass 3, mount 4, back control 4) | Judges score striking, grappling and control round by round |
| Ranking | Belts: white, blue, purple, brown, black | No universal belt system |
| Typical class | Technique, drilling, then rolling (live grappling) | Striking, wrestling and ground drills, then sparring |
How BJJ changes when strikes are allowed
- Guard is harder to live in. In BJJ, pulling guard is a normal start. In MMA, someone on top can punch you, so fighters use guard to sweep, submit or stand up, not to rest.
- Getting up matters. MMA rewards getting back to your feet. Wall-walking and standing up in base are core MMA skills that sport BJJ uses less.
- Some positions change value. Positions that score well in BJJ can be dangerous in MMA, and the reverse. Giving up your back to stand up, for example, is risky in both, but for different reasons.
- Grips change. No gi and small gloves mean fewer handles, so no-gi BJJ carries over more directly to MMA than gi training does. Gi training still builds very good grappling.
Which should you start with?
Start with BJJ if
- you like the idea of a technical, problem-solving art with no punches to the face,
- you want a clear progression through belts, or
- you want to compete in grappling tournaments.
Start with MMA if
- you want to learn striking and grappling together,
- you're interested in self-defence where strikes are likely, or
- you already do BJJ or Muay Thai and want to connect the pieces.
Do both
Many MMA fighters train BJJ separately for extra mat time, and many BJJ players add MMA to round out their game. In Chiang Mai you can do exactly that: MMA at Northstar in Wat Ket, and BJJ at our sister gym Gato Studio.
Training MMA in Chiang Mai
MMA Fundamentals at Northstar runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 17:30 and Sunday at 10:00, with MMA Sparring on Wednesday and Sunday. Complete beginners are welcome. See the timetable, prices, or read MMA vs Muay Thai next.
Sources
- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), General System of Graduation and Rules Book.
- Association of Boxing Commissions, Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.