Karate vs Jiu Jitsu (do I stand a chance)?

Question

Ok I have a sparring session against a Brazil Jiu Jitsu practicioner. The rules are basically UFC style with 8 ounce karate training gloves.

I have 2 years experience in Shotokan and he has 1 year in Jiu Jitsu. My class doesn't do any sparring until we reach later belt levels, so mostly I just have experience with katas and punching bag work, and I know that Jiu Jitsu trains more for realistic fighting and does lots of sparring.

The main problem is that I would have to score a perfect hit to take him out, but all he really needs to do is get close to me and grab me. If he does that, the fight is basically over for me because I can't get in a good punch when he's close to me and controlling my arms, and I don't think I would be able to get away.

Does anyone have any tips to help me?

Answer 1

My first piece of advice is to chill out and learn to be more confident. I know people who would be better martial artists if they were just more confident in themself. It's a big flaw.

Secondly, you will never be able to convince me that a good grappler can beat a good striker. But there's a problem, grapplers always have an advantage in sparing. What is that advantage? All the strikers are wearing pillows on their hands.

Here's the thing, you can't grapple if you're had a fist planted into your nose. It just wont happen. But sparring has all these rules to limit strikers but not grapplers. Grapplers arn't allowed to break bones.

Strikers arn't allowed to strike certain points, arn't allowed to use full force, have to wear padding on their fists, etc.

So basically you're in trouble becasue competition is actually made in favour of non-strikers. So here's what you need to do.

DO NO LET HIM GET CLOSE TO YOU.

When you strike, do it quickly and make sure you hit him where you can legally do the most harm.

Don't run around or waste energy but be sure to move around. Don't stand like a wall when he tries to grab you.

If you strike with a punch and he grabs your arm, learn lock breaks and if it's allowed strike his holding arm with a strike.

Like a grappler, a striker has to learn to use his whole body. Sadly this is often forgone just to train with hand and foot strikes.

I don't know what the rules will be for your sparring but keep calm, confident and in the time leading up to your fight train with a focus on fighting a grappler like BJJ users are.

Answer 2

I have to generally agree with some of the answers of the others. First of all the rules then favor him and his fighting style since you can't attack the groin, knees, or eyes with open handed finger techniques, low kicks, etc. That is one of the ways you nullify a grappler or wrestler while he moves in on you trying to take you down or after he has already done so and is trying to apply a hold or choke in real life. Also the fact that you have no sparring experience much less real fighting experience really puts you at a disadvantage and I daresay that you don't belong in the ring unless this is nothing more than an exhibition and your opponent and his coaches understand that also.

The person that arranged this match is the one that should be in the ring if it is not an exhibition. You could come out of this injured and your lack of experience is a big factor along with the rules and I would not take the fight. Coaches, trainers, promoters, instructors or anyone else that books or arranges match-ups like what you are describing are bad for the fight business and even worse for the poor, unsuspecting, untrained, inexperienced fighters that are doing the fighting.

A shorter way of saying it is you don't belong in the ring until you have the proper training and experience and someone is taking advantage of you if this is a real fight and not just an exhibition.

Answer 3

Not really. If you're going to do this sparring session, then you're likely to see why BJJ is the dominant one-on-one martial arts style. I'd suggest that you learn from the experience and take any opportunity to learn the art so that you might grow as a martial artist.

However, BJJ is not bulletproof. Most BJJers have poor takedown ability so if you have a decent base, decent balance, and a good sprawl ability, then he may not be able to get you on the ground. However, this will likely mean that you'll end up in the clinch alot, so if your "dirty boxing" isn't up to snuff, then you're mostly going to have a hug and slug snoozefest.

Keep your distance and make sure the BJJer stays in the long-to-medium ranges of combat. Keep your kicks low and your punches high. Throw combinations and don't let anything be too rigid or else you'll get dropped on your butt.

Good luck. I hope things go well for you.

Answer 4

You've been doing karate for 2 years and you haven't sparred yet!?! You should ask for your money back!

At my dojo you start sparring on your first day (light or no contact, hands only, but still you are learning way more than anyone doing katas or punching air all day). I've seen guys with only a few months experience at my school defeat opponents with 2 or more years of experience in other stand-up arts.

That said, 2 years of the best karate training in the world will still lose to 1 year of jujitsu almost every time. My advice is to try your best with the skills you have and treat it as a learning experience. You never know, you might catch him with a solid punch or kick as he comes in. Good luck.

Answer 5

ummm it depends there are like hundereds of jiu jitsu styles some of them striking oriented slightly but most are very similar to bjj it is harder to learn because the motions take longer to get due to old school training methods a flaw withclassical jj was that sparing/wrestling was too dangerous but most japanese jiujitsu not combine with judo or somthing so that flaw has been fixed there are not too many differences but that depends on the jiu jitsu a good hundered or so are still around so yeah

Answer 6

Although I would disagree with ca_purcell regarding grappler vs striker (look back at the original UFC fights: Royce Gracie), there are ways that you can avoid a takedown. As you can see in current MMA fights, a striker will generally train in grappling as well, or at least in positioning to an extent, in order to avoid going to the ground or at least be able to defend certain submissions. A BJJ practitioner will most often use a single/double leg takedown, or a hip-toss, so you need to learn to sprawl, and sprawl quickly. Most of the time, this will flatten him out so you can be on top and utilize some of your strikes.

Answer 7

What you want to do if he grabs you is keep inside control on his arms and maintain a low center of gravity to block throws. Block his hands from getting control of your body and push him off of you. Use a wrestling technique called pummeling to do this. You won't be able to outgrapple him, but you may be able to use jiu jitsu defense. Once you've kept him off you and pushed him away, throw a punch or kick while he's off balance.

Answer 8

Okay here is the deal, I myself know both the styles along with three others. Jui Jitsu is very dependent on throws so stay out of his grabbing reach. Basically focus on using move like backleg snaps, round houses, and 1,2 punches (they better be quick). Also pay attention to your opponants moves without a cocky attitude. Respect him as if your going one on one with a grizzly bear. Do not let him distract you in any way (Jui Jitsu can be a very allusive and distracting technique). I would suggest practicing snapping back your kicks because the faster you snap back the more of a sting you will leave on your opponant. Also using snaps are helpful if you snapkick both of his hamstrings because throws depend on a lot of using the calfs and hamstrings. Now keep your eye out for a clean hit to his solarplex and take it if you get one but also be cautous and aware even while your throwing a punch or kick.


If you want specific instructions email me.

Answer 9

No, you really don't stand a chance. Truth is, even six months of good BJJ means he could beat most trained fighters in any other art, especially striking arts, not to mention twice that.

The only advice I have, besides not fighting to save yourself some dignity, is to try your best to stay as far away as possible, even though BJJ teaches students to effectively close the distance.

Other than that, pray.

Answer 10

Thats the BIG problem with karate is that it is a very distant fighting technique and BJJ is full contact. I would have my money on the BJJ fighter. Any tips....well...fight fire with fire you need to learn BJJ techniques.