What are your thoughts on his BJJ system and how is it different to other BJJ systems like gracies, etc?
I find him very interesting as a person. I understand that his system is different in that it is No Gi and he established or helped develop the rubber guard (depending on who you ask).
eddies system is designed to do away with the use of the sleeve and collar chokes so heavily relied upon in gracie jiu jitsu. his principles are all geared toward mma where the gracie style falters a little. (Its important to note that the gracie system is equally effective in "street" jiu jitsu)
The usefullness of Eddie's system is very debatable, you see alot of guys trying rubber guard in MMA but they're either not doing it properly or it doesn't work that well. I think if you're flexible enough they're are alot of options from that position but the best BJJ guys are all really good at the basics.
Eddie Bravo is a fantastic Jiu Jitsu fighter, and a great BJJ innovater. He, like some of the elite BJJ instructors have developed a unique BJJ philosophy. And from that he's developed his style of BJJ, which he now teaches. (10th Planet Jiu Jitsu) Every single (legitimate) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor can teach you something exceptionally useful, but the elite ones will almost always differ in their individual philosophy on how and why. Demian Maia has a very, very sophisticated understanding of BJJ and because he does, he has a truly exceptional philosophy and he tailors his style around what he feels is best. As a result, he's one of the best BJJ practicioners to ever live. (In BJJs short history) All it is, at it's core, is a different philosophy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. (And a very effective one)
cheers guys, i have just star 10th planet jj and i find it pretty cool. I have never done any gi jj but i am loving the no gi jj. My goal is to eventually fight in mma and it seems to me no gi jj is more suited to mma fighting. I have just started training in jj after years of boxing, i didnt realise how hooked it would become after trying jj. I always thought striking was cool, submissions are awesome aswell. I am basically still a begginer in jj and am just trying to learn the difference between gi, no gi, 10th planet, gracies etc etc.
Congratulations! It is addictive, surprisingly. But, remember, the aim of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a means of control. Not to harm. Unlike the overwhelming majority of marital arts, with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you don't need to cause harm to your attacker (opponent) in order to defend yourself (win). It gives you the means to control a situation while causing no harm. And the biggest difference between gi and no-gi Jiu Jitsu is the type of control that is utilized. No-gi, you have to utilize a much, much different type of body control. Maia and Drysdale and other ADCC winners are exceptional at this.
The rubber guard I am not sold on at all, but I am the rest of the system is not a million miles away from no gi BJJ would be normally. The rubber guard is a very specific thing which imo if your naturally good at it go with it, but with high level guys its better for slowing down the action rather than attack from it or anything.
