Which version

It seems that almost everybody is compelled to compare their effectiveness against others in the Jiu-Jitsu world.

In my own opinion, it is important to consider just what you consider effectiveness.

Do you mean, is your version of Jiu-Jitsu effective in a self-defence context, or rolling merrily with other Jiu-Jitsu players, or perhaps in mma?

Of course, there is a lot of cross-over, but not as much as you might think.

The version of the art that captured the attention of the world back in 1993 with the original launch of the UFC was old-school Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Royce Gracie dominated the octagon, back when there was a frightening scarcity of safety rules, using exactly the version taught by his father Helio Gracie. It was self-defence all the way.

The difference between that and a more sport-oriented type version of the art is its obsession with standing distance, closing that distance, takedowns, control with punch protection, and finally submission. In sport Jiu-Jitsu, there is no concern with standing distance to avoid damage, or any need to close in quickly or safely, little concern with takedowns, or with punch protection.

Sport Jiu-Jitsu is mostly concerned with out-grappling another person, either for points, or for submission, when there is a set of rules and expectations which severely limits the number of dangers involved. There is no hitting of any kind.

In such a match, usually both competitors willingly go to the ground. They then do whatever has been invented to work within a grappling-only context.

Let's look at a common Jiu-Jitsu position used in rolling, self-defence, and mma; the Closed Guard.

That's when you end up on your back, but you have managed to wrap your legs tightly around your opponent's torso. In Jiu-Jitsu sport rolling, it isn't particularly important if your opponent's head and body are being held down close to yours, or if they are kneeling with their upper body held fully erect. In mma, if your opponent manages to hold their upper body high, or postured up, you can expect to experience a rain of punches and elbow strikes. It is critically important to hold him low to prevent this.

In a self-defence context it is even more critical. In mma, strikes are allowed to the head, and the upper torso. In a street fight they can be landed anywhere. If your opponent is postured up, your groin will be easily accessible. He will most likely start crushing this sensitive body part with extremely devastating elbow strikes.

In self-defence, he cannot be allowed to posture up. If he does so, he must be brought back down immediately, or the position must be promptly abandoned. In mma, the situation is similar, but not quite as immediate. In sport Jiu-Jitsu, it isn't a concern.

Or how about this one. You have your opponent in your guard, and you manage to lock up a triangle choke on him. He is very powerful and stands up, with your legs still wrapped around his neck.

In sport Jiu-Jitsu, no big deal. You most likely will try and finish the choke while hanging off his neck. In mma, you are in extreme danger, as his next move will most likely be to slam you down on the canvas as hard as he can. The sport Jiu-Jitsu guy doesn't have to think about this, as body slams are illegal in his world. In self-defence, as in mma, you can expect a body slam, but most likely you'll be landing on something like concrete. You are insane if you let him stand up with your legs still attached, and you should have dropped off the moment he got you off the ground.

These three versions of Jiu-Jitsu technique are quite distinct.

Getting back to comparing your Jiu-Jitsu effectiveness.

I am a student of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, as taught by Ryron and Rener Gracie, the two eldest sons of Rorion Gracie, the eldest son of the founder, Helio Gracie. It is about as close to pure Helio Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as is taught anywhere.

They do teach sport stuff, but only after students receive a strong base of the original curriculum, and always through a self-defence filter.

I would say my Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective self-defence version that there is.

I would also say that if a Jiu-Jitsu person had to enter an mma bout with no other training, it is also the best version for that at well.

It is not the best version if one wants to prepare for a sportive Jiu-Jitsu world. Every hour that we spend on standing technique, or distance management, or striking defence means an hour that a sport person can devote to learning how to beat other sport Jiu-Jitsu people.

I can roll with them, and not be embarrassed. I am a Purple Belt, but perhaps should consider myself a Blue Belt in that world.

Good enough.