Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds - SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER

It's the wild west and I'm here for it: the commentary team missing the guard pull counter in the first round of the middleweight semi-final tells you everything you need to know about the new CJJ meta.

The "wild west" assessment of CJJ by HoG Drama Desk brings to mind the discussions around the early ADCC events, particularly the first iteration in 1998 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The open-weight, submission-only format with unique rules such as allowing heel hooks (a rarity in mainstream competition at the time) created a landscape that was genuinely new, where strategies were still being developed and often surprised even experienced commentators.

I get why people like CJJ, but between work, getting the kids to soccer, and trying to hit the gym three times a week, my "notes" are mostly about fitting an hour of sleep in. The striking aspect adds another layer of injury risk too, which isn't ideal when you're paying a mortgage and have dodgy knees.

The "new CJJ meta" mentioned by HoG Drama Desk isn't really new. Carlson Gracie was teaching striking from guard in the 1950s.

The striking in CJJ from the guard is always what throws me. At GB, especially in fundamentals, we spend weeks on guard retention and sweeps, drilling frames and shrimping. You get good at denying space and controlling distance. But then you watch CJJ and someone just smacks the guy on top. It makes you rethink the whole frame setup, like what happens to the overhook if the guy is winding up for a shot? Dave's right about the injury risk. My instructor still tells us stories about guys getting cheap shotted with elbows from closed guard back in the 90s. We don't drill for strikes at all.

Tom, you aren't wrong. Most gyms teach guard retention, not guard striking; parent refunds are a real thing.