Combat Jiu-Jitsu: Bridging the Gap Between Grappling and Striking
Welcome to the Beautifully Savage World of Combat Jiu-Jitsu
Ah, Jiu-Jitsu—the gentle art of strangling your friends for fun and calling it self-improvement. But what happens when someone decides, "Hey, I love Jiu-Jitsu, but what if we added a sprinkle of palm strikes to the face?" Enter Combat Jiu-Jitsu (CJJ), the unhinged cousin of traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), where you still grapple for dominance, but now with the added spice of open-hand strikes.
Is it brutal?
Yes.
Is it awesome?
Also, yes.
So, if you're tired of just whispering sweet nothings into your opponent’s ear while you triangle choke them, let’s explore how Combat Jiu-Jitsu bridges the gap between grappling and striking—and why it might just be the best thing to happen to the sport since rashguards with cool designs (Mat Force Fightwear).
The Evolution of Combat Jiu-Jitsu: A Slap-Happy Revolution
From Pajama Wrestling to Punching Each Other—But Classier
For decades, BJJ purists have debated the effectiveness of sport Jiu-Jitsu in real fights. Sure, you can berimbolo someone into oblivion in a tournament, but what happens when they punch you in the mouth?
Enter Eddie Bravo, the mad scientist of Jiu-Jitsu and the founder of 10th Planet. He saw the glaring gap in modern grappling competitions—real fights have strikes, but sport BJJ doesn’t. So, like any genius with too much time and an affinity for conspiracy theories, he created Combat Jiu-Jitsu (CJJ) in 2017.
The premise was simple:
✔️ You roll like normal in BJJ.
✔️ You can only strike when the fight is on the ground.
✔️ No closed-fist punches—just glorious, soul-snatching palm strikes (think of it as high-level slapping with bad intentions).
✔️ Matches include an overtime format similar to EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) rules, ensuring exciting finishes.
Bravo's goal? To reintroduce reality into Jiu-Jitsu. Because, let’s be honest, you can’t butt-scoot your way out of a street fight.
Rules of Combat Jiu-Jitsu: Slap First, Tap Later
Unlike your average rolling session where the biggest danger is a sweaty opponent crushing your soul with side control, Combat Jiu-Jitsu adds a lovely element of concussive slaps. Here’s how it works:
🔸 You can strike—but only on the ground. No standing slaps unless you're auditioning for a reality TV show.
🔸 No closed-fist punches. This isn’t a bar fight, Karen. Palm strikes only.
🔸 Takedowns still matter. Since you need to be on the ground to strike, wrestlers and Judo players have an advantage. Double legs? Yes. Flying armbars? Even better.
🔸 Overtime rules favor submissions. If the fight goes the distance, competitors start from back control or an armbar position—like a grappling version of "Choose Your Own Adventure," but with potential joint destruction.
🔸 No stalling. If you’re just lying there like a starfish, the ref will stand you up. This ain't your lazy Sunday open mat.
The result? More action, more submissions, and fewer people playing the "I’ll just stall until points win me the match" game.
How CJJ Integrates Striking into Traditional Grappling
Now, here’s where things get really fun. Adding slaps to Jiu-Jitsu completely changes the way you roll.
1. Position Matters More Than Ever
In sport BJJ, you can chill in certain positions, knowing you won’t get hit. In CJJ? Good luck hanging out in half guard without getting your face remodeled. Suddenly, bad positions become really bad, and top control is king.
Example:
✅ Mount? Great spot. Unlimited slaps.
❌ Bottom side control? Terrible. Prepare for palm-powered regret.
2. Guard Players Have to Adapt
Lasso guard? Deep half? Yeah, good luck with that. Combat Jiu-Jitsu forces guard players to use more dynamic, offensive guard work. Otherwise, they're just inviting a storm of slaps.
Shoutout to the rubber guard specialists, though. They were made for this.
3. No More Fake Taps & Stalling
One of the best things about CJJ? You can’t just stall and play for points. If you turtle up and refuse to engage, expect to get slapped into next week.
Stalling is dead. Long live aggressive Jiu-Jitsu.
Why Combat Jiu-Jitsu is the Future (and Why You Should Train It)
If you think Combat Jiu-Jitsu is just some novelty that will fade away, think again. It’s growing fast, and for good reason.
💥 It prepares you for real-world fights. Unlike traditional BJJ, CJJ forces you to deal with strikes—something every martial artist should experience.
💥 It improves positional dominance. You can’t just sit in bad positions anymore. You have to actively escape or attack.
💥 It’s more exciting for spectators. Let’s be real—most non-Jiu-Jitsu people find BJJ matches boring. Add some slaps, though? Instant entertainment.
💥 It makes you tougher. Getting slapped while rolling is humbling. But it also makes you mentally stronger and more resilient—two traits that will help you on and off the mats.
Final Thoughts: Why You Need Combat Jiu-Jitsu (and Some Sick Rashguards)
So, here we are. You now know that Combat Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just BJJ with slaps—it’s a legitimate, evolving sport that bridges the gap between grappling and striking. It forces competitors to adapt, evolve, and fight smarter.
If you train Jiu-Jitsu and you haven’t tried CJJ yet, why not?
✅ It makes your grappling more realistic.
✅ It improves your ability to control opponents.
✅ And let’s be honest—who doesn’t want to legally slap their training partners?
But before you step onto the mats and start open-hand blasting your friends, make sure you’ve got the right gear.
✔️ Durable rashguards that don’t rip when you get slapped into oblivion.
✔️ Spats and shorts that stay in place when things get intense.
✔️ Designs that scream, “Yes, I slap people for fun.”
(Mat Force Fightwear—because let’s face it, if you’re getting slapped, you should at least look cool doing it.)
Now Go Train, You Savage.
And remember, in the wise words of Eddie Bravo: "If you're not training with strikes, you're not preparing for the real thing."
So slap responsibly, train hard, and wear sick rashguards while doing it.
💥 See you on the mats!