As we head into 2017, we are going to continue to see the innovation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by competitors and practitioners all over the world. I believe we will see an innovation of a jiu jitsu as a mixed martial art as practitioners from different cultures of grappling continue to give a try in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

While Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will maintain it’s strong foundation in it’s practical self defense applications, we should begin to see the sport continue to change. Just as international Judo competitions have noticed a cross over of the regions ethnic wrestling into their national and international Judo applications, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will do the same.

Jiu Jitsu will no longer be exclusive to Jiu Jitsu, but also include those with wrestling, Judo, sambo, mongolian wrestling, and any form of grappling. This innovation of technique is possible because while technical subsets of the sport are highly specific and detailed, the common goal (to submit someone) is extremely broad. As long as you are able to submit someone or control a person on the ground you can be declared the winner.

As we look at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017, expect to see it’s continued innovation and evolution as a mixed martial art of grappling. Grapplers who explore different possibilities from their ethnic wrestling background and incorporate trainings to included them in their technical prowess will find success on the mat.

Author: Eliot Kelly
eliotkelly.com