Why I Love Both 10th Planet and Traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Discover why NoHo MMA embraces both 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, from Eddie Bravo's no-gi innovations to classic gi fundamentals.

At NoHo MMA, Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a martial art to me. It's something I'm passionate about, something that constantly challenges me, and something I genuinely love doing.

Whether I'm wearing a gi or training no-gi, I love the process of learning, experimenting, solving problems, and discovering new details that make my game better. That's one of the beautiful things about Jiu-Jitsu: no matter how long you've been training, there's always something new to learn.

Over the years, I've developed a deep appreciation for both traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. They have different approaches, different strategies, and different ways of looking at grappling, but both have helped shape the way I understand and practice the art.

Eddie Bravo and the Evolution of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

One of the reasons I have so much respect for 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is Eddie Bravo and the impact he's had on modern grappling.

Eddie was a pioneer in the development and popularization of modern no-gi Jiu-Jitsu. He challenged conventional thinking about the art and showed that grappling without a gi could have its own detailed system, vocabulary, and technical approach.

Through 10th Planet, Eddie developed and systematized innovative approaches to positions and techniques that many grapplers know today, including the Rubber Guard, the Truck, the Lockdown, and the Dogfight.

These positions helped expand the possibilities of no-gi grappling and influenced how practitioners approach control, transitions, and submissions. Today, you'll encounter many of these concepts throughout the grappling world.

What I respect most is Eddie's willingness to think differently. He wasn't content to simply follow the conventional approach. He experimented, developed new ideas, and built an entire system around his vision of no-gi Jiu-Jitsu.

That creativity is one of the things I love about 10th Planet. It encourages you to question what you know, explore different solutions, and keep evolving as a grappler.

Why I Love Traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

While I love the innovation of 10th Planet, I have just as much respect for traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Training in the gi teaches you a different level of detail. Grip fighting, posture, pressure, leverage, and positional control all become incredibly important. The sleeves, collar, and lapels create opportunities to control an opponent and build attacks that require patience, precision, and strategy.

Traditional BJJ has a rich history and a technical foundation that has stood the test of time. It teaches you to slow down, establish control, and understand why a position works rather than simply memorizing a sequence of movements.

I appreciate that depth. The gi presents its own challenges, and overcoming them makes you a better student of the art.

For me, traditional BJJ isn't something that competes with no-gi. It's another way to explore the same incredible martial art.

I'm Proud to Be a Double Black Belt

I'm incredibly proud to have recently earned my 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt. It's a meaningful milestone in my journey, and I'm grateful for the time, dedication, and experiences that have brought me here.

And honestly, being a double black belt is pretty cool, too!

Having black belts in both traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is something I take a lot of pride in. But for me, it's not about collecting belts or choosing one style over the other. It's about appreciating what each has taught me and continuing to grow.

Both styles have helped define my approach to grappling. The gi and no-gi games may look different, but they share the same underlying principles of leverage, timing, positioning, control, and technique.

I'm proud to embrace both, and I wouldn't want to limit my Jiu-Jitsu to just one side of the art.

At the End of the Day, I Just Love Jiu-Jitsu

Here's the truth: I simply love doing Jiu-Jitsu.

It doesn't matter whether I'm wearing a gi or rolling no-gi. I love the challenge, the creativity, the physical chess match, and the feeling that there's always another detail to discover.

Every training session is an opportunity to learn something. Every training partner brings a different game. Sometimes you figure something out, and sometimes you get caught and have to go back to the drawing board. That's part of what makes it so rewarding.

Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to stay curious, be patient, adapt, and keep showing up. You can train for decades and still have moments when a small adjustment completely changes how you understand a technique.

I love the traditions of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and I love the innovation Eddie Bravo brought to no-gi grappling. To me, these aren't opposing philosophies. They're different expressions of the same art.

Whether I'm wearing a gi or not, Jiu-Jitsu is Jiu-Jitsu. Both styles define my game, and I embrace them equally.

Come Train With Us at NoHo MMA

At NoHo MMA in North Hollywood, martial arts is about more than learning techniques. It's about challenging yourself, developing confidence, building relationships, and finding something that keeps you motivated to improve.

Whether you're brand-new to Jiu-Jitsu or an experienced grappler looking to sharpen your skills, there's always room to learn and grow.

If you share a passion for grappling—or you're curious about trying it for the first time—we'd love to see you on the mats.

Visit www.nohomma.com to learn more about our martial arts programs and get started.

Keep learning. Keep rolling. Keep evolving.

See you on the mats!

— NoHo MMA