Both Krav Maga and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-jitsu) are highly effective fighting systems that are used by people from all walks of life. But what are the differences between krav maga vs BJJ, and how do you select the one which is best for you?
Technique Effectiveness
Both systems use effective techniques. However, the difference is that BJJ involves a great deal of “rolling” or “ground fighting.” The philosophy behind BJJ is that many fights start standing but inevitably end up on the ground, and by knowing various submissions and holds, the BJJ fighter can defeat a larger and stronger opponent even if they’re on top.
While there is certainly truth to this, the trouble with BJJ is that it depends too heavily on ground fighting and does not prioritize tactical striking. While world famous BJJ fighters such as Royce Gracie put BJJ on the map in the early days of the UFC by defeating bigger and stronger opponents who didn’t understand the techniques, the sport has caught up, most MMA fighters now have a background in BJJ, and since most are also accomplished strikers, it is very difficult to fight at the professional level while depending solely on BJJ.
This is where Krav Maga has the advantage. Whereas BJJ is largely one dimensional and depends heavily on ground fighting and rolling, Krav Maga is far more versatile and focuses on striking and ground fighting. In fact, many Krav Maga instructors will train their students to avoid getting put on their back in a fight if possible, because while this might be acceptable in an MMA competition, it’s extremely dangerous on the streets.
Training Repeatability
Training repeatability is a term which refers to live and regular sparring. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is highly repeatable since two partners can train together in an environment that is controlled where they can employ defensive and offensive techniques. Krav Maga, by contrast, is not as repeatable since it involves the usage of potentially fatal techniques which are designed to gravely injure an attacker. As a consequence, it depends heavily on simulated scenarios.
Defending Against Group Attacks
This is another area where BJJ falls short. Its techniques, while effective, do not address an attack from multiple opponents. With BJJ you can only focus on one opponent at a time, and are completely vulnerable if other adversaries are present. For instance, let’s say you have a black belt in BJJ and you’re attacked one day by a single opponent. You grapple with them, take them down using the techniques you learned, and begin to lock up a choke hold………..when suddenly a friend of your attacker enters the fight, and begins kicking your head, severely injuring you and forcing you to let go of the choke, and then you have two opponents attacking you simultaneously.
This is where Krav Maga is superior. Unlike BJJ, which focuses on ground fighting, Krav Maga teaches you how to fight standing up, lying down, or against multiple opponents. While BJJ is great for competition, Krav Maga is better for the streets.
