New Member! Need advice.

[VaE39]

Hello all,
Ive been reading through these forums for a few weeks and I decided to join. I've trained in muay thai for quite a bit and I just started bjj a few months ago. So far I like it a lot. The only thing I do not like is gi training bc I feel it is not as useful. When I train with no gi its a whole different game. I recently sparred my friend who has taken kempo and a small self defense class. When we fell to the floor he over powered me even in my gaurd. After being punched for a minute I managed to put him in very basic kimura. He has a 60lb weight difference and a 4inch height difference. Are there any good tips for a much smaller fighter?

btw the closest opponent has been at least 15lbs heavier than me.

[OmaPlata]

Hello all,
Ive been reading through these forums for a few weeks and I decided to join. I've trained in muay thai for quite a bit and I just started bjj a few months ago. So far I like it a lot. The only thing I do not like is gi training bc I feel it is not as useful. When I train with no gi its a whole different game. I recently sparred my friend who has taken kempo and a small self defense class. When we fell to the floor he over powered me even in my gaurd. After being punched for a minute I managed to put him in very basic kimura. He has a 60lb weight difference and a 4inch height difference. Are there any good tips for a much smaller fighter?

btw the closest opponent has been at least 15lbs heavier than me.

So whats the problem? GI training is basic, you have learn some GI before going to NO GI. The basics of position and control will be the same, but the submissions will be a little less and different with NO GI

[Penance]

Keep training.

You have to respect strength, size, speed, natural ability, and skill.

Each of these can overcome the other.

Take someone with 1 year BJJ. Put him against someone 50lbs heavier, with some high school wrestling experience. First guy will probably win. Give the second guy 3 months BJJ training. Now he can beat the first guy.

That's life. Just stick with it and don't get discouraged.

Gi is important and useful. Train gi and no gi.

[VaE39]

So whats the problem? GI training is basic, you have learn some GI before going to NO GI. The basics of position and control will be the same, but the submissions will be a little less and different with NO GI

well basically if he went all out on the punches I would be knocked out before I could pull the kimura on him.

[EmptyneSs]

Hello all,
Ive been reading through these forums for a few weeks and I decided to join. I've trained in muay thai for quite a bit and I just started bjj a few months ago. So far I like it a lot. The only thing I do not like is gi training bc I feel it is not as useful. When I train with no gi its a whole different game. I recently sparred my friend who has taken kempo and a small self defense class. When we fell to the floor he over powered me even in my gaurd. After being punched for a minute I managed to put him in very basic kimura. He has a 60lb weight difference and a 4inch height difference. Are there any good tips for a much smaller fighter?

btw the closest opponent has been at least 15lbs heavier than me.

a few months of bjj is nothing. train more.

[SamuraiGuy]

well basically if he went all out on the punches I would be knocked out before I could pull the kimura on him.

Whether you pull off a Kimura on a guy intent on mauling your face or not. This doesnt have much to do with training gi or no-gi.

I will always recommend training with the gi for becoming a more technical grappler, if you really dont want to do it, dont, but dont expect to be subbing people 50 pounds heavier when punches are allowed if you have very limited knowledge.

[VaE39]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I just need a lot more training both gi and no gi.

[sapatiero]

I agree with most - a lot of it is about 'mat time' - keep training, and work on the techniques that suit the smaller guy ie. where you're using your torso/hips against a smaller joint (like elbow for the armbar). Also work hard on your base & maintaining topmount/sidemount against a stronger opponent.

In terms of the gi - it's practicality in the real world depends on what guys are going to be wearing. Here in the UK it's unlikely you'll end up in a scrap with a guy wearing only tight shorts (unless it's in one of 'those' clubs ).

[Snowman]

I imagine it gets pretty cold there in the winter...a coat and pants a pretty close to a gi. Using sleeves and pants for positioning and choking someone out with their coat collar is very possible and not expected by an untrained guy that wants to scrap with you so gi training can be very effective if you live in colder climates. When I asked the gi vs. no gi question a while back, I got some pro gi, some no gi and a lot of people who said to train both. I think the people who said both were giving the best advice, but unfortunately that is not the most practical advice depending on your school and your budget.

As far as the specific situation...yeah, 50lbs is a lot to give up. I am fairly inexperienced myself but sometimes outweigh oppenents. In those cases it is usually my advantage if they as as experienced or even slightly more experienced than me. But there is this one guy at my school, I must outweigh him by like 45 lbs and he submits me frequently. Superior technique can overcome strength, but it sounds like you simply haven't been at it long enough to have developed good technique and were overmatched strengthwise. On the street and where strikes are allowed strength will have even more sway than it does when you are training or sparring so get as much mat time as possible reagardless of whether or not it is gi.