Why Our BJJ Legends Struggle in MMA: Bernardo Faria Explains

When Bernardo Faria speaks about Jiu-Jitsu, it comes from a place very few people truly understand. He is not just a multiple-time world champion, but someone who has spent decades competing at the highest level alongside the very athletes he is now defending. Recently, Faria addressed the growing criticism aimed at Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and […]

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Multiple-time BJJ world champion Bernardo Faria offers his perspective on why many decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legends often face significant challenges when transitioning to Mixed Martial Arts. Faria asserts that BJJ and MMA are fundamentally "two completely different sports," highlighting that the presence of striking is the most critical differentiator. In BJJ, practitioners can methodically work for submissions without the threat of punches, a luxury not afforded in the cage, where every grappling exchange is influenced by the potential for strikes.\n\nFaria further explains that BJJ legends typically lack the robust wrestling background essential for MMA, making takedowns and takedown defense a major hurdle. While exceptional on the ground, their inability to consistently get opponents to the mat or maintain top control against striking and cage work proves detrimental. Their training is specialized for sport BJJ, often in the gi, which doesn't directly translate to the diverse demands of MMA, where techniques must be adapted for a no-gi, striking-inclusive environment.\n\nUltimately, Faria's analysis underscores that even the highest level of pure BJJ requires substantial modification and cross-training to be effective in MMA. The strategic approach to positions and submissions changes drastically when strikes are involved, meaning a BJJ legend's specific skillset, while dominant in their own sport, is not directly transferable without significant adaptation to the multi-faceted requirements of professional mixed martial arts.