BEST NO GI JIU JITSU FIGHTERS

By Benjamin Strusnik, September 22, 2022

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has evolved considerably over the last hundred years, as the art has been heavily guided by the Gracie family. From the beginning, jiu jitsu legends Helio, and Carlos Gracie have taught the art of BJJ predominantly wearing a Gi uniform. BJJ has a separate division called No Gi, as competitors wear a uniform that incorporates grappling shorts, compression pants, and a rash guard. The rise of the No Gi division in BJJ has become significantly popular, and this is due to televised events like the ADCC, Who's Number One, subversiv bjj, Submission Underground, and Fight 2 Win.

What This Article Covers:

No Gi Jiu Jitsu has become almost a separate sport to Gi Jiu Jitsu, as it takes a completely different skill set to become proficient in both forms of the art. In the Gi form, practitioners will utilise grips on their opponents, and use the lapels to initiate choke holds. In the No Gi version of BJJ, practitioners will rely heavily on using wrist controls, underhooks, overhooks, and neck ties to gain a significant advantage. No Gi grappling has a dynamic element, as competitors are free to transition without becoming stifled by their opponents.

The Best No Gi Grappler on the planet is here to teach you his Half Guard Passing System. Get it now from BJJFanatics.com and Gordon Ryan!

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HOW DOES THE NO GI FORM DIFFERENTIATE FROM THE GI

The competitive art of No Gi Jiu Jitsu has become a completely different form to the Gi bjj comp system. In No Gi, competitors wear a different uniform, which consists of a rashguard, and shorts. Competitors are not allowed to grip the clothing in No Gi, unlike the Gi version where competitors will use grips to secure control, or utilise chokes. In No Gi, competitors will use more underhooks, overhooks, and wrist controls, as a way to neutralise their opponents. Usually the No Gi divisions have a different ruleset to Gi divisions, as No Gi will allow more dangerous submissions like toeholds, heel hooks, calf slicers, bicep slicers, and neck cranks. Nowadays the No Gi ranks are ruled by the leg entanglement game, which consists of modern positions like the Z-Guard, the 50/50 Guard, X-Guard, and various types of inverted guards. Many of these guards are utilised in conjunction with berimbolo attacks, crab rides, leg pummelling, and leg weaving, to execute various back takes, and leg lock submissions.

THE BEST NO GI GRAPPLERS OF ALL TIME

There have been many talented BJJ fighters that have transitioned into the No Gi discipline. Many of these high level athletes have won prestigious events like the World Championships, the Brazilian Nationals, and the pan am brazilian jiu jitsu championships. Marcelo Garcia has become one of No Gi's biggest innovators, as he became the third athlete to be inducted into the ADCC hall of fame. Marcelo has become famous for his smiling assassin traits, as his submission record is phenomenal. 59 submission victories out of his 80 wins, and only 11 losses in his career, has put Marcelo firmly at the top of the BJJ mountain.

Marcelo has a huge list of accomplishments which include 4 ADCC Championship titles, 2 runner ups, and a third place, making Marcelo one of the most iconic ADCC competitors on the planet. Marcelo has also won 5 World Championship titles, a runner up, 2 bronze medals, and a host of other gold medal performances including Pan American, and Brazilian National gold. Along with all of Marcelo's competitive accomplishments, he has also become world famous for his academy in Manhattan, New York, where many famous grapplers are known to visit the Brazilian champion. Marcelo has an incredible list of submission victories over seasoned athletes like Leo Vieira, Bruno Alves, Vitor Ribeiro, Braulio Estima, Kron Gracie, Robert Drysdale, Rolles Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Andre Galvao, and Alexandre Ribeiro. Marcelo has also secured points victories over Renzo Gracie, Renato Sobral, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Lucas Leite.

Royler Gracie is another outstanding grappler who has become an esteemed student under Rorion Gracie. Royler is an 8th degree Coral belt who is an IBJJF hall of fame inductee, and a member of the ADCC hall of fame. Royler Gracie belongs to one of the best bjj teams in the world, as Gracie Humaita has produced exceptional talent like Saulo Ribeiro, Leonardo Xavier, Leticia Ribeiro, and Cleber Luciano. In Royler's competitive career he has won 4 featherweight IBJJF World Championships, and placed third in the absolute division. He has also won 3 ADCC Championship titles and 2 Pan American Championships. As the son of Helio Gracie, Royler Gracie has become a pioneer of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and has helped bring the sport into the 21st century.

Dean Lister has become another pioneer of No Gi Jiu Jitsu, as his accomplishments within the sport has seen his proficiency in the leg lock system inspire many grapplers within the art. Dean is a multiple ADCC Champion, as he boasts a ridiculous record of submitting 12 ADCC opponents with leg locks. Dean has beaten some of the world's best grapplers like Saulo Ribeiro, Jean Jacques Machado, Marcio Cruz, Alexandre Ferreira, Rodolfo Vieira, Joao Assis, and Ricardo Abreu. Dean is a 4th degree black belt under Jeffery Higgs, and has an abundance of fight experience including BJJ, Wrestling, Sambo, Catch Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts. Dean's MMA career is impressive, as he has secured a 13 - 7 win loss record, including 11 wins by submission. Dean became a two time defending Middleweight Champion of King of the Cage, he has also competed in the UFC, and Pride FC.

Mario Sperry was an early pioneer of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as he began training in kodokan judo under master Georges Medhi. Mario would then expand his learning, as he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Carlson Gracie, where he would go on to earn his black belt in 1995. Mario was a formidable competitor, as his accomplishments include three consecutive World Championship titles, and double gold at the 1998 ADCC championships. Mario was known for his relentless, and ruthless competitive nature, earning him the nickname Ze Mequinta, which later translated into the American version of the Zen Machine. Mario has been fabled to have won over 250 fights in his competitive career, including a famous victory over Royler Gracie forcing him to become the first Gracie to ever submit in a competition match, via the clock choke. Mario has defeated some high level athletes like Saulo Ribeiro, Roberto Correa, Ricardo Alves, Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie, Fabio Gurgel, and Enson Inoue. Mario also had a formidable Mixed Martial arts career, winning 13 matches out of 17. Mario was a co-founder of Brazilian Top Team, and has had incredible success with notable students like Paulo Filho, Ricardo Arona, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

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THE BEST MODERN NO GI BJJ ATHLETES

There have been a multitude of exceptional grapplers lighting up the world stage in the modern era of grappling. Many of these athletes have become innovators of the sport, as their prolific skill sets have become highly sought after by students all over the world. Many students are asking can you make money in jiu jitsu, as many of these modern day grapplers are beginning to profit from this extensive combat sport. Nowadays No GI Jiu Jitsu is taking centre stage, as streaming services like flograppling are promoting prestigious events like the ADCC, Submission Underground, Who's Number One, and Metamoris Pro.

Gordon Ryan has become known as the king of grappling, as he boasts an incredible grappling record of 159 wins with only 9 losses, including an astounding 124 submission victories. Gordon Ryan is the best of the best, and with his exceptional record he has secured 3 ADCC world championships, including one in the absolute division, and a runner up ADCC placing, in 2017. Gordon has also won 3 World No Gi championships, and two Pan American No Gi championships. Gordon has beaten some of the World's most talented Fighters including Felipe Pena, Vagner Rocha, Marcus Almeida, Rousimar Palharas, Garry Tonon, Lucas Barbosa, Keenan Cornelius, Craig Jones, Pedro Marinho, Roberto Jimenez, and Mathues Diniz. Along with all of Gordon Ryan's competitive achievements he has also won and abundance of superfight events like Grapplers Quest, Kumite Classic, Naga World Championship, Eddie Bravo Invitational, Who's Number One, Fight 2 Win, Third Coast Grappling, Metamoris, and the Quintet.

Andre Galvao has become one of the most successful No Gi grapplers in the modern era of grappling. Andre is the head coach, and co-founder of the famous Atos academy, he has also become another hall of fame inductee. Andre is a 4th degree black belt under Fernando Augusto, and is also a black belt in judo. Andre's winning tournament record is among the most successful ever, as he boasts an incredible 6 ADCC gold medals, 10 World Championship gold medals, 11 Pan American gold medals, 3 Abu Dhabi World Cup gold medals, and 2 ADCC South American gold medals. Andre is world famous for his No Gi grappling, and has won a multitude of super fight wins throughout his career. He is also ready for a much anticipated match up against Gordon Ryan in the upcoming 2022 ADCC event.

Augusto Mendes is a black belt under the famous Francisco Mansur, and as he began his black belt career he did get off to a slow start. Augusto lost fights to high calibre fighters like Bruno Frazatto, Rubens Charles, Leandro Lo, Lucas Lepri, David Ramos, and Paulo Miyao. Augusto would come into his own, as he went on to win 69 fights in his competition career including defeating opponents like Rubens Charles, JT Torres, Leandro Lo, Ryan Hall, Rafael Mendes, Vagner Rocha, Gianni Grippo, Eddie Cummings, Geo Martinez, Jeff Glover, Samir Chantre, Kennedy Maciel, and Bruno Frazatto. Augusto has won 3 IBJJF World Championships, an ADCC World Championship, 2 UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Championships, 2 South American Championships, and an American National title. Augusto has also won a multitude of other tournament gold, making him one of BJJ's finest grapplers to ever compete on the world circuit.

Another champion of the sport is IBJJF hall of fame legend, Lucas Lepri. The Brazilian born grappler has become extremely successful on the international stage of grappling. Lucas is one of few grapplers to win all 4 major tournaments, as this includes the World Championships, the Pan American Championships, the European Championships, and the Brazilian Nationals. Lucas' accomplishments include becoming a 6 time World champion, a 3 time No Gi World Champion, a 4 time Pan American Champion, a 4 time No Gi Pan American Champion, a Abu Dhabi World Cup Champion, and a Brazilian National and European Champion. Lucas has built a formidable record of 111 wins out of 140 matches, including 55 submission victories. Lucas has defeated competitors like Lachlan Giles, Renato Canuto, Davi Ramos, Vagner Rocha, Michael Liera, Edwin Najmi, JT Torres, Filepe Cesar, Gary Tonan, Augusto Mendes, and Leandro Lo.

JT Torres is well known throughout the BJJ world as a fierce competitor, and is the number 1 ranked 77 kilogram fighter. JT has accomplished many amazing wins over opponents like Lucas Lepri, Gary Tonan, Lachlan Giles, Manuel Ribamar, DJ Jackson, Francisco Iturralde, Jamie Canuto, Clark Gracie, and Gilbert Burns. JT has achieved accolades that include 2 ADCC Championships, 2 World No Gi Championships, 2 No Gi Pan Championships, 3 Asian Open Championships, and a European Championship. JT is a 3rd degree black belt under Lloyd Irvin at the famous Atos academy. JT has a formidable style of grappling that is completely well rounded, as he has become a handful to all of his competitors.

The Best No Gi Grappler on the planet is here to teach you his Half Guard Passing System. Get it now from BJJFanatics.com and Gordon Ryan!

Beatriz Mesquita is arguably one of the best female bjj fighters of all time. The Brazilian athlete is a second degree black belt under the famous Leticia Ribeiro. Beatriz or otherwise known as Bia, has an incredible list of tournament wins. She has won 10 World Championships, 5 No Gi World Championships, 7 No Gi Brazilian National Championships, 3 Brazilian National Championships, 4 European Championships, 8 Pan American Championships, and an ADCC World Championship. Biatriz has trained extensively in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Wrestling, and has defeated many other talented grapplers like Michelle Nicolini, Louisa Monteiro, Joaquina Bonfin, Patricia Lage, Sharol Siste, Ana Vieira, Ffion Davies, and Renata Marinho. Biatriz has solidified herself as one of the most prolific grapplers to ever step onto the mens, or women's BJJ mats.

These days superstar grapplers are rising fast, as the accessibility of BJJ techniques are prominent across the globe. With the rise of instructional content on platforms like bjjfanatics.com, and YouTube, up and coming athletes are finding it easy to excel within the art. There is a large of group of talent coming through the ranks, with athletes like Craig Jones, Lachlan Giles, Edwin Najmi, Adam Wardzinski, Tye Ruotulo, Davi Ramos, Roberto Jimenez, Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, and Geo Martinez, just to name a few. The popularity of No Gi Jiu Jitsu has risen to outstanding heights, as the new breed of submission grappler is fast becoming fiercely competitive on the world stage.

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