MENDES style of BJJ

Underground BJJ Ground
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Does anyone else find it very difficult to watch the Mendes brothers style of BJJ?

Maybe it's because I'm 230lbs. Maybe it's because I can be considered "old school", for I found BJJ in the mid-early 90s. Maybe it's because I see very little few aspects of that type of game that translates to MMA or anything other than sport BJJ.

I do respect all top players for their skill and athleticism, but I just find it very difficult to watch.

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The only parts I'm not a fan of are the 50/50 and double guard pull battles. Everything else (leg drags, back takes, berimbolo/de la riva stuff) is awesome. I don't try to do all of it, but I think it's very entertaining and effective. Phone Post

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 dude, they are awesome to watch. there were a few matches with rafa vs cobrinha that were boring, but on the whole i like watching them and i am a big dude

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I'll watch more of their matches. Maybe, I can learn to more appreciate what I see. I do love their guard retention ability.

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I think a lot of their techniques might be more MMA applicable than they appear. Just watch Marcin Held's last fights in Bellator.

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I agree with op. I think it's cool to see what they have done with their body, but I think they have moved away from the spirit of bjj. Not just them, but alot of guys. Jiu jitsu is a fighting art. Phone Post

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All of the fat guys in my gym don't like them either. Phone Post

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I love watching the Mendes Bros compete. Their guard playing and passing are amazing. Some of the cleanest technique to ever hit the mats. Not only that but the guys constantly look to finish. Rafa has finished almost everyone he's beaten not named Cobrinha. Phone Post

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theyre both fucking badass. a lot can be learned from their game no matter your size. the leg drag pass alone is just so simple and so effective.

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All of the skinny guys at my gym hide from the fat guys Phone Post

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They are proof positive BJJ will never be a popular spectator sport...

Talented athletes and innovators performing at their peak and it is almost unwatchable for anyone except the geekiest BJJ'er.



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checkuroil -  All of the skinny guys at my gym hide from the fat guys Phone Post
where you training now ck ur?

 

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shen - 

They are proof positive BJJ will never be a popular spectator sport...

Talented athletes and innovators performing at their peak and it is almost unwatchable for anyone except the geekiest BJJ'er.





But are they (at leas Rafa) proof that an adcc rules event will be a popular spectator sport?

Even the trolliest of ufc noobs thought rafa-cobrinha adcc -09 was spectacular.

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  1. I'm still at eddies. I am gonna try bao quachs place this week. There aren't a lot of no gi places in long beach Phone Post
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Please don't turn this into a "troll-fest". I just made a personal observation and hoped for intelligent feedback. I've watched more of their matches and they are very impressive.
They are probably playing a game I'm too "ignorant" (sport BJJ wise) to appreciate.

I did get some intelligent feedback about observing some of their patented techniques. Thanks.

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checkuroil - All of the skinny guys at my gym hide from the fat guys Phone Post

Getting laid on doesn't appeal to me. If they are fat and use technique is be all about it but I dont compete in the chub division therefore I don't prepare with chubs Phone Post

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checkuroil - I agree with op. I think it's cool to see what they have done with their body, but I think they have moved away from the spirit of bjj. Not just them, but alot of guys. Jiu jitsu is a fighting art. <img src="/images/phone/apple.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>


I think that Mendes Bro's can handle themselves in a self defense situation & jack up a LOT of MMA fighters.

In sport bjj with the gi sometimes they play more of a long range open guard game - which would leave them open to punches in a real fight - but in most of their competative no gi matches their pressure game is amazingly tight and agressive.

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I prefer watching the Mendes bros compete at no-gi then with the gi. With the gi, unless they're fighting someone who they can beat easily, their matches just turn into battles for advantages. At ADCC however, they seem to play a much more aggressive game, which is much more watchable.

James

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Can anyone explain why, say, the berimbolo, couldn't work in MMA?