Hi Tim, I read that you believe a good grounding in the grappling arts is essential to learning how to fight. So if you really had to choose one between the two, would you recommend a person with a primarily striking art background take up Judo or BJJ? I know the histories of both and have visited nearby schools (all checked, all were great - good instructors, solid students, etc), and am somewhat familiar with the similarities and differences between the two. However, due to time and money contraints (mainly time...) I can only add one more art onto my plate. So I'm just seeking what your personal opinion would be for me. Thanks.

If you are a humble student, I may teach you how to use "sohl-a-rangs".

Jeremy,

Well, Judo will almost certainly be cheaper to learn. Judo training heavily emphasizes the thorws, there is usually little time spent on the ground.

Most BJJ acadamies are just the opposite, most of the time spent on ground fighting.

If you can already clinch fight and throw, and you can afford it, I'd probably go with the BJJ until you have a solid foundation in ground grappling.

Jeremy:
I believe that a good number of BJJ schools teach adequate Judo and a good number of them are now even using the Japanese names more. So some exposure to good Judo technique can be made in a BJJ class. The scoring for the two sport aspects are different BJJ scoring is awarded points for success with different advantages (although I hear Rickson Gracie had his first tournament this past week and is scoring one point for take downs, one point for passing the guard, one point for the mount, three points for a good submission hold even if the opponent does not submit- but I am out of the loop in BJJ)in Judo the main objective is to land your opponent on their back, Landing a person on their back may not always end a fight- although it's has a great chance of doing so. Also BJJ allows wrist locks, leg bars and is a bit more permissive in this way.
Moreover; BJJ, is more comprehensive in its ground work and gives a good idea of Judo throws. It may be more expensive, but it is my belief you get your moneys worth.
Nonetheless have fun in whatever choice you make. Either way you'll spending your time and effort wisely
with all my best intentions
JAMIE

The judo school that I belong to may not be typical, but we spend half our time on our feet and half on the ground, roughly. I feel like that's great. It's really hard to throw someone who does not want to be thrown, and knows it's coming. It's good practice. Though the repertoire of techniques is reduced in Judo, many of the holds/pins/ground positioning is the same, and IF you watch the UFC I feel like most submissions come from Chokes and arm bar variations. That is not to say that some knee locks don't win fights, it's just more common to see a guillotine or naked choke, or juji-gatame or a flying armbar. In summation, what you miss in ground work you may make up for in clinching and throwing. Some BJJ schools may be different, but it seems more likely that a BJJ school would exclude throws, than a Judo school ommitting groundwork.There are 4 main ways to win a Judo match; Arm bar, Strangle, Pin or Throw. If you train equally in all four, then 75% of your time is on the ground. Smart Judo coaches know this.

I agree with most everyone, yet it's "priority" that you visit each dojo first. Some BJJ gyms have "horrible" stand up grappling and some have great stand up. Usually, BJJ schools lead by a native old school Brazilian will have better stand up grappling, for in the old days most BJJ students studied Judo before BJJ.

Some Judo schools do very little newaza, for it's not a priority in Judo Shiais. Yet, some Judo schools have a solid ground game. You learn the basics, which is the majority of what you see that works.

Yet, BJJ have an advantage in sweeps and reversals. Even some of the better Judo ground fighters are limited there.

Good Luck,

Robert

Arguing the benefits of studing one over the other in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu is exactly the same as arguing whats better Boxing or Pugilism

that's just stupid. Everyone knows that pugilism is superior.

I think studying both would be effective wouldn't it? I train in C.S.W. for ground work which is greco, freestyle wrestling, bjj and I want to study judo for awhile just to get the throws down solid. I think judo is sweet and if you would like to see it in real action checkout UFC fighter Karo "the Heat" Parisyan, who's throws are unreal. Thats until he fights Matt Hughes and gets wrecked on Nov 19. AHAHAHA!!!
Remember this, it doesn't matter how much training in one martial art you've had or how many belts or stipes you've obtained. Until its been used in a real fight and actually won you something don't brag to anyone. Cause punching pads or kicking bags does nothing when they don't hit you back. A little Bruce in that one.
WATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THE MMA FIGHTER COMES SMASHING ALL OVER YOU BROTHER!!! lol Hogan

If you learned a truly "martial" art, you wouldn't have to mix, now wouldya?

if you learned a 'truly martial art' you would have to go to war. is that the logical conclusion of this thought or semantic?

Actually, yes.