AUSTIN, TEXAS: Joe Rogan, a prominent figure in the world of combat sports, provides valuable insights into the fascinating dynamics of jiu-jitsu fights. With his extensive knowledge and passion for the subject, Rogan revealed a unique aspect of this martial art. According to him, Brazilian jiu-jitsu stands as a unique discipline where a smaller competitor can triumph over a larger opponent, defying the odds and showcasing the power of technique and skill.
To illustrate his point, Rogan draws a striking comparison between two notable fighters, Michael Chandler and Francis Ngannou. In a stand-up slugfest, the sheer size and power of Ngannou would undoubtedly overpower the smaller Chandler. However, when the battleground shifts to a jiu-jitsu encounter, the narrative takes an intriguing turn. Rogan asserts that a masterful practitioner like Charles Oliveira possesses the ability to dominate even the formidable Ngannou, leveraging his expertise in grappling, ground control, and submission holds.
'There’s no lucky triangle choke in jiu-jitsu'
Rogan highlights the distinction of jiu-jitsu as a martial art that transcends the limitations of size and strength. Unlike other combat disciplines that heavily rely on power, Jiu-jitsu showcases the art of finesse and technique, where skill reigns supreme. This fundamental aspect underpins Rogan's belief that a fighter like Oliveira, who possesses exceptional jiu-jitsu prowess, can emerge victorious even against heavyweights in fights. It is the fusion of skill, strategy, and control that tilts the scales in favor of the adept jiu-jitsu practitioner, defying conventional expectations and embracing the beauty of the art form.
He said: “Jiu-jitsu is the one martial art where the big guy can't dominate the little guy. Because in any other world, like a guy like Michael Chandler has zero chance against the guy of size of Francis Ngannou. If they are gonna just throw hands, he has zero chance. I’m putting all my chips on the big guy. But in jiu-jitsu, if you get a guy like Charles Oliveira, who’s that good at jiu-jitsu he could strangle a f****** heavyweight.”
Rogan, the renowned commentator, and martial arts enthusiast delved into the captivating world of jiu-jitsu during a podcast chat with Lex Fridman. In his trademark confident style, Rogan dismissed the notion of luck in this discipline, highlighting the precision and control it demands. According to him, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and wrestling are martial arts that allow practitioners to assert dominance through strategic physical holds. He also mentioned that in jiu-jitsu, there is no room for luck.
“Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and wrestling — those are absolutes in terms of controlling the body and exerting influence once you establish a physical hold. There’s no lucky triangle choke in jiu-jitsu.” In a candid reflection, Rogan opens up about his humbling experience in jiu-jitsu. Despite his background in kickboxing, Rogan encountered an opponent of similar size and age who effortlessly outmatched him in a jiu-jitsu match. This unexpected defeat left Rogan in awe of the discipline's effectiveness, challenging his preconceived notions and showcasing the profound impact of the Brazilian martial art's techniques.
'Mike tyson enters the chat'
One user wrote, "mike tyson enters the chat," while another user wrote, "Not if they both know jiu jitsu. A little guy who knows can beat a big guy who doesn’t. That’s it." Another user wrote, "I’ve seen plenty of dudes that train BJJ get their lights put out by a random punch. BJJ works on people that have no clue what they’re doing just like a lot of the martial arts." The Fourth user wrote, "I'm inclined to disagree. The skilled little guy can beat the unskilled big guy in basically any art. The problem is the skilled little guy running into the skilled big guy, and that doesn't translate fantastically in any art. Size matters. As a predominantly striking guy background, I try and think of the difference between the "puncher's chance" of getting the knockout out of nowhere compared to the ability to get the submission out of nowhere, and I feel like it's a bad situation either way but at least with striking there is more opportunity. I couldn't imagine a 125-pound guy trying to do a takedown on Brock Lesnar, an armbar is just kind of out of the question."
