Keenan's comments on No-Gi Jiu Jitsu

[Eric Perez]

It was recently learned that Keenan said "No-Gi is jiu jitsu's lame, less technical brother, who you don't really want to hang out with because he's really sweaty all the time. But he's still your brother, so once a year you still need to give him attention and love to show him that he's still in the family". Thoughts?

[BIBIANO]

now I see why me and no-gi jiu jitsu get along so well, he just described my childhood perfectly

I think there is a correlation vs. causation confusion in the jiu jitsu community. A lot of the older generation of Gracie's had mustaches. I don't think it was the mustaches that made them great. Or maybe it is, mustaches are badass.

I don't blame people who love the gi. I think its only natural as human beings to want to belong to something with as proud of a tradition as Jiu Jitsu. There are times I think about Gigoro Kano's school battling it out with other schools to prove the superiority of his Jiu Jitsu. Then the Gracie family and their matches against the Japanese to prove the superiority of their Jiu Jitsu. It's extremely honorable. As a kid, I idolized people in gi's. Personally, I feel more connected to Jiu Jitsu by being a part of the most advanced Jiu Jitsu system, not by wearing the traditional uniform. But that doesn't have to be for everybody. I plan to teach my sons Jiu Jitsu, and to teach them being a part of Jiu Jitsu is a great honor that brings along certain responsibilities as a man. I can see how dressing in the traditional uniform will help convey that to young people, so I could see why you should teach young people in the gi. But ultimately, the message of Jiu Jitsu is developing the most effective martial art, not clinging to a particular uniform.

[Mike Nall]

It was recently learned that Keenan said "No-Gi is jiu jitsu's lame, less technical brother, who you don't really want to hang out with because he's really sweaty all the time. But he's still your brother, so once a year you still need to give him attention and love to show him that he's still in the family". Thoughts?

Keenan took back the lame comment. I believe he's also said he competes better without the gi, and he won no-gi worlds at brown his division and absolute with all submissions. He won the ADCC Trials with all submissions and I expect him to medal at ADCC this year. He is also planning on doing the no-gi Worlds this November at black belt as long as he doesn't get injured at ADCC. I'd expect him to medal there as well. He still enjoys training no-gi and is very good at it. He trained no-gi at BJ Penn's for a couple years before he ever put a gi on.

[Mike Nall]

Overall the gi vs. no-gi question is asked by interviewers because it's an easy question to ask. It's almost as default as "When did you start training." But largely among serious practitioners there isn't much of a debate.

The best people do both. And most of these guys aren't having conversations about what makes you better. They just train hard in both. During gi season they train gi. During no gi season they train no gi. The best grapplers are the best grapplers, no matter what they wear.

The best guys. Ask Marcelo Garcia or Rafael Mendes. They love both. They do both. I know this is a largely no-gi forum but as long as the best grapplers continue to do both (they will) you are going to continue to get a variety of different answers when people ask the gi vs. no-gi questions.

At the end of the day Keenan Cornelius by the end of the year has the chance to be the best active American no-gi competitor. And he's already top 3-5. I would like to see a Lovato Jr x Keenan match at ADCC.

[David Rosado]

I remember that instagram comment. I understand his pov. He prefers the gi. He took back the comment that it is lame. Basically he was joking. No biggie to me.

[Kyle Spalla]

I don't really give a shit what Keenan Cornelius thinks...

[Brandon Mccaghren]

I like no-gi. It's fun.

[Mike Nall]

I don't really give a shit what Keenan Cornelius thinks...

You took him too seriously.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

I thought it was funny.

My take on the gi/no-gi debate is this:

Do what makes you happy. Most people have no interest in competing at all, much less being a world champion; the whole idea of which one makes you better at the highest levels never even comes in to play for them. So just do what seems like the most fun to you. Even if it's Tae Kwon Do. Some of us are into the art. Some of us are into the martial. Some of us just need to lose some weight. Whatever. It's your journey. Do what helps you put positive energy back into your little corner of the universe.

[Tony "The Goods" Garcia]

I thought it was funny.

My take on the gi/no-gi debate is this:

Do what makes you happy. Most people have no interest in competing at all, much less being a world champion; the whole idea of which one makes you better at the highest levels never even comes in to play for them. So just do what seems like the most fun to you. Even if it's Tae Kwon Do. Some of us are into the art. Some of us are into the martial. Some of us just need to lose some weight. Whatever. It's your journey. Do what helps you put positive energy back into your little corner of the universe.

This is why I call Brandon when I lose my shit. How much simpler could it be explained yet profound and deep at the same time. I love me some BMac :-)