How Effective are BJJ Sweeps in MMA?

[Martin Harris]

This blew my mind: http://mmafightdb.com/how-effective-...sweeps-in-mma/

A chart displaying the number and type of sweeps in Bamma, Bellator, Strikeforce, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the World Series of Fighting (WSOF).

In total there were 90 sweeps recorded in 1438 fights. This translates to a rate of around 0.06 sweeps per fight, to put this another way; for every 100 fights only 6 will include some kind of sweep.

[Joshua Jarboe]

That sounds interesting. In and of itself, I don't think it's damning: if they did a chart for "how effective" rubber guard is by looking at how much rubber guard was played, I bet we'd be hearing an argument "almost never played, must not be effective."

Or maybe it hasn't caught on.

Maybe they are using the wrong sweeps?

[Brent Smith]

Interesting. I wonder if people are more focused on getting to their feet than sweeping.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

to look at effectiveness you would have to look at all the times a sweep is attempted/success. Raw number of sweeps performed doesnt show effectiveness.

Interesting though.

[David Rosado]

Interesting. I wonder if people are more focused on getting to their feet than sweeping.

This is part of it. I've been watching wrestlers using butterfly to get back to their feet.

to look at effectiveness you would have to look at all the times a sweep is attempted/success. Raw number of sweeps performed doesnt show effectiveness.

Interesting though.

Exactly. Lets say that there were only 120 sweeps actually attempted. 50% success rate is impressive. I don't even think subs have that high of a success rate. And to be honest, we don't really see to many sweeps to begin with so this isn't saying much about effectiveness.

[Martin Harris]

yeah... Effective may have been a poor choice of words on the author's part. I just read the article and reposted his words here. I'm not even sure effectiveness can be measured, as many sweep attempts are used to improve position and if you get the sweep that is a bonus. So even if the sweep fails it may have been effective.

The raw numbers themselves are what shocked me... 90 sweeps recorded in 1438 fights.

[Josh Passini]

Like all jiu jitsu in mma, people have to actually use it! Butterfly sweeps and deep hook transitions should be in every MMA fighters game. Old school and plan B are also legit in MMA!

[BIBIANO]

awesome stat, I can see how people would say this proves sweeps don't work in MMA. I would disagree, I think there is a HUGE opportunity to use sweeps in MMA. I mean to get inside, then take someone down, then pass their guard is so hard in a 5 minute round. A sweep can allow you to go straight to top position from the bottom position.

Until I see fighters going straight to perfect double under-hooks from the lock down and hitting the boa sweep or electric chair, I'm saying that we should not give up on sweeps. Imo a perfectly executed electric chair is the most effective sweep for MMA (at least from half guard).

[David Rosado]

^ Viviano, I've been preaching that point for a while. But I'm a whitey with no credentials besides being a fan.

Strikers have learned to sprawl to keep the fight in their world.

Wrestlers have learned defend subs to keep the fight on their terms.

BJJ guys have....turned their poor striking into mediocre striking, learned "wrestling," and still don't control posture while still using mostly closed guard. None of those options bring the fight into their world, including the poor wrestling. And once it's in their world, they're using guards that don't put anything in their favor.


Sweeps should definitely be more utilized in MMA. But I think guys are soooooo used to using the gi to sweep that they feel lost in MMA. As they say, punch a black belt once, he turns purple. Punch him again, he turns white. I take that to mean that in the heat of the moment you usually revert back to your most basic instincts and muscle memory. If all of that is mostly gi pulling, you're going to want to pull a gi.....and have nothing to pull. Imagine that. So yeah, I feel there's a strong need for gi guys to face the music and acknowledge that they need to tailor their games to MMA and the rules therein.

Don't be afraid to get taken down because now it's in your world.
Use guards that are MMA relevant.
Fight for the sweep immediately so you can get in top position and look good on the judges cards.

Just some thoughts.