Brazilian jiu-jitsu has seen an incredible rise in popularity over the last 30 years alongside the advent of modern MMA. Still, with that rise, it has also branched into different variations and competition rules. The newest and arguably the most exciting of these is Combat jiu-jitsu, or CJJ for short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Combat Jiu-Jitsu is a no-gi grappling competition where no points are scored for control and positions, with the added twist of palm strikes and slaps when both competitors are on the ground. The only ways to win are by submission, TKO, or special overtime rules in case neither happens. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CJJ was created to bring jiu-jitsu closer to its roots, and adding back the strikes is a huge step in that direction without turning it into MMA. But do you know all the rules and specifics of this new and exciting sport?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Combat jiu-jitsu is a very young grappling sport aiming to be the middle ground between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. The added palm strikes and slaps on the ground are the detail separating Combat Jiu-Jitsu from other submission grappling competitions and formats. This seemingly little detail changes the game drastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both competitors start standing, just like in regular BJJ matches, and are not allowed to hit each other while on their feet. But once they touch the ground, the slaps start flying. This aims to return the increasingly regulated sport of BJJ to its roots as a practical martial art<\/a> for self-defense or MMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At first glance, CJJ may look like BJJ with slaps or something similar to the Pancrase fights famous in the early days of MMA, but unlike in Pancrase, with CJJ, palm strikes are allowed only on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another place Combat jiu-jitsu takes inspiration from the even earlier Gracie challenges, where many more strikes were allowed. Still, the goal always was to prove how BJJ works in a real fight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The palm strikes also add a lot of dynamics and prevent many of the stalling tactics that modern-day BJJ has become synonymous with. No-gi jiu-jitsu removed many of those, making the full mount irrelevant. In contrast, the real danger of strikes makes it a dominant and desirable position once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slaps and strikes to the head and body create openings for submissions and can serve as a good defense against leg locks. The submissions-only, no-points system, along with the addition of palm strikes, aims to create fast-paced, entertaining grappling matches. After watching just a few bouts, you will find it hard to disagree with the result despite some comical sequences in the first events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In CJJ, you can even win the match with a knockout or a TKO courtesy of some nasty palms strikes. The current CJJ lightweight champion Vagner Rocha is a perfect example of what an experienced MMA fighter and a BJJ expert can do within the ruleset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>What Is Combat Jiu Jitsu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n