Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), & Jukido Jujitsu

This text is taken from a question posted on Yahoo Answers – November 2009 – Reply by George Rego
The reply provided was authored by Sensei Rego of the Jukido Jujitsu Academy and was awarded the “best answer” by the original poster (who asked the question). Several answers were provided. The original content can be found by clicking here:

Yahoo Answers – Mixed Martial Arts, Kokondo, and Jukido Jujitsu

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Question by Yahoo User – WP:

MMA, Kokondo Karate, and Jukido Jujitsu?

Why don’t any mma fighters train in kokondo karate or jukido jujitsu? Along with the normal Muay Thai and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) or boxing and wrestling training, either of these 2 forms of martial arts seem like they could make an excellent addition to an mma fighter skill set.

I am 18 I train in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I want to add a third martial art to my agenda. Do you advised either Kokondo karate, Jukido jujitsu, or Shotokan karate?

Please try to answer each question without the cliche answer. Thanks 🙂

Reply by Yahoo User – JukidoAcademy (Choosen as best answer by the asker):

There are a few primary reasons that MMA Fighters do not utilize either of the Kokondo arts (Jukido Jujitsu & Kokondo Karate).

First and foremost, the martial arts of Kokondo do not focus on the application of martial arts techniques for sport (MMA, Point Karate, Judo, etc.), but rather focus on the application of these arts in realistic self-defense for civilians. As such, the focus of the training deals much more with the prospects of dealing with a gun disarm, a surprise attack in a parking lot, child abduction, or a rape situation. There are forms of freestyle practice (randori – as found in Kodokan Judo) and Jiyu-Kumite (as found in many karate systems – Kokondo Karate’s history is tied to a very hard style, Kyokushin Karate) found in Kokondo – but it is always, ultimately, directed toward application in self-defense and not competitive sparring.

That isn’t to say that the training of an MMA Figher or a Kokondo student is better or worse, it is simply different. A Navy Seal or Marine would likely do better in the streets of Iraq then would a champion MMA Fighter. The MMA Fighter would do a lot better in an MMA bout then that very same Navy Seal or Marine. This is not a reflection of “how good” their training is, but rather what their training specifically prepares them to do. The same could be said for a Boxer in an MMA match or a MMA fighter in a boxing match – it is relative to their experience and the “environment” they are engaging in and prepared for.

Secondly, although the arts of Jukido Jujitsu and Kokondo Karate are practiced internationally – when compared to other styles, it is relatively small in scale. Coupled with several other reasons, this definitely makes it a lot less likely to see a student of this art competing. Arts like Judo and Shotokan Karate, which are BY FAR the largest arts in the world (in terms of the number of people who pratice), have VERY few individuals who compete in MMA – one could probably count the number of well-known/accomplished Judo players in MMA on one hand. As such, having an art with much fewer members (when compared to the giant that is competitive Judo) is unlikely.

Lastly, although the term “mixed” martial arts originally referred to the idea of various styles “mixing it up” in this type of competition (judo vs. karate, boxing vs. taekwondo, etc.), today that really isn’t the case. In that sense, the name is almost a misnomer. Today the typical MMA figther practices in a base of wrestling, muay thai, brazilian jiu-jitsu, and boxing – and then practices applying it towards the unifed rules of MMA. There are some who deviate from that, but as a general rule – that is what MMA “is.” Although there are some exceptions, the overwhelming majority are now training in “MMA” itself as opposed to something else and then trying to compete with it in an MMA match. This is the natural progression. If you want to prepare for Olympic Judo competition, you don’t go to an MMA gym – you go to a Judo dojo. If you want to train and compete in MMA, it would be unwise to train in Judo under the rules of the Olympic Judo Committee. Two different sports, which prepare you for different rules and environments. This goes back to the first point – most who want to compete will seek out a style conducive to this. If one wants to learn self-defense as the number one priority, they will seek out an appropriate system – be it Kokondo Karate, Jukido Jujitsu, Krav Maga, etc.

Lastly, as a previous poster mentioned – because the arts of Jujitsu (through its off-shoots, Judo and Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu) and Karate are to some extent involved in MMA, techniques found in Kokondo are also seen in MMA (from throws, to ground work, to striking techniques) – the difference is in application, not in the individual technique itself. A hip throw may be utilized by someone who doesn’t have formal judo or jujitsu training – but it doesn’t mean it isn’t a hip throw found in judo or jujitsu (whether they call themselves a judo-ka / judo player or not doesn’t make a real difference).

I hope this provides some context.

Good luck to you.

Reply by Yahoo User – WP (original poster):

Asker’s Rating:  Asker’s Comment:

Wow thanks. That answered alot, it didnt leave me hanging like most of the answers I recieve.

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Note: Minor edits applied for grammatical reasons.

About the Author (replied to original post):

Sensei George Rego is the Chief Instructor of the Florida Jukido Jujitsu Academies (FJJA), which has its main dojo in Palm Coast, Florida (Jukido Academy of Martial Arts). Other programs & dojo are also run under the direction of the FJJA. The Jukido Academy is, by far, the longesting running martial arts school in Flagler County and Palm Coast, FL. The FJJA serves as the regional representative of the International Kokondo Association (IKA). He also serves officially as the IKA Regional Supervisor. Sensei Rego began his training under the tutelage of the founder of Jukido Jujitsu, Shihan Paul Arel, and was promoted directly by him and the IKA to the rank of Yodan (fourth degree black belt) in Jukido Jujitsu. Since the beginning of his training as a child, he has also been guided by Kaicho Gregory Howard, the successor to Shihan Paul Arel. For the entirity of Sensei Rego’s martial arts studies has he has been a direct private student of the world’s most senior master of Jukido Jujitsu.