Have there ever been successful gi competitors who never use gi grips?
Why would a gi competitor not use gi grips?
Because MMA and people not wearing clothes on the streetz.
Because MMA and people not wearing clothes on the streetz.
why would they do such a thing???
there are games that translate well to no gi, but NO: every decent competitor, at some time of the match, will grab the fabric if there's one.
I do it, but I'm nobody of note. (I started out in no gi, and don't want to ruin my fingers for guitar playing.) In principle, however, I don't see a real downside to it; you may be robbing yourself of some of the most powerful grips, but if you grip fight properly, you will also rob the opponent of his, so there are very few times at which you'd both have dominant grips with him having the upper hand due to grabbing cloth.
Marcelo Garcia, JJ Machado.
Probably the closest thing.
I'm certain someone on the forum for more informed than myself will elaborate better than I.
Why would a gi competitor not use gi grips?
I think that there is a difference between grabbing the gi occasionally, compared to relying on the gi
Because the game translates to everything. Because depending on the gi can become a hinderance.
I play guitar too and the other day I picked up my guitar after ignoring it for a few weeks and I noticed it was quite painful (but I could still play). And not to mention that all that gi gripping with sweaty hands ripped off some of my finger calluses lol.I do it, but I'm nobody of note. (I started out in no gi, and don't want to ruin my fingers for guitar playing.) In principle, however, I don't see a real downside to it; you may be robbing yourself of some of the most powerful grips, but if you grip fight properly, you will also rob the opponent of his, so there are very few times at which you'd both have dominant grips with him having the upper hand due to grabbing cloth.
Also because it's possible to build a game based on various techniques that don't require any gi grips and still work in the gi. (It just doesn't often form naturally unless you focus on no gi friendly moves.)
Personally, I think the only noticeable gi grip I could benefit from using more might be a cross collar or lapel spider control when I'm caught playing guard without a connection to my opponent, but even then, I feel I get by most of the time with a 2 on 1 or a seated collar-tie. Also, it forces me to work on my wrestling more instead of coasting on my back.