Is it possible to make it pro by yourself in Jiu Jitsu/MMA?

[WelcometoHell]

Any of you guys know any self taught fighters?

I'm not saying your team gives everything on a silver spoon, but it seems like you're doomed without that

Don't get me wrong, I'm not delusional of course I'm not pursuing full MMA, but I'm talking about just for example in terms of Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling in general

There are so many techniques and positions it's intimidating and it seems like a beginner couldn't learn all that by himself or even remember those

idk

For example in sprinting there is a technique and there are general ways on how to get faster with the correct movement etc. same thing in soccer, you generally cut in from the wings if you're a winger to score or dribble to score a goal; but for example in chess the positions are so complex and hard to deal with, and there are very specific moves you have to play to get out, let alone win

Is Jiu Jitsu like that? Is it mostly theory or is there a pattern recognition and gambling aspect? If so, how much does that help?

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

You need to practice with other BJJ practitioners or MMA fighters. That's the only way you can get better and measure your progress.

I don't think anyone can succeed on their own in these sports.

 

[davidlemonparty]

I've never set foot in a gym; bjj, wrestling, boxing or kickboxing.
However : as a sherdog silver belt it remains certain that I would crush any pro mma or other fighter due to my extreme physique, dick size, and mental energy

 

[Bobby Boulders]

I know a guy who is self taught. He's an amateur, and he's 0-4, bc he doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. He's athletic, but that doesn't make up for opponents who are also athletic, and also train at a gym and have instruction from coaches.

There was a time when you could be self taught and find success, but that time is long past.

 

[MindGamingMantis]

No. Not at the UFC level. But maybe in a more bum level pro organization

 

[Hellowhosthat]

No, you need to be rolling and drilling.

I guess if you had someone to roll and drill with you, you could learn to an extent from watching instructionals but that's only going to get you so far.

 

[Mittens]

if even CM Punk had to join a gym to become an UFC caliber pro fighter, the regular peons have 0 chance.

 

[SandisLL]

Any of you guys know any self taught fighters?

I'm not saying your team gives everything on a silver spoon, but it seems like you're doomed without that

Don't get me wrong, I'm not delusional of course I'm not pursuing full MMA, but I'm talking about just for example in terms of Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling in general

There are so many techniques and positions it's intimidating and it seems like a beginner couldn't learn all that by himself or even remember those

idk

For example in sprinting there is a technique and there are general ways on how to get faster with the correct movement etc. same thing in soccer, you generally cut in from the wings if you're a winger to score or dribble to score a goal; but for example in chess the positions are so complex and hard to deal with, and there are very specific moves you have to play to get out, let alone win

Is Jiu Jitsu like that? Is it mostly theory or is there a pattern recognition and gambling aspect? If so, how much does that help?

Without experience vs completely uncooperative actively resisting opponent doing real stuff on you ....you will not even reach normal apprentice level for ams....especially not to talk here about elite level ams.... they will roll you in ICU with best for you here.

As for pro MMA, depends from orgs and location, promotion and matchmaking plus ofc will you get mismatched or no.

Exactly in MMA and BJJ more likely might happen that you will get opponent considerably more experienced than you even if you already had other kind of experience in real competitions.

BJJ is notable that they does have belts divisions...according belts they does have in BJJ org. Often without taking in account other ranks and experience.

MMA too might be " fun ".
If opponent had 0 ranked fights under am or pro MMA rule set..he will be ranked as 0-0 with 0 ranking points for MMA ranking and it will be your job to sit and research what stuff you will get to fight with. Without dreams that he maybe had just 6 or 12 months training under belt.... in gym somewhere.

 

[Thesnake101]

You'd have better luck at making it pro in MMA by being self taught than in any other combat sport, and that's only if you're a HW with big power, and you'll still hit a wall at the LFA level most likely, or end up like Braxton Smith. Anywhere else you'll get your ass handed to you regardless of how many tapes, instructionals and the like you watch.

You're not going to have access to ancient forbidden knowledge that will unlock some sort of hidden potential within you, you'll be using the same material other guys have access to, only that those guys will also have the advantage of coaching, training partners and equipment to enhance their learning.

 

[Chagaev]

You can see the difference between a TMA, where people hit air or a makiwara etc. vs a sport that emphasizes sparring.

 

[chinarice]

There will never be another legend like James Thompson

 

[Chubi]

You can learn the best way possible, even with great form and understanding, if you're on your own and you never had a single sparring, even a light one, your progression will forever be badly diminished.

 

[wolffanghameha]

You need a team that you mesh well with. It's one of the overlooked parts of a fighters success when analysing UFC fighters.
You can self-teach a lot to fill the gaps when circumstances aren't perfect, but you ultimately need coaches and training partners and that'll produce much faster progress. Not even close. Even one training partner is better than trying to drill shit in the air or with pillows or duffel bags (which I've done plenty of to drill judo groundwork). I'm a random shmuck and I've spent at least 1000+ hours drilling a lot of judo and boxing things alone and it does produce improvement and is worth doing a little even if training properly (resting is more important), but it's MUCH better to have an actual partner. Solo practice can build a lot of muscle memory and is good for thinking up new ideas to try, but it won't build timing and range while moving, or give even close to half of the same physical resistance (you can use resistance bands to give resistance on judo movements or use a grappling dummy, but it's not the same variety of resistances as a person, never mind a whole bunch of people with different bodies and movements. It's like not going to school and trying to graduate HS by only doing the homework...it's not gonna work and is selling yourself short). If you go to training you'll be exposed to so many more techniques, transitions and situations than what you could find on youtube or whereever. Then your home training can be to focus on a few techiques you want to be the key part of your game (insert bruce lee 1000 times quote).

Some stuff seems like it'll work, but then it doesn't or it almost does, but there are details that need adjusting that can only be ironed out by practicing with another person. Even something as basic as holding side control, requires developing a feel for which way the person's weight is shifting and slightly adjusting your pushing and pulling so they don't off-balance you.
There's also the skill of winning. This is a skill in its own right, developed in competitive environments and is why guys like Khabib having 100s of grappling/mma matches is beneficial. Like some guys may perform well in training, but not competition, or may be good at being the underdog or in a tough fight but not do well when expected to win.

There are fighters who are PARTIALLY self-taught. Kid Chocolate the boxer, the Topuria brothers taught themselves a lot of boxing (but it's not self-taught, since they're a pair). Examples would be Jiri and Tony Ferguson seem to do a lot alone too.

If you can't afford to train or can't make it for logistical reasons, it's best to do what you can manage. 1-2x per week is better than 0x per week (1-2x/week could even be better in the short-term. Quality and low injury risk over quantity). The legend Frank Shamrock wasn't self-taught, but he did keep notebooks of what he learnt in training and his ideas of what could work or ideas of principles , so he really got more out of his sessions.

 

[BigOlJeet]

You need to practice with other BJJ practitioners or MMA fighters. That's the only way you can get better and measure your progress.

I don't think anyone can succeed on their own in these sports.

Royce Gracie did lol

 

[FriskyRandy]

Didn't ray cooper numba 3 just train with family in his garage?

Not quite what you're asking but I always thought that was cool.

 

[tgv976]

Some age old wisdom from chong li applies here. Very good but brick don't hit back. You can hit the bag and use whatever training dummies you want but it's a whole new world when you have independent active resistance coming back at you.

 

[Ube]

You can write, paint, read, play music, do pottery, dance, etc—all by yourself.

But in fighting, you can’t fight yourself. So no, I don’t think you’d be able to learn by yourself.

 

[Ares Black]

Royce Gracie did lol

Um, what?

 

[b00tysweat]

no bro ESPECIALLY with bjj

so much of that art is pressure and feeling out your opponent

I suppose you could theoretically get ok at boxing if you practiced footwork and did all the drills but you're going to have a come to Jesus moment when you get a hard body shot for the first time

 

[JakePaulMMA]

I've never set foot in a gym; bjj, wrestling, boxing or kickboxing.
However : as a sherdog silver belt it remains certain that I would crush any pro mma or other fighter due to my extreme physique, dick size, and mental energy

Username checks out