P
Piper
Guest
Yea the proof has been evidenced thousands of times in the cage events, with mundials winners such as Demian Maia, Jacare, BJ Penn, Big Nog, all who have started with the Gi. Just because your whole class stopped using it really doesn't have any significance. Also the fact that the Gi person couldn't adapt to to no-gi in 1 week isn't something that should surprise you.
So you ask what's the technical purpose of training gi? It's simple, reliance on proper technique rather than explosiveness and speed. Gi training forces a slower paced environment, you can't simply pass someones guard by using pure speed or power. Proper technique like good posture (depends on pass), good hip control, and pressure will all be necessary in order to properly execute the technique. The same applies in no-gi, but to to a smaller degree. You mentioned this argument has been done 1000 times, yet you haven't even noticed the whole purpose of Gi training?
Click here for one of the best P4P fighters take on Gi:
BJ Penn trains and talks about his martial arts roots - BJPENN.COM
The true test of the gi vs. no-gi was the famous Sakuraba vs. Gracie match with Royce, then the other members of the Gracie family. Also, list all the names of the top names that have been in MMA that have never trained in the gi or abandoned it. How many wrestlers have been successful in MMA and how many of them said they have put on the gi to make their game better? One of my instructors was a champion at ADCC and in worldclass MMA events. He started early in BJJ with the gi on for years. He taught us without the gi and said our progress would be faster without it - and it was.
You keep saying "proper technique". If you know you are going to be in no-gi matches why would you practice holding someone's sleeves or cuffs or collars?????? That just isn't realistic. I've seen gi-guys in no-gi matches reaching for grips that aren't there, due to their habituation to the gi. Everyone should practice "proper" technique, and proper no-gi technique is to practice without it.
I have noticed the whole purpose of gi training - it is to perpetuate the anachronism of gi training.
When my first school went no-gi, some guys kept wearing their gi. Again, they complained that the "new" guys should be made to wear the gi so they could have a chance at submitting us - huh??? Also, our instructor let them wear it, if they wanted, but if the belt of the gi-guy came loose, he and we could use the belt to strangle them for a tap.
If you like the anachronistic form with the gi, fine. I can understand keeping certain traditional elements within certain forms of martial arts. Sumo wrestling you can wear a thong. Schoolboy wrestling you wear a singlet, etc.. But reality-based MMA is a no-gi world without those anachronisms.