Blog
Competition guides, federation comparisons, and tournament tips.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
How to Tie a BJJ Belt: Step-by-Step Guide (2 Methods)
Learn how to tie a BJJ belt correctly with two popular methods — the standard double wrap and the single wrap — so it stays on during rolling.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
IBJJF Age Divisions: Adult, Masters, Juvenile & Kids Explained
Every IBJJF age division — kids (4–15), juvenile (16–17), adult (18+) and masters 1–7 (30+) — how your division is calculated from your birth year, and which one to enter.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
What Is the Americana in BJJ? Setup, Escapes & Variations
A complete guide to the Americana — how this shoulder lock works mechanically, where to apply it, and how to escape when caught.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
Kids BJJ Tournaments: A Parent's Guide to the First Competition
What parents need to know before a kids BJJ tournament — age groups and kids belts, how divisions and rules work, what to pack, what happens on the day, and how to support your child win or lose.
- Igor Zanella··6 min read
Best BJJ Submissions for Beginners: 5 You Should Master First
The five most high-percentage BJJ submissions for beginners — why each one works, where to apply it, and how to chain them together.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
AJP Tour Explained: Calendar, Rankings & How It Works
How the AJP Tour works — event tiers from National Pro to Grand Slams and the Abu Dhabi World Pro, how ranking points count, weigh-ins, and how to find and register for AJP events.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
What Is the Kimura in BJJ? Lock, History & How to Hit It
A complete guide to the Kimura — how the shoulder lock works, where it comes from, and the key setups from guard, side control, and turtle.
- Igor Zanella··6 min read
BJJ Conditioning: How to Build the Fitness You Actually Need
A practical guide to BJJ-specific conditioning — what energy systems matter, how to train them, and how to structure conditioning around your mat sessions.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
Gordon Ryan BJJ: Career, Record & Training System
An overview of Gordon Ryan's career in BJJ and submission grappling — his record, the DDS system, and why he's considered the best no-gi grappler in history.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
Best BJJ Mouth Guard: Do You Actually Need One?
Whether you need a mouth guard for BJJ, what types to choose from, and the best options for training and competition.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
Best BJJ Mats for Home: Types, Thickness & What to Buy
How to choose the right BJJ mats for a home gym — foam type, thickness, size, and the best options for different budgets and space sizes.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
BJJ Gi Size Chart: How to Find Your Perfect Fit
A complete BJJ gi size chart with measurements for every major size — plus how to account for shrinkage and brand-by-brand fit differences.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
BJJ Rash Guards: How to Choose the Best One for Training & Competition
What to look for in a BJJ rash guard — fabric, fit, compression, IBJJF rules, and the best options at every price point.
- Igor Zanella··3 min read
What Is a Coral Belt in BJJ? The Rarest Rank Explained
Everything about the coral belt in BJJ — what it is, who earns it, and why it's one of the rarest achievements in martial arts.
- Igor Zanella··3 min read
What Does "Oss" Mean in BJJ?
The origin, meaning, and correct use of "oss" in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — why it's everywhere in BJJ gyms and what it actually signifies.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
BJJ Gi Guide: How to Choose, Size Chart & Best Brands
Everything you need to know about choosing a BJJ gi — fabric weight, fit, IBJJF rules, size charts, and the best brands at every price point.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
Who Created Jiu Jitsu? Origins from Japan to Brazil
The answer depends on which jiu jitsu you mean — here's the real history from classical Japanese jujutsu through Kano, Maeda, and the Gracie family.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
Where Did Jiu Jitsu Come From? Complete History
The full history of jiu jitsu — from feudal Japan through the Gracie family in Brazil to the global sport it is today.
- Igor Zanella··6 min read
BJJ Recovery: How to Train More Without Breaking Down
Practical recovery strategies for BJJ practitioners — sleep, nutrition, active recovery, and how to manage the physical demands of training 4–5x per week.
- Igor Zanella··8 min read
How to Compete in BJJ for the First Time: Complete Guide
Everything a first-time BJJ competitor needs to know — picking a tournament, preparing, what to do on competition day, and how to handle the result.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
IBJJF Tournaments: How They Work, Registration & Tips
Everything you need to know before competing at an IBJJF tournament — registration, rules, weigh-ins, bracket format, and practical tips for first-timers.
- Igor Zanella··8 min read
BJJ Weight Classes by Federation: IBJJF, AJP, ADCC, NAGA & More
BJJ weight classes compared across IBJJF, AJP, ADCC, NAGA and Grappling Industries — limits in kg and lbs, gi vs no-gi weigh-ins, and how to pick your division.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
Is Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics? Current Status & Future
BJJ is not currently in the Olympics — but here's why, what efforts are underway, and what needs to happen for it to get there.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
10 BJJ Training Tips That Actually Make a Difference
Practical advice for accelerating your BJJ development — from training habits and mindset to sparring strategy and injury prevention.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
How Long Does It Take to Get a Blue Belt in BJJ?
What to expect on the road to your first BJJ promotion — realistic timelines, what instructors look for, and why the wait is worth it.
- Igor Zanella··6 min read
Gi vs No-Gi BJJ: Key Differences & Which to Start With
A practical comparison of gi and no-gi BJJ — how they differ in technique, pace, and culture, and which one makes more sense to start with.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
Is BJJ Good for Self-Defense? An Honest Assessment
A realistic look at how well BJJ translates to real self-defense situations — what it does well, where its limits are, and what to supplement it with.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
BJJ for Beginners: What to Expect in Your First Year
A realistic guide to your first year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — what to expect, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to progress faster.
- Igor Zanella··5 min read
What Is Grappling? BJJ vs Wrestling vs MMA Explained
A clear explanation of what grappling is, how it differs from striking, and how BJJ, wrestling, judo, and sambo fit into the grappling landscape.
- Igor Zanella··4 min read
How Long Does It Take to Get a Black Belt in BJJ?
The honest answer on BJJ black belt timelines — average years, what affects your pace, and why it takes longer than almost any other martial art.
- Igor Zanella··8 min read
IBJJF Weight Classes: Complete Guide for Gi & No-Gi
Every IBJJF weight class for adults and masters, in both gi and no-gi. Includes absolute division info and how to pick the right category.
- Igor Zanella··7 min read
How to Find a BJJ Gym: What to Look For and What to Avoid
A practical guide to finding the right BJJ gym — what matters in an academy, red flags to watch for, and how to evaluate a school before committing.
- Igor Zanella··7 min read
BJJ Belts in Order: Jiu-Jitsu Belt Ranks, Stripes & Requirements
The BJJ belt order from white to red belt: every jiu-jitsu rank, what the stripes mean, IBJJF minimum ages and times, and how long each belt takes.