BJJ Guard Players: One of the hardest, if not the hardest, parts of Jiu-Jitsu to learn is the guard. Honing your guard will increase your skills in other areas of the game in BJJ, where progress is a never-ending goal. It lets you nullify the opponent’s attacks as you create space and attack with a variety of submissions, preventing them from moving into a dominant position. Even though it is a fundamental talent that is taught from the beginning, perfecting it requires patience and time. You should watch these 11 of the top guard players in BJJ.
The Top 11 BJJ Guard Players
Outstanding guard players from gi and no-gi grappling are included on the list. BJJ has really improved and is always evolving, and this has also been true of the techniques, notably with the guard. The majority of grapplers on the list are contemporary, although it does not negate the achievements of the wrestlers who came before them. The finest guard players are listed here for you to emulate.
1) Roger Gracie
Roger Gracie, who many people regard to be the BJJ GOAT, ranks first on the list. In the top levels of competition, Roger is renowned for his dominance utilising his unmatched technical knowledge and what grapplers refer to as the “fundamentals.” According to John Danaher, Roger is the best because of the simultaneous operation of proactive and reactive elements in his strategy. A proactive strategy is when you move first against your opponent. A reactive strategy is when you wait for your opponent to move before responding to them.
While there are many things you can pick up from Roger, you may start by imitating the closed guard Roger uses to subdue his opponents.
2) Gordon Ryan
The GOAT of no-gi grappling is regarded as Gordon Ryan. Gordon is also recognised for playing several open guard positions, particularly the butterfly guard, which he used to do his signature shoulder crunch sweep. Additionally, he is an expert user of the De La Riva, reverse DLR, X guard, and single-leg X guard.
Studying the open guard is an important skill that any grappler should have since it enables you to improve other facets of your game including wrestling up, sweeps, and entrance to leg attacks.
Many people characterise Gordon’s grappling as casual, at times even appearing sloppy. This is a result of the hundreds or even thousands of times he has performed the most typical scenarios in the gym. He is a risky opponent for anyone, regardless of size, due to his efficiency and technical skill.
You might also be interested in reading this: How To Use The Kimura Trap in BJJ?
3) Marcelo Garcia
Marcelo Garcia, an IBJJF and ADCC champion on several occasions. One of the most important figures in modern BJJ, he popularised techniques including the X guard, the single leg X, the high elbow guillotines, and arm drags to back takes. His method was a major influence on modern submission grappling. Any grappling ruleset may employ Marcelo’s open guard, which is incredibly versatile.
4) Mikey Musumeci
The ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion right now is Mikey Musumeci. His impenetrable guard, which he employs to assault and use leg attacks, is well recognised. Along with his other outstanding accomplishments, such as signing up for stronger classes while weighing just 135 lbs., he owns the IBJJF record for the fastest submission.
Mikey has a special talent from God that allows him to view jiu-jitsu in a new way. He made a significant technical contribution to our sport with the “Mikey Lock,” a nasty leg submission. He is admired all around the globe for his ability and modesty both on and off the mats.
5) Craig Jones
Craig Jones is one of the finest athletes in the contemporary grappling world. He often uses the Z guard, SLX, X, and reverse X stances to perform his renowned leg locks. Since Craig is always becoming better, you can expect to see him employ a range of original strategies. If your plan of attack relies heavily on leg locks, you might want to start with Craig’s version of the Z guard.
6) Eddie Bravo
The inventor of the Rubber Guard and the creator of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is Eddie Bravo. He is renowned for defeating Royler Gracie in the biggest upset in the history of submission wrestling. For their unconventional style of grappling, particularly when utilising moves like the rubber guard, Eddie and 10th Planet JJ are well-known. This closed-guard variation alters the stance of the adversary while providing new striking opportunities.
7) Miyao Brothers
The Reverse De La Riva, De La Riva, and berimbolo back take are the foundation of Paulo and his brother Joao Miyao’s exceptional guard technique. The Miyao brothers’ style of playing the open guard is unquestionably worthwhile to learn because they are among the top athletes in contemporary basketball.
8) Xande Ribeiro
One of the founding members of Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu is Xande. He is a BJJ expert who is renowned for attacking from the closed guard with sweeps, submissions, and back takes. He also has a collar drag from the knee shield half guard that is quite difficult. One of the greatest defensive guards ever, his guard is the stuff of legends.
9) Keenan Cornelius
Keenan Cornelius is one of the top BJJ competitors currently active. He has a reputation for wearing a variety of lapel guards, such as the worm and squid guards. Despite Keenan’s bigger frame, his jiu-jitsu style is efficient and suitable for many body types. If you want to learn how to take advantage of your opponent’s gi, Keenan is your man.
10) Braulio Estima
One of the important BJJ figures of the 2000s is Braulio. In addition to creating the galaxy guard and being a master of the Estima lock alongside his brother Victor, Braulio possesses one of the finest closed and open guards in the sport. If you want to improve your general guard game, studying Braulio is one of the finest things you can do.
11) Romulo Barral
Romulo Barral, who was named the finest BJJ competitor ever in 2007 by Gracie Mag, possesses one of the open guards in the sport. He’s well renowned for playing the spider guard, which he employs to sweep opponents off their feet in a flash. His traditional method of grappling is truly a thing of beauty.
One of the finest ways to develop your jiu-jitsu is to see the top athletes play guard. Even though every grappler is different, studying the techniques of accomplished BJJ players will help you build your overall grappling style. Get to know the greatest of the best in BJJ by studying these names!
These are the Top 11 BJJ Guard Players. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
