Well, the simple answer as to which is better between Judo vs. Jiu Jitsu depends on what you are looking for, but I’d say both. Each has advantages and disadvantages over the other so learn the two if you can. Cross-training the two will help you gain skills from either so that you’re in a good place to handle whatever circumstances comes your way.
For instance, as BJJ is more focused on ground tactics than stand up ones, a cross trainer would be able to use judo techniques and subdue their opponent (or at the very least score more points than them) in a BJJ tournament. For self-defense however, I would advise that one takes up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over judo. Judo has more rules (such as no grabbing legs) than BJJ and these rules may actually be ineffective during a street fight or any other adrenaline inducing occasions.
Also, keep in mind that you cannot learn either of these two overnight. You will need a lot of time, effort and repetition to ace either. For starters, I would advise you to commit to at least a year of training.
Judo vs. Jiu Jitsu: A Historic Rivalry
The two arts have had a long serving rivalry between them because they have quite a lot in common. This is because they both have roots from Japanese art of jujutsu (commonly referred to as jiu jitsu). BJJ evolved from judo and only involves a few changes to the art. Since watching people get thrown is exciting and attracts more viewership, people actually start to love BJJ more than they do judo. This necessitated some shift of tactics and rules in judo. For instance, in the past, judo was focused on newaza (ground grappling), tachi newaza (standing) and leg attacks. Nowadays, it’s more focused on throws in an attempt to align itself with modern interests and to claim back its fans.
Quick history of Judo
Judo was created by Dr. Jigoro Kano with the intent that it will be taught in schools and practiced as a sport. Ju jutsu was originally developed as a self-defense tactic for Samurais. The art relied on the use of weapons and hand-to-hand combat but, over the years, it has come to rely more on strikes, throws, restraining movements, and evasions. The traditional jujutsu tactics and styles were very aggressive and harsh on opponents such that they weren’t suited for sports competition. For this reason, Kano removed the dangerous moves in jujutsu to make judo safer.
Quick history of Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand was invented by a Gracie family in Brazil- most notably Helio Gracie. Helio’s father, Gastao Gracie helped a Kodokan judo master named Mitusyo Maeda with business in Brazil. As a result of this acquaintance, Maeda taught the art of judo to Gastao’s oldest son, Carlos, who in turn passed on the art to his siblings, including the youngest and frailest of them, Helio. Since judo favored the stronger and larger fighter it put Helio at a serious disadvantage. Thus he refined the art’s tactics by inventing moves that would give a weaker fighter leverage against their opponent and allow them to fight while on the ground. Other than leverage, the art teaches hip throws and strikes. It is this art developed by Helio that then came to be known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Takedowns
Nevertheless, judo still remains to be a superior takedown style.
BJJ teaches takedowns inspired by both wrestling and judo. Its goal is to submit or subdue your opponent so one must be able to get their opponent down on the ground and fight them from your back. For this reason, most of the training time will most probably be spent on the ground with an opponent. In fact BJJ sparring matches start on your knees or while sitting which is not like in a real fight where you’d expect the fighters to be standing. Some might describe this sparring element in BJJ as being overly mechanical and staged. This is actually the greatest disadvantage with BJJ because one doesn’t spend a lot of time learning how to take their opponent/attacker down (however, BJJ does teach some throws).
Famous Judo vs. BJJ Fights
Helio Gracie vs. Yukio Kato: September 6th, 1951
One of the most famous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs. Judo fights is one between BJJ’s founder, Helio Gracie and Yukio Kato, a fifth-degree black belt on September 6th, 1951 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fight was organized after Helio agreed to get into combat with the fighter by a Japanese emissary. Three Japanese judokas visited Brazil along with Yukio. The three were led by a champion of all Japanese champions named Masahiko Kimura and it is he who was initially supposed to fight Helio but because he weighed more than Helio, Yukio (who was almost the same size as Helio) fought in his place. It is said that Yukio dominated the early goings of the fight while Helio took the later stages and won.
Later, Yukio challenged Helio to a rematch which was held 23 days later in Pacaembu Gymnasium. Just like the first time, Helio won, while Yukio lay unconscious. This was however not after a rough struggle wherein he had to circumvent a choke from Yukio.
Helio Gracie vs. Masahiko Kimura: October 23rd, 1951
The other notable fight was between Masahiko Kimura and Helio Gracie on October 23rd, 1951 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just a month after the defeat of Yukio at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Kimura was a Japanese Champion and a renowned Judo fighter so the Japanese counted on him to win the contest. Moreover, as Kimura weighed forty to fifty more pounds than Helio, it seemed to be an obvious advantage against Helio and so people anticipated Helio’s defeat even more assuredly.
Coming to the ring, Kimura even boasted of the fact that he would knock down his opponent by a single throw. Kimura dominated the first few minutes into the match from a throwing perspective constantly throwing his opponent onto the floor. He then changed tactics and began to seek for submissions after realizing the throws weren’t keeping Helio stuck to the floor. By the twelfth minute, Helio had been rendered unconscious but he recuperated and kept fighting. Kimura shoulder-locked (ude garami) Helio at some point but Helio refused to submit and had his left arm broken instead. With this, his corner threw in the towel and Kimura was pronounced the winner. In this case, Judo art gave Kimura the win while BJJ was defeated (though it still gained some respect).
Other Famous Fights
Some other examples of famous fights include that between Royce Gracie and Remco Pardoel (where once again a Gracie gave the win to BJJ at the 1:31 minute in round one), Royce Gracie and Hidehiko Yoshida in 2003 (this time the bout was declared a draw) and that between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Pawel Nastula in 2005.
Similarities between Judo and Jiu Jitsu
- The arts share common techniques such as submission, throws and sweeps and grappling. Some of them include the sleeve choke, arm bar, leg locks, shoulder holds and triangle choke.
- Both martial arts boost one’s confidence
- Each practice offers physical and mental training
- Both are competitive as they involve two fighters fighting towards defeating the other and emerging the winner of the combat/contest.
- Judo and BJJ arts are relatively safe, as long as you follow proper technique and respect your (and your opponents) limits.
Differences between Judo vs. Jiu Jitsu
To an untrained eye, judo and BJJ may seem alike in many aspects. This is not surprising since the two martial arts share the same origins. Most of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submissions like Ezekiel and Arm Triangle actually originated from judo’s newaza skills. However, looking closer one may actually be able to notice their differences- because they actually exist. Below are some of the differences between the two;
Judo Rules
Judo concentrates more on standing while BJJ concentrates on ground fighting tactics to submit one’s opponents. The goal of Judo is to throw one’s opponent on the ground (this is known as ippon or one’s full point). Once this is achieved, one wins the match. Ippon can be achieved in any of these three ways:
- Throwing the opponent on their back
- Pinning them down for twenty minutes
- Arm locking or strangling your opponent
A typical judomatch starts from a standing position with the fighters situated at the center of the mat. The matches last for a period of only four minutes and if by the end of this time limit no ippon has been awarded, the fighter with more waza-ari (half point- these are scored when a fighter holds their opponent to the ground for twenty seconds or more) wins the match.
BJJ Rules
The primary goal of BJJ is to submit one’s opponent and to score more points than them before match-time runs out. Match time is usually between four and ten minutes depending on the belt class and the organization one plays for. The scoring system of BJJ is based on getting to a more dominant position than your opponent’s. Points are given for any of the following tactics and moves; throw (4 points), sweep (2 points), passing of the guard (3 points), knee mount (2 points), back mount (4 points) and lastly, full mount (4 points). Just like in Judo, the match starts with opponents standing at the center of the mat. However, a takedown doesn’t earn one a victory like it does in judo. Instead, one earns points. If there are no submissions by the time the time limit expires, the player with most points wins.
Uniforms
When comparing Judo vs. Jiu Jitsu in terms of uniform, they may look similar at first glance because they are both made of thicker fabric than that worn in Karate. However, the color of the uniforms is one of the major differences between the two martial arts. Judogis are conservatively either plain blue or white. BJJ gis could have several other colors such as grey, black and green. Moreover, the uniforms are designed quite differently just as the two arts’ goals are different. BJJ uniforms are designed with ground grappling in mind: they are designed in such a way that they conform to one’s body form (they are fitting). Judogis on the other hand are looser and longer than BJJ gis. Judogis are designed with throws in mind so they are loose enough to allow opponents to grip sleeves easily.
The other distinguishing factor about the uniforms is the fabric with which they are made. Most BJJ gis’ fabrics are heavier than judogis and have reinforced stitching for durability.
Strategic differences
Judo focuses on the throwing aspect and it is this which declares the winner while BJJ concentrates on ground tactics. Judo is about having a firm grip of your opponent, tipping them off balance and throwing them on their backs while BJJ focuses on getting one’s opponent to submit and subduing them on the ground. In most schools, training contests will begin on the ground for safety reasons and also so a trainee can sharpen their ground tactics. You must, however, keep in mind that tournaments begin from a standing position and so you shouldn’t neglect those tactics that will help you get your opponent to the ground in the first place.
The other difference is that Judo is an Olympic sport while BJJ is not really widely played as sport. Judo is also relatively cheaper to train in than BJJ.
Final Thoughts
Both judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have roots in Japanese jujutsu hence they have similar moves. Nevertheless, when comparing Judo vs. Jiu Jitsu, the two differ on many levels including their strategies, goals, rules, and uniforms. It is likely that you would choose one art over the other but trust me, as the arts are mutually beneficial, it would be best if you cross trained both to become a better fighter. At the end of the day, both martial arts are really interesting and cross-training in both may be an opportunity for you to form your own opinion on which is better than the other.