Every mixed martial arts fighter strives to acquire powerful ground fighting abilities, as well as a challenging jiu-jitsu guard game. As a result, if he suddenly takes his opponent to the ground, he will overcome him without problems. Unfortunately, many MMA fighters fail to create a challenging offensive game from the ground up.
Guess what happens when an MMA fighter has a shaky BJJ guard? A soft guard will cause the MMA fighter to take many punches, which will cause him to lose the fight if he does not respond quickly. As a result, he must build a robust Brazilian jiu-jitsu guard to aid him in defending strikes while he is on the ground.
The striking features in MMA change the way a fighter approaches the guard position. In this mixed martial arts game, you must master the skill of managing space between yourself and your opponent to protect yourself from receiving strikes.
Without further delay, Please find below a comprehensive list of the most excellent BJJ guards in MMA competitions. In addition, we’ve compiled some interesting information regarding Brazilian jiu-jitsu guards that can be applied in mixed martial arts.
Shawn Williams Guard
The Shawn Williams guard is a fantastic guard in mixed martial arts. It’s considered one of the most efficient guard positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu that combines closed guard and rubber guard.
What is the Shawn Williams guard? The Shawn Williams guard is a hybrid closed guard in BJJ martial arts. Indeed, it can be a mix of two robust guards, the closed and the rubber guard, which work together to provide maximum protection for BJJ and MMA players.
N.B: The Shawn Williams guard may need a certain amount of flexibility to play correctly. Otherwise, it requires efficient use of your hips and legs to maintain control over your opponent.
What does Shawn Williams guard has to offer? The Shawn Williams guard is in an excellent position for exerting dominance over any opponent. Otherwise, it provides its players with access to some incredible sweeps and submissions, including armlocks, shoulder locks, and similar techniques.
How to use the Shawn Williams guard in MMA? The Shawn Williams is appropriate for MMA fighters flat on their backs on the ground while their opponents kneel and throw punches at them. As a result, they will control the upper opponent’s body. Then, they get access to sweeps and submission while protecting themself from receiving strikes.
50/50 Guard
The 50/50 guard is another excellent guard for MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters. It’s considered one of the most efficient advanced guard positions in BJJ martial arts.
What is the 50/50 guard? The 50/50 guard occurs when one player’s leg wraps around the leg of another player on the same side. As a result, both players have equally the same chance to process submissions and sweeps.
What does the 50/50 guard offer? The 50 50 guard is a fantastic position in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. It gives its players access to magnificent attacks, such as leg locks and other comparable submissions.
How to use the 50/50 guard in MMA? The 50/50 guard provides an MMA fighter with the same striking opportunities as his opponent. Otherwise, it is often achievable from the ground while you’re seated position.
Related: Discover the most economical and low-cost Jiu-Jitsu gis for budget-conscious practitioners. Whether you’re just starting out or have been training for a while, this article will help you pick a comfortable, durable, and superb cheap gi.
Rubber Guard
The rubber guard is another excellent BJJ guard for MMA. It’s one of the most sophisticated guards that require a high level of flexibility. However, it gives its players many effective submissions such as the triangle choke, gogoplata, carni shoulder lock, etc.
What is the rubber guard? The rubber guard is a kind of high guard in BJJ martial arts. It can be achievable from the traditional closed guard as well as from the Shawn Williams guard.
N.B: The rubber guard needs a certain amount of flexibility to be played correctly. Otherwise, it requires efficient use of your legs and hips to maintain high control over your opponent.
What does the rubber guard offer? The rubber guard is a fantastic stance for establishing domination over any opponent, even against experienced fighters. It otherwise gives its players access to spectacular attacks, such as shoulder locks, armlocks, and other comparable submissions.
How to use the rubber guard in MMA? The rubber guard may be perfect for MMA fighters on the ground while their opponents face them and attempt to deliver punches.
But, to use this guard properly, they need to operate their hands, hips, and legs correctly to get access to the opponent’s upper body. Then, they will exert dominance by undesirable control that leads them to process a triangle choke or other suitable submission.
Closed Guard
The closed guard is one of the most fundamental and challenging guards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is an excellent guard, particularly for beginners and advanced fighters, since they will acquire many sweeps, submissions, and beautiful transitions.
Otherwise, many athletes have tested the efficiency of this guard type in top BJJ tournaments, including Demian Maia, Sergio Penha, and others.
What is the closed guard? The full guard, often known as the closed guard, is one of the most fundamental positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. It occurs when the bottom player utilizes both legs to wrap around their opponent in this guard version.
What does the closed guard offer? The closed guard is an excellent position for gaining dominance over any opponent, especially against more experienced fighters. Otherwise, it provides its players with access to spectacular strikes like chokes, armlocks, and other such submissions.
How to use the closed guard in MMA? The closed guard may be the best option if MMA fighters maintain a comfortable space between themselves and their opponents. However, if not, the fighter will suffer significant damage due to the many punches delivered by his opponent.
Although to successfully employ the closed guard, they must use their hands, hips, and legs properly to close distances and set up rigid control over their opponents. Then they will impose domination by unpleasant authority, which will drive them to process a triangle choke or other pleasant submission.
Recommended: This comprehensive article will teach you everything you need to know about the closed guard in BJJ. It explains the full guard posture and some effective attacks and sweeps to help defeat your many opponents.
Butterfly Guard
The butterfly guard is another guard that can be applied in MMA. It’s one of the best sweeping guards in Brazilian jiu-jitsu against a kneeling opponent. Many athletes have used this guard type in BJJ, including Marcelo Garcia, to build up spectacular sweeps and submissions.
What does the butterfly guard represent in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? The butterfly guard is a kind of seated guard in BJJ martial arts. Nevertheless, the butterfly guard player uses his shins and legs to manipulate his opponent.
How to use the butterfly guard in MMA? The butterfly guard is a fantastic sweeping position that may also be used to reach leg locks if done correctly. Additionally, MMA fighters may use the butterfly guard when they are on the ground while their opponents are kneeling and attempting to point punches at them.
Related: Stylish your Brazilian jiu-jitsu training with the best rashguards on the market. This post walks you through selecting the most pleasing rashguard t-shirts for BJJ.
Final Thoughts
The guard is an important position in the BJJ martial arts because it demonstrates the player’s ability on the mat. However, it has less importance in mixed martial arts because most MMA fighters finish the fight using their exceptional skills.
As previously said, specific fantastic BJJ guards, like the Shawn Williams guard, the 50/50 guard, the rubber guard, and others, may be employed in mixed martial arts.
But, first and foremost, the MMA fighter must learn the usage of those jiu-jitsu guards while being exposed to the danger of being punched. And, when that occurs, the MMA fighter will arrive in time to correctly manage space and dominate their opponents with suitable submission.
I hope that the information above will be helpful to you in your search for the best jiu-jitsu guard for MMA. Then, to witness the difference for yourself, put them through the test during your next MMA training session.
Don’t be afraid to express yourself; what are your thoughts on the MMA guards featured above? Should I include or exclude any guard from this list?
Related: Whether a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, knowing how to attack and defend from various jiu-jitsu positions is essential for taking your BJJ game to the next level. I wrote an article that comprehensively lists the fundamental BJJ positions you should know. Click here to learn more!
