The biggest transformation in jiu-jitsu in the last decade came thanks to the work of John Danaher. Many believe he revolutionized the leg lock game and created a complete scholarly system of bjj allowing for a brand new generation of grapplers.
Danaher has many famous students including Georges St-Pierre, Garry Tonon, Gordon Ryan and more.
As the date of UFC 280 nears many are considering the rivalry between sambo and bjj. Khabib stepped onto the scene dissing bjj a long time ago but has since found a middle ground of not underestimating bjj thanks to his closeness to team Renzo Gracie.
Ahead of Makhachev clash with Charles Oliveira it’s once again pertinent to know what exactly the difference between sambo and bjj is. And while sambo ground work is akin to bjj it can be said that it favors top control.
Danaher told Lex Friedman:
“He [Khabib Nurmagomedov] beat people from every style. He bet wrestlers, he beat jiu-jitsu players, he beat kickboxers, and he controlled them all in the same way.”
“He has a very underrated bottom game. People think that he’s all about stifling top control. But people forget he was taken down on several occasions. He showed excellent guard work from the bottom. He was able to get into submission holds on opponents from bottom position.”
Khabib has also bragged about Makhachev being able to control and even submit ADCC winners.
And while Khabib was too shy to name names he’s likely talking about Absolute ADCC 2021 winner Yuri Simoes who has had an unfortunate time in MMA after back to back decision losses at ONE FC.
“They tap when when they grapple with Islam. I see 88 kilo 99 kilo 77 kilo – I don’t want to say name but they tap – ADCC world champion, you know, and and it’s gonna be big dream fight versus Charles Oliveira in Brazil, finish them on the ground. ”
“Take this belt and go home. I’m okay if they I hear like Charles Oliveira coaches say, Okay, come to Brazil. Fine, no problem, send us location. ”
“We’re gonna come to Brazil. Islam gonna write Charles Oliveira like his horse. We’re gonna take this belt. We’re gonna show them. If somebody was easy, it would be called jujitsu and we’re gonna go on with the belt.”
Through a bit of online sleuthing we discovered that former ADCC gold medalist Yuri Simeoes spent time at AKA working on his MMA.
