Does Size Matter in Jiu-Jitsu: The Definitive Answer

Size matters. There, I said it. End of blog. Just kidding, but honestly, size does play a significant role in combat sports. It's a fact recognized across various sports, from football to basketball to baseball. Professional organizations meticulously consider size and weight when drafting athletes. This isn't a topic up for debate—the historical data is clear.

Size in Combat Sports: A Historical Perspective

In combat sports, the importance of size is even more pronounced. The very existence of weight divisions in boxing, MMA, and yes, jiu-jitsu, underscores this fact. Simply put, if size didn’t matter, we wouldn’t have weight divisions.

Take Gervonta "Tank" Davis, for instance. Despite his immense skill, Tank wouldn't stand a chance against a similarly skilled but much larger Canelo Alvarez. Tank himself acknowledged the impact of size when he included a rehydration clause in his fight contract with Ryan Garcia, limiting how much weight Garcia could regain after the official weigh-in. Why? Because Tank knows that size matters.

Skill vs. Size: The Gracie Phenomenon

However, the equation changes when there's a disparity in skill levels. Royce Gracie demonstrated this beautifully in the inaugural UFC 1. Gracie, armed with superior jiu-jitsu knowledge, defeated opponents of all sizes. His victories weren't just about size; they were about skill and knowledge. Gracie's performance cemented the marketing pitch for jiu-jitsu: "Learn jiu-jitsu and be able to defeat bigger, stronger opponents." This is true to an extent, especially if your opponent lacks jiu-jitsu knowledge.

But let’s not get carried away. People often cite Mikey Musumeci as an example of how technique can overcome size, claiming that he could defeat much larger opponents due to his exceptional skill. While this might be true for someone of Musumeci's caliber, it’s not a realistic expectation for the average jiu-jitsu hobbyist training a couple of times a week. Expecting to perform like Musumeci is akin to expecting to play golf like Tiger Woods after hitting the range once a week while Tiger is out there hitting thousands of balls daily under the watchful eyes of multiple coaches.

Why the Size Debate Matters

So, why is this debate important? Because many people are hard on themselves. They hear "technique conquers all" and feel like failures when they get crushed by bigger, stronger opponents at open mat sessions. If you’re slightly less experienced, it’s normal to struggle against larger opponents. Strength, endurance, athleticism, and age all play roles. It's not apples to apples.

The Path Forward: Technique and Strength

What’s the solution? First, sharpen your technique. While technique may not conquer all, good technique can overcome most challenges. Second, get stronger. As you age, your speed and endurance may decline, but strength can be maintained longer. This is often referred to as "old man strength." If you’re not already lifting weights, start now. Gain muscle mass in a healthy way. Everyone has genetic limits on size but focus on becoming as big and strong as you can be.

Once you've built strength, return to your technique. Some big guys don't know how to use their weight effectively—it's a skill in itself. Learn to use your new size and strength to create top pressure and break your opponent's will. Use your strength to create stronger frames when playing from the bottom.

Size and Strength: Necessary but Not Sufficient

While size and strength alone aren't enough to ensure success in fighting, they are crucial supplements to skill. Fighting, whether in MMA, boxing, or jiu-jitsu, is a skill akin to brain surgery or flying a plane. It requires dedicated training. The delusion that one can "see red" and fight effectively without training is just that—a delusion. Dedicate yourself to mastering the skill of fighting, and size and strength will enhance your effectiveness against similarly skilled but weaker opponents.

Respect for Bigger Fighters

Let’s also give respect to larger fighters. It's easy to dismiss someone’s jiu-jitsu prowess by attributing it to their size and strength. But remember, some of the best and most technical jiu-jitsu practitioners are also among the biggest, like Roger Gracie and Gordon Ryan. They would dominate most opponents regardless of size. However, most readers aren’t Roger Gracie or Gordon Ryan. Focus on mastering your craft and supplementing your skills with size and power. You can’t go wrong.

Final Thoughts

So, does size matter in jiu-jitsu? Absolutely. But it’s not the only thing that matters. Skill, technique, and strength together create a formidable fighter. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll see Craig Jones submit Gabby Garcia at the Craig Jones Invitational, and I’ll reserve the right to change my opinion.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Do you think size and strength matter in jiu-jitsu?