alright lets have this debate because its 2026 and the landscape has shifted massively.
the case for nogi taking over:
- ADCC is the most prestigious grappling event in the world and its nogi
- Gordon Ryan, the consensus GOAT, trains almost exclusively nogi
- most high-level competitions are trending nogi (WNO, CJI, etc)
- the meta has evolved — heel hooks, leg locks, body locks, wrestling-heavy entries — all nogi-centric
- MMA crossover is 100% nogi. if you want your jiu jitsu to work in a fight, train nogi
- newer grapplers are starting nogi first which was unheard of 10 years ago
the case for gi still mattering:
- the gi teaches you to be technical and precise. you cant just explode out of things
- collar chokes, lapel guards, spider guard — these are entire systems that only exist in gi
- IBJJF is still the biggest tournament organization by participation numbers
- for self defense, most people are wearing clothes. the gi simulates grabbing a jacket or shirt
- gi develops better grip strength and grip fighting which translates to nogi
- most traditional academies still emphasize gi and thats where most people start
my take: train both but if i had to pick one in 2026 its nogi. the competitive landscape, the rule sets, the athlete development — its all trending nogi. but saying gi is dead is ignorant. some of the most technical grapplers in the world still compete in gi.
what are the DFW gyms doing? feels like most places here offer both but the nogi classes are getting more packed than they were even 2 years ago.
hard disagree. i train both and my gi game makes my nogi better. when i go to nogi class i have collar tie and wrist control instincts that pure nogi guys dont have because i learned them in the gi first