Should You Compete in BJJ? What I've Learned from 20+ Years on the Mats
For some, the idea of competing at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament gets them hyped up. For others, the very thought of a BJJ competition can paralyze them with anxiety. I wholeheartedly believe that everyone's journey in BJJ is their own. And while some people may choose not to compete, for those who do, I believe it can be an important tool for personal and athletic growth.
Before dealing with some injuries over the past few years, I competed frequently—probably losing more than I've won—at every belt level. It never got easier, but it did provide me with incredibly valuable insights for my own development as a practitioner and as an instructor. Here is what I've learned about why BJJ competition matters.
Why Compete in BJJ? 5 Benefits of Testing Your Skills
1. Competing Reveals What You Actually Know
In every BJJ training environment, positional and free sparring are crucial because they allow us to test our skills against a resisting partner. The outcome gives us feedback about how well we are executing techniques and what we can do better.
In a similar way, competing in BJJ takes this further. It allows you to test your skills against unknown opponents in a more stressful setting. It requires greater focus, strategizing, and fitness. The outcome becomes useful data on whether you are implementing the right techniques in the right situations.
2. Competition Builds Mental Toughness and Resilience
Just like so many aspects of life, your Jiu-Jitsu is a work in progress. This is a big reason why I find it so useful to compete. BJJ competition teaches you:
How to pursue challenges even when you're uncomfortable
How to maintain self-control under pressure
How to display grit when you want to quit
How to reflect on success and failure constructively
These are mental toughness skills that serve everyone well on and off the mats.
3. You Learn More from Losses Than Wins
While no one likes to lose, as Malcolm Forbes said: "Failure is success if you learn from it." Just like with sparring, the outcome of competing is useful data collection. Every loss reveals a hole in your game. Every mistake becomes a lesson. The students who improve fastest are the ones who treat losing in BJJ competitions as feedback, not failure.
4. Competition Accelerates BJJ Growth
When you prepare for a tournament, your training sharpens. You address weaknesses. You study opponents. You push past plateaus. This is why competing in Jiu Jitsu can accelerate your development faster than months of casual rolling. The deadline of a competition date forces focus.
5. It Connects You to the Larger BJJ Community
Stepping onto the competition mat connects you with practitioners from other schools and backgrounds. You represent your gym. You build camaraderie with teammates who travel with you. You realize that BJJ tournaments are not just about winning—they're about shared struggle and growth.
Should You Compete in BJJ? My Advice as an Instructor
It's very important to me that I never ask something of my students that I haven't challenged myself with. And make no mistake: it is difficult to risk failure.
Competing is never a requirement in our program. But I recommend that all of my students put themselves out there at least once at every belt level. I'm proud of every time they do, because it isn't about winning or losing—it's about the opportunity for personal growth through BJJ.
So if you're interested in a new challenge, come try out a free class and start your journey.
