Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Sucks (for the Other Person)
“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sucks!” I gasped as I heard this coming from my own student, as I turned around seeing the red dissipate from his face. I knew he was on the business end of a tight choke. “Ahh—you mean it sucks to be on the receiving end!” I said. His voice, with 100% certainty, and enthusiastically exclaimed, “Absolutely.” I knew what he meant! I’ve been on the receiving end numerous times myself. No matter how many belts you earn or hours you log, BJJ has a funny way of humbling everyone—even those who’ve been training for years.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has exploded in popularity over the past two decades, and it’s no surprise why. It’s strategic, efficient, and humbling—but not for the person using it. For the other guy, the one caught in the choke or armbar, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu absolutely sucks. In a fight, a street altercation, or even in controlled sparring, BJJ is designed to leave your opponent with zero options.
At Hanover Boxing Club, we respect all martial arts—but BJJ brings a special kind of pain… for the other guy. If you're looking to dominate your opponent with control, finesse, and undeniable leverage, then it's time to understand what makes this art so effective—and so miserable for the person on the receiving end.
1. Helplessness: You Can't Muscle Your Way Out of a Choke
Unlike striking disciplines like boxing or Muay Thai, BJJ doesn’t care how big or strong your opponent is. A 160-pound grappler who knows how to use leverage and positioning can easily submit someone 50 pounds heavier.
That means once someone is caught in a rear-naked choke or triangle, it’s game over. There’s no brute strength that saves you. You're not thinking about counter-attacks or comebacks—you’re thinking about survival. That’s the beauty (and the agony) of BJJ.
Why it sucks for them: Being choked without a way out is a terrifying experience. It forces even the most aggressive fighters to tap—or nap.
2. There’s No Space to Breathe—Literally and Figuratively
Claustrophobia is a real thing in BJJ. Being mounted or smothered by someone who knows how to apply pressure from top control is a special kind of misery. This isn't just a cardio test; it’s a psychological battle.
Whether it’s side control, full mount, or a crushing top half-guard, BJJ practitioners specialize in making opponents feel like they’re drowning on dry land. You can't move, can't breathe, and can't think straight.
Why it sucks for them: There's no room to panic—but you'll panic anyway. And once that happens, mistakes multiply fast.
3. BJJ Punishes Every Mistake—Immediately
In boxing, a dropped guard might cost you a jab. In BJJ, one wrong move could cost you a limb. BJJ is a chess match where every misstep is capitalized on. Turn the wrong way, and your back is taken. Leave your arm out, and it’s hyperextended.
The higher the skill level, the less room for error there is. The person on the receiving end of a BJJ match finds this out quickly. What looks like a minor slip turns into a fight-ending submission in seconds.
Why it sucks for them: There's no such thing as a harmless mistake. Everything you do—every grip, every angle—can be used against you.
4. The Submissions Are Not The Worst Part—the Control Is
People fear armbars, kimuras, and chokes, but those are just the endgame. What truly drains the soul in BJJ is how controlled you feel. Before the submission, there’s a systematic dismantling of your defense. The other person dictates where you move, how fast, and whether you can escape.
A skilled BJJ practitioner doesn’t need to submit you immediately. They’ll wear you out, flatten you, and keep you pinned for minutes while they slowly advance positions. It’s like getting slowly suffocated by a python—while the crowd watches.
Why it sucks for them: Being physically dominated while helpless to move is humbling… if not humiliating.
5. BJJ Teaches You to Break Someone—Without Throwing a Punch
Here’s the kicker: BJJ doesn't need strikes to ruin your opponent’s day. That’s why it’s perfect for self-defense, MMA, and law enforcement. You can completely disable a threat without causing lasting physical damage—unless you want to.
At Hanover Boxing Club, we teach a hybrid philosophy. Boxing trains your reflexes, footwork, and striking precision. BJJ teaches you what to do when the fight hits the ground. Combine them, and you become unstoppable.
Why it sucks for them: BJJ lets you dominate someone without throwing a single punch—and they know there’s nothing they can do about it.
6. It’s Not Just Physical—It’s Mental Warfare
What makes BJJ truly brutal for the opponent is how mentally taxing it is. Every position, every grip, every escape requires calculation. If you're untrained, your brain will shut down from the overload. If you're trained but outmatched, the psychological weight of being dominated is real.
You’re not just trying to survive physically; you’re constantly questioning every move you make. Meanwhile, your opponent is three moves ahead, cool as ice.
Why it sucks for them: It’s like playing chess underwater, against someone who already knows how you think—and how you panic.
7. Tapping Out Isn’t Losing—But It Sure Feels Like It
BJJ has a built-in safety feature: the tap. When you tap, the submission stops. No one gets hurt. But even though tapping is smart, it still feels like defeat—especially when you’re tapping over and over in a roll.
That mental toll builds up fast. Getting submitted five times in five minutes by someone smaller than you? That sticks with you. It humbles egos fast—and kills the myth of size and strength being enough.
Why it sucks for them: You can tap out to avoid injury, but you can’t tap out of the lesson. BJJ exposes weaknesses, and it does it ruthlessly.
Why You Should Train BJJ at Hanover Boxing Club
Whether you're new to martial arts or already a striker, adding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to your toolkit changes everything. Here’s why training at Hanover Boxing Club gives you the upper hand:
- Experienced Coaches: Our certified instructors don’t just know BJJ—they live it. You’ll be learning from people who understand how to translate technique into real-world dominance.
- Smart Integration with Striking: As a boxing-first gym, we uniquely blend striking and grappling for the complete fighter experience.
- Supportive Culture: You’ll get pushed, not punished. We train hard, but we train smart—with safety, respect, and technical excellence at the core.
Ready to Be the One Who Makes BJJ Suck for Everyone Else?
It’s time to stop being the one who gets choked, controlled, and humbled. Whether you're preparing for MMA, looking to boost your self-defense, or just want to build confidence through martial arts, Hanover Boxing Club is where it starts.
👉 Call us now or stop by for your first FREE class.
👉 Start your BJJ journey today—and never be on the losing end again.
Hanover Boxing Club
📍 12 Carlisle Street, Hanover, Pa
📞 (410)596-5571
🌐 www.hanoverboxing.com
Train Smart. Train Tough. Train to Win.
