No-Gi BJJ vs Submission Grappling: What's the Difference?
No-Gi BJJ and Submission Grappling are often used interchangeably, but there are real differences. Learn what sets them apart at Kings Academy.
No-Gi BJJ and Submission Grappling: What's the Difference?
TWO NAMES, TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO GRAPPLING
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If you've spent any time researching grappling, you've probably come across the terms No-Gi BJJ and Submission Grappling used almost interchangeably. Both involve fighting for position on the ground, both aim for a submission, and both are trained without the traditional Gi. So are they actually the same thing, or is there a genuine difference? Here's a breakdown of where these two terms overlap, and where they genuinely differ.
What is No-Gi BJJ?
No-Gi BJJ is exactly what it sounds like: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trained without the traditional Gi (the woven cotton uniform used in classical BJJ). Instead, students train in a rashguard and grappling shorts.
Removing the Gi changes the game in a meaningful way. Traditional Gi BJJ relies heavily on grips on the fabric itself, collar chokes, sleeve control, and pant grabs that simply don't exist without a uniform to grab. No-Gi BJJ shifts the focus toward underhooks, overhooks, and wrestling-style control, since there's no cloth to hold onto. It's still fundamentally BJJ though, built on the same core positions, the same belt progression, and the same submission-based philosophy taught by the same coaches.
For a full comparison read our Gi vs NoGi article.
What is Submission Grappling?
Submission Grappling is a broader term. It describes any grappling-based system where the goal is to win through submission, rather than through a pin (as in wrestling) or a points-based scoring system alone. Submission Grappling isn't tied to one specific style. It draws from BJJ, catch wrestling, judo, and sambo, blending techniques from multiple grappling traditions into one system focused purely on effectiveness.
Where BJJ (Gi or No-Gi) follows a defined belt curriculum and set of rules rooted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specifically, Submission Grappling is more accurately described as a philosophy: use whatever works to secure a dominant position and finish the fight, regardless of which martial art it originally came from.
So Where's the Real Difference?
Think of it this way: No-Gi BJJ is a specific style within the broader world of Submission Grappling. Every No-Gi BJJ match is technically a form of submission grappling, but not every submission grappling match is BJJ specifically.
In practice, for most students training at a gym like Kings Academy, this distinction matters less day to day than you might expect. You'll be drilling many of the same positions, submissions, and escapes either way. The real difference tends to show up more in competition rules and terminology than in what you're actually doing on the mats during a normal class.
Why Train Without the Gi?
No-Gi and Submission Grappling training offer a few genuine benefits, whether you're doing it alongside Gi BJJ or as your main focus:
Faster pace. Without grips to slow exchanges down, No-Gi rounds tend to move quicker, with more scrambling and transitions.
More relevant for MMA. If your goal is eventually training MMA, No-Gi grappling translates far more directly, since there's no Gi to grab in a cage or ring.
Genuine self-defence relevance. In a real situation, nobody is wearing a Gi. Training grip-free control and submissions builds skills that map more directly onto self-defence scenarios.
A different technical challenge. Many students who've trained Gi BJJ for years find No-Gi genuinely humbling and refreshing, since some techniques that work well with grips need real adjustment without them.
Should You Train Gi, No-Gi, or Both?
There's no single right answer here. Many competitors and serious students train both, since each style sharpens different aspects of your game. Gi training builds patience, technical precision and grip strength. No-Gi training builds speed, scrambling ability and control without relying on fabric.
At Kings Academy, our BJJ program covers both Gi and No-Gi classes, so you can experience the differences firsthand and decide what fits your goals, whether that's competition, self-defence, fitness, or simply enjoying the art in all its forms.
This is what Chief Instructor has to say about training in Gi vs NoGi , 'Don't skip a class just because of what you have to wear. In the end, it's all Jiu Jitsu and the more mat time, the better you will get!'
Ready to Try It for Yourself?
The best way to understand the difference between No-Gi BJJ and Submission Grappling isn't to read about it, it's to get on the mats and feel it. Led by Elvis Sinosic, a genuine pioneer of Submission Grappling in Australia, our coaches will guide you through both styles at your own pace. Kings Academy has NoGi BJJ classes for ages 6 years and up. Check out our Kids and Adults BJJ programs.
Book your FREE 1 Week Trial today and experience Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gi or No-Gi, for yourself.
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BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU - BJJ
Kings Academy is the Premier Martial Arts Academy servicing Liverpool and South Western Sydney with classes in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).
