Quote Originally Posted by Nooomoto View Post
I trained and competed in BJJ for 6 years, I quit when UFC got popular, became to expensive and every Joe Shmoe in the street had advice. Anyway, in my experience it would serve you no good to be bigger/stronger on the mat. You'd end up bigger and stronger, but you'd also be slower and less flexible.

Technique is the way to go, technique will ALWAYS win over strength in BJJ. You cannot rely on strength, as there will always be someone stronger. Remember BJJ is about bypassing strength, using technique to circumvent how strong your opponent may be.

When I was training I was surely one of, if not the strongest guy at my dojo. My instructor, a meak little guy from Brazil, in his 40's, no real strength to speak of could have me tapping out in a couple minutes. To illustrate the point that I shouldn't be relying on my strength in BJJ matches he collar choked me like 50 times in a row, it took me that many times to figure it out.

I don't know what your training is like, but if it's the "new school" type of training where you learn everything quick and only work on the fundamentals, you'll be ok in the street, but at a competition you'd be at a disadvantage. You should find a master that knows the old school little tricks from the streets of Brazil, all the crazy shit that no one would ever think of, the things that seem needlessly complicated, but when executed leave everyone asking what happened.

Another thing to consider is having a clear mind. I don't know if you've ever used AAS before, but when I'm on cycle it takes me just a little longer to extrapolate complicated concepts of anything. A clear mind is essential in BJJ. You need to be able to think under stress. You need to be able to analyze the position you are in in relation to your opponent and vice-versa, and go over your options in regard to where you can go from here. Can you sweep? Reversal? Crank? Choke? Lock? Legs? Arms? Neck? Can you get his back? If he has your back, can you tap him out from here, or can you reverse it? BJJ is fighting for the thinking man and you need to think fast. AAS might hinder your ability to clearly assess the situation.

Sorry for the long post, just my thoughts on the matter.
bless your heart NoooMoto, you are right, kinda. its true that technique is all that really matters. but thats when your opponent doesnt know BJJ. now lets say you opponent knows everything you do. but hes stronger, faster and has more endurance. i can guarantee you that you will lose 9 times out of 10. perfect example is royce gracie vs matt hughes. royces "technique" is way better than matt's since matt hughes doesnt do traditional BJJ. and royce got smashed, granted that matt hughes' stand up is way better than royce's but according to mostly everything you hear about BJJ that shouldnt matter either. im a brown belt now and when the world championships come around next year in june im going to be a black belt. im going to have as many as 9, 10min fights in one afternoon. plus its going to be against a lot of the guys that i have watched, learned from and idolized for a long time and even since i started. and since i know that most of them are on something im going to do whatever it takes to win. because they are doing the exact same thing.