Gi BJJ and no-gi BJJ are both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but the uniform changes everything: the grips available, the pace of rolling, the submissions that work, and the competitions you can enter. In gi you wear a kimono and fight for collar, sleeve, and lapel grips. In no-gi you wear a rash guard and rely on body locks, underhooks, and wrist control.
The core difference between gi and no-gi BJJ is the training uniform and the grip options it creates. Gi training uses a traditional kimono (gi) and belt, which opens up a wide range of cloth-based attacks including collar chokes, sleeve sweeps, and lapel guard systems. No-gi training uses a rash guard and shorts, removing all fabric grips and shifting control to underhooks, body locks, and wrestling-based tie-ups. Both are valid paths to high-level BJJ, and most serious practitioners train in both formats at different points in their development.
If you are new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, understanding this distinction will help you choose the right classes when you start, prepare the correct gear for training in Thailand, and select the right competition format when you are ready to compete.
Side by Side
| Factor | Gi BJJ | No-Gi BJJ |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform | Cotton kimono (gi) with a rank belt | Rash guard with shorts or compression spats |
| Grips | Collar, sleeve, lapel, and trouser grips | Underhooks, overhooks, wrist ties, body locks |
| Pace | Slower and more methodical due to grip friction | Faster with more frequent scrambles |
| Submissions | Full library plus collar chokes (cross collar, loop, Ezekiel, baseball bat) | Full library minus gi-dependent chokes; heel hooks more prominent |
| Guard Systems | Spider guard, lasso, worm guard, squid guard (gi-dependent) | Butterfly, single leg X, body lock guard, leg entanglements |
| Takedowns | Judo-based throws, grip-dependent trips and sweeps | Wrestling shots, body lock takedowns, snap-downs |
| Main Competition | IBJJF Worlds, SJJIF, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ADCC Submission Wrestling Worlds, IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, CJI |
| Scoring System | IBJJF points: takedown 2, guard pass 3, mount/back 4 | ADCC: submission-only first half, points second half |
| Thailand Climate | Warm; lightweight gi recommended for tropical heat | Suited to hot weather; rash guard and shorts stay cool |
| Good for Beginners? | Yes. Slower pace aids position learning; grips provide feedback | Yes. More intuitive movement; less equipment to buy initially |
The gi is a two-piece cotton uniform consisting of a jacket (kimono top) and trousers, held closed with a belt that indicates your rank. The fabric has a specific weave designed to withstand repeated gripping, pulling, and throwing. Standard gi weights range from around 350 grams per square metre (GSM) for lightweight competition cuts up to 550 GSM or more for heavy training gis. If you plan to train in Thailand, a 350 to 420 GSM gi is far more manageable in tropical conditions than a thick heavyweight gi. For a full guide to choosing the right kimono, see our BJJ gi buying guide.
The kimono creates friction. When you grab a collar or a sleeve, you can control your partner's posture, force their weight in a specific direction, and set up techniques that would be impossible without that anchor point. This is why gi rolling tends to be slower and more position-focused. Neither partner can simply slide out of control the way they might without fabric to grip.
The gi unlocks an entire category of technique unavailable in any other grappling format. Collar chokes form a large part of this. The cross collar choke applies pressure across the carotid arteries using two collar grips. The loop choke traps the head and arm using a single collar grip and a rotation of the wrist. The baseball bat choke creates a similar strangle from a position on top, and the Ezekiel choke (estrangulamento de Ezequiel in Portuguese) applies pressure using the sleeve cuff from inside the opponent's guard. None of these exist in no-gi.
Beyond chokes, gi grips enable guard systems with significant mechanical leverage. Spider guard uses the feet on the biceps combined with sleeve grips to control posture and sweep. Lasso guard wraps a sleeve grip around the leg to prevent passing. Worm guard, popularised by Keenan Cornelius, uses a complex lapel wrap to create a nearly inescapable control. These systems reward dedicated technical investment and remain relevant at the highest levels of IBJJF competition.
Gi training has strong historical overlap with judo (judô), given that BJJ developed from Kodokan judo brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda in the early twentieth century. Collar-and-sleeve gripping for uchi mata (inner thigh throw), o-goshi (major hip throw), and ko-uchi-gari (minor inner reap) feels natural in a gi context. Foot sweeps and trips timed to grip breaks are also commonly drilled. IBJJF rules award two points for a successful takedown that lands your partner on their back and you on top with control.
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) runs the largest structured gi competition circuit, including the World Championships held annually in Long Beach, California. The SJJIF (Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation) also sanctions gi events internationally. IBJJF gi divisions span white through black belt across multiple weight categories and age groups. Rules allow advantages (near-submissions, near-sweeps) as tiebreakers after regulation time.
No-gi training uses a rash guard on top and either board shorts, no-gi shorts, or compression spats on the bottom. Some practitioners wear both shorts over spats. The rash guard reduces friction on the skin, protects against mat burns, and helps maintain hygiene on the mat. Unlike the gi, there is no fabric to grip. Your training partner is effectively wearing lycra, which means any grip attempt on the clothing fails immediately. Control must come entirely from body-to-body contact.
For gear recommendations see our rash guard guide.
Without collar or sleeve grips, no-gi grappling relies on a different set of controls. An underhook is the most fundamental no-gi control point, achieved by driving your arm under your partner's arm and across their back to control their posture. Overhooks (also called a whizzer) work in the opposite direction. Wrist ties control arm extension and prevent shots and clinches. The body lock (locking both arms around the torso) is a dominant wrestling clinch used for takedowns and ground control.
Because fabric cannot be gripped, top control relies more on creating pressure through body weight positioning rather than holding clothing in place. This makes no-gi feel more athletic and reactive. Escapes happen faster, and if your body mechanics are off, control will not hold.
Leg lock grappling has developed most rapidly in no-gi, driven primarily by ADCC competition rules, which permit heel hooks, toe holds, calf slicers, and knee bars at all levels. The inside heel hook and outside heel hook have become defining weapons of elite no-gi competition. Leg lock systems such as the saddle position (ashi garami) and inside sankaku (inside triangle) allow practitioners to attack multiple leg submissions from a single entanglement.
IBJJF gi rules are considerably more conservative on leg attacks. Straight ankle locks are legal from white belt, knee bars from brown belt, and heel hooks are only legal at brown and black belt in no-gi IBJJF divisions. If your goal is to develop an advanced leg lock game, no-gi training under a coach experienced in leg entanglement systems is the most direct path.
The Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Wrestling World Championship is the premier no-gi grappling competition. It operates on a distinctive scoring system where the first portion of each match is submission-only (no points), followed by a second period in which a narrow set of positional points are available. This format rewards aggressive submission hunting over conservative point-scoring. ADCC runs an extensive qualification circuit through ADCC Open events held worldwide, including in Asia.
The IBJJF No-Gi World Championship uses standard IBJJF points rules without gi-specific submissions. Combat Jiu-Jitsu International (CJI) uses an open palm strike rule on the ground, adding a self-defence dimension to no-gi grappling.
Gi training suits you if you want to develop a deep, technical guard game with a wide submission library. The methodical pace makes it ideal for beginners building positional awareness. If you plan to compete under IBJJF rules, regular gi training is essential. Many practitioners also appreciate the tradition and culture attached to gi training, including the belt progression system which provides a structured milestone framework.
Gi training is particularly valuable if you:
No-gi training suits you if you train primarily for MMA, want to compete at ADCC, prefer faster-paced rolling, or simply find the tropical heat of Thailand makes wearing a heavy cotton kimono impractical. No-gi gear is also cheaper to start with. You need one or two rash guards and a pair of shorts rather than one or more gis at 100 USD or more each.
No-gi training is particularly valuable if you:
Most established BJJ gyms in Thailand run both gi and no-gi sessions throughout the week. The split varies by academy, with some weighting toward no-gi due to the climate and the popularity of MMA in cities like Bangkok and Phuket. In Chiang Mai, gyms typically offer a balanced schedule with dedicated gi mornings and no-gi evenings, though you should confirm current class times directly with the gym.
If you are visiting Thailand for a training trip, bring both gi and no-gi gear. A lightweight gi in the 350 to 420 GSM range is significantly more bearable than a thick training gi in humid, warm conditions. Pair it with two or three rash guards and a set of no-gi shorts for maximum schedule flexibility. Avoid synthetic blend gis marketed as "cool weave" that do not meet IBJJF fit requirements if you plan to enter competitions during your trip.
Thailand hosts regular BJJ competitions throughout the year, with events in Bangkok attracting regional competitors from across South-East Asia. Both gi and no-gi divisions typically run at these events, with brackets for white belt through black belt and multiple weight classes. Confirm event details through the organising academy or relevant Thai BJJ association pages before travelling.
FAQ
Whether you choose gi, no-gi, or both, the most important step is finding the right gym. Explore our city guides to find BJJ classes near you in Thailand.
