What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Today?

Discussions about the Present and Future of the Art

By: Robert Drysdale

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

“What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu today? The question, I hope, elicits the desired effect of leading the reader into reflection about jiu-jitsu and its definition. Since the word “today,” carries within it the implication that at some point in time, the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was something else entirely and may yet become something different still. What it was, is and what it is morphing into are the topics of a trilogy.” Following the success of Opening Closed Guard and The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Robert Drysdale urges us to think the current state of affairs in the jiu-jitsu world. In his own words, “are the gains superior to what is being lost?”
In this current work, the author continues his use of oral tradition to enrich these discussions and shed some light on where the art currently stands. Unlike his previous works however, the discussions (or “taidans” in Japanese) in this book have a freer flow to them and do not follow an interview format, but rather the format of an irregular conversation between two experts and aficionados of the gentle-art. These discussions are intermingled with chapters that give further sustenance to the observations highlighted in these conversations.
This book contains:

Prologue - An Unusual Taidan in the Afterlife Between Helio and Carlson Gracie
The Jiu-Jitsu Missionary – A Taidan With Fernando Soluço (pioneer of jiu-jitsu in Latin America)
What is the purpose of BJJ? Education or Entertainment?
A Soldier of Faith – A Taidan With Marcelo Siriema (IBJJF CEO)
Should We Teach Old or New Jiu-Jitsu?
A Master of The Heart and Mind – A Taidan With Paulo Rezende (coach to many world champions)
But is the Customer Always Right?
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants – A Taidan With Ryan Hall (UFC fighter)
Are Jiu-Jitsu Coaches Really Cult Leaders?
The Process of Never Ending Evolution – A Taidan With Ricardo De La Riva (BJJ guard pioneer)
Are Male Instructors Really Harassing Women?
Exporting a Tradition in Excellency – A Taidan With Bruno Bastos (coach to many world champions)
Should a Coach Prioritize Teaching the Individual or the Group?
Roots That Never Die – A Taidan With Vinicius Draculino (coach to many world champions)
Are Instructors Too Controlling? Loyalty and the Creonte Issue
The Heir to a Beautiful Tradition – A Taidan With Julio Cesar (coach to many world champions)
Why Loyalty to Peers Helps Train Better Fighters
Cracking The Code – A Taidan With Seth Daniels (Fight 2 Win promoter)
Why Loyalty is Educational and Breeds Healthier Citizens
Icarus – A Taidan With Fernando Terere (renowed BJJ fighter and coach)
What are Belts Good For? And The Meaning of a Black-Belt
Hard Work and Craftsmanship – A Taidan With Adam Wardziński (1st European to win the IBJJF Worlds)
Conclusion – Why do We Need Jiu-Jitsu?
Epilogue – The Rigors of Climbing
Bonus Material:
A Place to Learn Respect – A Taidan With Satoshi Ishii (judo Olympic gold-medalist)
Merit-City, Come Hell or High Water – A Taidan With Ben Askren (One FC champion)
Reflections on Jiu-Jitsu Rulesets – The IBJJF Ruleset; The ADCC Ruleset; The submission-only Ruleset

No Danaher?

I have read all three of Drysdale's books and find them fascinating. I find it telling that in the last book about modern jiu jitsu he chose to not include John Danaher. Sometimes exclusion is just as telling as inclusion. I respect the old school but also give credit where credit is due when it comes to the innovation brought to jiu jitsu by the ajj scene.

Book 3

The AI narrator is hard to listen to. I enjoy listening to Robert Drysdale’s work, but the work itself seems very frustrating talking still about the Fatta lineage and points made in his first two books. The author goes in to talk about AI and virtual reality taking over life today. It is not unnoticed that the book is narrated by AI and narrated poorly. Would recommend if you have read the previous two books. I wish I bought the book rather than audiobook.