Fighting A BJJ World Champion After Only 5 Days Of Training

This is episode #4 of my TV show, The Tim Ferriss Experiment! The show is like MythBusters meets Jason Bourne. In every episode, I partner with the world’s best and most unorthodox teachers (e.g., Laird Hamilton, Marcelo Garcia, Stewart Copeland), who train me for a final gauntlet. Shocking breakthroughs, injuries, epiphanies, and disasters are all part of the journey. Along the way, I show you how to replicate results in an attempt to prove that “you don’t need to be superhuman to get superhuman results… you just need a better toolkit.”
I’ll be releasing all episodes of my TV show, The Tim Ferriss Experiment, on KZbin- for free. It was a maze to secure the rights, but now it’s done.
Make sure to subscribe to my KZbin channel to get notified of all upcoming episodes.
Enjoy!
Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 900 million downloads and been selected for “Best of Apple Podcasts” three years running.
Sign up for "5-Bullet Friday" (Tim's free weekly email newsletter): go.tim.blog/5-bullet-friday-yt/
Follow the Tim Ferriss Podcast: tim.blog/podcast/
Visit the Tim Ferriss Blog: tim.blog/
Follow Tim Ferriss on Twitter: / tferriss
Follow Tim Ferriss on Instagram: / timferriss
Like Tim Ferriss on Facebook: / timferriss
Photo by Timothy Eberly unsplash.com/photos/man-in-bl...

[@timferriss]

Want more of “The Tim Ferriss Experiment”? Here are all 13 episodes: I Learned To Play The Drums In 5 Days With No Experience: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHPNiHitoNGSqZI I Helped A Stranger Start Her Dream Business In 1 Week: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIutl5KYZ8d_brs I Hired A Pickup Artist To Help Me Find A Girlfriend: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aauzkmqYZtqkaqM Can I Beat A BJJ World Champion With 5 Days Of Training?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWbFg5ymfcieibM I Learned Filipino In 4 Days: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5y3nnSvhMSknKc Can I Beat A Pro Poker Player With 4 Days Of Training?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJDYhp6ghrCUo6s I Trained Like A Pro Golfer For 5 Days: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5DReJmDebmUeLc I Helped A 28-Year-Old Face Her Fear Of Open Water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmbVcpl4d85_Z9k I Learned How To Surf In 5 Days: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5DGkHl5ib1jnc0 I Learned Rally Racing In 5 Days: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnfQo4iHqNOpbZo I Learned To Shoot Guns Like John Wick In 5 Days: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmfchJVphZtno9k Learning Parkour From A Hollywood Stuntman (5-Day Challenge): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4S2nY15ebanl5Y I Hired A US Navy Seal Drill Sergeant To Kidnap Me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmq3q6eZi8ybmtk

[@michaelujkim]

I discovered jiujitsu after I found Tim. It actually convinced me that Tim’s approach of 80/20 doesn’t work all the time. There is no substitute to time. The faster you try to go, the less you learn and the more likely to quit.

[@beauchapman4155]

Amen brother. There is no substitute for mat time.

[@olegajitsu]

80-20 is something to get beginners starred. The final 20% is what takes 80% of the time.

[@joeking6972]

80/20 can be applied in a multitude of different ways. You only see MMA fighters using a handful of BJJ techniques for a reason.

[@RANDYFRANCISMMA]

I think you're right but are viewing it wrong. Aprox 70% (according to the source i looked up, up to 2017) of all the submission finishes in the ufc are accredited to only 3 submissions: the guillotine coke, the rear naked choke, and the armbar. So it would make sense to spend most of your time mastering those 3 before you mastered anything else if we're going by the data available to us and utilizing the 80/20 rule.

[@joeking6972]

@@RANDYFRANCISMMA exactly! There’s so much to learn in MMA(wrestling, Muay Thai, etc) spending too much time in one will rob you of proficiency in another

[@mrrussellsmusicaladventure5476]

What's amazing is that this video was made over 8 years ago, yet is still cutting edge today.

[@Nick-nb3iu]

I am loving that all of these episodes are on KZbin. Thank you, @Tim Ferriss!

[@imonsta]

10:10 = Bernardo Faria - HUGE HONOR FOR ME!

[@RonyRustico345]

🤣🤣

[@The8BitHero]

Oh man! I noticed him in another shot too. I was like oh shit is that who I think it is?

[@wesleymcdonald7617]

The insights one can extract from this episode are fantastic so it is helpful but the premise is a bit silly. I've trained Jits for 5 years and that brown belt was letting Tim work him... I know they state his opponent would leave openings but they should have made it VERY clear. He was allowing Tim to gulliotine him with minor resistance. Tim had a little experience coming in, one can tell, he had some nice transitions but the idea that a person can close that much of a gap in "technical fluidity" and experience between complete beginner and Brown belt in one week... Even with just one move, its' farfetched.

[@grademployment]

from what I remember Tim is quite proficient in wrestling. Also he has lived in Japan so I would not be surprised that he has some experience in Judo

[@micah4396]

Agreed

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@wesleymcdonald7617]

@SINdaBlock411 I think you've misunderstood. A few basic moves of Jitsu taught over a couple of sessions can offer a great advantage in self-defense against an untrained opponent. However, we're talking about the difference between a master who trained for years vs. a 1 week beginner. Mastering anything takes time.

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@wesleymcdonald7617 "master" ... at what exactly, getting back up after getting dragged down ... don't make me laugh ... that's like saying I can drive a car but I'll never be able to catch up to a Formula 1 or NASCAR driver ... guess what: NOBODY CARES about catching up to a professional car racer because if anything it would be DETRIMENTAL to you in real life since A) nobody is allowed to drive that fast on an open road to begin with, B) regular cars can't even drive that fast even if you were allowed and C) even if you were allowed and a regular car could drive that fast, you're only asking for self-deletion or an accident bound to happen ... jiu jitsu is no different, anything past blue belt will only get you killed because all that Musumeci fake ninja rolling garbage where you have to make it 7 or 8 steps to perform a single complex over-the-top submission ... you don't have time for that in a real fight, by the time you reach the 3rd step you have to start all over again because people don't play your stupid jiu jitsu game

[@alvarokoa]

Tim is the bravest man. Learn new skills and expose himself that much is brilliant

[@carolspencer6915]

Did one class last year here in Scotland, thinking back, was for me an excellent small sampling of doing truly NEW stuff! Building on Character to say the very least. Albeit tiny building blocks (one class) at time.😀 Just got super distracted by life's road blocks/dead ends and failed to have time/attention to commit to further experience at this said time. Good job indeed Mr Tim Ferriss. Grateful for you sharing your experience for sure. 💜

[@StRobertDaygame]

That's actually very good progress in just 5 days. Recognising a position and being able to at least attempt to go to it all the time

[@EliteteamMontereyJiujitsu]

I think I first watched this video when I was a white belt back in 2006 or 2007 I’m now a black belt. I appreciate these old videos. Thank you for posting this.

[@Rawdiswar]

How old were you when you started?

[@EliteteamMontereyJiujitsu]

@@Rawdiswar I was 19 and I got my bb at 29

[@arkalonalan]

Congratulations on your journey. Black don't come easy in bjj

[@Dhobby517]

@@EliteteamMontereyJiujitsuoss

[@marcusweaver9728]

Quickest way to learn BJJ is go to class 4-5 times a week for about 10 years. Change my mind.

[@ginonajiola4326]

Exactly

[@KaninTuzi]

I like your comment, but I actually think that you may grow faster doing fewer classes and systematically following instructionals. Or, if you could afford 1-on-1 teaching of course.

[@TombstoneTube]

pretty much

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@KaninTuzi]

@@SINdaBlock411 Nah, you can learn enough in the first 6 months to drastically improve your chances in a self defense situation. It's just that the art is deep and you can keep learning for 10 years, easy.

[@mmainterestingprospects]

I really liked this show. It would be cool so see Tim back with new episodes

[@colorblindphotographer]

Josh Waitzkin's book and story is the reason why I started BJJ over 7 years ago at the age of 51.

[@TheTrudean]

Tim, thanks for the exposure to the sport. Everyone can benefit from this.

[@boatnoy]

This is amazing! How you learn to get into the zone fast. And what difficult more is how to stay with it.

[@irsh2786]

Great Tim, you are part of the family now!! 😊😊

[@TheRunningRRT]

I am 54 years old, I started training jujutsu last year and watching you learn what you do in one week is impressive. Definitely gonna buy your book train he can do your mind a little bit but thank you for that little tidbit of your intro to jujutsu

[@arkalonalan]

Keep going friend. It gets better and better

[@wlp6200]

Bernardo sighting, huge honor for me!

[@marcaldefernandes7456]

Wow!!! Excellent!!

[@TransformationTam]

This is gonna be gold, chef style

[@ryan_the_red_4907]

Great topic!

[@przemekpluta]

This is great !

[@jamesj4998]

How old is this video? 😂 I feel like it's from 2005 but I love it

[@nihalraj6174]

2016 I think

[@bastianrivero]

1999

[@MystiqWisdom]

Makes sense. Tim Ferriss is now 58 years old.

[@danieleric9855]

Excelent mate!!!

[@JustinColletti]

It was very kind of your coaches to design a challenge that would make it look like you learned anything that you could actually use after just one week! The real test would have been if you went up against some fellow white belts of similar size, age, experience and athletic background and could pull off this technique against any of them. Doing a fast flow roll with a black belt where he is setting up opportunities for you to get reps on the technique shows that you have learned it well enough to start productively drilling it. But sadly, it shows nothing about how well you’d be able to use it in practice. I get that the legacy TV format requires editing for entertainment value, and to show success. But I feel that as it stands now, this episode hides more truth than it reveals-especially when seen by someone who is unfamiliar with the sport. I’m glad that sites like KZbin now provide alternatives to the lowest common denominator demands of legacy TV. If you ever want to share footage of sone of your rolls with fellow white belts at the end of this week, I think that could show a lot more about the potential validity of this approach than what we are seeing here. There may be something to it. Anyway, you picked some great guys to train with!

[@michaelmusengo9038]

Well stated my friend.

[@jiraiyasannin-bs8xy]

Kinda dumb not doing an apple to apples comparison. The guy was basically giving him the guillotines

[@thefilmpoets]

Purple belt here - Tim really did end up moving well for such a short period of time.

[@srslyjosh]

Yeah - he wrestled though and also talks about training judo when he lived in Japan - so he’s no stranger to grappling

[@srslyjosh]

Yeah - he wrestled though and also talks about training judo when he lived in Japan - so he’s no stranger to grappling

[@srslyjosh]

Yeah - he wrestled though and also talks about training judo when he lived in Japan - so he’s no stranger to grappling

[@srslyjosh]

Yeah - he wrestled though and also talks about training judo when he lived in Japan - no stranger to grappling

[@srslyjosh]

Yeah - he wrestled though and also talks about training judo when he lived in Japan - no stranger to grappling

[@hamadalsarraf9072]

Amazing video

[@LuisJGomezComedy]

This is awesome

[@yeturuvijaykrishnareddy2288]

@timferriss I don't find the extended version of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Can you point it here if any exists.

[@BenWeeks]

13:01 on the left looks like the 'hey guys!' bjj fanatics dude :)

[@arawproductions3156]

tim had a nice butterfly sweep at the end

[@mywonderfullife1]

Thank You! ❤

[@ClayArnall]

I mean, that purple belt wasn’t going 100% though right? He pretty much gave Tim his head in many of those.

[@sorearm]

Wonderful

[@Will-S]

This shows how much you can improve in a short period just focusing on one technique. I’m definitely rethinking some things right now.

[@samuelaspelin6705]

great video

[@green4green]

thanks for the video. This video highlights how difficult true mastery is. The original goal: learn Jiu-jitsu. The end goal: learn one specific move (of hundreds) and how to get there. If the Purple belt was going full speed, the before and after rolls would look 100% identical.

[@lorenzovrolijk]

4:39 my brother in Christ, that is not a king

[@tomophobe]

The goattttt marcelo

[@djdos83]

excellent video, but to learn just 1 move?, I would have loved to see learn as much as you can then enter a tournament for white belts/beginners

[@sav2964]

great progression but is clear he had a solid grappling experience already

[@michasosnowski5918]

Amazing, it was great to see you put yourself in this situation, learn and struggle. Congratulations. I used to fight with my brother alot. No technique, no physical preparation. Sheer agression and passion. We would crawl on the floor and sometimes destroy stuff. I wonder what would I accoplish, If I channeled that energy into some practice and technique with a trainer :) But I stopped fighting with him and overall at the age of ~15. Too much destruction! Feel a sense of loss for that energy, that later I put mostly inward(self destruction).

[@PranavKumar-dd2xo]

Is this an old video

[@xyloprone]

This is old school stuff. I was here for the first pass. Now I'm a blackbelt and have been playing chess for 1 year (1400*lol). Meeting up for some technique would be great. Yeah?

[@JarayePoptrunk]

💯💯💯

[@wlp6200]

Good test drilling

[@thoughtrebel]

Rolling purple satava … make sure to gaurd pass 😉

[@Makoto_MMA]

Bernardo Faria in the background. Huge hono fo me!

[@haleiwachick]

I cannot find the 2 hour bonus content….

[@pattymcgee2]

What about Judo at Princeton?

[@danikmuk817]

reading his book right now lol

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great 👍🏼 job; however, I hate to break it to you - you’re not submitting anyone at Marcelo’s gym if they’re trying…especially not with a Marcelotine after a few days training…😂😂

[@miked9653]

I think Chris Paines has the best grasp on learning BJJ quickly.

[@patrickmcinerney9491]

Wait, so after a week, his test of competency was a positional drill at 10% resistance? Sometimes i get the impression Tim is no different than any other motivation guru.

[@OP-ig1fj]

was hoping this was a new one...

[@bowmanmccullough3759]

I just thought recently “How would Tim reduce the process of mastery to its core for BJJ like he did for salsa dancing?” Then, this video appeared 😂

[@timr8456]

11:36 wtf!! Wild (Im new to BJJ)

[@ivan1196]

it's the bruising upon inspection of the body that keeps getting me back. I don't know why.

[@kbkesq]

How’s your golf game going? Lol.😂

[@cannedtuna55]

All the "there is no substitute for mat time" comments are weird. Obviously, you have to train a lot to get good, but there are a ton of ways to try to get the most out of your mat time. No one should be opposed to people exploring ways to try to optimize learning and train efficiently.

[@Tjmont]

cool concept but....the dudes giving the setups to you so i dont really get it. moving well though which is cool.

[@DuckRiverHomestead]

4 hour black belt?

[@OGG619]

No way this is recent. Marcelo is just finally getting back from stomach cancer. This seems pre-Covid

[@javzee2315]

Tim The white background, face close up is abrupt The content is great

[@user-co9dt1xy9e]

4:37 is not checkmate bro, you don't have a King on the board

[@maximusswagius7835]

Tim Ferriss is my dad

[@bastianrivero]

Your papi rather 😂

[@simonfurman8007]

Tim Ferriss is my mom.

[@LostSoulAscension]

I'd definitely say this video resembles more of the benefits of 1-on-1 lessons with tips on what to study and cutting out a lot of fat. It's a fun video but not the ideal approach

[@leezambrano7823]

Brotha there’s no way lol 😂

[@m_artistry]

2:47 So far this video feels *very* ny american :D Almost tv like! How did u pull that off, just 2 weeks ago? :D 9:51 come on-this is an older video, right? youre rocking such an old macbook…

[@letstalkcaliber704]

The test was kinda bs. Guy throws himself in submissions and doesn't fight out and somehow that's supposed to be a win. Should have just had him fight some white or blue belts.

[@RonyRustico345]

You should really keep training man. Jijitsu is life. You're damn right about managing injuries and pain but continue to train, that's key.

[@SINdaBlock411]

waste of time

[@dereknueveuno]

I use to hate the era of jiujitsu challenge vids. “1 week to learn” “i month to learn” you’d have to train 6months 4 times a week to even do make a positive movement with me. But to have enough training to use it on someone average is a different story

[@user-ic1lo9wh5f]

Tim was wrestling aot in his youth

[@SINdaBlock411]

the latter is all that matters, anything beyond the bare minimum essentials is a waste of fucking time, energy and money

[@Dolshansky]

Tim - Leaving unsolicited feedback because I know you are treat this as an epxeriment. -- Extra Optional Context --- 1. [Opportunity to mention on pod] You keep mentioning KZbin on your podcast, but if you had been more explicit about it, I would've come sooner! Your newsletter is what drove me to watch these. 2. [Opportunity to mention on pod] I've been waiting for you to re-interview `Josh Waitzkin` for a while, so even mentioning he's on the KZbin video in your podcast would have driven me here sooner. 3. [Cringy] I really like the content, but something is missing. It feels like "Tim meets reality TV” but has moments that are too drawn out and too “cringy” at parts. 4. [Ping Mr.Beast] Jimmy found a way to make 20 minute “reality tv” without those slow cringy moments and I genuinely feel like it could use his touch. Maybe that could be a video in itself?

[@SINdaBlock411]

a very good teacher should be more than capable in allowing a complete noob to surpass him in mere months ... if that's not the case, either bjj is bullshido or mcdojo crap, or there simply aren't very good teachers, it only makes sense

[@flyingwithanything27]

No you can’t learn this quickly Tim. No matter how rich you are

[@timferriss]

Sign up for "5-Bullet Friday" and each Friday you’ll get a short email from me sending you off to your weekend with fun and useful things to try. Each newsletter describes the five coolest things I’ve found or explored that week. Sign up here for free: tim.blog/friday

[@brianoshaughnessy3932]

Fake. No way you could catch a purple belt who was actually trying with 5 submissions in 1 minute unless they were giving them to you.

[@GMunoz-oj5zb]

Well of course the other guy was not going full speed and was letting him do work.

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@AdrianGH386]

.

[@joe6443]

He used go to judo So thats too easy

[@bryancjacobs]

Study, roll, assess...repeat.

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@bryancjacobs]

@@SINdaBlock411 Becoming an expert takes dedication and significant effort. After a few months of training I was beating most newcomers, so a little BJJ does help. Self defense is more than just BJJ.

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@bryancjacobs anything past blue belt is a waste of fn time man, even Helio - as much as a scumbag as he was - agreed with this

[@bryancjacobs]

@@SINdaBlock411Depends on the context. I enjoy doing it because its fun. I don't think about it from a self defense perspective.

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@bryancjacobs all I needed to hear

[@user-qc7nn3uv9n]

wow, am i really ?1

[@alainhof2343]

Yeah 🎉

[@MatthewOBrien314]

I like the idea of trying to learn jiu jitsu fast but the realistic outcome is that the new person is going to get destroyed every time by an expert. That would have been a more realistic conclusion. Let’s not water down jujitsu and pretend you have a chance against an expert.

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@MatthewOBrien314]

@@SINdaBlock411 anything good in life takes time.

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@MatthewOBrien314 too bad bjj isn't any good lol

[@defiant6758]

Sorry. Cant learn Jiu Jitsu quickly. Time on the mat and talent.

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@rickywoods3101]

It's one of the most efficient martial arts for learning self defense in a short period of time that will actually help.

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@rickywoods3101 it takes 15 YEARS ... Gracie Combatives takes 2 YEARS, if you can't teach someone how to defend themselves in 4 months, your system is GARBAGE ... GJJ/BJJ is TRASH

[@cannedtuna55]

​@SINdaBlock411 there is no unarmed combat system that teaches someone how to effectively defend themself in 4 months. It isn't possible to become proficient enough to overcome size and athleticism disparity in that time.

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@cannedtuna55 wrong, you're just in denial because your Brazilian gurus keep serving you that Gracie Kool Aid so you would be discouraged from looking

[@rickywoods3101]

@@cannedtuna55 As someone that's been training for years and my wife and daughter also have, this is 100% true . I would say training 3-4 days a week for a min. Of 1.5 years before you can effectively defend yourself against someone and that's pushing it. Train consistently for 4 years and then you will have no problem with 99.9 percent of people.

[@IvanMuljevski]

Fast. Now. Learn. Possible.Bullshit

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@grademployment]

To be honest this idea of learning something quickly is getting a bit tiresome. Why not have this the opposite way - how to take your time, learn properly and fall in love with what you practice so that you don't need to change the field every 1-2 years like Tim does.

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@bazokie]

BS

[@marky5493]

i call BS man,theres NO shortcuts. Its like anything in life......time ,in this case time on the mat.

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence

[@marky5493]

@@SINdaBlock411so something hard to master is useless? Put it this way, when you need a heart surgeon I guess you just go to the first year college student or do you trust the old grey haired docter who's been doing heart surgery for years??? I know which one I'd want working on me!

[@SINdaBlock411]

@@marky5493 are you comparing a heart surgery with some basic self defence ... you jits clowns never seem to amaze how ignorant and over-the-top you are, heart surgery is one of those things that takes years if not close to a decade to perfect if you wanna do it right, jiu jitsu by Rener and Ryron themselves is literally promoted to be able to protect you as son as you get your blue belt with the Gracie Combatives program, which takes maybe 2 years at most (supposedly anyway because you are clearly team bjj and seem to disagree, which makes me doubt their statement even further) ... either way, you're losing this debate because either you agree with me or you don't and essentially call Rener and Ryron a bunch of liars and Gracie Combatives sucks ... so my friend, which is it? I'm getting tired of your bjj people's cherrypicked logic and hypocricy, either say it how it is or stay quiet

[@rcampagna9275]

Fake news

[@GMunoz-oj5zb]

Not to discredit you but if you had wrestling background and a little bit of BJJ exposure you are not starting at square 1

[@SINdaBlock411]

people don't have time to waste 15 years on dryhumping another dude on some mats, if you are unable to learn everything you need from bjj in 4 months, better start looking for something much better, like Bujinkan or boxing/wrestling combo or Krav Maga for example

[@vuksekicki6913]

#1 why would you learn anything fast. Can you really learn anything completely? #2 afterwards we will again listen to back pain specialist podcast 🙄

[@SINdaBlock411]

if jiu jitsu doesn't allow you to learn quickly, then by default it is useless as an efficient way of learning self defence