Testing the Effectiveness of Aikido | Can Aikido Work?

I don’t think Aikido is effective as a stand-alone art, but I believe strong Aikido fundamentals mixed with Brazilian Jiujitsu, wrestling and a striking discipline can be effective!
Follow @MartialArtsJourney
➥ IG: / rokas_martialartsjourney
Stop blinking, freezing or flinching with these 70 LIVE Drills: www.mmashredde...
FIND ME:
➥ IG: / mmashredded
➥ WEB: www.mmashredde...
➥ FB: / mmashredded
➥ SUPPORT ME & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: / mmashredded

[@MMAShredded]

I don’t think Aikido is effective as a stand-alone art, but I believe strong Aikido fundamentals mixed with Brazilian Jiujitsu, wrestling and a striking discipline can be effective! I think there are many Aikido techniques that don’t work in a street fight scenario and should be used only in an Aikido match. But the same thing goes for certain techniques used in martial arts known to be effective for self defence, like Brazilian Jiujitsu. For example, I wouldn’t recommend going for an imanari roll or guard pull in a street fight. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below!

[@DanTheWolfman]

@MMAShredded Jeff Chan Here is a Compilation I actually put together for Rokas who at that time didn't want examples of Aikido/Standing Locks working vs MMA Pros and BJJ guys kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGelkn5jndp3iLc

[@zampha2065]

You're right, Aikido needs to decide if its a self defence system or a cultural practice that needs to be preserved in amber. If Aikido focused in on the subset of techniques that are practical and then spent the rest of the time applying its footwork, yielding and control to achieve those positions, then adding resistance based training - there's a beautiful art still there!

[@Zack1440]

I think Tomiki Aikido can be used well as a self defense system.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

​@@zampha2065 exactly! This is the same thing i say

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

​@@Zack1440 every Aikido style can be used as a way of self defense. You just gotta train it right.

[@MartialArtsJourney]

Haha! Never thought I'll do this, but: First 😂 Seriously though, thank you Jeff for giving me a shot to try out my Aikido with you and for not going beast mode with me so I would have a shot 😊 I felt privileged to have this opportunity 🙏 PS: Those cheering sounds in the background surely made the video even more special 😂

[@MMAShredded]

LOLOLL oss

[@MMAShredded]

you are awesome bro

[@ghifarakbar8492]

damn you're huge

[@frikandelkroket9335]

That was beautiful.

[@Britesidecleaners]

Who was your aikido teacher? Who did they train under? I trained under Elizabeth Lynn Sensei (7 degree black belt). She train under Chiba Sensei (8 degree black belt). Chiba train under O Sensei. I also train Uechi-Ryu Karate. If i may.... your are over committing to your technique. Which is telegraphing your movement. You should practice flowing to alternative techniques base on resistance. This is where you are having trouble and it making your Aikido one dimensional. Once your start believing again your will see improvement. I really enjoyed your last video series. You did better than we all though because your start to believe in yourself.

[@vrpnblstr3441]

I just love the journey that Rokas has been on, from dedicating most of his life to traditional martial arts and rejecting the new, to a complete disilusion as all his beliefs were challenged and shattered from where he rejected tradition and embraced a more modern approach to martial arts, and now seeing him after years of practice coming with actual applications of the traditional forms, blending them into his new style and finding practicality in what he rejected before hand, that's really a path to enlightenment. I think that most of all what his journey has proven is that curiosity, the ability to change your mind and to truly look back on yourself is really what it takes to get you to the next level, the eternal student is also the master of all.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@rubenrelvamoniz]

It goes to show not all traditional martial arts are 100% wrong.

[@scottphillips8117]

Really suprised how well Rokas did here. He’s really improved since he started making content.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@Memorixt]

Absolutely agree, though we have to see: he could be so good because he had in Jeff a good partner for it.

[@de0509]

Yup. The puzzle makes more and more sense as the final few pieces get put in its positions. I wonder if Rokas will introduce a functional form of aikido someday

[@PHIplaytesting]

@@Memorixt Jeff gave him a lot to work with here, but all in the name of education. Also it seems he was specifically trying to demonstrate Aikido for this video while in other situations he probably wouldn't go for that first. Rokas did pretty good on his own in the USDC competition. He's put the work in.

[@nunninkav]

Well, he didn't cross train so he couldn't recognize how to hit the techniques from certain unhelpful positions, like most things martial arts it is recognition. Also, he now has an offensive playbook he can use to set up and manipulate position. Usually a trained striker will give you nothing, they don't leave limbs hanging out for you to manipulate, so it is in the clinch where against a trained striker you can find an technique they have given you. You see that here. I say sloppy Aikido looks like Judo and sloppy Judo looks like Wrestling.

[@jadonpayton1297]

The martial arts content has been insane you guys are making sure theres levels to this!

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@floozilacadabra9501]

And don’t forget that aikido is made for war. And most of it is techniques with weapons made for kill. In France, there is a master that told us the story behind it and it’s scary…👀 this is made for Samurai with swords and arrows. The no-weapon version of aïkido is only to “keep fit” but it works when truly mastered. Oss 🙏

[@muhaiminakbar4472]

@@floozilacadabra9501 no. Aikido is for a time of peace. Not when war. Japanese jiujitsu is the one that use on war

[@JeanMichelAbrassart]

​@@floozilacadabra9501Ueshiba made it for expressing the metaphysic beliefs of the Omoto-kyo cult. Claiming it was made "for war" is historically false.

[@IcedZer0]

@@floozilacadabra9501 All evidence is to the contrary, never delude yourself with something that could one day be detrimental to your survival.

[@JohnnyBit]

In the early days of Aikido the requirement for students was that they had to be already good martial artists in other arts. Aikido was supposed to be the cherry on top of already competent fighter. In that way it will work nicely.

[@MMAShredded]

interesting!

[@detoxicinspection]

Finally, someone said it. Thank you!!

[@BushMackel]

I've followed Rokas for a while and I think when he first pressure tested Aikido against a fighter, Aikido was all he had and so he was woefully ineffective. But now that he has MMA, BJJ, Aikido (and I'm sure a smattering of other things too) he can seemingly use Aikido if and when an occasion calls for it including in this video when he could use it to ... "encourage" Jeff's body to move in a certain direction. I think if he can use it sparingly and strategically to move an opponents body for an easy side control/modified mount, there might be some cool stuff there! Also, I think Rokas' Aikido body awareness showed up in the Self Defense Championship circle drill where compared to the other competitors he was able to pretty quickly use the bad guy's energy and balance to spin them over and get on top for some quick finishes. Great content Jeff!!

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for your perspective bro!!

[@robcubed9557]

It’s been my understanding that aikido wasn’t intended to be a stand-alone art. Rather aikido was meant to supplement a solid foundation in grappling and/or striking. I’d also read that the first aikido students were black belts in judo and/or karate

[@basilistsakalos9643]

@@robcubed9557 exactly!

[@unmessable12]

@@robcubed9557 Not only were the first students high level practitioners of other martial arts, but the founder of Aikido was also very prolific in several other forms of martial arts.

[@brotherhoodofsteel3090]

That championship was one of the best things to happen to the Martial Arts Community. Love how close all you guys are now! 👏

[@MMAShredded]

:))

[@ChanceClubs]

There are parts of every martial art that can be effective. Even aikido. Learn it thoroughly, take what's useful, discard the rest. Great video!

[@MMAShredded]

I agree!!!

[@tarokitano4021]

Haha yeh, that's also what i thought, take what's useful, discard the rest. Bruce lee said something like that👍

[@batboy9997]

Absolutely. Even JJ and aikido are relatively new arts that just don't focus on the striking.... Which was there from the beginning-- along with archery and sword fighting, lol

[@Jason-hp6pu]

So what parts of aikido is effective then ? Lmao

[@batboy9997]

@@Jason-hp6pu I had a training/sparring partner who trained aikido for years. His joint locking and footwork were fantastic, attributable to his Aikido training. Again, it depends on the situation.

[@Autonamatonamaton]

Aikido makes a lot more sense when you know that originally, Ueshiba's students were already black belts in Karate, Judo, Jujitsu etc, meaning they already had a base of physical strength, active training against resisting opponents, seeing and reacting to committed attacks and so on. So because they already had a strong base in striking or grappling, they could apply the technical Aikido techniques with the philosophy of nonviolence in an effective way - kind of like a Master's program. Of course, nobody wants to start a school where you need to already have twenty years of experience in a different art, so instead they just taught these beautiful flowing motions to people who don't have the physical strength or experience to do anything with them

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@CrazyTom34]

BJJ black belt here, first love the channel Jeff and yours as well Rokus. I think part of the discussion is that technically wrist locks are fine, they are legit. Less viable in MMA because of hand wraps but you see them all the time in jiu jitsu, its not so much an issue of "do wrist locks work" more of "how do you train them?". To Jeff's point Rokus could absolutely become a wrist lock specialist in jiu jitsu because he is going through that trail and error in live sparring which makes all the difference

[@MMAShredded]

oss thanks for your perspective professor!

[@CrazyTom34]

@@MMAShredded I'm firmly on the don't call me professor train 🤣 jeff you could kick the shit out of me, I'm a dad who now trains 3x a week but just loves pajama wrestling. I did very much enjoy seeing you train with Vlad in Sambo, one of my favorite people in the grappling community

[@Jamoni1]

I believe Aikido techniques are something that you can only use if you let them emerge organically, meaning during the fight, someone gives you the right energy. But just like head-hunting, if you go looking for it, you're forgetting the other 95% of your game. So first you have to be able to fight. Take this video, then go look at some of Rokas' early videos where he's deathly pale floating around with willing participants. The difference is staggering. Before he was a guy who was pretending to be able to fight. Now he can FIGHT.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@Memorixt]

What you described is indeed the basic concept of Aikido. The Founder describes this in his books, just many practitioners never learned to read...🤔😉

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

EXACTLY Omg someone that gets it

[@dorukgolcu9191]

I think part of the issue is early aikido practitioners usually came in with quite a bit of experience in other martial arts and fighting in general (you had to have a referral, if I remember correctly). Nowadays, most of us aikidoka start directly with aikido as our first art, and that is part of what creates the difficulty in finding the applications

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@dorukgolcu9191 exactly!! Some texts talk about how many of O Sensei's students were Judo black belts and almost all of them were skilled at weapon fighting. Some others even knew Sumo and striking martial arts. Aikido, along with many "ineffective" martial arts (like Taichi, Baguazhang or Wing Chun) are very hard/complex for someone that doesn't have the basics of fighting down.

[@moz5831]

This was the best aikido sparring I’ve ever seen. I’m really impressed. Sparring is not just two guys trying to kill each other, the partners should somewhat try to support each other so both can learn. Jeff is actually amazing sparring partner here and understand to protect himself in time, but doesn’t just play a practice doll eather. If you want good aikido, this is all you need.

[@KangNamPelon]

Interesting and impressive. Rokas has taken the time and hard work to develop a solid delivery system with BJJ and striking arts, and in this context some of the more esoteric stuff makes better sense. Respect!

[@MMAShredded]

osss

[@MayhemCause]

if he combined that with some wrestling and ground and pound these techniques seem like they'd actually be very effective

[@MMAShredded]

I agree!

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Yeah

[@matheuspn2722]

Rokas already knows MMA, this was more of an exhibition to understand where Aikido could be well used ;)

[@rocelderamos3013]

Yea. He had a lot of opportunity to submit Jeff.

[@henriquekatahira1653]

Nice to see the progress of Rokas in this sparring. As far as I remember, in the beginning of his journey he was very skeptical if Aikido would work in a real sparring but he finally made it work. Congrats, bro! 🎉

[@MMAShredded]

ossss

[@raccoonmyroom6861]

I love that Jeff is the kind of guy that anybody can having fun sparring, no matter the parameters. That's my new goal. Also, this was a fun video! You make really fun content.

[@MMAShredded]

:) thx man!!

[@GLASSGHOSTHUNTERS]

Jeff seems like such a cool guy. I liked what he said about all martial arts being able to work if the person is skilled enough. I think pressure testing is paramount.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@camiloiribarren1450]

This looks like a fun experiment, showing of some aikido techniques and Jeff being one of the coolest guys to experience it on his own. Jeff basically said go back to Aiki Jujitsu, the parent of aikido is what I’m understanding I like this a lot

[@MMAShredded]

oss :)

[@bigheadrhino]

I was just hoping for this exact collab after seeing you collab with Kevin and seeing Seth use his Sumo and Rokas use his aikido in USDC. Rokas journey coming full circle and actually finding a way to use Aikido effectively in mma would be the ultimate story arc. You seem like the best suited mma guy to experiment all these styles with since you are already so creative and unorthodox while also being successful in the cage and ring. Keep these coming!

[@MMAShredded]

thank you brother!!

[@JordanTeachesJiujitsu]

Jeff always coming out with that A++ content!

[@MMAShredded]

thx brother!

[@GrimReaper-xm5sb]

It’s so badass how Rokas is starting to adapt his aikido into mma and with more training he could be a serious force to be reckoned with

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@jordanrock3494]

I like how you guided Rokas to continue to work and get to his feet instead of just stopping the roll. One of my instructors drilled that in to me, sign of a great teacher and training partner. Oss 👊

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@mosesyah1261]

Jeff is such a super nice, intelligent, and dangerous guy.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks Moses!!

[@yasuh4550]

The devil shivers when a nice guy loses his temper

[@RamseyDewey]

It was a lot of fun to see you guys do that sparring exchange.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks Ramsey!!!

[@guilhermebotelho8691]

Well we can see Jeff was not in beast mode, but it was still nice to see the techniques being used in sparring and how Jeff managed to re-establish position after being thrown

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@renatoabrigo6965]

I think almost all of my skepticism about Aikido was gone. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Actually I was an Aikido practitioner before I play boxing and jiujitsu.

[@MMAShredded]

osss

[@ironjavs1182]

I was also training aikido... But then I tought it wasn't effective (lost a real fight) and started to train BJJ and MMA (about over 14 years ago). Eventually I realised how much Aikido gave me in to the ring/life and I could even pull of surprising takedowns/locks (aikido techniques). Well about 4 years I started to do Aikido again with a realistic mindset and it is awesome! 💪👺👊

[@renatoabrigo6965]

@@ironjavs1182 I hope everyone has the same mindset.

[@basilistsakalos9643]

Fianally, well said Jeff! Ueshiba's Aikido, when conceived, was the epitome of a combination of traditional jujutsu systems. Ueshiba had a realization concerning blending with the kinetic energy of the opponent resulting in loss of one's balance and controlling the body by applying wrist locks. Even further, if one has developed the explosive force skill (fajing), wrist locks can be devastating, since the intent is not just to lock but to destroy the wrist. This was needed against cold weapons (blades). Martial science is not static, it changes according to the needs.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@wagutoxD]

I'm impressed! I trained Aikido myself for 17 years and I know for a fact that they like to talk about effectives and self defense but it's training methods do not translate to reality, just does not apply. Just a bit of striking and grappling knowledge, paired with some light sparring can create an environment where it's actually possible to find and practice the functionality of some Aikido concepts and techniques, as shown in this video. But the deep sense of traditionalism (and mysticism) typical to Aikido, unfortunately does not allow for the practitioners to be open minded and study it in a practical way. This colaboration between all of you is just amazing! I really hope you guys are abble to do more of this kind of stuff. You all are a set of mature, honest and sincere individuals who bring a lot to the table and your interactions gives us a really positive vibe and sense of community! Tks, Jeff! ps.: just not to be "that" guy... Aikido gave me a good sense of distance and timing, specially when training weapons. Plus, I think it's falling techniques are prestine!

[@MMAShredded]

ossssss! keep it up!

[@meepmorp5109]

Love your videos. Martial artist through and through. Can’t wait to see your developement. I think you would be an incredible coach.

[@MMAShredded]

thank you!!!

[@kuzushi_kev]

Lifelong aikidoka here.. idk why people equate aikido to wrist locks. Aikido is so much more than that. The hip sweep technique you taught Kevin Lee a week ago, pops up in aikido: it’s known as Kokyunage. Kimura also pops up all the time. It’s called ude garami, Rokas does a good job trying it here. Rokas has a hard time pulling off wrist techniques because he doesn’t set them up. He telegraphs and goes straight for them, which is easy to anticipate and counter. Dan the wolf man shows a great setup for kotegaeshi from the clinch escape. I agree it’s the practitioner that makes the difference. Aikido techniques are not the highest percentage moves, so by itself it’s incomplete, but if you develop them in tandem with other skills, especially with the right entry/ setup… aikido can absolutely provide quality tools. I would love to see a video of u and Erik Paulsen. He’s a wrist lock aficionado and accomplished catch wrestler

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!!

[@Aniontedone]

Excellent roll out Jeff. Aikido works it needs resistance training like this. Good to see you guys working together.

[@MMAShredded]

ossss

[@jeffersonandrade6498]

I loved this video Jeff! Your open mindedness is inspiring! This collab content recently has been awsome!

[@MMAShredded]

thanks man!

[@Yt_chatEnjoyer]

I live for videos like this! I once heard the saying “the art doesn’t fail you, you fail the art” which I feel is very similar to your stance on martial arts. You might “fail” an art because you haven’t trained enough or applied it properly but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to do it.

[@MMAShredded]

true!!

[@rainbowskyrunner]

The logic in all of what you said is extremely on point and quite satisfying to see spoken in such a simple yet comprehensive manner 🤓🤙🏾

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@namedjasonc]

Thanks for sharing this video! It was really cool to get to see Rokas deploying and developing more combat-effective Aikido, and I was really impressed by how you struck a fantastic balance of giving him the opportunity to work his techniques without giving in and making the technique work for him (I hope that makes sense to other people!).

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for watching!!! :)

[@GrinningNimbus]

I just want to expand on what you said at the end. Aikido comes from aikijujitsu it's techniques are high level for disarming your opponent, controlling their weapon, and not allowing them to control your's. They are low percentage techniques that are very situational. So it's really cool to see Rokas use them as a means of positional control.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@MJRLHobbyStuff]

Impressive stuff there Rokas. The technical get up, and your get up from the dog fight we’re very slick

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@sourceglory]

Halfway to the milly brother. Love seeing the channel grow. You deserve all the spoils from helping us become better men and martial artists. 👏

[@MMAShredded]

thanks so much man!

[@Poldmusic]

The collaboration among you all in that self-defense championship was incredible! Having most of my favorite martial arts youtubers in one place was fantastic. What's even more amazing is that we get to see more videos like this one because of that gathering. Cheers!

[@MMAShredded]

cheers :)

[@thelastofthebrohicans]

It’s cool how he incorporated aikido into his striking and clinch game.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@Demonstormlord]

That kote gaeshi was actually sick. I know neither of you were really going 100%, but it was really beautiful to see against a resisting opponent.

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@Ryan-ts9pi]

Really cool of both of ya'll to do this.

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@cotydudley183]

Thank you for putting this gem on the tube for us to see. I love the content this group is putting out. The more they collaborate the more sucked in I am.

[@MMAShredded]

:) awesome

[@Tamales21]

Damn you know how you can tell Jeff has been doing this forever. Because he speaks so clearly with his mouthpiece in.

[@MMAShredded]

LOL

[@fightingstudent2363]

I love everything about this channel and the cooperation and synergy you guys have evolved; the respect towards tradtitional martial arts is very important, because everybody forgets that they are the technical and conceptual source of modern day martial arts!

[@MMAShredded]

thanks so much for the support!!

[@galain]

What great controlled sparring. Both people being there to help each other progress - no ego. This was a pleasure to watch.

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@blitzthekraken9832]

Been watching rokus and mma shredded since the inception. And this is show was literally what rokus was born to do! Create and affective aikido for sport and self-defense!

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@cbroo69]

I always felt like Akido was perfect for the moments before people put their dukes up and start swinging as a way to very quickly put someone down before they become a threat which IIRC is how it was developed for police officers in Japan to keep them safe when handling someone who isn't trying to 'fight' but passively resist them. I'm also pretty sure they combined it with Judo training and Karate and Kenjutsu at the time before the martial arts went their separate ways. A Karateka with Judo and Aikido might not make for the best fighter but it would make the best police officer IMO

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@DanTheWolfman]

@MMAShredded Jeff Chan Here is a Compilation vs MMA BJJ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGelkn5jndp3iLc I actually put together for Rokas who at that time didn't want examples of Aikido/Standing Locks working vs MMA Pros and BJJ guys

[@MMAShredded]

just watched it, awesome stuff!

[@AdobadoFantastico]

This could start to come together with attacks from crucifix position and they ended up in or near kimura trap regularly. Mixing in stuff like russian ties, 2 on 1s, snap downs could work. Maybe a foot sweep in the standing entanglements. Lots of possibilities, he just needs other well practiced attacks to transition to. Also, I've eaten enough errant elbows in some of those positions that I'm sure the right fighter could slip in a few deliberate and effective elbows among the aikido movements.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@apolloarts687]

watching Rokas' Aikido base is so fun, he looks like he plays a very anti striking based grapple game, I could for sure see success for someone with aikido whose able to take those fundamentals and combine with wrestling and bjj, especially once able to seemlessly move from aikido to bjj off an overcommited strike.

[@MMAShredded]

oss!

[@ulyssessengupta4765]

Enjoy your channel and learned a lot from your MMA Striker program. 23 years of Aikido on my side, cross training in bits of boxing, bits of judo, few months of MMA, seminars in BJJ, started off in Taekwondo. Nice to see the open minded conclusions. It's true that Aikido when trained as a martial art based fitness system is difficult to translate ( not aimee at) to a practical combat or even sparring situation. I have found that encouraging my young and fit university age students to cross train a little in Judo, BJJ and mixed striking and then asking them to test themselves in light sparring/rolling is what is needed to get them to connect the pieces. At the beginning boxing and basic kicks are relied on to maintain distance (they take time to learn how to close). Then common direct grappling/ takedown approaches like double leg takedowns or judo throws become the go to. After just a few months the Aikido seems to come back into the mix (not replace it all). By that I don't mean just wristlocks (my frustration with Rokas - while fully appreciating his personal journey - being the reliance on techniques that are only meant to be principles with variations in application), but rather footwork to change distance and angles, postural structure and a movable balance/base (too often confused with just ukemi), joint locked (wrist, elbow, shoulder and sometimes head/spine) pins or related throws, control of maai and centre line, etc. And well... This is not a sales pitch - everyone to their own.... But anyone practicing seriously, try it as It is fun to see the principles that are difficult to comprehend as abstract and uncontextualised practice pieces, slowly become a glimmer in the eyes and a part of tested practice. Both the testing/sparring and knowledge (even basic) from cross training appear to be essential if Aikido is trained as a martial art with practical martial ambitions. Look forward to more from you Jeff..

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for your support and perspective!! oss!!

[@kristianOLS]

Rokas hit the "kata sukashi" shoulder swing down which is pretty common in sumo wrestling, very cool to see and pretty unique as armlock throws arent allowed in judo or wrestling

[@CrystallineWisdom]

you are the king. Bro for giving people and searching for them to proof something to this gasloghting community is immense thanks man from my heart.

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@JosueOfTheChi]

The collab I’ve been waiting for 🙏🏼

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@OverSooll]

The best martial art content on the planet, who would ever think of giving Aikido a chance

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@IanTranSend]

I agree with Jeff's assessment about building up further to make it more effective and this was awesome to watch both of you spar together! I think the key to making it work as it was created is to build on a foundation that lets you have and create choices on how to navigate a combative engagement. Aikido is more so about the paradigm for transforming a combative conflict into something more favorable when the opportunity is clear. Like the philosophical difference between aikido and aikijutsu is about being present with opportunities to transform or deescalate the situation with certain submissions and have control over the interaction vs striving for a combative win by any means necessary in ways that often resulted in severe injuries or death. Ueshiba fought and survived as a soldier in two wars and was already established in karate and some other disciplines before arriving to make aikido. So there's no doubt he had a strong repertoire of skills to navigate hand to hand combat. But when a practitioner doesn't have the skills and moves to confront the typical range of combative techniques, they're just not going to be able to use it and keep up. It's like a musician who likes a song and wants to improvise but they don't know how to play most of the notes needed to even play the music yet. Their ideal to be empowered and conscious about how to handle the opponent isn't the same as what you're tasked to handle in the moment. Hence Rokas is beginning to step into more practical applications now that he's developing his baseline BJJ and other mma skills and reconciling the common applications with ways to apply aikido.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for your perspective!!

[@IanTranSend]

@MMAShredded Jeff Chan thanks for your amazing integrity and discipline to advancing the martial arts and helping others!

[@ketong71]

Rokkas should start doing a series of "Functional Aikido". This video shows it could work against a trained assailant, but you have to cross-train and not just do Aikido verbatim. Same goes with any other traditional martial art. Cool stuff!

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@keyser_söze23]

Your content standard never fails to fall. Loved the park video too.

[@MMAShredded]

thank you!!

[@martialgeeks]

Amazing, remember rokas's first mma sparring? Compare it to this now, getting all of these fancy aiki takedowns and pins on a pro fighter, massive respect for both!!

[@MMAShredded]

ossss

[@probablyrandom31]

Wow! This looks really nice. Congratulations on your evolution Rokas! Also loved the collaboration between all of you. You rock!

[@MMAShredded]

oss

[@Gilikman]

Hey man, discovered you through the USDC. You're an excellent fighter, humble, great teacher and great content maker. You have no fluff in your vids, and every second is worthwhile content. Your thoughts and analysis are worth their weight in gold. Keep doing you man, gl on USDC 2 and keep on doing you.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks you so much for your support!! Man USDC2 is gonna be tough for me tho haha

[@Gilikman]

@@MMAShredded Yeah, tough cast! But so much opportunity to learn and grow, and also different from the regular stuff you train (with new surprises from Rokas and Jeff), so I'm sure it'll be a blast!

[@mrimperfection1112]

Watching & analyzing Jeff Chen Vs Rokas, obviously Jeff Chan is a real champ by extending his arm out, allowing Rokas to execute his practice of Discipline (Aikido). Which puts into perspective, questioning "Do Aikido work?" This is marvelous piece... Something the originator Bruce Lee developed years ago, now continued by Jeff Chan & Co. Congratulations guys for a overall awesome job. Life is a journey of learning after all.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for watching!!

[@MiddleAgedBob]

Aikido works well in a small number of very specific types of situations. You know that game you play in the pool where you go up against another person and try to see who can dunk the other person under the water first? It works REALLY well in that.

[@capsbr2100]

Cool to see you guys working together creating content. 😀

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@tavtav3526]

The one getting thrown is the one giving aikido credit, not the practitioner itself. What I like about Jeff is his humbleness and his martial art view. He doesn't have narrow mindset like Rokas who go hating his own martial art instead Jeff take cradit of his arsenal then make it up using anything he can so he got to know how the martial art works ''for him''.

[@wotchthiz]

I have more respect for this aikido guy than any aikido guy ever.

[@MMAShredded]

oss

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

Aww man, do tell me that you do not follow or know about Ryuji Shirakawa. He's also very respetable as an Aikido practitioner and he also learned kickboxing and some grappling to compliment his Aikido if he needs to. I mean, Aikido is supposed to be around 80% striking.

[@kevinschultz6091]

My understanding is that the original Aikido students were all high-dan practitioners of old-timey Judo - ie, back when it was only a few years out from the Jujitsu/Judo name change. Thus, historically at least, you could consider Aikido to be the high-level Judo techniques that were taught once folks were really, really good at the underlying Ju(jitsu)do techniques. Which makes sense - if you think of Judo as joint manipulation on the big joints (hip, shoulder, and maybe elbow), which due to their size makes them easier and thus more likely to succeed. Whereas Aikido takes those family of techniques and moves them down to the elbow wrist, for a lower probability of success due to the relative size and speed at which the hands and arms move, as opposed to the shoulder.

[@frank5.3]

Being a beast with the ability to dial it down to the situation is awesome.

[@MMAShredded]

oss!!

[@rainbowskyrunner]

3:40 Also nice axe kick attempt as you broke away from this grappling exchange.. very cool 😎🤙🏾

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@berthahowell9258]

I've watched that fuys channel a few times he has def improved from when he first tried to implement Aikido in practical situations. And your the best person he could have tried his be knowledge on

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@Priapos93]

Rokas has long levers and probably has a significant weight advantage, but you can see the Aikido theory informing his wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. When it worked well, it did seem difficult for you to resist and the action looked remarkably like those Aikido clips where the person being thrown around doesn't really resist.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@dedydet6646]

Maybe because it's for public demonstration so aesthetics are important. I always try to resist as uke, except for the safe throw part. It's fun to do successful ukemi haha

[@Priapos93]

@@dedydet6646 I'd like to try some Judo and wrestling in general. It seems like good fun.

[@rocelderamos3013]

I mean Jeff did say that he did try to stall and resist the technique. But if it's already locked in. He had to roll out of it the same way the ukes throw themselves in public demos of Aikido. Otherwise, it would break his wrist/joints.

[@ZeroFucksLeft]

I used to be an Aikido hater, but I'm genuinely surprised to see it work! Thank you Rokas, for educating me further on the subject of martial arts

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@tomo2807]

Bravo Rokas!! Getting two kotegaeshis among other techniques was amazing, thank you Jeff for the video and the open mind!!

[@MMAShredded]

thanks :)

[@emirhanziya]

i genuinely believe jeff is the best martial arts instructor on youtube. Would love to attend a seninar of his. whens the next time you’re in NJ/NYC?

[@MMAShredded]

I am currently based out of NYC ! shoot me a DM on instagram @mmashredded or email me at [e-mail]!

[@mokukahae]

Jeff, since you have been going down various avenues of experiencing different martial arts/combat sports, I would love to see a video about various blends of combat sports and martial arts, maybe 5 key techniques they they might have an spar with them highlighting these blends' strengths and weaknesses.

[@MMAShredded]

interesting topic!!

[@zacharywong483]

Really great video, Jeff! That was super interesting sparring to watch!

[@MMAShredded]

thank you!!!

[@marounasmar9012]

I have been practicing Traditional Aikido for 20 years, as you said, the way you practice it gives you the ultimate result. It has been 5 years now practicing boxing, an added value to the defensive style of aikido and strengthening the Atemi waza. Free sparring and Jyu waza also boosts your limits to the upmost levels, especially when countering fighters with different backgrounds Cheers

[@MMAShredded]

oss cheers!!

[@towag]

Been saying this for so long now, since doing Tomiki aikido, which does have full resistance shiai, but as always, its in the application and the individual... I said this to Rokas a long time ago, but it feel upon deaf ears at the time... 👐🙄 Wow! Now he's actually found out by his own application that it does bloody well work!!

[@rodrigotellom]

Beautiful. Jeff and Rokas are legitimate true martial artists, not just for what they know and have practiced but how they study, practice and approach martial arts. I believe - as a purple belt in bjj - that Judo, Aikido and Brazilian Jujitsu, as all descendant of Japanese jujitsu have all inherited and discarded different virtues: sport, throws, flexibility, submissions, practice, etc. Aikido being the most theoretical for sure, but as Roy Dean has said too "the leverage is real, the timing is what's off". Based on what I just saw Rokas, it makes sense to me to think of Aikido as the pure theoretical approach (like having a PhD in how the body moves) but with not a practical approach, but probably practiced properly, Aikido will look blend and "disappear" with Judo and Jujitsu (as in they all become one). As I've said in this channel: "all martial arts meet at he end".

[@MMAShredded]

osss!

[@ryneagheilim9782]

I like how you get pitted on against one of the bests in the most skeptical martial arts. You vs the best in Aikido. And then some of your videos, it was you vs the best in Wing Chun. Great content sir Jeff!! At least you fight the legit guys around.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for watching!

[@Bmoon8907]

There were a couple times where it looked like if it wasn’t just friendly training Rokas could have caused some nasty damage. But the same can be said for Jeff. I believe that’s why so many people think wrist locks don’t work. Because often times when it is a skilled person doing the technique they know the danger and do not want to injury their training partner. With striking, if you hit too hard it hurts like hell but they can bounce back fairly quick. If you snap someone’s wrist, even just a sprain, they’re recovering for months.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@Sir_price]

The context is also a big factor (try to leg sweep a judo guy, catch a karate one that has space, clinch a thaï fighter, outspar a boxer when fear tetanize your legs etc.) and that is what enriches the MA field. That's why it's smthing we can all get passionate about!

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@ctcm]

Hey Jeff! Thank you for making this video. I'm humbled by your open mindedness every time I see you trying out a martial art, giving it a chance and showing it. As you said, I think Aikido can work and like you said too: in Jiu-Jitsu specially. I really really wish Rokas would modify his Aikido and offer a different flavor mixed with jiu-jitsu and Judo/Wrestling. I think it would be an amazing system and many people would benefit from it. Now I just have to tell him that about 1,000 times again to try to convince him :)

[@MMAShredded]

oss :)

[@benfranklin2168]

Jeff and Rokas have matured a lot. Not just in martial arts, but attitude as well as mind. Great to see. I hope Rokas adds Catch as Catch Can to his skill set; I can see that helping him a lot with Aikido (yes, BJJ as well).

[@MMAShredded]

oss he keeps getting better!

[@scottmarlow6018]

I agree with the jiu-jitsu statement. With Aikido being derived from aiki -jujutsu and and BJJ being deriving from judo which is derived from jujutsu, it makes sense techniques can be woven together more easily. I think many marital arts can be woven together with enough creativity when you look at the families of martial arts at the whole level.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@captainspain9759]

The original practitioners of Aikido already knew how to fight, and they practiced Aikido to learn a new way to defend themselves. The "secret" of Aikido that so many senseis talk vaguely about, I believe, is just knowing how to fight before you pick up Aikido. If you understand fighting, you'll understand how to apply Aikido in a fight. If you don't understand fighting, it will be very difficult to make your Aikido work. I practiced for 12 years, and I was able to make my Aikido work, but that's because I grew up fighting kids who were bigger than me.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@pmartialartsx]

Haha remember me? I hate to say, I told you so like a few years ago! Good job, you’ve come a long way Aikido Man.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@tarokitano4021]

OSS! It certainly works if used at the right time in the right situation. With patience, practice and experience, you may somehow find aikido make it's way into ONE, UFC etc.⚔

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@Bloodyshinta1]

I hope Rokas will use video evidence like this to study and review what he can do in certain situations and develop his aikido to be more practical. There are certain situations that probably just don't come up in traditional aikido training that do when in an mma fight that he could use to learn from.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@michaelmartinez3893]

Very cool session. Hope you got to spar with Ramsey before his knee got injured.

[@MMAShredded]

yep I did :)

[@cosmichef75]

Jeff once you're at the level you are certain Aikido techniques will only enhance your Thai clinch and wrestling. The same thing with Wing Chun and Judo. You can turn dirty boxing/Thai cling range into unpredictable throws and strikes to set up all kinds of opportunities. This was a great video as always.

[@MMAShredded]

osss I agree!

[@TheNamesDitto]

On such a nice mood seeing all the great content you guys put out lately!

[@MMAShredded]

thx :)

[@MarkoObradovich]

Cheers guys. What a nice and technical sparring. 👍👊💪

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@M_K-Bomb]

Aikido I think can be better used in security-type scenarios. You find the person sometimes doesn't actually have intentions to fight, so you can get that spit second to put on that lock before they find out it's too late. Plus there has been video footage of security or police putting Aikido style locks on people.

[@MERVILLE3]

Both of you should look at how the Shorinji kempo guys put on their wrist locks etc. in their free play (certainly in my experience, they don't spar, as we would call it). I think the episode on SK from the BBC 80s programme, Way of the Warrior, is a good place to start. The biggest danger would be if you're sparring with someone who doesn't understand the load your going to put on their joints, just in playing

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@gladiumcaeli]

Most of the early Aikidokas also trained in Judo, which explains why they could use the techniques back in the day. Honestly Aikido in my mind is the only martial art that you need to know how to fight to use but it's like a cherry on top.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@markmitchell8374]

Great video. I followed both of you. Rokas it was good to see the kotegashi, wrist, throw show a few times. I used to use it in bjj especially in grappling and guys didnt know what to do with it and it was great surprise attack. Also you tried a kaiten nage which worked a little and sankyo. The wrist throw is aikido best technique. However aikido offers something else, relax and flow.I see older season jujitsu guys roll in an aikido way. Using the aggressors energy. Thats what it has to offer. Jeff, thanks for showing this and as always enjoyed your teaching. I have done alll arts love them and love the humility you both have.Keep doing what you both are doing.

[@MMAShredded]

osss!!! thanks for watching!

[@sullyb23511]

Icy Mike is low-key the biggest cheerleader in this crew, and I love it.

[@MMAShredded]

haha he is pretty awesome