Courtesy of Joel Jamieson of 8 Weeks Out
Is Gi Jiu Jitsu Aerobic-Lactic?
It's going to depend a lot on an indvidual's style. Some guys are higher pressure and faster paced than others. Some will sit there and hold position and slowly work until they get something then they'll explode, while others work work work until their opponent makes a mistake and they capitalize. There is probably more lactic system that comes into play than MMA, but how much more has a lot to do with someone's technique and tactics.
BJJ/Grappling Conditioning vs. MMA Conditioning
The biggest difference between the two will come into play when you're getting closer to a match and start getting really specific in your conditioning. In MMA, you have to work both standing and on the ground and takedowns as part of conditioning, which in BJJ you just need to work conditioning specific to that sport. There are also some differences in which muscles need the most muscular endurance, and as I said before you need to incorporate more static holds/positions in your BJJ strength and conditioning routine. I have a post somewhere on here where I talk about how you can do conditioning drills for BJJ that are more horizontal and in positions similar to on the ground, this is something you'd want to be doing as you transition from general to more specific training.
Also, I have to say that when it comes to BJJ and the ground game, a HUGE component of your conditioning comes from your technique and how you learn to conserve and use energy. Guys who try to muscle everything and use strength/power instead of technique will gas themselves out much faster than someone who might not be in as good of shape but has better technique and knows how to conserve their energy.
Learning how to utilize your energy as effective as possible and use the least amount of energy possible is the real KEY to conditioning on the ground. I've watched Matt time and time again wear someone out until they had nothing left just by being smart with how he used his energy and his weight to make them work much harder than him. This is something that takes years to learn but it's hugely important on the ground for wearing your opponnent down and winning. I'm sure if you've ever gone against someone really good you know what it feels like to have someone make you work much harder than they are, you feel like you're busting your ass and they're barely moving or exerting any eneryg at all. It's like playing an old guy in racquetball that has you running all over the court killing yourself while they are just standing in the middle all game long barely moving. If you want to have good conditioning in BJJ you have to learn how to be the old guy.
