Author: BJJ.TV

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

Mikey Musumeci is the inaugural UFC BJJ Bantamweight Champion, a five time IBJJF World Champion at black belt, and the first American to ever win more than one IBJJF Worlds title. His instructional library on BJJ Fanatics covers berimbolo, leg locks, modern guard play and the technical sport BJJ game that made him famous. This is the complete buyer’s guide.

Read the full Mikey Musumeci profile for the career story behind the smiling assassin.

Free Mikey Musumeci Content on YouTube

Mikey runs an active YouTube channel with regular technique tutorials, much of it focused on his signature berimbolo system and modern foot lock entries. Below are some of his most viewed free tutorials.

1. The Easiest Berimbolo

Mikey teaches the simplest version of berimbolo, accessible for grapplers without elite flexibility. The best entry point if you want to add berimbolo to your guard game.

2. A Jiu Jitsu Berimbolo That Everyone Can Do

A berimbolo variation that does not require inversion. Useful for less flexible grapplers wanting to enter the back take game.

3. The Berimbolo Drill

Mikey’s signature solo drill for the berimbolo. Useful warm up exercise that builds the mechanics over time.

Subscribe to his channel for ongoing free technique content. Mikey is one of the most active and most articulate teachers in the modern BJJ ecosystem.

Mikey Musumeci Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics

Mikey’s BJJ Fanatics library is unusual for its clarity. He breaks down complex sport BJJ positions in ways accessible to lower belts. Prices listed are MSRP. Sales of 40 to 50 percent off are common.

1. The Berimbolo System Bundle — Most Comprehensive

Price. $647 (sale often $323). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The complete berimbolo system in one bundle. The most thorough treatment of the position ever produced, from the inventor’s modern interpretation.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

2. BJJ Foundations Bundle — Best for Beginners

Price. $327 (sale often $163). Skill level. White and blue belt.

Mikey’s complete beginner curriculum. Covers guard attacking, guard passing and the foundations a new student needs. Unusually clear teaching for an elite black belt.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

3. Foundations of Guard Attacking

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

Mikey’s bottom game fundamentals. Spider guard, De La Riva, reverse De La Riva, leg drag entries and the modern sport BJJ guard he uses in IBJJF competition.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

4. Foundations of Passing: Neutralizing The Guard

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

Mikey’s top game and modern guard passing. Heavy on the leg drag and the guard neutralisation concepts that drive sport BJJ passing.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

5. Death From Below — Best for Foot Lockers

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

Mikey’s signature foot lock entry system. The foot lock chains he used to win the UFC BJJ Bantamweight title.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

6. Slicin’ Calves

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

The calf slicer as a high percentage submission system. Mikey breaks down setups from multiple positions including back control and side control.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

7. The Berimbolo System Part 1: The Foundation

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The first volume of the Berimbolo System series, covering the foundational mechanics. Better starting point than the bundle if you want to dip your toe in.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

8. K Guard and Matrix System

Price. $98.50 (often on permanent sale). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

K guard and Mikey’s matrix attack system from the knees, focused on leg attack entries off bottom kneeling positions. Good complement to the foot lock material.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

Which Mikey Musumeci Instructional Should You Buy First

• White belt · BJJ Foundations Bundle. Cleanest beginner curriculum from a five time IBJJF World Champion.
• Bottom game player wanting to add berimbolo · The Berimbolo System Part 1.
• Foot lock specialist · Death From Below.
• Lighter weight competitor · Foundations of Guard Attacking.

For more instructor reviews, see our pages on John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones, Lachlan Giles and Bernardo Faria.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

Bernardo Faria is a five time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion, a co-founder of BJJ Fanatics, and one of the most accessible BJJ educators in the world. His instructional library is unusually well suited to beginners and to older adults coming to BJJ as a hobby rather than a competition career. This guide covers his free content and every major paid release.

Free Bernardo Faria Content on YouTube

Bernardo runs the Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics YouTube channel with over one million subscribers and thousands of free videos. It is the most prolific free BJJ content channel on the internet. Below are some of his most viewed releases.

1. “I Have Never Seen This Before” — Closed Guard Breakdown

Bernardo breaks down a closed guard technique that surprised him. Good example of his interview style technique videos.

2. When Bernardo Faria Put the Pressure on Marcelo Garcia

Footage of Bernardo rolling with his coach Marcelo Garcia. Excellent insight into Bernardo’s pressure passing game against one of the all time greats.

3. WNO Podcast with Marcelo Garcia

Bernardo hosts Marcelo Garcia on the WNO Podcast. Long form interview with one of the all time greatest grapplers.

4. The TRUTH About Toxic BJJ Culture

One of Bernardo’s most discussed non technique videos. Honest look at problems in the BJJ instructor space.

Bernardo posts new free content several times a week. Subscribe to his channel for ongoing free BJJ education from a five time World Champion.

Bernardo Faria Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics

Bernardo’s BJJ Fanatics catalog is built around two themes. Battle tested fundamentals based on his five Mundial titles, and the Jiu Jitsu for Old Guys series specifically designed for hobbyist adult practitioners. Prices listed are MSRP.

1. Battle Tested Pressure Passing — Best Value Purchase

Price. $39.50 (often on permanent sale). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

Bernardo’s signature pressure passing system. The over under pass that he used to win five IBJJF World Championships. At under $40 this is one of the best value purchases in all of BJJ instructional content.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

2. Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Best for White Belts

Price. $49.50 (often on permanent sale). Skill level. White belt.

The cleanest beginner instructional in Bernardo’s catalog. Covers escapes, basic submissions and positional fundamentals with Bernardo’s famously clear teaching style.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

3. Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: No Gi

Price. $99 (sale $49). Skill level. White and blue belt.

The no gi companion to Foundations. Same teaching approach adapted for no gi grappling. Good entry point for beginners focused on no gi.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

4. High Percentage Submissions

Price. $79 (sale $49). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The submission chains Bernardo used in IBJJF competition. Armbar, triangle, kimura and back take finishes all linked together as a coherent submission system.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

5. Escapes from Everywhere

Price. $79 (sale $49). Skill level. White belt and up.

The complete escape system. Mount, back, side control, north south and submission escapes all covered with Bernardo’s clear methodical teaching.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

6. The Complete Bundle by Bernardo Faria

Price. $924 (sale often $462). Skill level. All levels.

Bernardo’s complete instructional library in one bundle. Best buy if you want the full Bernardo Faria curriculum, particularly for coaches or full time hobbyists.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

7. Jiu Jitsu For Old Guys Bundle — Best for Hobbyist Adults

Price. $1,347 (sale often $674). Skill level. All levels.

The complete Jiu Jitsu for Old Guys curriculum, designed for adult hobbyist practitioners who want a sustainable game that does not rely on explosive athleticism. The most useful BJJ Fanatics series for adults coming to BJJ later in life.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

8. Jiu Jitsu For Old Guys: Fundamental Game Plan

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. White and blue belt adult hobbyists.

Single volume entry to the Jiu Jitsu for Old Guys series. Bernardo’s complete game plan for adult hobbyist BJJ. Best starting point in the Old Guys curriculum if you do not want the full bundle.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

Which Bernardo Faria Instructional Should You Buy First

• White belt · Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. At under $50 on sale, it is the best beginner BJJ instructional at the price.
• Anyone with a passing problem · Battle Tested Pressure Passing. The over under pass that wins Mundials.
• Adult hobbyist starting in their 40s or 50s · Jiu Jitsu for Old Guys Fundamental Game Plan.
• Coach or completist · The Complete Bundle.

For more instructor reviews, see our pages on John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones and Lachlan Giles instructionals.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

Lachlan Giles is an Australian BJJ black belt and ADCC absolute medalist who famously submitted three heavyweights at ADCC 2019 weighing just 77 kg himself. His instructional library on BJJ Fanatics and his Submeta platform have shaped how a generation of grapplers think about leg locks and modern no gi BJJ. This guide covers every major release and shows you where to start.

Free Lachlan Giles Content on YouTube

Lachlan runs the Lachlan Giles Jiu Jitsu YouTube channel with hundreds of free technique videos. Subscribe to that channel for the most consistent stream of high quality free BJJ content from any elite competitor in the sport. Below are some of his most viewed videos.

1. The BJJ Lightweight Who Broke Heavyweights

The documentary on Lachlan’s ADCC 2019 absolute run where he submitted three opponents 50 pounds heavier with heel hooks. Essential viewing for anyone studying his leg lock game.

His YouTube channel also includes regular breakdowns of ADCC matches, technique tutorials covering the 50/50 leg lock system, guard retention concepts and the latest competition footage analysed in detail. There is more free Lachlan Giles content on YouTube than from any other elite black belt currently teaching.

For a structured no gi curriculum from Lachlan at a low monthly cost, his Submeta platform at $25 per month is the best entry point.

Lachlan Giles Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics

Lachlan has released a deep library of BJJ Fanatics instructionals, with several extended Anthology series that are the most respected single position courses on the platform. Prices listed are MSRP.

1. Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 — Best Leg Lock Instructional Ever Made

Price. $74.50 (often on permanent sale). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The single most respected leg lock instructional ever produced. Covers the 50/50 position from every angle, with the heel hook system Lachlan used to choke out three heavyweights at ADCC 2019.

Our verdict. Every no gi grappler should own this. At the regular sale price, it is one of the best value purchases in all of BJJ instructional content.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

2. The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard

Price. $79 (sale $49). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The complete half guard passing system. How to handle the underhook, the dog fight, and every standard half guard escape attempt as the top player.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

3. The Half Guard Anthology

Price. $79 (sale $49). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The bottom half guard companion to the passing anthology above. Modern half guard from the bottom, with sweeps, back takes and leg lock entries.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

4. The Guard Retention Anthology

Price. $127 (sale $74). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The complete guard retention system co-taught with Ariel Tabak. The most comprehensive treatment of how to keep your guard against modern pressure passers.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

5. The Kimura Anthology

Price. $149 (sale $89). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The complete kimura system as a universal control grip. Sweeps, transitions, back takes, finishes and the connections to other submissions.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

6. The No Gi Open Guard Bundle

Price. $249 (sale $124). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

Lachlan’s complete no gi open guard system in a bundle. Includes K guard, De La Riva, RDLR and leg entanglement entries. Modern guard play from one of the leading specialists in the sport.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

7. Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes — Best for Beginners

Price. $127 (sale $74). Skill level. White and blue belt.

The escape system for gi and no gi training. Covers every standard escape with Lachlan’s systematic approach. Useful complement to John Danaher’s escapes instructional.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

8. The Body Lock Pass

Price. $99 (sale $59). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The body lock pass as a complete passing system. Heavy on the control concepts that make body lock work against modern guard players.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

Which Lachlan Giles Instructional Should You Buy First

• Anyone who trains no gi · Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50. The best single leg lock instructional on the market.
• White belt · Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes.
• Half guard specialist · The Half Guard Anthology and the half guard passing anthology together.
• Guard player at any belt · The Guard Retention Anthology.
• Best value subscription · Submeta at $25 per month for unlimited Lachlan Giles content.

For more instructor reviews, see our pages on John Danaher, Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones instructionals.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

Gordon Ryan retired from competition in February 2026 but his instructional library on BJJ Fanatics remains the most influential body of work in modern no gi grappling. The Systematically Attacking series alone shaped how a generation of competitors approach passing, back attacks and submissions. This guide reviews every major Gordon Ryan release and tells you which to buy first.

Read the full Gordon Ryan profile for the career story behind the King.

Free Gordon Ryan Content on YouTube

Gordon Ryan has free technique clips scattered across YouTube, mostly released through the BJJ Fanatics channel as previews of paid material. The videos below are the best free Gordon Ryan content currently available.

1. The Coolest Technique I Learned From Gordon Ryan

A breakdown of one of Gordon’s signature techniques with detailed mechanical explanation. Great introduction to how he thinks about chain attacks.

2. Backstep From Primary Leg Extraction

Gordon teaching the backstep escape from leg entanglements. A free preview clip from one of his Systematically Attacking instructionals.

3. Whizzer Back Take by Gordon Ryan

Gordon’s back take when opponents give up the whizzer. Foundational back attack mechanics.

4. Working Out Like Gordon Ryan For 60 Days

A documentary style video where a regular practitioner trains like Gordon for two months. Useful look at the volume and intensity behind elite grappling.

Subscribe to the BJJ Fanatics YouTube channel for regular free Gordon Ryan technique clips released as previews of his paid instructionals.

Gordon Ryan Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics

Gordon’s Systematically Attacking series is the core of his BJJ Fanatics library. Each volume covers one position or attack chain with the same dense technical approach. Prices listed are MSRP. BJJ Fanatics sales of 40 to 50 percent off are common.

1. Systematically Attacking The Guard — Best for Pressure Passers

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

The original modern guard passing reference. Over and under, body lock, leg drag, knee slice and the full pressure passing system Gordon used to dominate ADCC.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

2. Systematically Attacking The Back — Best for Back Takers

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

The most comprehensive back attack instructional ever produced. Entries, control, retention and finishes from back position with Gordon’s signature rear naked choke system.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

3. Systematically Attacking The Legs

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

Gordon’s complete leg attack system. Heel hooks, ashi garami, the saddle and every entry to the leg lock game with his finishing details.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

4. Systematically Attacking From Half Guard

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Blue to purple belt.

Gordon’s half guard top game. Heavy on the over under pass off half guard, the underhook battle, and the back take chain off half guard scrambles.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

5. Systematically Attacking From Top Pins Bundle

Price. $419 (sale often $209). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The complete top pin attack system. Mount, side control, north south and kesa gatame attacks. The submission chains Gordon used to finish ADCC opponents from top position.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

6. Systematically Attacking The Guillotine

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The deep dive into guillotine setups, controls and finishes. High elbow guillotines, arm in guillotines, standing entries and the front headlock system.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

7. Systematically Attacking The Kimura

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The kimura grip as a universal control. Sweeps, back takes, transitions and finishes built around one of the most useful grips in grappling.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

8. Systematically Attacking The Guard 2.0

Price. $349 (sale often $174). Skill level. Brown belt and up.

The updated passing system released in 2024 covering modern counters and the evolution of Gordon’s pressure passing game post B-Team move. Best paired with the original Systematically Attacking The Guard.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

Which Gordon Ryan Instructional Should You Buy First

• Purple belt or above looking to pass guard · Systematically Attacking The Guard. The original is still the reference. Get the 2.0 once you have absorbed the first volume.
• Anyone who wants to finish fights · Systematically Attacking The Back. Back attacks have the highest finishing rate in grappling and Gordon’s system is the best on the market.
• No gi specialist building a leg attack game · Systematically Attacking The Legs.
• Half guard player · Systematically Attacking From Half Guard.

For more instructor reviews, see our John Danaher instructionals and Craig Jones instructionals pages, or the master overview at Best BJJ Instructionals 2026.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

Craig Jones is one of the most successful no gi BJJ competitors of the last decade, an ADCC silver medallist multiple times over, and the most charismatic teacher in modern grappling. His instructional library on BJJ Fanatics covers leg locks, guard play, top game and competition strategy. This guide reviews every major Craig Jones release and shows you where to start.

Craig also founded the Craig Jones Invitational, the $1 million prize money tournament that reshaped competitive grappling in 2024. Read that article for the back story.

Free Craig Jones Content on YouTube

Unlike most elite BJJ instructors, Craig Jones runs an active YouTube channel with regular free technique content. The videos below are some of the best free leg lock and BJJ tutorials available anywhere on the internet.

1. Craig Jones’ Most Iconic Leg Locks (Highlight Reel)

The best introduction to Craig Jones’ leg lock game. Watch every signature finish from his ADCC and EBI career, with commentary on what makes each one work.

2. The Dumbest Mistake in Leg Locks

Craig and his coach break down the single most common mistake amateur grapplers make when hunting leg attacks. Essential viewing before you start drilling leg locks live.

3. The Secret Grip For Defending Heel Hooks

Craig’s leg lock defence breakdown showing the grip he uses to neutralise heel hook attempts before they become dangerous. One of the most useful pieces of free leg lock content on YouTube.

4. Craig Jones Live Rolling, Finishing Only With Leg Attacks

Craig rolls live against multiple training partners and finishes every roll with a leg attack. The best demonstration of how his system actually works in live grappling.

For more, subscribe to the Craig Jones Jiu Jitsu YouTube channel. New free content is released regularly.

Craig Jones Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics

Craig has more than thirty paid instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, covering every aspect of modern no gi BJJ. Below are the eight most important ones. Prices listed are MSRP. BJJ Fanatics runs frequent sales of 40 to 50 percent off, so wait for a sale before buying.

1. Down Under Leg Attacks — Best Single Purchase

Price. $39.50 (often on permanent sale). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The flagship Craig Jones leg lock instructional and the best value individual purchase in his catalogue. Over 10 hours of leg attack instruction covering ashi garami entries, heel hooks, toe holds, knee bars and the complete leg lock system Craig used at ADCC.

Our verdict. If you only buy one Craig Jones instructional, buy this one. The price to value ratio is extraordinary.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

2. The Down Under Bottom Game Bundle

Price. $599 (sale often $299). Skill level. Blue belt to brown belt.

Craig’s complete bottom game system. Z guard, closet guard, octopus guard, half guard, and every guard retention and attack from his career. This bundle is the canonical reference for Craig’s bottom game.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

3. The Down Under Top Game Bundle

Price. $369 (sale often $179). Skill level. Blue belt to brown belt.

Craig’s complete top game including passing, control, and submissions from top position. The Higher Tripod Passing material is the standout content in this bundle.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

4. Closet Closed Guard — Best for Closed Guard Players

Price. $149 (sale $74). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

Craig’s modern interpretation of closed guard for no gi. Sweeps, submissions and the back take chains that make closed guard relevant against top level pressure passers.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

5. Balls To Wall — Best for Modern Open Guard

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

One of Craig’s most recent releases focused on his open guard system. Heavy on inversion, scrambling, and the modern guard play that has dominated grappling competition in the last few years.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

6. Make Z Guard Great Again — Best for Z Guard Specialists

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

Craig’s deep dive into Z guard, his signature bottom position. Z guard is one of the highest percentage guards in no gi and Craig is the most accomplished competitor to specialise in it.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

7. Just Stand Up — Best for Wrestling and Stand Up

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

Craig’s stand up and wrestling for no gi BJJ instructional. Takedowns, takedown defence, and the standing game for grapplers who do not come from a wrestling background.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

8. Octopus Guard 2.0

Price. $197 (sale $97). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

Craig’s updated octopus guard system. Octopus is a fringe guard but devastating when set up correctly, especially against opponents who do not see it often.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

Which Craig Jones Instructional Should You Buy First

• White and blue belt · Down Under Leg Attacks. At $39.50 it is the best price to value purchase in all of BJJ instructional content.
• Blue and purple belt bottom player · Down Under Bottom Game Bundle. Build a complete no gi guard around Craig’s Z guard and closed guard work.
• Blue and purple belt top player · Down Under Top Game Bundle. Higher Tripod Passing alone is worth the price.
• Specialist · Pick the single instructional that targets your weakest position. Craig has a deep dive on almost every modern no gi position.

For more BJJ instructor reviews, see our pages on John Danaher instructionals, the best BJJ instructionals of 2026 and best online BJJ courses.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

John Danaher is the most influential BJJ coach of the modern era. His instructional library on BJJ Fanatics is the deepest and most systematic technical material ever produced for Brazilian jiu jitsu. This guide covers everything he has available for free on YouTube and podcasts, then breaks down every major paid instructional on BJJ Fanatics with our pick of where to start.

If you have ever asked which Danaher instructional to buy first, this page is the answer. Read the full Danaher profile for the career story behind the name.

Free John Danaher Content on YouTube

Danaher does not run his own YouTube channel and does not post free technique tutorials. The closest you can get to free Danaher content is his podcast appearances, which run for hours and cover his BJJ philosophy in detail. The two Lex Fridman appearances below are the most comprehensive free Danaher material available anywhere.

1. The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu (Lex Fridman Podcast #182)

The first long form Danaher interview. Three hours covering his approach to teaching, the development of the Danaher Death Squad, and how he thinks about BJJ as a system. Essential listening for anyone serious about understanding modern BJJ.

2. Grappling, Jiu Jitsu and ADCC (Lex Fridman Podcast #328)

The second Lex Fridman interview, recorded ahead of ADCC 2022. Four hours of Danaher covering grappling theory, ADCC strategy, and the move from New York to Austin.

3. A Day in the Life of John Danaher

Short Lex Fridman clip covering Danaher’s daily routine. A glimpse into how one of the most respected coaches in the sport structures his life.

For actual free Danaher technique clips, the BJJ Fanatics YouTube channel releases regular sample clips from his paid instructionals. Subscribe to that channel for the closest thing to free Danaher technique content available.

John Danaher Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics

Danaher has produced more than thirty paid instructionals on BJJ Fanatics. Below are the eight most important ones, ranked by who they are best suited for. Prices listed are MSRP at the time of writing. BJJ Fanatics runs regular sales of 40 to 50 percent off, so wait for a sale if you can.

1. Go Further Faster Bundle — Best Overall

Price. $1,297 (MSRP, sale price often $647). Skill level. White belt to brown belt.

Danaher’s complete BJJ fundamentals system. Eight volumes covering passing, escapes, half guard, guard retention, leg locks, submissions, top position and standing. If you are serious about BJJ and want one definitive curriculum, this is it.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

2. Pin Escapes and Turtle Escapes — Best for Beginners

Price. $197 (MSRP, sale $97). Skill level. White belt and up.

The single most useful instructional any BJJ beginner can own. Most white belts lose ninety percent of their rolls because they cannot escape. This ten plus hour instructional covers mount, side control, back, kesa gatame and turtle escapes with Danaher’s systematic approach.

Our verdict. If you only buy one Danaher instructional in your first year of BJJ, buy this one.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

3. Passing the Guard — Best for Intermediate Top Players

Price. $197 (MSRP, sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

Danaher’s guard passing system covering knee slide, leg drag, over under, body lock and standing passes. Foundational material for anyone who wants to build a complete top game.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

4. Guard Retention — Best for Bottom Players

Price. $197 (MSRP, sale $97). Skill level. Blue belt and up.

The complete guard retention system. How to keep your guard against pressure passers, leg drag attempts, and the most common modern passing approaches. Pairs perfectly with the Passing the Guard instructional above.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

5. Half Guard — Best for Specialised Bottom Play

Price. $197 (MSRP, sale $97). Skill level. Blue to purple belt.

Danaher’s deep dive into half guard, the position that defines mid level competitive BJJ. Modern half guard concepts, dog fight transitions, and the underhook game.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

6. Leglocks: Enter The System — Best for Modern Leg Lockers

Price. $197 (MSRP, sale $97). Skill level. Purple belt and up.

The instructional that defined modern no gi leg locks. Ashi garami, the saddle, heel hooks, knee bars and the full systematic approach. This is the reference material the Danaher Death Squad used to dominate EBI and ADCC for years.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

7. Enter The System Bundle — Best for Advanced Students

Price. $999 (MSRP, sale often $499). Skill level. Brown belt and up.

The advanced Enter The System collection including back attacks, ashi garami, the guard, kimuras and the triangle. Each volume is eight to ten hours of dense technical material. Plan for several months per volume to absorb properly.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

8. New Wave Jiu Jitsu Bundle — Best for Modern Competition

Price. $1,497 (MSRP, sale often $747). Skill level. Brown belt and up.

The most recent Danaher work, covering his New Wave era teaching including positional escapes and submission escapes. Densest technical material released by any BJJ instructor.

View on BJJ Fanatics →

Which Danaher Instructional Should You Buy First

• White belt · Pin Escapes and Turtle Escapes. Escapes are the white belt’s biggest gap.
• Blue belt · Guard Retention + Passing the Guard. Build offensive and defensive game in parallel.
• Purple belt · Leglocks Enter The System. Add modern leg attacks to your game.
• Brown belt and above · Enter The System Bundle or specific advanced volumes.
• Coach or full system builder · Go Further Faster Bundle. The most complete BJJ curriculum available.

For more BJJ instructor reviews, see our pages on the best BJJ instructionals of 2026 and best online BJJ courses.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

The premium BJJ instructional market is dominated by one platform (BJJ Fanatics) and a small group of elite instructors. The good news is the technical level on offer is the highest it has ever been. The bad news is the prices are too. This guide ranks the eight instructionals genuinely worth buying in 2026, by belt level and use case.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Best for White Belts · Go Further Faster: Escapes by John Danaher
• Best for Blue Belts · Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro
• Best for Purple Belts · Systematically Attacking the Guard by Gordon Ryan
• Best for Brown Belts · Enter the System: Back Attacks by John Danaher
• Best for No Gi Specialists · Submeta by Lachlan Giles
• Best for Leg Lockers · Leg Locks Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles
• Best for Sport BJJ · High Percentage Submissions by Mikey Musumeci
• Best for Guard Players · MGinAction by Marcelo Garcia

1. Go Further Faster: Escapes — Best for White Belts

John Danaher’s Go Further Faster: Escapes is the most important single instructional a BJJ beginner can own. Most white belts lose ninety percent of their rolls because they cannot escape bad positions. Danaher’s systematic approach to mount, side control, back, and kesa gatame escapes fixes that gap.

Price. $97 list, regularly on sale for $58.

Best for. White belts in their first 12 months of training.

2. Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro — Best for Blue Belts

Saulo Ribeiro’s Jiu Jitsu University book and accompanying instructional is one of the most influential conceptual works in BJJ. Organised by belt rank, with chapters explaining what each belt should focus on.

The blue belt section is the gold of the book. Saulo’s framework for escapes and survival shapes how generations of practitioners think about BJJ defence.

The book version is widely available on Amazon for $30 and is the most highlighted BJJ book in the sport’s history.

3. Systematically Attacking the Guard by Gordon Ryan — Best for Purple Belts

Gordon Ryan’s Systematically Attacking the Guard is the modern pressure passing reference. Over and under, body lock, leg drag, knee slice. Each pass is broken down with the same systematic approach that produced multiple ADCC champions out of B-Team.

Price. $197 list, often $120 on sale.

Best for. Purple and brown belts looking to build a complete passing game.

4. Enter the System: Back Attacks by John Danaher — Best for Brown Belts

Enter the System: Back Attacks is John Danaher’s complete back attack system. Eight to ten hours of material covering every entry, control, retention and finish from back position. This is the single deepest treatment of back attacks ever produced.

Price. $197 list.

Best for. Brown belts and black belts who want to build the world champion back attack game. Requires existing fundamentals.

5. Submeta by Lachlan Giles — Best for No Gi Specialists

Submeta at $25 per month is the cheapest entry into a world class no gi curriculum. Lachlan Giles is a Brazilian Top Team black belt and ADCC absolute medalist whose teaching system is one of the best in modern grappling.

The subscription includes Lachlan’s back take system, leg lock entries, guard retention, and his famous ADCC absolute strategy material.

6. Leg Locks Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles — Best for Leg Lockers

Lachlan Giles’ Leg Locks Anthology: 50/50 is the most respected leg lock instructional from the 50/50 position. Covers heel hooks, knee bars, toe holds and the entire submission tree from this position.

Lachlan submitted three heavyweights at ADCC 2019 weighing 77kg himself using the heel hook system he teaches in this instructional.

7. High Percentage Submissions by Mikey Musumeci

Mikey Musumeci is a five time IBJJF World Champion and the inaugural UFC BJJ Bantamweight Champion. His instructional library on BJJ Fanatics focuses on the high percentage submissions he uses in elite competition.

Unusually clear presentation and detailed explanations. Excellent for lighter weight competitors and sport BJJ specialists.

8. MGinAction by Marcelo Garcia — Best for Guard Players

MGinAction at $24.95 per month is Marcelo Garcia’s personal teaching platform. Marcelo is a four time ADCC champion and one of the most influential pure grapplers in BJJ history.

The X guard, butterfly guard, and back take systems on MGinAction are the foundation of how a generation of competitive grapplers play their guard.

When to Buy Instructionals (and When Not To)

Three rules for instructional buying.

• Buy for the position you are working in training, not the one you want to learn next week. If your guard passing is broken in live rolls, buy a passing instructional. Do not buy a leg lock instructional because you want to be Lachlan Giles. Drill what you watch.
• Wait for sales. BJJ Fanatics runs major sales for Black Friday, Memorial Day, and various instructor birthdays. Most instructionals can be bought at 40 to 50 percent off if you wait. Sign up for the email list.
• Do not buy more than three instructionals at a time. Most people buy a stack, watch the first half of each, and never finish any. One instructional drilled for three months is worth ten instructionals watched once.

The Single Best Purchase in 2026

If you can only buy one BJJ instructional in 2026, our pick is John Danaher’s Go Further Faster: Escapes for white belts, or Gordon Ryan’s Systematically Attacking the Guard for purple belts and above. Both are reference works that pay back the purchase price within a few months of dedicated drilling.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

Sanabul and Hayabusa are two of the most popular BJJ rashguard brands and they sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum. Sanabul Essentials at $35. Hayabusa Goorudo at $69 to $85. The question every new grappler asks is whether the Hayabusa is twice as good as the Sanabul to justify twice the price. The honest answer is no, but the picture is more nuanced than that.

The Quick Answer

Buy the Sanabul Essentials if you train two to four times a week and want a workhorse rashguard at the best price on the market. Buy the Hayabusa Goorudo if you train daily, value premium design and finish, or want a rashguard that lasts three to four years rather than one to two.

Side by Side Spec Comparison

• Sanabul Essentials Long Sleeve: $35 · 80% polyester, 20% spandex · Sublimated graphics · Flatlock seams · True to size
• Hayabusa Goorudo Premium Long Sleeve: $69 to $85 · 84% polyester, 16% spandex · Sublimated graphics · Flatlock seams · Slightly tighter than Sanabul

On paper the two are very similar. Both use the standard polyester spandex blend, both use sublimation printing rather than screen printing, both have flatlock seams. The differences are in execution, brand, design and durability.

Fit and Compression

Sanabul runs true to size for most body types. If you are between sizes, size up. The compression is solid but not aggressive.

Hayabusa runs slightly tighter. The compression is more aggressive, which some grapplers love and some find restrictive. If you are between sizes, size up.

Verdict. Both fit well, with Sanabul being more forgiving for first time buyers.

Durability

Sanabul rashguards typically last 12 to 18 months of regular three to four time a week training before showing meaningful wear (faded graphics, loose stitching at the cuffs, slight pilling).

Hayabusa rashguards last roughly 24 to 36 months under the same training load. The stitching is denser, the fabric is slightly more robust, and the sublimation prints hold up longer.

Verdict. Hayabusa wins on durability, but the gap is not large enough to justify the price difference on durability alone.

Design and Aesthetics

Sanabul sticks to relatively plain solid colours and simple branded designs. The aesthetic is functional rather than expressive.

Hayabusa has a stronger design language. The Goorudo line includes regular limited edition releases, collaborations and more visually interesting patterns. If your rashguard is part of how you express yourself in the gym, Hayabusa is clearly ahead.

Verdict. Hayabusa wins clearly on aesthetics. This is a real reason to spend the extra money if it matters to you.

Brand Recognition

Hayabusa has stronger brand recognition across all combat sports. The brand sponsors UFC fighters, Muay Thai athletes and major events. Wearing Hayabusa signals you take training seriously.

Sanabul has built strong brand recognition specifically within BJJ as the value choice. The brand is the most worn rashguard at most academies for a reason. There is no shame in wearing Sanabul anywhere.

Price and Value

Per dollar spent, Sanabul is the clear value winner. You get roughly the same technical product at half the price.

Hayabusa is not bad value for what it is. Premium BJJ rashguards from other brands (Origin, Scramble, Shoyoroll) sit in the $70 to $100 range. Hayabusa is competitive in that tier.

What Most BJJ Practitioners Actually Buy

The most common rashguard rotation we see at academies is two or three Sanabul Essentials plus one premium rashguard (Hayabusa, Origin, Scramble or similar) for special occasions and competitions. Total cost around $150 to $200. This is roughly the right approach for most people.

Going all in on premium rashguards costs $200 to $300 for the same number of pieces, with diminishing returns. Going all in on Sanabul saves you $50 to $100 but you lose the variety and the premium piece for important sessions.

Who Should Buy Sanabul

• White belts buying their first rashguard
• Anyone on a budget
• Grapplers who train three or four times a week and want a workhorse rotation
• Anyone who does not particularly care about gym aesthetics
• Anyone who wants three or four rashguards instead of one or two

Who Should Buy Hayabusa

• Daily training athletes who need durability for high volume
• Grapplers who care about how their gym kit looks
• Competition athletes who want a distinct visual identity
• Anyone who already has Sanabul Essentials and wants to upgrade
• Anyone who trains BJJ and Muay Thai or MMA together (Hayabusa makes gear across all three)

The Verdict

For most people in 2026, the right answer is Sanabul Essentials. Three rashguards at $105 total beats one or two Hayabusa Goorudo rashguards at $140 to $170 for the same training week.

The right time to add a Hayabusa Goorudo is once you have a full Sanabul rotation and want a premium piece for competitions or your favourite training session. As a first rashguard purchase, the Sanabul wins clearly.

BJJ TV may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article. It does not affect the price you pay or our editorial picks.

You do not need a mouthguard to train BJJ, but every grappler who has been clipped by an accidental elbow or had their lip split by a stray knee wishes they had been wearing one. A good mouthguard costs $20 to $40 and prevents emergency dental work that costs $2,000 plus. Here are the six best options for 2026.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall · SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm
• Best Premium · OPRO Power-Fit Custom
• Best Budget · Shock Doctor Gel Max at $20
• Best for Breathing · SISU Aero NextGen
• Best for MMA Crossover · Venum Predator
• Best for Kids · SISU Junior Aero

Why You Should Wear a Mouthguard in BJJ

BJJ is lower impact than striking sports but accidents happen. The most common injuries that a mouthguard prevents are:

• Lip cuts · A knee, elbow or accidental head clash can split a lip badly enough to need stitches
• Chipped or knocked out teeth · Same mechanism, far more expensive to fix
• Tongue bites · Surprisingly common during scrambles and submission defence
• Jaw protection · Bite force during a heavy roll can damage molars and the jaw joint over time

Dental insurance does not cover most sport injuries. A $25 mouthguard pays for itself the first time anything happens.

1. SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm — Best Overall

The SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm at $30 is the best mouthguard for BJJ on the market in 2026. Custom moulded, ultra thin (1.6mm), and designed to let you breathe and talk while wearing it. Unlike most boil and bite mouthguards, SISU does not feel like a giant rubber blob in your mouth.

Pros. Comfortable, talks-through-clearly, comes in multiple colours, holds up to a few years of daily use.

Cons. The thin profile is less protective in high impact sports like MMA. For pure BJJ it is perfect.

2. OPRO Power-Fit Custom — Best Premium

OPRO Power-Fit at $50 is the closest to a dentist made custom mouthguard you can get without going to a dentist. Multi layer construction with shock absorption, true custom fit, and very high comfort.

The Power-Fit comes with an extended five year guarantee on shape retention.

3. Shock Doctor Gel Max — Best Budget

Shock Doctor Gel Max at $20 is the classic budget mouthguard that has been around for decades. Boil and bite, gel cushioning, and proven across multiple combat sports.

Pros. Cheap, widely available, easy to fit.

Cons. Bulky, makes talking and breathing harder than the SISU.

4. Venum Predator — Best for MMA Crossover

The Venum Predator at $25 is built for the higher impact demands of MMA training while still being usable for BJJ. Thicker profile than SISU, with reinforced front teeth protection for stand up exchanges.

Best for grapplers who also train MMA or kickboxing alongside BJJ.

5. SISU Junior Aero — Best for Kids

The SISU Junior at $25 fits kids ages 7 to 11 and uses the same thin profile and breathable design as the adult version. Comfortable enough that kids actually keep it in during sparring.

6. SISU Aero NextGen 2.4mm — Best for Heavy Impact Training

If you want SISU comfort with more protection for harder training, the 2.4mm NextGen at $40 is a thicker option. Still much more comfortable than a standard boil and bite, with extra impact absorption.

How to Fit a Boil and Bite Mouthguard

1. Boil water in a kettle. Let it stop bubbling for thirty seconds (not boiling hot when you fit it).
2. Drop the mouthguard in for the time specified on the package (usually 30 to 60 seconds).
3. Remove with tongs, dunk briefly in cold water for two seconds.
4. Place in your mouth, bite down firmly, and use your tongue and fingers to press the guard against your teeth and gums.
5. Hold for thirty seconds. Then dunk in cold water again to set the shape.

If the fit is bad, you can re-boil and try again. Most mouthguards can be re-fitted two or three times.

Care and Hygiene

• Rinse with cold water after every use
• Store in the ventilated case it came with, not just thrown in your gym bag
• Brush gently with a toothbrush and mild soap once a week
• Replace every 12 to 18 months of regular use or sooner if the fit deteriorates
• Never share a mouthguard with anyone, ever

Final Recommendation

For 2026, the SISU Aero NextGen 1.6mm at $30 is the best mouthguard for BJJ training. It is the only mouthguard most grapplers find comfortable enough to actually wear consistently, and the protection is more than adequate for grappling. Buy it, fit it correctly, and keep it in for every session.