I think we're beating a dead horse here. We all agree that BJJ is no longer the only answer, but rather, part of the answer. Sure. People deride BJJ for it's lack of striking (which was always pretty shit), and bad takedowns/guardpulling (which are probably in the worst state they've ever been in). Fair enough. I also think we should have some sort of system for fighting off a wall/cage/barricade, but there are enterprising jiu jitsuers who have done that. I think his name is Bjorn, his instructional seems rad. So on to other concerns.
But what are, as the BJJ community, going to do about it? I propose we make some modifications to our art, and then conduct a second BJJihad, declaring holy grappling war against those of other "faiths" (i.e., strikers, eugh).
Now, in the old days, the Gracie family would send envoys out to other arts to learn their secrets and techniques, and bring them home to BJJ. For example I believe Rolls trained in Sambo/Judo and brought the secret tech home. Wrestlers have been imported. I think it's time we do that again.
However, we can't just incorporate any old systems. If we import, for example, Muay Thai, then we're no better than those awful strikers who currently mock us. And to lower ourselves to the level of strikers, well, that's when we've truly lost. No, instead, we need to import a grappling style, one that we could confidently customize to fit our own needs. One that has both takedowns, and some manner of striking (though without becoming...strikers, eugh).
Some would say Sambo, which isn't a bad idea. But those closed fists of theirs stink of boxing. Repulsive. Much like the noble art of combat jiu jitsu, which has open hand slaps, I would think palm strikes fit the BJJ'er best. It keeps our gentle hands safe, ready for gripping on the gi, where they so rightfully belong. It was an old NHB staple from mount. It can turn into a grip from a strike, or a collar tie, or be used to position someone for something. Yes, we can all agree. Palm strikes are the way to go. They did it in pancrase, and pancrase was pretty much custom made for grapplers.
High kicks are obviously suicide. Low, sweeping kicks, to facilitate a takedown? Sure. But no kicks above the waist.
As for takedowns, there's a wide variety from which to choose. Judo is our weird grandfather art, but they already think they're better than us. Also their rules suck. Sambo has better rules, but relies heavily on the jacket as well, so what happens in nogi? Wrestling seems great, but if you're wearing a gi/belt, you should have some sort of system for taking advantage of a belt grip. Even on the street, people wear pants. If you're fighting someone who isn't wearing pants, I would argue you have bigger life concerns to figure out.
I propose going back to our Japanese roots; to an antecedent of Judo. Something that combines open hand palm strikes, below the waist leg attacks, and takedowns, with inherent strategies for nogi, and for when a belt grip is available.
SUMO.
Hell, Lyoto Machida combined BJJ and Sumo, and he was a UFC Champion. How else could Lyoto Machida make his silly martial art of karate work? Think about it guys. The way forward, the way to drag BJJ into the present, is to import sumo. Could unify the rules of CJJ and BJJ, with open palms legal anywhere, standing or on the ground. It worked for Bas Rutten. The charging/pushing is an excellent way to get to the wall/cage, which is practically like a vertical ground. Not to mention you get to wear the fashionable mawashi, which comes in a variety of colors. Think about it guys. Think about it.
Alternate idea: Start calling takedowns "sweeps" and call stand up sparring "standing guard"??
