Question for those who practice bjj for self defense.?

If you've done much grappling, you'll notice that you quickly become aware of where your opponent's hands are at all times. This becomes even more obvious if you're using "natural" handles such as the elbow and shoulder as opposed to jacket grips, like a collar and sleeve. You shouldn't WAIT for the opponent to go for a weapon to control and monitor their hands, but rather, should already be doing that from the moment you tie up.

If I'm the superior grappler, there should be few opportunities for someone to draw a weapon. Most weapons are held in the "quick draw" zone around the belt line. In most cases, I'll either be filling that area with my own body (have my legs or hips in between their hand and their belt line) or should recognize that they're placing themselves in a perfect position for a "Kimura" arm lock.

So basically, good grappling should mean they don't have a chance to draw a weapon from a conventional location. I should be controlling their hands and their hips at all times. It's hard to draw a weapon when someone is kneeling on your forearm.

But for the sake of argument, let's say I've screwed up, and they do manage to draw a weapon. If I've played a good positioning game, I should be in such a position that I can disengage if I need to. Alternatively, go back to the basics: hand control. If I can get two hands on the weapons arm, and there are several grips that allow me to do that, I pretty much have complete control over what that arm is doing, and am usually in a great position to apply a joint lock, which should convince them to drop the weapon, or at the very least will make it more difficult for them to hold it.

Also, there's no rule that says I have to stick strictly to BJJ techniques. I can pin his weapon arm, then start punching or kneeing him, or look for a weapon in the environment, like a rock or a bottle.

I'm nor pro or anti bjj or mma. I have stated here many times it is not the art that is effective. It is the effectiveness of the individual using the art. The problem never lies in the art only the person attempting to use what they have been taught. You should keep in mind what you were taught still helped you. You were able to use a rear naked choke. Also keep in mind that bjj is primarily taught from a sports perspective not a self defense perspective. In the cage or on the mat no one is concerned with getting bit. It is against the rules in sports. However, on the streets there are no rules. I do not consider biting, eye gouging, etc dirty tactics. It is not dirty because there are NO rules. It's a real fight. in traditional martial arts we teach our students to do those and much more in self defense. Our goal is not survive, not to win. Our lives might be on the line. We aren't seeking vain glory of winning a contest.All is fair in self defense! In self defense we are not seeking to submit a person. We are seeking to end the threat! That could be by running away (escape). It could be by incapacitating the attacker(s) by choke, disabling joints and ligaments, or lethal force. If they are knock out, can't walk or use an arm to continue the fight that can be good enough as long as the threat is ended. But with any training you stand a better chance of survival than no training.

That is usually sadly one of those situations were you don't see it coming and you get stabbed. If such a thing happened and you noticed it, the first goal is to gain control of weapon. After that you fight for your life. Break the wrist, gouge an eye, crush the throat, etc.

This is one of the big draw backs of bjj. It works and teaches great stuff but can be deadly for you on the street.

I always carry a knife. If it was a "legit" street fight and the fight went to the ground, I would probably use it.

Even if they didn't have a knife, what if the person was a little bigger than you and trained more than you have at BJJ? You're still screwed. You have to put the person in your guard as soon as you get to the ground and bring them in to you like a rear naked choke from the front. From there, start biting. It may seem brutal but would you rather be cut up with a knife?

We train not to go to the ground with someone unless you're in control. (i.e. you already have a solid arm-lock applied).

For the reason you just mentioned, and because of the possibility of multiple attackers, I wouldn't try to "go to the ground" with someone. Taking them to the ground might be a good idea if you can do it, but not going down there with them. What you see in the UFC is a very specific scenario: A fight between two consenting participants obeying a set of rules. I have nothing against it if that's what consenting adults want to spend their weekends doing (although personally, getting my head bashed in is just not my idea of a good time), but the delusional part creeps in when they start believing this is making them "street ready".

They will get stabbed and bleed to death, just because there silly enough to go to the ground in a real fight. How pitiful for people in training such a false martial art. its a fact bj does not work in a street fight.

a bjj isnt a good defense for someone trying to hurt you. because probably when you even get to that stage they will have hurt you badly by then

I would hit and drag the knive out of their hand with my foot.