If you’re reading this then you’re probably familiar with BJJ by now. In short, it’s a grappling-based martial art that focuses on moves from wrestling and Judo. These moves include takedowns and then positions on the floor which can lead to submissions such as chokes and joint locks.
For those wondering about Hapkido, it is a Korean practice that offers a variety of martial arts moves from striking to grappling, but also focuses heavily on wrist locks and even believes in the benefits of ‘chi’ which is using internal energy to move opponents.
Table of Contents
BJJ is used in MMA, Hapkido
Perhaps the most damning indictment of Hapkido is that it has never been featured in MMA. Not once has there ever been a UFC champion who has specialized in Hapkido or even vaguely endorsed it. However, the same cannot be said for BJJ. The UFC started with BJJ champions and the Gracie family proved it could be effective in an MMA setting.
More recently, BJJ has been used by the likes of Khabib, Werdum and Demetrius Johnson who have all been successful UFC champions. With names like these using the qualities of BJJ, it’s proven to be effective. The same cannot be said for Hapkido.
Hapkido is too broad
One of the main problems with Hapkido is that it’s too broad. It doesn’t really have much of an identity and as a result, some of the gyms out there can get away with teaching sloppy techniques. For instance, it has a lot of takedowns loosely related to Judo, as well as striking similar to Karate. However, it doesn’t have a main identity such as BJJ which is mostly grappling on the ground. Because of this, it’s quality is often watered down. For those wanting a more rounded, fool-proof education in martial arts, you’re better off joining an MMA gym compared to a Hapkido gym.
Often MMA gyms will have an instructor for each skill set. For instance, they may have a striking coach who specializes in boxing, then a coach who does BJJ and another for wrestling. All of these people are specialists in their respective fields and should have years of knowledge. It’s difficult to have such knowledge in one individual which is spread across their learning. Because of this, Hapkido teachers can often teach moves without being experts, which is dangerous because it can lead to poor technique.
BJJ is pressure tested, Hapkido isn’t
Possibly the main way to test if a martial art is legitimate is by testing it in a pressure environment. For instance, in BJJ you can compete and even sparring in the gym is tough. This is because it’s against resisting opponents who will push you and equally try to win during sparring. Hapkido doesn’t really have competitions so there’s no way to really test how effective it is. Similarly, most Hapkido gyms don’t involve sparring. Because of this, there’s literally no possible way to test if it works.
In BJJ, if a guy comes in with a loudmouth, they can quickly get ego tested during sparring. If the same person gets tapped 5 times in a round, then their skills are not legitimate. In Hapkido the same loudmouth may never get tested by others. Because of this, it’s a case of talking the talk but not walking the walk. This also sets a dangerous precedent as it can give students a false sense of confidence and trick them into thinking their skills are more effective than they actually are.
Hapkido uses ‘Chi’
Also known as ‘Woo’, some Hapkido practitioners believe in Chi which is internal energy. You can see Chi in use in old videos where a practitioner focuses their mind and then releases an invisible ball of energy. This energy can supposedly knock people unconscious and harm them.
Of course, this has literally never been seen outside of such gyms and is mostly regarded as nonsense these days. Whilst it may have looked cool in an 80’s action film, the reality is that Chi is mostly a laughing stock when looked at amongst legitimate martial arts.
As a general rule, anything which promotes Chi isn’t realistic. With this in mind, if a local Hapkido gym teaches Chi then you should be well advised to avoid it as it’s probably teaching false techniques with no practical use behind them.
BJJ uses real techniques, Hapkido uses moves which are ‘too dangerous’
Another red flag whilst looking at martial arts is when a teacher refuses to teach a move that is considered ‘too dangerous’ or ‘deadly’. Ironically, BJJ literally teaches deadly moves such as chokes which can kill people if held too long. The difference is that BJJ teaches these in a safe but realistic environment. However, in Hapkido you will sometimes hear that something is in fact too dangerous to teach.
The reality is that this means the move doesn’t work and is made up. Again, similar to the idea of Chi, it’s just a comfortable excuse not to spar. Whilst most people laugh at these ideas, it’s still sadly accepted in many Hapkido gyms around the world. Even in modern-day there are people who genuinely buy into this and believe it to be true.
Hapkido is too focused on wristlocks, BJJ also uses them
Like Aikido and Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido has a strong emphasis on wrist locks, specifically wrist lock takedowns. The issue of this is that most wrist locks require elbow control to trap the wrist. The reality is there are very few wrist lock takedowns out there that actually work. Whilst there are one or two, they are very difficult to set up as controlling the wrist against a standing opponent is difficult.
BJJ does actually have a few wrist lock submissions but most of these are done on the ground and involve pinning the opponent. With this in mind, it’s more difficult for the opponent to move and escape. However, having an entire curriculum based on a low percentage move like Hapkido is simply unrealistic and a waste of time. Further proof of the rarity of wrist locks working can be seen in MMA or even street fighting videos. You may see someone get choked or punched unconscious, but you won’t see any wrist locks which finish a fight.
In fairness to Hapkido…
In fairness to Hapkido, there may be some gyms out there that are legitimate. For instance, if the main teacher is well experienced in Judo and striking – then they could produce capable martial artists. A typical test for legitimate martial arts can be seen through sparring. For instance, if a Hapkido gym involves sparring then it’s more likely to be realistic. This means putting striking and grappling to the test, and getting results.
With this in mind, there may be some legitimate Hapkido gyms out there. The reality is that this may be a small percentage, but Hapkido may have some good gyms available nonetheless.
Summary
Overall the above shows that Hapkido is mostly inferior to BJJ. Whilst Hapkido differs in offering striking, it would be better to spend your time learning striking from an MMA gym or from a respected Muay Thai or boxing specialist. As said, Hapkido is simply too broad and also includes some very questionable practices.
Whilst BJJ may not be perfect itself and does have some flaws such as its lack of striking, it’s also battle-tested and has been proven to work at the highest level. With this in mind it’s clear that in this instance, BJJ is the definite winner against Hapkido.
