Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 by Adam Wardzinski – In-Depth Review

The gold-standard gi butterfly system that ties grips, sweeps, and finishes into a repeatable game.

The Bottom Line

You get a complete seated-to-supine butterfly framework with lapel tie-ups, arm-drags, and half-butterfly links. The content shows how to off-balance kneeling and standing passers, then convert to X/SLX or back takes. If you train mostly no-gi, consider Wardzinski’s separate no-gi series instead.

⚡️ Quick facts

Best for: Gi players who sweep

Skip if: You only train no-gi

Tech focus: Butterfly Sweep, Arm Drag, Lapel Underhook, X Guard, Single Leg X, Guillotine, Triangle

Biggest takeaway: Grips plus angles create elevation.

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What You'll Learn

Wardzinski is the modern gi benchmark for butterfly. Rediscovered 3.0 is an eight-part system that connects side, lazy, and half-butterfly with lapel-based entries and X/SLX links. It covers seated to supine transitions and stand-up wrestle-ups. You get concrete tie-ups, off-balances, and answers to kneeling and standing passes. The product page lists eight volumes with sections on lapel underhooks, arm drag chains, guillotines, triangles, and X-guard pathways. It is gi-focused; he sells a separate no-gi series. If you like lapel grips and a sweep-first guard, this is the standard.

Primary Techniques You'll Drill

  • Butterfly Sweep
  • Arm Drag
  • Side Butterfly
  • Lazy Butterfly
  • Lapel Underhook
  • Half Butterfly
  • Single Leg X
  • Guillotine
  • Triangle
  • X Guard Link

Format & Level

  • Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy, Conceptual
  • Skill level: All Levels
  • Format: Gi
  • Runtime: 7 hours and 22 minutes
  • Volumes: 8

Should You Buy It?

Buy it now. I think the lapel-underhook cycle is the standout concept to copy for consistent elevation.

Why Adam Wardzinski?

Adam Wardzinski is a Polish black belt under Alan 'Finfou' Nascimento and a leading Checkmat representative. He is renowned for butterfly and single-leg X links against elite opposition. Wardzinski has won major IBJJF titles in Europe and medaled at the highest levels in gi and no-gi. His style emphasizes upright posture, lapel control, and quick elevation into sweeping angles. He releases both gi and no-gi versions of his core systems. BJJ Heroes documents his rise as one of Europes most successful heavyweights.

Community feedback

Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.

😍 Why People Love It

  • Often cited as the clearest gi-first butterfly roadmap with reliable lapel tie-ups.
  • Praised for actionable details on elevating bigger passers from seated positions.
  • Multiple users recommend pairing with BJJ Scout studies for faster results.
  • Noted for strong sequencing into single leg X and back takes.
  • Seen as the most complete butterfly curriculum for gi players today.

🤔 Common Criticisms

  • Heavy lapel focus limits direct no-gi carryover.
  • Eight volumes feel long and hard to finish for some buyers.
  • A few say entries versus standing opponents still need drilling reps.
  • Owners of earlier versions report some overlap in material.

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Sources & References

Video Breakdowns

Official listing: View Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 on BJJ Fanatics

Additional References

Your next step

You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.

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