A ranked, research-backed look at Georges St-Pierre instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, with who each title helps most, key takeaways, and credible community sentiment.
Mastering Takedowns: All Tricks & Techniques for Unstoppable Takedowns
Use GSPs jab-to-shot system to finish clean takedowns in BJJ and MMA.
The Science of Ground and Pound: Precision Strikes, Positioning & Control
Control first, then precise strikes, so your top game wins under real MMA pressure.
Mixed Martial Arts Fundamentals
Build your MMA base: footwork, jab setups, takedowns, and cage skills that glue together.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 Mastering Takedowns: All Tricks & Techniques for Unstoppable Takedowns by Georges St-Pierre
Instructor: Georges St-Pierre
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Feint to force predictable reactions.
Techniques: Double Leg, Single Leg, Feints, Entries, Cage Wrestling, Level Change, Timing
- Underhook Made Easy by Firas Zahabi – You want concise, wrestling-first entries that plug into BJJ.
- The Footwork Blueprint by Trevor Wittman and Justin Gaethje – Improve striking footwork to set cleaner shots.
- Tao of MMA: MMA Striking by Trevor Wittman and Duane Ludwig – Pair effective striking concepts with your takedown game.
You learn how GSP fakes, jabs, and level-changes to force predictable reactions, then runs singles and doubles without stalling. There is a repeatable rhythm for closed and open stances, plus cage finishes. You will not get folkstyle basics from scratch; you will get an MMA-tested sequence that adapts to no-gi rounds.
✅ Pros
- The feint-to-shot chains make entries feel inevitable.
- Content covers both stances and integrates cage wrestling cleanly.
- Teaching is concise and flows from setup to finish.
⚠️ Cons
- Price is premium unless you catch a sale.
- Not a full wrestling fundamentals course for absolute beginners.
- Some reviewers prefer Danahers broader takedown framework.
💡 I plugged the fake-jab to double sequence into sparring fastest because the reactions are easy to read. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 The Science of Ground and Pound: Precision Strikes, Positioning & Control by Georges St-Pierre
Instructor: Georges St-Pierre
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 2 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Posture and pressure make strikes safe.
Techniques: Mount Control, Knee On Belly, Wrist Traps, Half Guard Top, Elbows, Hammerfists, Posture
- The Art & Science of Ground And Pound Part 1 by Greg Jackson – You want an MMA coachs structured GNP curriculum.
GSP teaches how to stabilize mount, side control, and half guard before punching. You layer elbows, hammerfists, and wrist traps to force openings. It is not a sport-BJJ submission cascade; it is pressure, posture, and safe damage.
✅ Pros
- Shows realistic posture and pressure before throwing.
- Details wrist traps and gift-wraps to open shots safely.
- Positions translate well to no-gi control without strikes.
⚠️ Cons
- Less directly useful for gi-only competitors.
- Some sequences use mechanics banned in sport events.
- Strategy depth may feel lean versus dedicated GNP series.
💡 I realized my side control needed more posture modules before any offense. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Mixed Martial Arts Fundamentals by Georges St-Pierre
Instructor: Georges St-Pierre
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Beginner
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 17 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Footwork and jab glue the system.
Techniques: Footwork, Jab Setups, Cage Work, Over Under, Wrestle Up, Entries, Takedown Defense
- The Fundamentals of MMA by Greg Jackson – You want strategy structure from a career MMA head coach.
You get GSPs big-picture map across striking footwork, basic jab integrations, over-under work, and clean takedowns. It is breadth over depth, perfect for newer cross-trainers. Advanced players will want to add a specialist course for their priorities.
✅ Pros
- Gives a coherent starting map before specialization.
- Links striking, clinch, and takedown choices logically.
- Teaches over-under actions you can drill right away.
⚠️ Cons
- Skims many topics instead of mastering one.
- Experienced no-gi players may prefer narrower depth.
- Some prefer other coaches for strategic frameworks.
💡 I saw faster progress after mapping footwork and jab choices before worrying about new submissions. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Unpredictable Stand-Up Attacks: High-Level Setups & Execution for Devastating Punches, Kicks by Georges St-Pierre
Instructor: Georges St-Pierre
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 12 minutes
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Feints buy time and space.
Techniques: Feints, Jab Chains, Superman Punch, Calf Kick Setups, Spinning Elbow, Combo To Shot, Timing
- Secrets To Power by Trevor Wittman and Justin Gaethje – Build safer, harder-hitting basics before tricky chains.
- Secrets to Counter Fighting by Trevor Wittman – You prefer counter-first striking that still feeds shots.
You learn jab feints, kick disguises, and superman punch trees that GSP used to cross distances. Entries often end with a takedown option. If you want pure boxing mechanics, this is not it; it is MMA striking that feeds grappling.
✅ Pros
- Gives practical feint trees that open shots.
- Includes cage-aware combos that fit MMA realities.
- Pairs strikes with takedown options to end exchanges.
⚠️ Cons
- Less detail on pure boxing defense mechanics.
- Intermediate pacing may overwhelm newer athletes.
- Skeptics question striking courses versus live coaching.
💡 I got better entries by chaining feints with a committed step into superman options. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Winning The Street Fight: The Self-Defense Encyclopedia for Surviving & Dominating Physical Attacks by Georges St-Pierre
Instructor: Georges St-Pierre
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 3 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Posture, strike, and exit safely.
Techniques: Wrist Grab Defenses, Bear Hug Escapes, Standing Guillotine Defense, Headlock Defense, Opponent Control, Strikes To Exit, Situational Awareness
- Core Striking Combinations and Tricky Attacks by Firas Zahabi – You want simple striking combos that pair with clinch exits.
You get standing defenses for wrist grabs, headlocks, guillotines, and bear-hugs. There are weapon scenarios, but the value is mostly posture and exits, not fantasy disarms. If your focus is competition BJJ, this sits lower on the list.
✅ Pros
- Covers common standing attacks most people actually face.
- Emphasizes posture, control, and quick exits over flashy moves.
- Content structure is easy to drill with partners.
⚠️ Cons
- Weapon sections are controversial and hard to pressure test.
- Lower value for sport-only grapplers.
- Pricey compared to focused BJJ modules.
💡 I rate self-defense modules by simplicity and exit routes; this checks both boxes but still needs realistic scenario training. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked GSP instructionals for BJJ-first athletes
Community reception weighed highest. We scanned r/bjj threads for opinions on GSPs takedowns, GNP, and stand-up systems. Next we scored clarity of systems, applicability to no-gi rooms, instructor authority, and production quality. Tie-breakers were recency and distinctiveness. If you mainly train sport BJJ, prioritize takedown and top-control modules that add immediate sparring value; if you cross-train MMA, layer stand-up entries and self-defense last.
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