Butterfly and x-guard chains that let smaller players off-balance and finish.
The Bottom Line
You learn how to move from butterfly and sit-up guard to x-guard and single leg X, then convert to leg drags, back takes, or armbars. The focus is early kuzushi and safe collar or pants grips. If you train only no-gi or dislike dynamic entries, consider a pressure-first course instead.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Smaller guard players
Skip if: You avoid gi grips
Tech focus: Butterfly Guard, X Guard, Single Leg X, Sit Up Guard, Collar Drag, Leg Drag, Back Take
Biggest takeaway: Off-balance first, finish later.
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What You'll Learn
This four-part gi course is Bruno's bottom game playbook for beating heavier partners. You get butterfly chains to x-guard, sit-up guard entries, collar drags to leg drags, and quick back takes.
It emphasizes early off-balancing and collar or pants grips that limit smash attempts. Good for lightweights and anyone who wants more sweep-to-pass conversions.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Butterfly Guard
- X Guard
- Single Leg X
- Sit Up Guard
- Collar Drag
- Leg Drag
- Balloon Sweep
- Cartwheel Sweep
- Arm Drag
- Back Take
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 2 hours and 52 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like how the butterfly to x-guard chain gives you layered options before size becomes a factor.
Why Bruno Malfacine?
A 10x IBJJF world champion, Bruno specializes in small-versus-big strategies that force reactions early. He teaches sit-up guard, butterfly, and x-guard links to keep bigger players off-balance. As an Alliance veteran, he has decades of gi experience at the highest level. Students praise his attention during seminars and classes. His systems favor tempo over brute force.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Often recommended to smaller players seeking answers against bigger partners.
- Seminar feedback highlights his clear, attentive coaching style.
- Fans like the butterfly to x-guard pathways and quick back takes.
- Users report confidence gains when attacking rather than stalling under pressure.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some feel the athletic sequences are hard to apply without speed.
- A few threads show skepticism toward sale urgency and value claims.
- If you want no-gi only, gi grips limit transfer.
- Occasional criticism of Bruno's competition persona surfaces in discussions.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- The Science of Guard Passing by Lucas Lepri – Pairs well after learning sweep-to-pass links. (Price: $79.00)
- Precision Collar and Sleeve Guard Passing by Lucas Lepri – Targets common gi open-guard problems you will face after sweeping. (Price: $97.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View How To Beat Bigger Guys: Guard by Bruno Malfacine on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
