A deep review of Adam Wardzinski’s complete gi butterfly guard system – the lazy butterfly, side butterfly, half butterfly, classic butterfly, and single leg X connections across 9 parts and 7.5 hours.
Last updated: March 2026
Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0
The first European IBJJF Grand Slam champion’s complete gi butterfly guard system – from lazy butterfly basics to lapel single leg X.
- ⏰ 7 hours 29 minutes
- 📅 Released August 2021
- 🎯 Adam Wardzinski (“Megatron”)
- 🥋 Gi (with some no-gi applicability)
- 🏆 9 parts
Product Details
| Full Title | Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 |
| Instructor | Adam Wardzinski (“Megatron”) |
| Runtime | 7 hours 29 minutes across 9 parts |
| Parts | 9 |
| Release Date | August 2021 |
| Price | $77-$197 (frequently on sale at ~$77) |
| Format | Gi (lapel grips, collar and sleeve) |
| BJJ World Rating | 5/5 (original version) |
| Where to Buy | BJJ Fanatics |
About Adam Wardzinski
Adam Wardzinski, nicknamed “Megatron,” is widely regarded as the best butterfly guard player in modern competition BJJ. Born in Western Poland in 1991, he stands 6’3″ and competes at heavyweight under the Checkmat banner, where he trained under Alan “Finfou” do Nascimento.
Wardzinski’s competition record is staggering: 282 matches, 229 wins, 119 by submission. He became the first European male to win the IBJJF Black Belt World Championship in 2024, submitting all four opponents (choke from back, triangle, Ezekiel choke, and kata gatame). In 2025, he completed the IBJJF Grand Slam – winning the European, Brazilian Nationals, Pan, and World titles in a single season – the first European to ever accomplish this. He retired after his 2025 Worlds victory, leaving his belt on the mat after a flawless 13-match winning streak.
His grappling style revived butterfly guard as a competitive weapon after Marcelo Garcia’s era. Where Marcelo was explosive and intuitive, Wardzinski is patient and systematic. His signature innovations include the lazy butterfly guard (cross collar + sleeve grips with butterfly hooks), the belt overhook grip, and the far side sleeve grip that FloGrappling analyzed as the key to preventing the cross-face and staying off his back.
What Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 Covers
This is Wardzinski’s third and final version of his butterfly guard system, reorganized into a logical progression that flows from side butterfly through lazy butterfly, half butterfly, classic butterfly, and into single leg X. At 7 hours 29 minutes across 9 parts, it is 2.5 times the runtime of the original version.
The system is built around gi grips – lapel underhooks, collar and sleeve control, belt overhook – but several concepts (particularly the sweep mechanics and elevation principles) carry over to no-gi. The lazy butterfly guard, Adam’s signature innovation, uses a reclined posture with cross collar and sleeve grips plus butterfly hooks, creating a control-heavy guard position that integrates with knee shield half guard and collar-and-sleeve guard.
What sets 3.0 apart from the earlier versions is the defensive concepts section (Part 5), which was entirely absent before, and the lapel single leg X section (Part 9), which is completely new material. The community consensus is clear: skip versions 1.0 and 2.0 and go straight to 3.0.
Part-by-Part Breakdown
Part 1: Side Butterfly Guard
Opens with the fundamental butterfly sweep mechanic and builds into side butterfly variations. Covers the basic underhook sweep, dealing with the post on the knee (two different approaches), elevating opponents with good base, switching sides in butterfly guard, and lapel underhook control options. Finishes with butterfly guard back take, armlock from underhook butterfly, armbar from failed armlock (a clean chain), and the shoulder lock sweep.
Part 2: Side Butterfly Guard – Different Control Concepts
Expands side butterfly with alternative grips. The over-the-shoulder butterfly control opens up the close hip control sweep and roll over sweep. Overhook control gets its own sweep system plus a hip switch sweep. Submissions enter the picture here: guillotine from underhook control, overhook to triangle, and overhook to omoplata. The overhook with double hooks sweep rounds out a complete control framework.
Part 3: Lazy Butterfly Guard
The centerpiece of Wardzinski’s system. He introduces the lazy butterfly concept (reclined posture, cross collar + sleeve grips, butterfly hooks), teaches the basic lazy butterfly sweep, and shows how to switch between lazy and classic butterfly. Covers the hand’s trap, different control variations, scissor sweep from lazy butterfly, reactions when the opponent posts the leg, and lazy butterfly guard retention. Finishes with reverse de la riva shin-to-shin transitions: hook sweep and back take.
Part 4: Lazy Butterfly Guard Attacks
The submission arsenal from lazy butterfly. Cross choke and cross choke sweep (submission with a sweep backup), brabo/D’arce choke, loop choke, armlock, omoplata options, triangle options, and the regrip triangle. This part shows why lazy butterfly is more than a sweep position – the submission threats force reactions that open up the sweeps from Part 3.
Part 5: Lazy Butterfly Guard Defensive Concepts
New to version 3.0 and arguably the most practically useful part. Covers collar grip counter to the roll over sweep, common situation defenses, overunder counter, hip smash escape, and head-and-arm control escape. Then expands into lasso defense (with hook sweep, omoplata options, and de la riva options) and reverse de la riva hook sweep with lapel options. Most butterfly instructionals skip defense entirely – this section addresses what happens when your guard gets pressured.
Part 6: Half Butterfly Guard
Bridges butterfly guard with half guard bottom. Introduces the half butterfly concept, then covers the back take from half butterfly, sweep options against overhook control, the dogfight position (plus modified dogfight), the shotgun armbar, failed shotgun to back take, the John Wayne sweep (Wardzinski’s signature), failed John Wayne to classic hook sweep, and failed John Wayne to kimura, omoplata, or back take. The John Wayne sweep system alone is worth the price of the part.
Part 7: Classic Butterfly Guard
Traditional butterfly techniques refined through years of world-level competition. Pulling guard to butterfly and single leg X, collar drag, arm drag to back take and hook sweep, arm drag to roll over sweep, the fast butterfly sweep, two-on-one to the back, two-on-one to hook sweep, double underhook control to sweep and back take, and double underhook to hook sweep. Every technique chains into multiple follow-ups.
Part 8: Single Leg X Connection
Shows how butterfly guard feeds into single leg X (ashi garami territory). Covers SLX control fundamentals, lazy butterfly to SLX with sweep options, SLX pants grip sweep, SLX hook sweep, SLX overhead sweep, overhead setup to omoplata, toe hold from SLX, momentum sweep, and balloon sweep. This part connects the butterfly guard system to the broader leg lock game.
Part 9: Lapel Single Leg X
Entirely new material not in versions 1.0 or 2.0. Covers SLX lapel control with scissor sweep, SLX lapel sankaku position, SLX lapel bear trap options, and SLX lapel to lapel butterfly hook sweep. Short but dense – these gi-specific SLX attacks exploit lapel grips to create sweep and submission combinations that no-gi players simply cannot access.
What Makes This Instructional Stand Out
- Lazy butterfly is unique. No other instructional teaches this reclined posture guard with cross collar + sleeve grips and butterfly hooks. It integrates naturally with knee shield half guard and collar-and-sleeve guard, giving gi players a framework that connects multiple guard systems through butterfly hooks.
- Defensive concepts actually covered. Part 5 addresses hip smash escapes, overunder counters, head-and-arm control escapes, and lasso defense. Most butterfly instructionals pretend your guard never gets smashed. This one acknowledges reality and gives you solutions.
- Everything chains into follow-ups. Failed sweep attempts chain into back takes, submissions, or different sweeps. The John Wayne sweep alone branches into kimura, omoplata, classic hook sweep, or back take when it fails. Nothing is a dead end.
- Proven at the absolute highest level. Wardzinski submitted all 4 opponents at 2024 IBJJF Worlds and completed the Grand Slam in 2025. This system wasn’t theorized in a gym lab – it was tested against the best heavyweights on the planet.
- Accessible for average athletes. Unlike Marcelo Garcia’s explosive butterfly style, Wardzinski’s approach is patient and control-based. Multiple forum users report that his techniques “stuck more” than Marcelo’s because they don’t require elite athleticism or timing.
- Complete guard integration. Connects butterfly with half guard, reverse de la riva, lasso, collar-and-sleeve, and single leg X in one unified system instead of treating them as separate positions.
What Reviewers and Practitioners Say
“Far more of a guard player in the sense that you can control people and defend the position rather than be all out attack like Marcelo plays Butterfly. For a more athletic person happy with a steeper learning-curve Marcelo all the way but most people are likely to get more joy with Adam’s approach.”
Daz2300, Sherdog Forums (Orange Belt)“Have tried both. Adam’s style stuck more, and so I feel it’s the better intro to butterfly. Marcelo’s is more advanced and I’ve been dabbling, but Adam’s the gateway to the game.”
KenkaBancho, Sherdog Forums (Blue Belt)“His butterfly guard DVD is very good but I learned more about his style with the 4 BJJ scout videos on youtube. The best part of the DVD is the alternatives and follow ups he gets from his lazy butterfly. He has some very good stuff on SLX for gi and the john wayne sweep.”
Quebec Nick, Sherdog Forums (Purple Belt)“I prefer Adam’s style more. Garcia likes to club the head with collar tie and elbow post as his basic sweep. He’s got such strong legs that he can get away with it. Adam sweeps from overhooks, underhooks etc. I love sweeping butterfly from overhooks cause you also have tons of follow up armlock triangle guillotine follow ups.”
tekkenfan, Sherdog Forums“By far the most comprehensive and easy to follow butterfly guard system available.”
BJJ World (5/5 rating)“Adam is an even better teacher than he is a competitor, if that is at all possible.”
BJJ World (reviewing the No-Gi version, 5/5)“Everything he shows has been pressure-tested against the best competitors in the world.”
Jits Magazine (July 2024)“Marcelo is 5’8, Wardzinski is 6’2. That half a foot changes a lot about how you grapple, including butterfly it would seem.”
DatCutman, Sherdog Forums (Blue Belt)“I just can’t seem to play bfly the way Marcelo does. Maybe I lack aggressivity or something I don’t know.”
Solidus Snake, Sherdog Forums (Purple Belt)The pattern is clear: practitioners who try both Marcelo’s and Adam’s butterfly systems consistently find Adam’s more implementable. The control-based approach with multiple grip options suits a wider range of body types and athletic abilities than Marcelo’s explosive, timing-dependent style.
Version History: 1.0 vs 2.0 vs 3.0
Wardzinski has released three iterations of his butterfly guard system. Here is what changed and why the community recommends going straight to 3.0:
| Feature | 1.0 (Original) | 2.0 | 3.0 (Current) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts | 4 volumes | Multiple volumes | 9 parts |
| Runtime | ~3 hours | Expanded | 7h 29m |
| Lazy Butterfly | Not covered | Introduced (partial) | 3 full parts (3, 4, 5) |
| Defensive Concepts | Not covered | Not covered | Full Part 5 |
| Lapel SLX | Not covered | Not covered | Full Part 9 |
| Organization | Basic | Expanded but less structured | Logical progression |
| BJJ World Rating | 5/5 (“a masterpiece”) | Not reviewed separately | 5/5 (based on system) |
Bottom line: Version 3.0 subsumes everything from 1.0 and 2.0, adds defensive concepts and lapel SLX that never existed before, reorganizes the material into a logical progression (side > lazy > half > classic > SLX), and reflects Wardzinski’s refinements after years of competing at the highest level. BJJ World called version 1.0 “a masterpiece” – version 3.0 is the complete, mature expression of that system.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What’s Great
- Most comprehensive gi butterfly guard system available (9 parts, 7h 29m)
- Lazy butterfly guard is a unique concept not taught elsewhere
- Defensive concepts section (Part 5) addresses guard passing counters most butterfly instructionals skip
- Accessible for average athletes – does not require Marcelo Garcia-level explosiveness
- Integrates butterfly with half guard, reverse DLR, lasso, collar-and-sleeve, and SLX
- Every technique chains into follow-ups – failed sweeps lead to back takes or submissions
- IBJJF Grand Slam champion’s complete system, proven against the best heavyweights
- BJJ World 5/5 rating; praised as “an even better teacher than he is a competitor”
What’s Weak
- Heavy gi/lapel focus limits no-gi carryover. For no-gi butterfly, Giancarlo Bodoni’s Forging The Guard: Butterfly or Marcelo Garcia’s Complete Butterfly Guard are better options.
- 7.5 hours across 9 parts can feel daunting. Jon Satava’s Modern Butterfly Guard covers no-gi butterfly in ~3 hours at ~$77 if you want something shorter.
- Wardzinski is 6’3″ – some sweep mechanics (especially elevation) may need adaptation for shorter players. DatCutman on Sherdog noted the height difference changes how butterfly works.
- Not for scramble-based butterfly players. If you want Marcelo’s explosive, constant-attack approach, Wardzinski’s patient style will feel too slow.
- KenkaBancho on Sherdog noted Wardzinski “had no answer for Xande when they grappled” – potential limits against elite pressure passers.
- No dedicated stand-up to butterfly entries. Jon Satava’s Seated Solutions covers guard pulling to butterfly more comprehensively.
- Released August 2021, before Wardzinski’s most impressive achievements (2024 Worlds, 2025 Grand Slam), though the core techniques were already proven.
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 if you…
- Train in the gi and want a complete butterfly guard system from fundamentals to advanced
- Prefer systematic, step-by-step instruction over intuitive/athletic approaches
- Play half guard and want to integrate butterfly hooks into your game
- Want the lazy butterfly concept – a unique control position not taught anywhere else
- Are a taller or bigger grappler looking for butterfly guard material from a 6’3″ heavyweight
- Want defensive concepts for when your butterfly guard gets pressured
- Are any belt level from white through black (the progression starts from fundamentals)
Skip this if you…
- Train primarily no-gi (get Wardzinski’s No-Gi Butterfly Guard Rediscovered or Bodoni’s Forging The Guard instead)
- Want Marcelo Garcia’s explosive, scramble-based butterfly style (this is too patient for that)
- Get overwhelmed by long instructionals (7.5 hours across 9 parts is a lot of material)
- Need stand-up to butterfly guard transitions (Jon Satava’s Seated Solutions is better for this)
- Already own version 1.0 or 2.0 and feel you haven’t implemented those yet (though 3.0 is the definitive version)
How It Compares to Other Butterfly Guard Instructionals
| Instructional | Instructor | Parts | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 | Adam Wardzinski | 9 (7h 29m) | Gi-first | Complete gi butterfly system, lazy butterfly, all body types |
| The Complete Butterfly Guard | Marcelo Garcia | 4 (~3-4h) | No-gi / both | Explosive, athletic players who want GOAT-level technique |
| Modern Butterfly Guard (No Gi) | Jon Satava | 4 (~3h) | No-gi | Budget-friendly (~$77), Marcelo lineage, systematic teaching |
| Forging The Guard: Butterfly | Giancarlo Bodoni | 8 (~4-5h) | No-gi | Modern ADCC-style butterfly, competition no-gi grapplers |
| No-Gi Butterfly Guard Rediscovered | Adam Wardzinski | 3 (~3h) | No-gi | Wardzinski’s system without lapel grips, no-gi players |
| Seated Solutions | Jon Satava | Multiple (~4h) | No-gi | Guard pulling to butterfly, stand-up-to-seated transitions |
Key takeaway: Wardzinski 3.0 is the definitive gi butterfly instructional. Marcelo is the GOAT pick for explosive no-gi. Satava is the budget-friendly systematic no-gi option. Bodoni is the modern ADCC competition pick. They serve different markets – your choice depends on gi vs. no-gi and your athletic style.
Related Instructionals
If you are building a butterfly guard game, these instructionals complement Wardzinski’s 3.0:
FAQ – Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0
Is Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 good for beginners?
Yes. The system starts with basic butterfly sweep mechanics in Part 1 and builds progressively. Wardzinski is praised by BJJ World as an even better teacher than he is a competitor. The lazy butterfly guard in particular is accessible for less athletic players because it uses collar and sleeve grips for control rather than relying on explosive movements. White belts through black belts can find useful material across the 9 parts.
Should I buy version 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0?
Go straight to 3.0. The community consensus is unanimous on this. Version 3.0 subsumes everything from 1.0 and 2.0, adds new defensive concepts (Part 5) and lapel single leg X (Part 9) that were not in earlier versions, and reorganizes the entire system into a logical progression. BJJ World rated the original a 5 out of 5 – 3.0 is the refined, complete version of that system.
Does this work for no-gi?
Some concepts transfer (sweep mechanics, elevation principles, the general butterfly guard framework), but the system heavily relies on gi grips – lapel underhooks, collar and sleeve control, belt overhook. For no-gi butterfly, consider Wardzinski’s separate No-Gi Butterfly Guard Rediscovered (3 parts, BJJ World 5 out of 5), Giancarlo Bodoni’s Forging The Guard: Butterfly, or Jon Satava’s Modern Butterfly Guard.
How does Wardzinski’s butterfly compare to Marcelo Garcia’s?
They represent opposite approaches. Wardzinski is patient, control-based, and systematic – he uses multiple grip options and builds positions methodically. Marcelo is explosive, intuitive, and relies on elite athleticism and timing. Multiple Sherdog forum users report that Wardzinski’s style stuck more because it does not require Marcelo-level explosiveness. As Daz2300 put it: most people are likely to get more joy with Adam’s approach. If you want the athletic, scramble-heavy style, go with Marcelo. If you want a structured system that works for average hobbyists, Wardzinski is the pick.
Is 7.5 hours too long?
It depends on how you approach it. The 9 parts cover distinct sub-systems (side butterfly, lazy butterfly, half butterfly, classic butterfly, single leg X, lapel SLX), so you can focus on one section at a time rather than trying to absorb everything at once. Most practitioners recommend starting with Parts 3-4 (lazy butterfly) since that is Adam’s most unique and accessible material. If 7.5 hours genuinely intimidates you, Jon Satava’s Modern Butterfly Guard covers no-gi butterfly in about 3 hours at around $77.
What is the lazy butterfly guard?
The lazy butterfly guard is Adam Wardzinski’s signature innovation. It uses a reclined posture with cross collar and sleeve grips combined with butterfly hooks. The position integrates naturally with knee shield half guard and collar-and-sleeve guard, giving you a control-heavy starting point that is easier to maintain than traditional upright butterfly. From lazy butterfly, Wardzinski attacks with sweeps, cross chokes, brabo chokes, loop chokes, armlocks, triangles, and omoplatas across Parts 3 through 5.
Will this work for shorter grapplers?
Wardzinski is 6’3 and a heavyweight, so some of his elevation mechanics may need adaptation for smaller players. However, forum users note that his approach is more accessible than Marcelo’s for most body types because it relies on control and grips rather than explosiveness. The lazy butterfly guard in particular works well for various body types because the reclined posture and multiple grip points reduce the importance of raw leg strength. DatCutman on Sherdog noted the half-foot height difference between Wardzinski and Marcelo changes butterfly mechanics, so be prepared to adjust some angles.
Ready to Build a Complete Butterfly Guard?
Adam Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 is the most comprehensive gi butterfly system ever released. 9 parts, 7.5 hours, from the first European IBJJF Grand Slam champion.
Check Price on BJJ Fanatics