Timeless Side Butterfly Guard – In-Depth Review

Attack from an angled butterfly that forces reactions into sweeps, back takes, and armbars.

The Bottom Line

Side butterfly gives you strong upper-body control without inverting. The set focuses on angle creation, two-on-one, and simple wrestle-ups. It is a targeted upgrade that slots into your open guard.

⚡️ Quick facts

Best for: Up-close guard players

Skip if: You play long range

Tech focus: Side Butterfly, Two On One, Arm Drag, Wrestle Up, X Guard Entries, Back Take, Armbar

Biggest takeaway: Angle off to the blindside

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What You'll Learn

Lovato’s variation angles off the classic butterfly to attack from the blindside. You get clear entries, two-on-one control, arm drags, wrestle-ups, and transitions to x-guards. It suits older or pressure-minded players who want strong upper-body control without inverting.

Primary Techniques You'll Drill

  • Side Butterfly
  • Two On One
  • Arm Drag
  • Wrestle Up
  • X Guard Entries
  • Back Take
  • Armbar

Format & Level

  • Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
  • Skill level: All Levels
  • Format: Both
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 12 minutes
  • Volumes: 4

Should You Buy It?

Wait for daily deal. I saw how a small angle shift unlocks two-on-one control and easy wrestle-ups.

Why Rafael Lovato Jr?

Lovato teaches a side-angled butterfly that emphasizes arm control and posture breaks. It is a practical way to create off-balances and transitions without relying on speed.

Community feedback

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

😍 Why People Love It

  • Helped me hit a sweep the same week I watched it.
  • Side butterfly clip answers common counters to overhooks.
  • Works well when you prefer clamp-style upper-body control.

🤔 Common Criticisms

  • Narrower scope than full open guard systems.
  • Less relevant if you prefer long-range guards.
  • Some content overlaps with other butterfly materials.

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Sources & References

Video Breakdowns

Official listing: View Timeless Sweeps and Submissions: The Side Butterfly Guard 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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