The Grapplers Perspective #84 - Priit Mihkelson - Why Defensive Jiu Jitsu Specialist Switched From SBG to Eco
Aug 12, 2025
Priit Mihkelson, a seasoned Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and coach renowned for his expertise in defensive techniques, shares his intriguing journey from traditional training in Estonia to becoming a defensive specialist. He discusses the evolution and significance of defensive strategies in Jiu-Jitsu while emphasizing the balance between offense and defense. Priit also explores modern coaching methods, effective learning environments, and the importance of fostering community in martial arts, ultimately advocating for a more adaptable and realistic approach to training.
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Long Road To A Defensive Niche
- Priit Mihkelson traced his martial-arts path from karate and aikido to Wing Chun, Sambo and finally Brazilian jiu-jitsu over 25 years.
- He credits diverse early training and persistence for landing in a defensive jiu-jitsu niche.
Breakthrough Through Consistent Defense
- Priit’s breakthrough came after persistent Globetrotters camps where his blunt defense message stood out.
- He built a reputation by repeatedly teaching and proving defensive systems like turtle and back defense.
Start From Easier Realities
- Priit noticed teaching jumps too quickly into deep problems like cross-faces and underhooks causes inconsistent escape learning.
- He developed stepwise, end-state teaching and incremental difficulty to make defense learnable.