Marlon Tajik, the silver medalist at ADCC 2026, thinks jiu-jitsu in the gi (the traditional kimono uniform) is harder than no-gi. The Swedish grappler shared the view on the Jits and Giggles podcast when he was asked about his unpopular opinions in the sport.
“I believe gi is harder than nogi. It’s way easier to come up faster in the rankings nogi and make a name for yourself than to do it in the gi,” he said.
Athleticism counts for more without the gi
To explain his point, Tajik talked about how far physical ability can carry a competitor in no-gi, and how much technique it takes to deal with lapel guards. Squid guard and worm guard, the two he named, are positions where the guard player uses the opponent’s own lapel (the long front edge of the gi jacket) to tie up and control the person on top.
“In nogi, you can compete against a guy who has not any techniques but is just so athletic. In the gi, if somebody pulls you in a squid guard or a worm guard and you don’t know how to escape, you’re pretty much done,” he said.
Titles in both styles
Tajik has competed at a high level on both sides. In the gi, he won the IBJJF European Championship in 2025 and the open weight division at the Brazilian Nationals in 2024, both as a brown belt, and he also reached the podium at the World Championship and the Pan Championship. In no-gi, he won the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship in 2025, won the ADCC European Trials and reached the final of ADCC 2026, the biggest no-gi grappling tournament in the world, in the under 88 kg (194 lb) division. He lost that final to Poland’s Pawel Jaworski by a single penalty. His silver was the first ADCC medal ever won by an athlete from Sweden.
No-gi is still the priority
Even though he sees the gi as the harder road, Tajik said his schedule should stay focused on no-gi for now because of what that side of the sport offers today.
“For the foreseeable future, I feel like nogi is where I’m heading, just by opportunities, money-wise, sponsors. But I haven’t quit doing the gi,” he said.
Do you agree with Marlon Tajik? Is gi jiu-jitsu harder than no-gi? Tell us in the comments.
