Does Brazillian Jujitsu teach going to the ground intentionally as a strategy to be used in self-defense? All the videos we see of BJJ vs. whatever style always show BJJ winning because they force the fight to the ground. Is this only thier sport strategy, or their self-defense strategy as well?
BJJ for the most part will start you on the ground and keep you there. As you put time in and become part of the club you can begin to gravitate towards the different groups that develop in a gym.
Some go MMA for competition. Some go MMA for training and health.
Some go strict grappling for tourneys and also training and health.
Some do everything and bring previous training in during open mat times.
That is what I really like about MMA/BJJ schools is the free mat time to work on things you need to or enjoy and the many different players/people there.
Unless you put the time in though (meaning bruises, soreness, being a rag doll until your not) the gym really wont respect you and take you in.
Whats that... how long before that happens?... eh... about the time they trust your not going to quit on them so they can trust putting the time into you.
Also I'm not saying the head instructor here, Im saying the regular Joes/Janes you are trading punches with and tapping too. Earn their respect and the training you get is phenominal. Don't and you wont get crap.
The conditioning and the live training you get in a BJJ/MMA/Judo school the 1st six months will put you pretty far in front of most common street encounters (I said most common people not the select incidents that have happened in life ...LOL)
I'll go out on a limb even more here... if you have no experience in MA or any street fights the conditioning itself and the ability to work out jams caused during live matches will give you the most confidence you have ever had... almost to the point of being dangerous to yourself... so becareful.