Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is known for its intense grappling, technique, and discipline, but let’s be real: it also comes with a fair share of hilarious moments. Whether it’s the face you make when you’re about to tap out or the “I’m winning” face that quickly turns into “I’m losing”, BJJ is full of funny expressions and moments that you can’t help but laugh at.
1. The “This Will Be Fine” Face (Before the Tap)
You know the one. You’re rolling, things are going smoothly, and then BAM! Your partner locks in a submission, and you think, “I’ve got this. I can power out of this.” You smile confidently, thinking you're about to escape… but then you realize you can’t breathe. It’s the look of pretending to be chill while frantically planning your escape.
It’s that look of denial, mixed with a small amount of panic. The expression usually starts with a squint, then a grimace, and if you're lucky, a dramatic tap-out motion. Classic.
2. The “I’m Really Trying” Face (But Not Quite There Yet)
This face is for the moments when you try to execute a move you’ve learned about 1,000 times, but the technique just isn’t quite clicking. You’re putting everything you’ve got into it—your arms are shaking, your legs are in awkward positions, and your face looks like you're trying to solve a Rubik’s cube under water.
It’s the face of “I swear I’ve done this perfectly before!” But in reality, your partner is casually reversing you and you’re left with nothing but your pride—and a very red face.
3. The “I Can’t Believe This is Happening” Face
You’re in a dominant position. You’re feeling strong, confident, and like you’ve got it all figured out. Then, out of nowhere, your opponent pulls off the slickest escape or the craziest sweep that you didn’t even see coming. Your face says it all: “Did that just happen? Did I just get thrown, swept, or submitted by someone half my size?”
It’s a mixture of disbelief, awe, and embarrassment—it's the universal "I'm in trouble now" face. Classic for when you think you have everything under control… until you don’t.
4. The “I Just Realized I’m Trapped” Face
This one happens when you’re getting put into a submission, and it slowly dawns on you that it’s not just uncomfortable—it’s a legit threat to your arm, neck, or other body parts. The realization that “I can’t get out of this” hits you, and suddenly your face scrunches up into a mix of panic, regret, and a bit of fear.
It's the face of the slow-motion “I made a terrible mistake” moment that you can't quite reverse. It's like, “Oh, no. Not again.”
5. The “I’m Definitely Winning” Face (Until You Aren’t)
Before your partner even reacts to your attempt to pass guard, you’ve already planned your victory speech in your head. You’ve got this, right? You’re ahead. You’re feeling good. This is your moment! That look of absolute confidence that immediately transitions into “Oh no, what did I just do?”
It's the face of a sweet, sweet victory that quickly turns sour as you find yourself in a half guard or—dare I say it—tapped. It’s a humbling expression, but one that always gets a laugh.
6. The “I’m Too Old for This” Face
Let’s be real: the body doesn’t recover the way it used to. After a few rounds of sparring, the face you make is a combination of exhaustion, soreness, and the realization that you’re no longer a 20-something. It’s the “I can’t feel my legs but I’m going to keep going” face. The slight grimace of "I’m sore but I’ll fight through it." We all make it after an intense session.
This face is usually followed by a lot of groaning and stretching afterward, but hey, at least we’re still on the mats, right?
7. The “I Just Got a New Technique” Face
This is the face of sheer joy. You’ve just successfully pulled off that one technique you’ve been struggling to master. You lock it in, and there’s no better feeling in the world than when it works. That moment of realization—“I actually did it!”—will have you grinning like a Cheshire cat.
That smile? That’s the “I’m a BJJ genius” face. And while we all know the next round will humble you again, for that brief second, you feel unstoppable.
