[quote]Beershoes wrote:
Having trained using exclusively BB workouts, lifts, rep/set schemes I can say from experience that it was pretty much useless. Except for the occasional strength or weight advantage; very occasional. Really all it did was add a bunch of extra muscle that was doing me little to no good because it wasn’t helping condition my body, or improve on an specific fighting movement. Minus front squats.
I mean how often are you going to press someone when you’re standing up? Never… On the ground? Maybe once, then you get arm-bared and never do it again. I think mixing a few key power lifting lifts, probably a few Olympic lifts, and most likely a decent amount of strong man work, could be a workable routine. But really I think there are better alternatives.
*I’m with Irish [/quote]
It somewhat depends on the individual’s strengths and weaknesses, what attributes they need to enhanced and the desired effect though.
If we’re talking about someone trying to stay within a weight class, then I’d agree, there are better methods than performing a routine designed to make you heavier. BB’ing routines are also far from ideal when it comes to conditioning purposes and depending on the routine can really cut into your recovery abilities.
But, just to play devil’s advocate for a minute… I’ve actually seen great results/carry over from doing only BB’ing type routines. Let me explain.
When I was training seriously I was 50 lbs+ lighter, usually the smallest person in my class (for the first 6 months I was the smallest by far), and as a result I had to be very technical if I didn’t want to get tooled on by the bigger guys. But, they still always had the size/strength advantage on me and when you get two equally skilled opponents, the one with the size/strength advantage usually wins. I was definitely in much better shape then, than I am now as well.
Fast forward some recent (just for fun) rolling sessions with some of my old training partners/friends who still train regularly. After 3+ years of not training regularly I’m able to hit things on them that I could not before. Their strength is no longer an issue. I’m pretty much matching them stride for stride, sometimes even getting the better of them (I suspect I would do even better if my timing wasn’t so off on account of not training). That is of course until I gas out. 
I am so freaking out of shape LOL.
But while my stamina lasts I’m keeping up with people who have been training regularly the whole time that I’ve been away (and were at or above my level when I stopped). All of this from only doing BB’ing type routines, getting a heck of a lot stronger and heavier (more muscular) as a result, and probably partly due to the fact that although I haven’t been training in a lot time I still continue to watch instructional vids to pick up new ideas/techniques and I happen to be an exceptional visual learner.
But still, I was pleasantly surprised by my performance(s). I’m convinced that (in my case anyhow) the bigger and stronger I get, the more I’m able to express my athleticism (at least on the mat). And I’ve gotta say that BB’ing routines (or maybe more appropriately “powerbuilding” routines) have done a great job of helping me do this.
If I was going to start training seriously again though, I would probably have to change routines due to recovery issues, and conditioning needs.
So, again, it depends on the individual’s specific strengths and weaknesses in my experience.