| Over a half a century ago Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) | | | | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began to take shape. |
| came into being. It appeared on the grand stage | | | | If you're to understand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you must |
| in the early 1990's hen the Gracie family | | | | first understand where it came from. Japanese |
| introduced it to the world. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | | | | Jujutsu was originally develop by the samurai and |
| changed the face of martial arts forever, and | | | | traditionally included weapons training along with |
| brought the idea of mixed martial arts (MMA) to | | | | strikes, throws, joint locks, choking, and other |
| the mainstream. It is a sport of brutal grappling | | | | submission moves. Unlike Jujutsu which is a hard |
| and ground fighting that is even used today by | | | | style that let's you achieve victory by beating |
| the United States Army for combat conditioning. | | | | down your opponent with brute force Judo is a |
| In 1917, Carlos and Hélio Gracie watched a | | | | soft style which has you use your attacker's |
| series Vale Tudo matches that pitted wrestlers, | | | | energy against them. Judo, which was created in |
| boxers, and other martial artists compete against | | | | Japan in 1892, is a form of Japanese wrestling |
| each other. Early mixed martial arts competitions | | | | that is similar to other styles of wrestling, but you |
| were common in Brazil and there were no holds | | | | wear a gi similar to a karate uniform and it |
| barred. The boys were always excited to see the | | | | includes many of the submissions, strangles and |
| local fighters. One day, the boys saw a visiting | | | | armlocks you see today. |
| martial artist from Japan, Judo Master Mitsuyo | | | | In time Hélio began teaching his many |
| Maeda defeat opponent after opponent in the ring. | | | | brothers and friends what he had learned about |
| They were in awe, even though the local | | | | martial arts. His teacher Maeda told him that a |
| competition was tough, it wasn't any match for | | | | fighter should go with their strength whether it is |
| the Japanese man who was using the relatively | | | | striking, grappling, or standing, so naturally Gracies |
| new martial art known as Judo or Kano Jiu-Jitsu. | | | | gravitated toward ground fighting because that is |
| Repeatedly fighters were taken to the ground | | | | what he and his brothers new best. The Gracies |
| hard and submitted or simply knocked out cold. | | | | may have intended for their new martial art to be |
| One fighter even pulled a weapon on Maeda. | | | | for self defense, but over time it has developed |
| Without skipping a beat, took him on and didn't | | | | into an incredible combat sport. |
| even break a sweat. After seeing this | | | | To look at a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match where blood |
| demonstration the boys had to learn this new | | | | is spilled, strikes are allowed, and where |
| style, so their father made the arrangements and | | | | submissions are common it is hard to believe that |
| the birth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began | | | | it is sport and not a combat martial art. Despite a |
| Mitsuyo Maeda was trained by Judo's founder | | | | reputation for being ultra violent, a competent |
| Kano Jigoro himself. Maeda had been sent aboard | | | | Judo player can still hold their own against a BJJ |
| to promote Japanese culture and martial arts. | | | | practitioner and so can someone with a solid |
| Kano hoped through training in Judo a student | | | | wrestling and boxing background. On the street |
| would become a better person. Kano felt that the | | | | grappling is that last thing you want to do in a real |
| more people knew Judo, the better place the | | | | fight, but with BJJ that is what you're conditioned |
| world would be. Maeda was a skilled instructor, but | | | | to do. |
| he only had so much time to teach the Gracie | | | | There is no denying the Gracie family has |
| boys so he emphasized ground fighting in his | | | | contributed a lot to martial arts. They gave Brazil |
| lessons which was easier and faster to learn than | | | | a new national sport and literally launched mixed |
| the standing aspect of Judo. He also taught them | | | | martial arts competitions like the Ultimate Fighting |
| how to strike which was part of Jujutsu and pre | | | | Championship (UFC). Like many combat sports |
| world war II Judo. The boys would combine what | | | | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is and excellent foundation and |
| they new with local wrestling and gradually | | | | just the beginning of your self defense education. |