What is BJJ?

A martial art and combat sport built on control, leverage and technique.

The art

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that uses throws, holds, locks and chokes, with the ultimate goal of controlling and submitting the opponent. It is similar to and has close ties with other grappling sports and martial arts like Judo, Sambo and Wrestling.

The origins

The evolution of BJJ starts with Japanese immigration to Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century. One of these immigrants was Mitsuyo Maeda, a high-level black belt in Kodokan Judo, who started teaching this martial art to native Brazilians, including the Gracie brothers and Luiz Franca. These would become the two main lineages in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

The rise

BJJ gained its fame when fighters from these two groups started challenging fighters from other martial arts and combat sports, all with the main goal of showing the world the effectiveness of BJJ. This eventually led to the creation of the UFC and, later, modern MMA.

Today

BJJ can be trained as a combat sport and as a self-defence martial art. The sport of BJJ is a dynamic presentation of techniques (fighting) in a controlled environment. A big part of its popularity comes from Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), where BJJ is a necessary skill to have.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be practised in two main styles: Gi and No-Gi. In Gi, practitioners wear a traditional uniform called a kimono, which allows them to use grips on the jacket and sleeves to control their opponent and set up techniques. No-Gi is practised in a rash guard and shorts, without the traditional uniform. The absence of clothing grips makes the game faster and places greater emphasis on movement, body control and transitions. Both styles develop the same fundamental principles of leverage, timing and technique, but each offers a different approach to grappling.