FACTS ABOUT JIU JITSU

The art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most complex grappling arts in the world today. BJJ uses a dynamic series of intricate and transitional movements to gain control of an opponent. The fight will always start on the feet, as BJJ practitioners will then utilise take down prowess that includes elements from wrestling and judo. Once the fight hits the mat the practitioner will use an extensive pressure game to control their opponent. BJJ uses dynamic transitions like guard passes and sweeps in order to set up a high variety of submission attacks. 

What This Article Covers:

• Jiu Jitsu Meaning
• Absolute Worlds and Adcc Champions
• The Highest Rank in BJJ
• Highest Percentage Submission
• The Art that Inspired BJJ
• Signs of Respect in BJJ
• The Growth of BJJ
• Longest Fight in BJJ History
• The Most Successful World Champions

There are many facts about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that most people are probably unaware of. 

Knowing how to use pressure passing is essential to ensure you get past those tricky new guard games.  Learn from Rafael Lovato Jr!

HELIO GRACIE

Helio Gracie has been the major pioneer of grappling and along with Carlos Gracie Snr, he was one of the brazilian jiu jitsu creators. Helio built an amazing legacy that began in Brazil, and extended to the United States of America and then the rest of the world. What most people may not know, is that Helio Gracie was still training in BJJ at the age of 95, right up until weeks before his eventual passing of old age. 

THE KIMURA

The kimura is a deadly submission where a practitioner rotates the shoulder using a bent arm lock. But what most people don't know is how the term kimura became famous. In 1949 Masahiko Kimura was invited to Brazil by a local Sao Paulo newspaper. While visiting Brazil Kimura was challenged by Helio Gracie to a Gracie Jiu Jitsu rules grappling match. The match took place in front of twenty thousand fans, including the president of Brazil. This match became famous as Helio suffered a brutal defeat after Kimura secured a bent unlock. Kimura rotated Helio's arm until it broke, and after Helio didn't tap, Kimura continued to twist the arm around until it broke again. After this brutal display Helio still didn't tap, and as Kimura went to break it a third time Helio's corner threw in the towel. The move was then named the Kimura, which has become one of the deadliest submissions in BJJ.

JIU JITSU MEANING

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be a highly complex and brutal sport, which is strange considering the meaning of the bjj terminology. The Japanese translation of the term Jiu Jitsu, is the gentle art. The word Jiu means gentle, and the word Jitsu means art. The gentle art can be related to the cool and calm aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

ABSOLUTE WORLDS AND ADCC CHAMPIONS

The first ever winner of the absolute worlds was Amaury Bitetti in 1996, he also backed up his achievement by going back to back and winning the same event in 1997. The first ever winner of the ADCC absolute division was the famous Mario Sperry, who won both the absolute and the 99 kilogram divisions in 1998. Both Martial Artists became pioneers of the sport, as their development within the art has been well documented.

THE INAUGURAL UFC EVENT

Many people across the Martial Arts community have wondered is bjj the best martial art, and after the inaugural UFC event, the question was answered. Royce Gracie represented Gracie Jiu Jitsu in the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship. This event was a Martial Arts contest to see which style of Martial Arts was the most effective. Fighting styles like Karate, Sumo, Jiu Jitsu, Shootfighting, Boxing and Kickboxing were all represented at this early MMA event. Royce fought three extremely powerful fighters in Art Jimmerson, Gerard Gordeau and Ken Shamrock, as Royce made short work of all three fights, securing submissions in all three fights in less than 3 minutes. This event put Gracie Jiu Jitsu on the map, as people from all over the world became extremely interested in learning the Brazilian art. 

THE FIRST JIU JITSU TEACHINGS IN BRAZIL

Most people think that the first Jiu Jitsu instructor was Helio Gracie. In actual fact the first Jiu Jitsu instructor was a Japanese born Brazilian Martial Artist named Geo Omori. After moving to Brazil in the early 1920's, he began teaching his style of Jiu Jitsu. The form Geo taught was slightly different to Helio's system of grappling, but it had significant relevance to Mitsuyo Maeda's style of Kodokan Judo. Geo first trained under Tokugoro Ito in Tokyo, Japan from 1907 onwards.

THE HIGHEST RANK IN BJJ

When new students begin their journey into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, they will find out how long it can take to move through the belt ranks. Most students think that the highest level in BJJ is the Black belt. The truth is that earning a Black belt is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are higher levels in BJJ. Every Black belt can move up in rank by learning principles of jiu jitsu, and earning degrees on their belts. The first 3 degrees take 3 years per degree to earn, and the next 3 degrees take 5 years per degree. So that makes 24 years before a practitioner can be a 6th degree Black belt, and once they have reached this level they will wait another 7 years before earning their first Red and Black Coral belt. Another 7 years and a practitioner can earn their Red and White Coral belt. The highest level in BJJ is unattainable unless you are a Gracie Pioneer, as the Red belt takes a further 10 years after receiving your second Coral belt, this level is in essence a 9th degree Black belt. 10 years later is where a practitioner will earn a 10th degree Red belt. There are no living 10th degree Red belts, and only 5 in the history of the sport, including Helio Gracie, Carlos Gracie, Gastao Gracie, George Gracie, and Oswaldo Gracie. Out of respect for the creators of BJJ, no one will ever be promoted to the 10th degree. It would take 58 years as an active black belt to earn this prestigious honour.

CHILDREN RANKINGS

The belt ranking system for children is comprehensively different from the adult ranking system. Children have 13 different belts they can earn, as they begin on the white belt. There are 4 main belt groups which starts with the grey belt series, the first belt is a grey and white striped rank, followed by a solid grey belt, and then the grey and black belt. Each belt group has the same three belts only changing its main colour to yellow, then orange and finally green.

KIDS CAN SKIP THE ADULT WHITE BELT 

Kids will go through a stringent series of belt rankings, that includes 13 levels of rank. Once a student earns their green and black belt, and reaches the age of 16, they are free to be graded straight to a blue belt and skip the adult white belt stage. Usually a teenager at the green belt level is exceptionally technical, as they have most likely spent 10 years learning the art of BJJ.

HIGHEST PERCENTAGE SUBMISSION 

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there is a wide range of submissions that practitioners can utilise. There are joint locks like Armbars, Kimuras, Heel Hooks and Kneebars. In terms of chokes there are Triangles, Guillotines, Cross Collar chokes and Darce Chokes, but the number one submission used by most practitioners is the Rear Naked Choke, this includes womens jiu jitsu. Securing back control is one of the most dominant positions in BJJ, so it's not surprising that the Rear Naked Choke is miles above the rest. In MMA the Rear Naked Choke also heavily outweighs any other submission.

THE ART THAT INSPIRED BJJ

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has an interesting history that dates back to the early 1900's, when Helio Gracie developed a grappling system that suited his smaller frame. Most people don't realise that BJJ was inspired by the teachings of Kano Jigoro's Kodokan Judo. One of Kano's best students, Mitsuyo Maeda, travelled to Brazil spreading his knowledge of Japanese Jujitsu, which was later developed into Judo. Carlos Gracie learnt the art, before passing on the knowledge to his brothers Oswaldo, Gastao, George and Helio. It was only after Helio struggled with many of the Judo throws that he began developing his own system of fighting that incorporated chokeholds and leverage based jointlocks. This art went on to become Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and then eventually Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that we know today.

SIGNS OF RESPECT IN BJJ

There are many ways to show respect in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Most practitioners bow at the mat before they step on, they also bow at the referee and their opponents. There are many other hand gestures used, like fist bumps and handshakes. A trend that has begun gaining momentum in the community of BJJ, is a term used in ancient Japan, which has now become mainstream today. It has become a common tradition for practitioners to bow at each other and say Oss. The term oss in bjj is a sign of respect used from one warrior to another, in order to commence a fight or end one.

THE GROWTH OF BJJ

Brazilian Jitsu Jitsu has surged, since Royce Gracie starred on the international scene of Mixed Martial Arts. The growth of BJJ around the world is huge, and in the USA alone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu accounts for 20% of Gym's nationwide. The only sport that has a higher percentage in the United States is Boxing, at roughly 26%. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has evolved in leaps and bounds, with the help of MMA events like the UFC and One championship. Many superstar athletes are adding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to their game styles, as a huge demand for BJJ is needed across the board. The popularity of BJJ is growing at an exponential rate, and is highly likely to take over as the number one Martial Art in America and possibly the world.

CELEBRITY BJJ 

BJJ has become considerably popular all over the world, as the rise in notoriety has come from an unexpected source. These days many celebrities who train bjj are posting their experiences on social media. With the surge of celebrities training in BJJ the demand for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has seen an all time high. There is quite a big list of high profile celebrities that have become ranked in BJJ. Celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Ed O'Neill, Keanu Reeves, Kelly Slater, Tom Hardy, Jason Statham, Scott Caan, Kate Upton, Russell Brand, Guy Ritchie, Demi Lovato, Kevin James, Dave Bautista, Joel Tudor, Chris Pratt, and Vince Vaughn. As these famous celebrities train and market BJJ, millions of followers are becoming interested in the sport, leading to a very prosperous future for BJJ.

LONGEST FIGHT IN BJJ HISTORY

There have been many epic fights over the course of BJJ's history. One of the most memorable was in 1955, as Helio Gracie at the age of 43 came out of retirement to fight a former student of his, named Waldemar Santana. The fight took place in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and was anticipated as an extremely exciting matchup. Santana at only 26 years of age, became the first man to ever knockout Helio Gracie. The fight was the longest in history, as it lasted for 3 hours and 43 minutes. The attrition of these two warriors was supremely formidable, as the crowd was in awe of the spectacle the two warriors showed. Helio went on to say that he would rather lose like a man than win like a coward, as he has always told his students there is no shame in losing. Helio Gracie's legacy still remains as one of the most influential and inspirational stories of pioneering in the martial arts world today.

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WORLD CHAMPIONS

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become extremely popular and a formidable style of Martial Arts. The rise of international competitions across the world has become exponential, as the IBJJF and the ADCC have revolutionised the competition scene. There have been many Black belt world champions over the course of the last 20 years, including many athletes that have won multiple titles. In the male division, the most successful world champion in the history of BJJ is Marcus Almeida, with his all time record of 13 IBJJF world titles. Second on the list is Rubens Charles, who has achieved 10 IBJJF world titles and 3 ADCC world titles. Bruno Malfacine rounds out at number 3 with 10 IBJJF world titles.

Knowing how to use pressure passing is essential to ensure you get past those tricky new guard games.  Learn from Rafael Lovato Jr!

In the women's division the most successful BJJ athlete is Beatriz Mesquita, winning 10 IBJJF world titles. In second place is Michelle Nicolini with 8 IBJJF world titles. Tied for third place is Leticia Ribeiro on 7 IBJJF world titles, and Gabi Garcia who has won 4 IBJJF world titles and 3 ADCC world titles.

There are many facts about Jiu Jitsu that most people probably have never heard of. As the sport of BJJ has a tremendous list of aspects about it. BJJ is an extremely fun and reputable grappling Martial Art that is fast becoming one of the most popular choices for sports and self defense worldwide. 

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