Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jujutsu (abbreviated to BJJ) is a modern, cutting edge, style of martial art that was developed from judo and the traditional Japanese jujitsu styles by the Brazilian landowner Carlos Gracie and his family.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu contains standup techniques for winning a fight, but it is famous for its devastating ground fighting techniques. BJJ was developed to allow a smaller person to defeat a larger person by applying leverage and technique. The idea is to gain superior positioning on your opponent and then to apply numerous chokes, holds, locks and joint manipulations.
Gracie received his training from Japanese Judo and jiu-jitsu master Count Koma (Mitsuo Maeda) who came to Brazil when Carlos was a boy. Carlos taught the art to his his brothers and together they refined the style through repeated no rules contest and challenge matches against boxers and other martial artists. Their techniques were modified to reflect the combat realities of street fighting in Brazil.
In combat, the Brazilian Jujutsu fighter seeks to drive immediately to a clinch (a quick movement forward to grasp the opponent up very close). In the clinch, the punches and kicks of the opponent are no longer effective. Once this is achieved, the opponent is taken to the ground, where he is choked or joint locked into submission.
Brazilian Jujutsu training is a very hands-on art. The majority of practice is spent on ground fighting techniques and there are no preset forms.
