Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Mitsuyo Maeda introduced jiu-jitsu to Brazil in the 1920 when he immigrated to Brazil. He then taught jiu-jutsu to Carlos Gracie of Rio de Janeiro. A large number of Japanese immigrants who went to South America ensured that the Traditional Martial Arts, which included jiu-jitsu found a home in the Latin American Continent. Over time jiu-jitsu evolved a distinctive style which incorporated techniques that were honed in the rough favelas (these are shantytowns in the big cities of Brazil).
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is emphasized as ground fighting a fact that most Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylists aim or goal is to take the fight right down to the ground, as opposed to most martial arts styles which are stand-up fighting. Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners have a belief that most of the fights end up on the ground, therefore, they reason that one might as well learn to fight most effectively using ground fighting techniques that are available.
This ground fighting style includes techniques called guard and mount, although they seem to be simple techniques, they do form the foundation for most other Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighting techniques.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu became better known with the advent of the 1993 Ultimate fighting Championship. The UFC was billed as the very first tournament that pit practitioners of the various martial arts styles against each other with a no-holds barred setting, this was promoted by the Helio Gracie clan, Helio’s son Royce won 3 of the first four tournaments by making use of his families brand of jiu-jitsu, this in turn cemented jiu-jitsu as a martial arts style to be con
The Gracie family consisting of Carlos, brothers Osvaldo, Jorge, Gastão, and Helio, have all contributed to the spread of Brazilian jiu-jutsu, they have used challenged matches, televised tournaments, and the weight of sheer numbers to spread their name-sake style.
