Posted on
2/14/2007 2:05:55 PM
UFC Fighting Styles - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
By BetUS Staff
Derived from Judo and Japanese jiu-jitsu, this complex martial art has been developing since the early 1900’s. It gained prominence in the early 1990’s when an unknown fighter by the name of Royce Gracie shocked the world of mixed martial arts by winning three out of the first four Ultimate Fighting Championships by routinely defeating skilled opponents much larger than himself.
Widely considered the grandfather of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ), Royce Gracie’s father, Helio Gracie, began practicing, teaching and developing this martial art with his brothers in Brazil, and soon became the foremost practitioner of the style.
It is based on one on one combat, with emphasis on ground fighting and submission techniques. The intention is to have an opponent submit (quit) due to painful joint and limb hyperextension or be choked out.
Using leverage instead of strength, it is an effective fighting technique against larger opponents and can quickly even the playing field when a fighter finds themselves outmatched in strength, speed or size.
To be effective in today’s world of mixed martial arts, a fighter needs to be extremely well versed in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; if not to defeat an opponent, but at least to defend against it.
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