Brazil has a long rich history of serious martial arts. A well-accomplished Japanese martial artist named Mitsuyo Maeda moved to Brazil in the early 1900s. He was assigned to help the Japanese colony prosper in Brazil. He taught Judo which eventually led to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Today we shall discuss how MMA type ultimate fights Brazil gave birth.
Distinction between BJJ and MMA
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its distinction from MMA. BJJ typically does not allow striking and kicking. It takes downs to ground to make opponents submit in the form of chokes, armbars and leg locks. BJJ fighters also enjoy a lot of freedom in fighting. But
all forms of slams are prohibited. They are not allowed to pick the opponent’s up and slam them to the ground. While MMA fighters are trained to execute powerful leg kicks, knee strikes, and upper body strikes with hands or elbows. Executing all these operations MMA fighters use many martial arts techniques.
However, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was initially developed in 1925 by Brazilian brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr, George, and Hélio Gracie. Japanese judoka Mitsuyo Maeda taught Carlos Jiu-Jitsu. Later on, a modern-day legend, Helio Gracie gained international acclaim for his dedication to the dissemination of the martial arts. Also, he is recognized as the creator of Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He lived a long life of 95 years, cherishing achievement. Because of the significant role of this legend Brazil has become the centre of a proud martial art named BJJ.
Brazil Prominent in UFC and MMA
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is an extreme kind of martial art. It is becoming one of the more popular fighting disciplines in MMA and in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Gracie family from Brazil created Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu nearly 100 years ago. They also started the UFC. When America has a rich history of Karate, Brazil concentrates on Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. It turns out that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is probably the most effective individual martial art as it concentrates on fighting on the ground where most real fights end up, submitting to the opponent. Karate seems to teach more discipline and self confidence though. But the truth is a Karate Black belt holder is a weaker fighter against a BJJ black belt holder.
It is widely acknowledged that without the Brazilian influence, Mixed Martial Arts probably wouldn’t be as popular as it is now. The UFC Ultimate Brazil or UFC 17.5 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in São Paulo, Brazil on October 16, 1998.
Of course, the United States was ahead of Brazil to have arranged the UFC. Brazilian sports writer and the co-founder of the UFC Rorion Gracie worked with American businessman Art Davie to create the first Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament held in 1993 at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Rorion Gracie is a Brazilian-born Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Grand Master, a prominent member of the Gracie family. He is also a writer, publisher, producer, lecturer, and internationally credited with creating the new combat sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Brazil remains one of the top hubs for MMA, with one of the most dedicated fan bases in the country. The world wide UFC and MMA promotion companies must owe to the Gracie families in Brazil.
MMA and UFC in Brazil
There are so many well known UFC fighters from Brazil.
The Gracie family from Brazil created and contributed to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu nearly 100 years ago. They also started the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), though the first fight of this kind took place in America.
It is well recognized that the birth of MMA happened in the United States, while the foundation of the UFC was based in Brazil in the early 1920’s. The combat sport’s nature was Vale Tudo (meaning anything goes). In other words, the major MMA organisations are predominantly American. The immense growth and popularity of the combat sport over the last decades would not have been possible without the huge enrollment of high quality Brazilian fighters.
Again, due to the Gracie families’ constant contribution to training institutions in MMA and UFC were thrivg in Brazil.
There are Brazilian fighters throughout every major MMA organisation in the world like a chain company. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors, most of them from the Gracie families, who have opened up schools around the country. A solid base of Jiu-Jitsu, combined with other skills, seems to make a very good MMA fighter.
However, great fighters have come from a base of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that lead to ground fights, where the opponents are forced to submit in the end. It is said that if jiu-jitsu were a religion, Brazil would be its holy land. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is most popular, especially in Rio de Janeiro.
Undoubtedly, Brazil is the pioneer of MMA and the UFC. Brazilian people are very much fond of soccer, combat sports MMA, Bjj and samba music and dance. MMA and UFC are deeply rooted in Brazil from the beginning when Judoka Mitsuyo Maeda taught the Gracie family Jiu-Jitsu.