BJJ - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sports system that revolves around grappling and ground fighting. Popularised by the Gracie family, it has become a way of life for many people who enjoy its effective, reality-based fighting system. The end goal is to manipulate an opponent into positions on the ground where chokes and joint locks can be implemented, even against larger opponents.

Phoenix MMA have an elite team of practitioners and professors who have solid knowledge and understanding of human body mechanics and techniques used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You’ll learn the basics of ground fighting, standing techniques, take-downs and throws. If you already have experience on the mat you can join in the more advanced classes.

Classes are broken down into Kids BJJ, Beginners, Fundamentals, Gi, No-Gi, Advanced and Open Mat – which means we have classes for all ages and ability to help make Jiu-Jitsu accessible to everyone.

Equipment: Gi, rash guard, loose fitting shorts

REORG Jiu Jitsu Foundation

Launched in early 2017 REORG helps serving personnel and veterans to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as part of their recovery pathway, and to combat the challenge of mental health and physical disabilities.

We’re proud to be associated with this worthwhile cause, helping teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the Marines and giving them a sense of accomplishment as they improve over time.

You can find out more on their Facebook page.

History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

If you are a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) enthusiast, you probably know that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is among the fastest-growing combat sports. It owes its growth and popularity to tournaments such as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and ONE Championship. These two tournaments have significantly impacted the publicising of this fighting art, making it an internationally recognised sport.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a form of self-defence martial art involving ground-fighting and grappling. People of all ages and gender participate in BJJ for various reasons such as;

To improve their self-defence techniques.
For fun and interaction with peers.
To keep fit.
To improve their cardiovascular health and mental health.
For purposes of self-discipline.

History of BJJ

Even though this sport rose in popularity in recent years, its history dates back to several centuries ago. BJJ has its roots in Japan.

Samurai Years

In the ancient years, the first form of Jiu-Jitsu, known as Ju-Jitsu, was formed by the Japanese Samurais (members of the warrior class). The warriors fought while on horsebacks, and the introduction of Ju-Jitsu aimed to provide a sense of defence in case they were disarmed in the battlefield. The heavy armour worn by the Samurai warriors reduced their mobility, making chokes, throws and joint locks their only technique of use. Over the years, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu grew into different forms, with its goal shifting from armed combat defence to unarmed self-defence.

Founding of Judo

In early 1882, Jigoro Kano founded Kodokan, a martial arts school, where he taught Jiu-Jitsu techniques. He emphasised life sparring (randori), which comprised takedowns, chokes, joint locks, and throws. His teachings were known as Kudo. Thirty years later, Mitsuo Maeda, one of Kano’s students set out on a journey to Brazil, where he initiated the spread of Jiu-Jitsu.

Maeda in Brazil – Gracie family

Maeda had an excellent mastery of ground fighting techniques (Newaza). Upon reaching Brazil, he became friends with Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian businessman, who introduced him to his son, Carlos, who later became his first student. After learning ground fighting skills from Maeda, Carlos then passed the skills to his brothers. His brother, Helio, who was small in stature and lacked muscular strength, found it hard to execute the judo styles. The difficulties made Helio resort to making some adjustments in the Judo moves to accommodate people of all sizes and strengths. His changes were the beginning of BJJ.

Gracie’s sons, commonly referred to as the Brazilian brothers, continued to refine and perfect their BJJ skills by engaging in contests with other martial arts practitioners. They always took the lead. As years passed, they started recruiting more people into their newly formed world of martial arts, BJJ. They continued to incorporate more wrestling techniques, such as grappling into their new curriculum. BJJ remained within Brazil’s boundaries until Helio’s son Rorion travelled to the United States, where he furthered the spread of BJJ.

Rorion in the United States

Upon his arrival in the United States in 1970, Rorian was eager to introduce his unique family’s art to the general public. He joined hands with his business partner, and together, they organised a friendly tournament intending to showcase BJJ’s effectiveness. The competition was referred to as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and it housed different martial arts practitioners contesting against each other.

The first UFC tournament (UFC1) was held in 1993, and Rorion appointed his younger brother Royce to represent the BJJ’s. Despite Royce being the smallest in the competition, he went undefeated, and his victory left many surprised. The BJJ’s success fetched a vast number of audience who wanted to be introduced to the sport. This was the focal point of the spread of BJJ across the world.

If you are thinking of enrolling yourself or your children for BJJ classes, then we at Phoenix MMA have got you covered. We offer BJJ classes in our Bournemouth and Southampton gyms. Join any of our Phoenix MMA gyms today and enjoy our full range of services from our professional trainers.