Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling martial art focused on taking an opponent to the ground, controlling them and finishing with a joint lock or choke. It relies on technique, leverage and position rather than strength, which is why a smaller person can control a larger one.
Where it comes from
BJJ grew out of Japanese judo. Mitsuyo Maeda, a student of judo's founder Jigoro Kano, took the art to Brazil in the early 1900s, where the Gracie family adapted it for real fights and smaller bodies. That line runs straight to Vaughan: see the lineage of Professor Mike Aviado.
How a match works
- Takedown or pull guard to bring the fight to the ground.
- Control from dominant positions such as mount or back control.
- Submit with a joint lock or choke, and your partner taps to stop.
Why "the gentle art"?
Jū means gentle or yielding. Instead of meeting force with force, you redirect it. That idea is why BJJ works for kids, women and older beginners as well as athletes.
The belt system
Adults progress white, blue, purple, brown, black, with stripes marking progress within each belt. Kids have their own belt colours. Reaching black belt commonly takes around a decade of consistent training.