You don’t have to be big and strong to dominate a fight. Jiu-Jitsu proves it – it’s the martial art where technique and leverage let a smaller person overcome a larger, stronger opponent.
Often fcalled the “gentle art,” Jiu-Jitsu has exploded in popularity for its effectiveness and depth. Ready to find out what makes this grappling art so special? Let’s dive in.
What is Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport focused on grappling and ground fighting, using holds and leverage instead of strikes. The goal is to take an opponent to the ground, gain control, and apply submissions (joint locks or chokes) until they yield.
In fact, the term “Jiu-Jitsu” comes from Japanese – jū means “gentle” and jutsu means “art,” so it literally translates to “gentle art”.
Don’t be fooled by the name, though. This “gentle” art can be decisively effective without relying on brute force.
Modern Jiu-Jitsu, especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), emphasizes technique over strength. It teaches you how to use timing, balance, and positioning to neutralize an opponent.
Instead of trading punches or kicks, you grapple – clinch, trip, and wrestle the opponent to the ground, then use positions like the guard, mount, or back control to set up submissions.
A classic example is using a chokehold or armbar to make an opponent tap out.
Pretty cool for a “gentle” art, right?
History and Evolution
Origins in Japan: Jiu-Jitsu has its roots in the feudal Japan of the samurai. Centuries ago, samurai warriors needed a way to fight when disarmed and in close quarters.
Striking an armored opponent wasn’t effective, so they developed a system of throws, joint locks, and chokeholds to defeat enemies using leverage.
This was the birth of Jiu-Jitsu as an unarmed combat method. Over time, hundreds of Jiu-Jitsu schools (ryū) emerged in Japan, each with its own style.
In the late 1800s, Jigoro Kano distilled some of these techniques into Judo, a new art focused on throws and live sparring.
Kano’s students (like Mitsuyo Maeda) still referred to this as “Kano Jiu-Jitsu” in the early days.
Journey to Brazil: The Japanese art made its way to Brazil in the early 20th century. In 1914, Mitsuyo Maeda – a judoka and prizefighter – arrived in Brazil and began teaching Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
Maeda eventually settled in Belém and befriended a man named Gastão Gracie. As a thank-you, Maeda taught Gastão’s son, Carlos Gracie, the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
Carlos, in turn, taught his brothers – including Hélio Gracie. Hélio was smaller and weaker than his siblings, which forced him to modify the techniques to rely more on leverage and timing rather than strength.
These adaptations allowed a lighter person to fight effectively against bigger opponents, and they became the core of what we now know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Birth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: In 1925, the Gracie brothers opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil, teaching their style of “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu”. They proved its effectiveness through challenge matches – no-rules fights against boxers, wrestlers, and other martial artists.
Hélio Gracie’s most famous match came in 1951 against Japanese judo champion Masahiko Kimura in front of 20,000 spectators.
Hélio lost when his arm was broken by a shoulder lock – a move now known worldwide as the “Kimura” in honor of that victory. The Gracie family’s constant testing refined the art and built its reputation.
Global Explosion: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remained a Brazilian phenomenon until the 1990s, when it burst onto the global stage. Hélio’s son Rorion Gracie moved to the U.S. and, in 1993, helped create the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a way to showcase his family’s art.
In the very first UFC event, Rorion’s younger brother Royce Gracie shocked the world: a relatively skinny man, Royce defeated multiple larger, fearsome strikers by submission, winning the tournament with ease. His wins proved that knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu could trump size and strength in a fight, spurring a worldwide surge of interest.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) became popular, and BJJ was recognized as a foundational skill.
From the mid-90s onward, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu spread rapidly. The first BJJ World Championship (Mundial) was held in 1996 in Rio de Janeiro, and in 2002 the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) was founded to organize the sport globally.
By the 2000s, BJJ academies were opening on every continent. The art continued to evolve with new techniques (like the berimbolo and lapel guards) and a thriving competition scene.
Today, almost every town has a place to train Jiu-Jitsu, and practitioners around the world continue to build on the legacy that started on the battlefields of Japan and was perfected on the mats of Brazil.
Styles and Variations
Jiu-Jitsu isn’t one-size-fits-all – it has different styles and rulesets, each with its own flavor.
Here are some key variations and how they compare:
Japanese vs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Traditional Japanese Jujutsu (or Ju-Jitsu) is the ancestor of BJJ. It was designed for self-defense and battlefield situations, so it includes standing techniques, throws, and even strikes, in addition to locks.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolved from those roots but focuses heavily on ground grappling and sport competition. Think of Japanese Jujutsu as an old-school art for disabling an attacker (often taught in a self-defense context), whereas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a modern, sportive adaptation emphasizing live sparring (“rolling”) and positional strategy.
Both share the “gentle art” philosophy of using an attacker’s force against them, but BJJ has streamlined those techniques for one-on-one duels on the mat.
Judo vs Jiu-Jitsu
Judo and BJJ are like close cousins. In fact, BJJ came from Jigoro Kano’s Judo via Maeda.
The biggest difference is where the fight takes place. Judo focuses on throwing opponents to the ground with powerful hip tosses and sweeps – a judoka wins by a clean throw or pin, and groundwork is limited.
BJJ focuses on what happens after the takedown, specializing in controlling an opponent on the ground and finishing with submissions.
Judo does have groundwork (newaza) and BJJ does have takedowns, but the emphasis is opposite. Also, Judo is an Olympic sport with some throws and grips restricted by rules, while BJJ has a more permissive grappling ruleset.
In short, “Judo places a significant emphasis on throws... while BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submission holds”. Many practitioners cross-train both to become well-rounded.
Gi vs No-Gi:
BJJ can be practiced in the traditional gi (uniform) or without the gi (no-gi).
Training in a gi means you wear a heavy cotton jacket and pants (like a kimono) and a belt. The gi introduces a whole world of grips – you can grab your opponent’s collar or sleeves to control them, and even use their lapel for choke submissions.
Gi Jiu-Jitsu tends to be a bit slower and more methodical, as the fabric creates friction and fighters must work grips and technique details.
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, is done in rashguards and shorts (no traditional uniform). Without cloth to hold, you rely on controlling the body itself. No-gi is usually faster-paced, with more scrambles and explosive movements.
It also allows certain leg lock submissions (like heel hooks) that are often restricted in gi competitions. Neither style is “better” – they’re just different challenges.
Many beginners start with the gi to build solid fundamentals, then also train no-gi to broaden their skills.
Techniques and Basic Rules
Jiu-Jitsu’s toolkit is full of interesting techniques and a unique set of rules that set it apart from striking arts.
Here’s the rundown of how it works:
Distinctive Techniques: Instead of punches and kicks, Jiu-Jitsu’s signature moves are takedowns, positions, and submissions.
A fight (or match) often starts standing: you might see a double-leg takedown (like a wrestler) or a judo throw to get the fight to the ground.
Once on the ground, the goal is to advance through positions – for example, passing the opponent’s guard (legs) to side control, mounting them, or taking their back.
These positions give the control needed to finish the fight.
Submissions are the highlight; they come in two flavors: joint locks (bending a limb against its will until the opponent taps out) and chokeholds (cutting off blood/air until the opponent submits).
Classic submissions include the armbar, triangle choke, rear-naked choke, guillotine, kimura lock, and leg locks.
In training, students tap the opponent or mat to signal they give up – safety first.
A well-applied submission holds true to the gentle art philosophy: you can end a fight without injuring your opponent (as long as they tap!).
How to Win: In sport BJJ tournaments, a match can be won by submission (opponent taps out) or, if no submission happens, by points.
Points reward the fighter who exhibits superior positioning.
For example, takedowns or throws that put someone to the ground on their back typically earn 2 points. Passing an opponent’s guard (getting around their legs) is worth 3 points. Getting to a dominant position like mount (sitting on opponent’s torso) or back control (hooks in from behind) yields 4 points. Sweeping an opponent (reversing from bottom guard to top position) scores 2 points.
The idea is that these actions move you closer to a submission, so they’re rewarded. If the match time ends, the one with more points wins. (If points are tied, referees might use advantage scores or make a decision based on who was more aggressive.)
Of course, a clean submission at any time wins the match outright – no points needed. This encourages fighters to always hunt for a finish.
Rules and Prohibitions:
To keep things safe, Jiu-Jitsu competitions have rules against certain dangerous moves.
Strikes (punches, kicks, etc.) are not allowed in pure BJJ competitions – it’s purely grappling. You also cannot bite, eye-gouge, hair-pull (common sense foul play).
Slamming an opponent on the mat to escape a submission is forbidden – you must use technique to get out, not brute force that could seriously hurt your opponent.
Certain submissions are barred at lower skill levels; for instance, twisting leg locks like heel hooks (which can destroy knees) are typically illegal for beginners. Small-joint manipulation (yanking fingers or toes) is a no-no.
Neck cranks (bending the spine/neck) are generally not allowed unless it’s a standard choke. The rules evolve with the sport (recently, advanced divisions have started allowing more leg locks in no-gi).
But overall, the idea is to allow a wide range of grappling while preventing techniques that would maim or injure.
Respect for your training partners and opponents is paramount – if someone taps, you let go immediately. This way we can train and compete at full intensity without hurting each other.
Equipment and Attire
One great thing about Jiu-Jitsu is you don’t need a ton of gear. The essentials depend on whether you train gi or no-gi:
Gi
The traditional uniform is called a gi – a heavy cotton jacket and pants, usually worn with a belt that shows your rank. It’s similar to a judo or karate gi but cut for grappling.
The gi is built to be grabbed and withstand strain. In BJJ, the gi isn’t just clothing; it’s a tool. You can grip the collar, sleeves, or pants to control your opponent, and even use the lapel for chokes.
(Fun fact: many choking techniques involve feeding the gi collar around an opponent’s neck – your own clothing can become a weapon against you!)
A typical BJJ gi has a thick lapel and reinforced stitching. They come in a few colors (white, blue, and black are most common – competition rules often limit to these).
Under the gi, most people wear a rashguard or t-shirt for comfort, but in formal settings men sometimes go bare-chested under the jacket.
Aside from the gi itself, your belt is important – it holds your jacket closed and signifies your rank by color (more on the ranking system next).
No-Gi Attire
For no-gi classes or competitions, the attire is more like what you’d see in wrestling.
Commonly it’s a rashguard (spandex athletic shirt) and fight grappling shorts or spats (leggings). Basically, tight-fitting apparel that won’t tear or get caught.
In official no-gi events, some organizers require ranked rashguards (with color markings to show if you’re a beginner, intermediate, etc.), but at the gym any athletic wear that’s not baggy will do. You want to avoid loose clothes because fingers or toes can get snagged and you have no gi to grab anyway. Also, no-gi grapplers often tape up their fingers less (since no sleeve-gripping) and rely more on body control and grips on the limbs or neck.
Protective Gear
BJJ doesn’t have a lot of armor, but some optional gear can help.
A mouthguard is highly recommended – accidents happen and you don’t want a stray elbow or head knocking out a tooth during sparring.
Ear guards (headgear) can be worn to prevent cauliflower ear (that bumpy wrestler’s ear from friction), though they’re not very common in BJJ gyms compared to wrestling rooms.
Cups (groin protectors) are a controversial topic; some gyms allow them, some don’t.
Major competitions (like IBJJF) actually forbid hard groin protectors, under the idea that they could hurt others or be used to leverage chokes. Most people train without cups and just learn to be mindful to avoid low blows.
Knee pads or ankle wraps are used by some grapplers with joint issues, and finger tape becomes your friend once you start gripping a lot (it supports the small joints).
But as a beginner, you really just need a gi or rashguard/shorts and you’re ready to roll. Simplicity for the win.
System of Ranks and Progression
Like many martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu uses a belt rank system to chart your progress – but be warned, BJJ’s belt system is notoriously strict and slow.
Unlike some arts where you might get a black belt in 3-5 years, in Jiu-Jitsu it can take a decade or more to achieve that level of mastery.
This is a good thing – each belt in BJJ really means something and is respected.
For adults (age 16+), the belt colors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu go:
- White
- Blue
- Purple
- Brown
- Black.
Everyone starts at white belt, the blank slate.
As a white belt you’ll spend a lot of time just learning the basics and surviving on the mat. In a couple of years (on average) of consistent training, you might be promoted to blue belt – this means you’ve built a solid foundation and can hold your own.
Blue to purple can be another few years; a purple belt is considered an advanced student who has a deep understanding of the art (often purple belts start developing their personal style or “game”).
From purple, it’s a significant jump to brown belt, where you’re refining all aspects and preparing to become elite.
Finally, the coveted black belt in BJJ signifies a true expert – someone who can teach and apply Jiu-Jitsu at a high level.
The entire journey often spans 8-12 years of hard training (with 10 years being a commonly cited average).
There are of course exceptions – a few phenoms have done it faster, especially if they had prior grappling backgrounds, but that’s rare. For example, BJ Penn famously earned his black belt in just 3 years and 4 months, one of the fastest ever recorded.
One more thing about BJJ rank: there’s no standardized testing or curriculum across all schools (unlike some arts with formal exams).
Promotions are usually at the instructor’s discretion, based on factors like skill, sparring ability, time spent training, and sometimes competition performance or teaching contribution.
You won’t get a new belt just by showing up for a set number of classes – you have to put in the work and genuinely level up your game.
Where and How Jiu-Jitsu Is Practiced
Training Grounds
You can practice Jiu-Jitsu in a variety of settings, but most commonly at a BJJ academy or gym. These are often padded mat rooms (to safely break your falls) with space for pairs of grapplers to roll.
Classes typically involve a warm-up, technique drilling, and then sparring (open rolling).
Jiu-Jitsu has a very international community – you’ll find academies across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond.
Some are standalone Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools, while others are part of MMA gyms or traditional martial arts dojos that added BJJ programs.
A qualified instructor (often a black belt) will guide students through the curriculum. The environment is usually pretty relaxed and fun – you might train with people from all walks of life: college students, engineers, doctors, military, even grandmothers.
On the mats, everyone’s equal in the sense that you leave your ego at the door and learn through tapping each other out and sharing knowledge.
Classes and Rolling
Jiu-Jitsu is unique in that sparring (rolling) is a core part of training from early on.
You will pressure-test your techniques against fully resisting partners in almost every class. This live training is what makes BJJ so effective, and it’s also a heck of a workout!
A class might pair you up with someone your size, or sometimes someone much bigger or smaller – both situations teach you different lessons.
Many gyms also have open mat sessions where anyone can come roll freely, and you’ll often get to spar with people from other gyms which broadens your experience.
Competition Formats
Jiu-Jitsu competition usually takes place on a mat (tatami) in a controlled ring-like area.
Two competitors grapple for a set time (commonly 5–10 minutes depending on rank) trying to submit each other or score points through superior positions.
Competitions are typically tournament style: brackets by weight class, gender, and experience level (white belts fight white belts, blue vs blue, etc. to keep it fair). Some events focus on gi divisions, others on no-gi, and many offer both.
The vibe at a BJJ tournament is electric – you’ll see matches ranging from slow, strategic chess matches to wild scrambles ending in flying armbars.
For practitioners, competing is optional but highly encouraged if you want to test yourself. Win or lose, you’ll learn a ton from every match.
Beyond the Dojo
Jiu-Jitsu techniques are also practiced in mixed martial arts environments – an MMA fighter will use BJJ on the ground during fights in a cage or ring.
However, pure BJJ competitions themselves usually happen on open mats (not in a cage) and without striking. There are also specialized submission-only events where there are no points, just time limits – if no one submits, some have judges or “golden score” overtime, or it’s a draw.
These events, like the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) or Polaris, often allow more submission types and can be very exciting for spectators because athletes take more risks without points in play.
Organizations, Teams, and Tournaments
Jiu-Jitsu’s growth has been fueled by major organizations and legendary teams that set the competitive standards. Here are some of the big names to know:
Major Organizations
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is the largest sanctioning body for sport BJJ worldwide.
Founded by Carlos Gracie Jr. in the 1990s, the IBJJF organizes many of the biggest tournaments in the world – including the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials), the Pan-American Championship, and the European Open. Under IBJJF rules (which most gi tournaments follow), you have the familiar belt divisions, points system, and gi uniform requirements.
The IBJJF has helped standardize competition rules and raise the level of professionalism in the sport.
For No-Gi grappling, the king of competitions is the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship. The ADCC is held every two years and is widely considered the most prestigious no-gi submission fighting tournament in the world.
It invites top grapplers from BJJ, wrestling, judo, sambo, etc., making it a true “grappling Olympics.” Winning ADCC gold means you’re literally one of the best on Earth.
ADCC rules differ from IBJJF – they allow a wider range of techniques (heel hooks, for example) and have a unique scoring system that only kicks in after an initial submission-only period. Champions like Marcelo Garcia, André Galvão, and Gordon Ryan have become legends here.
Besides IBJJF and ADCC, there are other notable organizations: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation hosts the annual Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (World Pro), which has big prize money and draws international talent.
Many countries also have their own federations and national championships. There are professional invitational events like Polaris, Who’s Number One, GrappleFest, and more, where top fighters are paid to compete in superfights.
And of course, in MMA organizations like the UFC and ONE Championship, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is omnipresent.
Today, while MMA fighters must be well-rounded, a high-level ground game is still often the deciding factor.
ONE Championship has even started holding pure submission grappling matches on its cards (with champions like Mikey Musumeci showcasing BJJ to a global audience).
Top Teams and Academies
Over the years, certain academies have risen to dominance in competition, becoming factories for world champions.
Gracie Barra, founded by Carlos Gracie Jr., is one of the largest teams globally, with hundreds of affiliate schools – you’ll often see Gracie Barra at the top of team standings in tournaments.
Alliance Jiu-Jitsu (co-founded by Romero “Jacaré” and Fabio Gurgel) has won numerous world team titles and produced legends.
Nova União, a Brazilian team, made its mark producing lighter-weight champions (and also famous in MMA through fighters like BJ Penn and José Aldo).
Other powerhouse teams include Atos Jiu-Jitsu (led by André Galvão, known for innovating modern techniques), CheckMat, GF Team, Gracie Humaitá (Helio’s original lineage), Carlson Gracie Team, and newer competition super-teams like DreamArt.
There are also renowned academies like Renzo Gracie Academy in New York, Alliance HQ in São Paulo, Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ) in California, etc., that attract students from around the world.
Even in the MMA realm, teams recognized for their grappling include camps like American Top Team (ATT), Kings MMA, Nova União (again), and AKA, where BJJ coaches ensure fighters are submission-savvy. It’s telling that even a striking-focused camp like Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand now hosts BJJ classes – high-level grappling has become an essential component of fight training everywhere.
Prestigious Tournaments
If you’re a BJJ enthusiast, some events are must-watch each year.
The IBJJF World Championship (Mundial) typically held in California is essentially the Super Bowl of gi BJJ – weight class divisions for all belts, culminating in black belt finals that often showcase the sport’s evolving meta.
There’s also the IBJJF Pan Ams, the European Championship, the Brasileiro (Brazilian Nationals), and many regional championships. In no-gi, the ADCC Worlds (every two years) is the big one, as mentioned.
Additionally, the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds are held annually.
Some independent tournaments have gained prestige too: EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) popularized a submission-only format with overtime shootouts. Polaris in the UK and Fight 2 Win in the US put on entertaining pro cards.
For beginners, there are tons of local tournaments (NAGA, Grappling Industries, IBJJF Open events in various cities, etc.) where you can get your feet wet. And if you just want to watch high-level Jiu-Jitsu,
YouTube and streaming services (like FloGrappling) carry a lot of these big competitions so you can follow your favorite athletes and teams.
Notable Fighters and Personalities
Jiu-Jitsu has its share of stars – from legendary fighters who advanced the art, to modern champions, to celebrity enthusiasts who have brought it extra spotlight.
Here are five notable figures every BJJ fan should know about:
- Hélio Gracie – One of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Small in stature, he modified classical jiu-jitsu to rely on leverage and timing, allowing weaker fighters to beat stronger ones. Through countless challenge matches, he proved his style and taught a generation of students. Called the father of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, his influence lives on in the guard, defense focus, and technique-over-strength mindset.
- Royce Gracie – Hélio’s son who showcased BJJ at UFC 1 in 1993. Chosen for his unassuming physique, he submitted larger opponents with chokes and locks to win the tournament. His calm dominance forced the martial arts world to respect ground fighting and made him a legend, still referenced whenever a smaller fighter wins with technique.
- Roger Gracie – Often called the greatest BJJ competitor. A 10-time black belt world champion, including three open-weight titles, he won many finals with basic techniques like the cross-collar choke. In 2005 he submitted all eight of his opponents, a historic feat. Grandson of Hélio, Roger proved classic technique still conquers.
- Gordon Ryan – Dominant American no-gi grappler, multiple-time ADCC champion nicknamed “King Gordon.” Known for leg locks, strangles, and a systematic approach influenced by John Danaher, he helped popularize leg locks in BJJ. Polarizing for his confident persona, he’s still widely regarded as the best no-gi grappler today.
- Mark Zuckerberg – Meta founder who shocked many by competing in his first BJJ tournament in 2023, winning gold and silver in the novice divisions. Photos of him arm-barring opponents went viral, boosting mainstream attention for BJJ. He continues training, joining other celebrity practitioners like Tom Hardy in popularizing the art.
Culture, Pop Culture, and Diffusion
Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just a sport or martial art – it’s a culture with its own vibe, and it has steadily woven its way into popular culture around the world.
Media and Film
Over the past few decades, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has made numerous appearances in movies, TV, and other media – often as Easter eggs recognized by fans.
Early on, the Lethal Weapon movies (’80s) had choreographer Rorion Gracie include an armbar/triangle choke finish.
In the movie Flashpoint (1998), a young Donnie Yen showcased BJJ moves in a Hong Kong action film, which was revolutionary at the time.
Fast forward, and you have movies like John Wick (starring Keanu Reeves) heavily featuring BJJ and judo techniques. Keanu, trained by the Machado brothers, executes armbars, chokes, and transitions that make grapplers in the audience grin.
The fight choreography in those films arguably boosted interest in learning BJJ (who doesn’t want to fight like John Wick?).
Even animated shows and comedies nod to BJJ; for example, The Simpsons had a gag where a character drops into guard and says “I have mastered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, crawl on top of me and meet your doom!” – poking fun at the guard position.
There’s a superhero in the Marvel comics (K’un Lun’s Fat Cobra) who bragged about training with the Gracies.
In video games, the UFC game series includes BJJ techniques in its grappling system, and characters in games like Tekken and Street Fighter have moves clearly inspired by Jiu-Jitsu (e.g., some throws and submissions).
Notable Media
A must-watch documentary for BJJ fans is “Choke” (1999), which follows Rickson Gracie through the 1995 Vale Tudo Japan tournament – it offers an intimate look at a Gracie preparing for no-holds-barred fights and features some philosophical musing that became iconic (Rickson’s famous “flow with the go” line about adapting to situations).
Another documentary, “Roll: Jiu-Jitsu in SoCal”, explores BJJ culture. There’s also “Jiu-Jitsu VS The World” (2016), a free documentary on YouTube that interviews many big names about the impact of BJJ.
In feature films, “Redbelt” (2008), directed by David Mamet, is all about a BJJ instructor who ends up in a moral dilemma around competition – it’s a drama that gives a respectful nod to the martial art’s ethos.
More recently, actor and BJJ black belt Guy Ritchie directed “The Gentlemen” (2019) which has a scene demonstrating a submission hold on a goon (no coincidence from the arm-locking director).
On the influencer side, podcasts and YouTube have been huge for diffusion. Joe Rogan, a BJJ black belt and UFC commentator, frequently talks about Jiu-Jitsu on his massively popular podcast, effectively evangelizing the art to millions of listeners.
There are dedicated BJJ podcasts (like “Rear Naked Radio”, “The BJJ Fanatics Podcast”, etc.) and YouTube channels that break down techniques or cover tournament highlights. Social media is full of BJJ technique clips and memes – from accounts that share grappling tips to those that poke fun at BJJ culture (ever seen the “Jiu-Jitsu Dummies” comic or memes about how every BJJ practitioner can’t shut up about BJJ? Guilty as charged!).
Celebrity Effect
As mentioned, celebrities from various fields have picked up Jiu-Jitsu, which further broadcasts it to wider audiences.
We discussed Mark Zuckerberg and Tom Hardy.
Add to that list: actors Ashton Kutcher (who is a brown belt), Jason Statham (purple belt), Russell Brand (purple belt), director Guy Ritchie (black belt under Renzo Gracie), comedian Joey Diaz (blue belt but passionate advocate), WWE superstar Dave Bautista (purple, I believe), and the list keeps growing.
When these folks appear on talk shows or post Instagram pics in their gis, it piques their fans’ curiosity about BJJ. It’s become almost trendy in Hollywood to train Jiu-Jitsu for fitness and self-defense.
Even Prince William reportedly dabbled in it and was spotted at a Renzo Gracie academy seminar – so BJJ has even made it to royalty!
