The Rise of BJJ: When Did This Martial Art Become So Popular?
BJJ has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. But when did it become so popular? What is it about BJJ that has captured the imaginations of people all over the planet?
In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of BJJ and explore why it has become so popular in recent years and why this sport is here to stay and not just a passing trend.
Where It Started
To understand how BJJ has become so popular today, it is helpful to look back at where it came from and how it has evolved.
The history of BJJ can be traced back to the 1920s when Jiu Jitsu was first introduced in Brazil. At this time, it was not known as BJJ but rather Gracie Jiu Jitsu (after the Gracie family who were some of its pioneers). It wasn’t until the late 1980s that BJJ began to gain in popularity and started to really make a name for itself.
This is largely due to the work of Royce Gracie who won several tournaments in the early 1990s using his unique style of BJJ which relied on grappling and submission holds.
Since then, BJJ has continued to grow in popularity and there are now thousands of people around the world who practice this martial art.
What is it about BJJ that has made it so popular?
There are a number of reasons why BJJ has become so popular, but some of the key factors include:
- The ability to effectively defend oneself against larger and stronger opponents
- The focus on ground fighting which can be used in real-world self-defense situations
- The relatively easy learn and low cost compared to other martial arts
BJJ is not just a sport but also a self-defense system that can be used in real world situations. This is one of the reasons why it has become so popular, as people can see how they can use these techniques in their everyday lives.
It's Not Karate!
BJJ is also unique among martial arts in that it focuses on grappling and submission holds. This makes it a very effective form of self-defense, as most real world altercations involve close combat grappling.
Anyone can learn it with the right mindset
BJJ is also relatively easy to learn and does not require many years of training like some other martial arts. This has made it accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of their age or physical ability. BJJ is truly a martial art for everyone and its popularity is only going to continue to grow in the years ahead.
So if you are looking for a martial art that can teach you how to defend yourself while also providing a great workout, then BJJ is the perfect choice for you!
BJJ Is Popular Because It Works
One of the main reasons why BJJ has become so popular is because it actually works in real world self-defense situations. Many other martial arts focus on techniques that work well in a ring or competition setting but may not be as effective in a real fight.
BJJ, however, is a system that was designed for real world combat and incorporates many Submission holds which are extremely effective in stopping an opponent quickly.
BJJ is Also Affordable
Another reason why BJJ has become so popular is because it is one of the most affordable martial arts out there.
Unlike some other martial arts which can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to learn, BJJ can be learned for a fraction of the price. This makes it accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of their financial situation.
BJJ classes can range in price but the average is around $60-70 per month. This is a small price to pay for the benefits that BJJ can provide, such as self-defense skills, improved fitness and discipline.
BJJ Is Here To Stay
Finally, BJJ is not just a passing trend but is here to stay for many years to come. This is because it is an extremely effective martial art that provides many benefits for people of all ages.
It has also gained in popularity in recent years due to the rise of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) which has helped to bring BJJ into the mainstream. So if you are looking for a martial art that can teach you how to defend yourself while also providing a great workout, then look no further than BJJ!
BJJ Is for Everyone
Finally, BJJ is a martial art that is open to everyone. There are no age or physical limitations and anyone can learn it with the right mindset. This makes it a great choice for people who are looking for a self-defense system that they can use at any time in their lives. So if you are interested in learning BJJ, now is the perfect time to do so!
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu In Modern MMA
The popularity of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has exploded in the last decade with the advent of mixed martial arts. BJJ is now one of the most popular and well respected martial arts in the world. This is due, in part, to its effectiveness in real world self-defense situations.
BJJ is a grappling based art that focuses on submissions rather than strikes. This makes it a very versatile form of combat that can be used against larger and stronger opponents.
Submissions in major organizations like the UFC and ONE Championship have led to increased popularity of this martial art. BJJ is now a mainstay in most mixed martial arts promotions and has helped to make Brazilian Jiu-jitsu one of the most popular martial arts on the planet.
BJJ Popularity Continues To Grow
The popularity of BJJ continues to grow each and every year. This is due, in part, to its effectiveness in real world self-defense situations. BJJ is a grappling based art that focuses on submissions rather than strikes. This makes it a very versatile form of combat that can be used against larger and stronger opponents.
Popular BJJ Tournaments and New Rulesets
BJJ in the Gi has been often criticized for a slow pace match with too much stalling and not enough action. Some organizations within the BJJ community have come up with new rulesets that allow for open palm striking as well as gauntlet style team matches that lead to more dynamic strategies and variables.
Although BJJ is still a relatively new sport, some organizations, even on the local level are offering cash prices which helps to grow the interest of the local community to begin training and competing.
No-Gi = More Action + Faster Pace.
Many practitioners and fans are tuning into No-Gi matches as it is believed to be more actionable with less stalling. This is also due to the rise of personalities and stars within the BJJ community.
Popular BJJ Athletes and Their Stories
One of the most underrated reasons why BJJ has become so popular is because of fun personalities and interesting stories, from the Gracie era to the dominant champions like Gordon Ryan and masterminds like Eddie Bravo and John Danaher.
The Joe Rogan Effect
Joe Rogan is a popular podcaster, comedian, and commentator for the UFC. His popularity has grown tremendously over the past decades and has earned his ability to influence millions from all backgrounds.
When asking some BJJ beginners what got them into this combat sport, there's a decent chance they will say it's because of Joe Rogan.
Other Celebrities Bringing Attention To BJJ
From comedians such as Russel Peters, to Neo himself (Keanu Reeves) and even singers like Demi Lovato, BJJ has entered the red carpet. Martial arts students have been seeing their passions expressed on the big screen for years but their moves have been shown in blockbusters such as Marvel's 'Black Panther' and many more.
The BJJ Community
This community is clearly very passionate about why they love this martial art and it has helped promote its popularity to others. Jiu-jitsu may not have gotten mainstream news attention but the word of mouth has spread through-out communities, often starting with a few interested students, a brave instructor/professor and consistently showing its benefits for their cities and communities.
This has formed 'hubs' in a large network spanning into all nations.
There has been a diverse evolution and lineage from clans like the Lira Clan to 10th Planet Schools, and Project X-Guard (Non-Profits) to Gracie Academies. The network has grown to involve many different cultures and missions with BJJ as an underlying commonality.
It's effective for both police officers and to help practitioners stay out of trouble. This list can go on and on and if one BJJ club doesn't match your exact culture or lifestyle, there most likely is one somewhere in the world.
The Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
There are many benefits to training in BJJ. Some of these benefits include:
- improved physical fitness
- increased flexibility and agility
- better balance and coordination
- enhanced self-defense skills
- stress relief and relaxation
BJJ is a great martial art for anyone, regardless of age or gender. It is a challenging sport that offers a lot of rewards. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of BJJ, check out this guide.
Ready To Join The Frenzy of BJJ Practitioners?
Submission Shark has an entire section dedicated to help BJJ beginners navigate into the waters of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. You can see the entire blog section or start with this ultimate guide.
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