Under the heading of martial arts, there are actually several different categories that exist and below these categories are different styles. The four main types of martial art are Japanese, Brazilian, Chinese, and Korean, with Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu being just some of the styles that make up each category. Therefore, when we speak about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we talk about a form of martial arts that focuses heavily on something called ‘grappling’. Here, each fighter’s main goal is to seize their opponent at close range, ultimately pinning them to the mat through a series of intricate techniques and strategies. Whether this is your first-time hearing of the sport or whether you have practiced it your entire life, read on to discover some little-known facts about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or ‘BJJ’, that will give you more insight into its fascinating nature.

The History of BJJ Is Rooted in Japan Over 100 Years Ago

To examine the full history of BJJ, we must go back to Japan. It was here that it’s earliest form was founded, developed and used by Japanese samurai as a last method of defense in battle. Then, in the late 1800s, Judo expert Jigoro Kano founded a school called the Kodokan where a group of pupils were taught useful tactics to use in their fighting. It was only when one student of the school, Mitsuyo Maeda, decided to take a trip Brazil that BJJ began to take shape. Maeda took his knowledge of judo and made adjustments and refinements. Eventually, BJJ was birthed out of the innovations that this Japanese-born fighter created.

How many of these ‘BJJ’ facts do you already know?

Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has a Strong Fan Community

It can be said that BJJ does not necessarily fall within the list of the most popular and commonly known sports such as basketball, football, and tennis. However, one thing many people do not know is that BJJ actually has a very loyal fan base. Although it is a sport that could be confusing to follow for those on the outside, for those who understand its ins and outs watching a match is extremely thrilling and entertaining. Supporters of BJJ enjoy attending live competitions and following along with their favorite players. Along with this, another aspect of the sports fandom that people often tap into is sports betting. However, because BJJ is not as well known as other activities in the professional sports world, many wagering platforms do not cover it. As leading providers grow their presence on the net with free bets and various promotional offerings, it’s only a matter of time until the majority of online sportsbooks provide mainstream BJJ betting opportunities. One thing’s for certain – there’s no doubt that BJJ is one of the fastest-growing forms of martial arts today and that the best is yet to come.

The Direct Translation of ‘Jiu-Jitsu’ is ‘Gentle Art’

Contrary to popular belief, the sport of Jiu-Jitsu relies more heavily on technique and fluid movements than it does intense fighting. In fact, the direct translation of the word ‘jiu’ is ‘gentle’ with the translation of ‘jitsu’ being ‘art’. Therefore, the sport is quite literally a ‘gentle art’, with competitors focused first and foremost on the execution of grappling.

People watch as a jiu-jitsu tournament takes place live

There are Many Reasons Why People Practice the Sport

A BJJ fighter practices the sport for many different reasons. Perhaps they first enter the BJJ world as a means of learning self-defense strategies and have no real desire to ever perform in a competition. BJJ is a great form of martial arts for self-defense because the sport provides education in space management, teaching fighters to use their bodies in versatile ways that either create space or take it away. On the other hand, maybe someone gets into BJJ because they want to improve their fitness lifestyle, as BJJ is actually a great form of cardio and muscle-building. Lastly, perhaps people new on the BJJ scene are there because they are interested in a new hobby that will teach them valuable skills, both mentally and physically.

In BJJ, it Can Take up to 10 Years to Acquire a Black Belt

Many people know that most martial arts sports have a black belt system. For example, in Karate there are different levels an athlete must reach in order to acquire the prestigious title. The same is true in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu except for the fact that here, the system is much stricter than in other martial arts categories. A good amount of time is spent mastering each belt level, so when fighters finally arrive at ‘black’ (a process that normally takes up to 10 years), it is a huge accomplishment.