The world of combat sports has many different disciplines, and many can be applied across different sports. The discipline and dedication required to become the best might remain the same, but the differences between sports determine which suit particular athletes.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu was pioneered in the 1920s by the Gracie brothers, Helio, Carlos, Oswaldo, and Gastao Jr. after Mitsujo Maeda taught Carlos judoka. The self-defence martial arts discipline has a focus on ground fighting, grappling, and submission by using weight distribution and leverage.

The sport has achieved global fame and sports fans betting on online sportsbooks are increasingly turning towards BJJ markets. Online gambling expert Darren Moore explains in a comprehensive breakdown that sportsbooks can provide consumers with a wider selection of betting markets to choose from, even in states like Florida where betting markets are slightly restricted. This can be great for sports like BJJ with events being held around the world, and especially in Florida where there are nearly 90 registered BJJ academies teaching the sport. 

Combat sports fanatics understand the intricacies of different disciplines, and BJJ is unique in the use of legs to wrap the opponent rather than utilising upper body strength.

While sports like boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and, to a degree, MMA all rely on striking the opponent with a hand or foot, BJJ sets itself apart and focuses on ground fighting and grappling. Its aim is not to knock the opponent out, but to neutralize the risk of an enemy by trapping them, making it a much more defensive art.

A background in BJJ can be a huge benefit to MMA fighters, but other disciplines are also required. The different positions and transitions in BJJ, such as arm or leg locks, chokes, and escapes, are all a massive part of ground fighting and the best technicians are able to use their own creativity to improve their style and effectiveness.

The close contact nature of BJJ is also different from a lot of strike-based contact sports. Keeping away from your opponent significantly reduces the risk of being knocked out in other sports, and quite a lot of time is spent looking for opportunities to mount an attack without being struck on the counter.

BJJ sees competitors grappling and this can be difficult to get used to for people more used to the space afforded in other sports. More experienced fans or fighters will begin to understand the positions and techniques being used to fell an opponent, and the more you watch the sport, the more enjoyable it becomes.

The majority of other combat sports rely on trying to overpower or knock out an opponent, BJJ has a stronger focus on self-defence and an emphasis on technique. This means that smaller and physically weaker competitors have an opportunity to beat larger and stronger opponents. 

BJJ fighters train relentlessly to refine their techniques and learn to leverage weight distribution and body positioning to defeat opponents. 

Another significant difference that Brazilian jiu jitsu has is that the training is much closer to an actual fight than in other combat sports. Many combat sports put a lot of emphasis on solo training and only put it into practice in sparring sessions. BJJ sees most of its training done with a partner and techniques are put into practice in more realistic situations.

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