In a recent appearance on the JAXXON PODCAST alongside BJJ legend Rigan Machado, MMA legend Rampage Jackson shared a statement that caught many by surprise…

Jiu-jitsu has had a bigger impact on America than boxing.

While boxing has long held its place as one of the most revered sports in American history, Jackson pointed out a key difference in how Americans actually engage with it.

Boxing has been the number one comeback sport in the world for over 100 years now.

You don’t see a lot of kids watching De La Hoya, Mayweather, Mike Tyson and then going to the gym training boxing.
They’re big fans of boxing, but they don’t go to the gym and become boxers themselves.

By contrast, he noted that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has inspired people from all walks of life to hit the mats.

Since its introduction to the U.S. by pioneers like the Machado and Gracie families, jiu-jitsu has flourished in gyms and academies across the country.
Rigan Machado provided context for that explosive growth:

Jiu-jitsu is now in over 200 countries.
It’s the second biggest sport in Brazil behind soccer. In America, there are over a thousand schools.

Jackson added that jiu-jitsu’s inclusivity has helped it resonate with broader audiences:

You see nerds doing jiu-jitsu and they’re killers. With jiu-jitsu, I feel like it’s changed the world.

You can do a martial art without getting punched.

You can be just as effective and finish someone, make someone tap out, make someone give up without getting punched.
A lot of people don’t like getting punched.

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