Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Brazilian martial art
巴西柔术 · ブラジリアン柔術 · 브라질 주짓수
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (Portuguese: jiu-jitsu brasileiro [ʒiw ˈʒitsu bɾaziˈlejɾu, ʒu -]), commonly abbreviated as BJJ, is a self-defense system, martial art, and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. It is primarily a ground-based fighting style and involves taking one's opponent down to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and then using a number of techniques to force them into submission such as joint locks, chokeholds, or compression locks.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu was first developed by the Brazilian brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., and Hélio Gracie around 1925, after Carlos was taught judo in 1917 by either Mitsuyo Maeda, a travelling Japanese judoka, or one of Maeda's students Jacyntho Ferro. Later, the Gracie family developed their own self-defense system that they named Gracie jiu-jitsu. BJJ eventually became a distinct combat sport of its own through innovations and practices, and is considered essential for modern mixed martial arts.
Notable Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes and practitioners
- Chuck Norris United States
- Joe Rogan United States
- Chris Weidman United States
- Babs Olusanmokun Nigeria
- Joshua Waitzkin United States
- Mackenzie Dern United States
- Bren Foster Australia
- Reza Goodary Iran
- Leandro Lo Brazil
- Gordon Ryan United States
- Yuki Nakai Japan
- Dillon Danis United States
- Marcus Buchecha Brazil
- Ffion Davies United Kingdom
- Laurence Cousin France
- Beatriz Mesquita Brazil
- Keenan Cornelius United States
- Lloyd Irvin United States
- John Danaher United States
- Faisal Al-Ketbi United Arab Emirates
- Bianca Basilio Brazil
- De'Alonzio Jackson United States
- Marek Bujło Poland
- Jackson Sousa Brazil
- Lana Stefanac United States
- Carlo Pedersoli Jr. Italy
- Fernanda Mazzelli Brazil
- Angelina Semenova Russia
- Kaynan Duarte Brazil
- Dante Leon Canada
- Josh Hinger United States
- Matheus Diniz Brazil
- Lucas Barbosa Brazil
- Lachlan Giles Australia
- Gezary Matuda Brazil
- Maggie Grindatti United States
43 people in this reference practise Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques
- Arm triangle choke
- Ashi garami
- Ashi-Hishigi
- Ashi-waza
- Back mount
- Collar tie
- Compression lock
- Double Leg (trick)
- Gogoplata
- Guard
- Guillotine choke
- Gyaku Ude Garami
- Half guard
- Hooks
- Kesa-gatame
- Knee-on-stomach
- Koshi-waza
- Kuzure kesa gatame
- Mount
- North–south choke
- North–south position
- Overhook
- Rear naked choke
- Rubber guard
- Side control
- Sode guruma jime
- Sprawl
- Stance
- Te-waza
- Triangle choke
- Ude hishigi hiza gatame
- Underhook
- Wristlock
Rules, ranks and training
Competition rules
- BJJ rules reference
- Legal techniques compared
- BJJ weight classes
- IBJJF age divisions
- IBJJF belt requirements
- BJJ positions and submissions
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q189336 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.