The sport and martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on fighting on the ground and on holds and grapples. It has followed an unusual course in the last 80 years. Mixed martial artists using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have been very successful, so now almost all UFC and MMA fighters use it.
dan henderson vs anderson silvaThe history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a long one, it runs back to the first teacher Mitsuyo Maeda, at the Kodokan.
Kodokan Judo which originated in Japan, reigned supreme for many years, this judo techniques were composed of stand up throwing methods. Mataemon Tanabe challenged the Kodokan in the 19th century. He was in charge of traditional Jiu Jitsu, the Fusen Ryu. The Fusen Ryu fighters were experts in one thing that the Kodokan lacked: fighting on the ground. The importances of dramatic ground fighting techniques are best exemplified by the Kodokan-Fusen Ryu matches. Hence the Judo founder, Jigoro Kano invited Tanabe to teach ground grappling. After Tanabe’s instruction, the ground fighting technique became famous at the Kodokan, and all of the students began to practice it.
Around the same time, Mitsuyo Maeda was trained in Judo and became a martial arts prodigy. He was the member Kodokan. Maeda was one of the chosen members by Kano to spread his art to the world. They were sent to USA, along with Maeda S.A. in 1904 to spread the message of Kodokan Judo. He visited number of countries like Great Britain, continental Europe, Cuba, and Mexico. He fought different matches with many wrestlers, boxers, savate fighters and various other martial artists. Maeda arrived in Brazil in the winter of 1914. Maeda had fought over 1000 fights without losing to anyone.
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June 8, 2009
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