Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, also known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu, is a variant of jiu jitsu that was developed in Brazil during the mid-20th century by the Gracie family. Brazilian jiu jitsu became internationally prominent in the martial arts community in the 1990s, when Brazilian jiu jitsu expert Royce Gracie[?] won several Ultimate Fighting Championships against experienced and much larger opponents using the style.

Brazilian jiu jitsu emphasizes ground fighting techniques and submission holds involving joint locks. The premise is that most of the advantage of a larger, stronger opponent comes from superior reach and more powerful strikes, both of which are largely negated if wrestling on the ground; and if either fighter wants the fight to go to the ground, it will. Once the opponent is on the ground, a number of maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) are available to manipulate the opponent into suitable position for the application of a submission hold.

Submission holds typically involve getting an inescapable grip on an opponent's limb which allows one to pull it to the point where the joint will break if pulled any more. This can cause intense pain, and typically results in the opponent re-assessing their will to continue the fight.

Brazilian jiu jitsu's emphasis on joint locks and maneuvering rather than strikes means that one's technique can be practiced at full speed and full power, identical to the effort and technique used in a real fight. Training partners can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.