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ABOUT BRAZILIAN JUJUTSU or JIU-JITSU
 
Brazilian Jujutsu (abbreviated to BJJ) is a modern,
cutting edge, style of martial art that was developed from judo
and the traditional Japanese jujitsu styles by the Brazilian landowner
Carlos Gracie and his family.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu contains standup techniques
for winning a fight, but it is famous for its devastating ground
fighting techniques. BJJ was developed to allow a smaller person
to defeat a larger person by applying leverage and technique. The
idea is to gain superior positioning on your opponent and then
to apply numerous chokes, holds, locks and joint manipulations.
Gracie received his training from Japanese Judo and
jiu-jitsu master Count Koma (Mitsuo Maeda) who came to Brazil when
Carlos was a boy. Carlos taught the art to his his brothers and
together they refined the style through repeated no rules contest
and challenge matches against boxers and other martial artists.
Their techniques were modified to reflect the combat realities
of street fighting in Brazil.
In combat, the Brazilian Jujutsu fighter seeks to drive immediately to a clinch
(a quick movement forward to grasp the opponent up very close). In the clinch,
the punches and kicks of the opponent are no longer effective. Once this is
achieved, the opponent is taken to the ground, where he is choked or joint
locked into submission.
Brazilian Jujutsu training is a very hands-on art. The majority of practice
is spent on ground fighting techniques and there are no preset forms.
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