While mixed martial arts includes many forms of fighting and not just Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one can hardly ignore the impact of this South American fighting style and the family that started it all - The Gracie Family.
The first Gracie to enter the world of martial arts was Carlos Gracie, the oldest son of circus owner Gastao Gracie. The circus presented a series of Kodokan Judo demonstrations by Master Mitsuyo Maeda, and after Carlos saw Maeda's performance, he asked to become a student of this form of Judo. Maeda, one of the world's greatest fighters of all time with more than 2,000 fights in his career, agreed and taught his skill set to his eager young student. Carlos then opened a martial arts school, first teaching his brothers and then enlisting them as instructors. For Carlos, martial arts served as a way of life, as well as a way to protect his brothers from a tyrannical father.
With the exception of the sickly youngest brother, Helio, all of Carlos' brothers became instructors at the school. Carlos felt that Helio was simply too weak to train and participate, but Helio was a keen observer and learned much from simply watching the lessons. In fact, he learned enough to take over a class one day when Carlos was running late to the school. The student was impressed by Helio's instruction and asked to continue taking lessons, thus beginning Helio's career as a teacher.
Helio's physical weakness made many of Carlos's techniques difficult, so Helio decided to adapt each technique and modify the skills so that a weaker fighter could successfully beat a stronger and larger opponent. This became the basis for modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and much of its popularity stems from providing a smaller fighter with an advantage in the arena.
Fast forward a generation and you come to Rorion Gracie, Helio's oldest son, and the one who brought the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States. Rorion was born for the sport, beginning his training before his second birthday. He came to the United States in 1978 and started offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons for free out of his garage. Eventually his brother Royce joined him, and in 1989 with more than 100 students, they moved out of the garage and opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu studio.
Rorion was a man with vision. Not only did he open the first BJJ school in the United States, he was also responsible for promoting and developing the Ultimate Fighting Championship along with John Milius and Art Davie. The first UFC 1 was a huge success, and mixed martial arts has grown exponentially since that first live broadcast.
Of course it was yet another Gracie that won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. Royce Gracie, who had helped his brother start the first American Gracie-BJJ studio, was the victor during this earliest UFC event. He defeated Art Jimmerson in 2:18, Ken Shamrock in less than one minute and Gerard Gordeau in 1:44, all by submission. Overall, Royce holds a pro MMA record of 12-2-3.
The first Gracie to enter the world of martial arts was Carlos Gracie, the oldest son of circus owner Gastao Gracie. The circus presented a series of Kodokan Judo demonstrations by Master Mitsuyo Maeda, and after Carlos saw Maeda's performance, he asked to become a student of this form of Judo. Maeda, one of the world's greatest fighters of all time with more than 2,000 fights in his career, agreed and taught his skill set to his eager young student. Carlos then opened a martial arts school, first teaching his brothers and then enlisting them as instructors. For Carlos, martial arts served as a way of life, as well as a way to protect his brothers from a tyrannical father.
With the exception of the sickly youngest brother, Helio, all of Carlos' brothers became instructors at the school. Carlos felt that Helio was simply too weak to train and participate, but Helio was a keen observer and learned much from simply watching the lessons. In fact, he learned enough to take over a class one day when Carlos was running late to the school. The student was impressed by Helio's instruction and asked to continue taking lessons, thus beginning Helio's career as a teacher.
Helio's physical weakness made many of Carlos's techniques difficult, so Helio decided to adapt each technique and modify the skills so that a weaker fighter could successfully beat a stronger and larger opponent. This became the basis for modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and much of its popularity stems from providing a smaller fighter with an advantage in the arena.
Fast forward a generation and you come to Rorion Gracie, Helio's oldest son, and the one who brought the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States. Rorion was born for the sport, beginning his training before his second birthday. He came to the United States in 1978 and started offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons for free out of his garage. Eventually his brother Royce joined him, and in 1989 with more than 100 students, they moved out of the garage and opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu studio.
Rorion was a man with vision. Not only did he open the first BJJ school in the United States, he was also responsible for promoting and developing the Ultimate Fighting Championship along with John Milius and Art Davie. The first UFC 1 was a huge success, and mixed martial arts has grown exponentially since that first live broadcast.
Of course it was yet another Gracie that won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. Royce Gracie, who had helped his brother start the first American Gracie-BJJ studio, was the victor during this earliest UFC event. He defeated Art Jimmerson in 2:18, Ken Shamrock in less than one minute and Gerard Gordeau in 1:44, all by submission. Overall, Royce holds a pro MMA record of 12-2-3.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias likes writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about San Diego MMA lessons or to discover a San Diego boxing gym, visit The Arena MMA website now.
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