Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
What is BJJ?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) was developed in early 20th century Brazil by the Gracie family, who adapted Judo and traditional Jiu-Jitsu into a ground-focused martial art.
BJJ emphasizes leverage, submissions, and positional control, allowing smaller practitioners to overcome larger opponents through technique rather than strength. Training typically includes sparring (rolling), which makes BJJ highly practical and constantly evolving.
In the 1990s, BJJ gained worldwide attention through the rise of MMA and the UFC. Since then, it has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing martial arts, with academies in nearly every major city.
Why Train BJJ?
- Effective Self-Defense – especially in close-range situations.
- Technical Focus – leverage and technique over strength.
- Competition Pathway – IBJJF, ADCC, and no-gi events.
- Fitness & Flexibility – full-body conditioning.
- Community – strong global and European networks.
How Does BJJ Compare?
- Vs Judo – more ground focus, fewer throws.
- Vs Wrestling – submission-based, more versatile guard game.
- Vs MMA – BJJ is the grappling foundation of MMA.
BJJ in Europe
Exploded in the 1990s with the rise of MMA. Today, almost every European city has a BJJ academy, with growing professional circuits.