The History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
The history of Roger Gracie Academy (RGA) BJJ is deeply intertwined with the broader legacy of the Gracie family and their pivotal role in the development and global spread of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
The Gracie Legacy and the Birth of BJJ
The origins of RGA can be traced back to the early 20th century with the pioneering efforts of the Gracie family in Brazil. The story began when Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka, taught Jiu-Jitsu to Carlos Gracie in the 1920s. Carlos and his younger brother Hélio Gracie refined these techniques, emphasizing leverage and technique over brute strength. This evolution gave birth to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), which the Gracies would later popularize worldwide.
The Gracie Challenges
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Gracie family gained attention by issuing the “Gracie Challenges,” a series of open matches where they would fight practitioners of various martial arts to prove the effectiveness of BJJ. These no-holds-barred confrontations often saw Gracie family members, despite their smaller stature, defeating much larger opponents. These challenges were instrumental in establishing BJJ as a superior martial art for real-world fighting and self-defense.
The Gracies and the UFC
The Gracie family’s influence on martial arts reached a new peak with the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. The UFC was co-founded by Rorion Gracie, another of Hélio Gracie’s sons, as a way to showcase BJJ on the global stage. Royce Gracie, Rorion’s younger brother, was chosen to represent the family in the inaugural UFC tournaments. Despite being smaller than most of his opponents, Royce used BJJ to defeat them, often forcing much larger and stronger fighters to submit.
Royce’s dominance in the early UFC events demonstrated the practical effectiveness of BJJ in real combat situations and was a turning point in the martial arts world. The success of Royce Gracie in the UFC catapulted BJJ into the spotlight and played a crucial role in the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) as a global phenomenon. This exposure helped establish BJJ as a foundational skill for any serious martial artist, and the Gracie family as legendary figures in combat sports.
Who is Roger Gracie?
Building on the legacy of his forebears, Roger Gracie, born in 1981, emerged as one of the most accomplished BJJ practitioners of all time. As the son of Mauricio Gomes and Reila Gracie, Hélio Gracie’s daughter, Roger was steeped in BJJ from a young age. His mastery of fundamental techniques, such as the cross-collar choke and mount control, led him to dominate the sport, winning ten World Championships in the black belt division.
Roger Gracie is a legendary figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He is widely considered one of the greatest BJJ practitioners of all time. As a member of the Gracie family, which pioneered the development and global promotion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Roger has built an unparalleled reputation in the sport.
BJJ Achievements:
- Roger is a 10-time BJJ World Champion and a 2-time ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) champion.
- He holds the record for the most IBJJF World Championship gold medals in the black belt division.
- Known for his incredible fundamentals, precise technique, and dominant style, Roger often finished opponents with submissions, particularly the cross-collar choke from mount, which became his signature move.
- In the 2005 World Championships, he submitted all of his opponents in both his weight class and the absolute division, cementing his legacy as the most dominant BJJ competitor of his era.
Teaching & Leadership:
- Roger is the founder of the Roger Gracie Academy (RGA), which has become one of the most respected BJJ academies globally. He is also the leader of a large network of affiliated schools, where his influence and teachings are spread worldwide.
- He is regarded not only for his accomplishments as a competitor but also for his ability to teach and pass on his knowledge to students of all levels.
Legacy:
He is the son of Mauricio Gomes, a BJJ coral belt under Rolls Gracie, adding to his deep roots within the Gracie family legacy.
Roger is celebrated for bringing a return to traditional, effective BJJ fundamentals during a time when the sport had started focusing on complex, modern techniques. His clean, efficient style of Jiu-Jitsu is often used as a model for how to excel in both sport and self-defense Jiu-Jitsu.
Roger Gracie Academy
Roger Gracie founded the Roger Gracie Academy (RGA) in London in 2004. The academy quickly became one of the premier BJJ schools globally, attracting top talent and producing elite competitors. RGA is renowned for its emphasis on mastering the basics, a philosophy that has been passed down through generations of the Gracie family.
RGA’s Influence and Legacy
RGA has since grown into a global network of affiliate academies, all of which adhere to the high standards set by Roger Gracie. The academy continues to produce world-class BJJ athletes and contributes to the ongoing evolution of the sport.
The legacy of RGA is a continuation of the Gracie family’s mission to spread BJJ worldwide while maintaining its core principles. Through the Roger Gracie Academy, Roger ensures that the traditions and effectiveness of BJJ, which were so clearly demonstrated during the Gracie Challenges and in the UFC, remain central to the art’s practice in the modern era.