David Jacobs' BJJGround

Welcome to the David Jacobs' BJJ UnderGround!

Modern mixed martial arts was born on November 12, 1993, at UFC 1. The event was designed by co-founder Rorion Gracie to showcase the effectiveness of the art developed by his father and uncles. The result was the biggest change in martial arts since Bruce Lee freed the enlightened from "the classical mess."

The roots of the art lie in emissaries sent by Judo founder Jigoro Kano, to demonstrate and spread the art across the world. Although a branch of the art comes from Geo Omori, it is predominantly derived from the teaching of Mitsuyo Maeda. Maeda taught Kodokan Judo, and is believed to have been influenced by Catch wrestling, and his own experiences in no rules and mixed rules contests. Maeda taught Carlos Gracie, the son of a local influential figure in the community.

In 1925 Carlos opened the Gracie family’s first academy. In a marketing effort that echoed for generations, Gracie took out an ad in the local paper that read "If you want to get your face beaten and well smashed, your butt kicked and your arms broken, contact Carlos Gracie at this address." Thus was begun a tradition of testing and refining the art in contests with mixed or no rules.

It is a concept as simple as wheels on luggage, but if you want to learn whether a martial art is effective, try it. It is the application of the scientific method to martial arts.

Carlos had 21 children, 13 of whom became black belts. His younger brother Helio was the smallest and least athletic in the family, but turned that to an advantage, developing a reliance on technique, most notably from the Guard. Helio had nine children, seven of whom (Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Royler, Royce, and Robin) became black belts.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be practiced as an art, as a means of conditioning, as a sport with rules that focus on ground fighting, as a form of self defense, or for mixed martial arts, or for some combination of the above, including all.

BJJ players across the world share a rare sense of comradeship. It is our hope, indeed our goal, that this feeling can be maintained, even in the face of the inherent shortcomings of communication on the Internet.

So please keep the discussions respectful. If you feel the need to act like a maroon, there is a a place right next door where you will be plenty comfortable.

The BJJGround is honored by the presence of over 200 black belts, from across North America, Brazil, Europe, and Australia. The site is deeply grateful for their presence.

Cheers,

Kirik