Guest https://www.instagram.com/bryan_leconte/

social media

👉 Instagram: @senseink

👉 YouTube: @Nkechukwu

👉 TikTok: @senseink

The Roots in Japan

The seeds of BJJ were sown in Japan in the late 19th century. Traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu was a battlefield art designed to help unarmed samurai defeat armored opponents. But as Japan modernized, Judo—a more sport-oriented version of Jiu-Jitsu—emerged, led by the legendary Jigoro Kano. Judo focused on throws, joint locks, and ground fighting, and it emphasized technique over brute strength, making it highly effective.

Enter Mitsuyo Maeda, one of Kano’s top students and a master of ground-based techniques. Maeda became a global ambassador for Judo, traveling the world in the early 1900s to demonstrate its effectiveness. But his journey wasn’t purely academic—he fought in real, no-holds-barred matches against fighters of all styles, proving the dominance of his techniques. Eventually, Maeda landed in Brazil in 1914, where he would change martial arts forever.

The Brazilian Connection

In Brazil, Maeda met Gastão Gracie, a businessman who helped him settle in the country. As a gesture of gratitude, Maeda began teaching Gastão’s son, Carlos Gracie, the art of Judo. Carlos, a scrappy and entrepreneurial young man, quickly became proficient and started teaching his brothers.

One of Carlos’ younger brothers, Hélio Gracie, transformed what he learned in a revolutionary way. Hélio was small and physically frail compared to his siblings, so he focused on refining techniques to rely less on strength and more on leverage, timing, and strategy. This adaptation became the foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The Evolution of BJJ

The Gracie family developed a unique training method that emphasized real-world effectiveness. They would issue open challenges—known as the "Gracie Challenges"—to practitioners of other martial arts. These often brutal, anything-goes fights were a proving ground for the efficacy of their techniques.

As the family grew, so did their reputation. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Gracies brought BJJ to the United States, where it caught the attention of martial artists and fight enthusiasts. The discipline gained global fame in the early 1990s when Royce Gracie, a relatively small and unassuming member of the family, dominated the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events. Against much larger opponents, Royce’s victories showcased the power of BJJ’s principles—size didn’t matter; technique did.

Beyond the Gracies

While the Gracie family is central to BJJ’s history, the art has since grown beyond them. Innovators from across the world have added their own twists, developing new techniques and strategies. The sport is now a global phenomenon, with competitions like the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Championships drawing elite grapplers from every corner of the planet.

Why It Captivates

BJJ isn’t just a martial art; it’s a mental game often compared to chess. Each movement is calculated, each position a potential trap. Practitioners say it teaches humility, perseverance, and problem-solving. It’s a martial art where the underdog can win—a battle of intellect and precision rather than raw power.

Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not only a key component of mixed martial arts (MMA) but also a way of life for millions. It’s a system that empowers the weak, rewards discipline, and constantly evolves—just as it did from its humble beginnings in Brazil.

Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is almost certain to waive extradition from Pennsylvania, where he was arrested a week ago, sources told ABC News.

He could waive extradition to New York as early as Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Friday.

Mangione remains in custody at a Pennsylvania state prison.