A Brief History of Jiu-Jitsu Brasileiro
To tell the story of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), we need to go back in time and explore the martial arts that helped shape it. Japanese ju-jutsu and judo are the main influences behind the jiu-jitsu that was born in Brazil. However, we must also acknowledge the important role played by other fighting styles such as capoeira, catch wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and savate (French boxing) in the creation of BJJ. To better understand this history, let’s travel back in time - specifically to ancient Japan, where the first techniques that would eventually give rise to Japanese ju-jutsu were developed.
THE BIRTH OF JAPANESE JU-JUTSU
Ancient Roots and Samurai Origins
The earliest references to hand-to-hand combat in Japan date back to before Christ. An ancient Japanese text called the Nihon Shoki (written in 720 A.D.) describes a sumo event - a traditional Japanese form of wrestling - that took place in 23 B.C. during a ceremony intended to ensure a good harvest.
During the Heian period (794 - 1185), powerful families began hiring bushi (warriors) to be private guards. These bushi were trained in the arts of war and eventually came to be known as samurai. As the central government, led by the emperor, grew weaker, these families started to gain political power.
To make things easier to understand, we’ll divide Japan’s history into the following eras:
Ancient Japan (until 538)
Asuka and Nara (538–794)
Heian (794–1185)
Kamakura (1185–1333)
Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama (1333–1603)
Edo (1603–1868)
Meiji (1868–1912)
Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa (1912 – present)
During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), warrior families finally rose to power. The samurai would go on to dominate Japan for the next 700 years. The supreme military leader and head of the samurais was known as the shogun. This era marked the beginning of a long phase of civil wars, known as the Sengoku period (from 1467 to 1615). It was during this time that warrior schools, known as koryu bujutsu, began to emerge. These schools focused primarily on the use of weapons. While samurai also trained in unarmed combat techniques, this was not the main emphasis, since the purpose of their training was to prepare for the battlefield - where warriors were expected to be armed.
The Solidification of the Samurai Classes
The Edo period (1603-1868) was dominated by the Tokugawa shoguns, who succeeded in maintaining peace and unifying Japan for the first time in its history. The Tokugawa regime closed Japan’s ports to the West and banned the use of weapons by anyone outside the samurai class. This led to the rise of warrior schools that placed greater emphasis on unarmed combat. These were known as koryu ju-jutsu, and they became increasingly popular. Dozens of styles were developed during this time. It was the peak of the samurai class’s prestige.
Crisis and Fall of the Samurai
In 1867, the Tokugawa family - who had ruled Japan for over 260 years, passing power from one generation to the next - was overthrown. The Meiji period (1868-1912) marks the end of the samurai era. The Tokugawa government had been facing crises since the late 18th century, which ultimately led to the removal of Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Emperor Meiji then assumed power. The new government opened Japan’s ports to trade with the West and officially abolished the samurai class, banning them from carrying their iconic swords, the katanas.
Culturally, Japan entered a phase of Westernization and rejection of its own traditions and arts, including ju-jutsu. Western influences were highly valued, while Japanese customs came to be seen as old-fashioned and backward. As a result, traditional ju-jutsu schools began to decline, viewed as outdated and meaningless. Many martial arts instructors were forced to seek other forms of work. Some schools became involved in violent challenges against rival academies to prove which one was best, further damaging the public image of the martial art in the country.
JIGORO KANO AND KODOKAN
It was in this context of declining appreciation for Japanese martial arts that Jigoro Kano was born, in 1860. Kano came from a wealthy and influential family. He began training in koryu ju-jutsu at the age of 16 and earned ranks in two styles: Tenjin-Shinyo Ryu and Kito Ryu. From an early age, he believed in the value of Japanese culture and saw martial arts as a tool for educating citizens. He began developing a school focused on teaching ju-jutsu with an emphasis on physical and moral improvement - not just as a system of combat.
In 1882, Kano opened his own ju-jutsu academy, called Kodokan Judo, which blended the styles he had studied. However, his school stood out for its distinct purpose: the main goal was to use training as a means of personal development. For this reason, he chose to use the term “dō” (meaning “way” or “path” in a philosophical sense) instead of “jutsu” (technique). Aiming to improve the reputation of Japanese martial arts, Kano created a structured teaching curriculum and a code of ethics. Among other principles, this code forbade his students from participating in fights for money.
The Japanese began using two different terms to distinguish their older martial arts from the new systems emerging at the time: koryu refers to the traditional (ancient) martial arts schools, whose primary focus was military training. Examples include ju-jutsu (the gentle art/technique), ken-jutsu (sword technique), iai-jutsu (art of drawing the sword), so-jutsu (spear technique), kyu-jutsu (archery), and hojutsu (firearms technique).
On the other hand, gendai budō refers to the modern martial arts schools that appeared after the Meiji Restoration. These arts focus on personal development through martial training and often incorporate sport elements as well. These schools use the suffix “dō” (way/path) in their names. Examples include judō, kendō, iaidō, kyūdō, aikidō, and karate-dō. They also introduced ranking systems using kyu (colored belts) and dan levels, which did not exist in the older traditions.
There were also differences in training methodology. Many ju-jutsu schools emphasized the practice of choreographed movements known as kata. These kata were considered a safe way to train techniques that were potentially deadly. Supporters of this method believed it was important to preserve the full technical arsenal of their art - even if it could only be practiced in a rehearsed form.
Another training methodology focused more on the practice of randori (free sparring or rolling). The masters of these schools believed it was essential to train in a realistic manner. They argued that it’s useless to know a long list of so-called “deadly” techniques if you can’t apply them against a resisting (non-cooperative) opponent. To make randori training possible, certain techniques had to be removed - specifically those that couldn't be practiced safely. These masters emphasized that safe techniques are not necessarily less effective. For example, chokes are highly effective in a real fight, but they can be trained safely if the technique is stopped as soon as the partner submits. The result is that a student who trains realistically - with resistance, even if only using safe techniques - performs far better in combat than a student who practices “deadly” techniques only in choreographed, unrealistic scenarios. Jigoro Kano was a strong advocate of this second approach.
Shortly after it opened, the Kodokan established itself as one of Tokyo’s leading academies. It began receiving challenges from other traditional koryu ju-jutsu styles - and beat most of them. As a result, many students from these older schools began migrating to the Kodokan.
This migration led to a rich exchange of techniques, and judo began to evolve into a more complete system. It’s important to note that, since Kano wanted to change the negative image ju-jutsu had at the time, these challenge matches were held under rules - striking techniques like punches and kicks were not allowed. Matches could be won by throws, pins, or submissions, aligning with Kano’s philosophy of safe yet effective training and competition.
Due to the strong performance of Kano’s students in these challenge matches - as well as his significant political influence - the police department decided to incorporate judo into the training of its officers. The Kodokan became the most renowned ju-jutsu school in Japan, attracting a large influx of students from a variety of different styles.
MATAEMON TANABE AND THE CHALLENGES TO THE KODOKAN
At the end of the 19th century, the Kodokan was challenged by Mataemon Tanabe, an instructor from a little-known ju-jutsu school called Fusen Ryu. Tanabe was a fourth-generation master of the style. The system’s founder had taught his grandfather, who then passed it on to his father. Mataemon began training under his father at the age of 9, and during his teenage years, he traveled alongside him, taking part in matches and challenge fights. Tanabe often said that his ju-jutsu was “more the result of the real-life challenges I faced than what I learned from my teachers.”
In 1891, Tanabe moved to Tokyo and became an instructor for the Police Department. There, he challenged another instructor, Takisaburo Tobari, to a match. Tobari was a former practitioner of Tenjin Shinyo Ryu ju-jutsu and held a 3rd-degree black belt in judo. Tanabe won the fight by chokehold. Tobari would go on to challenge Tanabe two more times over the following years - losing both rematches. Between 1892 and 1895, Tanabe issued several challenges to the Kodokan and won them all. It is believed that he may have even challenged Jigoro Kano himself, but received no response. Over the course of his career, Tanabe faced many judo representatives, losing only twice.
In these matches, Tanabe consistently brought the fight to the ground, using techniques that were unfamiliar to most Kodokan fighters. As a result, he was able to win nearly all his bouts by submission. At the time, Kodokan judo had very limited training in ground techniques. Reports say Tanabe frequently used sacrifice throws, like balloon sweeps, to bring the match to the mat. This way, even if the throw didn’t succeed, he would end up in his comfort zone - ground fighting. He was also known to apply techniques like the heel hook. It’s known that on some occasions, Tanabe would simply sit down on the ground as soon as the match began. He was also famous for his heel hook technique.
With the respect he earned, Tanabe was invited to join the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (Great Martial Virtue House of Japan), an organization founded in 1895 in Kyoto to promote Japanese martial arts. Alongside Jigoro Kano, Tanabe was one of twenty masters selected to help develop jujutsu within the organization.
During this period, Tanabe also trained at Master Yataro Handa’s school - the Handa Dojo in Osaka. There, he had training partners like Yukio Tani, Taro Miyaki, and Sadakazu Uyenishi, who would later travel the world participating in challenge matches, teaching, and spreading ju-jutsu. At that academy, it's likely they trained extensively in ne-waza (ground fighting), as their focus was preparing for challenges against other schools. Yataro Handa was a master of Tenjin Shinyo Ryu and Daito Ryu, but the group also practiced other styles such as Sekiguchi Ryu, Yoshin Ryu, and Takenouchi Ryu.
A direct consequence of Tanabe’s matches against the Kodokan was that they opened the eyes of judo fighters to the importance of ne-waza. Although Jigoro Kano favored stand-up fighting, he recognized the value of ground techniques and incorporated them into the judo curriculum. He even invited ground-fighting experts to teach at his school. Some historians believe that Kano may have tried to hire Tanabe himself to teach groundwork to Kodokan judokas.
Another consequence of these challenge matches was a boom in the development of ground fighting within judo. The rules of judo at that time were very different from those of today. For instance, groundwork was not constantly interrupted to restart the fight standing, as often happens in modern competition. There was much more freedom to refine and explore ne-waza techniques. At that stage, judo was still very much a style of ju-jutsu, having diverged only slightly from traditional ju-jutsu systems - a contrast to the significant distinctions that would emerge throughout the 20th century.
Gathering of ju-jutsu masters at the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in 1906. Tanabe is standing, sixth from the left. Seated, fifth from the left, is Jigoro Kano.
MITSUYO MAEDA: THE CONDE KOMA
Around this time (1895), a young man named Mitsuyo Maeda began his training at the Kodokan - and he was likely influenced by the wave of challenge matches taking place. These events - Maeda’s entry into the Kodokan, Tanabe’s fights against the judokas, and the training at the Handa Dojo - would go on to reshape the history of judo. And, as a result, they would have a profound impact on what would eventually become Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Mitsuyo Maeda was born in 1878 in the village of Funazawa, in the city of Hirosaki, Japan. As a teenager, he began training in sumo. He also practiced a style of ju-jutsu called Hongaku Kokki Ryu. His journey at the Kodokan began in 1895, making him part of the second generation of black belts from the school. He trained directly under Tsunejiro Tomita and Sakujiro Yokoyama, both direct students of Jigoro Kano. Despite his relatively small stature, Maeda stood out for his impressive strength and technical skill - both in throws and in groundwork.
By the end of 1904, Maeda had already earned a reputation as a top fighter and was sent by Kano to the United States with the mission of spreading judo. He traveled with his teacher, Tomita, and later with other Kodokan representatives such as Satake, Ono, and Ito. This marked the beginning of a lifelong journey around the world - one from which he would never return to his homeland. Between 1907 and 1914, Maeda visited several countries across Central and South America, Europe, and Mexico. He faced a wide range of opponents, engaging in matches under various rulesets including ju-jutsu, catch wrestling (catch-as-catch-can), and vale-tudo (no-holds-barred fighting). At times, Maeda would hold public demonstrations, offering money to anyone who could defeat him. In Spain, he earned the nickname Conde Koma - “Koma” coming from the Japanese word komaru, meaning “confusion” or “chaos.”
His travels exposed him to a wide variety of fighting styles, and he began training in disciplines such as Greco-Roman wrestling, catch wrestling, boxing, savate (French kickboxing), and capoeira - becoming a truly well-rounded fighter. Over the years, he accumulated an immense body of knowledge from both cross-training and facing opponents from different combat backgrounds. This experience began to shift the way he viewed his own fighting style.
“I am now proposing the use of rubber boxing gloves without fingers... I truly believe that judō practitioners need to train [striking and joint lock techniques under special conditions]... I also want to explore a different form of judō, incorporating boxing and French kickboxing (savate) into Japanese judō. I wanted to advertise Conde Koma-style judō in the Hibiya district of Tokyo.” This statement reflects Maeda’s evolving vision - seeking to create a more complete, adaptable, and realistic fighting system rooted in judō, but enhanced by global martial arts influences.
Maeda arrived in Brazil in 1914, docking at the port of Santos. He soon traveled to Porto Alegre with a group of Japanese fighters who began touring the country, giving demonstrations and taking part in challenge matches. Between 1914 and 1917, they traveled through the states of Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Maranhão, Amazonas, and Pará. His team included well-known ju-jutsu fighters such as Satake, Okura, Shimitsu, and Sadakazu “Raku” Uyenishi - the latter of whom had reportedly trained at the Handa Dojo alongside Mataemon Tanabe.
Around 1915, Maeda and his group headed to northern Brazil, visiting cities like Manaus and Belém, where they continued to put on demonstrations and accept challenges from boxers, capoeiristas, and catch wrestlers. In northern Brazil, Maeda met Gastão Gracie - a meeting that would forever change the history of martial arts. Gastão, a Brazilian of Scottish descent, was a business partner in the “American Circus,” where he promoted various events, including combat sports. At shows organized by Gastão Gracie, Maeda and Satake faced off against athletes from boxing, catch wrestling, and capoeira. The Japanese fighters quickly fell in love with Brazil.
In 1916, Satake settled in the state of Amazonas and began teaching jiu-jitsu in Manaus. Maeda moved to Pará and started teaching in Belém, offering classes at the Paysandu Sport Club. Around 1917, thanks to his close relationship with his manager Gastão Gracie, Maeda began teaching the three eldest Gracie brothers - Carlos, Oswaldo, and Gastão Gracie Jr. It’s likely that what the Japanese fighter passed on to the Gracie brothers was not the original Kodokan style, but rather a more eclectic and hybrid form of judo/ju-jutsu - shaped by his global travels, the countless matches he fought, and his exchanges with a wide range of Western fighting styles.
JU-JUTSU ARRIVES IN BRAZIL
Before we continue this story, let’s go back in time and talk about the very first individuals who brought Japanese martial arts to Brazil. While it’s well known that Mitsuyo Maeda - Conde Koma - and his group were pioneers in teaching ju-jutsu in South America, it’s less commonly known that the art was already being practiced in Brazil before their arrival.
The earliest record of someone teaching ju-jutsu in the country dates back to 1908. Japan had just emerged victorious in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and was beginning to establish itself as a rising military power. As a result, Japanese masters were hired by various countries to teach their martial arts to soldiers and law enforcement. The Brazilian Navy hired Sada Miyako (also known as Sakuzo Miura or Sack Miura) and his assistant, Ume Kakiraha, to instruct its troops in ju-jutsu.
The Japanese instructor trained several Navy officers in Rio de Janeiro, who were then sent to sailor schools across the country. The goal was to modernize the troops' hand-to-hand combat training, which had previously been heavily influenced by capoeira. Miyako also trained military personnel in the Army.
Beyond the Navy and Army, Miyako taught civilians as well, offering private lessons and teaching in clubs. He was responsible for organizing a ju-jutsu tournament for his Navy students in 1909 - likely the first martial arts competition of its kind in Brazil. Among his students was José Floriano Peixoto Filho, the son of Marshal Floriano Peixoto, Brazil’s second president.
Miyako also performed regularly at a venue in downtown Rio de Janeiro called Concerto Avenida. There, he issued a bold challenge to the audience: anyone who could last more than three minutes in a fight against him would win a cash prize. This drew the attention of numerous fighters, including foreigners. Yet all of them were thrown and submitted by the small but skilled Japanese master. It was at this venue that Miyako suffered his only recorded defeat - in 1909, at the hands of the capoeirista Cyríaco. The Japanese fighter was knocked out by a rabo de arraia (a spinning kick). According to some accounts, Cyríaco used a bit of malandragem (trickery), extending his hand for a handshake and launching the kick at the same moment.
After that fight, Miyako continued issuing public challenges and went undefeated from then on. In 1912, the Navy ended his contract. A few years later, Conde Koma and his troupe would arrive in Brazil, carrying on the tradition of challenge matches in theaters, circuses, and military institutions, including the Navy.
Another important figure of the time was the capoeirista Mário Aleixo, who attempted to defeat Sada Miyako over three consecutive nights - and was defeated each time. After the third loss, he decided to become Miyako’s student. Aleixo went on to become the first Brazilian ju-jutsu instructor and developed something quite innovative for that era - a complete fighting methodology that blended ju-jutsu, capoeira, savate, and boxing. Years later, Aleixo would train with Conde Koma. It was around this time that Maeda began learning capoeira, after watching a demonstration between Mário Aleixo and another famous capoeirista, Zé Maria. In 1931, at the age of 44, Aleixo would face a young George Gracie in a match. Though often forgotten, Mário Aleixo can rightfully be considered Brazil’s first great martial artist.
THE GRACIE FAMILY BEGINS THE CREATION OF BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (1920'S)
Around 1917, Conde Koma began teaching the sons of his friend Gastão Gracie. In addition to the Gracie brothers - Carlos, Oswaldo, and Gastão Gracie Jr. - the Japanese master had several other notable students. Jacintho Ferro was a prominent athlete and became the main instructor at the academy. Alongside Koma, Ferro likely also taught Carlos Gracie. Another important student was Donato Pires dos Reis, who would later open a jiu-jitsu academy with Carlos in 1930 in Rio de Janeiro. Over time, Carlos Gracie passed on the teachings he had received - along with methods he developed himself - to his younger brothers George and Hélio.
The founding of the first “Gracie Academy” dates back to the early 1920s, when the Gracie family, originally from Belém do Pará, settled in Rio de Janeiro. There are several versions about the origins of the first Gracie academy, but its exact location remains uncertain. In newspaper interviews from the time, Carlos Gracie stated that he began teaching Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro during the 1920s. He claimed that before becoming the Jiu-Jitsu instructor for the Civil Guard of Minas Gerais, he had taught self-defense to a small group at his “gymnastics” academy in Rio. In the early 20th century, the term “ginástica” (gymnastics) was used broadly in Brazil to describe a variety of physical activities - including combat sports. It’s likely that the first Gracie academy emerged around 1925. At that time, Jiu-Jitsu instruction was still informal, offered to only a handful of students.
Carlos and his brothers - George, Oswaldo, Gastão, and Hélio - also practiced other sports. Hélio Gracie, for instance, began training in water sports (rowing and swimming) at the age of 14 and became a swimming champion in 1928.
In the mid-1920's, the Gracie brothers also began training in boxing and luta livre (catch wrestling). By 1927, at just 16 years old, George Gracie was competing in amateur boxing tournaments against older, more experienced opponents. Carlos also became involved in the "noble art" of boxing, and was even described by his brother Hélio as a champion of the sport. Hélio often recalled seeing Carlos come home as a young man with a bruised face from boxing matches. Donato Pires also took part in amateur boxing competitions. In interviews during the 1930s, Oswaldo Gracie reminisced about his involvement in luta livre, and it’s very likely that George - who was training under Oswaldo at the time - was also engaged in this discipline.
By the late 1920's, Donato Pires dos Reis invited Carlos Gracie to assist him in teaching Jiu-Jitsu to the police force in Belo Horizonte. Around the same time, Carlos spent a season in São Paulo, where he opened a school in the Pompéia neighborhood. During his stay in the city, he met the famous Japanese fighter Geo Omori.
Geo Omori was a black belt from the Kodokan and a professional fighter. He arrived in Brazil in the mid-1920's after living for many years in the United States, where he had participated in hundreds of challenge matches against fighters from various styles. In 1926, he opened a restaurant in the Brás neighborhood of São Paulo. When the business failed, he returned to fighting, participating in challenge matches held at the Queirolos circus - quickly becoming a major sensation. Two of Omori’s most famous fights were against none other than Carlos Gracie himself. His popularity during that period was immense.
THE GRACIE ACADEMY (1930'S)
After the matches with Carlos, Omori and the Gracies ended up forming an partnership. Carlos, George, Oswaldo, and Omori trained together. During this period, the Gracies had several important experiences, starting a transformation process and creating the foundation of the martial art that would become known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With Geo Omori, Carlos was introduced to a more professional side of fighting.
In the 1930's, the technical evolution of the Gracie’s jiu-jitsu developed in a diverse way, influenced by other fighting styles such as capoeira and catch-as-catch-can (early catch wrestling). Carlos's instruction, which had previously focused on self-defense, began shifting toward ring fighting. What the Gracies were practicing was no longer traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu/judo, but something new - shaped by various styles and their own ring experience. Thus, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born.
In 1930, Donato Pires dos Reis partnered with Carlos Gracie to open a school on Rua Marques de Abrantes (Rio de Janeiro), called the “Academia de Jiu-Jitsu.” In 1932, Donato left the partnership, and Carlos renamed the school “Academia Gracie.” The Gracie brothers lived and trained at this location, which is considered the first true Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school.
Carlos - the eldest of the brothers - had the vision of making jiu-jitsu the lifelong mission of his family. To promote their martial art, he began organizing a series of challenge matches against fighters from various styles, aiming to prove that their system was superior. This was the same strategy used in the past by koryu ju-jutsu fighters in late 19th-century Japan, and also by Japanese judo and ju-jutsu fighters who traveled to Europe and the United States in the early 20th century (such as Conde Koma himself).
By the early 1930's, Carlos was already stepping away from professional competition, and the family's main representative in the ring became George Gracie, known as the “red cat.” At the same time, the youngest brother, Hélio, was beginning to emerge. Because George was more independent and often clashed with Carlos, Hélio eventually became the eldest brother’s primary disciple. Hélio Gracie began his professional career at age 18, in January 1932, in a jiu-jitsu vs. boxing challenge match. In the main event, Japanese fighter Geo Omori defeated boxer Tavares Crespo, while Hélio won against Antônio Portugal in the undercard. His second match was fought under jiu-jitsu rules against Japanese fighter Takashi Namiki, ending in a draw.
From then on, he faced boxers, capoeiristas, judokas, ju-jutsu fighters, and luta livre wrestlers. Some of his matches became legendary - such as his fight against American wrestler Fred Herbert, who outweighed him by 29kg. They battled for nearly two hours before police stopped the event in the middle of the night. Hélio also faced multiple Japanese ju-jutsu and judo fighters, including two matches with Yasuichi Ono, both of which ended in draws.
In 1937, at just 23 years old, Hélio Gracie had already become a national idol and decided to retire from professional fighting.
Meanwhile, George Gracie embarked on a solo career, traveling across Brazil, taking part in challenge matches and teaching. He also competed under catch-as-catch-can rules - a no-gi grappling style developed in England, where matches could be won by submission or pinning the opponent’s shoulders to the mat. Among the five brothers, George was the one who participated in the greatest number of fights.
Another brother, Oswaldo, also took part in several matches and engaged in deep technical exchanges with catch-as-catch-can athletes. In one of these challenge bouts, he defeated catch wrestler João Baldi - who weighed 125 kg - with a choke in under a minute. Oswaldo himself weighed only 64 kg.
Gastão Gracie Filho focused exclusively on teaching jiu-jitsu, without taking part in fights. He moved to São Paulo and became one of the pioneers of jiu-jitsu in the city, where he also taught members of the police force.
BETWEEN ERAS (1940'S)
The 1940's marked the first transitional period for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Many of the key figures from the previous decade had stepped back from active competition. Hélio Gracie had retired in 1937 and began working at his father-in-law’s company. Geo Omori passed away in 1938, followed by Oswaldo Gracie in 1943. Carlos Gracie moved to Fortaleza, while George Gracie continued traveling across Brazil, fighting and teaching. The original Gracie Academy on Rua Marques de Abrantes closed its doors in 1942.
In 1939, the Kodokan sent master Sumiyuki Kotani to Brazil to promote judo. Hélio met with the Japanese instructor and the two formed a connection. Hélio even took part in demonstrations with Kotani, as well as in an amateur judo tournament organized by the Jukendo Federation. The Jukendo Federation decided to award Hélio a 2nd-degree black belt in judo.
His job with his father-in-law didn’t work out and Hélio moved with his wife Margarida to an apartment in the Flamengo neighborhood where he set up a mat to give private lessons. He later said this was the period in his life when he worked the hardest - teaching up to 20 lessons a day (each lasting about 30 minutes). Until his retirement in the late 1930s, Hélio had mostly trained a version of jiu-jitsu developed for effectiveness in challenge matches against other fighters. Now, he began working more with students who were not athletes. It was likely during this period that he started to develop what would become the Gracie Program - focused more on self-defense.
It was during this decade that Carlos began developing the foundations of the Gracie Diet, which would go on to influence generations of both fighters and non-fighters in Brazil. Carlos’s nutritional method aimed to improve people’s health through the consumption of natural foods, combined in specific ways.
Even though many Brazilians may not realize it, the Gracie family played a key role in popularizing traditional foods from northern Brazil in the southeast - açaí being one of the most notable examples. Thanks to the direct influence of the Gracie Diet and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, açaí is now consumed in many countries around the world.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (1950'S)
In 1950, Carlos and Hélio Gracie organized the first Carioca Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Rio de Janeiro. Participating schools included those of Augusto Cordeiro, Azevedo Maia, Carlos Pereira, and Fadda. Oswaldo Fadda was one of the few pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who came from a lineage relatively independent of the Gracie Academy. He began his training in 1937, at the age of 17, while serving in the Brazilian Navy. His instructor was Luiz França.
Luiz França, also a military man, had trained under Mitsuyo Maeda, Geo Omori, and Takeo Yano. In 1938, Geo Omori passed away, and Takeo Yano moved to Minas Gerais. França then began training at the Gracie Academy under Carlos’s supervision until 1942, when the academy closed in 1942, França chose to continue his path independently.
His main student was Oswaldo Fadda, who became known for popularizing jiu-jitsu among the lower-income communities of Rio de Janeiro. While the Gracies primarily taught in the city’s South Zone, where the elite resided, Fadda opened an academy in the suburbs, offering instruction to people with fewer financial resources. He played a key role in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu outside the core of the Gracie family, helping expand the art’s reach and accessibility.
The 1950s marked the return of the Gracies to leading a jiu-jitsu school. Carlos returned to Rio de Janeiro and reopened the Gracie Academy, now located on Avenida Rio Branco, in the city center. It had five mats and occupied two floors of a building in the financial heart of the federal capital. It was a huge enterprise, likely the largest martial arts academy in the world at the time. Besides Hélio, the main instructors were Carlson Gracie, Robson Gracie, Armando Wriedt, João Alberto Barreto, and Hélio Vigio. Classes followed a format of 30-minute private lessons, using a strict methodology developed by Hélio Gracie. According to Reila Gracie, Carlos’s daughter, “in a short time, 100 classes were being taught per day… there was a stock of 3,000 gis for students and instructors (after each class, students would leave their gis to be washed)… about 600 students passed through each month.”
At the Gracie Academy, several influential figures trained, including Carlos Lacerda, a journalist and politician who would later become governor of Guanabara; João Figueiredo, a military officer who would go on to become president of Brazil; Oscar Niemeyer, one of Brazil’s most iconic architects; and Roberto Marinho, journalist and founder of Organizações Globo, the largest media group in the country.
At that time it was uncommon in Brazil to see women practicing sports - especially combat sports. Yet at the Gracie Academy, several women broke that barrier. Singers like Irene Macedo and the sisters, Rosália and Milita Meireles, trained there, and actress Eva Todor e took a self-defense course at the school. Many of the personalities who helped shape Brazilian culture and politics passed through the doors of the Gracie Academy.
Enrollment records of famous students from the Gracie Academy included: José Amadio, journalist and editor of O Cruzeiro (the most prominent Brazilian magazine at the time); Nelson Gonçalves, renowned singer; and Manoel Vargas, agronomist and son of Getúlio Vargas, former president of Brazil.
HÉLIO GRACIE'S RETIREMENT AND CARLSON'S RISE (1950'S)
Hélio, who had been retired up to that point, decided to return to the ring in 1951 - first to face the Japanese fighter Masahiko Kimura, and later his former student Waldemar Santana. Both fights would go down in history.
In 1951, judokas Masahiko Kimura and Yukio Kato arrived in Brazil to promote judo. Kimura was Japan’s top champion, widely considered the greatest judoka of all time. Hélio chose to come out of retirement to challenge him. However, Kimura insisted that Hélio first face Kato, saying, “If I defeat Hélio, people will say it was because of the weight difference”. Hélio weighed 60 kg, while Kimura weighed 85 kg. “Since I’m confident Kato will win, I believe it’s better that he fights first.” Masahiko Kimura
In September, Gracie faced Kato in Rio de Janeiro. The match took place at Maracanã Stadium, which had been inaugurated just a year earlier and was the largest sports arena in the world at the time. It had recently hosted the 1950 FIFA World Cup final, where Brazil lost to Uruguay in front of 200,000 spectators.
After 30 minutes of fighting, the bout ended in a draw, and a rematch was scheduled for later that same month.
The rematch took place at Pacaembu Stadium, in São Paulo. Hélio defeated the Japanese fighter with a choke, rendering Kato unconscious and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Immediately, Kimura accepted Hélio’s challenge. The two would face off in October, once again at Maracanã Stadium, this time in front of 40,000 spectators - including Brazil’s vice president, Café Filho. Kimura won the match by submission.
Four years later Hélio would step into the ring one last time in a vale-tudo rules match.
Due to an incident - repeatedly forgetting to turn off the taps and flooding the entire gym - Waldemar Santana had been expelled from the Gracie Academy where he worked as a locker room assistant and trained. After some time he returned to train with the Gracies, but was expelled again for accepting a fight that Hélio did not approve of. Encouraged by journalists of the time, Waldemar challenged his former teacher. The match took place in May 1955. It is considered the longest vale-tudo fight in history, lasting 3 hours and 45 minutes. In the end, the student defeated the master by exhaustion.
In 1952, Japanese judokas from the Kodokan made another visit to Brazil. Hélio, with his brother George - stated that it would be an honor to fight the visitors. However, the Japanese declined, arguing that Hélio was only a 2nd-degree black belt and therefore less accredited than they were. This left Hélio Gracie indignant.
This moment is perhaps crucial in history. Had the fight been accepted, would the Gracies have joined the Kodokan as their representatives in Brazil, and would Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have ended there? The fact is that, from that moment on, Hélio began to view his art as something different from what the Japanese practiced.
Around this time, Carlson Gracie - son of Carlos and nephew of Hélio - began to emerge in the ring. Born in 1932, Carlson represents the first generation of Gracies who were raised with the mission of representing jiu-jitsu. He was the champion of the first Carioca Jiu-Jitsu Championship (1950), winning it at age 17. He initiated his professional vale-tudo career in 1953 by defeating capoeirista Luiz Pereira “Cirandinha” Aguiar. Cirandinha gave up after receiving a strong sequence of strikes.
That same year, he faced Wilson “Passarito” Oliveira - a capoeirista, judoka, and luta-livre fighter - in a match that ended in a draw. They would fight two more times, with another draw and a victory for Carlson.
Over his career, Carlson fought 18 times under vale-tudo rules, winning 17 of those bouts. His most famous matches were against Waldemar Santana, a former student of the Gracie Academy who had defeated his uncle, Hélio. The two clashed in six bouts under various rulesets: jiu-jitsu, vale-tudo, and even under the curious American luta-livre rules - a form of vale-tudo in which only open-hand strikes, kicks, and grappling were allowed. Carlson won two of those encounters (one by technical knockout and one on points) and drew the other four.
Interestingly, despite their rivalry, Waldemar always respected Hélio and maintained a friendly relationship with Carlson. In 1964, during the Brazilian military dictatorship, Waldemar was accused of being a communist and was imprisoned. After some time behind bars, his wife sought help from Hélio who through his influential connections at the time, managed to secure Waldemar’s release.
THE FIRST BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU FEDERATION (1960'S)
Between 1959 and 1961, the program “Heróis do Ringue” broadcast live vale-tudo matches on television. Organized by Carlos Gracie, the show capitalized on the recent introduction of TV in Brazil in 1950, which was quickly becoming one of the primary media channels and further boosting the popularity of jiu-jitsu. In 1961, an incident occurred that would shock viewers and the media: João Alberto Barreto, one of the top fighters from the Gracie Academy, fractured his opponent's arm during a match. The controversy led to the cancellation of the program.
Around this times, Brazilian jiu-jitsu began organizing itself as a recognized sport. Up until that point, competitions were governed by the Brazilian Boxing Confederation. Then, in 1967, Helio Gracie, Álvaro Barreto, João Alberto Barreto, Helio Binda, and Oswaldo Fadda - the leading figures from the principal jiu-jitsu schools - came together to form the Federation of Jiu-Jitsu of the State of Guanabara. (The State of Guanabara was the former federal capital of Brazil, which later merged into the state of Rio de Janeiro.) The federation had Hélio as its president and Carlos Gracie as the president of the advisory council.
The federation organized its first official championship in 1973, with the young Rolls Gracie becoming the absolute champion. It was also responsible for formalizing a system of belts and degrees as well as the competition rules. A rules course was taught by Hélio Gracie at the Kioto Academy, under Master Álvaro Mansur. This was the first major step in transforming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into a sport, rather than merely a martial art practiced for self-defense or professional challenges.
OPENING JIU-JITSU CARLSON (1970'S)
Carlson retired from competing in 1970 after once again defeating Waldemar under vale-tudo rules. At that point decided to open his own academy. There he trained countless Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu icons, many of whom later became legends in modern MMA.
At that time a rivalry emerged between Carlson and his uncle, Hélio Gracie. Carlson's academy focused on developing competitive athletes, while Hélio maintained that Jiu-Jitsu should be a tool for enhancing the everyday lives of ordinary people and primarily oriented toward self-defense.
Ultimately, Carlson played a pivotal role in making high-performance jiu-jitsu accessible to a much large audience, an art which previously had been contained within the Gracie family and a small circle of close students. He built a vast network of students whose influence endures in today’s competitive Jiu-Jitsu and MMA scenes. In fact, three of the world’s premier MMA academies - Brazilian Top Team, American Top Team, and Nova União—were founded by his direct protégés.
At the same time, another son of Carlos - Rolls Gracie, who was raised by his uncle Hélio - emerged as the next great exponent of the Gracie family. Rolls was a innovator in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In addition to what he learned from his family, he sought knowledge in other arts by competing in sports such as Olympic wrestling and Russian sambo.
In 1976, the Gracies performed a demonstration on a TV Tupi program. A few days later, a karate master appeared on the same show for another demonstration. At the end, the host asked what would happen if the karateka fought against jiu-jitsu. The karate master boldly declared, "Let's crush jiu-jitsu." The challenge was accepted and took place in the same year. Jiu-jitsu prevailed in all the matches, with Rolls Gracie winning the main event against the karate master who had issued the challenge.
Rolls did the same as his father and uncles had done in the 1930's, adapting and incorporating other arts into jiu-jitsu while testing new hypotheses in training and challenge matches. His approach was also similar to that of the Japanese who came to Brazil in the 20th century, who were influenced by other combat sports they encountered and by the challenges in which they participated.
Rolls practiced a more offensive style of jiu-jitsu rather than a purely defensive one. He also introduced physical conditioning into training - a practice that was not very common at the time. For these reasons, he is considered the link between traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu and its modern evolution. At a time when jiu-jitsu was in decline due to limited media coverage and the explosion of karate and kung-fu films, Rolls played a pivotal role in popularizing the art. His enormous charisma influenced many young people of his generation.
ROLLS AND RICKSON GRACIE (1980'S)
In 1982, Rolls met a tragic end in a hang gliding accident, yet his influence continues to be immense. Rolls promoted several black belts, including Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti and Carlos Gracie Jr., who later founded two of the largest jiu-jitsu schools in existence today - Alliance and Gracie Barra. Both went on to produce numerous champion black belts. Romero graduated Fábio Gurgel, co-founder of Alliance (who was my teacher), Leonardo Vieira, founder of the CheckMat team, and Alexandre Paiva, who promoted Fernando “Tererê” - the teacher of André Galvão, founder of the Atos team.
At that time, the young Rickson Gracie, son of Hélio, began to emerge as the best jiu-jitsu fighter, and he maintained a close relationship with Rolls. Rickson participated in his first vale-tudo match at the age of 20 against the famous Rei Zulu, a fight he later described as the most challenging of his career: “When the round ended, with Zulu covered in blood, I went to my corner and told my father that I couldn’t continue.” "That guy was completely exhausted”. He didn't even hear what I was saying. He massaged me and said that the opponent was more tired than I was. I pushed on, saying that I felt terrible and couldn’t even get up. Then my brother Rolls grabbed a bucket of ice water and dumped it on my head. The shock made me inhale deeply, and the bell rang as they pushed me back into the ring. I locked up with that big guy again, managed to grab him from behind, and finished him with a mata-leão choke." After Rolls' death, Rickson assumed the position as the number one Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter.
Another significant development of that decade was the emergence of a fierce rivalry between competitive luta livre - a type of catch wrestling that developed in Brazil - and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Fights between practitioners of the two disciplines were constant, along with vale-tudo challenges held both behind closed doors and in gymnasiums.
In 1970's Carlson and Rorion Gracie were racing to see who could introduce Brazilian jiu jitsu to the United States. Hélio Gracie’s firstborn, Rorion, began giving classes in the garage of his home in California. Using the same strategy his father had employed in Brazil since the 1920's - issuing challenges to fighters from other martial arts - he recorded these bouts, which later would form the basis of the famous documentary “Gracie Challenge.” This documentary played a key role in popularizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States.
THE FAMILY THAT DEVELOPED BJJ CREATES THE UFC (1990'S)
In 1993, Rorion Gracie decided to launch an event modeled after "Heróis do Ringue," which had existed in Brazil in the late 1950's. He gathered funds from some of his students and created the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), something that would change the world of martial arts forever. His younger brother, Royce Gracie, won the first two events with a martial art unknown to most of the world, turning Brazilian jiu-jitsu into a global phenomenon.
In 1994, Carlos Gracie Jr. (son of patriarch Carlos) founded the CBJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation) and organized the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship. In 1996, the first World Jiu-Jitsu Championship was held. In 2002, Carlinhos established the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation), further enhancing the internationalization of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sport competitions.
Kyra Gracie began training during this decade. In 2006, she became the first woman in the family that created Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to earn a black belt. She would go on to become a multiple-time ADCC World Champion.
Another very important fact is the creation of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship (ADCC), a competition established in 1998 by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan from the United Arab Emirates. The championship is considered the Olympics of grappling. Sheikh Tahnoon began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1995 with Nelson Monteiro while living in the United States and was fascinated by Royce Gracie's victories in the early UFC's. After a few years, he earned a black belt under Renzo Gracie. He was responsible for creating the world's largest grappling event and for introducing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into all martial arts schools across the United Arab Emirates - an unprecedented achievement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
I hope you enjoyed this Brief History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This martial art is one of the most important cultural manifestations created by the Brazilian people and exported to the world. In the future, I intend to write a complete book that delves even deeper into the history and its characters. I am immensely grateful to the people who helped me research this text - Elton Silva, researcher and author of the book “Muito Antes do MMA”; Pedro Valente, a student of Hélio Gracie and a passionate researcher of jiu-jitsu history; Marcelo Alonso, a pioneering journalist in the fields of jiu-jitsu and MMA; and Reila Gracie for writing a magnificent book about her father, Carlos Gracie.