Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was formed from early 20th century Kodokan Judo ground fighting (Ne-Waza) fundamentals that were taught to, Luiz França and Carlos Gracie by master Mitsuyo Maeda 前田 光世. Brazilian jiu-jitsu eventually came to be its own art through the experimentations, practices, and adaptation from the Judo knowledge of Carlos and Hélio Gracie, who then passed their knowledge on to their extended family.
BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique, taking the fight to the ground – most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition or self-defense.[4] Sparring (commonly referred to as “rolling”) and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.
Since its inception in 1882, its parent art of Judo was separated from older systems of Japanese ju-jitsu by an important difference that was passed on to Brazilian jiu-jitsu: it is not solely a martial art: it is also a sport; a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people; and, ultimately, a way (Do) of life.
Our Instructors
Expert Brazilian jiu jitsu instruction in Dayton, OH
Sean Gray
3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Daniel “Mantis” McGuire
1st Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Wrestling Coach
Dan “D-Lo” Lopez
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Judo Black Belt
Josh Webb
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Nate Stevens
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Luke Morton
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt
Kenji Johnston
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt