Why Martial Arts Are Great pt.3

During my time studying JKD I was exposed to many different martial arts including grappling arts such as wrestling and judo, but it was to be the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that eventually captivated me and took me on a 16 year study on which I achieved my Black Belt under Professor Kev Capel & Professor Chris Fensom in 2022.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-focused martial art that transformed the world's perception of hand-to-hand combat. By emphasising leverage, positional control, and submissions, it enables a smaller, less physically dominant practitioner to overcome larger opponents. This shift in combat sports gained global recognition in 1993 when the Gracie family launched the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Royce Gracie demonstrated the effectiveness of BJJ by defeating multiple elite fighters from various martial arts disciplines inside a caged arena, ultimately becoming the first UFC champion.

At this point the world took note and the rapid growth of BJJ throughout the world began. So why did I start? I wasn't a UFC fan, but grappling was an area of knowledge I felt I had a very limited capacity of, and as a good martial artist I wanted to feel confident in all areas of self-defence.

BJJ as a Sport

The competitive BJJ scene is one of the largest in martial arts, with prestigious tournaments such as the IBJJF World Championships, ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), and many local and national competitions. BJJ competitors test their techniques under strict rule sets that emphasise control, points, and submission skills. Due to the nature of the sport, and the resistive nature of grappling BJJ is a great way to gain strength and fitness without having to worry about reps and sets at the gym. It's certainly becoming a popular alternative and is one reason many start training with us.

BJJ as an Art

BJJ is often referred to as "human chess." Every roll (sparring session) is an opportunity to learn and improve, much like solving a complex puzzle. This seems to be a huge draw for many people, as it totally immerses the student in the now, letting stress and worry slip away as they concentrate fully on the next move to outwit their partner. The art involves learning to flow with an opponent’s energy, understanding biomechanics, and continuously refining technique. Progress in BJJ is measured by belt ranks, with each new level representing a deeper understanding of the art. The modern era now sees a growing number of people engaging in no-gi jiu jitsu or submission grappling. This is a generally a faster paced style of jiu jitsu, more slippery due to the gi or kimono not being present but adds another dimension of skill development for the student.

BJJ for Self-Defence

One of BJJ's strongest applications is in self-defence. The ability to neutralise an attacker without relying on striking makes it an excellent tool for real-world situations. Many law enforcement and military units incorporate BJJ principles into their training. The emphasis on positional dominance and submission control ensures that practitioners can defend themselves effectively without causing unnecessary harm.

We have just started our latest beginners course in jiu jitsu at the dojo but if you'd like to have a free trial class to see what all the fuss is about, then please book via this link.