It would not be inaccurate to state that the genesis of all mixed martial arts in the United States, comes from one place primarily, and that is Brazil. The roots of it go all the way back to the 1920's, as Carlos Gracie was studying jiu-jitsu, in his native country, under one of the renowned masters of the art, Mitsuyo Maeda. The entire gracie family fell in love with jiu-jitsu, but it was Carlos' brother Helio who created a variation of it, and by necessity, as he suffered from dizzy spells and had to gear it to his own physical limitations. He did so by emphasizing ground work, submissions and choke holds, and thus what became known as "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" was born.

Helio built a reputation, and a clientele, by promoting himself through challenge matches, many of which came against competitors who practiced a different form of martial arts. Just about anything was allowed, including punches and kicks, and for this reason the nature of the competition took on the name of "vale tudo," which is Portuguese for "anything goes."

The Rickson Gracie highlight reel, Samurai Spirit is a good look at the BJJ / Jiu-jitsu and MMA style and training of Rickson gracie.  Helio Gracie is shown talking about Rickson during his reign as champion.

bjj Legends Magazine & DVD, the World Famous Jiu-Jitsu Authority with interviews and 25 +techniques from Royce Gracie, BJ Penn, Leo Vieira, Braulio Estima, Xande Ribeiro and more. Order Today - Don't Miss an Issue.

O Rickson Gracie Highlight Reel, Samurai Spirit é um bom olhar para o BJJ / Jiu-jitsu e MMA estilo e formação de Rickson Gracie. Helio Gracie é mostrada falando Rickson durante o seu reinado como campeão.

[Span class = "approved"] BJJ Legends^TM Magazine e DVD, o World Famous Jiu-Jitsu Autoridade com entrevistas e 25 + técnicas de Royce Gracie, BJ Penn, Leo Vieira, Bráulio Estima, Xande Ribeiro e muito mais. Ordem Hoje - Não perca um problema. [/span]

Taka Watanabe began his bjj training at age 13 in Brazil, moving to Japan at age 20.  Starting a federation in Japan not once, but twice was his way of breaking away against a new set of rules and dramatic changes that could stifle Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.   Taka (and Rickson Gracie) with the JJFJ, break from the pack.

BJJ Legends^TM: I’ve got a couple of questions here about Rickson gracie’s Federation in Japan but first I’d like to find out more about you. Did you train with Rickson here in the States or in Brazil?

Takamasa Watanabe: No. I started with his student Marcelo Behring. He died when he was 33 or so. I am his purple belt. That’s in Brazil. I started when I was 13 years old. I came to Japan when I was 20. Until then I trained all the time in Brazil. Then I continued teaching here in Japan. Now our academy is called Axis but it was called Gracie Japan. I only started teaching straight from Rickson Gracie after I came to Japan.

Rickson Gracie Seminars in FL & VA

Rickson Gracie will be putting on a few seminars at the end of March so get your Wallets and Calendars ready.

In Miami, Florida - Hosting via the Valente Brothers on March 27, 28.

When: March 27 2PM-6PM & March 28 1PM-5PM

Where: Valente Brothers - 3165 NE 163 Street - North Miami Beach

Cost: $200 per day

Registration: Valente Brothers students should register and pay by March 17. All other students should email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Students from other schools are currently being placed on a waiting list and will be selected on a first come first serve basis.

In Virginia @ Pedro Sauer Academy : Rickson gracie Seminar MARCH 31 (Wed), 5:00pm - 10:00pm, $250

You MUST call Mike Horihan at 865-696-8000 to register. There will be no registering online. Starting Wed 3/10 we will allow registration for Purple and Blue belts as space allows.

So you don't know who to follow on Twitter.  Everyone tweets about "going to roll", "I am sore", blah blah... Get some real insight into the jiu jitsu community.  Check Out these cool Brazilian Jiu Jiutsu cats to follow on Twitter:

@BJJLegends - the source for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, bjj Video, MMA, submsissions, news and more. That's us

Follow this group by going to our Jiu Jitsu TWITTER List.  Read on....

 

On Brazilian television show Sensei Sportv Kyra Gracie ( from Issue 1, 2009 BJJ Legends^TM Magazine) shows how her MMA training has been progressing. Her standup trainer Claudio Coelho, and takedowns with Leo Leite.  She's apparently received offers according to her statements, but the MMA community is in a wait and see mode to catch the reveal and event.  She says,  "I want to be to women’s Jiu-Jitsu what Rickson is to men’s Jiu-Jitsu,"