BJJ’s Introduction to the United States

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu reached the United States in the 1980s, largely through seminars conducted by members of the Gracie family, most notably Rorion Gracie. Early adopters were captivated by the effectiveness of the techniques, which offered practical answers to questions of self-defense and unarmed combat.

BJJ’s profile exploded in the 1990s with the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Royce Gracie, representing his family’s art, stunned audiences by defeating much larger and seemingly more powerful opponents using submissions and ground control. This demonstration of BJJ’s effectiveness launched a surge of interest in the art across North America, establishing a foundation for the worldwide expansion that followed.