Growth of BJJ in Brazil

Once planted in Brazil, jiu-jitsu flourished. Throughout the mid-20th century, BJJ spread across major cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, primarily through the efforts of the Gracie family and other pioneering instructors. Challenge matches played a central role in building BJJ’s reputation, as practitioners regularly tested their skills against other martial artists, wrestlers, and street fighters.

As formal academies opened, BJJ transitioned from an underground challenge culture to an organized martial art with a curriculum, belt system, and structured training. Tournaments began to emerge, creating new platforms for practitioners to test their skills within defined rulesets. By the late 20th century, BJJ had become a cornerstone of Brazilian martial arts culture, with rival schools competing fiercely and refining the art at an accelerated pace.