International Expansion

While the United States became the first major hub outside Brazil, BJJ quickly spread to other regions. In the 1990s and 2000s, Brazilian instructors relocated to Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, often opening academies that became focal points for entire national scenes. Countries like Japan, the birthplace of judo, embraced BJJ enthusiastically, creating a full-circle cultural exchange.

The spread was accelerated by international tournaments, DVDs, and eventually online platforms that made techniques accessible worldwide. Today, BJJ is practiced on every continent, with world-class competitors emerging from places as diverse as Poland, Singapore, and Kazakhstan. Its expansion underscores the adaptability of the art and its resonance across cultures.