Everyone is witnessing the massive influx of artists into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Different martial artists, actors and celebrities have joined the BJJ community and started practicing under the supervision of pro trainers. Among the celebrities are Amanda Nunes, actor Tom Hardy, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and many others. This shows that it is not limited to the traditional players but also has attracted people from other fields.
Now, if you are also the one thinking about why different martial artists are joining BJJ, stay on this page. We are going to explore the reasons and the statements from various BJJ players who opt for it later in their lives.
BJJ Revolution
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu underwent a significant revolution in Brazil in 1914. From that point forward, it has been a widely recognized martial art. Even with MMA’s current popularity and acclaim, numerous MMA fighters incorporate BJJ into their training. This is not merely a trend but a testament to the genuine advantages of BJJ.
What Is BJJ?
BJJ is a submission-based grappling sport that emphasizes dominant tactics and positions. The element of submissions is paramount in this discipline. You’ve likely observed numerous MMA fighters achieving victories through submissions. It provides insight into one aspect of their success.
Some Renowned BJJ Players
In Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), numerous fighters specifically train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) techniques. They train BJJ not only to enhance their combat style but also to achieve superior physical fitness. Amanda Nunes, the top Pound-for-Pound fighter in UFC, holds a BJJ Black Belt under the guidance of Daniel Valverde. Other combatants, such as Celso Vinicius, a 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt, are globally recognized MMA fighters.
Recently, MMA combatant Demetrius Johnson shared his thoughts on learning BJJ. Johnson, an American MMA fighter, is the reigning ONE Flyweight Champion. He gained fame in UFC as a former UFC Flyweight Champion. With an impressive MMA record of 27-3-1, Johnson is eager to explore new horizons. He currently holds a Brown Belt in BJJ and is now striving to earn his Black Belt.
“Life’s too short not to explore different avenues, and it’s something that I want to do. It’s something I want to do. And I don’t want to do a lot of things. But that’s something I was like, no, I want to do it. I really want to get my black belt. I’m a brown belt now.”
(Demetrius Johnson)
He discussed this in a recent interview on a YouTube video. Not only do MMA fighters incorporate BJJ methods, but other sports people are also intrigued by what BJJ can provide. It’s common to see and hear about athletes from various backgrounds becoming captivated by BJJ, and subsequently, they decide to pursue it as a career.
Footballers here are taught BJJ techniques to enhance their strength conditioning. Tua Donny Tagovailoa, the American quarterback of the National Football Team, has openly admitted that he practices BJJ to build strength and avoid unnecessary harm.
“It’s actually a lot cooler than you think, learning how to fall. You continue to train it, work at it and it becomes second nature. You think it’s easy. Just don’t fall and hit your head. We use crash pads to land first. We’re trying to fall by tucking your chin … it’s about the technique to disburse your energy when you fall.”
A huge number of combatants and sports people study BJJ methods to perfect their self-defense skills. BJJ is a gentle discipline that imparts both defensive and offensive strategies, primarily emphasizing defensive tactics.
BJJ not only provides its learners with raw power and ground wrestling skills, but it also imparts a commanding standing game. It’s not surprising to discover that numerous Hollywood celebrities are BJJ practitioners. Hollywood heavyweight Tom Hardy and the star of Peaky Blinders are BJJ competitors. Meisha Tate, the ex-Bantamweight Champion of UFC, holds a Purple Belt in BJJ.
Unstoppable COMP PRO Set
Why Different Martial Artists Join BJJ?
The significant influx of athletes from various martial arts backgrounds into BJJ is primarily due to the advantages offered by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Only BJJ workouts enable practitioners to achieve the right physique.
Hence, BJJ is considered not just a sport but a comprehensive workout. It focuses on both the physical and mental health of practitioners. The goal of BJJ isn’t solely to prepare competitors for tournaments but to incorporate the authentic essence of BJJ into their existence.
Anderson Silva, an MMA fighter with a boxing background, is also a 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt. It’s fair to say that BJJ is the emerging face of MMA. Therefore, its popularity is increasing with each passing day, attracting people towards it.
