Perhaps you have heard of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and assumed it was identical to Jiujitsu. After all, they sound the same. But Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not equal to the Japanese version. These two are distinct kinds of fighting sports.

Some individuals are already familiar with Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, which is likewise recognized as BJJ. This form of martial arts is used in MMA (mixed martial arts) fighting. In this sport, you will hear BJJ interchanged with Jiu-Jitsu. However, this is a common mistake many make.

So what exactly are the discrepancies? Keep reading to understand how these two military skill types differ.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu may be known to many as traditional Jujitsu. It is centuries old, with lots of the exact elements applied to modern Jiu-Jitsu.  A key component of this combat is discipline. Judo was inspired by this form, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Various people are under the impression that the conventional version was started by Buddhist Monks as a means of self-protection that didn’t require weaponry. This peaceful approach was eventually employed on a battleground by a samurai. The samurai would use armament; if weaponry was missing, Jiu-Jitsu was utilized by the fighter.

Jiu-Jitsu has likewise been utilized in the military. Throws and kicking are renowned in this profession. To date, the army and law still use this fighting art form and have incorporated kicks and strikes.

So how did this traditional form transform into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? In the latter part of the 19th century, Jigoro Kano transformed Jiu-Jitsu into Judo. As Kano was a smaller human being, with a height of 5’2″ and weighing 100 pounds, he wanted to focus less on the strength aspect and more on defending himself if they were attacked. This could be achieved by throwing the attacker off balance. It should be noted that there is not any kicking or striking in this form, nor were weapons of any kind used.  Instead, it concentrated on joint locks, chokeholds, and focused throwing methods.

Judo became a popular sport, and a student of Kano’s named Mitsuyo Maeda took it back to Brazil and taught it to his student, Carlos Gracie. He fancied the ground fighting aspect of Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born.

The goal of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to have your opponent on the ground in a position that forces submission by concentrating on grip and leverage. It features grappling and is used more for sport than anything.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not only used by MMA fighters. It is used as a means of protection in everyday situations. As many street fights are taken to the ground, this form of self-defense is perfect for anyone wanting to win the fight. It is ideal for smaller men, ladies, and children to learn. In time, they will be able to fight off larger individuals just by learning BJJ techniques.

While traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are connected in many ways throughout their history, they are quite different forms of art.  Once you are able to see the differences in the style, you will be able to determine which one is right for you to learn.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area and are interested in learning how to protect yourself in self-defense, contact Elevate Martial Arts. Learn all the intricacies of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with their expert guidance, ensuring you’re equipped to handle any scenario.