Look Who’s Competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

When Rorion Gracie brought his family’s style of Jiu Jitsu to America in 1978, no one had ever heard of it. But when Rorion’s younger brother Royce entered the Ultimate Fighting Contest in 1993, the first televised Mixed Martial Arts competition, and dominated all the other contestants – professional boxers, wrestlers, Karate and Kung Fu masters – the popularity of the sport exploded.

Today, BJJ is taught in every country in the world. And Mixed Martial Arts (its offspring) is a billion-dollar business.

BJJ attracts all sorts of students – from moms and daughters (see “Readers Write” in Tuesday’s issue) to dads and sons, to competitive athletes, to law enforcement officers, to doctors and lawyers and other professionals. It has also attracted a good number of celebrities, such as…

* Nicolas Cage

* Russell Brand

* Vin Diesel

* Jonah Hill

* Joe Rogan

* Vince Vaughn

* Shaquille O’Neal

* Guy Ritchie

* Jason Statham

* Usher

I haven’t been surprised to see folks like that take part. But when Mark Zuckerberg announced on social media that he was not only taking lessons, but competing… I was shocked. If you check out the commentary about it, you’ll find a good deal of skepticism, and even suggestions that he paid for his two victories. But I give the guy credit. It takes a lot of willpower to keep at BJJ as an adult (especially if you are a high-level executive). But to actually compete – even at a local tournament – that takes guts!

Here’s a clip of a tournament he was in recently.

Here’s something fun: Shaquille O’Neal in an exhibition match with UFC champion and BJJ black belt Forrest Griffin.

And here’s some info on the history of BJJ.