Why is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu So Effective in the UFC?

Figure 1 Most UFC fighters have trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu

There is a long and close relationship between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts. Ever since Royce Gracie showcased the style when the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) began in the early 1990s, the two have been just about inseparable.

Take a look at the rankings for every weight division in UFC and there is one thing that many fighters will have in common – a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. More often than not they will also be able to boast of having a black belt. A common denominator when picking your best UFC bets and making your predictions for the fights should be highlighting which fighters have BJJ skills.

But why is Brazilian jiu-jitsu so effective when it comes to UFC? This article will take a look at the origins of the art within mixed martial arts and the UFC, as well as point out some key elements that make it so important.

Game Changers

Any MMA fan knows the story of how the Gracie family developed Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the 20^th century. But it was when the Ultimate Fighting Championship became more popular that the martial art gained a wider audience for the first time. As UFC started to become the premier MMA organization, fans quickly saw how BJJ was instrumental in many fighters’ success.

When the UFC was launched in 1993, the basic fighting prompt was “anything goes” and the Gracie family realized that the Brazilian jiu-jitsu that it had championed and developed over decades was ideal for fighters in the octagon. Rorion Gracie was one of the co-founders and brother Royce became one of the first champions at a time when there were no weight divisions.

Real-Life Fighting

One of the main advantages of BJJ when it comes to UFC, or any other MMA, is that it is incredibly effective in a real-life fight situation. If you are transplanting that encounter to the octagon, a trained BJJ practitioner is going to be able to defend and attack with power.

Although the movies might suggest something different, most real-life fights end up on the ground. It is rare for two fighters to remain standing, as the natural response is to hold on to an opponent to stop the ability to strike out. BJJ allows fighters to grapple and hold on the ground and defuse offensive movements.

The Great Leveler

Royce Gracie proved this from the very start of the UFC. Using BJJ techniques, a fighter is able to put down an opponent that is much bigger and stronger. UFC was originally conceived to determine the most effective martial art and BJJ showed that smaller fighters were just as capable of beating larger opponents.

Unlike many other forms of fighting and martial arts, being smaller is not a disadvantage. In the face of a bigger opponent, there is a wide range of moves that enable small fighters to escape, control, or even cause submission. Although the introduction of weight divisions changed this slightly, BJJ is still a great leveler.

Continually Learning

One of the reasons that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is so popular and far-reaching when it comes to its effectiveness in MMA is the fact that is a martial art that is never supposed to be mastered. This is something that all devotees have to accept – whether they are white belt beginners or UFC champions.

This idea that you should continually strive to be better – and that there is always something new to learn – chimes with the competitive nature of UFC. The very qualities that make fighters champions are the ones that are the core ideas behind BJJ. With hundreds of moves and techniques, there is always more to master.

Fight Strategy

Aspects of BJJ have completely changed the way UFC fights are planned. Although the Gracie family was there right at the beginning of the organization, for a while there was still a trend for fighters to strike their opponents. Punching and boxing styles were still favored by many.

But as the years have gone by, the grappling styles of BJJ have become more prevalent. Boxers are still common in UFC, of course, but they will look to include elements of BJJ in their strategy. Ground fighting has become a major part of any good fighter’s armory.

Figure 2 BJJ techniques are evident in UFC fights

Live Sparring

Another reason why Brazilian jiu-jitsu is such a breeding ground for top UFC fighters is that it stands out from many styles of martial arts in one very important way. Unlike taekwondo or karate, where the training is very often a solo exercise, BJJ is specifically designed for live sparring.

By starting off being used to sparring with actual opponents, rather than drills and exercises, BJJ offers fighters invaluable experience of facing a real person and learning how to deal with what they can bring to the meeting. After years of this kind of training, anyone entering the octagon is already at an advantage.

The Past, Present, and Future of UFC

We have now come to the point where the vast majority of UFC fighters are well-trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques. BJJ has always been a major part of MMA and that doesn’t look like changing anytime soon.

With UFC becoming more popular, BJJ has also enjoyed in an increased popularity. More fans and MMA devotees have looked into learning the techniques to emulate their heroes. BJJ has always been ideal for UFC – and it seems as though it always will be.