Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enjoys great popularity in the world of martial arts – especially in the field of self-defense. Most champions who competed in UFC events had a background in BJJ. Over time however the number of winners actively practicing BJJ has declined. This raises the question: Why does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu no longer produce UFC champions?

The true story behind the founding of the UFC

Anyone who looks closely at the history of MMA and the UFC will notice that the UFC was originally founded to demonstrate the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The goal was to show how BJJ could be applied in a real fight without rules. In addition, the UFC aimed to use the fights to determine which martial art would prevail.

Royce Gracie, a trained BJJ practitioner, emerged victorious from these fights even though his opponents were physically stronger. He proved that technical skill, not physical size, is what truly matters. In direct comparison with other martial arts such as Karate, Wrestling, Kickboxing or Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu consistently earned a top position.

Thanks to the UFC, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gained global popularity. However this also led to structural changes within the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. Strikes and kicks were no longer allowed, which caused this form of Jiu-Jitsu to drift further away from its original roots. It also became prohibited to remain on the ground for extended periods during matches. As a result fights were increasingly forced to take place standing. Over time Wrestling gradually replaced Jiu-Jitsu at the top.

Why did wrestling establish itself as a leading martial art?

The introduction of different weight classes played a key role in the growing popularity of wrestling.
It is easier to fight someone with similar physical attributes. In addition wrestlers often emerged as winners in competitions because they used techniques that forced opponents to submit — particularly joint locks and chokes. Both wrestlers and kickboxers began to learn Jiu-Jitsu as well.

Another reason wrestlers tended to win more often was that they specialized in the techniques needed for ground fighting in MMA. To win a fight competitors must accumulate a certain number of points.
However turning one’s back to the opponent effectively delayed the end of the fight. This is because a submission hold is difficult to apply from that position and strikes or kicks to the back are not allowed. As a result even BJJ practitioners began turning their backs to their opponents.

They developed new strategies to make use of the guard and half guard positions — positions where the face is fully exposed and unprotected in front of the attacker. This approach differs significantly from the principles that dominate in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. One core rule in BJJ that must be followed to avoid being neutralized is to place the foot on the attacker’s hip. This creates the necessary distance. Also BJJ practitioners avoid turning their backs to the opponent. These differences eventually gave rise to the broader question: what separates combat sports from traditional martial arts?

What is the difference between combat sports and martial arts that focus on self-defense?

In combat sports fighters often turn their backs to their opponents. In self-defense however this dangerous move is never allowed. In BJJ for example turning the back can lead to a knockout if the opponent strikes the spine or the back of the head — rendering the defender unconscious. Such strikes are strictly prohibited in MMA or wrestling competitions.

In both Judo and MMA matches fighters sometimes deliberately expose the back of their head in certain situations because they know it can help them win. The referee calls “Mate” to stop the action and resets the position, allowing the fighter to escape the situation and continue the match.

In self-defense there is no referee to intervene in favor of someone who turns away from their attacker.
This marks an important distinction between ground fighting in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and in Judo. However due to the influence of the scoring systems in modern competitions even Jiu-Jitsu practitioners have increasingly adopted the habit of turning away from their opponents.

Is every athlete capable of defending themselves?

This often raises the question: Can an MMA fighter really not hold their own in a street self-defense situation? Do they have no advantage compared to a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner? At this point it is important to clarify: it is not about the person, but about their skill set. That is a major distinction, even if it may seem subtle at first.

A physically strong person certainly has a chance of winning a street fight — but it depends on the situation. The same applies to rugby players: they are better physically prepared for a fight than someone who doesn’t play rugby. But does that mean rugby represents self-defense? Just because someone is athletic doesn’t necessarily mean their abilities are suited for self-defense.

Athletes may indeed be capable of defending themselves. However, they are just as likely to be caught off guard by a surprise attack. This is because they typically do not attend training focused on self-defense techniques that deal with unexpected assaults. In Gracie Jiu-Jitsu these self-defense techniques are an essential part of the curriculum. An athlete who is unexpectedly struck on the chin can be knocked out instantly. Such a knockout ends the confrontation immediately. That is why in self-defense — and in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu — the focus lies on developing the specific skills a martial artist truly needs.

What are the most important qualities a fighter needs to succeed in self-defense?

Learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu provides a strong foundation for developing self-defense skills. Martial artists who practice BJJ are taught various self-defense strategies, with particular emphasis on different positions and guard variations. Martial artists need the willingness to learn techniques and must understand that physical strength or build plays only a secondary role.

Who wins the most fights in competitive combat sports?

Currently, fighters who train in Sambo are most often emerging as winners in competition.
This martial art is considered a form of Russian Jiu-Jitsu. Sambo practitioners also wear kimonos, and like in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, strikes and kicks are permitted. Sambo originated from Jiu-Jitsu. A closer analysis of the techniques confirms the connection between Sambo and Jiu-Jitsu.