To all of our students, we're closed tonite and tomorrow. Wishing that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's! All the best. See you next year!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  The Ultimate Foundation for MMA.
Daniel Gracie
December 30, 2010

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  The Gentle Art.  A martial art that traces its roots over millennia.  Throughout the vast lands of Asia, from monks to Samurai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has a noble and important lineage.

Fast forward to the early 20th Century when Mitsuyo Maeda travelled to Brazil and taught this ancient art to the Gracie Family - Father Gastão and sons Carlos, Helio, George, Gastão and Oswaldo.  As the brothers put forth the famous 'Gracie Challenge' willing participants came from far and wide to test themselves against these young men.  Carlos had been the original student of Mr. Maeda and the teacher to all of his brothers.  The 'Gracie Challenge' met with great success.  The challengers came and were submitted.  Not girth, nor strength, nor size could defend the submissions by the Gracie brothers.  No other art or sport or technique could match the depth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Nothing riveled the effectiveness and speed of the Gracie brothers' skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

This truth was to be tested once again in a fledging event called the UFC.  Royce Gracie was the one chosen by the family to fight in this new event.  With no rules, no time limits and no pre conceptions, this was a true test of which art form would reign superior.  As illustrated in the earliest UFC events, the Gracie style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trumped all other arts.  It was truly a watershed moment.

Now to today.  Fighting organizations have sprung up everywhere.  The UFC is a powerhouse.  And Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remains the go to art form for MMA fighters.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the ultimate foundation for today's Mixed Martial Arts fighter.  In no other art or sport or technique does one find the depth and wealth of knowledge and possibilities as exists in BJJ.  With a standing component featuring several take downs and submissions, with a ground game that has no equal, BJJ is the only complete art for MMA.

As today's MMA fighter knows, the rules have changed drastically from the earliest no holds barred events.  In these earliest events, BJJ was unmatched.  Up kicks from the guard were allowed.  The fight could be started immediately on the ground.  While fighting on the ground, the fight was never stopped and forced to stand up.  Perhaps these drastic rules changes were in direct response to the superiority of BJJ?  Today's MMA fight is expected to be a battle standing.  Today's MMA fighter is expected to trade blows.  While another art would've withered and died in the face of these changes, BJJ has evolved and come back stronger.  This stand up game has only heightened the importance of having your base in BJJ.  As a practitioner of BJJ, you have infinite possibilities to not only defend strikes, but to thwart these attacks and submit your opponent.  Removing yourself from these blows, the BJJ fighter often emerges from the bout unscathed and victorious.

To further emphasize the incomparable validity of BJJ, think back to the fight between Chael Sonen and Anderson Silva.  Sonen, an MMA fighter with a foundation in wrestling.  Silva, an MMA fighter with a foundation in Muay Thai.  This bout was hard fought to say the least.  Silva was taking many blows from Sonen and at one point it looked as if Sonen would be the victor.  With only seconds left in the fight, Silva went to the triangular choke.  Finishing his opponent and winning the fight.  Only with BJJ could you pull out a victory in this way.

In another well known fight, Minotauro Nogueira submitted behemoth Bob Sapp by arm bar after a true war.  Sapp dwarfed Minotauro in size.  The match up was skill versus girth.  Sapp dominated the fight with his size and strength, throwing Minotauro around the ring like a rag doll.  Exhausted and losing the fight, Minotauro saw his opportunity.  He swept Sapp and got a beautiful arm bar from side control.  No other Martial Art could produce this result against an opponent with such incredible size and strength.

My cousin and mentor, Renzo Gracie, denies no challengers.  He will fight any and all comers.  This philosophy is at the root of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He defends our family's art with a warrior's spirit.  Fighting against larger opponents, Renzo proves the effectiveness of BJJ time and time again.  UFC 6 Champion Oleg Taktarov was chosen as Renzo's opponent in MARS (Martial Arts Reality Superfight) in the mid 90's.  Taktarov was a Russian Sambo fighter and had a 70 pound weight advantage.  During the fight, Renzo attempted a takedown that was stopped by Taktarov.  Immediately pulling guard, Renzo was in his element on the mat.  Taktarov approached to ground and pound.  Not missing a beat, Renzo up kicked his opponent, thwarting the strikes from the ground and pound.  This allowed Renzo to throw the deciding KO and end the fight.  Another example, is his fight against Maurice Smith which was won by arm bar in the first minutes of the fight.  His bout against Wataru Sakata was also a victory for him by arm bar.  Both of these fights were in Rings - King of Kings in Japan.  Both opponents have a minimum of a 60 pound weight advantage.  Neither could defend the technique of BJJ.   In his fight against Pat Miletich, Renzo won by guillotine.  The fight began standing and ended standing, with Renzo jumping onto Miletich and capturing him in a guillotine.  His record goes on to show many other victories by submission.  He is a true BJJ and MMA pioneer and legend.

As the sport of MMA evolves from it's earliest beginnings, so too does BJJ.  This Martial Art is like no other.  In no other art do you find such a flexible base.  BJJ is for all sizes, styles, body types and abilities.  As is the basis of our philosophy, we welcome all.  If this is not the best base for MMA, then I don't know what is.

Quick. Last chance this year for Open Mat Training! Get your Gi and make it count!

If it's the UFC, it's RGA at Buffalo WIld WIngs. We'll be there in full force. Hope you can make it! Represent with your RGA t-shirt!

Okay, you know the drill. Get your Gi and head over here. We'll have another nite of awesome training. See you on the mats!

Open Mat training during the vacation week! BJJ doesn't take a vacation!

Want to get in shape and learn a new skill? Maybe that's on your list of New Year's Resolutions? If so, you're in luck! Our own Danny Morales will be teaching a Muay Thai class every Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6pm. If you want more info, speak with Daniel next time you're at the Academy! See you on the mats!

Check out the video page to see all of our videos and more!

Check out the photos from the Belt Promotion Ceremony!

Here's a couple pics from last night's Belt Promotion Ceremony. Check the site tonight to see all of them!!! Congratulations to all of the students. Hard work, determination and sweat always pays off big dividends. Now is the time to really focus on your training. See you on the mats!!!

Glad to see classes picking up. Here's a photo from a recent tough training...