When the UFC first launched in 1993, nobody could have predicted that it would one day become a billion-dollar global sport. At the time, it was marketed as a simple question: Which martial art is the most effective in a real fight?
The answer came quickly—and it came from Brazil.
Thanks to Royce Gracie and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the UFC went from a niche spectacle to a proving ground that changed combat sports forever. Today, every fighter on the roster trains BJJ, and its influence has shaped not just the UFC, but the entire world of mixed martial arts.
Let’s dive into the story of how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fueled the UFC’s global rise.
UFC 1: How Royce Gracie Shocked the World
The first UFC event in 1993 was designed to pit different martial arts styles against each other—boxing, karate, wrestling, kickboxing, and more. Fans expected the biggest, strongest fighters to dominate.
Instead, a skinny Brazilian in a white gi named Royce Gracie submitted his opponents with ease, winning UFC 1, UFC 2, and UFC 4.
His weapon? Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
By choking out or submitting much larger fighters, Royce proved that technique and leverage could overcome size and power. This was the moment that put BJJ—and Brazil—at the heart of UFC history.
What Makes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Special?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about brute force. It’s about control, leverage, and strategy.
Key elements include:
-
Submissions: Chokes and joint locks that force opponents to tap out.
-
Positional dominance: Gaining mount, guard, or back control to neutralize strength.
-
Adaptability: Works for smaller fighters against bigger opponents.
This made BJJ the ultimate equalizer, and it quickly became clear that no fighter could succeed in the UFC without learning it.
The Gracie Family Legacy
The Gracie family didn’t just create Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—they exported it to the world through the UFC.
-
Helio Gracie refined the art, adapting traditional jiu-jitsu to emphasize leverage.
-
Rorion Gracie co-founded the UFC to showcase the effectiveness of BJJ.
-
Royce Gracie became the face of UFC’s early success.
This wasn’t just a family achievement—it was a national one. Brazil’s martial art became the foundation of the UFC.
From One-Dimensional to Mixed Martial Artists
In the early UFC days, fighters specialized in one discipline—boxing, wrestling, karate, or BJJ. After Royce’s success, everyone realized: if you don’t know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll lose.
This forced fighters to evolve. Strikers learned takedown defense and submissions. Wrestlers learned how to escape chokes. Eventually, athletes blended multiple styles, creating the modern mixed martial artist.
Without BJJ, this evolution wouldn’t have happened as quickly.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s Role in UFC Legends
BJJ didn’t just launch the UFC—it produced many of its greatest champions.
-
Anderson Silva: While famous for striking, he used BJJ to submit Chael Sonnen in a legendary comeback.
-
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: Heavyweight icon known for his slick submissions and endless heart.
-
Charles Oliveira: UFC’s all-time leader in submission wins, showcasing BJJ at the highest level.
-
Demian Maia: Never a champion, but respected as one of the purest BJJ masters in MMA.
These fighters kept BJJ at the center of the UFC spotlight across multiple eras.
How BJJ Spread Worldwide
Once the UFC became mainstream, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools exploded globally.
-
In the United States, BJJ gyms opened in every major city, attracting not just fighters but everyday people seeking self-defense and fitness.
-
In Europe and Asia, BJJ competitions grew, producing athletes who later transitioned into MMA.
-
Even in countries where martial arts like judo or wrestling were already strong, BJJ became a necessary skill for UFC hopefuls.
Today, whether you’re in New York, London, or Tokyo, you can find a BJJ academy. That’s a direct result of its impact on the UFC.
UFC Events in Brazil: A Jiu-Jitsu Homecoming
As the UFC grew globally, it made frequent stops in Brazil—a country where MMA events feel like soccer matches, full of chants and passion.
Fighters like Anderson Silva, José Aldo, and Amanda Nunes became hometown heroes, while BJJ gyms across Brazil swelled with new students inspired by UFC success.
For Brazilian fans, seeing their national martial art dominate the biggest stage in combat sports wasn’t just exciting—it was a source of pride.
The Modern UFC: BJJ as a Core Skill
Fast-forward to today: no UFC fighter can compete at the highest level without Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. Even champions who rely on striking or wrestling—like Israel Adesanya or Kamaru Usman—have had to master BJJ to defend submissions.
It’s no longer just about being a black belt. It’s about blending BJJ seamlessly with striking, wrestling, and conditioning. That integration is what makes modern MMA so dynamic.
Beyond the Octagon: BJJ as a Lifestyle
Part of BJJ’s role in UFC growth comes from its lifestyle appeal. Fans watching Royce Gracie in the 1990s weren’t just entertained—they wanted to learn.
Today, BJJ is practiced by:
-
Professional fighters
-
Celebrities and athletes from other sports
-
Everyday people seeking fitness, discipline, and confidence
This grassroots movement feeds back into the UFC, as casual BJJ practitioners become lifelong MMA fans.
Final Thoughts
The UFC might have started as a simple martial arts experiment, but it became a global phenomenon thanks to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Royce Gracie’s victories proved the art’s effectiveness, and generations of Brazilian champions carried that legacy forward.
Today, BJJ isn’t just a technique—it’s the foundation of MMA. Without it, the UFC wouldn’t exist as we know it.
So the next time you see a fighter pull off a slick submission or escape a dangerous position, remember: that’s the power of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the martial art that built the UFC’s global empire.
