Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art/combat sport/self-defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger opponent by using leverage and proper technique (mostly by applying joint locks and chokeholds). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is trained for a variety of reasons. Some train for self defense, some for sport grappling, MMA fighting, or just a fun way to get into shape. Sparring (or rolling) is a big part of training; this assures that the techniques you learn are applicable in a real world situation.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, from a variety of other combat sports. Various mixed style contests took place throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s. The combat sport of vale tudo that had developed in Brazil from the 1920s was brought to the United States by the Gracie family in 1993 with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).