Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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The Gracie family developed Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) during the early 20th century, after Japanese-born judoka and wrestler Maeda Mitsuyo taught them Judo and Jujutsu. Maeda and the Gracies created a style that emphasized ground fighting and technique over brute strength. The Gracies first exhibited their skills as part of a circus wrestling team, taking on fairground challengers. Over the decades, the Gracies stripped away techniques that they deemed inefficient and sharpened their focus on ne waza, or ground techniques.

The Gracies became famous by issuing challenges to all comers, including world-champion boxers (none of whom accepted). They fought no-holds-barred matches called vale tudo (Portuguese for "anything goes”) to demonstrate their skills. In the early 1990s, an American form of vale tudo emerged – the "Ultimate Fighting Championship" – which gave the Gracies a venue in which to fight. They did well, with Royce Gracie capturing the first two titles and grappling-trained fighters dominating the UFC ever since. For more on no-holds-barred fighting, see Tournament Combat and Mixed Martial Arts.

The Gracies – and their relatives, the Machado family – formed the core of BJJ. They later exported it to the U.S. and beyond. Other instructors have expanded the style, but at its heart it remains the ground fighting-heavy style of the Gracie family.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu's philosophy is that most fights end up on the ground, so you might as well go there immediately and control the action once you hit the ground. BJJ stylists wait for an opening, and then "shoot" in and grapple (typically an Attack or Committed Attack). They follow up with a takedown and then an Arm Lock, Choke Hold, or Leg Lock to force a submission. In a life-or-death struggle, a BJJ fighter would use a quick choke or a broken limb or two to disable his assailant.

Some BJJ fighters like to set up submissions from the bottom, using the "guard" (lying face-up, with the adversary on top and usually between their legs). Others seek the "mount" (kneeling or crouching on an opponent who's prone or lying face-up), fighting from the top and passing their rival's guard. Stylists learn locks, chokes, and defenses for use in either situation. A few forms of BJJ add strikes, but it's more common for BJJ practitioners to cross-train in another style if they desire striking skills. BJJ stylists are famously patient, often pinning a foe and slowly working into position for a fight-winning lock.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a relatively new art without a mystical background. Nevertheless, some cinematic skills fit the more hyperbolic descriptions of its effectiveness!

Skills: Judo; Wrestling.
Techniques: Arm Lock; Breakfall; Choke Hold; Ground Fighting (Judo or Wrestling); Leg Grapple; Leg Lock; Leg Throw; Low Fighting (Judo or Wrestling); Lower-Body Arm Lock; Lower-Body Head Lock; Lower-Body Leg Lock; Scissors Hold; Triangle Choke; Trip.
Cinematic Skills: Blind Fighting; Pressure Points.
Cinematic Techniques: Roll with Blow.
Perks: Ground Guard; Power Grappling; Technique Adaptation (Ground Fighting); Technique Adaptation (Low Fighting).

Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Improved FP.
Advantages: Enhanced Dodge; Enhanced Parry (Bare Hands); Fit or Very Fit; Hard to Subdue; Language (Portuguese).
Disadvantages: Bully; Overconfidence; Reputation (Always goes for the takedown after a grapple).
Skills: Brawling; Karate; Savoir-Faire (Dojo).