If you are a martial arts enthusiast, you have probably heard about the English actor Toma Hardy’s love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This versatile actor’s liking for BJJ can be traced back to early 2000 when he was preparing for his movie “Warrior”.
BJJ has grown exponentially in popularity, attracting thousands of new practitioners every year. But Why has BJJ become popular and what makes it stand out from traditional martial arts like Karate, Judo, or Taekwondo, with their centuries-old legacies?
Curious why BJJ has captured the attention of people worldwide? Let’s dive into five reasons behind its explosive popularity.
Is BJJ Popular?
According to a recent study, the estimated revenue for the BJJ industry will be around $2.5 billion in the USA alone. The pre-covid era showed a huge upward spike in this sector. Because of the Covid, the BJJ industry was hit hard but now it’s showing health recovery.
A recent Research conducted by IBIS World shows 41,610 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Studios businesses in the US as of 2023, an increase of 7% from 2022. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Studios industry in the US has grown 7.0% per year on average over the five years between 2018 – 2023.
Apart from these numbers, the popularity of BJJ can be seen in the digital sphere. Countless YouTube channels are creating content and podcasts regarding BJJ, and Instagram influencers are using their platform to reach out to people and share their thoughts on BJJ.
IBJJF– the de facto governing body of BJJ- is conducting numerous tournaments nationally and internationally for both adults and kids, and the number is rising.
5 Reasons why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes popular
The meteoric rise of Brazillian Jiu-Jutsu can be explained by five points:
- BJJ Offers Immediate Engagement and Mental Stimulation
- The Gracie Family and the Rise of UFC: A Game-Changer for BJJ
- Challenging the Natural Biomechanics of Fighting: Why BJJ Stands Out
- A Safer Martial Art for Both Adults and Kids
- Celebrity Endorsements and Hollywood’s Influence on BJJ Popularity.
BJJ Offers Immediate Engagement and Mental Stimulation
For martial arts enthusiasts, beginning with Karate or Taekwondo often means spending months on basics. With each belt, practitioners slowly learn new techniques. This methodical approach can feel slow and repetitive.
When I started Karate, I spent six months just practicing kihon (basic movements) without sparring, often repeating steps for hours. To be honest, this made me feel a bit bored at that time.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, is immediately engaging. In your first class, you’ll start rolling with a partner, regardless of your experience level. Every technique is practiced in real time, making the learning process both challenging and exciting.
Unlike Karate or Boxing, where you might have to throw hundreds of punches or kicks before using them in sparring, BJJ immerses you in partner-based practice from day one. Each roll with a partner is a mental game—your opponent’s moves constantly challenge you to think, plan, and adjust your strategy.
This mental stimulation starts early in your BJJ journey. Whether you’re trying to make your partner tap or avoid their submission, you’re engaged from the very first session.
BJJ’s hands-on approach ensures that beginners aren’t stuck practicing alone for months. Instead, they dive right into sparring and partner-based learning, which keeps the practice fun and dynamic.
The Gracie Family and the Rise of UFC: A Game-Changer for BJJ
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu owes much of its early development and global reach to the Gracie family and the creation of the UFC. It all started when Mitsuyo Maeda, a Judo master, came to Brazil with the mission of spreading the art of Judo. The Gracie family learned from Maeda and, over time, modified Judo into a more dynamic, ground-focused martial art that we now know as BJJ.
Martial artists have always debated which fighting style is the most effective. Early on, the Gracies saw an opportunity to answer this question.
After Carlos Gracie opened the first BJJ academy in Rio in 1931, he and his brothers—Oswald, George Jr., Gustavo, and Helio—traveled the country, challenging wrestlers and Capoeira fighters to showcase BJJ’s superiority.
This strategic approach to proving BJJ’s dominance reached a new level when Rorion Gracie, Helio’s son, co-founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the early ‘90s.
The UFC provided a global platform for fighters of different martial arts to compete, showing which technique truly reigned supreme.
The Gracie family made their mark in the very first UFC event. In UFC 1, Royce Gracie, a BJJ black belt and Rorion’s younger brother, shocked the world by defeating much larger and stronger opponents, including the legendary Ken Shamrock.
Fans were stunned when Royce secured a submission in just 57 seconds, using BJJ techniques that were new and unfamiliar to the audience.
Imagine being in the crowd in the late ‘90s, watching two fighters with different skill sets battle it out in the octagon—a setting far more intense than the traditional boxing ring. The sight of Royce winning without flashy punches or kicks, but instead by controlling the fight from the ground, changed the way people viewed martial arts.
This pivotal moment, combined with the Gracie family’s legacy and the UFC’s rise, launched BJJ into the spotlight. With the growth of MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to thrive and expand, capturing the attention of martial artists and enthusiasts around the world.
Challenging the Natural Biomechanics of Fighting: Why BJJ Stands Out
When I first started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I was already a black belt in Karate with years of tournament experience under my belt. Confident in my skills, I stepped onto the BJJ mat for my first class, convinced that my standing techniques would carry me through.
But in less than 40 seconds of sparring with my instructor, I tapped out. I was shocked at how easily I was defeated, especially since I had always fought on my feet.
That moment opened my eyes to one of BJJ’s biggest strengths: it completely upends the traditional concept of fighting. In most martial arts, like Karate or Taekwondo, the focus is on standing techniques—kicks, punches, and strikes that keep you on your feet.
These arts are built around the idea that standing is where humans are strongest, and the entire defense system assumes you’ll be upright. But BJJ forces you to fight from a position that feels unnatural—on the ground. For martial artists used to standing, this can be disorienting.
When you’re lying on your back with an opponent’s chest pressing down on you, your body’s natural biomechanics start to fail. Your instincts, trained for standing combat, can leave you feeling helpless.
BJJ quickly gained popularity among fighters from other disciplines because it exposed a blind spot in traditional training.
Ground fighting techniques like arm bars, triangle chokes, and rear-naked chokes neutralize the power of kicks and punches.
Even highly skilled strikers find themselves struggling when they’re taken to the ground, where BJJ practitioners excel. The sense of panic that sets in when you’re trapped, struggling to breathe, and unable to move highlights just how different BJJ is.
It’s not just about fighting—it’s about surviving in a situation where traditional methods fail. This unique and effective approach to combat is one of the reasons why BJJ’s popularity has grown so quickly, not just among beginners, but also among seasoned fighters.
A Safer Martial Art for Both Adults and Kids
Let’s be honest—nobody likes the idea of getting punched in the face! If you’re thinking about starting martial arts or enrolling your kids in a program, one of your top concerns is probably safety.
Martial arts like Boxing or Karate can be intimidating, especially for beginners, because of the inevitable punches and kicks involved in training. For some, the fear of injury is enough to discourage them from ever stepping into a dojo.
I remember when I first started Karate. During one of my early kihon sessions, I was paired with a senpai wearing a yellow belt.
It wasn’t long before I found myself on the receiving end of a punch to the face. It wasn’t a knockout blow by any means, but as a complete beginner, it rattled me. That moment of fear lingered in my mind for a long time.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a very different experience. It’s a martial art designed to keep both adults and kids safe as they learn, making it a fantastic option for beginners. Unlike Boxing or Karate, where strikes are a core part of the training, BJJ focuses on grappling and ground techniques.
Instead of punching or kicking, students work on joint locks, chokes, and positional control. This means that even as a beginner, you can safely spar (or “roll”) with a partner without the risk of taking a hit to the face.
In your first few classes, you’ll likely spend a lot of time practicing basic movements like rolls, break falls, and partner drills. These exercises help your body adjust to ground techniques, all while building strength and coordination.
Because there’s no striking, BJJ provides a more controlled and less risky environment for both kids and adults. It’s a martial art where you can test your skills without having to worry about getting hurt.
For these reasons, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is gaining a fanbase among adults and kids all over the world.
Celebrity Endorsements and Hollywood’s Influence on BJJ Popularity
One of the driving forces behind Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s (BJJ) meteoric rise in popularity is its endorsement by celebrities and inclusion in blockbuster movies.
When stars like Tom Hardy hit the mats or when BJJ techniques are showcased in high-octane action films, millions of fans take notice—and many are inspired to try BJJ themselves.
Recently, Tom Hardy made headlines by competing in a BJJ tournament, a move that quickly went viral across social media.
His participation not only put the spotlight on the sport but also showcased how someone with a busy, high-profile career still finds time to train and compete in BJJ. But Hardy isn’t alone.
Other well-known figures like Keanu Reeves, Joe Rogan, Jonah Hill, and Jason Statham all hold BJJ belts and actively train in the art. Wagner Moura, famous for playing Pablo Escobar in Narcos, also trains in BJJ, demonstrating how far-reaching the sport’s appeal is among actors, athletes, and influencers.
Why does this matter? For many people, seeing their favorite celebrities practice BJJ makes the sport more approachable and exciting. When stars post photos of themselves in a gi or rolling on the mats, their millions of followers are instantly exposed to the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This organic exposure is a huge reason why BJJ has gained so much traction in recent years.
Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are flooded with content from famous BJJ practitioners, whether it’s clips of their training, discussing the sport on podcasts (like Joe Rogan does regularly), or breaking down fight scenes in movies.
Speaking of movies, BJJ’s influence on Hollywood has been profound. Early action films often featured flashy, exaggerated martial arts, but with the rise of BJJ, we’ve seen a shift towards more grounded, realistic fight choreography. Take John Wick, for example. Keanu Reeves’ character uses BJJ techniques throughout the series, giving the fight scenes a raw, gritty feel that fans love.
The same can be said for Lethal Weapon and other films that have embraced BJJ to make combat scenes more believable.
In the end, celebrity endorsements and Hollywood’s portrayal of BJJ have been a crucial part of its growth. When someone like Keanu Reeves or Jason Statham shares their journey in BJJ, it doesn’t just stay within the martial arts community—it spreads to millions of people across the globe, sparking curiosity and inspiring the next wave of practitioners.
Finally, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s explosive growth is no accident. Its uniquely engaging techniques, deep-rooted history with the UFC, and focus on ground fighting make it a standout discipline in the world of martial arts.
Unlike traditional forms, BJJ challenges not only your physical abilities but also your mental sharpness, making it an all-encompassing journey for practitioners. Its safety, inclusiveness for all ages, and endorsement by celebrities have further catapulted it into the global spotlight.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step onto the mat and test your limits, now might be the perfect time. Find a local gym, watch a match, or simply try your first class—you might just find yourself hooked on the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.