Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at SPMA

Learn the essential skills of Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, from takedown to submission. Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a ground fighting system that emphasizes position, control and submissions, using chokes, arm locks and leg locks.

In the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class you will learn how to takedown and throw an opponent. You will also learn how to dominate and control an opponent positionally as well as all the escapes to these positions. You will then learn how to submit your opponent using a variety of finishing holds such as chokes, arm locks, shoulder locks, leg locks and more.

For information on classes and class times at each of your your SPMA locations please refer to the Timetable page.

There are various BJJ tournaments throughout the year, for both Gi and No Gi. Your instructor will advise you of all the tournaments and provide entry forms as they become available.

SPMA has a grading syllabus and you can see the ranks below. If you have any questions about the gradings please speak to one of the Chief Instructors.

The History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu, which means gentle art is the oldest form of martial art. It originated in India more than 2000 years before Christ. It was created by monks who could not use any type of weapons to defend their lives against barbarian attacks. It spread through China, and eventually took root and was elaborated on in Japan becoming the first martial art style. The samurai clans in Japan adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their own traditional style to defeat an opponent regardless if the situation was striking, throwing or grappling. With the passing years, they split the techniques and developed other martial arts styles, such as judo, aikido, karate, etc.

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Esai Maeda migrated to Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son Carlos the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts technique. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil. For the Gracie brothers, teaching the art was more than an occupation. It was their passion.

During the decades that followed, Carlos's brothers, sons, grandsons and cousins became the driving force that further developed and refined the art into the form we see today. Rio de Janeiro, with it's penchant for reality-based combative sport, became a proving-ground for no-rules fighting (known as Vale Tudo) strategy and technique. BJJ schools blossomed everywhere, a sporting aspect was developed and the art grew tremendously in popularity. It's effectiveness was never in question, as the population had become educated as to the difference between reality and fantasy when it came down to fighting for real. It became obvious that almost all fights, when there were limited or no rules, ended up being contested on the ground. In Rio de Janeiro, real fighting meant going to ground; and the BJJ stylists were the undisputed champions of that particular arena in a relatively safe form competition. This in turn, forced the art to further evolve, and during the last thirty years of the 20th century, undergo a phase of technical development that has thrust it to the forefront of the ground-based fight arena.

The Machado Brothers (cousins of the Graices) have developed their system of jiu-jitsu over the last 25 years. The jiu-jitsu they learned in Brazil has been refined by their clan into a modern and unique style which is increasingly popular in the United States. Emanating from Brazil, their family has demonstrated the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in many "no rules" tournaments. They have demonstrated their superiority on the mat, winning numerous Brazilian championships and national and world titles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Russian sambo and even western wrestling. The system is rooted in one-on-one ground fighting, achieving superior position for joint locks, chokes and strikes.

The Machados' philosophy is not to prove or impose their system onto other styles or martial artists. Their main concern is to share what they have, always with their minds open for new ideas. This attitude has helped the Machados to establish themselves in the martial arts community and given them many friends and followers. Their attitude of balance is reflected not only in the way they fight, but also in the healthy lifestyle they have adopted since childhood.