Introduction
Following the historical trajectory from the feudal battlegrounds of Japan to the shores of Brazil, Jiu Jitsu has transformed profoundly over the past 500 years. This journey began in our series with Part 1: The Origins of Jiu Jitsu, exploring its roots in feudal Japan, and continued in Part 2: Jiu Jitsu's Journey to Brazil, detailing its pivotal development during the Gracie era.
In this final installment of our series, we explore how Jiu Jitsu has evolved since touching ground in America, a land of innovation, commercialization, and competitive spirit. You'll discover the key figures, transformative events, and the dynamic shifts that have shaped Jiu Jitsu into the multifaceted martial art it is today.
The American Evolution
Traditional Roots and American Adaptation
When Jiu Jitsu first came to America, it brought with it a sense of mystique and tradition. Early adopters sought to preserve its integrity, much like the early karate schools that valued discipline, honor, and the art itself. Traditional dojos emphasized rigorous training, respect for the art, and a deep understanding of Jiu Jitsu's philosophical roots. However, America, with its unique cultural blend of innovation and commercialization, began to reshape Jiu Jitsu.
1990s-2010s: Jiu Jitsu's Influence on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
In the late 20th century, America saw the rise of competitive Jiu Jitsu. This era was marked by the establishment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993, where Royce Gracie’s victories showcased the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) against various fighting styles.
Key Milestones:
Early 1990s: Royce Gracie’s success at UFC 1 highlighted BJJ’s effectiveness against larger opponents and different martial arts.
Mid-to-Late 1990s: Fighters from various backgrounds began incorporating BJJ into their training regimens, recognizing the importance of ground fighting and submissions.
Early 2000s: The integration of BJJ with other fighting styles became more pronounced, leading to a more comprehensive approach to MMA.
Early 2010s: While BJJ remained an essential part of any fighter's arsenal, its dominance as the primary discipline in MMA diminished as fighters became more adept at defending against BJJ techniques.
2012-2017: Metamoris–Pioneering the Spectacle of Grappling
As BJJ's influence in MMA waned, its prominence as a standalone sport grew, spearheaded by Metamoris in 2012. This high-profile event pioneered a submission-only format that shifted focus from point-based scoring to submission victories alone for both gi and no-gi competitors. Metamoris set itself apart with high production values, including professionally produced live streams and engaging promotional materials, enhancing the viewing experience and setting new standards in event production.
Notable Matches:
Royler Gracie vs. Eddie Bravo (Metamoris 3): This match captured widespread attention and showcased the high-level skill and drama inherent in submission grappling.
Despite facing financial difficulties and controversies related to event management and payment to fighters, Metamoris left a lasting impact on the sport. Competitors like UFC veteran Joe Lauzon ADCC medalist AJ Agazarm highlighted issues with payment, bringing attention to the financial instability of the organization. However, it paved the way for subsequent professional organizations like the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) in 2014 and UK-based Polaris in 2015 to further innovate and expand Jiu Jitsu's reach globally. EBI continued the tradition of the submission-only format, while Polaris integrated high production values and international competitor showcases, building on the foundation Metamoris established.
2010-2018: DDS 1.0 Domination and the Evolution of Competitive Strategy
In the mid-2010s, BJJ was significantly reshaped by a group of standout athletes training under the legendary coach John Danaher in New York City's "blue basement." This group, known for challenging the traditional dominance of Brazilian practitioners, focused initially on leg attacks—an under-developed area at the time. Their consistent submission victories over sport legends elevated leg locks from "cheap tricks" to respected and feared strategies.
The emergence of the notorious "Danaher Death Squad" (DDS) heralded a new era in competitive submission grappling with their innovations ostensibly prompting organizers to revise rules over the coming years, like IBJJF legalizing all leg locks for brown and black belts in no-gi competition in 2021.
Core DDS 1.0 Members:
Eddie "The Wolverine" Cummings emerged as the initial standout of the group, setting the stage for the squad's early successes. However, Cummings’ journey with the DDS ended allegedly due to discomfort with competing against his own teammates, a sentiment Danaher noted after he and Tonon faced each other at EBI. Following Cummings’ departure from the DDS, he briefly joined team Unity in New York but soon withdrew from the grappling scene, leaving behind a lasting influence through the strategies and training methods he introduced.
Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon, with his dynamic grappling style and charismatic persona, became one of the sport’s most entertaining competitors alongside Cummings. With his fearless wrestling skills, dynamic strangleholds, and devastating leg locks, Tonon excelled in prestigious tournaments like Metamoris, ADCC, EBI, and Polaris. After achieving significant success in grappling, Tonon transitioned to MMA, demonstrating the effectiveness of Jiu Jitsu in broader combat sports contexts.
Gordon “The King” Ryan, Tonon’s protege, quickly became the face of DDS after his breakthrough performance at the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) in 2016, where he stepped in as a replacement for Cummings. Under Danaher's guidance, Ryan developed a systematic approach to no-gi grappling focused on control and pressure leading to submissions. His triumphs in tournaments like ADCC have solidified his status as one of the greatest in the sport.
Nicky Ryan, Gordon’s younger brother, joined DDS as a teenager and quickly made his mark by dominating established world-class athletes. In 2017, he became the youngest athlete to compete in the ADCC world championship at 16 years old and won the Polaris Invitational 145 lbs championship in 2018.
2018-2021: DDS 2.0 – A New Era of Innovation
Post-2018, DDS continued to evolve under Danaher’s guidance, introducing competitors like Craig Jones, Nicky Rodriguez, and Ethan Crelinsten. Craig Jones, known for his leg lock game, joined DDS and enhanced his skills within its strategic framework. Nicky Rodriguez, or "Nicky Rod," made an explosive entrance at ADCC 2019, securing a silver medal with less than a year of formal Jiu Jitsu training, showcasing DDS's effective training regime. Ethan Crelinsten demonstrated technical acumen and strategic mastery in various competitions, echoing DDS's dominant approach.
Under Danaher's leadership, these new members thrived, contributing to DDS's legacy of innovation and success. However, by 2021, internal dynamics and personal aspirations led to DDS's dissolution. John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, and Garry Tonon formed New Wave Jiu Jitsu, while Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, and others established the B-Team, marking the end of an era but the beginning of new chapters.
2024: Karate Combat’s Pit Submission Series
Karate Combat's introduction of the Pit Submission Series marks a notable innovation in submission grappling. This series utilizes the "pit," an innovative arena designed to eliminate out-of-bounds stoppages and introduces slanted surfaces that challenge traditional grappling tactics. This design enhances the spectator experience by keeping the action continuous and centralized. Notably, this format is being adopted by a new tournament directly challenging ADCC, the world’s premier grappling event. This alignment indicates a significant shift towards more dynamic and spectator-friendly competition formats in grappling, setting a new standard for event conduct and influencing the sport's future direction.
2024: ADCC vs. Craig Jones Invitational (CJI): A Bold Challenge to the Status Quo
The genesis of the Craig Jones Invitational is a tale of defiance and ambition, born from frustration with longstanding industry norms. Craig Jones, a prominent figure in the grappling world and a 2x ADCC silver medalist, sparked a significant shift in the competitive Jiu Jitsu landscape by opting out of the 2024 ADCC World Championship. His decision stemmed from dissatisfaction with the tournament's payout structure, which offered $10,000 to champions and nothing for participation—a figure that had remained stagnant despite the sport's exponential growth.
Jones criticized ADCC organizers for channeling revenue from the sport's growth into enhancing production rather than increasing athlete compensation. His criticisms extended to the ADCC's decision to move the tournament venue from the Thomas and Mack Center to the T-Mobile Arena, whose rental is astronomically higher at $2 million despite both having a seating capacity of around 20,000. Speaking under the pseudonym Johnbelushismom, Jones stated, "Guys, call me crazy, but Thomas and Mack Centre has a 20k capacity for the audience and [T-Mobile Arena] is 20k [capacity]. T-Mobile costs $2 million to rent and Thomas and Mack much cheaper. I think we, the athletes, deserve to be paid more than the guys that hit the drums. I ain't doing ADCC. I'm a goddamn karate guy." This bold statement highlighted his stance on the misuse of funds that could otherwise increase athlete payouts.
To support his peers, Craig Jones announced he would host a seminar a few days before the ADCC in Las Vegas, with 100% of the proceeds going to ADCC athletes who lose on day 1 and earn $0. This initiative demonstrated his solidarity with fellow competitors and his dedication to reshaping the economic landscape of professional grappling by redirecting funds to support athletes directly.
The situation intensified in May when he announced the Craig Jones Invitational (originally known as BDCC), strategically scheduled to coincide with the ADCC event in Las Vegas, Nevada. The CJI promised a groundbreaking payout structure: $1 million for the winners and $10,001 just to show up, deliberately set at $1 more than the prize for winning an ADCC weight class. This bold move was intended not just to challenge the existing payout norms but to set a new standard for valuing athletes in the sport.
The announcement of the CJI's lucrative prize instantly reshaped the competitive landscape. Several high-profile athletes, including ADCC trials winners Jozef Chen, William Tackett, and Andrew Tackett, as well as ADCC champion Ffion Davies, 2x ADCC silver medalist Nicky Rod, and standout competitor Nicky Ryan, made headlines by withdrawing from the ADCC to participate in Jones’s tournament. This mass migration underscored the athletes' support for a model that better recognizes their worth and contributions to the sport.
In addition to its groundbreaking financial structure, the Craig Jones Invitational also introduces a unique competitive environment, drawing inspiration from Karate Combat. Athletes at the CJI will compete in "the pit," a specially designed arena that enhances visibility and interaction, creating a more dynamic and engaging spectator experience. This choice reflects a broader trend in combat sports towards more immersive and visually appealing formats, aiming to captivate a global audience and elevate the viewing experience of grappling competitions. The pit, known for its distinctive layout in Karate Combat, allows for a closer, more intense combat style, pushing athletes to adapt their strategies in this novel setting. This innovative approach not only challenges competitors in new ways but also showcases Jiu Jitsu's adaptability and versatility, further enhancing the appeal of the sport.
The Craig Jones Invitational not only aims to offer unprecedented financial rewards but also seeks to influence the broader grappling community towards more sustainable and athlete-centric competition formats. By directly challenging a well-established tournament like the ADCC, CJI is poised to potentially redefine how events are organized, how athletes are compensated, and how the sport's economic benefits are distributed.
Commercialization and "McDojos": The Double-Edged Sword
With Jiu Jitsu's growing popularity, the commercialization of the art became inevitable. Like karate's evolution into "mcdojos," some Jiu Jitsu schools began prioritizing profit over proficiency. The conundrum most martial arts school owners face is that pedestrian students don’t know what is considered good or bad technique and thus regardless of what they show they can make a profit. Therefore, many instructors opt to focus on growing the business even if it means allowing the quality of the classes to drop over time. After all, why would an instructor invest valuable time and energy into constantly improving their class structure if it didn’t necessarily mean they would make more money?
Characteristics of McDojos:
Hidden Fees Everywhere: Charging for belt promotions, mandating academy gear purchases, application fees, etc.
Time-Based Promotion: Promoting students based on class check-ins, instead of competence.
Fake Ranks: Adults are awarded the “green belt,” a fictitious belt between white and blue that is meant to signify a student is improving but isn’t quite at blue belt level yet. This is a predatory way for some schools to squeeze out an extra $50-$150 per student.
Lack of Quality Instruction: Focusing on profit rather than providing genuine, high-quality training.
No Cross-Training: Not allowing cross-training with other schools.
Uniform Requirements: The school requires students to wear their branded uniform.
No Leg Locks: The school does not allow leg locks because “they are too dangerous.” Students from these schools learn an incomplete martial art with massive holes that are easy for modern grapplers to exploit.
Instructor Doesn’t Spar: The able-bodied instructor (without any serious injuries) doesn’t spar with students.
Cult Following: The instructor has a cult-like following from his students.
Instructor Dating Students: Your instructor has a habit of dating students.
Useless Seminars: Gym staff pressuring you to spend money on expensive seminars from old martial arts “celebrities.”
To counter these trends, practitioners and prospective students should seek out gyms that emphasize quality instruction, transparent fee structures, and an inclusive training environment.
The Digital Revolution: Global Access to Elite Jiu Jitsu Instruction
Key figures such as John Danaher and Gordon Ryan have significantly influenced the sport's landscape with their analytical and methodical approaches to both training and competition. Danaher's emphasis on technical precision and Ryan's competitive success underscore the importance of a systematic approach to mastering Jiu Jitsu.
Digital technology, especially instructional video courses, has transformed the sport. Innovators like Danaher and Ryan have utilized digital platforms to offer comprehensive analyses and techniques, making elite-level instruction accessible worldwide. This democratization of knowledge has accelerated the sport's growth and innovation, allowing practitioners to learn from the best regardless of geographic limitations.
YouTube channels, such as Less Impressed More Involved, play a critical role in this digital evolution. They provide not only techniques but also delve into the philosophies and subtleties of Jiu Jitsu, fostering a vibrant community of learners and practitioners. This platform has become a hub for sharing insights, feedback, and personal journeys, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
The integration of these modern elements has accelerated the sport's evolution by encouraging a culture of open exchange and innovation. This has led to unprecedented levels of technical advancement and creativity within the sport, making today's Jiu Jitsu more dynamic and diverse than ever before.
The Ecological Approach and Its Rising Influence
Greg Souders’ popularization of the ecological approach, specifically through the constraints-led approach (CLA), represents a latest trend in modern Jiu Jitsu that is having a profound impact. Traditional training methods characterized by static drilling are being supplanted by this dynamic and context-rich training philosophy. The ecological approach eschews the conventional breakdown of techniques into rigid steps, focusing instead on learning through immersion and interaction within real combat scenarios.
This approach emphasizes the continuous interplay between perceiving environmental cues and executing physical responses, crucial for success in live Jiu Jitsu scenarios. It encourages a more fluid integration of perception and action, fostering intuitive and adaptive responses that are essential for the unpredictable nature of actual combat. By prioritizing variability and adaptability in training settings, Souders’ methods prepare practitioners to face diverse combat situations with flexibility and tactical acumen.
The CLA harnesses the ecological dynamics of learning, where solutions emerge naturally as practitioners interact with changing and varied training setups. This method promotes a deeper, more practical understanding of Jiu Jitsu, enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion
Jiu Jitsu's journey in America reflects the broader story of martial arts adaptation and commercialization. From traditional dojos to competitive arenas, and the rise of "mcdojos," Jiu Jitsu has evolved to fit the American landscape. Yet, it remains rooted in its core principles of efficiency and strategic finesse.
Looking to the future, several emerging trends and innovations promise to shape the continued evolution of Jiu Jitsu. The integration of new training methodologies, such as the ecological approach, emphasizes adaptive learning through realistic combat scenarios. This trend is likely to influence both recreational and competitive training, fostering more intuitive and responsive practitioners.
Technological advancements, particularly in digital education, will continue to democratize access to high-level Jiu Jitsu instruction. Platforms offering detailed instructional videos and interactive content enable practitioners worldwide to learn from the best, regardless of geographical limitations. This digital revolution is set to further accelerate the sport's global growth and innovation.
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