Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art, combat sport, and a self-defense system that focuses on grappling (in the GI or NO GI) and especially ground fighting. Brazilian jiujitsu was formed from early 20th century Kodokan Judo ground fighting (Ne-Waza) fundamentals that were taught to Carlos Gracie by master Mitsuyo Maeda. (Our lineage = Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Sensei Edson Carvalho). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu eventually came to be its own art through the experimentations, practices, and adaptation from the Judo knowledge of Carlos and Hélio Gracie (the founding fathers). 
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BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique, by taking the fight to the ground, most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person.

There are now two categories of Jiu-Jitsu. Sport Jiu-Jitsu, where you see tournaments and academies and students training for competition. The goal in Sport Jiu-Jitsu is to win by submission or by points. The other side of Jiu-Jitsu is called Self Defense Jiu-Jitsu, where the focus is mainly self-protection of encounters that might happen in the street.  

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system is a means of signifying a practitioner’s increasing levels of technical knowledge and practical skill within the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Colored belts that are worn as part of the uniform are awarded to the practitioner. While the ranking system's structure shares its origins with the Judo ranking system and that of all colored martial arts belts, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system grew to incorporate unique aspects and themes.

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The system has minor differences from Judo in areas such as a division between youths and adults and the issuance of stripes and degrees. Some distinct differences have become synonymous with the art, such as a marked informality in promotional criteria, a focus on a competitive demonstration of skill, and a conservative approach to promotion.

What is BJJ

​The importance and effectiveness of using Jiu Jitsu as a self-defense martial art, a person should never go out looking to test their skills. Violence should only come as a last resort and only when other options have been exhausted.