Grappling, in hand-to-hand combat, describes sports that consist of gripping or seizing the opponent. Grappling is used at close range to gain a physical advantage over an opponent, either by imposing a position or causing injury. Grappling is a broad term that encompasses many disciplines. These various martial arts can be practiced both as combat sports and for self-defense. Grappling contests often involve takedowns and ground control, and may end when a contestant concedes defeat, also known as a submission or tap out.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport based on ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one's opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.
Vale Tudo, also known No Holds Barred (NHB) in the United States, is an unarmed, full-contact combat sport with relatively few rules. It became popular in Brazil during the 20th century and would eventually evolve into modern Mixed martial arts (MMA). For years "Vale Tudo" was used as a synonym for MMA in Brazil, but the term fell into disuse due to the emergence of stricter rules and the influence of the media to have a more "civilized" name. It is now used to refer to an early, more rules-free stage of the modern sport.
Edgar A. Bravo is an American martial arts instructor, podcaster, stand-up comedian, and musician. After earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003, Bravo began teaching his own self-developed style of jiu-jitsu and founded 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. He is also the creator of the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) grappling competition and the EBI ruleset. He is a recurring guest on The Joe Rogan Experience and the Tin Foil Hat Podcast.
The Gracie Family is a prominent martial arts family from Rio de Janeiro Brazil, known for their creation of the self-defense martial arts system of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu also known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Relson "Campeão" Gracie is a professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter and martial arts personality. He is a member of the Gracie family. Relson currently lives alternatively in Hawaii and Brazil where he still teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu and Rio de Janeiro. There are many Relson Gracie affiliated academies and associations throughout the U.S. which keep him traveling regularly.
Jake Sequoyah Shields is an American mixed martial artist, currently fighting in the welterweight division of the PFL. He was the last Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Champion, the only Elite XC Welterweight Champion, a former Shooto Welterweight Champion and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. He also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) challenging Georges St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Professor Leonardo "The Wizard" Xavier was born on January 3, 1976, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the age of 5, Leo ventured into his first martial art, taking judo in school. At the age of 13 Leo began to take Tae Kwon Do classes. Finally, at the age of 15 a friend introduced him to Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Marco Alvan is the head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor for Team Link in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Alvan already graduated several students to the rank of Black Belt Ricardo Funch, Brian American, Ron Kieltika, Adailton Reis, Philipe Dixon, Eric Marandino, Tony Lacaprucia, Bruno Rodrigues, Brent Kimberger.
Kron Gracie is a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist and grappler. He is a member of the Gracie family; his father is Rickson and his grandfather is Hélio. He is currently under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has fought for Rizin Fighting Federation. His nickname “Ice Cream Kron” was coined due to his calm demeanor when fighting.
Hillary Williams is an American grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.
Ricardo “Animal” Migliarese is an American born professional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler and a 5th degree Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt with approximately 20 years of experience in BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts. A World and Pan-Am Champion, Rick is a trainer, training partner and coach to UFC and MMA fighters as well as other World and Pan-Am Champions. He currently lives in Philadelphia, PA where he teaches at Balance Studios which he co-owns with his brother, Phil Migliarese. Rick is also one of the co-founders/co-owners of Matrix Fights Promotion Company.
Tim Carpenter is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in 2012.
ZenQuest Martial Arts Center, formerly called the Okinawan Karate School, is a martial arts school located in Lenox, Massachusetts. The oldest martial arts school in Berkshire County, it was founded in 1972 as a dojo for Uechi-ryu karate. The school since expanded to include other martial arts, and currently provides instruction in Shohei-ryu karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, kobudo, and self-defense, and is the fastest growing martial arts community in Berkshire County. The school also contains a store which provides equipment, gear, and instructional media. It is affiliated with the Okinawan Karatedo Association, Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu Association, and Team Sityodtong Boston, and is accredited by the North American Grappling Association. ZenQuest has received significant coverage by regional and local media in Berkshire County, including The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshires' Best Buys, Business, and Beyond, and Pittsfield Cable Television, for its regular youth tournaments and seminars with high-ranking officials from the school's parent organizations.
Antonio Ricardo Jardim Libório is widely regarded in Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) as one of the top black belts produced by Grand Master Carlson Gracie, and an icon of the sport. He is the co-founder of American Top Team (ATT) and Brazilian Top Team (BTT), the founder and CEO of Martial Arts Nation and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Institute (IBJJI), and also a professor of BJJ at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
Mariusz Ryszard Linke is a Polish professional mixed martial artist and grappler who is most notable for being the first Polish born black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the highest ranking active Polish judoka and BJJ practitioner in both mixed martial arts and grappling, and one of the most decorated grapplers in Poland. He is also the first Polish grappler to travel to Brazil and receive training under a Gracie trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Linke has notably competed in the European Championship, NAGA, Grapplers Quest, ADCC and the Pan American Games. Linke is currently in talks with top Polish promotion Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki to negotiate a 2 fight contract to close out his mixed martial arts career by the end of 2015, Linke has stated despite retiring from fighting he will still continue his grappling career and is rumored to be in the 2014 ADCC Polish Trials to enter the 2015 ADCC World Championship.
Neiman Gracie Stambowsky is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner who competes in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional MMA competitor since 2013, he has also previously fought for the World Series of Fighting. He is a 4th generation member of the Gracie Family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. As of April 6, 2021, he is #4 in the Bellator Welterweight Rankings.
Luta Livre, known in Brazil as Luta Livre Brasileira or Luta Livre Submission, and also Brazilian Submission Wrestling, is a Brazilian martial arts and combat sport created by Euclydes Hatem in Rio de Janeiro. Primarily a mixture of catch wrestling and kosen judo, there is also striking with the hands, feet, knees and elbows. Notable practitioners include Marco Ruas, Ebenezer Fontes Braga, Johil de Oliveira, Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Renato Sobral, Gesias Cavalcante, Pedro Rizzo Darren Till and José Aldo.
Ryan James Gruhn is an American Martial Artist, MMA Coach, Dog Brother and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt.
