"Fat Chance!" This was exactly my reaction as I watched a K-1 bout between Royce Gracie and Akebono (Japan’s Sumo Grand Champion) replay at a local sports channel. I admit that I didn’t know much about Gracie and his fighting style at that time, but he was up against a 6 foot 8 inches monster weighing 484 pounds! Compared to his 6 foot and 176 pound frame, chances are…. There is no chance! Right? Wrong! Just as Akebono took down Royce to the ground, Royce, pronounced as Hoyce by the way, grabbed Akebono’s Arm and forced the 484-pound monster to throw in the towel with an armbar! It was David and Goliath all over again! Just by then, I became an avid supporter of Royce Gracie and his fighting style of Gracie Jiu jitsu (also known as Brazilian jiu jitsu).

The Gracie style of jiu jitsu is the "hottest" item in mixed martial arts today. Carlos Gracie, who was a keen student of the traditional Japanese jiu jitsu under the great Japanese champion, Mitsuyo Maeda (known in Brazil as Conde Koma or the "Count of Combat"), created the Gracie Style of Jiu Jitsu to meet the demands of real, "no rules" fighting in the streets of Brazil during the early part of the century. Revising the style of jiu jitsu however, was no easy task. Carlos had to redefine his system to make it more effective by issuing an open challenge to just about anyone who’s willing, regardless of fighting styles, size, weight or musculature.

"IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR FACE BEATEN AND WELL SMASHED, YOUR ____ KICKED, AND YOUR ARMS BROKEN, CONTACT CARLOS GRACIE AT THIS ADDRESS . . . "

-- Brazilian newspaper ad, circa 1920s

This open challenge is a tradition of the Gracie family that has been passed down from generation to generation and the Gracies had proven this standing challenge for over 70 years creating a dynasty of great fighters; Rickson Gracie, Rolls Gracie and Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie just to name a few.

The Gracie Style of fighting is said to be the most effective fighting art today. So effective in fact, that this fighting style has been adapted by the FBI, Secret Service, Navy Seals, Army Rangers, Special Forces, CIA, and many other federal, state and local law enforcement professionals as part of their training.

So if you’re looking for a fighting art to be either a professional mixed martial arts fighter or just have the perfect tools for self-defense, the Gracie Style of jiu jitsu might just be the best fighting art for you. Dare to disagree? Pump some more irons and bring up the challenge to any of the Gracies.

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