From Deseret News archives:
Jiu-jitsu builds self-confidence
Brazilian martial art is driving force behind UFC
What people may not realize is that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a crucial driving force behind the increasingly popular Ultimate Fighting Championship.
UFC has stormed the mainstream sporting scene in recent years and is currently challenging boxing for the throne of fighting entertainment. The ESPN franchise has recently given UFC coverage on its networks and Web site, to the chagrin of many in the boxing industry.
The appeal of UFC, as opposed to boxing, is widespread. It's faster; it's more exciting; it involves all forms of fighting and maybe most importantly, it's not tainted by scandal and corruption.
"Boxing is like a controlled mafia thing, where people might throw a fight," said Eddie Edmunds, head instructor of the Fusion Academy of Brazilian jiu-hitsu in Salt Lake. "In UFC you have no idea who's going to win, it's much more exciting."
Edmunds has been training martial arts all his life and opened the Fusion Academy in Salt Lake four years ago to teach the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu teaches one to use their opponents' weight against them. It's an art of ground grappling, choke holds and submissions. Anyone who has ever taken in a match of UFC would recognize this right away as many fighters try to take their opponents directly to the ground, especially if the opponent is bigger or has a longer reach, as opposed to exchanging blows in hope of a knockout.
When UFC first started, if a fighter knew jiu-jitsu and his opponent didn't, well it was essentially over like fish out of water, once they were on the ground. That's why you'll be hard-pressed to find any fighters in UFC today without at least some training in jiu-jitsu.
Edmunds' academy isn't a bloodbath filled with students blasting one another alla UFC, however. These students aren't training to become the next Chuck Liddell or Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. In fact, Edmunds doesn't even teach students how to strike until years down the road.
"We don't teach strikes; we teach how to defend them," emphasized Edmunds.
Edmunds' purpose in teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu is, really, the same purpose it was created in the first place self defense.
Recent comments
BJJ is for all ages! Its great self defence or just self confidence,...
J Stone | Aug. 13, 2007 at 8:06 p.m.
I want to get my son in this. He takes karate now but its no contact....
Diaper Daddy | Aug. 10, 2007 at 10:16 p.m.
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