Academy of Combat: Christchurch Martial Arts

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a rapidly growing, combat oriented style of martial art. It is a grappling based system, but unlike Olympic wrestling where the object is to pin one's adversary or gain points, the goal here is to apply a joint lock or choke, forcing the opponent into submission

The rise of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in the world of martial arts has been a phenomenal one; partly due to the unparalleled success of several Brazilian trained fighters in 'No-rules' mixed martial arts fight events staged in the USA and Japan. The Brazilian's, having come up against much larger, stronger and very experienced martial artists, fighters and kick-boxers, seemed to win effortlessly by taking the fight to the ground and employing superior ground-skills and submission techniques.

In the USA, people are queuing up to be a part of this new martial arts phenomenon. A part of the appeal is the amazing level of effectiveness that BJJ has in 'real' fight situations. The 'take 'em down and choke 'em out' style, has shattered many martial arts myths, and continues to do so. If it's no-nonsense, highly useable skills that you are after, this system is definitely what you need. Machado BJJ is easy and fun to learn! It 'cuts to the chase'! It's hard core! It works!

The best thing about BJJ is that it enables you to completely dominate a larger and stronger opponent on the ground. As more than 90% of all real fights, end up on the ground, this skill is a must for anyone interested in a self defence system that works! Whether you need serious skills for your professional work, as do the Victorian Police Special Operations Group and New Zealand Police Force; or if you need no-nonsense street-friendly skills for security work; or perhaps you just want to know you have what it takes to defend yourself in today's world - then you won't find a better answer than BJJ.

Mixed martial arts has become a term synonymous with the hybrid fighting systems that have developed with the emergence of the “no rules” fighting competitions initiated by the Brazilians coming to the West. The most successful mixed martial arts systems use a combination of a striking discipline such as boxing or Thai boxing (Muay Thai) together with a grappling system, predominantly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. The resultant system provides a fighting discipline that covers all striking ranges through to ground submission, thereby, providing an extremely efficient and practical method of self-defense.

The history of mixed martial arts really began with the challenge matches fought against all-comers by Japanese Jiu Jitsu expert Maeda in the early 1900s. Maeda was a very innovative student of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo and had come to the USA to try and establish judo in the USA. Experiencing a great deal of prejudice against the Japanese he emigrated to Brazil from where he often fought challenge matches against all-comers around the world. It was his involvement in these challenge matches that led him to modify many of the techniques of judo so that they became more practical and useful in real fights, Maeda insisted on calling his method Jiu Jitsu.

Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian of Scottish descent, befriended and helped Maeda. In return for his assistance Maeda offered to teach Gastao's sons Jiu Jitsu. Gracie family embraced the art with a fanatical fervour, becoming very proficient, developing their own techniques and modifications and challenging other martial art styles to test the skill. In order to determine the strongest fighting method Vale Tudo, meaning " anything goes", matches were held in which striking and grappling were permitted. The Gracie family's method of Jiu Jitsu triumphed and continued to develop and grow in popularity.

Maeda's involvement with the Gracie Brothers was probably no more than four years due to his commitments for establishing a Japanese colony. It would appear that the bulk of the technique and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was developed and discovered by the Gracies themselves over the years. The training methodology philosophy and strategies for the use of Jiu Jitsu in real combat imparted by Maeda formed a very strong foundation for the development of this extremely practical fighting method.

Flying armbar

Butterfly sweep

Crucifix Lapel Choke

...Since I left New Zealand I spent 3 years in Japan training with high level MMA and BJJ names like Shinya Aoki (No.2 ranked lightweight in the world, Shooto world champion, Deep champion, Dream Champion, BJJ black belt etc) Satoru Kitaoka (Sengoku world champion), Masanori Kanehara (Dream world champion) and Dai Yoshioka (BJJ mundials blackbelt world champion) and found the training I received from Geoff held me in good stead.

Although I never competed in MMA again I've found success as a grappler including multiple medals in various high profile BJJ tournaments in Tokyo up to Purple Belt level. The highlight so far was representing Great Britain at the World Grappling Games in Turkey in 2007. I am currently based in London and train out of the London Shootfighters gym which boasts some of the top grapplers in the UK as well as several top UFC prospects.

The whole point of this is to say that without you guys I never could have done any of this and my life would definitely not have been as rewarding as it has been. Win or lose MMA/BJJ has taught me to aim high, never give up and that every problem has a solution and for that I'm forever grateful.

-Bennet Jarvis (see Bennet's Past Fighter profile here)

I love it, the classes are fun people are friendly and always willing to help. The instructors are always happy to take the time to coach and assist your development.

-Jono Huntley

A hidden treasure in the heart of Christchurch. It would be difficult to find a more motivating environment. Thanks to Chief, Jason, Scott and crew.

-David Williams

It will be the best thing you've ever done! They offer a lot and you get back a lot. It's great.

-Luke Johnson