Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the most advanced ground fighting system in the world. Refined by the Gracie family in Brazil in the early 1920's, they took the most effective movements from the Japanese style and made it into their own unique art. The focus is on finishing your opponent with a joint manipulation or a choke hold, and in gaining the positions to enable those submissions.

Rodrigo Vaghi brought Jiu Jitsu to St. Louis in 1996. An instructor at the original Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rodrigo has studied with the Gracie family for over 20 years. As a third degree black belt in the Rickson Gracie Association, he is the highest ranking representative. Rickson is recognized as the Gracie family champion.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gained popularity in the United States in 1993, when Royce Gracie won the Ultimate Fighting Championships beating opponents of all sizes using only Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Since then, the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts has increased dramatically, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been a fundamental part of each fighters game plan. If they aren't using Jiu Jitsu for offensive purposes, they must know how to defend against it, or they will lose.

Bryan Guidry has been studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Rodrigo Vaghi since 1998. Since then, he has gone on to place in many tournaments, including a 2nd place finish at the 2007 no-gi world championships and a 3rd place finish at the gi world championships in Brazil. He is undefeated in mixed martial arts events and currently holds the rank of 4th degree purple belt.