Brazilian Jiu Jitsu shocked America in 1993 when a 180lb Brazilian named Royce Gracie was submitting opponents in the first Ultimate Fighting Championships. People were shocked that such a small man could take down opponents twice his size and submit them using chokes, arm locks, leg locks etc.
That started a new wave in martial arts and suddenly people were starting to understand that a good ground martial art was essential. The Gracie family headed by Grand Master Helio Gracie the father and his four sons Rorion, Rickson, Royce and Royler started a challenge that would change American martial arts forever!
The Gracie family challenged any martial art style or system to come challenge any Gracie in fight at their martial arts academies in California. It wasn't long before everyone realized that this art was phenomenal and had some type of magic to it. The magic was that a much smaller person could control a much larger person based on body positioning and leverage over strength. There are submissions to render your opponent useless in a gentle way from any position on the ground.
By the end of the 90's the popularity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu had exploded because of the exposure of the UFC. Today Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a very popular martial art and sport in America. Almost every serious martial artist now days does some type of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
THE BLAST Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association is certified by 4 Time World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Marcello C. Monteiro. Marcello shows the way of BJJ with the Gi (uniform) and without the Gi (no uniform). Marcello came from Brazil in 2004 and he is THE BLAST head instructor Mike Vaughn's, coach and instructor. Marcello is in Wisconsin once every two months to update our curriculum and progress students in rank. We use BJJ for BJJ competition or ground self defense our Mixed Martial Arts program and our Reality Jeet Kune Do Street Self Defense Association.
Our goal is to show you as the student the Brazilian way of ground fighting and give you a chance to learn such a sophisticated martial art.