Jiu-Jitsu was developed as a system of self-defense on the battlefields of ancient Japan. In 1914 Jiu-Jitsu Master Esai Maeda immigrated to Brazil and taught his art to Carlos and Helio Gracie.

Helio Gracie refined the art to match his small size and the two set out to prove the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in early MMA fights in Brazil. This samurai spirit made its way to America in the early 90’s through the Gracie Challenge and UFC.

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Using submission holds, defensive positioning, and leverage, Royce Gracie defeated all his opponents to become the first UFC champion. Since then Jiu-Jitsu has become the most popular martial art on the planet and is practiced by men, women, and children of all age levels.

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At Team Haanpaa Martial Arts we offer the martial art with more benefits than any other. It is a martial art system that utilizes body leverage and ground fighting techniques to better position yourself for submissions, strikes, or to simply get away safely.