After the success in Brazil and Japan, the documentary “From the Samurai to MMA, 500 years of fighting” is finally available in Amazon Prime video to the USA and UK (version with subtitles or dubbed).

The series traces the history of Jiu Jitsu from feudal Japan, through the revolution started by Jigoro Kano, Mitsuyo Maeda and then by the Gracie family in Brazil, to the popularization of the sport around the world through the creation of UFC.

Divided into 5 chapters of 30 minutes, the story is narrated by protagonists and renowned historians. Royce Gracie, Marco Ruas, João Alberto Barreto, Art Davie, Rodrigo Minotauro, Renzo Gracie, Demian Maia, Reila Gracie, Pedro Valente, Royler Gracie, Fabio Gurgel, Mo Jassim and Yuki Nakai are among the 54 characters interviewed in the documentary.

Created by the journalist Marcelo Alonso to Combate channel, the serie shows in detail the importance of the Gracie Dynasty and its main disciples and opponents in the construction of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

“I have no doubt that It´s the most complete documentary ever made about the origins of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA”, said master João Alberto Barreto, red belt of Helio Gracie, after the cinema release premiere in Brazil on 2023. First UFC champion in middleweight division, Murilo Bustamante, were also present. “Anyone who lives from Jiu-Jitsu or MMA must learns about the origins of the sport”.

The 2022/2023 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour and AJP Tour has whisked us away to the vibrant city of Miami. We began our journey in the United States on September 16 and 17, amidst the pulsating energy of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. Before setting foot on the west coast, our cameras delve into the intensive preparation regimes of athletes in California, recognized as the contemporary mecca of jiu-jitsu.

With its breathtaking coastline embracing enchanting beaches, California not only allures thousands of jiu-jitsu enthusiasts with its congenial climate and dynamic lifestyle but also houses prominent gyms and elite athletes in the discipline. Our documentary takes you through the revered halls of Checkmat HQ in Long Beach, Atos HQ, Alliance in San Diego, Fight Sports and Champion fit in Miami, providing an exclusive sneak peek into the sanctuaries where jiu-jitsu maestros hone their craft. As we traverse the nation to arrive in Miami, the host city for this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, witness athletes in their element, tweaking their techniques and shedding the extra pounds in the lead-up to the weigh-in during championship week.

Embark on a day in the sun-soaked life of Miami with Roosevelt Sousa and Lucas Lira, as our lens captures the ethos of the Magic City. The documentary offers unfettered access to behind-the-scene moments and encapsulates the electrifying highlights of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Miami 2023. CLICK HERE and revel in the experience!

Director Dan Lewis just released the feature film Jiu-Jitsu vs. the World on youtube.

In 95 minutes, the documentary aims to explain the Jiu-Jitsu phenomenon as it continues to sweep the planet.

Lewis and his crew interviewed people like Renzo Gracie, Eddie Bravo, Roberto Cyborg, Kurt Osiander, Fabio Santos, the Valente Brothers, among many others, and they were able to paint a very clear picture of what the gentle art is all about.

Based on their comments, we listed 10 lessons people will learn about BJJ.

See if you agree with it and, of course, watch the film.

1. Jiu-Jitsu is for everybody and everyone should try it

2. Jiu-Jitsu will change your life (and sometimes save it too)

3. Jiu-Jitsu is tough and you’ll never stop learning

4. Jiu-Jitsu will put you in the best shape of your life

5. Jiu-Jitsu will help you deal with life’s frustrations and also help you tame your inner demons

6. Jiu-Jitsu will give you the best friends you’ll have in life.

7. Jiu-Jitsu will empower the weak and straighten the wicked

8. Jiu-Jitsu will give you the tools and the confidence to defend yourself if you ever need to

9. Jiu-Jitsu will show you everyday that you are as good as how much work you put in it

10. Jiu-Jitsu is the best thing ever and you’ll fall in love it (if you manage to endure the first year).

For the current white belts, learning what others go through may alleviate the growing pains involved with starting out on your Jiu-Jitsu Journey.

In this documentary, a white belt named Chirag Dave from Toronto prepares for an upcoming tournament. Check out how he trains and how he fares at the competition:

Dan Lewis is preparing a documentary about the Jiu-Jitsu movement in Southern California.

Take a look in the trailer he put together.

The full length film will be released soon.

Garry Tonon vs. Kron Gracie at the 2013 ADCC

“The History of Submission Fighting” is about the history and origins of grappling in its many forms from the ancient Olympics to what it is today. The roots of the grappling martial arts such as Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are investigated. The film ends with the present day Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Championships considered to be the Olympics of Submission Fighting.

The ADCC World Submission Fighting Championships was the idea and creation of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Tahnoon’s plan was perhaps harder to accomplish but even more rewarding as after the implementation of his plan, he had not only created one of the best grappling tournament in the World, but in that process he created a whole new fighting modality: Submission Fighting. The creation of the ADCC, now in its 11th edition to be held in 2015 has become the beacon of a new generation and a new sport.

The documentary, which is produced by MoZak Productions, also covers the creation of the event by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the early days of ADCC, its competitors and its evolution into one of the greatest grappling event on Earth that in effect revolutionized grappling as we know it today.

UAE National Mohammed Al Hosani, Executive Producer of the project, says “Martial Arts has set me on paths I have not even imagined. I always found myself representing the arts in mediums I did not have previous experience in and this one is no different. My passion drives me to promote the things I love no matter where and how I do it. I am doing this movie for my country, for the person I look up to, for the martial arts/sports I am passionate about, and to help document one of the greatest stories to ever come out of the martial arts world. Hopefully, I succeed in raising awareness to an art that has changed the way of life of many of the youth in the UAE and the rest of the world.”

Action Sports Director Extraordinaire Bobby Razak shares Mohammed’s excitement towards this project and believes it will change the way people look at submission fighting and moviemaking in this specific genre. He says “I have always been a martial arts addict since I was a young boy in England and I started making movies about Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), but this will be the first time I delve more specifically into the submission aspect of MMA and I look forward to tell this amazing story to many people around the world. I am sure it will be the main source of history for anyone wanting to learn more about the art of Submission Fighting and the role of Abu Dhabi in the rise of the sport.”

Watch below the official trailer for the documentary released on Monday, October 20th, that will set the stage and expectations for its premier in the fall of 2015.

The Reem Returns is the latest episode of the highly-anticipated online web documentary that follows UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem. In the Season 3 premier, cameras follow Overeem on his journey to try and become the best heavyweight fighter in the world and capture the UFC heavyweight title.

GRACIEMAG.com brings you the video in the player above, courtesy of Authentic Sports Management.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section