brazilian jiu-jitsu, bjj, was created when the famous gracie family learned the fundamentals of kodokan judo, and adapted the style into a sport - the concept of the activity is to teach a smaller individual to defend themself with leverage and technique.

rorion gracie along with his brothers rickson, royce and royler  came to the united states in the early 1980s and started holding the 'gracie challenges' - these challenges were open invitations to anyone interested in competing against the gracie brothers in 'vale tudo' (anything goes) matches.

the competitors were offered $100,000 for defeating any of the brothers in these matches - this gave the brothers an instant name in the martial arts community.