The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization

By: Robert Drysdale

Narrated by: David Morden

In this new addition to the history of BJJ, multiple time World Champion and the author of the best-seller Opening Closed Guard, Robert Drysdale explores the history of jiu-jitsu by concentrating on the major events and characters that were responsible for turning BJJ into a global phenomenon.

The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is divided into four parts, or four waves of practitioners (1934-1967, 1967-1993, 1993-2007, and 2007-present) as these practitioners were exposed to different brands of jiu-jitsu as the art evolved over time, in both cultural and technical terms.

For this, the author takes a dive into the importance of vale-tudo in shaping the Gracie fighting system away from judo and into a more reality-based approach to combat. It also investigates jiu-jitsu’s continuous evolution inside its first federation, as well as how the family feud between Helio and Carlson Gracie played a vital role in this evolutionary process.

Furthermore, the book discusses the importance of the brotherly rivalry between Carlson and Rolls Gracie as setting the foundation for jiu-jitsu to evolve from its previous form into the brand of jiu-jitsu practiced by millions of people around the world today. According to the author, it was Carlson’s role in insisting on a competition-oriented approach to jiu-jitsu, open to all, that breathed life into the brand of jiu-jitsu that took the world by storm after the rise of Royce Gracie and the UFC in 1993. For these and other reasons discussed in the present work, the author places Carlson at the center of this history as the father of modern BJJ and MMA.

Lastly, this book discusses the struggles and importance of Carlos Gracie Jr. and the IBJJF in giving jiu-jitsu structure, shape, and professional credibility at a time where it was under threat of becoming simply another fad. The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also discusses the greatest challenges the art faces today, as its popularity carries with it problems that threaten to fragment precisely some of the qualities that set jiu-jitsu apart from other martial arts to begin with.

BJJ has conquered the martial-arts world, yet its history remains only half told. Its rise and evolution are a captivating story of resilience, courage, rivalries, and ambition that, ultimately, led to the prestige and popularity it enjoys today. This book is about this story and its main protagonists.

About the author: Robert Drysdale is the only American to have ever won the IBJJF Gi World Championships and the ADCC (the two most prestigious jiu-jitsu tournaments in the world) as well as having fought MMA successfully. He has also trained multiple UFC champions and BJJ World Champions. He is the co-founder of the Zenith BJJ team and the author of the best-seller Opening Closed Guard. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history, and lives with his two daughters in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he teaches daily.

©2023 Robert Drysdale (P)2023 Robert Drysdale

very informative

brought alot of light to an otherwise blurry subject . I enjoyed it very much

Interesting and important piece of the puzzle.

Easier to follow than the former book. Present a lot of ideas and characters that aren't usually brought up.

Love it!

Very insightful history of BJJ! Most practitioners are unfamiliar of where we come from as a martial art. This clears a lot of things up!

Another winner about the history of BJJ!

This is another great book about the history of BJJ from author Robert Drysdale! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this history of Carlson Gracie and I hope there are many more books like this to come!

So thankful for this book!

Assuming author’s honesty, this is an excellent review of the history of jiu jitsu. I appreciate all the interviews with so many legends of the sport and art we love. Very controversial book indeed. But the author has lots of evidence to support his claims. I also liked the final thoughts on the future of bjj. So many things to think about thanks to Mr. Robert Drysdale. Thank you sir for this excellent book!

Excellent book about the History of BJJ

I like the author’s focus on Carlson Gracie. Most of my BJJ training has been Carlson Gracie linage. So to learn more about the Carlson Gracie team’s history was of great interest to me.

Excellent and Necessary

With BJJ being relatively new and exploding from being once a small niche, historical books like this that get perspectives from legends from the early generation are priceless. Despite training for over a decade and being greatly interested in the topic, this book provides a lot of new information to me.

Best BJJ book ever made

Robert has made a masterpiece of a book for us geeky grapplers. Drysdale takes us through the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu focusing on the story of Carlson Gracie since he was undoubtedly a pioneer of the art and a very interesting person overall. I train under a Carlson Gracie affiliate and was thrilled to read a book that brings to light all the stories I’ve been hearing throughout my bjj career, specially the BTT split. I’m now impartial in the matter and understand both sides as right and wrong.

As a history buff, I also appreciate the passion Robert brings into the subject since he also hives his own opinions on various topics and facts too since he’s also a living legend of bjj. The book also contains tons of interviews with legends from Carlson Jr. to Murilo Bustamante. Overall amazing book.

Finally an (almost) complete history of BJJ

I’ve read a few books about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and more documentaries and videos than I can count, and this by far is the closest thing to a complete history. I say almost because there is always a little piece that will be missing in just about any account.

Drysdale’s work is akin to a well researched and well argued academic work made accessible to the lay reader. Although his adoration of Carlson is obvious (he doesn’t try to hide it), at no point did I feel it colored his views. He gives everyone in this historical saga their due credit while also laying criticism where necessary and without sugar coating.

I’m a purple belt and I’ve been training BJJ for a very short six years, so, my own knowledge of the art and its history is limited. But I’m also a life long learner and a lover of critical discourse, careful reasoning, sound logic, and backing up one’s arguments with evidence. And that is why I love this book. Regardless of which camp we fall into, there is much for all of us to learn from this phenomenal work of scholarship and love.

Repeated several lines

Seemed to be a one sided view and very biased opinion on the history of Jiu Jitsu in Brazil.