bjj team

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to submit an attacker. The system is based on the ideal of a smaller, weaker person using leverage and proper technique to defend themselves from a bigger, stronger assailant. BJJ can be trained for self defense, sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition. Sparring and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came to prominence in the United States when Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships in the earlier 90s. It has since become a staple art for MMA fighters and is largely credited for bringing wide-spread attention to the importance of ground fighting. Sport BJJ tournaments continue to grow in popularity worldwide.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes taking an opponent to the ground and utilizing ground fighting techniques and submission holds involving joint-locks and chokeholds also found in numerous other arts with or without ground fighting emphasis. The premise is that most of the advantage of a larger, stronger opponent comes from superior reach and more powerful strikes, both of which are somewhat negated when grappling on the ground.

BJJ permits a wide variety of techniques to take the fight to the ground after taking a grip. Once the opponent is on the ground, a number of maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) are available to manipulate the opponent into a suitable position for the application of a submission technique. This system of maneuvering and manipulation can be likened to a form of kinetic chess when utilized by two experienced practitioners. A submission hold is the equivalent of checkmate in the sport

Coaches

Ian Malone - is a BJJ brown belt and multiple time gold and silver medallist at the UK tournaments. Ian has been coaching the kids BJJ class at The Faktory since July 2009 and training and competing in BJJ for 7 years. Ian also coaches at Gracie Barra Newcastle and has also competed in Muay Thai, K1 and professional M.M.A.

Hywel Teague - is a BJJ purple belt and previously coached at Straight Blast Gym Manchester, considered one of the best gyms in the country. Hywel is a well known industry expert, responsible for editing Fighters Only magazine and has been around the fight game for almost ten years.