The history of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Belt System

Professor Pedro Valente on the history of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Belt System and the method currently used at Valente Brothers.
Valente Brothers acknowledges and respects the fact that today, Jiu-Jitsu federations and many academies utilize different systems both for adult and youth students.

[josealfonso]

Thanks Pedro, I was your student when you used to give class at the University of Miami and at the school in the 72 Ave Miami, Senator Miguel Diaz De La Portilla used to train with us.
You are one of the

[bjhus]

This was amazing. We need a history of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu book written by Pedro Valente, his knowledge is unreal.

[Kimuramiami]

Very well spoken and knowledgeable. The Valente's are a class act.

[LiveGrappling]

Very well spoken and even better explained

[christopherlins]

Eu sei bastante sobre a história do Judô e do Jiu Jitsu, mas enriqueci meus conhecimentos com riqueza de detalhes. Parabéns Professor Pedro Valente.

[zoltancaputo]

Oss, i have 13 years practicing BJJ Gracie System. It's amazing. Tks for the all Gracie Family.

[propositionjohnston]

This fellow is more articulate than other Jiu Jitsu practitioners! Nicely explained!

[ChesterfieldSelfDefence]

Thank you Pedro and Gui Valente. This will help me a lot in studying Gjj with you both.

[chicodecoster]

Thank you for sharing so much historical information.

[fbgeorgiew]

One of the coolest videos I've ever seen, I hope there will be more lectures about history of BJJ.

[santannakarate]

um dos melhores professor de BJJ do mundo. Pedro valente. Com esse ate eu treinaria.

[utubepunk]

Awesome history lesson. Very insightful. Would like to hear & understand how classes were organized & taught back then compared to today. It was hinted at here, but would love the deep dive. Thanks!

[thiagodunadan]

I love the idea of fights with no point system. I see no problem with a fight ending in a draw.

[barrettokarate]

They mostly likely came from Brazilian judo clubs. In Brazilian judo, the 3 highest belts (not including the “master” or “grandmaster” belts) are purple, brown, and black belt. In the video Valente 8:30 says that in Brazil, judo clubs added grey belt in the 1990’s and that the color was eventually also added to BJJ’s junior ranks. So, chances are that when the federation was formed the new belt system was probably inspired by the Brazilian judo belt system also.

[chrischurch]

As a (more patient) American, I agree with that. Immediate gratification is a weakness for many.

[bloodriotiori]

This is part of why i love GJJ, i have yet to run into any other style that requires you to put in the level of dedication and have the level of skill to advance each belt as GJJ does. So many schools are belt factories. At any legit GJJ school you have to work your ass off to get to advance! Unlike so many other schools, it doesn't even become about the belt anymore, it becomes about refining your skills, and that's why i love it!

[MrMZaccone]

Thanks for that. I had meant to research that but had forgotten some of the relevant names involved.

[Quach]

I developed a belt system for my tennis club from the video game International Karate for the Commodore 64. Seriously.

[tackyc]

If your gonna talk about the history of jujitsu belts I think it’s important to mention Francisco Mansour. In pretty sure he was one of the people the helped shape the belt system that we use today

[barrettokarate]

Only a very small handful of instructors still use the black belt with the white bar. Royce Gracie is one, and I think Crosley Gracie uses it or may have used it in the past, but I’m not sure about him. But Royce definitely still uses it.