In the mid-1800's in Japan, there were a large number of styles ("ryu") of jujutsu. Techniques varied between ryu, but generally included all manner of unarmed combat (strikes, throws, locks, chokes, wrestling, etc.) and very sophisticated schools of weapons training. One young but skilled master of a number of jujutsu styles, Jigoro Kano, founded his own ryu and created the martial art Judo (aka Kano-ryu jujutsu) in the 1880's. 

One of Kano's students was Mitsuo Maeda, who was also known as Count Koma ("Count of Combat"). Maeda emigrated to Brazil in 1914 due to having fallen out of favor with governmental officials. He was helped a great deal by the Brazilian politician Gastão Gracie, whose father George Gracie had emigrated to Brazil himself from Scotland. In gratitude for the assistance, Maeda taught jiu-jitsu to Gastao's son Carlos Gracie. Carlos in turn taught his brothers Osvaldo, Gastão Jr., Jorge, and Helio.

In 1925, Carlos and his brothers opened their first jiu-jitsu academy, and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was born in Brazil.

At this point, the base of techniques in BJJ was similar to those in Kano's Judo academy in Japan. As the years progressed, however, the brothers (notably Carlos and Helio) and their students refined their art via brutal no-rules fights, both in public challenges and on the street. Particularly notable was their willingness to fight outside of weight categories, permitting a skilled small fighter to attempt to defeat a much larger opponent.

They began to concentrate more and more on submission ground fighting, especially utilizing the guard position. This allowed a weaker man to defend against a stronger one, bide his time, and eventually emerge victorious.

In the 1970's, the undisputed jiu-jitsu champion in Brazil was Rolls Gracie. He had taken the techniques of jiu-jitsu to a new level. Although he was not a large man, his ability to apply leverage using all of his limbs was unprecedented. At this time the techniques of the open guard and its variants (spider guard, butterfly guard) became a part of BJJ. Rolls also developed the first point system for jiu-jitsu only competition. The competitions required wearing a gi, awarded points (but not total victories) for throws and takedowns, and awarded other points for achieving different ground positions (such as passing an opponent's guard). After Rolls' death in a hang-gliding accident, Rickson Gracie became the undisputed  champion. 

The MCFM BJJ program is an official affiliate of 6th degree Rickson Gracie black-belt, Pedro Sauer and is directly supervised by Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black-belt, Greg Nelson.

For more information: MCFM BJJ

MCFM BJJ Instructors
Mike Ellefson & Tim Mahedy

Tim, Professor Pedro Sauer & Mike

Tim Mahedy began martial arts training in 1997 studying Jeet Kune Do under Jeff Mitchell in Des Moines, IA.  This style combined the Filipino art Kali with, Muay Thai, Savate, and Wing Chun.   In 2000 he re-located to Wisconsin where he continued training in Mixed Martial Arts with Justin Morris, a black belt under Master Marcello Monteio head of the Mixed Martial Arts Black Belt Association.  Mr. Mahedy earned the rank of Brown belt in Mixed Martial Arts under the tutelage of Mr. Morris.  The focus of over half the training for Mixed Martial Arts is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Tim was hooked and focused his efforts on BJJ.  Tim is currently a blue-belt coach under 6th degree black belt, Professor Pedro Sauer.

Contact Tim Mahedy

Tim Performing an armbar

Mike Ellefson is the Chief Instructor of the Midwest Center for Movement and Aikido Bukou Dojos. He primarily practices and teaches Aikido. In 1998, Mike began studying Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in Rickson Gracie's organization.  Mike is a 4th degree black belt in Aikido, a 2nd degree black belt in Ryukyu Kempo, and holds rank in Judo, Shinbudo, and Shotokan Karate.  Mike is currently a blue belt coach under 6th degree Rickson Gracie black belt, Pedro Sauer.

Contact Mike Ellefson

Mike performing a triangle lock