In the past, martial arts enthusiasts could only speculate on the effectiveness of various styles. Thankfully, the sport of MMA made tremendous strides in the 90's and has given martial artists around the world, the opportunity to watch various styles compete against one another.
In the beginning stages of MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu immediately stood out from the other fighting arts, thanks to the Gracie family, and their dominance in the early stages of the sport.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu standout, Royce Gracie, won the first two UFC events, finishing every man he faced inside the Octagon. When practitioners from other styles had their shot at BJJ, all seemed useless against a seasoned submission expert. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters were so dominant in the early stages of MMA; submissions are now an integral part of the sport.
BJJ is very effective because of the strong emphasis on submissions. The ability to finish a fight at any point is one of the best skills an MMA fighter can have. Anderson Silva's fifth round submission of Chael Sonnen at UFC 117, is a perfect example of an MMA fighter turning a fight around with a submission.
The level of control Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives you over your opponent is also unique to the martial art. You can render an opponent unconscious using BJJ techniques, without leaving a single bruise on the person. This characteristic of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu makes it a favorite amongst law enforcement officials.
The strong emphasis on rolling (sparring) also separates Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from the other martial arts. Rolling gives the practitioner the opportunity to utilize all he/she has learned, sharpening the person's submission skills.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is the dedication of the martial artist. A sloppy, poorly conditioned martial artist from any style wouldn't stand a chance against your regular neighborhood tough-guy in decent shape.
