[Pxtl]

> Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was born in the favelas

The article paints a very different picture, an upper-class family dynasty developing the martial art.

[sanoli]

No, it was not born in the favelas. The article is right. The Gracies were never poor and never lived in favelas. I'm a Brazilian with a pretty good knowledge of BJJ history (my father watched Helio's fights, etc).

[vetler]

Yes, he is mistaken. BJJ is certainly practiced in favelas, and there are people who use it to give youths something to do, as a way to keep them away from crime, drugs, etc.

See the Tererê Kids Project, for instance: http://fightland.vice.com/blog/social-change-through-jiu-jit...