7 Pro wrestlers who train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most popular and evolved form of grappling, a quintessential element in mixed martial arts.
It is a ground fighting martial art and has a lot of applications based on the concept of leverage.
It focuses on a weaker person being able to defend themselves against a stronger opponent.
BJJ became a combat sport through the experiments, practices, and adaptation of judo through Carlos and Hélio Gracie.
Earlier, pro wrestlers were legit catch wrestlers who performed choreographed matches for money. In the last few decades or so pro wrestlers became athletic entertainers and rarely martial artists.
So this list does not constitute early Pro fighters who have legit martial arts background or any well rounded UFC fighters who are into Pro Wrestling.
So, this list does not cover Josh Barnett, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Daniel Puder, Bobby Lashley, Brock Lesner, Ronda Rousey etc....
These fighters have some legit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in their arsenal, but the fact that they are martial artists who also had an MMA Career, disentitle them from this list.
#7 The Undertaker
The First Pro wrestler on this list is BJJ black belt Undertaker.
Yes, you heard it right, Undertaker is a Rolles Gracie BJJ Blackbelt.
BJJ black belt is a very prized possession. It is one of the most respected accolades to obtain in martial arts.
The evolution of a white belt into a black belt is a long-drawn process and can take up to 10 years.
But there are a few who have been able to do it in under three years like like B.J Penn and Travis Stephens, but they had solid martial arts backgrounds.
Undertaker happens to be in this category and received his Black belt under two years, albeit some people in BJJ community have issues over the legitimacy of his skills.
He rose from the dead so black belt must have been a piece of cake for him!
Legitimate or not, Undertaker is a legend and props to him for pulling off Gogplata (Hell's Gate) inside the squared circle and making BJJ popular.