Also known as | Luta Livre |
---|---|
Focus | Grappling, Mixed |
Country of origin | Brazil |
Creator | Euclydes Hatem |
Famous practitioners |
Marco Ruas Johil de Oliveira Hugo Duarte Alexandre Franca Nogueira Gesias Cavalcante Alexandre Ferreira Terry Etim Rousimar Palhares Milton Vieira Murilo Bustamante Pedro Rizzo Jose Aldo |
Parenthood | Catch Wrestling & Judo |
Olympic sport | No |
Luta Livre is a complete Brazilian martial art, which is primarily a mixture of Catch wrestling and Judo. Luta Livre is a Brazilian-based martial art that was created by Euclydes Hatem. Euclydes Hatem went by the name of Tatu. It was designed in Rio de Janeiro and means "free wrestling" in Portuguese(cf. "freestyle wrestling") also known as Brazilian Wrestling, or Sport wrestling. There are also striking techniques with hands, feet, knees and elbows. The name "Luta" is Portuguese for "Wrestling" or "Fight" and "Livre" for "Free", roughly meaning "Free wrestling" or "Free fighting". There are two styles known as "Luta Livre Esportiva" and "Luta Livre Vale Tudo". Both styles are no-gi. Noticeable practitioners are Marco Ruas, Ebenezer Fontes Braga, Johil de Oliveira, Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Renato Sobral and José Aldo
The competitive version is known as Luta Livre Esportiva (esportiva being Portuguese for "sporting"), a complete martial art system which was designed in Rio de Janeiro. Luta Livre is essentially a "no gi submission grappling". In Luta Livre Esportiva competitions, grappling techniques are the only techniques allowed to subdue the opponent. Consequently, it is important to calmly strategize and execute one's moves. This is a style of submission wrestling with the aim to force one's opponent to submit via armlock, leglock, choke or necklock or by points to win (i.e. takedowns, domination position). Punches, kicks and other "hard" techniques are not allowed as this is seen as more of a sport than an actual form of self-defense or fighting.