BJJ & Celebrities

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is popular amongst different walks of life. Celebrities, in particular, have come to master this martial arts form while honing into their professions.

Basketball figures, actors, and even rockstars are partaking in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for either a gig or for themselves. Below we've listed seven celebrities who do Jiu-Jitsu, and the results may shock you.

1) Jonah Hill:

Known for his roles in movies like 21 Jump Street, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, and Wolf of Wall Street, Jonah Hill began BJJ training in 2018. Since then, he's been rolling in heavy with the techniques. Hill is a recent BJJ comrade and has a white belt ranking. During an interview with GQ, his Shoyoroll is an item he always needs close by.

2) Usher:

R&B legend Usher is an avid fan of MMA and BJJ. Sources say that the "Superstar" singer frequently trains with ATOS head coach and IBJJF black belt world champion Andre Galvao. He also visits the Machado Academy on numerous occasions. Usher has trained with former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in the past.

3) Jason Statham:

Snatch actor Jason Statham lives by his role as an action star by participating in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Training in other hobbies like Wing Chun, karate, kickboxing, and diving, Statham carries a purple belt armored by a Renzo Gracie flag.

4) Shaquille O'Neal:

Shaquille O'Neal is considered a legend in the basketball industry, so it's no surprise that his athletic skills have transferred to MMA training. He's been participating in the martial arts form on and off since 2000.

5) Kelly Slater:

World Surf League champion Kelly Slater has been training in Jiu Jitsu for approximately a decade. The purple belt holder is known mainly for his strong surfing skills. He advocates for BJJ to the highest degree! "Put your kids into Jiu Jitsu before other sports," he told GracieMag.

6) Joe Rogan:

After Fear Factor host Joe Rogan watched Royce Gracie fight at UFC 2: No Way Out, he got a job with the MMA Promotion as a color commentator. In 1996, he began training in Jiu Jitsu under Carlson Gracie in Hollywood. His abilities in the martial arts form have given him opportunities to earn a 10th Planet black belt under Eddie Bravo and a black belt from Jean Jacques Machado (2012).

7) Guy Ritchie:

Renowned movie director Guy Ritchie having a black belt is not new news for the public. The Sherlock Holmes visionary has been training in BJJ since the early 2000s. Renzo Gracie promoted Ritchie to a black belt in 2015. He's also a black belt in Shotokan and Judo.