
The Hélio Gracie Self Defense Challenge was devised by the Valente Brothers in 2000 to preserve and promote a vital element in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that was slowly being forgotten: Stand up Self-Defense. With the tremendous growth of sport jiu-jitsu, most instructors were lured by the prestige and excitement connected with positive tournament results and started focusing their classes almost exclusively on point grappling rather than realistic street fighting. However, several jiu-jitsu masters still regard the defenses against strikes, bear hugs, headlocks, collar grabs and other common street attacks as the most important component of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Under the supervision of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, this challenge was elaborated to test students’ technique and reflexes as they perform defenses against randomly selected stand up attacks. The attacks are executed in a realistic manner by the professors and expert judges award points based on the participants’ precision, technical proficiency, timing and realism. After three rounds the top four contestants are announced to the audience.

Chris Herbert in action in 2009
Today, ten years after the Valente Brothers created this challenge, jiu-jitsu is gradually finding itself again and thousands of practitioners and instructors around the world are refocusing their training on the street effectiveness that made the art famous.
1st place Roberto Fleischmann (center), 2nd place Eric Mainade (center left), 3rd place Pavel Bure (center right) with VB professors
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The 5th son of Hélio Gracie and 7th degree Red and Black Belt will teach a super seminar on Saturday, June 9th at Valente Brothers
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Students, parents and teachers once again came together for a wonderful day of Jiu-Jitsu, friendship, and knowledge
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Professor Pedro Valente was in Houston, Texas for a series of seminars and belt promotions.
Friday, Apr 27, 2012
Following Jiu-Jitsu principles can be the key to a successful business