Now Playing: ‘From the Samurai to MMA: 500 Years of Fighting’

After experiencing major success in Brazil and Japan, the documentary “From the Samurai to MMA: 500 Years of Fighting” is now streaming on Amazon Prime video in the US and UK, available dubbed or with English subtitles. The series traces the history of jiu-jitsu from feudal Japan, through the revolution started by Jigoro Kano and continued by the Gracie family in Brazil, to the popularization of the sport around the world through the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Divided into five chapters, the story is narrated by competitors as well as renowned historians.

Royce Gracie, Marco Ruas, Art Davie, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, Renzo Gracie and Demian Maia are among the 54 characters interviewed in the documentary. Created by Sherdog contributor Marcelo Alonso for the Combate network in Brazil, the series sheds light on important characters unknown to modern fans, such as Mataemon Tanabe, Geo Mori and George Gracie. It also recalls the most important vale tudo fighters from every generation from the 1930s until the creation of the UFC in 1993, explained in detail by UFC co-founder Art Davie.

“I have no doubt that it's the most complete documentary ever made about the origins of jiu-jitsu and MMA”, said master Joao Alberto Barreto, disciple of Helio Gracie, after the cinematic release premiere in Brazil. Murilo Bustamante, the first UFC middleweight champion, was also present, saying, “Anyone who makes their living from jiu-jitsu or MMA should learn about the origins of the sport and must see this documentary.”

Watch “From the Samurai to MMA: 500 Years of Fighting” on Amazon Prime

Synopsis

Episode 1: The initial development of jiu-jitsu starting in the age of the samurai, the importance of Jigoro Kano, rival academies and the arrival of Japanese fighters in Brazil, including Mitsuyo Maeda who, in 1914, opened his own academy and met Carlos Gracie.

Episode 2: The founding of the first Gracie academy, the first challenges, the George Gracie phenomenon and his disagreement with Carlos, which led to the rise of Helio Gracie and his legendary 3-hour, 45-minute fight against Waldemar Santana.

Episode 3: The continuation of the Gracie family legacy. The new generation of fighters across Brazil. Carlson Gracie's retirement as a fighter, the importance of Rolls Gracie in the technical evolution of the sport, the beginning of the Rickson Gracie era, and the rivalries that helped the sport grow.

Episode 4: The creation of the UFC by Rorion Gracie with the help of Art Davie and the worldwide impact of jiu-jitsu, with victories by Royce and Rickson Gracie. The evolution of MMA and the Pride Fighting Championships era.

Episode 5: The worldwide boom of sport jiu-jitsu thanks to Carlos Gracie Jr. and the global expansion of the sport. The two key characters in the global growth of the sport: the Japanese fighter Yuki Nakai and the UAE Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed. The global social and economic impact of jiu-jitsu, MMA and grappling.